The term is now coming to a close and the first semester of this year is concluding. Holidays are upon us in just a few more days. To all the school staff - have a plesant R&R!
Posted on our church web site will be the study we have used for the college staff called: 'Digging Thru Daniel.' It is available in two parts - first, on Daniel's life; second, on Daniel's visions. This is an interesting book as it sets out for us the procession of world empires, with one last world empire yet to come in order to fulfill Daniel's visions. When you consider the middle-east events as they unfold currently, then Daniel certainly comes into perspective for our time.
Next study will be: 'Filpping Thru Philippians' / previous studies are also listed on our resource page on the church web page: livingwordashmore.org
Rev.'D
16 June, 2010
PENTECOST SEASON
The first half of the church calendar season in the liturgical year (beginning with Advent) focuses our attention on the life and activity of Christ. Once we move into the Pentecost season, that focus is redirected to the life and activity of the Church - in particular, faith as it relates to the individual Christian and the body of Christ as a whole. Pentecost is sometimes known as the 'Birthday of the Church.' It certainly began with the outpouring of God's gift - the Holy Spirit, with its accompanying gifts and influences (like the fruits of the Spirit).
We celebrated this event with a weekend workshop exploring the ancient Hebrew origins of this festival (as instigated by God - read Leviticus 23). This festival sits fifty days after the first grouping of three festivals (fulfilled in Christ's first coming), and leads into a long period before the last three festivals (yet to be fulfilled). In ancient times this festival was thought to commemorate the giving of the 10 commandments; which is picked up in the New Testament period with the giving of God's Spirit. But it is also a call by God to gather for worship...
Rev.'D
We celebrated this event with a weekend workshop exploring the ancient Hebrew origins of this festival (as instigated by God - read Leviticus 23). This festival sits fifty days after the first grouping of three festivals (fulfilled in Christ's first coming), and leads into a long period before the last three festivals (yet to be fulfilled). In ancient times this festival was thought to commemorate the giving of the 10 commandments; which is picked up in the New Testament period with the giving of God's Spirit. But it is also a call by God to gather for worship...
Rev.'D
05 May, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
In the month of May on the Australian Yearly Calendar, we have a day set aside to say 'thank you' to our mums. We will be treating them to a special champaign morning tea this coming Sunday at our church. But here's a thought. Why wait until we have a date set aside for something that should be a natural occurance every day ... think about it; saying 'thank you' to Mum or anyone else who goes out of their way for us, should happen automatically. This was so important to God, that He wrote it into the 10 Commandments - the commandments for the best practice in relationships; it goes something like this: Honour your father and mother.
These days in our western culture, respect and honour are rare things. We hear that 'you have to earn it before I will give it.' So here is the challenge: 'you have to give it before you can receive it back.' God's Word gives us a principle for life with the thought of sowing and reaping. Sow the seeds of honour and respect into the lives of those who are closest to you and see what happens. It is transformational. Don't wait to do this on just one day of the year; practise it every day and see the results of blessing come back to you: 'You reap what you sow!' Sow the good stuff...
Rev.'D
These days in our western culture, respect and honour are rare things. We hear that 'you have to earn it before I will give it.' So here is the challenge: 'you have to give it before you can receive it back.' God's Word gives us a principle for life with the thought of sowing and reaping. Sow the seeds of honour and respect into the lives of those who are closest to you and see what happens. It is transformational. Don't wait to do this on just one day of the year; practise it every day and see the results of blessing come back to you: 'You reap what you sow!' Sow the good stuff...
Rev.'D
Pentecost Sunday - celebration coming up
John the Baptizer prophecied about a day that would come through the work of the Messiah when we would be baptized with God's Holy Spirit (Matt.3:11). The work of Christ to bring redemption found its fulfillment on this day. The crucifixion dealt with our sin; the resurrection secured for us eternal life; but it is on this day of Pentecost that Jesus gave us the promise of God (John 20:19-23; and John 14:26). From this moment onwards, believers have been empowered by God's Holy Spirit to share the Gospel (Acts 2:1-4; and Acts 2:39).
