Christ was once asked about indicators for the 'end of days.' He remarked about how our 'last days' are like the days of Noah. What many may not know, is that the Bible has recorded for us the actual day when Noah went into the ark. Once the door was closed behind him, it rained for 40 days and nights. Those days are commenorated each year on the Hebrew Calendar on Cheshvan 17 (in our October running the 40 days to early December).
That event changed the climate and geography of our planet - the last time we actually had climate change. If Jesus is indicating that similar climatic events will accompany the 'last days,' then according to our scientist, we are approaching yet another earth-altering time. How sad for the countless lives lost, with only Noah and his family surviving ... because they trusted in God's Word for them. Are we in similar days, with countless people ignoring the Word of God for their lives? I guess Noah banked on this truth: God said what He meant, and God meant what He said. What are we banking on today, for tomorrow?
Rev.'D
17 November, 2010
End of year
School is in its last weeks. Senior students finishing off their last exams. Closing services and graduation events well underway. Even on the Church calendar, its the last Sunday of the Church year.
The next Sundays are known as ADVENT. It is the season of preparation; in particular it's a season of anticipation of Christ's coming. Of course there is the acknowledgement of Christ's first coming (as the suffering servant who came to take away our sin), but ADVENT keeps the expectation before us of Christ second coming (as judge over the nations and the establishment of his kingdom reign).
In times of trouble, especially as we get to hear about 'wars and rumours of war' from the middle east, it is good to know that God is still involved in our human history. One day we are going to have to give an account for what we have done with our life and the lives of others. Don't mistake God's silence at the moment as an indication that He has left the planet to fend for itself. This is a time of grace ... to let us decide for ourselves if we want God in the picture, or if we want to have an existence without God's blessings, love, and forgiveness. ADVENT calls us to decide!
Rev.'D
The next Sundays are known as ADVENT. It is the season of preparation; in particular it's a season of anticipation of Christ's coming. Of course there is the acknowledgement of Christ's first coming (as the suffering servant who came to take away our sin), but ADVENT keeps the expectation before us of Christ second coming (as judge over the nations and the establishment of his kingdom reign).
In times of trouble, especially as we get to hear about 'wars and rumours of war' from the middle east, it is good to know that God is still involved in our human history. One day we are going to have to give an account for what we have done with our life and the lives of others. Don't mistake God's silence at the moment as an indication that He has left the planet to fend for itself. This is a time of grace ... to let us decide for ourselves if we want God in the picture, or if we want to have an existence without God's blessings, love, and forgiveness. ADVENT calls us to decide!
Rev.'D
01 September, 2010
Happy Father's Day
There is one unique feature in the Christian faith that sets it apart from all others. Jesus taught his disciples to pray in a manner unaccustomed to their former training. Jesus placed our faith experience in the context of an actual relationship with God; in particularly, God as our Heavenly Father!
The Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in Heaven, ...". No one dared to presume such an intimate relationship with God as that of a family man. Yet, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Just as Jesus was born of Mary (his earthly mother) and also by divine inception (his heavenly status), so we read in Col.2:9 that in Christ the fullness of the deity dwelt bodily. In the Nicean Creed we confess that Jesus is fully man and fully God. In Phil 2:5-11 we read about how God became part of his creation, just as John 1:1-4, 14 claims ... the 'word became flesh.'
So this Father's Day, for us as Christians, we might like to remember that we belong to a huge family; the family of God. And thanks to Christ we now have access to God like it is in a family setting. My kids have access to me, benefit from my provision and love, have the right to come into our home at any time, indeed they have their very own room in our house. A stranger has none of these privileges - a stranger stays outstide at the front door. But through Jesus we are no longer strangers to God, we are family! We have a place in his kingdom; we have a room in his house; we have a seat at his table! And isn't it around the dinning room table where families celebrate all kinds of events with a huge meal for all to share in ... happy Father's Day!
In Christ, we belong to God ... Amen to that!
Rev.'D
The Lord's prayer begins with "Our Father in Heaven, ...". No one dared to presume such an intimate relationship with God as that of a family man. Yet, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Just as Jesus was born of Mary (his earthly mother) and also by divine inception (his heavenly status), so we read in Col.2:9 that in Christ the fullness of the deity dwelt bodily. In the Nicean Creed we confess that Jesus is fully man and fully God. In Phil 2:5-11 we read about how God became part of his creation, just as John 1:1-4, 14 claims ... the 'word became flesh.'
So this Father's Day, for us as Christians, we might like to remember that we belong to a huge family; the family of God. And thanks to Christ we now have access to God like it is in a family setting. My kids have access to me, benefit from my provision and love, have the right to come into our home at any time, indeed they have their very own room in our house. A stranger has none of these privileges - a stranger stays outstide at the front door. But through Jesus we are no longer strangers to God, we are family! We have a place in his kingdom; we have a room in his house; we have a seat at his table! And isn't it around the dinning room table where families celebrate all kinds of events with a huge meal for all to share in ... happy Father's Day!
