Author Archive
Outrageous Love
Christians empowered and driven by God’s love are some of the most radical and rare people on this planet. This “love” cannot be achieved or attained by a simple 12 week course, by the reading of the latest “How To…” book or by asking for it at the convenience store. It is a love that is heaven-born, Holy Spirit fuelled and Jesus glorifying. To watch it in action leaves you speechless as it often has no comparison to the love we see in everyday life. The only way of describing this divine love is…OUTRAGEOUS LOVE! (more…)
DOCTRINE & LIFE
These days everyone’s definition of truth is subject to their own ideas and perspectives. It seems there is nothing solid anymore on which we can build our belief system. Our trust has been damaged and our fears now rule every decision and thought process. What becomes tragic is when this mindset invades the Church and Christians just don’t know what they believe anymore. As a result of this confusion there are dangerous theologians questioning the very core doctrines of the Christian faith and casting a dark shadow of doubt over many of the long-standing beliefs we’ve held for centuries. Such points under attack include – Jesus as our substitute, Jesus’ divine nature and status, God in the trinity union, the inerrancy of the Bible, the existence of Hell, and the list goes on. Many so called scholars spending countless hours debating and searching for a new theological platform to share their perverted and demonic ideas. (more…)
The Comfortable Critic
Human nature is a funny thing. We laugh at people’s misfortune. We celebrate the failures of those doing more than us. We look to justify our laziness by pointing out what’s wrong with everything and then complain and moan how everything is wrong with the world. But what I find most intriguing is the “Comfortable Critic”, also known as the “Arm-chair Critic”.
We see them at the football, at the cricket game and in every lounge room across the world. This is the idle spectator sitting in the comfort of his/her lazy-boy screaming out judgements to those actually doing something. I am sure you’ve seen this freak of nature in action, perhaps you’ve found yourself falling into this high and lofty position. For example, the football team they support plays a bad game and this critic has all of the answers, solutions and game plays that would’ve assured victory. Or, the umpire makes a bad call and this critic yells obscenities at the TV or in public making their point loud and clear. Or what about when this critic sits in judgement of every politician, Prime Minister and President ever to exist and declares with the grace of a bulldog, “Ah, they’re all useless. Give me a go and watch this nation change.” Really? (more…)
Living Through Heaven’s Silence
The following blog post is the transcript from a sermon I preached a long while ago. Having recently battled through the silence of heaven I was greatly encouraged with the remembrance of these words. I also believe many right now are struggling with the same pain and I believe these words can lift you up and place your trust in the One who knows, cares and answers prayers. So sit back, take time (it is a bit long) to read this carefully and let God do His work…
Someone once said, “When God closes one door He opens another – but it is hell in the hallway.” That could not be more true. Those times of waiting are brutal. I have had to battle these moments in the past as I have had to endure seasons of heaven’s silence. You know those seasons when your prayers don’t seem to penetrate the ceiling let alone heaven. When you’re pleading with God for an answer yet all you are left to deal with is a deafening silence from God. (more…)
Still Too Much of Me!
It has been a long time between blog posts and for that I am sorry. Much has happened since my last one and I have had to deal with some pretty heavy issues as well as a lot of soul searching going on. I have also just completed a ministry break where I pulled away from all ministry and church related activity to seek God on some big questions. This time away has been very refreshing, reviving and it has enabled me to refocus on what is going on and what is ahead.
One of the main dilemmas I was facing was the current direction of my preaching and general direction of CityWest Church. The critics really came out of the woodworks and made their voices heard! But that’s ok because even in the voices of the critics we can learn some valuable lessons. (more…)
