ANDREW THORBURN is NOT the Posterboy for the Persecuted Church

 

ANDREW THORBURN 

Even though I knew it would happen, I have quickly become tired of hearing about Australian businessman, Andrew Thorburn. , who lost his job IN ONE DAY in his new role as the head of the  AFL (Australian Football League) team in Essendon (a suburb of Melbourne). This is due to the fact he is a member of the City on a Hill church. Now he has become the poster boy for Religious Freedom and the persecution of Christians in western society. Firstly in Australia, but now the American conservative Church people have leaped on this in a HUGE way. Including many of the people, I associate with.

Let's use some discernment and basic common sense in the matter by examining Thorburn's own words.

Statement from Andrew Thorburn in which I have highlighted certain phrases.

"Yesterday was one of the proudest days of my life. To be offered the role of CEO of the 

Essendon Football Club - who I have followed since I was a boy - was a profound honour. At last night’s Crichton medal, I could hardly contain my passion and wonder at the opportunity. 

I love the club, love the people, and was incredibly excited about the work ahead. I had seen a picture of a club that was not as broken as feared, and that with leadership and focus could rebound strongly. 

However, today it became clear to me that my personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many. I was being required to compromise beyond a level that my conscience allowed. People should be able to hold different views on complex personal and moral matters and be able to live and work together, even with those differences, and always with respect. Behaviour is the key. This is all an important part of a tolerant and diverse society. 

Let me be clear - I love all people and have always promoted and lived an inclusive, diverse, 

respectful and supportive workplace - where people are welcome regardless of their

culture, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. I believe my record over a long period of time testifies to this.

Despite my own leadership record, within hours of my appointment being announced, the 

media and leaders of our community had spoken. They made it clear that my Christian faith 

and my association with a Church is unacceptable in our culture if you wish to hold a leadership position in society.

This grieves me greatly - though not just for myself, but for our society overall. I believe we are poorer for the loss of our great freedoms of thought, conscience and belief that made for a truly diverse, just and respectful community.

My faith is central to who I am. Since coming to faith in Jesus 20 years ago, I have seen profound changes in my life, and I believe God has made me a better husband, father, and friend. It has also helped me become a better leader. That is because at the centre of my faith is the belief that you should create a community and care for people because they are created by and loved by God and have a deep intrinsic value. 

As it happens, I do sometimes disagree with things I hear in church - but I believe strongly in 

the right of people to say them, especially when taken in context. Reducing complex matters 

to a sentence is dangerous. Australia has a long tradition of diversity and religious freedom, 

and that must include preserving space for religious people to be able to express their religious beliefs. 

I am saddened by these events. I wish the Club success and thank Dave Barham in 

particular for the opportunity he gave me. I hope the external review leads to great change. I 

am truly sorry that I will not be able to work with the whole Essendon team, and Brad Scott 

and Josh Mahoney in particular. 

4 October 2022"

Whew. 😓

Now, as a behaviourist, I could spend HOURS unpacking this line by line but I will spare you my yakity-yak, (for the time being). 

The highlights are these:

"not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many".

Not tolerated by some. Who are these "some"  people in the public square? Well, Thorburn mentions them later in his statement. 

"media and leaders of our community" 

But not his new bosses?

"I was being required to compromise."

HOW were you being REQUIRED to compromise? You were only on the job one day?

Plus, Thorburn said he has been following this team since he was a boy AND he has been a prominent businessman for many years. Didn't he bother to find out what this new job would require of him BEFORE he took it?

Also, keep in mind he "resigned" and "stepped down" himself. He wasn't dismissed or fired.

Now there is this massive controversy surrounding him where the Christian Right is pitted against the Atheist Left (woke) people and a week ago most people had NO IDEA who Andrew Thorburn was (including myself)! 🤨

Can anybody say, 

"I want attention"? 

Can anybody say, 

" Here's a great P.R. opportunity."

Can anybody say, 

"I will make my name known everywhere even though I'm just living in a suburb in Australia."

Can anybody say, 

"I have big political aspirations."

What do I say?

Something is super hinky here. My warning bells are sounding in a BIG way! 

I simply want to warn you to DIG DEEPER and don't jump on a "bandwagon" (even if it is heading in the direction you want to go.)

Keep your eyes on Andrew Thorburn but keep your mouth shut for now.

Use discernment, get some more information on the topic and (as always) keep your nose in the Bible and your focus on CHRIST ALONE. It is only His  motives and character that are forever TRUE.

As I also seek to follow and obey Him by speaking...

The Truth, with Love,

Always, Laura-Lee 😔. 🙋🏻‍♀️✝🇨🇦❤

My suggestion is that you take another look at Israel Folau if you need a "poster boy"  who was actually dismissed because he posted a Bible verse on Twitter. He didn't QUIT or purposely seek lots of media attention. 

Plus, he is much sweeter, more genuine and nicer to look at. 😉

I Feel Like a Beaten Bride

 TOTAL HONESTY TIME for those of us who believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

My third sleepless night in a row due to sickness. Having massive problems trying to accomplish basic life tasks. Financial problems. Family problems. Isolated in my home. Haven't felt the touch of another human in two years. Haven't heard my name spoken out loud any more than 5 or 6 times in two years. Fighting anxiety and discouragement on an hourly basis.

Some of the most sick, evil, and perverse things I've encountered in 50 years swim around me daily and the vast majority people thinking all this horrible stuff is GOOD. 

Those of us Pre-Trib-ers who believe we are not meant to "suffer God's wrath" and will be "caught up" BEFORE the 7-year Tribulation LOVE to quote Ed Hindson who said, "Jesus does not beat up His Bride before the wedding!" But the past couple of days I've been thinking, "Maybe not, but it seems to me the Lord is just standing by and WATCHING His Bride being beaten up and NOT intervening."

Be honest. Have you been feeling the same way?

It makes me think of the "Left Behind" series of books and films. They depict the total chaos that happens after the Christians are removed from earth. But the way things are RIGHT NOW, while we are STILL HERE, is WAY worse than anything in the stories. I bet even Kirk Cameron is thinking how much worse things have gotten than anything shown in his movies.

I don't know why we're still here. I don't know why Jesus hasn't come for us yet. But I DO know I want Him to come like I never have before and maybe that is at the heart of the point.

Let's look at the last words the apostle Paul wrote before his death. 

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have LOVED HIS APPEARING." (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

In other English translations, it says, "LONGED for his appearing."

I know I do. When Jesus calls me he will NOT have to do it twice.

I remember when I was a kid playing outside with my friends and darkness would be falling fast and then I would hear Mom call loudly into our neighbourhood, "Time to come home Laura-Lee!" She'd flick on the porch light to help me find my way and I'd see the warm lights from our windows beaming out their welcome. I didn't have to be called twice then either.

I miss the old types of clocks that ticked. Even when everything was silent throughout the night they were a constant reminder that time was passing.

God is not "tarrying". He has a specific and set time to retrieve us and the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and months continue to pass by. Like Paul, our end is coming but for those who hold fast to Jesus until the end we will be given a new and glorious new beginning. Jesus has made this promise to us and I know, after 44 years of following Him, that He NEVER breaks a promise. 

 

  "9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him." (2 Peter 3:9-15)

I'm ready for my imminent departure. Are you?

The Truth, with Love,

Always, Laura-Lee

LINK "Wonderful, Merciful Savior" video by Selah