We all need an obligatory thought on the Olympics, don’t we? After all, they are on the TV for a fortnight, its the most expensive event on earth, and it involves all people getting together. Or something like that. I have to confess that I haven’t watched any of it (bar sitting in someone else’s … [Read more…]
Is Swearing Sinful? Swearing is an interesting question, and one about which Christians need to be careful we don’t grab the wrong end of the stick. Because for many people in our society, Christianity is just about rules, and what you can and can’t say. Many people think that Christians are hung up on what … [Read more…]
I think this is an important idea to get our heads around, and understand the issue of same sex ‘marriage’ for what it is and means – without going overboard.
If God knew that Adam and Eve were going to sin, why did he make them that way? Or, why did God allow sin in the world? These questions came from the Sunday School class last week, and they are good questions. When we read the Bible, and hear how God intended to make things, and … [Read more…]
This is quite a common question, and in some church cultures the answer is ‘of course’. There is a strong culture in some churches and Christian circles which insists that tithing is what all Christians should do. ‘Tithe’ means ‘a tenth’ or, in more modern terms ‘10%’. Its what God instructed the ancient Israelites to … [Read more…]
A was taken flying today. I even got to do the ‘steering’ for quite a bit. For someone with a largely sedentary job, which involves a lot of writing, speaking and thinking, I sometimes get to do slightly different things. Placing lambs in the cradle for marking, riding in tractors, and today, flying. And I’m … [Read more…]
This was a good question that came up this week. If you look at a lot of art throughout the ages, and in popular media today, you see angels depicted as handsome and strong men (and sometimes women) with wings and white robes, and an occasional halo. Demons are, however, depicted as terrifying monsters, misshapen, … [Read more…]
Travelling as much as I do on the Albany Highway, I get to spend a lot of time at road works. Every year there are a couple of sections that have an extra over-taking lane added. These provide much needed improvements and safety, and they are greatly appreciated. But the time I spend slowing down … [Read more…]
Weddings and funerals are things that all ministers come to know fairly well. We are called on and privileged to serve people in these events. It is true that that is changing a lot – the percentage of weddings and funerals officiated by ministers of religion is declining. Civil wedding celebrants are increasingly doing funeral … [Read more…]
In Australia, out-side of birthdays, Christmas is about the only holiday that families come together for. For that reason, Christmas is sometimes described as the loneliest time of year for many people. People who have lost their families, who are estranged from their families, who have been part of broken families, or people who live … [Read more…]