Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 28. Vs.1. The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. When you live a righteous life you have nothing to be afraid of. Vs.2. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Good leadership (wise and godly) produces stability. Vs.4. To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law... Read more →

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"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Albert Einstein (renowned physicist) Read more →

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 21. Vs.1. The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases. God is sovereign and overrules all – even the heart of those in authority. Vs.2. People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart. God evaluates our inner world. Vs.3. The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices. Obedience is the ultimate pleasure to... Read more →

Whenever you are prayerfully considering giving to a project of any kind, here are a few creative ideas to consider: 1. Give of what you already have. That could be something from you personal savings and investments or even a loan redraw. 2. Sell some of your assets. We see this occuring in the first church at Jerusalem when Barnabas sold a block of land and donated the proceeds to the work of the church (Acts 4:32-37). Put everything “on the table” making it available for God’s use. Maybe have a garage sale or put some unwanted items on eBay.... Read more →

A lot of organisations conduct various types of fund raising today, including churches. I value the Bible as God’s Word. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit and beneficial for every aspect of personal and church life. We know the Bible has a lot to say about “giving”, but what about “fund raising”? Interestingly enough, the apostle Paul, along with the many other things he did, spent many years raising funds from his churches for some needs in the church at Jerusalem. This is referred to in his letters as “the collection”. He gave some detailed instructions to his churches... Read more →

Right now our church is engaging in what we are calling The Story Building Project. This is an opportunity to invest in creating more space and newer environments where stories can be told and lives can be transformed by God's love. God's Perspective on Generous Giving What does God think about all this? Paul quotes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).” Jesus is saying that when we give – whether it be time, energy, service, encouragement, resource, or whatever – there is an even greater blessing than when we are on the... Read more →

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 14 in the Message Bible. Vs.1. A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands. If you are wise you will build something solid, strong and lasting. A fool tears down whatever they end up building. This is a good leadership challenge. Am I a wise or a foolish leader? Vs.2. Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him. When you do what is right you... Read more →

A classic Christian book on spirituality is The Practice of the Presence of God, which is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicholas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite monk. The basic theme of the book is the development of an awareness of the presence of God in daily life. More recently, pastor and theologian Gregory Boyd has written a very helpful book entitleded Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now. He looks at and builds on the work of three authors on this topic: Brother Lawrence, Jean-Pierre de Causade and Frank Laubach. An appendix includes a helpful outline... Read more →

Jesus once said that the children of this world are sometimes wiser than the children of light. That wasn't a compliment! We can learn a lot from those who achieve and accomplish things in fields such as business, arts, sport or leadership. There is wisdom to be gained from the experience of others. In the business world, the most desired education is an MBA - a Masters in Business Administration. People will often pay a lot of money to earn such a degree, and especially from some of the most reputable universities around the world. Josh Kaufman begs to differ.... Read more →

Today we glean some more wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Here are a few thoughts from Proverbs 7 in the Message Bible. Dear friend, do what I tell you; treasure my careful instructions. Do what I say and you'll live well. My teaching is as precious as your eyesight - guard it! Write it out on the back of your hands; etch it on the chambers of your heart. Talk to Wisdom as to a sister. Treat Insight as your companion. They'll be with you to fend off the Temptress-- that smooth-talking, honey-tongued Seductress. Make sure you value instruction... Read more →

I love this prayer from St. Patrick: Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself the Name, The strong Name of the Trinity; By invocation of the same. The Three in One, and One in Three, Of Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of... Read more →

A few weeks ago, on January 15th, Americans celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day in commemoration of his birthday. Dr. King was the chief spokesman for non-violent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honour began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Regan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some American states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It... Read more →