Building a house doesn’t happen by accident. A huge amount of planning needs to go into constructing a house, or any sort of building, if it is to serve its purpose and provide a suitable dwelling for the people who will live there. From the footings to the frame, the building materials, colours, internal fittings... Continue Reading →
Life-Giving Grace (John 11:1-45)
Over the last few weeks during the season of Lent, we have been listening to God’s Word for his grace to us in Jesus. We began on Transfiguration Sunday, the Sunday before Lent started, as we heard God’s voice from the cloud instruct Jesus’ followers, including us, to listen to Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9). On the... Continue Reading →
Shining Lights (Matthew 5:13-20)
One of the greatest blessings of the modern world would need to be the electric light. We have them in every room of our homes and workplaces. We have lights on our cars and motorcycles, in our sheds, illuminating the streets of our towns, and even on our mobile phones. We can take these lights... Continue Reading →
Change (Matthew 4:12-23)
Someone once said that the only constant thing in life is change. If we look at the world around us, we can see a lot that supports that idea. The moon has different phases, seasons change through the year, and plants, animals, and all living things grow, develop and mature. God has built in change... Continue Reading →
Unpacking Christmas (Titus 2:11-14)
Over the Christmas season, people from all around the world will share in the joy of giving and receiving gifts. I’m sure that everyone is looking forward to gathering around the Christmas tree over the next few days to give the presents they have bought or made for family and friends, and to receive the... Continue Reading →
God With Us (Matthew 1:18-25)
Australia was horrified last Sunday evening when news services reported a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Two men opened fire on members of the Jewish community as they observed the start of Hanukkah, a festival which celebrates the victory of light over darkness. The darkness of sin and evil spread over Bondi that... Continue Reading →
A Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:1-6)
A few years ago, shortly after moving into the manse, I planted a frangipani tree in the backyard next to our neighbour’s fence. At first it grew well with some healthy leaves and even its first flower. I was looking forward to seeing more growth and flowers last year, but the frosts that hit the... Continue Reading →
Stand Fast, Hold Tight (2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17)
One game that is often played at church picnics or school sports days is a tug-of-war. Two teams of people engage in a competition of strength and persistence as they dig their feet into the ground beneath them, hold on tight to the rope in front of them, and pull with all their strength against... Continue Reading →
Justified (Romans 3:19-28)
When was the last time you were caught doing something wrong? Some of us might find it difficult to remember a time when that happened. That could be because either we rarely do anything wrong, or we might be good at not getting caught. Others of us, however, might find it a bit easier. Maybe... Continue Reading →
A Faith-Filled Investment (Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15)
Life was looking hopeless to Jeremiah in this week’s Old Testament reading, Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15. He was under arrest for speaking God’s word to his people. King Hezekiah didn’t like what Jeremiah was saying and so put him in prison. At the same time, the mighty and all-conquering Babylonian army was camped outside the walls of... Continue Reading →