From Ben’s Desk

In the home group that meets on a Wednesday night at the manse, we are looking at the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. The first fruit is “love” and the second is “joy”. Joy is a missing ingredient in many peoples’ lives today, including Christians. They seem to be getting on with life…

Welcome back to all of you who have been away. I trust you have enjoyed the long hot summer break and you feel refreshed and ready for a great 2018. At the beginning of the New Year it is a good thing for us to look forward to doing things better than last year. This…

After the morning worship service today, we will be holding our A.G.M. Now I know that some of you will roll your eyes and say “boring, I’m not attending thanks for nothing” but hold on a moment. The AGM is a time to reflect on our church and what God has been doing by His…

No doubt you have seen the influence of Halloween in the shops with horror masks, spider webs and ghost–like images. You will also possibly be inundated on Tuesday night with groups of children dressed up in all sorts of costumes asking for lollies. Where did all this come from and why is this tradition gaining…

This past Friday I conducted the funeral of one of the longest standing members of our church, Mrs Kath Graham. Kath went home to be with the Lord after 96 years. Kath was a deeply committed Christian and the first lady elder of our church. She was fully involved in the life of our church…

This is a lovely time of the year, especially if you live close to Cornwall Park and enjoy the privilege of walking round the park some afternoons after work, as I do. The ornamental cherry trees are in full bloom with their lovely pink blossoms. The oak trees have fresh new leaves and the wisteria…

I was made aware once again this week that we, as Christians, living in a post-modern, post-Christian time in the history of New Zealand, are involved in a spiritual warfare against the subtle attacks and opposition of the Evil One. This was highlighted for me by the ongoing and vicious attacks of certain anti-Christian parents,…

It was in 1994 that the first democratic election was held in South Africa. For the first time people of all races had the democratic right to cast their vote. It was my privilege to be the chief officer of the polling station held at my church in Johannesburg. People queued up from before dawn…

As the election hots up and we edge closer to Election Day, we see the various representatives and leaders working long hours to secure their places and have the best showing in this coming election. In a way, I must admit that I can’t wait for it all to be over, as the media has…

It is quite evident in the media and all over our communities that an election is about to take place. As Sue and I travelled down to Raetihi we saw election hoardings on remote and isolated roads as well. We are all obliged to vote. But who do we vote for? What party is the…