In Christ, we belong to God ... Amen to that!
Rev.'D
25 August, 2010
Reasons to come along
Over the next months we will have quite a few highlights at our worship services (9am):
* September 5th ... Father's Day special with College invited (Stephan House).
* September 19th ... Disability Services Week with guest speaker Edmund McMahon from the Trinity Lutheran Disability Services, and our own Jennifer Johnston, speaking about the work carried out to help those in need.
* October 10th ... Back to Baptism, celebrating with all our past baptisms
* October 17th ... Affirming our Volunteers (& training for greeters, ushers, etc)
* October 31st ... Reformation Sunday (& congregational meal)
* November 7th ... Service with Primary School at Living Word
* November 14th ... Confirmation Sunday
* September 5th ... Father's Day special with College invited (Stephan House).
* September 19th ... Disability Services Week with guest speaker Edmund McMahon from the Trinity Lutheran Disability Services, and our own Jennifer Johnston, speaking about the work carried out to help those in need.
* October 10th ... Back to Baptism, celebrating with all our past baptisms
* October 17th ... Affirming our Volunteers (& training for greeters, ushers, etc)
* October 31st ... Reformation Sunday (& congregational meal)
* November 7th ... Service with Primary School at Living Word
* November 14th ... Confirmation Sunday
College @ Church
Great to have the College community at church! We have been linking with the College via their 'House' groups. At Trinity Lutheran College these house groups are in honour of past foundation members from the church. They are MacKenzie, Strohmeyer, and Stephan. Along with these links, we invite the primary school to come and join us at Living Word. Last Sunday we had the Prep E class with us as well as the dancers from the Primary School.
Thanks to Ps.Michael for sharing a challenging message based on the question: 'does church make a difference?' Which was then redirected to: 'does Christ make a difference?' There was a moving personal account from his school days, someone he just recently caught up with on Facebook. The difference, that a faith in Christ can make over the years we live, begins early and lasts all the days of our life ... just as rejection early in life, persists over the years. And boy, does it make a difference how our life pans out!
Rev.'D
Thanks to Ps.Michael for sharing a challenging message based on the question: 'does church make a difference?' Which was then redirected to: 'does Christ make a difference?' There was a moving personal account from his school days, someone he just recently caught up with on Facebook. The difference, that a faith in Christ can make over the years we live, begins early and lasts all the days of our life ... just as rejection early in life, persists over the years. And boy, does it make a difference how our life pans out!
Rev.'D
18 August, 2010
Worship w TLC
The Trinity Lutheran College (Ashmore) worships with Living Word on a number of occasions throughout the year. This term we have already seen the MacKenzie House Chapel service which will soon be followed up with the Stephan House Chapel service (Sept 5th). But this weekend we have a special inclusion from the primary school prep class. These services at Living Word have become appreciated for the strong links that are built between the college and the congregation. We thank our Chaplain, Michael Alfson, the Heads of House and school captains, as well as our Principal, Ann Mitchell, along with the Heads of SS, MS, and JS.
Check out details about our college through our newsletter at: http://tlc.qld.edu.au/newsletter.html
Worship service every Sunday at 9am - Ashmore Road Campus at the Trinity Centre building
Rev.'D
Check out details about our college through our newsletter at: http://tlc.qld.edu.au/newsletter.html
Worship service every Sunday at 9am - Ashmore Road Campus at the Trinity Centre building
Rev.'D
Life choices that matter
There are parts in the Bible that are difficult. Difficult because they challenge our comfortable and cosy church belief that God's grace and love will eventually get everyone to heaven. Well, then we come across a passage from Jesus' words, where he says: 'Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people and cause them to choose!'
What's the choice? In the context of our passage (Luke 12:51), Jesus just spoke about his coming again, then demands that we exercise our free will and choose, and then calls us to repentance (that is: to turn around from where we are going and follow him). Now here is my struggle. A small portion of our membership are demonstrating their relationship with Christ through their weekly worship, but a large number of our membership might pop in now and then, or leave it just to Christmas. What choice are they making about the importance of the gift of salvation for them and their future? In my own family there are those who have walked away from the Christian faith. What have they chosen? Would you blame God for the excercise of your own free will? Here is an aspect of the Gospel that is rarely talked about: God lets you decide your future! And it starts right now ...
Rev.'D
What's the choice? In the context of our passage (Luke 12:51), Jesus just spoke about his coming again, then demands that we exercise our free will and choose, and then calls us to repentance (that is: to turn around from where we are going and follow him). Now here is my struggle. A small portion of our membership are demonstrating their relationship with Christ through their weekly worship, but a large number of our membership might pop in now and then, or leave it just to Christmas. What choice are they making about the importance of the gift of salvation for them and their future? In my own family there are those who have walked away from the Christian faith. What have they chosen? Would you blame God for the excercise of your own free will? Here is an aspect of the Gospel that is rarely talked about: God lets you decide your future! And it starts right now ...
Rev.'D
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