Super Humans?

Altering human genes to create a “super” human seems like the plot of a science fiction movie.  But scientists have taken a step closer to being able to do just that as Britain approves experiments to edit the genes in human embryos.

While supporters of this research say that it could lead to cures for diseases such as HIV and inherited disorders “critics warn that tweaking the genetic code this way could be a slippery slope that eventually leads to designer babies”  as quoted in the Gisborne Herald 2 February. 

It is easy to see how this technology, developed with good intentions, could be abused.  In Nazi Germany scientists experimented on babies in the womb as part of the plan to create the Aryan super race.   What could radical groups today do with such technology?

The research itself also results in a tragic loss of life.  Embryos in this particular experiment will be allowed to develop to around 250 cells before they are destroyed.  Each of those embryos could have been a baby and God tells us that all life is precious.   God said to Jeremiah (1v5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” and the message is the same to us.  God assures us that he knows and loves us throughout the bible.  While I am sure he is intrigued with our continued unravelling of the scientific wonders that He created, I am also sure that He did not intend for them to be used in this way, killing unborn children, and opening up a door to experimentation and abuse. 

We need to treat scientific knowledge with care, and thank God for the gift of life for as the Psalmist says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

 Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church

Larisa has been a Christian since Youth Group days in Kaukapakapa North Auckland.   She believes in finding the truth in God's word for all situations.

Published in the Gisborne Herald 20 February 2016.

NZ’s future – One of peace or one of unrest?

Kia Ora,


I wonder how you spent Waitangi Day. Did you allow time to remember why we have this holiday or to consider New Zealand’s future and the role you play in it? Or was it simply a nice day off, a time to socialise or get a few jobs done around the house?

It is important to remember our history, so we can learn from it. We do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past and we want to repeat the things that went well. In my opinion, the Treaty was a fantastic attempt at developing principles for the Māori and English people to live together in peace. Yes, there were problems with subtleties of word meanings, but what a great effort!


We are advised to live together in harmony, respecting each other and living peacefully with each other. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14) As Christians we must be the peacemakers in our society, as through this action people will see the Lord.


Perhaps today is the day you will choose to begin a personal relationship with God. Jesus said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you” (John 12:24). Do you want to make peace with God and receive the gift of peace He offers you? It is the way we as individuals choose to live in relationship with God and others that affects the level of peace in our own life, our families, our workplaces and the wider community.


The choice is ours: Do you want a future filled with peace or a future filled with unrest?


Nicola Hawkins
Mangapapa Church

Published 6 February 2016

Making a real difference

Lose weight, exercise more, spend less, make a difference in the world…  The typical New Year’s resolutions list for most of us.  But to make a real difference to your health, happiness and contribution to society, try adding “Forgive others”,  for not only does unforgiveness damage  relationships between individuals and inevitably wider family or social groups, science shows that it can also damage our health. 

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies” said Nelson Mandela in The Long Walk to Freedom.   Scientists are finding this to be true as studies show damaging levels of cortisol are released when individuals think about people they have not forgiven.  

God, the designer of our incredible bodies, warns us that our thoughts affect our health, for example in Proverbs 17:22 it says “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”  God also tells us to forgive because it is necessary for restoration of relationships between people, and between God and ourselves.  Jesus said “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14.      We are all sinners!  We all make mistakes and hurt people.   “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”  C.S Lewis.

Forgiveness means to let go of the hurt and bitterness, and keep doing so when those feelings return.  True forgiveness is not just an internal feeling but a decision to actively work to restore relationships.  Jesus said to love our enemies and when our “enemies” are within our families and community groups the benefits of doing so are far reaching.

So in 2016 resolve to forgive - for health, happiness, and an improved society.  “Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” 2 Corinthians 13:11. 

Larisa Hockey – Mangapapa Church

Published in the Gisborne Herald on Saturday 9 January.

Larisa,  is fascinated by the links between our spiritual state, our mind and our health and is particularly interested in the work of Dr Carolyn Leaf in helping us rewire our brains to overcome toxic thoughts.  

Never again

At 29-years of age, Abby Johnson, the director of an abortion clinic in Texas was a committed proponent of abortion. And she'd personally had two abortions. But one morning she was unexpectedly asked to assist with an ultrasound-guided abortion - a procedure which in her own words "would shake the foundation of my values and change the course of my life." 

What she saw was "the entire, perfect profile of a 13-week baby." In her book, Unplanned, she writes, "The detail startled me. I could clearly see the profile of the head, both arms, legs, and even tiny fingers and toes. Perfect. Then a new image entered the video screen. The next movement was the sudden jerk of a tiny foot as the baby started kicking, as if it were trying to move away from the "probing invader" ... the baby began struggling to turn and twist away ...  then it crumpled ... and then it was gone." In that instant Abby knew, "It wasn't just tissue, just cells. It was a human baby, and it was fighting for its life. What I have believed, taught and defended, is a lie!  And then this thought came from deep within me: Never again! Never again!" 

