2020 has been a horrible year around the world in so many respects. The main cause of despair, panic and fear was the COVID-19 pandemic, which still continues to affect populations in both developed and undeveloped countries. Its devastation will undoubtedly continue throughout 2021 whether or not vaccines become available. The breakdown of law and order (as well as civil society) in the United States leading up to the presidential election in November will fan the flames of prejudice,…..
Eight weeks have elapsed since my last blog. It has been a time for me to withdraw and contemplate what is going on with our society, state, nation and the world. Much has happened so quickly in that short space of time. Our current inclination as a society is to consider everything through a political lens but that narrows our view like a microscope minimises the large to concentrate on the minute. Rather, we need a telescope, which…..
Around the world Christians are praying that the Sovereign Creator God of the Bible will do something about the coronavirus that is sweeping the world. In particular, prayers are being offered to our Heavenly Father that the response by governments to the impact of the virus are proportionate to the risks involved in contracting the disease. I believe that God is answering these prayers by stirring up people (Christians and non-Christians alike) to raise their voices against draconian lock-down restrictions…..
‘First they came for the CommunistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a Communist. Then they came for the SocialistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionistsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the JewsAnd I did not speak outBecause I was not a Jew. Then they came for meAnd there was no one leftTo speak out for me.’…..
The following article was written by Jon Bloom, co-founder of Desiring God. As all of us get older (day by day!), we ask this question and only God will give us direction towards the meaning and end of life. It’s been ten years since my father died. A decade. Already? Nearly 20 percent of my lifetime has passed since I last saw him. Where did the time go? We Are Marvels We all intuitively discern that our…..
The Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament describes the laws given by God to Moses for the people of Israel after God rescued them from the Egyptians. Much of this law reflected hygienic issues that modern medicine copes with efficiently. Some laws related to the sacrificial system instituted by God for the ongoing forgiveness of sins. Fortunately, the death and resurrection of Jesus is the perfect substitute for these imperfect rituals. Quite a deal of Leviticus deals with…..
Today, 2 September 2020, is a day of shame for the State of Victoria and, by implication, for Australia. In the early hours of this morning, the Upper House of the Victorian Parliament voted to extend the Labor Government’s State of Emergency legislation for another six months. The vote was 20-19 and the majority was only possible because a ‘Green’ politician, an ‘Animal justice Party’ politician and a ‘Reason Party’ (formerly called the ‘Sex Party’) politician sided with the left-wing…..
The other day I read a comment from John Piper which is an insight into one of the ways that everyone, believers and unbelievers alike, lives their life. We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise. Just think about the ordinary activities of life. People attend (or, at the moment!) watch football games. The full expression of their delight is in cheering (praising) their team when it kicks a…..
Great is Thy Faithfulness is one of the best known Christian hymns. Yet it has a strange origin. Lament has been the cry of people throughout history in times of disaster. In the present coronavirus predicament there is plenty about which to express lament. It is a passionate expression of grief or regret. There are family or friends who have died or are sick, massive inconvenience to employment and daily living, the restrictions on freedom of movement,…..
As Melbourne and Victoria entered six weeks of Stage 3 and 4 COVID lockdowns, six members of The Gospel Coalition in Australia, Victoria Committee were asked how they’re praying for their city and State – prayers for Victoria we might all like to take up over the coming weeks. ‘I’m praying for three things. First, that God will have mercy on us and bring relief to the many people who are stressed, anxious and suffering. Second, that God will use…..