Current Issues – Mark Conner

COVID-19 and the Church

Mark Conner — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

As of Sunday, 22nd March this year, churches in Australia could no longer meet in physical buildings due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. The majority of churches had to immediately move to some kind of online platform - ready or not. For some, this was a relatively easy step, especially for churches who had already … Continue reading COVID-19 and the Church

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Waking Up to My Own ‘Blind Privilege’

Mark Conner — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 06:36:14 +0000

I am white, I am male, I am tall, I am middle class, I am educated, I am straight, and I grew up in a Christian home. All of these things were given to me by birth, not by choice. I did not earn them or do anything to acquire them - other than live … Continue reading Waking Up to My Own ‘Blind Privilege’

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Threshold Times

Mark Conner — Mon, 04 May 2020 01:46:58 +0000

Good morning from Melbourne! It's getting a little cooler here as Autumn kicks in (or is it Winter already!?). I love this season, especially the beautiful autumn leaves everywhere. Walking each morning and evening in the nearby Edinburg Gardens with my lovely wife and our quirky pugalier is a highlight of my day. Today begins … Continue reading Threshold Times

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Living in Turbulent Times (Part 5)

Mark Conner — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:58:13 +0000

Draw from God's STRENGTH Turbulent times can be very discouraging and very draining. The very atmosphere of perpetual negativity can wear us out. Yet, Habakkuk reached out to declare God as his strength, the one who would enable him not just to survive but to even thrive in these difficult times. He declared God as … Continue reading Living in Turbulent Times (Part 5)

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Living in Turbulent Times (Part 4)

Mark Conner — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:46:04 +0000

Hold on to Your JOY Habakkuk did not receive the answer he was looking for. Things were not going to turn for the better right away. Yet he chose to rise above this and hold on to his joy. "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; … Continue reading Living in Turbulent Times (Part 4)

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Living in Turbulent Times (Part 3)

Mark Conner — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:38:33 +0000

Look for OPPORTUNITY Despite the crisis and the turbulence of his time, Habakkuk learned to realise that God was at work and that each day was an opportunity to see God’s purposes realised in his time. The central verse of his book is this … "For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will … Continue reading Living in Turbulent Times (Part 3)

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Living in Turbulent Times (Part 2)

Mark Conner — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 01:02:31 +0000

Find Clarity in the Uncertainty "I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint."Habakkuk 2:1. NIV Habakkuk pulls aside from the normal routines of life to reflect and waits to hear from God. During turbulent … Continue reading Living in Turbulent Times (Part 2)

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Living in Turbulent Times (Part 1)

Mark Conner — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 00:43:35 +0000

What a crazy time it is! We have a rapidly spreading virus, plunging stock markets, entire countries locking down, people hoarding toilet paper, arguments in shopping aisles, businesses closing down, people being laid off ... and no live sport, God forbid! Who would have thought our world would shut down like this. It's like an … Continue reading Living in Turbulent Times (Part 1)

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Improving Our Relationships

Mark Conner — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:39:47 +0000

What a crazy time it is! The spread of the coronavirus is unleashing a pandemic of fear and uncertainty right across our world. This is impacting every one of us - mentally, emotionally, financially, and relationally. Who knows where, when and how this will all end. No doubt, it will pass, but at what cost … Continue reading Improving Our Relationships

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Kobe Bryant Among Those Killed in a Recent Helicopter Crash

Mark Conner — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 19:00:00 +0000

This time last Monday morning, I checked the news headlines on my phone. I read the top news release: "Kobe Bryant and his daughter killed in a helicopter crash." What a shock! I have been an avid basketball fan since I lived in the USA back in the 1970s. I have followed the National Basketball … Continue reading Kobe Bryant Among Those Killed in a Recent Helicopter Crash

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A Map of Life’s Journey

Mark Conner — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 08:37:33 +0000

In a few months time I will be 58 years of age. As I grow older, I find myself reflecting more on my life. Where I've come from, where I've been, where and who I am now, and where I am going. I also observe other people in their own journey as they seek to … Continue reading A Map of Life’s Journey

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ORIGINS: Genesis Re-Visited

Mark Conner — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 07:04:38 +0000

The book of Genesis is a narrative of the origins of the world, but in particular the family of Abraham. Three major world religions trace their roots back to Abraham - Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The first 11 chapters cover what is often referred to as 'pre-history': from the beginnings of the universe through just … Continue reading ORIGINS: Genesis Re-Visited

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Freedom from Depression

Mark Conner — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 06:00:42 +0000

Depression has been called "the common cold of the emotions". Depression simply means "low mood". Every one has time when they feel down or experience low mood but sometimes those feelings can linger for days, weeks, even months at a time. This can be quite debilitating, especially when others around you don't fully understand what … Continue reading Freedom from Depression

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What Happens After Death?

Mark Conner — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 18:00:21 +0000

Life is a gift - to be enjoyed and lived to the full. Yet life is uncertain and death is inevitable. In many ways, life is like a room with two doors. We enter through the door of birth and we leave through the door of death. There is a “time to be born and … Continue reading What Happens After Death?

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Church Life AFTER Marriage Equality: The Questions No One Is Asking

Mark Conner — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 17:37:24 +0000

Right now, Australians are deliberating about just one question - “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?” A majority of conservative Christians (as well as Jews and Muslims) are campaigning for a 'No' vote, while less are saying it should be 'Yes'. A majority of society in general seems to be … Continue reading Church Life AFTER Marriage Equality: The Questions No One Is Asking

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