As an aside from my message this morning at Inglewood Church, here is a few thoughts on Anna from Luke 2.

She has spent her life worshiping day and night, fasting and praying.
What an amazing woman.
We know a bit about the temple in those days
Hypocrites
Money sellers
Pharisees
religious nuts

A whole heap of dysfunction around the temple, but still there is this faithful woman. We all know of churches where they have been ripped apart by conflict, where there is really dysfunctional leadership, immorality…but in the midst of that community…there is nearly always someone who is faithful and good and serving God.

It is amazing. There are always faithful people not matter how dark it is. No matter how the church at times tries to rip itself apart, you can nearly always find one or two that are spiritual people, serving God, worshiping Him.
Did this woman take Gods word to the natives in deepest darkest africa? No
Did she built a magnificent church, a mega church? No
Did she lead thousands to Jesus at a massive rally? No
Yet she is talked of in glowing terms. She has spent her life worshiping and praying to God day and night…waiting for the Messiah to come.
What an amazing woman. There is room in the church of God for all types, and for all types of worshippers and folk who will serve God in ways that we are not called to, nor do we necessarily understand.

Our Church has a new website!

Quite happy with the way it turned out. Fresh look, easy to get to what we think people want.

There are two types of lookers I think.

As I traveled, which is the closest I get to looking for a church, I thought about what I wanted from a church website. I wanted to know how to get there, first and foremost, and what times the service was. If I found the church, I already knew I wanted to go, I did not need to be convinced. Just give me quickly, and in a mobile friendly format, the information I need.

Then we thought about what people want to know if they are looking for a church to potentially become a part of. The information they might be looking for like values, sermons and the staff. Programs that might suit their needs and spiritual desires. So info for those type of people is there as well.

Four big buttons down the bottom are generally the most clicked information people are looking for.

Check it out www.inglewoodchurch.org.au

How does the concept of Jesus and eternity make any difference to the life and problems I have right now?

“I think one of the most powerful statements in the Bible is written in the Old Testament, the book of Ecclesiastes. “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.” (John Ortberg)

This profound statement. of all the creatures on earth, we find ourselves as conscious, spiritual beings, aware that we are made for something beyond what we just see. We are actually made for more than being a human being trapped in time. This may actually help us live our lives with hope today, knowing that we are made for more. ”

Speaking about this Sunday…..

This is going to be a frank but short post.

How many more churches do we need in Joondalup and Malaga? None I reckon.

How many do we need in the harder areas to plant churches? Lots I reckon.

Who is going to go into a tough area and stay there for 20 years, and see God’s light brought to the people who no one else wants?

I reckon we need a strategic plan which simply grabs a map of Perth and puts lighthouses or hospitals representing the active and missional churches. Then look at where the dark underserviced areas are. And make a 20 year plan to see churches planted in those areas, with effective, young, fit, well resourced and passionate people leading them. And those of us who can throw resources at it to see it happen, will.

Too many fat churches in Perth looking after themselves I reckon. (Ouch)

I wonder if there is something we are doing as a wider church body which is affecting the young people coming up through the ranks. Think about it, who do we make heroes of? Unlike some, particularly in the Australian context, I don’t have a problem with making heroes of people. We should celebrate, even honour, those who lead and lead well in Church circles.

But I wonder if we make heroes of some to the detriment of others. Do we want young ministers coming up through the ranks to be inspired to plant churches? Yes we do. Therefore we should highlight and honour those who are planting new churches! Make a big deal of them.

Do we want young people to be inspired to go to a small struggling, even dying, church and see it transformed into a missional, effective, community focused church? Yes we do. So let us make heroes of those people.

6 Tips for a Happy Home over Christmas

The importance of family is often heightened during the Christmas season. With growing pressures on the family unit, here are some simple but profoundly practical and Bible based tips that will help you to enjoy harmony within your family

1. Be quick to say sorry

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony.” Psalm 133:1 (NLT)

The first to say sorry is usually the one to bring peace in the midst of a possible storm. Being a parent who can say sorry to the kids because you have ‘lost it’ at them actually displays strength and humility to them.

2. Be quick to forgive

Jesus said this about forgiveness… “Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NLT)

Forgiveness is about letting go. It shows as parents we are kind and gracious, just as we want our children to be.

3. Carry the load

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” Proverbs 3:27 (NLT)

Don’t be afraid to give your children tasks. Even the little ones can contribute in some part to the family.

4. Use words that
 build up and encourage

“… an encouraging word cheers a person up.” Proverbs 12:25

There is nothing better than seeing one child encourage their brother or sister. You can model this to your kids. They love hearing words of love and encouragement.

5. Be trustworthy

Follow through on your word. The Bible puts it like this…
“… let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’.”
Mathew 5:37 (NKJV)

I know myself that sometimes I have made promises to my children which I have not followed through on. We need to think about the promises we make, and make sure we keep them!

6. ‘Play’ Together

There is a saying that goes like this… “A family or team that plays together stays together.” Solomon from the Bible (referred to as a very wise man) said it like this… “So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.” Ecclesiastes 3:12 (NLT).

I remember the times my family had fun together. Turn off the wifi, pull out a board game, throw the ball to the dog. It does not have to cost money, but do something together. Your kids might groan at first, but then they will love it!

(adapted and modified from a Hillsong Blog Post)

“Hillsong’s band United are third on the ARIA charts this week. But that’s no fluke. Fronted by Joel Houston, the son of Hillsong’s founders,the band have enjoyed success here and abroad for years – selling out stadiums in places including the USA.

He says their success is down to God.
“It’s hard to explain it outside the scandalous nature of God’s grace,” says Houston.
Other Pentecostal churches are using music in their services too.
Ryan Smith from Christian City Church says music helps them appeal to a younger crowd.
He says Hillsong are by far the most successful with their music.
“(They are) the most successful worship experience that’s available for purchase in the world today,” says Smith.