000 or 911 or ...
3rd September 2009 by Sandy MacDonald
In Australia our emergency telephone number is 000. I grew up saying “triple-oh.” It makes me sound old, but this was an era before touch tone phones. To dial triple 0 you actually dialled (moved a thingy around in a circle and it made a cool clicking sound as it turned back to the starting position) and 0 was the furthest digit to dial. Triple 0 was selected as our emergency number because it is easy to remember and, being the furthest digit, less likely to be dialled by mistake or by a child in error.
New Zealanders weren’t worried about such errors because their emergency number is 111.
My son recently watched a DVD of “Fireman Sam” and learned that 112 was the emergency number in the United Kingdom.
Of course, we’re all aware that in the United States the number is 911 – we hear it over and over in movies as well as the impact of the terrorist attack back in 2001 and the play on dates and the emergency number.
But, back to Australia.
Lots of Aussies are so influenced by Hollywood that they have dialled 911 in an emergency.
Apparently the other new issue is that, because telephones now have the alphabet as well on the number keys, Aussies are dialling triple LETTER o (ie. triple number 6.)
So…apparently we are now meant to start saying “triple-zero.”
So what?
Well, I wonder how easily influenced we are by things from other religions. I also wonder how well we know what we believe to realise what outside influences are pushing in on us.
For example, when something bad happens, how many people say, “that’s karma?” Karma is almost the complete opposite of salvation and forgiveness. God doesn’t hold a grudge and pay us back for sin. Karma is a key concept from Buddhism.
And what about when you last rearranged your furniture? Did you pick up some Feng Shui tips? Feng Shui is based on an Eastern religious philosophy.
Did you peek at your horoscope the other day? Did you realise that star signs were initially created based on the thinking that earth was the centre of the universe. Astrologers had to completely revamp their system once science proved that the sun was the centre and the earth one of several planets revolving around the sun. Have they taken into account that Pluto is no longer a planet?
What sort of influence do vampires, wizards, witches and spells have in your life? Are they movie-screen only?
How would you stack up in a conversation with one of those pairs of guys in suits who knock on your door with a “bible” similar to yours but different in critical aspects such as the divinity of Jesus?
Are you into yoga? Is it merely exercise? How strongly influenced are the exercise moves by the spiritual thinking behind it?
On what basis do you decide your moral standards? Peer pressure? Social norms? Biblical values? You need to know in advance how you feel about certain issues rather than making your mind up on the run.
How about those random facebook quizzes that supposedly predict the future or are based on new age philosophies? Are they harmless fun or is there something sinister about them?
The thing is that we really need to be grounded in our faith and know what we believe. We need to know the difference between triple zero, 911, 112 and triple O. More importantly, we need to know the difference between Christianity and other religions or world views.
I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2 Timothy 1:12b-14 NIV)
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8 NIV)
Take the time to delve into the bible. Get together with a bunch of people and do life with each other. Join in with the generations to worship God on a Sunday. Pray. Ask questions. If you’re up for it, do some formal study in theology (that is, don’t leave your faith behind at Sunday School level while your professional qualifications go through the roof.)
In order for us to stand firm against false teaching, we need to know what we believe and be convinced of God’s ability and willingness to care for us. Holiness is the journey we take in growing in our faith.
Know what you believe. Make sure you’re dialling triple zero. Make sure you’re a Christian not a Christi-um?
Sandy
PS. Sorry we haven't blogged for a while. I wonder if anyone missed us?
save. grow. serve.
save - noah rzeminski
Noah Rzeminski from Wollongong tells how his father was not happy with his decision to b... Read more
serve - nadine sorensen
Nadine Sorensen shares how God altered her persepctive while on mission in Kenya... Read more
Got your own story to share? Write to us today!
Comments
hey sandy,
i really enjoy reading ur blogs they always make me think. yeah i did miss u not blogging i am glad u blogged this one.
Love Laura
Sandy this is great. I agree with Laura, this inspires a lot of questioning and thinking about our own lives. So glad to have a MacDonald blog, good food for thought.
WOW!! I loved it! GREAT blog!! I wanna hear you preach!
yeah, you were missed. good to have you back
Hi. Just out of interest I stumbled upon this blog and thought I might just add for future reference, that 112 is in actual fact the emergency number for mobiles in Australia, where as 999 is the emergency number for the United Kingdom.
Thanks.