blog
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
How We Can Support Our Chaplains
How We Can Support Our Chaplains Last Sunday we highlighted the ministry of Scripture Union Chaplains, specifically Kirsty and Bri from Bray Park State High School. If you made it along or joined online, I hope that you were as encouraged as I was by all that God is doing through our local ‘chappies’. We’ve actually been partnering with Scripture Union chaplaincy at Bray Park State High School for many years, along with our ongoing partnership with Genesis Christian College and their chaplaincy team. Chaplaincy is an important ministry for us because school chaplains provide a much-needed space for young people to unpack the challenges they are going through, and to be supported emotionally, spiritually, and socially. School chaplains have a unique opportunity to show the light and love
A Harvest-Sized Vision
A Harvest-Sized Vision Occasionally when I am in a large group of people in public (which happens less often these days), whether in a football stadium, at a shopping centre, or on a plane (remember those?), I will think to myself: ‘I wonder how many of these people know Jesus?’ I don’t mean those who would tick the ‘Christian’ box on the census, but those who are genuine, whole-hearted followers of Jesus. In these moments of reflection, I am usually reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 10, when he sent out a large band of disciples to proclaim the message of the kingdom (v.11), by saying to them: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into