At that moment Abby had a spiritual conversion. She immediately left the abortion industry and became an advocate for LIFE. In the words of columnist, Saul Elbein, "This is essentially the narrative of every Christian convert, from St Paul to St Augustine. A life of sin, a moment of truth, and suddenly everything changes." And in what is being described as an expression of redemption, the abortion facility where Abby Johnson once worked is now a pro-life pregnancy centre. Tracy Frank, executive director of the centre says, "What was once a place of death and grief where an estimated 6,400 abortions were performed, has been transformed into a place of life."  

Julia Martin 

 Wife, grandmother, and daughter of God, Julia believes we are all precious in God's eyes, known and loved from the very moment of conception.

Walking and Talking

The processes of learning to walk and learning to talk are key parts of a child’s development. Our youngest child has a good grasp of walking and is now beginning to form words beyond the basics of ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’. This process amazes and inspires me. I liken it to the journey I have been on with God. The journey has involved learning to walk and talk with Him.

Children learn to walk by holding an adult’s hand. This involves the child trusting that the adult will guide their steps and hold them if they trip. The Bible puts a big emphasis on the importance that God places on children. In Matthew 19:14, God’s son Jesus says to his disciples,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these".

The Bible also teaches us to be like children in our journey with God, to trust in Him. God knows us well and reminds us to have the simple trust of a child. Matthew 18:3 “And he (Jesus) said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”. Little children are trusting and unpretentious.
Learning to walk and talk (pray) to God involves being trusting, open, honest and frank as a child would be. There are a number of tools to help guide our steps and pray with God. They include reading the Bible, meeting with groups of people who believe in God, listening to Christian music etc. I am constantly challenged about relating to God in a wholly trusting and unpretentious way, just as my own child has complete trust in me.


Don McLean
Assembly of God

"Everything changes"

Dr Anthony Levatino has practiced obstetrics and gynaecology since 1980. As part of his medical training, Dr Levatino was taught to do abortions, including late-term abortions. Levatino estimates he carried out up to 1200 abortions. While he was performing abortions, Anthony and his wife were experiencing difficulty conceiving a child. They decided to adopt and within a few months they adopted a baby girl they named Heather. About the same time they conceived a son, and their family was complete. In Anthony's words, "We were perfectly happy". 

Life was good until 23 June 1984. At 7.25pm they heard a screech of brakes. They ran outside and found Heather lying on the road. She'd been hit by a car! They did everything they could for her, but she died in their arms. Dr Levatino says, "When you lose a child, your child, life is very different. Everything changes. It's not an embryology course any more. It's your child you buried." He continues, "I couldn't think about abortion any more ... I started to realise - this is somebody's child. I lost my precious child, and now I'm taking somebody's child, and I'm tearing him right out of their womb ... I began to feel like a paid assassin. And so I quit." 

He says he knows God was working in his life long before he changed to the pro-life position. A Christian lady told him, "Jesus loves you, and this is not what He intended for you." She was always kind and respectful, and eventually the message got through. Dr Levatino became a defender of LIFE. He says to pray for those who work in the abortion industry. Patience in prayer is necessary because conversions take time. And reach out to them in genuine friendship. Tell them, "The Lord loves you." Intellect and reason can't change people, but God can. He's always searching for His sheep, and sooner or later His love prevails!


Julia Martin

Taking the stress out of Christmas

So it is the end of October and where has this year gone? For some time now the retail world has been preparing for the season ahead and Christmas displays are popping up everywhere.


This has caused excitement for those who love anything and all things Christmas, all the way to complete outrage and even protests against the retail stores early Christmas displays and advertising.


For someone like myself who has visited both ends of this spectrum I now enjoy the excitement that indicates Christmas is on its way. Far from the stress and agony that once came with worrying about having enough money to pay for Christmas, having enough time, the right presents, and whatever else needed to be done or bought.

So being somewhat discouraged with the Christmas hoopla we decided we needed to make Christmas more about the things that make it special. So as a family we have started celebrating our own version of advent throughout December, we have a wreath with candles and home-made advent calendars that not only contain treats for the kids but activities and challenges as well. We write Christmas Cards together, sing Christmas Carols, make gifts for others, light candles, read bible verses, and even act out the Christmas story as a family. As we have done this we have created family memories and traditions and found ourselves discussing the true meaning of Christmas.


We find that not everything goes to plan, you can never plan for tired, grumpy children (or parents for that matter) but we plan anyway, and early. It does help and by focusing on Jesus and the hope, love, joy and peace that Christmas represents these things have replaced what once was Christmas stress. The Christmas presents are a bonus.

“Merry Christmas”

Angela Thomas
(Wairoa Rock Church)

Published in The Gisborne Herald 31 October 2015