In a recently read article about the parents of autistic and intellectually handicapped children it was revealed that the “overwhelming majority” of parents had negative experiences in their churches and with their clergy when it came to accommodating their disabled … Continue reading
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by … Continue reading
In his high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed for his disciples. He prayed, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” (17:22). What is this glory which … Continue reading
The ABC recently screened a documentary about transgender kids in the US.[1] The youngest child in the documentary was five years old. There is a movement to enable children labeled as transgender to transition as soon as possible. The belief … Continue reading
At the end of his last meal with his disciples Jesus “took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same … Continue reading
I recently watched a documentary about a 16-year-old boy in the UK who wanted to become a drag queen. He had already come out as gay and had decided to come out as a drag queen at his school prom. … Continue reading
Prayer is sometimes a struggle. There are prayers which seem to be answered immediately and without the need to pray over and over. We don’t seem to need to devote hours of prayer for those matters. But then there are … Continue reading
Lately, because of certain events which occurred at work, at home and at church, I have been feeling like I am less that a person. Rather I feel that I have been treated as less than a person. I have … Continue reading
Recently I saw a program on TV about hoarders. In this particular episode the woman who had a hoarding problem did not seem to collect anything of value but rather had a house full of rubbish: empty cool drink cans, … Continue reading
In Acts 7:48-50 the deacon Stephen makes this statement to the Jews in Jerusalem: Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. … Continue reading
Just over a week ago (13/11/15) ISIL terrorists killed 130 people and injured many more in Paris. A week later hostages were taken in a Mali hotel and many were killed. This week Belgium is shut down because of anticipation … Continue reading
Recently I have been listening to some preaching on YouTube. The first set of preachers were trying to justify why we should accept openly practicing homosexuals as brothers and sisters in Christ, since they claim that the biblical passages which … Continue reading
There are some heretical preachers I have listened to lately who lay claim to knowing some things which others do not. They proclaim secrets which few can understand, or so they believe. There is no value here is recounting these … Continue reading
Recently I stumbled upon some websites and videos about Islam. In particular there were some instructions about how to become a Muslim and advice about what to do as a new convert to Islam. I am fairly ignorant about Islam … Continue reading
My Dream I had a dream which went like this: It was night time and I looked out the back door and saw first of all that the neighbour’s back yard to the right was on fire. Then I looked … Continue reading
Introduction Several times recently I have heard the claim that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. Presumably this statement is intended to justify acceptance of homosexual practice and open the way to same-sex unions in law. However, it is not … Continue reading
Christian worship on Sunday has a significance which goes well beyond merely encouragement, fellowship and corporate worship. This significance is related to the designation by the early church of Sunday as the Lord’s Day. To grasp what this means we … Continue reading
On Friday morning (3rd July 2015) in the small hours the coach of the AFL team the Adelaide Crows was (allegedly) murdered in his home in Adelaide. The response in the media (both traditional media and social media) to this … Continue reading
This message was delivered to Tabor College Combined Chapel in September 2013. I have lost a lot of weight since the start of this year. If you pay attention you may have noticed that I don’t eat chocolate anymore, and … Continue reading
Recently[1] my upper arm and shoulder began to hurt and then the pain got worse so that I could not move my arm or lie down to sleep. In an effort to get rid of the pain, I consulted both … Continue reading
Introduction Prayer can so often be difficult to do. We all know that we should pray. But sometimes the way we act is not the way we ought to act. So many things get in the way of praying: pressures … Continue reading
Some recent events in my life have been somewhat stressful and upsetting. My emotions have been very extreme. During this time I have questioned many aspects of my life and wondered about its purpose. In the course of my pondering … Continue reading
Introduction I wrote this piece because I know that I have an idolatrous need to achieve things. I have an intense fear that I will die without having ever accomplished anything worthwhile. I began exploring participation in Christ both because … Continue reading
God makes a powerful promise to believers in Romans 8:15-17 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The … Continue reading
Introduction For a long time, when I first became a Christian, I could not believe that God loves me. I believed that I was not good enough for that. This made me extremely unhappy. I could affirm that God loved … Continue reading
Introduction It is my desire to understand all of the significant Old Testament themes through the person of Jesus. I have previously spent some time exploring the Sabbath and its fulfilment through Christ. In this meditation I will explore another … Continue reading
Today in Church for Good Friday (3/4/15) I understood something which I have not understood before. After celebrating the Passover with his disciples, Jesus was arrested and tried in several different trials, before being sentenced to death and crucified. I … Continue reading
There are many questions in life and some seem to have no answer. One of the questions which most often bother me is the matter of timing. If I know that I have been called to do something in particular … Continue reading
This week (27/3/15) the course I have been teaching has reached a discussion of the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. This doctrine states that the Bible has no errors because it is inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16), who is all … Continue reading
I often wonder what is the purpose of prayer. This is not a question of whether prayer moves the heart of God or whether he hears us when we pray. There are many clear passages about this in scripture and … Continue reading