There are so many characters in Scripture, many who stand out in our minds as ‘superheroes’ for one reason or the other. Yet despite their amazing achievements, often it is their weaknesses, their struggles, which resonate with us and set an example for us to learn from. These exceptional characters provide ‘superhero’ moments, as well as more ‘human’ moments, which, … Read More
Grateful
The goal of this plan is to take you through 7 days of thankfulness. It will help you explore different aspects of thankfulness and our need for thankfulness every day. To sign up for the 7-day devotional click on this link to read: with our church individually
Washed Clean
Years ago, when Owen wore white business shirts to work, a blue pen was inadvertently left in the pocket and made its way through the laundry with all the whites. I remember the efforts I went to, to clean the blue stains out of the clothes that were contaminated by the blue ink. It took heavy duty stain remover and … Read More
WHAT WILL WE THANK GOD FOR INTO ETERNITY?
Lent Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10 What can you thank God for today? Take a pause, have a think, what comes to mind? Now, focus your thanks on what Paul describes in Ephesians 2:1-10. Once you were dead in your sins, serving first your desires, disobedient and out of relationship with God, under judgement. Now, through faith in Jesus you are forgiven, … Read More
DOES THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE MAKE SENSE?
Lent Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor 1:22-24) Does the Christian message make sense? Yes and no. Paul says to ‘No’ for those who rely … Read More
WE NEED FAITH FOR GRACE
Lent Reading: Romans 4:13-25 We need faith for grace. In Romans 4 the Apostle Paul says Abraham, while he and his wife Sarah were unable to conceive, was given the promise by God to be “the father of many nations”. This is grace. God in his generosity appointed Abraham for this promise. Abraham did not have to win a competition, … Read More
What is Jesus calling you to?
During Lent, our Link articles will bring a brief devotional each week on Jesus’ journey to the cross from the Lent readings for this year. This past Sunday at Unley Park Kids, we took a journey back in time to the Jordan River – diving head first into the story of Jesus’ baptism in Mark 3:9-15. It’s this small section … Read More
What is lent?
Lent is a time of preparation for Easter. During this time, Christians from many different traditions fast by giving up something for Lent. Often people fast from different foods, but it can include other things. To fast means we don’t eat something we like or don’t engage in some activity we prefer. The fast begins on Ash Wednesday and ends … Read More
Abba Father
When Paul wrote this magnificent letter, Rome was the cultural centre of the world, boasting advancements like sturdy roads and a common language. Roman citizens were able to travel and communicate like never before. To this audience, Paul delivered the most comprehensive expression of the gospel ever given in Scripture, including the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father. Join … Read More
40 DAYS OF PRAYER AND PREPARATION
This week, on Ash Wednesday, Lent begins. This is a period of 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays, where Christians fast by giving up something. Don’t know about Lent? You can read more here. In our church we use the period of Lent for 40 Days of Prayer. We are asking our people to dedicate time in the day to … Read More
WHERE OUR CHURCH IS IN PRAYER
What opportunities do we take as a church to pray? Many Christians personally reflect they ‘don’t pray enough’. I often wonder what is ‘enough’. ‘Never’ praying we could agree is not enough. ‘Daily’ could be a solid effort. The Apostle Paul encouraged prayer ‘without ceasing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), which likely seems impractical to many. I suggest Paul is deepening our … Read More
WHY IS SERVING CORE TO CHRISTIAN FAITH?
We value our opportunities to serve our community. We value doing good, but why is serving others core to our Christian faith? In his book, Letters and Papers from Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, the Church “is the Church only when it exists for others…not dominating, but helping and serving.” He wrote this because he understood this is the way of … Read More