Caught by surprise
I wasn't raised as a Christian, though I was sent to Sunday School, and attended a church school. I even knew some Bible verses – but I did not know Jesus Christ.

I happily survived the 16 years after leaving school without God intruding into my life. I married and was caught by surprise when my wife became a Christian. I was absolutely furious, knowing what organised religion meant and how it could tie you down.

Interestingly, the vicar of my wife’s church was, like me, an economist – I was impressed and disturbed. As I engaged in discussion with him, I realised that I had never read the Bible seriously. Now, the picture of Jesus I found was quite different from the one I vaguely carried in my memory. It was altogether more life-like, less ethereal and more credible. I was again caught by surprise.

I felt my resistance waning and woke up to a shocking truth – my faith in the worldly philosophy of economics had become my religion! On Christmas Day 1989, I knelt before God and asked Him to forgive me. I had a sense of joy that my mind could finally affirm as true what my heart for some time had been willing to accept.

Alive and Active!
Bible Society's ‘Alive and Active’ is engaging children all over state schools in NSW, WA and Tasmania with the Bible. It’s a great tool for Scripture teachers, containing a CD, video and teacher’s manual. ‘Alive and Active’ is hosted by our fearless adventurer ‘Waffle’ the puppet and Melinda the librarian, getting children interested in the Bible, its stories, message and its importance in their daily lives. Its overarching purpose is to bring children into relationship with Jesus.

Produced by Oasis Children’s Resources at Logosdor, the resource is available from the Bible Society by contacting Chris Melville on (02) 9888 6588.

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