Any visit to a hospital is a vivid reminder of how many people in our world struggle with sickness and suffering every day. The affects of The Fall are evident all around us. So what about healing? God obviously still heals today but many people, including Christians, struggle with sickness. What's up with all of … Continue reading Healing (Pt.1)
Pentecostalism (Pt.4)
A few final thoughts for my Pentecostal friends ... I recommend that we continue to be unapologetic about our Pentecostal roots and its distinctive values, while clearly communicating the strengths and weaknesses we see in this movement and our response to them. Referring to ourselves as “Pentecostal” can be helpful for those Christians who are … Continue reading Pentecostalism (Pt.4)
Pentecostalism (Pt.3)
I also see a number of weaknesses in some of the Pentecostal movement. Obviously, not all of these weaknesses are limited to Pentecostals nor do all Pentecostal churches necessarily exhibit them. 1. Extreme Prosperity Teaching. Many Pentecostal churches have embraced the prosperity gospel which promises riches for those who love and obey God. One of the … Continue reading Pentecostalism (Pt.3)
Pentecostalism (Pt.2)
I see a number of strengths in the Pentecostal faith tradition. Here are a few of the main ones. Obviously, these strengths aren't limited to Pentecostals nor do all Pentecostal churches necessarily exhibit them. 1. The Holy Spirit. The Pentecostal expression of the Christian faith presents God as someone who is not only known by faith and through the … Continue reading Pentecostalism (Pt.2)
Pentecostalism (Pt.1)
The Pentecostals are a relatively new section of the Christian Church. For many years they have been considered to be outside mainstream Christianity; but, more recently, due to their phenomenal growth, they have begun to be noticed and heard. Here in Australia, they are the fastest growing of all the churches and their wider influence … Continue reading Pentecostalism (Pt.1)
Providence
Providence – I love the word and the truth that it conveys. Our lives are not subject to luck, fate or chance. We are in the hands of a sovereign loving God. One of my favorite quotes from the Bible is Paul’s statement in Romans 8:28 where he says, “And we know that God causes … Continue reading Providence
Creation Care
The subject of Creation Care is becoming an important one within the Christian church. "Creation Care", rather than "environmentalism", is the term used by many evangelicals to refer to the responsibility that followers of Christ have to take care of God's earth. Influential Christian thinker, Francis Schaeffer once said, "... nature: it is not our … Continue reading Creation Care
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.4)
A final thought ... This parable is the last of three parables that Jesus tells in response to the criticism of the Pharisees of him spending time with sinners. In the first parable, a shepherd goes looking for a lost sheep and when he finds it, he calls his friends to celebrate with him. In … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.4)
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.3)
Two sons. Two ways of doing life. Both were wrong. Both were lost. Both ways of living are dead ends. Amazingly, both sons were loved. The father in the story went out to welcome the younger brother home AND the father went out to seek to bring the older brother in. God is not a … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.3)
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.2)
Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, in his excellent book, The Prodigal God, shows how the two sons in this story are symbolic or representative of two types of people. They show us two ways that people try to find happiness and fulfillment in life. Younger brother types represent those who … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.2)
The Two Lost Sons (Pt.1)
In Luke 15:11-32, we have a record of the familiar parable that Jesus told which is often called ‘The Prodigal Son.’ A more accurate title is ‘The Parable of the Two Lost Sons’, because both were lost, or even more appropriately, ‘The Parable of the Forgiving Father’, because the father is the real hero of the … Continue reading The Two Lost Sons (Pt.1)
Grace – It’s Unfair!
Another post from Nicole ... "In a moment of blinding fury at someone's shortcoming, my own shortcomings STARE me in the face. I am so dependent on God's grace, and find it so hard at times to show the grace I have been shown, to others. I want God to forgive me my zillion dollars … Continue reading Grace – It’s Unfair!
Good News for Scallywags!
My wife, Nicole, just posted this on her Facebook page and I thought it was worth posting here too ... I have been a Christ follower for over 25 years now. Just a few minutes of reflection and I stand in awe again in recognising what tremendous Good News the Gospel is. Today, just like … Continue reading Good News for Scallywags!
Living in Grace
Here are a few great thoughts from the apostle Paul from his letter to the Galatians, with thanks to Eugene Peterson and his The Message translation ... "We Jews know that we have no advantage of birth over "non-Jewish sinners." We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping but only … Continue reading Living in Grace
Amazing Grace
Our theme for April at our church is the Freedom of Grace. During the month, and especially over the Easter weekend, we will take time to reflect on the amazing grace that God has and continues to show to this world. We will also read through the letter to the Galatians written by the Apostle … Continue reading Amazing Grace