Today, we live in an increasingly sexually-charged culture. How can followers of Christ please God in the area of their sexuality? After all, God intended sex to be sacred. Firstly, make a commitment to sexual purity. Unless you do, it is unlikely that you will unintentionally slide towards it. Then, take time to understand why … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Sexuality
Some Thoughts on Family Conflict
Relationships are built and maintained through communication. When communication breaks down, so do relationships. Consider the quality and nature of the conversation in your relationships. It creates an atmosphere. Eph. 4:29. Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Family Conflict
Some Thoughts on Parenting
You can become a a father or a mother in an instant, but it takes a lifetime to learn to be a good parent. After all, kids arrive without instructions and each child is pre-wired (no 'blank slates'!) uniquely. What are some important principles for parents? Your greatest influence is who you are, not what you … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Parenting
Some Thoughts on Marriage
According to the recent national census (2010), 49.4% of people in Australia are married. The medium age of a first marriage for men is 29.6 years old and 27.7 for women. Choosing to marry someone is an important decision that needs to be undertaken with much prayer and consideration. At our church, we require all couples … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Marriage
Some Thoughts on Dating
At some stage, many single people move into a romantic relationship with someone from their circle of friends. This in often an exciting yet somewhat scary time. Although it's often too early to tell, ideally, the couple see each other as a potential spouse, not just a relationship of convenience, which can easily become selfish … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Dating
Some Thoughts on Singleness
Based on last year's national Australia census (2010), 41.9% of adults in our local State of Victoria are single. They include people who have never married (because they chose not to marry or have not found a partner) or those who have been married but are single again because of the death of a spouse … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Singleness
Update on the State of the Family
Created for Relationship The book of Genesis is the book of beginnings. It doesn’t tell us when the world was created or much about how the world was created (two matters that continue to be hotly debated today) … but it does tell us who created the world (God) and why he created it. God … Continue reading Update on the State of the Family
Jeremiah: Prototype for Prophets, Preachers and Pastors
Jeremiah is one of my favourite people in the Bible. He was called by God at a young age and was given a tough assignment. He lacked natural confidence but God continually encouraged him. Not everyone liked Jeremiah and he had to endure some extremely difficult circumstances. Yet he remained faithful in bringing God's word … Continue reading Jeremiah: Prototype for Prophets, Preachers and Pastors
The Parable of the Vineyard Workers
The parable of the vineyard workers (Matt.20:1-16) is unique to Matthew, although Jesus’ teaching about the first and last is not (see Mark 9:35. Luke 13:30 and also Mt.23:12). In this story, we have a vineyard owner visiting the marketplace looking for an influx of day workers to help with the grape harvest. A vineyard … Continue reading The Parable of the Vineyard Workers
A Word for You …
On the weekend, I shared a few messages I felt that God put on my heart for various groups of people in our church. Here is a brief summary of them: 1. "You're It!" Did you ever play tag when you were a kid? No one likes to be "it." We'd rather hide and let … Continue reading A Word for You …
What Season Are You In?
Right now it is autumn here in Australia and I love it. The spectaular colours of the leaves display the creativity of our amazing God. Seasons - God created them. He told Noah: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease (Gen.8:22)." … Continue reading What Season Are You In?
How to Get Super Focused (by Michael Hyatt)
[Michael Hyatt has one of the most popular BLOGS out there. Below is a recent post written by him that you might find helpful] "Every now and then, I have a need to get super-focused. It’s usually when I have an important task to accomplish like preparing a speech, writing a blog post, or solving … Continue reading How to Get Super Focused (by Michael Hyatt)
Preparing to Preach …
Preaching God's Word at any time and in any context is always a great privilege and, at the same time, a great responsibility. All of us desire to speak by revelation, to believe for impartation (not just information), and to aim for transformation, as well as a demonstration of the Holy Spirit at work in … Continue reading Preparing to Preach …
The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
The parable of the wheat and the weeds (Mt.13:24-30) is unique to Matthew and is one of the few parables for which Jesus provides a detailed interpretation (Mt.13:36-43). The farmer represents Jesus as the Son of Man. The field is the world and the good seed are the children of the kingdom who are in … Continue reading The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds
Living in this moment – NOW
Most of our minds are busy thinking about either the past or the future. Very few of us live fully in the present moment. Yes, there is an appropriate time to remember the past and to contemplate the future but we are not to live in either place. Interestingly, depressed people usually focus on the … Continue reading Living in this moment – NOW