I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed it, but there is an astonishing account in Matthew 11 of the results of Jesus’ teaching. We’re so used to stories of crowds following him and the miracles he did, but this particular passage comes as a great surprise. Matthew 11 recounts how the towns north of the…
Our Bible passage today recounts how the apostle Paul is keen to race in and address a large crowd of angry people in Ephesus. I take it because he saw it as a gospel opportunity to explain to many people just exactly who Jesus is. The text, Acts 19:30-31, implies the desperate nature of the…
We had what appeared to be a troll visit our Facebook page this week. Love hopes all things, but when people make derogatory comments, you have to wonder why they take the trouble to grind the axes they do. It reminded me again as to how the story of Jesus can’t help but polarise people.…
I came across this parable recently: “Imagine a family of mice who lived all their lives in a large piano. To them in their piano-world came the music of the instrument, filling all the dark spaces with sound and harmony. At first the mice were impressed by it. They drew comfort and wonder from the…
Our church has a lot going on. Every ministry we do has an aspect of outreach and even though there are 21 valuable ministries that fall under the ‘Share’ portfolio, these only just scratch the surface. We always need to be looking for ways to further connect with people in our community, but our default…
The times, they are a-changing. My father’s role was to pace the waiting room and pass out the cigars. Apparently, these days men simply get to pass out. Prenatal classes will show you a video that is supposed to prepare you for birth. It doesn’t take long to realise childbirth involves…pain, screaming, heavy breathing, fainting,…
Through the generous support of members of St Hilda’s, we have been able to continue supporting two babushkas (grandmothers) and a dedushka (grandfather) in Kyrgyzstan over the last few years. The elderly of Kyrgyzstan often struggle to have money to pay bills, buy food and live a simple but comfortable life. Babushka Adoption Foundation is…
Rosemary Albert forwarded a very interesting blog to me this week by a guy called Akos Balogh. Like the proverbial frog in a beaker, we don’t always recognise the changes going on all around us and so it’s great to have social comment that sees beyond the immediate issue to the trends that are shaping…
What kind of God do you believe in? There are those who see him as the clockmaker who has created and wound up the universe and then left it to run while he goes on to other projects. Others see him as the absent-minded grand-dad, a nice old bloke who’s kind to everyone and just…
At a recent meeting of business people in the district, a discussion was held as to ways to make the most of Easter in the promotion of their businesses. In the midst of talk about Easter bunnies and paw prints in shop windows, one brave soul, wanting to be salt and light in his community,…
