I turned 58 years of age a week ago. Where did the years go? I still feel like I am in my 30s … but then other days I feel like I’ve squeezed the work and activity of multiple lifetimes into this one solitary life.… Read the rest
The Home Crowd
There is an interesting story in the Gospel of Luke about Jesus and his home town crowd – Nazareth. Jesus grew up here. Everyone knew him as ‘Joseph’s son’. After reading the Scripture in the synagogue one Sabbath, people were surprised by how well Jesus spoke.… Read the rest
A Map of Life’s Journey
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.… Read the rest
Seasons (Part 5)
One final reflection … (read Seasons Part 1 for background).
Endings Make New Beginnings Possible
Once Paul and his team had said their goodbyes, they were on their way … to Jerusalem then Rome (Acts 21:1), where he would spread the good news of Jesus even further, as well as speak to kings.… Read the rest
Seasons (Part 4)
Here is my next reflection … (read Seasons Part 1 for background).
Endings Involve Grief
As Paul left Ephesus, not only were their final words and prayers, there were also tearful and painful good-byes, knowing they would never to see each other again.… Read the rest
Seasons (Part 3)
Here is my next reflection on Paul’s transitioning from the city of Ephesus where he had spent the last three years of his life (read Seasons – Part 1).
Endings Require Us to “Let Go” of the Past
Moving on, required Paul to let go and the church at Ephesus to let him go too (Acts 20:36-37).… Read the rest
Seasons (Part 2)
Here is my second reflection on Paul’s life and the transition of seasons he was undergoing in leaving the city of Ephesus (read Seasons – Part 1).
Seasons are Marked by Endings and Beginnings
Paul felt an urgency that compelled him to leave Ephesus and go to Jerusalem, though he was completely in the dark about what would happen there (Acts 20:22).… Read the rest
Seasons (Part 1)
I love Autumn! It is one of my favourite seasons of the year. The somewhat cooler days, the clear blue skies, and the glorious colours of the leaves. Change is in the air. The cycle of life is moving forward.
Nicole and I moved back to Melbourne last May after 18 months of living in the Sunshine Coast.… Read the rest
Do You Have a ‘Secular’ Job?
Every now and then when I am talking with someone, in the course of the conversation, they will mention their ‘secular job’. I always pause and think about that statement. It actually grates me. Why is that?
Unfortunately, many people have created a division between the “sacred” and the “secular”.… Read the rest
Freedom from Depression
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.… Read the rest
NEW Podcast of Mark Conner’s Teaching
I am excited to announce a new podcast of my teaching messages. This podcast is available directly from Podbean (including on their mobile Apps) or from Apple’s iTunes (including all iTunes Apps) or from within Spotify (if you are a subscriber).… Read the rest
The Blessing of Giving
Jesus said and did many things, a lot of which is recorded in the four Gospels of the New Testament. But not everything Jesus said and did was written down (see John 21:25). The apostle Paul rarely quoted Jesus, but one statement that must have been passed on to him through ‘oral tradition’ (it’s not recorded in the Gospels) is Jesus saying this:
… Read the rest“It is more blessed to give than receive.”
Learning to Retreat
A few years ago, TIME magazine published an article stating that distraction was the pre-eminent condition of our time. Not only are we busy, we are pulled in multiple directions constantly by distractions of all kinds. The antidote? Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is about taking time to be still, to reflect, to meditate, to contemplate, to be quiet, and to think.… Read the rest
Decisions – How to Know God’s Will For Your Life
Many years ago, when Nicole and I were working for my dad, Kevin Conner, who was then the Senior Minister of Waverley Christian Fellowship (now CityLife Church), we had a number of people advise us to consider moving away for a few years.… Read the rest
A Hot Air Ballooning Adventure
Back in 2014, Nicole and I had the opportunity to be part of a tour of Turkey and Greece. It was a fascinating experience and we loved exploring the history of these iconic places.
One of the highlights was a visit to Cappadocia in central Turkey.… Read the rest