Sunday, 14 June New Zealand is now at Alert Level 1. Therefore all restrictions around on Physical, Gathered Worship Services are off. From Sunday, 14 June we plan to resume services as “normal” with no need for keeping attendance, with providing a creche and our Morning Tea. We aim to resume our 9:30 Children’s Sunday School and Adult Bible Class… Read more →
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Pondering Job in a Pandemic – Chapter 39
In chapter 39 of Job God continues to speak. As He does, He continues to ask Job rhetorical questions. These questions continue to demonstrate God’s power and authority over His creation. Yet, even more, they demonstrate his immanent care for His creation. God is all powerful, yet He is not distant from His creation. He meets the needs of all… Read more →
Resources for Those with Questions Regarding Suicide
Today my wife and two oldest teenage children attended the funeral of one of their classmates who took his own life last week. I am copying here items from my personal blog from 2013 back to 2007. This is a topic which is so very painful yet so very important for Christians to think about carefully. Here are some items… Read more →
Fellowship of Reformed Baptist Churches: Roving Classroom – Saturday, 24 August
We have the opportunity and privilege to host our Fellowship’s Roving Classroom in August.All from RBC are welcome to attendWe will have visiting attendees from other Fellowship and area churchesCloser to the time we will seek volunteers to serve with catering. Watch this space… 🙂 FRBCNZ Roving Classroom – Rolleston When: Saturday, 24 Aug 2019Topic: Ruth–God Gives a Harvest of Sovereign Lovingkindness… Read more →
Liar, Lunatic, Lord or Maybe Legend
C. S. Lewis’ very memorable way of putting this… Stated in a radio talk in 1942 later published in Mere Christianity in 1952: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.’… Read more →
Resources for Home
Over the past few months we have been making use of the book Small Talks on Big Questions by Selah Helms and Susan Thompson Kahler during our “children’s story”. This book is essentially a teaching tool for working through a Children’s Catechism based on the Westminster Confession of Faith & 1689 The London Baptist Confession. We have also started in our 9:30 Bible Class a series where… Read more →
Have you thought of your “status” as a gift?
Originally posted to Joe’s personal blog in September 2005. Sunday’s sermon (31 March 2019) is “A Biblical Theology of Singleness.” Let me say up front, before you keep reading, for the sake of this post by “status” I mean your marriage status – single or married. I am sure I am not the only one who has heard or been… Read more →
A Christian Call to Prayer
On Sunday, 17 March 2019, less that 48 hours after the horrific attack in two Christchurch Mosques resulting in the massacre of 50 people created in the image of God, I preached this sermon as part of this service. Today, 22 March 2019 when marking one week since this evil attack, New Zealand’s media outlets (online, TV, radio) will broadcast the Islamic “Call… Read more →
The Goodness of God in the Face of Evil
Perhaps like me, you are numb… O God we come to you for mercy… The events which have occurred over the last several hours in Christchurch are unprecedented. New Zealand has been attacked. This is an act of horrendous evil. Our country will be forever changed. I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. I have not felt the numbness I… Read more →