I have always admired the Missionaries of previous centuries, for example those who took Christianity to the native tribes of Africa in the 19th Century, particularly the Scottish missionary David Livingstone. A major aspect of the challenge faced by Livingstone and others was the need to penetrate a threatening landscape, often jungles full of threats … Continue reading Without More Missionaries We Will Lose
One of the great promises of God is that he promises a life to come, a life of perfection, joy, peace, no pain, no death, no suffering or bereavement. (Revelation 21:1-4). This promise is one that Christians particularly at certain times need to hang on to, because our current life of course is not always … Continue reading Our Certainty and God’s Suffering Love Paradox
“The future depends on our capacity to manage change amid uncertainty” Paul Kelly ____________________________ I read this quote in an article by Paul Kelly in the “Weekend Australian” newspaper recently just after returning from a Sunday church service and I was struck by its relevance to the church. For I had observed once … Continue reading The Church In the Land That Time Forgot
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” __________________________ In parting words to his disciples Jesus said “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the Earth” (Acts 1:8) . Most church members ‘Get’ the idea of the “to the Ends … Continue reading Where Are the Beautiful Feet?
‘Coffee with Spirit’ started about two years ago in a Community Centre café where there are always many people present, there for a coffee or snack, or to participate in one of the regular schedule of events in the Centre. The group meets weekly, always at the same time and day. This is so clearly … Continue reading The Day the Atheist Asked for Prayer
In Northern Europe, where I grew up, in autumn it is often possible to see wild geese flying south to winter in warmer climes. Recently I was reminded of this when I came across a talk I had given a few years previously in which I used the southward flight of the wild geese as … Continue reading It’s Time for the Geese to Fly Again
A wintery leaf-filtered sunlight dapples my study floor. Breeze-waved leaves outside synthesize Sun’s energy into life. Block that light and death moves in. ‘Light’ came into the world to overcome the ugly darkness, to give life, exquisite life of eternal span. But Man blocks the ‘Light’, the Enemy “Blinds the eyes of the unbeliever”. Imagine … Continue reading Meditation on a Winter’s Afternoon
“Is it not time to stop trying to fix the broken bike and look for another form of transport?” This is a quote from letter to the editor of a Church Newspaper a few years ago that I have used in a number of documents because I think it is a useful analogy for one … Continue reading It’s Buses and Bus Drivers We Need Not Bikes!
A few days ago I was privileged to visit the Colosseum in Rome. Standing and looking at those ancient but still magnificent ruins, the architecture of towering and imposing walls brought many thoughts to mind. “I am – a Christian. I suffer what I’m suffering now, but then there will be another in me, who … Continue reading Down the Ages Distant Voices Still Speak
‘You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes’ The Matrix that gives its name to the movie is a computer-generated artificial reality. People … Continue reading Time to Take the Red Pill
