Kameel Majdali's Road Ahead

It was an instant best-seller. The January 5, 2018 release of Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff became an instant best-seller. US President Donald Trump tried vigorously to stop the release of the book, which no doubt make it even more attractive, especially for the ‘anti-Trump’ and ‘never-Trump’ crowd. What are we to make of this book which is highly unflattering to the President? There are issues that are bigger than any one book, even if it is a runaway bestseller. Let’s remember a important issues. Freedom of Speech We should be solidly behind the notion of free speech, even though it means people can be offensive and obnoxious. Without this freedom, all other freedoms will be at risk, including freedom of religion, conscience, and association. Remember, however, in a free society there are justifiable limits to absolute free speech, like laws against liable, defamation, and perjury under oath. However, we face serious erosion o

(David playing the harp, Mount Zion - Photo courtesy of Teach All Nations)   Psalm 23 A Psalm of David 1 T he LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. It is the most beloved prose in the English language. Recited at secular funerals, Psalm 23 is part of the largest book of the Bible. If we could only have one book of the Bible, instead of 66, that contained the essential message of Scripture, which one would it

I never grew up on curries and tended to avoid them because of the ‘heat.’ However, in recent years, due to travels in Asia, I have had a change of heart and palate. The following recipe is mouth-watering, however, two recommendations. 1.        Don’t be generous: If you are not use to spicy hot food, reduce the amount of red curry paste (e.g. Use 2 teaspoons instead of 2 Tablespoons). Don’t be generous - better to add some heat later than have regrets because you put too much; you want to aim at having ‘no tears’ meal. 2.        Be generous: Load up on your favourite vegetables. This meal is a good way to get young and old to ‘eat their veggies.’ THAI RED CHICKEN CURRY Ingredients (serves 4) •          1 1/2 Tablespoons oil •          250 g skinless sliced chicken fillet; breast or thigh according to your preference. •          1 onion, sliced •          1 (or more) red capsicum (bell pepper) •          200 g (or more) mushrooms, stems trimmed, h

Matthew 16:18 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. When you hear the word ‘church,’ what comes to mind? •    A white weatherboard building with a high steeple with a cross at the top? •    A basilica or cathedral with magnificent architecture and stained-glass windows? •    A building with a large pipe organ that belts out traditional music? •    A denomination? •    A building with a cross? •    A set of doctrines? •    A group of Christian meeting together? In other words, what on earth, is the church? Background to An Important Announcement Jesus and the disciples were in the vicinity of a thoroughly heathen Gentile city of Caesarea Philippi, now known as Banias at the foot of the Golan Heights. It was only 6 kilometres away from an equally heathen Israelite city called Dan. Micah’s idol was installed at the founding of the

Great Britain’s Contribution to Civilisation When think of the words ‘Britain,’ ‘Great Britain,’ ‘England,’ and/or ‘United Kingdom,’ what comes to mind? Red double-decker buses? The Queen waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace? Fish and chips, wrapped in newspaper and season with salt and vinegar? Furry-hat Beefeaters? Rugby and cricket? In the gallery of today’s nation-states, Britain, along with a handful of others, clearly stands in a category called ‘unique.’ Great Britain is a leader among nations and this article will show, in part, its oversized contribution to civilisation. It has had 1,000 years to develop some of the finest traditions, institutions and inventions in history. Before, if not during, the 2016 Brexit-remain referendum on Britain’s EU membership, a constant refrain came out of Europe. Perhaps not worded so starkly, it essentially said that Britain was no better than any other of the 28 members states in the EU. Instead of complaining abou