A friend recently told me he regularly prays Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” To say this to God and mean it takes courage. I reflected that inviting feedback, however helpful, is …
The fall of Adam and Eve was a painful moment, and that pain spread like wildfire. By Genesis chapter 6 the default mode of everyone was to endlessly do wrong. These distorted and corrupted humans were spiralling out of control, affecting everyone and everything they touched. God regretted that he’d made people. His heart was grieved as he brought about …
I returned from a trip to Canada and the US this week. During the 17 days I experienced significant help from God. I had wonderful opportunities to talk about Jesus and rich times of mutual encouragement with many fellow Navigators. A few key things worked together to create this. The first was being buoyed along by the prayers of others. It seems to me …
The invisible powers of our western world move us on, like cars driving to the city in the morning commute. Our thinking, our efforts, our desires are steered towards seeking things like: Financial security and wealth. A house in a ‘good’ neighbourhood. On-trend labelled clothes. The latest phone. ‘Good’ education. Overseas holidays. A ‘top of the range’ car. Many ‘likes’ …
Several years ago I built a small building to house a composting toilet. My abiding memory of this experience is the effort to establish the foundation. The above ground building grew more quickly and with less effort than the foundation. Jesus uses this analogy to urge us to build strong, deep faith foundations. Foundation building takes time and effort. Jesus …
I’ve always thought the idea of ‘walking with God’ sounded like a very dignified and graceful thing to do. But then I realised that walking with God implies two things: 1. You are on the move; and 2. God is leading. If God is leading, then just as he did with many people in the Bible, he will more than …
Earlier this month I visited friends living in Indonesia. For over 40 years Peter has intentionally shared the Good News about God with people around him. Peters’ love for people and his passion to share the Good News caused me to reflect on the strength of my convictions. Key bible verses and a mentor inspired Peter. I too can think …
I’ve been pondering the verse in Genesis: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…’” (Genesis1:26). Think of some of the different people you know: the over-happy gym-bunny, the deep reflective artist, the loud person who protests at injustice, the quiet shy person who keeps an eye out for the elderly person next door, the …
It would have been fascinating to be a fly on the wall when Mary said to Joseph, “Honestly, I haven’t slept with anyone. But I may be a little bit pregnant…” At Christmas, we celebrate God showing total commitment to mankind by becoming one of us. This was greater commitment than vague ‘I hope it works out for you’ well-wishes, …
