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I So Hate Consquences
Don’t you? Have you ever asked yourself, “Why did I do that?” Have you ever had moments of regret? At the time, it might seem like an ok course of action, but in hindsight, it was terrible, and maybe even traumatic. Now, sometimes, we simply make mistakes. However, at other times, we intentionally overstep boundaries, and maybe we end up on a Coldplay Kiss Cam…and then on endless memes. Whether we’ve made a simple mistake or a mistake that turns into news headlines, there are (almost) always consequences. And in echoing the American Christian rock band Relient K, we “so hate consequences”. And yet, even when we know there will be consequences, we still think we can get away with doing wrong. And so we do whatever it is,
Make Sunday’s Uncomfortable (an article by Rebecca McLaughlin)
Make Sunday’s Uncomfortable (an article by Rebecca McLaughlin) Did anyone cut your conversation short last Sunday at Church? Anyone notice an emergency? If you haven’t listened to last week’s sermon, you might not know what I’m talking about. In our ‘One-Another’ series we unpacked the command to show hospitality to one another. Not the kind of hospitality that’s about putting on a perfect meal or impressing our guests. Rather, the kind of hospitality that reflects the heart of God, who welcomed us when we were strangers. We saw from 1 Peter 4:9 that Biblical hospitality is about stranger love; opening our hearts, homes, and lives to others, especially those who are on the margins. It’s not a site note in the Christian life; it’s central to our discipleship. We
Kids in Church
Kids in church It’s school holiday time and so our kids ministries are on a break and our kids are with us in church. I love the opportunity holidays give us to worship together, all ages, as the family of God. Having little people in church brings an energy, a buzz, and yes a bit of extra noise! This is good! Our church family is healthy, alive, growing. In the holiday time the services are planned with kids in mind. We aim to have regular Kids spots, familiar songs and sermon/colouring in sheets to help our kids feel welcomed and part of the church family. With this being said, my children were small once and I do remember how restless they could get. Parents, I know that having your
To forgive, divine.
To forgive, divine. In Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Antonio declares “What’s past is prologue!” (2.1). According to him, an act of murder was an inevitable result. A historical injustice required present retribution. I’ve often let this sentiment justify my choices in conflict (no, not to murder of course!). I’ll gather up past hurts like a little catalogue. A library to wallow in and reference when I’m feeling self-indulgent or when I lash out with a sharp tongue. But unlike me, there are people who do forgiveness well and have taught me that there is a better way. And unlike anyone, the costly sacrifice of Jesus’ grace is the ultimate and the perfect example of forgiveness. What a scandal that we are reconciled to God, and we did nothing to deserve
Waiting with God
Waiting with God What are you waiting for? Maybe you’re waiting for results from a doctor. Or waiting for a job to come through. For healing. For peace. For a child to return. For direction. The truth is—at any given moment, most of us are waiting for something. And while waiting can be a small inconvenience (like standing in line at the supermarket), it can also feel like a heavy burden that presses on your heart daily. Psalm 62 meets us right there—in the tension of waiting. David, the author of this Psalm, was likely writing during a time of deep personal crisis, perhaps even betrayal by his own son Absalom. But what’s striking is this: the Psalm doesn’t focus on the resolution. It focuses on who David turns
Lantana and the Battle Against Sin
Lantana and the Battle Against Sin If you've ever tried clearing lantana, you know it's no walk in the park. Those thorny branches are relentless — twisting, tangling, and digging deep into the ground. Funnily enough, lantana wasn't always like that. It's a reminder of the fall. The thorns only appeared after sin entered the world. Tackling lantana can feel overwhelming at first. You look at the thick mess and think, "There’s no way that I can clear this." But when you get started, you realise it's doable. It just takes perseverance, the right tools, and a little know-how from those who have done it before. Sometimes they come out easily. Other times, they’re so stubborn you need a mattock to dig deep them out. The trick is that
Think Biblically and Act Lovingly During Pride Month
Think Biblically and Act Lovingly During Pride Month As I ran along Francis Road the other day, I noticed a sign next to the footpath up ahead. As I jogged past, I saw that it was an advertisement for an upcoming Moreton Bay Council event in recognition of Pride Month, which, as I discovered, is taking place throughout the month of June. The fact that I work for a Christian church located on the campus of a Christian school is probably why I was previously unaware of this fact. But I know this is not the case for many of us. I know many of us have these conversations placed front and centre at our schools, universities and workplaces. How should we, as followers of Jesus, think biblically and
Creator God
Creator God I love Autumn, it’s my favourite season by far. I love the cool air, the clear sky, the warm sun, the changing colours of the leaves. And while I feel like this autumn was swallowed up in too many overcast, drizzly days, the clouds certainly do make for stunning sunsets. Being outside in nature makes me marvel and reflect on all that God has made, which always leads me to praise Him. The Bible tells us that we can know much about God by contemplating His creation, for He graciously reveals Himself to us through it. Creation points to an intelligent and powerful being, capable of creating such intricate and impressive variety and beauty. Theologian Wayne Grudem writes that every part of God’s creation; the leaves, the
