“I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;I will enter His courts with praise.I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.I will rejoice for He has made me glad.” This chorus, based on Psalm 100:4 was a popular song in the ‘Scripture in Song’ book (in the 1980’s!) and I started unconsciously humming its … Read More
CAN YOU SEE SEEKERS?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all … Read More
HOW CAN WE LOVE OTHERS MORE?
Do you know Jesus’ parable of the ‘Lost sheep’? The Shepherd who has 99 sheep in the fold, but goes and finds the one lost sheep and comes home rejoicing. This parable holds a powerful picture of how one person matters to God. This is the kind of picture Jesus paints for us of God. God doesn’t see a crowd, … Read More
SHOULD PREACHING AND POLITICS BE SEPARATE?
Keep the pulpit and politics separate! That could be a mantra of a baptist church. The principle of separation of church and state was originally a Baptist idea. The early Baptists experienced persecution from state churches. They believed freedom to practice faith helped ensure its authenticity. Political power used for religious purposes distorted faith. Religion used for political purposes, oppressed … Read More
A WORLD WORTH LIVING IN
How can we live well in a world worth living in? This is the question I was left with on hearing renowned Australian journalist, Wiradjuri man, Stan Grant’s recent speech. Grant spoke at St Peter’s College last Wednesday night. It is worth watching. As reported this week, Grant stepped away from the media now moving to an academic role with … Read More
Looking through the eyes of the Spirit…
One of my favourite parts of co-ordinating the UPBC SALA Exhibition is when all the artists begin to arrive at the church office with their artworks. Until then, we really don’t know what we will be showing to the public or how we should put it together! This last week, I’ve been excited to see how different artists have managed … Read More
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR YOUR END OF LIFE?
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Genesis 50:24-25 If something were to happen that incapacitated you, are you practically prepared for someone to manage your affairs? While … Read More
ARE WE STILL GROWING?
“What is God teaching you through your present circumstances?” This question was asked by Victor Owuor, speaker at this week’s Baptist Pastors Gathering. This important question highlights our posture to learn, to grow in faith, through all circumstances. Can you see how our answer is a strong indicator to the vibrancy of our faith? Followers of Jesus are always growing. … Read More
OUT TO LUNCH SUNDAY
For churches our sense of community is a big deal. Core to our faith is how God through Jesus calls us his children. We believe people, whatever our background and history, because of Jesus can be now part of God’s family. In the church, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. There is therefore an expectation church will be a … Read More
“Two are better than one”
“TEAM = together everyone achieves more”. This thought was beautifully modelled by our team of 18 Kids Quest leaders and embraced by 32 Kids Quest participants last Monday. The day was filled with activities that encouraged and celebrated teamwork and the children, aged 4-11, rose to the challenge! 23 of the 32 children attending Kids Quest are connected through community … Read More