It was their last meal together. The group had been on the road for about three years in a great cause, the cause of God and His Messiah. At the end of the meal one of them got up and left, and we are told “it was night”. If we read, or listen to, the … Continue reading “And It Was Night”
Priceless But Not Valued
We like to think of ourselves as the ‘lucky’ country blessed as we are in so many ways, but also the ‘clever’ country. After all are we not highly internet savvy, with computers in the school classroom, a mobile computer in our phone, and also Facebook and Twitter-sphere adept? In addition we have ‘knowledge’ in … Continue reading Priceless But Not Valued
In the Image of Generosity
As we look at the contemporary world, it is often remarked that the people who show the most generosity are those who have the least to give. It is humbling in poorer parts of the world just how generous people who have virtually nothing are, exhibiting great hospitality even when they have barely have enough … Continue reading In the Image of Generosity
Are You Losing Your Mind?
It is disappointing at times to see people who would consider themselves to be mature Christians thinking about issues in the same way as non-Christians. The Bible is very clear that this should not be so. In Romans 12:2 we are told that we should be undergoing a process of ‘losing’ our old pre-Christian mind, … Continue reading Are You Losing Your Mind?
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
The above title is that of a book by the famous 18th century theologian Jonathan Edwards and deals with the plight of every human who will have to stand before God in their natural state. The topic, that God can be angry, is something that many, including some Church attendees, find quite shocking; after all … Continue reading Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God
‘Koinwnia’ And How To Break It
The word ‘Fellowship’ often found in the Bible and frequently used in church life is a translation of the New Testament word Koinwnia. It means a body of people who are intimately linked, and intertwined with each other for mutual support and shared ministry in the gospel. In fact the basic meaning of the word … Continue reading ‘Koinwnia’ And How To Break It
Easter – Disappearing With a Smile
I wonder how much it is being noticed that Easter is becoming more and more like Lewis Carol’s Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. You know the cat that slowly disappears, leaving only the cat’s smile. I remark on this after observing the media coverage of Easter this year. On many news bulletins the celebration … Continue reading Easter – Disappearing With a Smile
Growing Up Empty
Jeff Kennett the former Premier of Victoria commented in a recent article on a trip he made to the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, saying how he: “was again impressed by the happiness and well-being of the Papuans we met along the way. They are village people, with no phones, televisions, cars and, importantly, … Continue reading Growing Up Empty
Spiritual Muscle and Facing Evil
I was listening this week to one of the radio talk back programs where the host was reflecting on a number of tragedies that he had become aware of recently. One of which was the serious injury experienced by a young professional rugby league player last weekend, the result of which seems to be that … Continue reading Spiritual Muscle and Facing Evil
“Cheap Grace and the Dumbing Down of Sin”
The term ‘Cheap Grace’ was coined by the German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer whom I mentioned in my talk last Sunday. Bonhoeffer sought to oppose the Nazis in World War 2 and paid for it with his life, being executed by them tragically only a few days before the war ended. Bonhoeffer defined cheap grace as: … Continue reading “Cheap Grace and the Dumbing Down of Sin”
