Exodus

Just Thinking…More than 70% of Ukraine identifies as Christian, and there are 25 Baptist regions across the country. In the face of incredible hardship, Baptists in Ukraine are serving with faith and courage, providing care for the thousands who are displaced. Six hundred Baptist churches in Ukraine have already served 45,000 displaced people. Baptist General Secretary Elijah…

Just Thinking…Last week in the service I unveiled the theme for our church for the coming year – Re-Connect. Life has pushed us apart recently, but I believe it is so important to make every effort to stay connected as a faith community. To assist with that, I outlined a number of commitments and initiatives that…

Just Thinking…When I was at high-school, we were bombarded by notices for this group and that club and those fundraising events. Noticeboards were scattered around the school at various points bedecked with torn posters and graffiti-ed flyers flapping in the breeze, and so it was quite a challenge to actually secure anyone’s attention about anything. Us students became numbed under the information deluge. Which…

Just Thinking…I had to chuckle when I read of the Rangitīkei woman, Linda, who tried to sell her husband, John, on TradeMe recently, when he decided on the spur of the moment to leave his good lady with the kids (it being school holidays!) to pop off for a fishing trip for a few days. She…

Just Thinking…For those who enjoy a bit of a chuckle about old masterpieces and kiwi nationalism in light of the covid virus … The Last Supper … Socially Distanced. This Sunday…This Sunday: The Power of Names (3) If we become the names that we accept, then what identity will free us to be what God…

Just Thinking…Over the holidays, my family and I visited the National Army Museum in Waiouru. Now, it must be said that I am not usually all that interested in the history of warfare, but the place does make for a fascinating visit. The first exhibit we went to held a particular interest because it was…

Just Thinking…I told Murry that I would write the happenings this week, which sounded ok when I said it at the start of this week. But now, as I’m sitting here in the church office on Thursday afternoon, I’ve got a real problem, I’ve got writer’s block. In fact, I’ve had it all week, every…

Just Thinking…Writer, Max Lucado, has this to say about the love of God: “We all enjoy a good love story…a first meeting…a budding romance.  And when inevitable obstacles arise, our heroes put everything on the line to overcome them… to be together. Like every great story, love is demonstrated through action. Through sacrifice. Can you think of a…

Just Thinking…I came across this prayer of Joy … a fitting prayer for the second week of Advent. Taste it … take it line by line and reflect on its words … and then offer it from your heart to Jesus. Prayer of Joy I cannot know joy, unless You are its Source; I only…

Just Thinking…Let me mention a couple of things. Firstly, thank-you to all who have filled in the church survey relating to church life under the government’s new Covid Protection Framework. We want to give all our regular attenders the the chance to share their views, so it would be great if you could complete this if…