Category: Mission

Discipleship, ecology and everyday economics

Book review: Coming Home by Jonathan Cornford I heard Jonathan Cornford speak at a conference a couple of years ago, and he was one of the most interesting and challenging speakers I have ever heard. So when I saw this book published earlier this year, I quickly bought it. It didn’t disappoint.

Make your own lunch for a week

Monthly challenge. September challenge Don’t buy lunch for a week, but make it and take it from home. Our parents or grandparents rarely ate out, except at friends’ homes, but takeaway and fast food, and restaurant dining, have become a major part of modern diets. This has many advantages, but a few drawbacks too: it […]

Short-sighted selfishness rules, OK?

This is the Ministry (the main decision-makers) in the Australian Government. These people lead the Government, develop policy, plan legislation and lead the various Government Departments which have responsibility for (among other things) trade, commerce, agriculture, social services and foreign affairs. The Government also has a role in health and environmental issues (which are more […]

Signs of the times 1

On the wall at our local shopping mall. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Do a personal clean-up

Monthly challenge: August. The monthly challenge Do you want to make a difference in the world, but don’t have time and energy for something big? There are small things we can all do each week to live more sustainably, more justly and more equitably. In the monthly challenge I will offer suggestions for small things […]

Christians and politics – a deep devastation or glorious triumph?

Just over a week ago was election day in Australia. After being behind in the polls for years, the Government was returned with a small majority. This was seen by most pundits as an important election, charting a course for Australia’s future. Christians seemed to be more active than in any previous election that I […]

Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:20)

It is no news that people seem to becoming more polarised politically these days. But it is sad, unhelpful and unnecessary. It is particularly sad when christians fall into this. And it seems to be particularly common when discussing issues relating to terrorism and Islam. Like this last week …..

Evangelism – learning from unbelievers

There’s a saying in chess that, if you are in doubt about your next move, choose the move your opponent would like least. I reckon a similar, but opposite, saying might apply to christian evangelism: if you are wanting to evangelise, try to choose the behaviour your friend would most appreciate. A recent study by […]

When thoughtful christians begin to doubt

In my previous post (When sensitive and thoughtful people begin to doubt) I looked at 4 different sets of musicians who were christians earlier in their lives, but had struggled with faith since then. Now I want to share a few thoughts on how churches and parents might help their youth to be able to […]

When sensitive and thoughtful people begin to doubt

Do you know someone who appeared to be a strong christian, and then began to doubt the truth of the whole thing? I’m guessing they were likely someone in their twenties, brought up as believers but suddenly facing questions they didn’t have answers for and issues they couldn’t easily resolve. And I’m guessing many of […]