We will be holding a Pentecost Festival here at the church over the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd with guest speaker and presenter Eileen McDonald from Celebrate Messiah. Participants will discover the Hebrew background to this festival, its fulfillment with Christ, and its meaning and purpose for us Christians today. This church supports Celebrate Messiah's ministry and we have had Eileen speak at previous functions, including last year's Passover Meal. To find out more about their ministry, click on to: celebratemessiah.com.au
Rev.'D
We will be holding a Pentecost Festival here at the church over the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd with guest speaker and presenter Eileen McDonald from Celebrate Messiah. Participants will discover the Hebrew background to this festival, its fulfillment with Christ, and its meaning and purpose for us Christians today. This church supports Celebrate Messiah's ministry and we have had Eileen speak at previous functions, including last year's Passover Meal. To find out more about their ministry, click on to: celebratemessiah.com.au
Rev.'D
21 April, 2010
Easter Season
With Holy Week and the special services, like Good Friday, now a past events, as are the school holidays, it doesn't take long before we are back in our busy routine. Before you know it, the holiday photos are just a reminder of a little escape from all the demands of life. Like a mountain-top experience, we have to leave and return back down to the valley. So often our Christian life is just like that - a moving moment, an inspiration, a conviction ... and then back into the ordinary flow of everyday sameness. What happened to Jesus proclamation: "I have come to give you life, and life in all its fullness" (John 10:10)?
During the Easter Season our readings from the Bible (Lectionary at Church) all draw our attention to an aspect of the Christian life that aims to be a witness of what God means to us. It is based on Jesus' directive: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The way to stay fresh and connected with any good experience is simply to share it and tell others. The good stuff God shares with us is never meant to be bottled up.
The picture that comes to mind is the rally champion as they shake the champagne and spray it over the crowd as their victory salute. Isn't Easter all about a victory? Let's open the champagne! Let's enjoy the fullness of life given to us through Christ who said: "Behold I make all things new again".
Rev.'D
During the Easter Season our readings from the Bible (Lectionary at Church) all draw our attention to an aspect of the Christian life that aims to be a witness of what God means to us. It is based on Jesus' directive: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The way to stay fresh and connected with any good experience is simply to share it and tell others. The good stuff God shares with us is never meant to be bottled up.
The picture that comes to mind is the rally champion as they shake the champagne and spray it over the crowd as their victory salute. Isn't Easter all about a victory? Let's open the champagne! Let's enjoy the fullness of life given to us through Christ who said: "Behold I make all things new again".
Rev.'D
10 March, 2010
The Prodigal son in Luke 15
This parable must surely be the best known of all the stories told by Jesus. The son wishes his Dad dead ('give me my inheritance , NOW!') and makes his way to wreck and ruin. Finally he comes to his senses and makes his way back home. There is a great moment when the Dad welcomes him, but as you read on, the other brother is not happy about this at all!
Family life is difficult. Someone once said: you can choose your friends, but there is no choice with family. I know of many families where there are rifts between siblings or children with their parents. Oh boy, and when it comes to inheritance - there's fuel for family feud.
So when Jesus teaches us to pray and sets up the first line with 'Our Father, who is in heaven', we are brought into the context of God's family - including the dynamics and dysfunctional aspects of each one of us. What a project: reconciliation with God as our Heavenly Father, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, we are brought into a place of healing. Even healing among all of humanity?! Lots of work to be done, lots of egos to overcome, lots of hurt to be forgiven.
Scripture tells us that as Christians we have been enlisted in Christ's cause as 'ministers of reconciliation' (see NT, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Isn't it amazing that is starts in the home?! I know of missionaries who have no fear in going to far away places in the cause of Christ, but are reluctant to share the same zeal for the Gospel with their own family members. So, are we more like the son in this story that rebelled or more like the other son who just refused - both are actually wrong ; both are in desparate need of healing and restoration.
Repentance means: to return and face each other again. God's call is to repent - to return to him, and each other. This is the first step to overcome our problems - then it's ... let's talk!
Rev.'D
Family life is difficult. Someone once said: you can choose your friends, but there is no choice with family. I know of many families where there are rifts between siblings or children with their parents. Oh boy, and when it comes to inheritance - there's fuel for family feud.
So when Jesus teaches us to pray and sets up the first line with 'Our Father, who is in heaven', we are brought into the context of God's family - including the dynamics and dysfunctional aspects of each one of us. What a project: reconciliation with God as our Heavenly Father, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, we are brought into a place of healing. Even healing among all of humanity?! Lots of work to be done, lots of egos to overcome, lots of hurt to be forgiven.
Scripture tells us that as Christians we have been enlisted in Christ's cause as 'ministers of reconciliation' (see NT, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Isn't it amazing that is starts in the home?! I know of missionaries who have no fear in going to far away places in the cause of Christ, but are reluctant to share the same zeal for the Gospel with their own family members. So, are we more like the son in this story that rebelled or more like the other son who just refused - both are actually wrong ; both are in desparate need of healing and restoration.
Repentance means: to return and face each other again. God's call is to repent - to return to him, and each other. This is the first step to overcome our problems - then it's ... let's talk!
Rev.'D
04 March, 2010
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