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Story Behind the Song: Abide With Me
Story Behind the Song: Abide With Me I find it encouraging that most hymns don’t have extraordinary stories behind them because, much like the writers of the songs, most of the people singing them are ordinary people. Many songs that have stood the test of time are not so much because of the writer, but because of the song itself. These songs point us to God, they help us understand His Word, and they enable us to lament or praise or pray. ‘Abide with me’ is one such song. It’s over 150 years old and has been sung in countless churches, war marches, funerals and weddings. The writer of the song, Henry Francis Lyte, lived much of his life with poor health and died from tuberculosis at the age
The Longing for Reunion
I’m looking forward to Monday. On Monday afternoon, I’ll be getting on a plane to spend two weeks with my family in Melbourne, who I haven’t seen since January! I have had it a lot better than many people through 2020, but I’ve definitely missed my family, and I am looking forward to spending time with them again. But this is also a time tinged with sadness, because I know there are many in our church family who are still not able to be reunited with their loved ones due to the international border closures, which will remain for some time. One year of separation gives me just a small glimpse into how challenging it is for those who have left family and friends in other countries. This desire
My Year in Books
My Year in Books Around this time for the last couple of years, I’ve shared with you some of the books I enjoyed during the year. I thought I’d do the same again this year. The following are all books I found stimulating, enjoyable, meaningful, and helpful, and I commend them to you. Destiny: Learning to Live by Preparing to Die by David Gibson I read this in preparation for our sermon series through Ecclesiastes (Chasing the Wind) and was greatly helped and greatly encouraged. Ecclesiastes is notoriously knotty and Gibson is a helpful guide to unravelling its complexity, revealing its insights, and applying its lessons. In particular, this book opened my eyes to the beauty and significance of the seemingly small moments in life. Untangling Emotions by J.
The Awe of Advent
The Awe of Advent I was at the park with a friend recently and we got talking about Christmas. I mentioned that our family wanted to celebrate Advent and his eyes lit up. (If you don’t know what Advent is, it’s the season in the church calendar where we meditate on Jesus’ 1st coming as a child and his 2nd coming in glory). He told me how he loved Advent. Christmas was full of joy and wonder while he was a child, but he lost that as he got older, until he discovered Advent. Advent brought back the joy and wonder of Christmas for him, not because it made him excited for presents, but because it made him excited about Jesus. I hope this is what we will allow
How to Celebrate Advent with Your Family
How to Celebrate Advent with Your Family Today marks the beginning of the Advent season, the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. Advent is a season of anticipation, of holy waiting. We reflect on Christ’s first coming with a thankful heart, and look forward in hopeful anticipation to His second coming, when Christ will make all things new. Advent acknowledges the already-and-not-yet nature of the Kingdom of God. This time of year can get crazy busy with activities and obligations, especially for families with young kids. I know our calendar is certainly looking very full. So, can I encourage you to set aside a few minutes to consider what you want this season to be for your family. Then make a plan so that the important rhythm of remembering
Christmas at BPCC
Christmas at BPCC Christmas is just around the corner, and we look forward to celebrating with you and your loved ones in a number of different ways. Ruth: A Sermon Series for Advent In the weeks leading up to Christmas we will journey through the book of Ruth in a sermon series for Advent. Advent, a Latin word that literally means ‘coming’, is the 4-week season leading up to Christmas where we remember and give thanks for the coming of Jesus into the world for the salvation of sinners, but also where we look forward in anticipation to the coming of Jesus in the future to consummate his eternal kingdom. When you think about Advent and the Christmas story, you probably don’t think about the book of Ruth, but
What Does Jesus’ Resurrection Mean for Us
What Does Jesus’ Resurrection Mean for Us We often speak about the importance of the cross, that is, the world-defining death of Jesus, the sacrifice by which he paid for our sins in taking our punishment in our place so that we might be restored to God. But we can sometimes skip over the importance of Jesus’ resurrection. In fact, it is so important that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). Without the resurrection, there is no Christianity! This is because without Jesus being brought to life we have no hope of being brought to life ourselves. We are united to Jesus in his death and in his resurrection, and we receive the benefit of both
Thank You for Your Feedback
Thank You for Your Feedback The Bible uses a number of different images to describe the church: a family (Eph. 2:19), a body (1 Cor. 12:27), a flock (Acts 20:28), a temple (2 Cor. 6:16-18), and more. Almost all of these different images highlight the reality that when we are joined to Christ we are also joined to one another, and we need each other. And yes, that means you. To use the words of 1 Corinthians 12: “As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” … 24 God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, 25
