Uluru
The massive sandstone monolith in central Australia, known as Uluru or Ayers Rock, is sacred to the Aboriginal people and is one of the nation’s most recognisable natural landmarks. One of its amazing features is the way in which it appears to change colour at different times of the day and year, most notably at […]
Yes, to us, but, more importantly, in us
Having just finished reading through the prophet Isaiah at the end of last week, I turned back to the New Testament to be re-acquainted with Paul’s letters to the churches. Like for many of you, Paul’s letters have been constant companions. Always challenging, the letters continue to inspire and inform my thinking and preaching. Yesterday, […]
Please Close The Gate
When travelling through farming districts, it is common to be reminded, by a sign fixed to a gate, “Please close the gate”. Failure to do so, could allow valuable stock to wander away. On the first day of the New Year, it is a day for gate-shutting. Where, for instance, a decision has been made, […]
The New Year, 2021
Francis Brienen, a British minister and author in the Reformed Church. has written the following inspirational prayer for the New Year. Make it your earnest prayer for 2021. God of all time,who makes all things new,we bring before you the year now ending.For life full and good,for opportunities recognised and taken,for love known and shared,we […]
The Grace of God
Theologians point out that there is a sharp distinction between the use of the word ‘grace’ in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, it can be used to designate kindness and graciousness in general, with no particular tie or personal relationship between the individuals involved. It is also used to signify a […]
From the Grandparents-to-be
They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and in so many ways it is. We have fmaily, gifts, food, carols and way too much shopping. And of course there is the Baby. It’s all about a celebration of His amazing birth. Kathryn and I want to wish you all the blessings of […]
Be Careful What We Hear… and Say
[James 3:3-6, 9-10, 17-18] When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. […]
Go Full Christmas!
It’s just not like Christmas!…. I’ve heard that phrase quite a bit recently. It kind of goes together with another phrase we’ve often heard in this year of the virus – i.e. “life is just not normal anymore”. Many of the “normal” Christmas and end of year events have been cancelled, deemed too difficult or impossible […]
Love will tear us apart…. and heal us.
Is. 64:1-9 is the OT reading for the first Sunday in Advent, preparing us to celebrate God coming near in the birth of Jesus Christ as a baby at Christmas. Advent is also about God coming near in the appearance of Christ as Lord of all at the end of the age (the “Second Coming”). […]
Why Doesn’t God Get Rid of Coronavirus?
Good question!… First of all, I don’t know. The above question is asked about any bad thing that happens in life. But our response as Christians must always start from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This tells us that – whatever bad thing is happening – we have a God who gets involved in our […]