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A Prayer for Mother’s Day!
A Prayer for Mother’s Day I wonder if there is any other day in our calendar that provokes such deep and contrasting emotions as Mother’s Day? For some, it is a day of celebration, gratitude, and joy; you rejoice in your role as mother (and perhaps now as grandmother) and give thanks for the blessing of your offspring. For others, though, it’s a day of disappointment, loss, and pain; you grieve unfulfilled desires, unreconciled relationships, and untimely loss. For many, it will be a mixture of both. Mother’s Day is a lot like life; it’s good and grievous, beautiful and broken, joyful and painful. This is why perhaps the most pressing need on a day like Mother’s Day (and every other day) is prayer. To turn to the God
Did Jesus Always Correct People
Did Jesus Always Correct People? Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. (Philippians 4:5) I’ve had this nagging question in my mind recently. I’ve always thought it’s Biblical to be both courteous and reasonable to others, but I wondered whether these ideas were truly Biblical? I recently heard someone argue that Jesus was gentle with sinners, that he wouldn’t have corrected every single wrong thing a person said or did all the time. In other words, he was reasonable. It’s not that they were arguing that he would water down the truth… but rather, that he was gentle and took his time with people. This made sense to me knowing how Jesus befriended the ‘big sinners’ of society (Luke 7:34). They seemed to love him! The Bible clearly says
Creation reflects the Creator
Creation reflects the Creator I love Autumn. I love the cool air, the warm sun, the changing colours of the leaves. One of my sisters who lives in Canberra sent me a photo recently of the trees all displaying the autumn colours of red and yellow and orange, so beautiful. And while we don’t get to enjoy quite the stark changes of seasons that Canberra does, I am still enjoying what we do have. My crepe myrtle tree, which flowers in the summertime, is dropping its leaves and bark, bringing a different kind of simple beauty. Being outside in nature often makes me wonder afresh at the work of God’s hand. Which always leads me to worship and adore Him. Is it any wonder that the Creator is reflected
An Invitation to Prayer
An Invitation to Prayer I’m writing this during the week leading up to the celebration of our last 9am Sunday service. I feel both nostalgic and thankful for what God has done and continues to do in and through His church here at BPCC. I’ve been at BPCC since late 1997. Soon after my family and I started coming here I joined the Worship Team (with my clarinet!). I remember the organ that sat below the stain glass large window, the wooden stage, the library that used to stand against a wall that isn’t even there anymore! In fact, many walls have been knocked down to make more space for more people. What a joy and great privilege that God is using what we’re doing to call people to
Why are there fewer miracles today?
Why are there fewer miracles today? On December 14, 2019, a 2-year old girl named Olive Heiligenthal died in her sleep. It was heartbreaking, especially of course for Olive’s parents, Andrew and Kalley, both worship leaders and songwriters for Bethel Church in Redding, California. Soon after Olive’s passing, her mother Kalley posted on Instagram issuing a desperate call to “pray for a miracle of resurrection”. She called on the global church to “…stand with us in belief that He will raise this little girl back to life.” A similar request was posted for the next 6 days before finally, when it seemed clear their prayers would not be answered, they moved towards a memorial service and celebration of Olive’s life. It is a desperately sad situation, as is the loss
Easter Hope through Restrictions
Easter Hope through Restrictions I’m feeling some strong déjà vu as we prepare to celebrate a second Easter in the midst of COVID outbreak! While I’m glad that the lockdown ended on time, it is disappointing that we need to scale back our Easter celebrations again. But if we pause to reflect on this situation, it can help us to really appreciate what Easter is all about. Because when we look at the great news of Easter against the backdrop of our broken world, God’s love for us in Jesus shines even brighter. Here ae some ways that the current COVID situation can help us to appreciate what Jesus did for us that first Easter weekend: Easter enabled God’s constant presence with us. Lockdown is just one of many
The Work/Rest Balance
The Work/Rest Balance “As toil can be all-consuming, so idleness is self-cannibalising.” – William Brown I don’t know if it’s just me but I’ve often wondered about where the ideal work/rest balance lies. When I was a teenager, I used to think it was my right to do whatever I wanted the entire weekend, and I would always feel a twinge of resentment when I had to spend half my Saturday working around the house. I thought I should have gotten two days for rest… but I now question where that idea actually came from? It’s certainly not from the Bible as far as I can see. Later on, during busy periods of my life, I’d find myself studying or working entire weekends… and again, I wondered about the
Reading the Bible Reflectively
Reading the Bible Reflectively I received an email this week with these verses from Psalm 139:23-24 at the top: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. It went on to offer different ways we can spend intentional time reflecting on God’s faithfulness while reading His Word. I’d love to share them with you. Before reading a Bible verse or passage, pray. Ask God to show you what He wants you to learn from His Word today. Then read through the verses slowly, paying attention to any words that stand out to you. Then when you’re finished reading ask yourself 3 questions – what does this passage
