Many times in Scripture we see the ‘greats of faith’ laying it on the line - taking a risk - applying their faith in a way that leaves the possibility of failure wide open. It took...
What is the balance between our efforts and our faith in Kingdom ventures? It’s an important question! Augustine’s said we should pray as if everything depended up on God, but work as if everything depended upon...
Introduction to our current need for faith and prayer We are at an exciting stage in the Hope Project, because momentum is decidedly growing, but communications are still insufficient to raise financial needs by natural means...
(Background: I am involved in initiating a national Christian project). There is sometimes a fine line between faith and stupidity, or faith and presumption. How are we to discern the difference? Various people come up with...
Currently I am traveling to share the vision of a project planned for 2014 called ‘Jesus - all about hope.’ The website for this can be viewed at www.hopeproject.co.nz Meeting with groups of pastors in different...
Charles Spurgeon said, regarding Open Air Preaching One of the earliest things a minister should do when he leaves college and settles in a country town or village is to begin open-air speaking. No sort of defense is...
(The below is a ‘article’ drafted for something else, but which I may or may not include, as it is quite direct. Be warned that it asks some hard questions that most avoid, or maybe...
“By this will all men know you are my disciples – your love for one another.” (Jesus, John 13:35) Christians are supposed to be different to those around them. They are supposed to be even more...
I am reading a 20 year old book (“Vision New Zealand”, 1993). It reflects on what is needed in evangelism in New Zealand, and is very thought provoking - as much as anything because the...
This morning I started reading ‘New Vision New Zealand’, published in 1993. It was compiled by various national Christian leaders at that time, with Rev Dr Bruce Patrick being one of the key initiators. The...
This week we have finally announced the ‘Hope Campaign’, which we (Shining Lights) plan to do in 2014 (God willing). I’ve created temporary webpages for this at www.shininglights.co/hope The weakening of proclamation ministry Many ‘proclamation’ ministries have become...
Here is a useful little bit of information. It is rare that we would need such knowledge - but more people would have doubts relating to such things than we would think. It’s just that...
This is a ‘Shining Lights’ Vision update (not a regular blog thought) It is with excitement that I come into the office this morning. The plan in starting toward this ministries vision was that the first...
Currently (in spare moments) I’m re-writing a booklets which is a part of a series on reasons for faith. The below is one of the points I’m having to summarise - and is good stuff...
Resource development update The last few weeks I’ve been giving some time to edits on the graphics of a series of tracts I’ve written. The design work is coming together, and I feel excited at seeing...
So, how old is the earth really? This is an issue of contention among Christian believers these days. This morning I read an article by an older NZ believer, and thought it a good, humble (including...
Recently I have been talking with pastors about postmodernism, and - in particular - its influence INSIDE our Churches. Rather than merely affecting the culture around, many inside our Churches are now questioning many of...
A word to motivate you to your Mission as a Christian This is a reflection specifically for Christians. I note also that it's intended to motivate - not cause guilt. We often talk about the abundance of...
Next Friday (9th December) will be a year since we arrived back in NZ. I title this the report of a ‘missionary’ because our primary support is currently from Singapore - so I thought the irony...
Biblical prophecy is an outstanding area of study, with no comparison. Norman Geisler and William Nix write, “Other books claim divine inspiration, such as the Koran, the Book of Mormon, and parts of the [Hindu] Veda. But none...