Resources & good things

Hello..

Just a quick note to those who happen across reading this - over the years our church has put together a large range of exceptionally good resources. There's booklets & workbooks on leadership, pamphlets on "know what you believe", sermon series on dvd from Ps Malcolm MacLeod, a very large collection of Life Group studies, and heaps more. Please contact us if you'd like to know more about any of it..

'twas just a thought!

Ps Leighton

21st Century Teachings of Jesus

I am experiencing a fresh passion to explore the world Jesus entered 2000 years ago. So often we misinterpret the words spoken in the Bible and mis-apply them to our world. Although the world offers us unique challenges and shifted values, I am so excited by the relevance of scripture to the world I see.
The issues are frightening & the Church is faced with many challenges. Things will probably get worse before they get better BUT Jesus Christ and His words are still alive & well on planet earth.

Ps Malcolm MacLeod
Snr Pastor

Do you have your Father's eyes?

The other morning I found myself singing a song I hadn't heard in years. As a child and young teen this song was a type of vision statement for me, what I wanted my life to be. The song was by Amy Grant and dealt with the idea that people would remember her for how she reflected God to those around her. More than anything she wanted people to say she had her Father's eyes and I felt the same way - still do in fact. The chorus to this song "Father's eyes" says it all.

"She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes
Eyes that find the good in things, When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help, When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain.
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes, my Father's eyes, my Father's eyes, Just like my Father's eyes."

Being representatives of our Father, heaven was not a new concept when Amy Grant sang this song. Paul challenged the Ephesians to "be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Eph 5:1-2)

We are meant to look like our Father in heaven, to have his DNA. This includes His compassion, servant attitude, and care, just as Amy sang. But it is much more than this. It should also include a passion for truth, a desire to do right and a lifestyle founded in mercy and grace. "What is it the Lord requires of you? To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8) And even though that is only just scratching the surface, you will spend the rest of your life growing and learning what it is to be like your Father. May you always have the desire to do just that!

Today I ask you - do you have your Father's eyes?

Ps Raelle
Pastoral Care, & Childrens Pastor

Tour de France

For those who know me, you'll know that I grew up racing BMX and taking a pretty keen interest in all things cycling. As a young guy, I actually had a dream to one day ride in the Tour de France... I'm not sure why because of all the cycling disciplines, road-racing seemed the most boring!

In 2004, Eilidh & I were in Paris the day before the TDF came through for the famous final day of racing... the race down the Champs-Elysees. Really wish now that we'd been able to stay to see that!

Anyway, the past couple of years I've started watching the race each night. Makes for lots of late nights, and I'm definitely feeling it!! Watching it though....I love it!!

I love it because:
- It's not every man for himself...some riders role on the team is to make sure their team mate wins
- If a team mate falls, you'll often see the team slowing down to wait for their fallen rider
- There appears to be great comraderie
- ...and there's some spectacular scenery!!

It's a pity there's often doping scandals, because this is a brilliant sporting event, played out over 3 weeks.....3 weeks of late late nights!

Missing teeth, and growing up...

This morning my 4y/o son accidentally headbutted his 7y/o sister, causing one of her wobbly teeth to prematurely fall out. She was already missing her 2 front teeth, and now with another one gone, she's looking like a true Collingwood Supporter!
The cool thing about it all is this though - those teeth need to come out! I'm no dentist, but we simply call them 'baby teeth'. Those baby teeth need to come out to make way for .... 'Adult Teeth!' Pretty soon in my daughters mouth, we'll start to see brand new teeth pushing through (hopefully straight and not requiring expensive braces work later in life!!!)
As followers of Jesus...disciples...there's a very similar thing that takes place in our lives. We need to do away with the 'baby' stuff of faith, to make way for the more mature things..
1 Corinthians 13:11 "...When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."
So this morning, I'm thinking to myself "what childish ways can I put behind me to make way for the more mature things..?"
What about you?