Over 2005 years ago, the prophet Daniel said that at the time of the end there would be many people going here and there to increase knowledge (see Daniel 12:4). No doubt, we live today in a time of knowledge explosion, with human knowledge now doubling every 5 years, according to some experts (click here to read … Continue reading The Increase of Knowledge
My Favourite Oxymorons
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory terms, like 'controlled chaos', 'deafening silence', 'alone together', or 'second best'. Interestingly, the very word 'oxymoron' is an oxymoron itself because it comes from two Greek words: 'oxy' which means 'sharp' or 'pointed' and 'moros' which means 'dull'. Here are a few of my favourites ... … Continue reading My Favourite Oxymorons
How Sceptical are Aussies?
What do non-Christian Aussies believe and how sceptical are they about Jesus? This was the focus of a recent survey and the results were quite surprising. Read the article here. No doubt there are far more Australians who would be categorised as 'apathetic' towards spiritual things than there are those who would be 'antognostic'. This … Continue reading How Sceptical are Aussies?
The Twitter Trend
Blogging, Facebook, and now Twitter, the SMS of the Internet. Technology continues to drive human interactions. Everyone seems to be getting in on the action - from news reporters to pastors to celebrities. Twitter use went up 43% after Oprah sent her first Tweet. To find out more about (or to join) Twitter, click here. … Continue reading The Twitter Trend
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.4)
A final thought ... This parable is the last of three parables that Jesus tells in response to the criticism of the Pharisees of him spending time with sinners. In the first parable, a shepherd goes looking for a lost sheep and when he finds it, he calls his friends to celebrate with him. In … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.4)
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.3)
Two sons. Two ways of doing life. Both were wrong. Both were lost. Both ways of living are dead ends. Amazingly, both sons were loved. The father in the story went out to welcome the younger brother home AND the father went out to seek to bring the older brother in. God is not a … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.3)
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.2)
Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, in his excellent book, The Prodigal God, shows how the two sons in this story are symbolic or representative of two types of people. They show us two ways that people try to find happiness and fulfillment in life. Younger brother types represent those who … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.2)
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.1)
In Luke 15:11-32, we have a record of the familiar parable that Jesus told which is often called ‘The Prodigal Son.’ A more accurate title is ‘The Parable of the Two Lost Sons’, because both were lost, or even more appropriately, ‘The Parable of the Forgiving Father’, because the father is the real hero of the … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.1)
Unique Church Buildings
We know that the church that Jesus is building is not a physical building or a work of human architecture. Church buildings are really just 'sheep sheds' where God's people hang out from time to time. They can be anything from a home to a pub to a cathedral. The real church is people - God's … Continue reading Unique Church Buildings
Grace – It’s Unfair!
Another post from Nicole ... "In a moment of blinding fury at someone's shortcoming, my own shortcomings STARE me in the face. I am so dependent on God's grace, and find it so hard at times to show the grace I have been shown, to others. I want God to forgive me my zillion dollars … Continue reading Grace – It’s Unfair!
Easter 2009
Easter is here again and with it comes: an increase in church attendance (for those with any sort of faith), a four day weekend (got to love that!), the mega sales to tempt any credit-card carrying shopper, hot-cross buns, the Easter bunny and chocolate Easter eggs in all shapes and sizes. Easter is an annual … Continue reading Easter 2009
Good News for Scallywags!
My wife, Nicole, just posted this on her Facebook page and I thought it was worth posting here too ... I have been a Christ follower for over 25 years now. Just a few minutes of reflection and I stand in awe again in recognising what tremendous Good News the Gospel is. Today, just like … Continue reading Good News for Scallywags!
Living in Grace
Here are a few great thoughts from the apostle Paul from his letter to the Galatians, with thanks to Eugene Peterson and his The Message translation ... "We Jews know that we have no advantage of birth over "non-Jewish sinners." We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping but only … Continue reading Living in Grace
The Power of Generosity
An interesting news item - Denny's resturants in the USA gave away free Grand Slam breakfasts back in the month of February, in an effort to give back to the community during the current tough economic times. Two million people took up the offer. The result? Overall sales have been up for the resturant chain. A new … Continue reading The Power of Generosity
Ken Duncan – Photographer
Ken Duncan is an outstanding landscape photographer. He is a good friend and we have had the privilege of having him speak at our church a few times. Ken has a terrific story. He describes himself as an average photographer with an amazing God. You can see his award winning panographs on the walls of … Continue reading Ken Duncan – Photographer