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August 2010
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October 2010

Political Awareness

Now that we have a new Australian government, it's important to stay aware and involved. It is important that we don't withdraw from the political process once an election is over. There are many things we can do on an ongoing basis. We can pray daily for our Prime Minister and our nation's influencers. We can respond to various issues and debates talking place, letting our local MPs know our thoughts and concerns. An excellent way to keep in touch with what is taking place in Canberra is via the Australian Christian Lobby newsletter. Click here to read the latest... Read more →


Up up and away ...

Ever since I was kid, I have loved to travel. I remember as a 9 year old taking my first flight from Australia to America with my parents. I remember the feeling of looking down from the airplane and seeing the city looking smaller and smaller - like a model of tiny roads, cars and buildings. Rising above the clouds was also a surreal feeling. They looked like a sea of cotton wool. I've been travelling regularly ever since. A certain amount of travel is good for a church leader. It lifts you out of your context and helps you... Read more →


Learning on the Web with iTunes U

The world wide web provides a wealth of information for learning and growing in any area of life. One place I have recently discovered is iTunes U. It contains over 350,000 free lectures, videos, films and other resources from some of the leading universities and educational institutions in the world. Read all about it here. Once you have downloaded iTunes (a free program that works in either a MAC or Windows software environment, as well as on most mobile phones) you are ready to go. Most people who have used iTunes are aware of the availability of music, podcasts, movies,... Read more →


Prayer Starters

One thing that helps motivate me to draw near to God more consistently is reading the thoughts of those who have walked with God for many years. Here are a few quotes and insights that have helped me: My heart has heard you say, "Come talk to me." And my heartresponds, "Lord, I am coming." [Psalm 27:8] O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon... Read more →


Friend Request

It's an amazing thing that the God of the universe not only created us but also desires for us to be in a close relationship with him as his children. We can know him and even be his friend. I receive Facebook new friend requests every day. It's always nice to accept people and it's nice when others accept you. God asks to be our friend and offers his friendship to us. It's an easy thing to accept ... but how often we can forget to keep the friendship going and growing. Like any friendship, our relationship with God needs... Read more →


Show a little kindness ...

I heard a interesting thought this week highlighting the fact that there are nine fruit of the Spirit but that the one in the middle (with four either side in the list) is KINDNESS (Gal.5:22). As followers of Christ, are we known as being kind? Kindness is to be one of the evidences of God's Spirit at work transforming our hearts. I think we could all show a little more kindness to others around about us and thereby shine the light of Christ a little brighter in a dark world. "The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is... Read more →


Phil Baker and Riverview Church

Phil and Heather Baker have been good friends of our for many years now. Phil has an amazing mind, an articulate vocabulary, a passionate heart, a witty sense of humour, and a genuine love for people. He has been the Senior Minister of Riverview Church for many years. Heather is a quiet achiever with a big heart for people. She is a gifted leader and speaker in her own right. Some of you may not be aware that Phil fell seriously ill while travelling overseas in June of last year. After some tests, it was discovered that Phil had a... Read more →


Pastor Plans on Burning Koran

A Florida pastor by the name of Terry Jones plans on hosting a Koran burning event at his church to commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the USA - 9/11 (this coming Saturday). He is doing this to target Islam extremists. Protestors are rallying in various countries around the world and their are growing security concerns in the US. The move has been criticised by many people, including President Obama.Violent attacks of retaliation on innocent people could occur. So what do you think? Is this an appropriate response by a Christian leader to Islam extremists? What would Jesus... Read more →


Apologetics

The apostle Peter wrote the following to some first century followers of Christ ... "... worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ." [1 Peter 3:15-16. NLT] The word translated "explain" in our English language (or "reason" in other translations) is the Greek word apologia, which means to give an... Read more →


Labor Wins the Australian 2010 Federal Election

Finally, after two and a half weeks of speculation and negotiation, we have a government - a Labor government led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Support from a few independent MPs has given Gillard the narrowest of margins. Labor's position on broadband and climate change were influential in the final decision. This has been Australia's first hung parliament since the 1940s. Without doubt, Australia is a divided nation politically and only time will tell how well the new government will perform in leading the nation forward. Labor voters will be pleased with the final outcome while Liberal voters will naturally... Read more →


Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day here in Australia. I pray that all the dads have a terrific day. I am thankful for my own dad and his influence on my life. He was an orphan so he grew up without a father his entire life. Thankfully, he came to know God as his heavenly Father and then did his best to be to me the father he never had. Click here for a few thoughts on understanding your own father and here for a few Father's Day quotes. Happy Father's Day to all the dads! Read more →


A Good Father

Dads, your kids need you and its never to late to start being a better father. Fathering is a vital, honorable, and essential part of the fabric of human life. In his book Five Signs of a Loving Family, author Gary Chapman outlines a few signs of a good father. Here they are: A good father is active in his fathering. He actively seeks to be involved in his child’s life and initiates such involvement. Don't leave it to chance. A good father makes time to be with his children. He doesn’t give them the leftovers. Don't spend time with... Read more →


A Pastor's Prayer

I loved this prayer by Martin Luther (quoted in A Minister's Prayer Book by John Doberstein). "Lord God, thou has appointed me to be a bishop and pastor in thy church. Thou seest how unfit I am to undertake this great and difficult office, and were it not for thy help, I would long since have ruined it all. Therefore I cry unto thee; I will assuredly apply my mouth and my heart to thy service. I desire to teach the people, and I myself would learn and ever more diligently meditate on thy Word. Use thou me as thy... Read more →