"Look at me! I'm a princess!"

Be re-assured the title is not about me. Those of you that know me very well know I'm the last one to want to be a princess!

I came across an article this afternoon which I think will be very helpful escpecially to wives and daughters. (Men it wouldn't hurt you to read it either). Among other things it shows just how easily culture can affect our beliefs. It is quite lengthy but well worth the time.

"Look at me! I'm a princess!"

God bless,

Pastor Brian

Thoughts on An Interesting Juxtaposition

So the other week I posted what I noticed in a recent Koorong Catalogue and asked if you noticed anything about it (view it here). Here's why it struck me.

The first book has a title which immediately directs my attention to Jesus Christ. The Supremacy of Christ... I am familiar with several of the authors that contributed to this book and am always encouraged by the way they uplift Christ and help us understand that this life on earth is all about exalting and praising God, to live my life for the glory of God alone. This should be the dominating thought of all Christians - that Christ should be supreme in all things. The reality is that most of Christianity is much more like the second book - Become a Better You! Unlike the first book this one immediately puts the focus on me. Yes, I am familiar with the doctrine of the author of this book too and it is exactly as the title says. Too many Christians are only concerned with how God can make their life better and then present that god to the people around them. What value does God give my life? How can God make my family better? How can God make my finances better? and on and on. Let me give you the answer to all of those questions in a nutshell. How can God make your life better? By making HIM SUPREME! How about we stop asking what God can do for us and we start asking how we can exalt God?

Plane Blows People Off The Beach

I just couldn't resist posting this!

Pastor Brian

Monday Morning A-Musement

So, here's something to help you get started on the week. I think we've all felt like this at some time. Especially lately!

Pastor Brian

Who Am I Casting Crowns

I love this song by Casting Crowns and this dramatization of it is awesome. A must see.

Pastor Brian

Interesting Juxtaposition

We received the latest Koorong catalogue in the mail the other day. I rarely find anything in their catalogues worth buying but it does make for some interesting browsing. I was flipping through their latest catalogue and on page three I noticed an interesting placement of books. It said a lot to me about the state of Christianity in the western world. They appeared one over the other as I have put them below. What do you think? I'll let you know what I think later, for now here's what I saw.

Pastor Brian

An Inspirng 2007

One of the main parts of living an infectious Christian life is that my own relationship with God must be growing. I must be "inspired" by God in order to pass it on to those around me. God has certainly done that for me in many ways this year. To be honest, I'm not sure how inspiring I've been this past year but for the moment I'm o.k. with that. You see in 2007 God did much to inspire me and that has better equipped me to inspire others this year.

One of the ways God has inspired me in 2007 was through some of the people he brought into my life. Saying that sounds kind of funny because several of these people I've never met. Let me give you one example today. For my birthday I was given the Amazing Grace: The Story of William Wilberforce DVD. By far my favourite movie of 2007!

Kirsten and I sat down and watched it again the other night and while I watched it I was reminded of some of the things God had taught me through my investigation of Wilberforce's life. One of the things God challenged me with this year was how essential it is for my relationship with God through Jesus Christ to influence or rather saturate every part of my life.

Christianity is not just what I do in church and with Christians, Christianity is who I am. It affects every thing I do, every relationship I have and every decision I make. At least it should! I said in a sermon a few months ago something along these lines. Church is not just a place where you go to feel comfortable because you're among like minded people. Rather, church is a place where you go to be encouraged and strengthened to live out your faith in a world where you are uncomfortable. True Christianity moves us into the world with a message that is out of this world.

How am I going to do this? I'm going to have a BBQ with my neighbours for a start.

Pastor Brian

Monday Morning A-Musement

Housekeeping
Well, welcome to 2008. December was pretty busy for me, as it is for most people, and as a result I have gotten a little behind on updating my blog and our church website. Now that things are getting back to normal I will begin getting everything up to date again.



Thought Starter
For my next blog this week I'm going to share with you some of the ways that God inspired me in 2007. Before I tell you how God has inspired me, why not think about how God has inspired you through the past year. What has God done or taught you that has strengthened your faith and encouraged your Christian growth? If you want, let me know either by commenting on this site or by email.



For Your Amusement

Until next time,

Pastor Brian