Hopefully by now, you’ve seen it in the foyer at church, but I wanted to share more of the story behind it.

I once said in passing to a friend, “some people aspire to be great storytellers but others just aspire to tell great stories..”

Whilst I believe that there is merit in the former, I’m definitely in the latter category myself. Which is convenient considering I’ve found myself caretaking SP Magazine, formerly known as Soul Purpose. Soul Purpose was started in Wellington, an extension of the Christian arts & music community. In 2009 they faced closure after ten years of being well-loved and widely read by Christian young people throughout the country.

Seemed like too good of a thing to let die – so it’s become a labour of love and good intentions. My heart and vision is to continue publishing an intelligent, relevant and entertaining magazine that can be picked up by any NZer 18 – 30 (and beyond) and loved. Thankfully, a great crew of writers, photographers and volunteers are helping make it happen. Think of it as a cross between Metro and The Listener. A big focus on arts & culture, with a hefty helping of world issues.

I think the latest issue is a great example – our piece on the Israel/Palestine conflict gives an overview of the political landscape as well as giving voice and respecting the religious views surrounding a controversial issue. And our insight section talks about issues of spirituality and faith in the real world in a way that’s accessible and engaging. (Thanks Andy Dickson for the Jargonology column).

In fact, a bunch of Edge-ites have been super key and involved with the issues to date. And we’re working with various tertiary groups to extend the distribution of the mag across NZ tertiary campuses.

In case you’re wondering.. yes, the mag is run by a Charitable Trust. We rely on donations, subscriptions and advertising. Which is a real labour of love. If you’d like to donate or subscribe please visit www.spmagazine.org/donate.

I really believe that there are great stories to be told and a generation of NZers inside and outside the church who are already listening, waiting for the truth that SP Magazine can deliver.

Too much? I think not.

Hopefully you join us.

Tash McGill

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.*

The above left picture is of the temple cornerstone in Jerusalem (2008). It is part of the last remaining segment of the Western wall of the Second Temple. Now commonly known as the Wailing wall.

This stone is incredibly significant. It held the weight and tension of the entire second Jewish temple (right photo)! Placed in the corner of the structure where the slope ended it supported all the other walls and foundations. That’s why it’s so huge! (The slab is the one below the piece with holes in it. For some perspective those holes are about the size of tennis balls).

Peter the Apostle wrote in 1 Peter 2:4-6,

“As you come to him, the living stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame.”"

Christ is our living cornerstone. Paul said of Him “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together”. He is the foundation we stand on and the hope we have.

In order to get the stone into its position workers had to roll it down the slope on ball bearings. When the stone was in position they would put weight on it and it would crush the bearings and be secured in its place. This same event was carried out on the cross when Gods cornerstone, Jesus Christ, crushed the enemies work and freed us from sin.

Incredible God.

Strahan.

*Wikipedia