Keeping on going
As we've descended into lockdown there are only two groups that I am a part of that have committed to continuing to meet together even when we physically can't gather.
Both groups speak of 'keeping each other accountable', 'motivating one another to keep going' and 'not letting something important get put on the back burner'. And both groups seem to be going to great lengths to stay in touch and keep the community going. […]
The church is like a bus...
This can be a helpful (but limited) way of understanding some of the different roles that people and groups play in making sure we're fulfilling the purpose that God has for us. The bus metaphor, in particular, can be used to explain the role of the Trustees and the Administration Team in relation to the church as a whole. […]
The God who is in control
It was a great relief to welcome the Shoemarks home this week as they emerged from MIQ in Auckland!
In some sense, their experience over the past six weeks has been a snapshot of life in our COVID world over the past 18 months - lockdowns, quarantine, separation from family and friends, missing significant events, constantly changing plans, uncertainty about the future, relating to people through a zoom screen rather than face-to-face. […]
New sermon series on 1 Samuel
After a challenging few weeks with lots of disruptions because of leave and sickness and quarantine, this week we are beginning a new sermon series in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel.
As I have prepared I have found Dale Ralph Davis’ commentary super helpful and engaging to see how God uses the lowly to bring about his kingdom and his salvation.
Below is an introduction and I hope it whets your appetite for God’s word this term.
"It was the last straw. True, it happened every year. But the time comes when the spirit snaps. The festive mood of the religious celebration only depressed her all the more. Suddenly, she was gone.
Keep listening to God’s powerful word!
This week we finish up our time in Hebrews where we have seen time and time again that Jesus is GREATER.
At the end of chapter 12, we read that,
"since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’"
With all the uncertainty floating around this week it is comforting to know that nothing can shake, cancel or disrupt the kingdom we are receiving in Jesus!
