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"the amateur scribe"
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or
."a'lil from de author of dis site "

Gidday, and greetings from the Antipodes!

The reason for "New Zealand Lamb" was because it was a nickname given to me while I attended secondary school when I spent 18 months in Pomland (the UK) at the beginning of my teens.  At the moment my most common name is Tom (a la Lamb - sometimes Haggis), the instigator of these pages, "the gospel for dummies".  I reside in the "Mainland" of Aotearoa (thatz New Zealand in post colonial terms or in present neo pagan times).  We are a group of three or more scantly populated islands downunder (they say the uttermost parts of the earth ...  from the geographical Jerusalem).

It works fine belonging to a country where Mother England cut the umbilical cord back in the late sixties to get into bed with her former European rivals, to try and thwart the destruction and misery of centuries of past wars between each other.  All at the expense of her former (very) loyal domains (civilized, even 'God fearing' at times - colonies).

The reason it works fine is because good 'ole "Godzone" now faced with the issue of confused loyalties, is trying desperately to find fresh global identity and to come to terms for what she stands for.  Does it lie in resurrecting our mixed ancestry?  Is it found in being first in everything?  Or in our tough Kiwi independent spirit; to showcase our Kiwi ingenuity along side our spectacular scenery!  Or opting out and joining the mass exodus across the Tazzie to the continent of Oz (thatz the land of opportunity - the turf of the Aussie), in order to make it big!  Not to forget to mention joining hands with Asia.  The region where our politicians work very hard now in convincing everyone, that we have always apparently been apart of!  It also forces the nation to come to terms with what is referred to as 'self-determination'.  Carried over into localized Christendom, this could, and I believe does, spell blessing.

Yes, blessing indeed!  Because, in similarity to a mass exodus (like as just mentioned) ...  it works fine because those that find Christ (or those that are found by Christ) may find it less difficult quitting the established church scene and leaving camp permanently.  Like what has been happening in droves in recent years, succeeding the Jesus Movement.  This is the crucial difference between being a biblical pilgrim and a pew warming religionist!  Unless you are a special chosen candidate for "spiritual" promotion that is, and ignore what "is written"!

After realizing the stupidity of showing blind allegiance to our former British Empire at the most horrifying death count and cost of two bloody world wars, deeply affecting every family in NZ, along side ongoing confused religious issues and political decisions that don't make sense ... staying home and raising a family biblically, while trying to stay clean and minding onez own business, makes more sense and is far more rewarding than upholding a manmade name or an institution.  Thatz an organization "for God", without God's approval in the first place! Besides, it is scriptural and lines totally with the simple gospel Jesus conveyed.

Me (de amateur scribe):  I am a suppressed 'exhibitionist', a restricted 'attention seeker', and a total failure without the Lord.  Or just someone who thought he'd utilize his PC, his access to the internet, and what the Lord has shown him over the years, through the word plus experience.  Praise God for his wisdom, his chastisement, his restricted boundaries he places on those he loves, as well as his amazing grace!  It has been said many a time before ...  if it was not for the Lord, where would we be?  God would not have it any other way, irrespective of whether we believe it or not!

Me (a saved dyslexic):  I was once a very busy bee in Christendom, "proactive", spanning the great spectrum of institutionalized rigmarole to "excess" and "Charismania".  Supposedly being a good servant of the most High.  Thatz not daring to miss a Sunday or weekly church service (usually called "a meeting").  Moreover, having just about exhausted everything in the system (apparently, what was expected of me), from playing in 'gospel' bands, to musicals, to doing outreaches and evangelism (both aggressive and ladeda), to street preaching and performing, to concerts, to visiting jails and hospitals, to attending or running "cell groups", to having religious malingers dropped on us for "care" (thanks to those "caring" for us).  Oh ...  and bible college; with the odd (mass produced) written diploma as a seal to my compliance.  All for the reason of giving it 'my best shot' for "God" (or "Gawd" - depending on your accent), when in actual fact it was not necessary, one iota.  Good wood, hay, and stubble fodder for the fire, nevertheless!
Also, you would've guessed by now, my temporal residing "spiritual home" (a term borrowed from the IC) is where an apostle called Paul once said to be ...  abiding "in the same calling wherein he was called"!  "Don't join anything," in other words (anything religious that iz), after coming to the cross!  While my final place will be in paradise with Jesus and those that have stuck with him to the end.

Lastly (to avoid TMI - thatz "too much information"), I must make it clear here that my "article" or "declaration of faith" just don't exist!  Intentionally too, by the way!  Reason?  Not necessary!  Besides, therez nothing short of the Holy Bible; which'iz God's pure and perfect word we can trust fully.  This is the infallible book the Poms call the Authorized Bible and what the Yanks have nicknamed the King James.  The believers final authority nevertheless!  Transforming lives in every land, of every tongue.  Reserved for those who are prepared to throw out their opinion in full, and admit God was right all along, and that he is right every time. 

Therefore, though the gospel be for dummies in the eyes of man, it is the power of God for those who are saved, according to the word of God.  This is the power of the gospel, the reality of salvation, the cross of our Saviour, always in demonstration mode ...  "for (God's) strength is made perfect in (our) weakness."
"why"
"intro"
"gideon"
"footwashing"
"the fishermen"
"the experience"
"servant or clone"
 "the gospel for dummies"
 "establishing who the gospel is for"
"Jesus is coming - don't get bogged down"
 "Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?"
 "beyond a popcorn testimony - "why we quit"
 "beware of more diversions and obstacles"
"the evangelical subculture"
"discerning the body"
"a good keen soldier"
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