Reb Zusha of Hanipol

Before I share this hopefully profound and inspiring thought, I have to say, that I am always fascinated by how people of history were named! 

Locky McNeill of Invercargill sounds a little more interesting and exotic maybe than just Locky don't you think? 

But back to what I wanted to share today...

As part of another study I have been participating in recently, we heard a quote purportedly from a one Reb Zusha of Hanipol and it honestly struck a nerve in me.

It seems recorded that while on his dying bed, crying, and in some obvious distress, that he was asked why he seemed to be that way. Those around at the time considered him highly esteemed and were honestly perplexed as to why this man would be concerned it appeared, to be upset before passing away and ultimately meeting God.

"I'm afraid! Because when I get to heaven, I know God's not going to ask me, 'Why weren't you more like King Moses?' or 'Why weren't you more like King David?' "

"But I'm afraid that God will ask, 'Zusha, why weren't you more like Zusha?' and then what will I say?"

The question he was wrestling with I believe was 'was I who I was used to be in this life and did I do what I was called, designed, gifting and mandated to do?'

I don't know about you, but I definitely find this challenging!

Maybe that is why I have been frustrated lately as I try to discover who I am supposed to be and do in this current season of life? This deep sense that life and the responsibility it implies is indeed important.

Scripture tells us that we are all designed by God.

That we were all intentionally made for just the right time in history.

That we all have specific talents that God has invested in each of us.

And that we will be accountable for that investment and trust.

My prayer lately has been focused on this a lot.

I do not want to be on my death bed with regret.

Please know that I do not want to come across too heavy in this but simply encourage you to seek to be all that God has called you be. 

Don't settle for this.

Don't let others rob of this opportunity.

I pray that you and I will discover this again today...

Something to think about...

Have you heard of Gell Mann Amnesia?

I hadn't heard of this until yesterday.

But I think it helps illustrate an issue we face as we navigate the world today.

In 2002, Michael Crichton describes it as a phenomenon where a person reads a news article on a subject they know well, identifies significant errors or misunderstandings, yet continues to trust the same media outlet for information on other topics.

This the idea that we can read something we just know is wrong and then move onto something else from the same source potentially believing other things they report to be true, sometimes because they match our expectations.

I heard it described as something similar to "wet streets cause rain"*.

Why am I mentioning this?

The presenter in the video says "the deeper problem is that we are remarkably good at noticing the lies in the narrow corner of the world where we have direct knowledge. And we're remarkably bad at remembering when we turn the page what we just noticed."

If you want to navigate life well in this period of history I think it unfortunately right to be a little skeptical of the traditional sources of truth, news and information.

In the democratised media space we now live in, where media has thrown off all best practice, balance and process, you simply can't always trust what you read, what you see and what you hear.

I would encourage healthy skepticism.

I would encourage self ownership of study and the ensuing understanding it can bring.

As it has been said, the truth can set you free. The kicker is you need the truth!

Digging out truth for yourself today takes intentionality.

It takes considered analysis, sometimes creating deep anguish if the truth is not the truth you hoped to discover. But it is worth it, to discover truth and engage in freedom.

Can I encourage you today to think about your approach to discovering truth?

Yes it might make you uncomfortable for a time, but better some discomfort than potential deception.

Something to think about...

*Jeremy Boreing YouTube May 2026

Is Church Attendance Up?

I found this new data release interesting...

Trying to understand church attendance data from the last couple of decades is not a simple task, with a general lack of easily accessible data.

The general consensus was the average was under 100 people and this seems to back it up some stark conclusions you can possibly come to.

Some thoughts:

1. Regular church attendance was on a decline this century and covid increased the decline. Lock downs would obviously contribute to the stats even though churches did their best to measure "online" attendance.

2. It is encouraging to see growth since the low and also a little depressing to see how far attendance has decreased over the sample period. This data reflects the changing attendance patterns (less regular attendance and less people).

3. The Church has great potential with careful and considered planning for the future.

4. What is not shown here is the general aging issue many churches will need to face up to over the next decade. Just because a church has "good numbers" and financial position right now does not guarantee the same in a decade, especially if the average age is 50 years plus.

5. There is still a major demographic gap in young adults in most churches as the majority do not stay engaged post high school. This can be different in larger centres and larger church contexts, but the pattern still exists.

What do you think?

Original Article

200,000 Views - WOW!

 

Why this Song? ...I Won't Let You Go

Over the last few years a few songs have come into my life, flowed into ears and ultimately gotten into my heart, that have made some measurable difference.

While maybe not life changing, yet they have added something to life.

They haven't fixed me, but have measurably helped me.

One of them is I Won't Let You Go by Switchfoot.

Essentially for me it is a reminder that someone (God) is looking out for me, somehow right there with me, while I have navigated some of the more challenging moments of the last decade.

Hearing each maybe every few months has reminded me and helped me to turn my focus onto Him.

Because of its impact I had a thought the other day just to record a little sample.

Again for the same reason. To remind me of the truth it carries. 

And also in the hope it might help someone else...

Maybe even you?

To check it out click here.