It was a week or so ago that a Russian national broadcaster, Marina Ovsaynnikova, did a heroic and courageous act. As you well know Russia has invaded Ukraine and is exerting its full force to suppress and crush this free democratic nation, subduing it so as to incorporate it into Russia. The Russian news broadcasters…
I have no doubt that you, like so many caring people around the world, are deeply saddened and heartsore to see the suffering and destruction of the Ukrainian nation. Who would have thought that a full scale conventional war would take place in Europe in the 21st C. Russia has shown no mercy as it relentlessly…
Today, as we continue to journey through Matthew’s gospel, we will be considering the parable known as “the Sower and the Seed”. It is only one of 3 parables that appear in 3 of the gospels and it is always the first. As I have spent most of this week reflecting on the deeper meaning…
It is with deep sadness that we watched Russian troops, under the command of Putin, invade Ukraine this week. He had repeatedly denied, month after month, that this was his intention as he amassed the greatest concentration of weaponry and troops ever seen in Europe since the horrors of WWII. Now, as we enjoy the…
In my private devotions and personal Bible reading I have been slowly working through the gospel of John. Although I have read through it a number of times in the past, I have discovered light, truth and deep blessing from it. God’s word is a deep mine that never stops yielding rich treasure. In chapter…
In a country like ours, we all enjoy many privileges that so many people around the world are deprived of. For those of us living on the periphery of Auckland city, we have easy access to parks, beaches, bush walks and enough shops to satisfy any shopaholic. However, the greatest privilege we have is the…
The Lord sometimes brings an idea or teaching to our minds by repeatedly drawing our attention to that subject through a variety of different avenues. It may be in a reading and then on a podcast or an article or in conversation with a friend or family member. I have learned to stop and take…
This Sunday, as we gather for worship, I will be directing your thoughts to a wonderful Psalm – Psalm 34. It is a Psalm where David takes stock and resolves to praise God for His gracious provision. It is evident from the Psalm and particularly its back story, that David had been through a raft…
This Christmas I have once again been captivated by the wise men. Tradition suggests there were 3 and they came on camels to worship Jesus in the manger. However, when you read the scriptures we see they do not tell us how many there were, where they came from or where they went to. Nor…
In my daily private devotions I have been reading devotionally through the short but powerful letter of 1 John. In Chapter 3:16-17 I came across this challenge – “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear…
