They're wide open for discussion, challenge, even good-hearted correction.
Watch for the latest this afternoon - might even make it daily.
Saturday, 19 June 2021
Friday, 22 April 2016
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from 
to ..............................
I've been enjoying a new way of exploring music, especially the multi-hued world of Jazz. Always keen to pick up the latest copy of Downbeat magazine and read what's new and trending in the ever changing world of Jazz, I recently woke up to the fact that I don't have to wonder what a new artist or album sounds like. (Heh! Don't judge me.) I can search for either on good ole Spotify and listen and assess at my leisure. Is this expressive of my taste? Or is it a little too ordinary, or weird for this aging intellect?Following this process lead me to Avishai Cohen (extraordinary bassist) and a happily growing collection of his beautiful music. (photo above).
And now by clicking on the save box I'm building up quite an eclectic list of musicians I didn't even know existed not so long ago. So thanks Downbeat and thanks Spotify.
Back to the music...latest joy? Fulvio Sigurta, Italian trumpeter and fluglehorn player.
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
welcome to the journey
We've been looking at our verse for the year. Isaiah 43.18-19 which reads in one translation:
Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over times gone by; I am doing something new; it's springing up - can't you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland.
It raises the question of what God is doing among us now, and what that means for our lives both individually and collectively. It's a call to live more closely with Him; where we can catch a vision of what God is up to - and where that leads each of us. There is a sense of listening (or watching) and responding.
It catches me where I'm at, reflecting on a not entirely welcome retirement, and yet realising there are ministries beyond the realm of ordained ministry too, and (dare I say it) beyond the PCANZ as well. (Though I am very grateful to the PCANZ for the training and the lifestyle that has been ours for the last 30 years.)
Wherever God is leading next may well require that we become willing to let go of our status and reputation and our pride of achievement, in order to be available to be lead and newly equipped for the next adventure.
So what has the Lord been showing you about the coming adventure and the "new thing" that is springing up amongst us? What challenges are you, are we, facing? What will we need for this phase of our journey together?
Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over times gone by; I am doing something new; it's springing up - can't you see it? I am making a road in the desert, rivers in the wasteland.
It raises the question of what God is doing among us now, and what that means for our lives both individually and collectively. It's a call to live more closely with Him; where we can catch a vision of what God is up to - and where that leads each of us. There is a sense of listening (or watching) and responding.
It catches me where I'm at, reflecting on a not entirely welcome retirement, and yet realising there are ministries beyond the realm of ordained ministry too, and (dare I say it) beyond the PCANZ as well. (Though I am very grateful to the PCANZ for the training and the lifestyle that has been ours for the last 30 years.)
Wherever God is leading next may well require that we become willing to let go of our status and reputation and our pride of achievement, in order to be available to be lead and newly equipped for the next adventure.
So what has the Lord been showing you about the coming adventure and the "new thing" that is springing up amongst us? What challenges are you, are we, facing? What will we need for this phase of our journey together?
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
praying in secret.2
A new feature of our church life we want to share more widely. You can easily adapt it to your own neighbourhood.
Praying in secret 2012.07.04
Matthew 6.6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
we are sending weekly emails to encourage and remind us to pray together as a church family; this is when we each set aside time every Wednesday at 7 pm to pray over the same issue, either in private, or as a group with family or friends.
We are completing a series on Acts this week and what strikes me is how outward-looking they are, how aware they are of those who don’t yet know or follow Jesus, and how it matters to them that people should know and follow the Lord. This weeks therefore our focus is on our outward focus as a church, caring about and reaching out to those who neither know nor follow Jesus.
Key Verse: And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Please pray:
(1) for growth in confidence for living and telling the good news to our friends and neighbours among your brothers and sisters at Forrest Hill Church;
(2) that we will be sensitive to the opportunities that God gives us to show and tell about Jesus in our own neighbourhoods and workplaces;
(3) that the Session and Managers in affirming the priority of bringing people to a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ (our mission statement) will be prayerful and bold in their direction of this congregation;
(4) that our leaders will develop a very clear vision of God’s ongoing purpose for this wonderful community we call Forrest Hill Church that involves being seen and known as lovers of God in our neighbourhoods.
As an alternative spend some time, either in your imagination or in reality walking your street, or a street near the church buildings, praying for each house as you pass it; asking God to meet the deepest needs, and asking for opportunities to meet those people and be like Christ for them. (You could actually do this using maps.google.com; put your address in the search box, or one of our neighbouring roads in Forrest Hill.)
As a family or group you could each something about the streets and the people in your area; then you could pray about what each person or family shares. Then perhaps your family or housegroup could simply invite neighbours or friends to a soup and toast lunch on a Sunday afternoon - or a dinner if you want to go that flash.
May God bless you with an abiding sense of His peaceful and empowering Presence, touching the world through you.
In His unrelenting grip
Peter
awake, breathe, serve, celebrate
Praying in secret 2012.07.04
Matthew 6.6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
we are sending weekly emails to encourage and remind us to pray together as a church family; this is when we each set aside time every Wednesday at 7 pm to pray over the same issue, either in private, or as a group with family or friends.
We are completing a series on Acts this week and what strikes me is how outward-looking they are, how aware they are of those who don’t yet know or follow Jesus, and how it matters to them that people should know and follow the Lord. This weeks therefore our focus is on our outward focus as a church, caring about and reaching out to those who neither know nor follow Jesus.
Key Verse: And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Please pray:
(1) for growth in confidence for living and telling the good news to our friends and neighbours among your brothers and sisters at Forrest Hill Church;
(2) that we will be sensitive to the opportunities that God gives us to show and tell about Jesus in our own neighbourhoods and workplaces;
(3) that the Session and Managers in affirming the priority of bringing people to a maturing relationship with Jesus Christ (our mission statement) will be prayerful and bold in their direction of this congregation;
(4) that our leaders will develop a very clear vision of God’s ongoing purpose for this wonderful community we call Forrest Hill Church that involves being seen and known as lovers of God in our neighbourhoods.
As an alternative spend some time, either in your imagination or in reality walking your street, or a street near the church buildings, praying for each house as you pass it; asking God to meet the deepest needs, and asking for opportunities to meet those people and be like Christ for them. (You could actually do this using maps.google.com; put your address in the search box, or one of our neighbouring roads in Forrest Hill.)
As a family or group you could each something about the streets and the people in your area; then you could pray about what each person or family shares. Then perhaps your family or housegroup could simply invite neighbours or friends to a soup and toast lunch on a Sunday afternoon - or a dinner if you want to go that flash.
May God bless you with an abiding sense of His peaceful and empowering Presence, touching the world through you.
In His unrelenting grip
Peter
awake, breathe, serve, celebrate
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