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Brian McLaren

It is questionable if one can ever be exactly the same person waking up on two consecutive days. How are spiritual sojourners to cope with the constant change? Many are beginning to explore the ancient Christian spiritual practices, such as fixed-hour prayer, fasting and sincere observance of the Sabbath. What is causing this hunger for deeper spirituality? Brian McLaren guides us on this quest for an explanation of these spiritual practices, many of which go all the way back to Abraham and the establishment of Israel. In the midst of contemporary Christianity, we discover the beauty of these disciplines and the transformation through Christ that each can provide.

Rob Bell

God never changes, nor do the central truths of Christianity. But our understanding of those truths is in constant flux. Christians will always be exploring and discovering what it means to live in harmony with God and each other. Now in softcover, Velvet Elvis offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is really about. Buy at Amazon.

A Rose by any other name . . .
By Randy Edwards

As a gardener I am a complete failure. My wife would be the first to affirm such an assessment. So when we moved out of our 2-bedroom unit in the city into a house with lawns and gardens last year, I made a deal with her. I would look after the pool and the lawns, and she would look after the gardens. Why? Because I am absolutely hopeless in flower gardens.

“To Be” or “Not to Be”: That is the Kingdom Question!
By Randy Edwards

What does it mean to be a good citizen of a country? In recent years the arrival of immigrants from overseas has put pressure on 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Australians to speak of what it means to be a “true blue Aussie.” Are they ones who take up citizenship? Are they the ones who pay their taxes and vote? Are they those who have passed the citizenship test? Are they the people who are loyal to Australian government regardless of its domestic or foreign policies? What defines a real Australian?

Michael Frost

Michael opens up this conference by laying a foundation of what mission is, as understood by a new generation of Christians.  Very thought provoking…

Our group has recently been looking at Dave Andrew's book, "Plan Be", which is a look at the 'beatitudes' as a framework for living. (Note that this reviewed in the book page). His basic premise is that we can't change the world but we can change ourselves. The book looks at each of the beatitudes, one chapter at a time and challenges us to weave them into the way we live each day.

Is it possible to believe in God and also believe in science. Does one contradict the other? 

Read more if you'd like to hear my thoughts and recent experiences discussing this issue.

Pete Mc

Everyone knows it’s important to pray together as a group – for each other, for the world and so on. But often I’ve found we’ll have a great discussion and then there’ll only be enough time at the end of the night to quickly get some prayer points and say some one-sentence prayers.

I think this is ok, but every now and then we want to give a lot more time to prayer. One of the ways that’s worked best for us is to put away the other discussions and give the whole night to prayer. These have been some of the best times we’ve had together.

Tomorrow is Good Friday, the day when we remember the death of Jesus. It is, of course, followed by Easter Sunday, the day when we eat chocolate to celebrate the resurrection. There is no doubt that the resurrection is central to Christian faith, but what does it really mean? Renowned theologian N.T.Wright discusses this question in this excellent article. The text follows (or click on the link) and I encourage you to read it and ponder it this Easter. May God bless you as you seek him.

(A Series on the Kingdom of God: Part 1)

            “Keep your eye on the ball!” is a typical comment heard in any sporting activity that uses a ball in its game.   For me, it’s the phrase I use constantly as I try to teach my 3 year-old and 6 year old grandchildren how to play golf. There are so many distractions, even at a golf driving range, let alone an actual golf course. Over the years I have played with lots of golfers (mostly “hackers” like myself) and have seen the many distractions that keep them (and me) from becoming better golfers.

            My suspicion is that the church and Christians in particular, has a similar problem. We often fail to keep our eyes singularly focused on the message of Jesus, and we become distracted with the many sights, sounds and interests that keep us from becoming better Christians.