May 25, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
There’s the rub Back when I lived in Hobart, I had a friend of whom I was quite fond, (and many years later, I’m still good friends with him and his wife and kids.) This friend was one of those people who had (and still has) a very earnest heart for God, and I always...
May 17, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Saying goodbye This week our lectionary readings focus on Jesus’ farewell. The reading from Acts 1 tells the story of the Ascension (which the church calendar observes this year on May 18), 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection. The Gospel reading is a section of what has...
May 10, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Some years ago, I went to a talk by Thomas Bandy, a popular speaker and expert on church growth from the US. He was very popular in UCA circles at the time and made regular visits to Australia to speak at various events. He said in the church, we often lament that...
May 3, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
There’s a place for us… One of the interesting things about being in ministry is that sometimes it’s hard to define exactly what ‘home’ means. It can be where you grow up, where you go away to study or one of the placements you’ve had. What does ‘home’ mean to...
Apr 26, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
In today’s Gospel passage, which consists of the first 10 verses of chapter 10, there seem to be two separate parables. The first is a warning against people who would want to steal the sheep, and the second focuses on the relationship between the sheep and their...
Apr 17, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Heading out of town Some disciples meet a stranger on the road out of Jerusalem heading towards Emmaus. He teaches them and they are warmed by the beauty of his teaching. There was warmth in their hearts but no recognition. Christ is recognised only in the...
Apr 11, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Show me the proof Thomas lives and breathes in all of us. We want concrete proof and we are unwilling to be gullible when people tell us fantastic tales. Belief cannot be forced. We cannot believe what we cannot believe. So, each of us has that journey between...
Apr 6, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
Easter celebrations are a time for gathering with family and connecting with others, including the through Christian rituals of Holy Week and Easter Day. Our family recently hosted a Japanese exchange student, and we appreciated the inter-cultural exchange. Our...
Mar 28, 2023 | EXPLORING THE BIBLE, NEWS
On the day we call Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, Jesus wanted a big celebration. Jesus had his friends find a donkey for him to ride on. Then he got on and rode the donkey into Jerusalem, while people lined the sides of the road. Some of them made a carpet for...
