This month I am speaking on seeing Jesus on the OT and this week I look at Jesus in the book of Daniel.

What a fascinating book.

Lions, Angels of the Lord, burning furnaces and the Son of Man.

There is a lot of prophecy in the book and it might be easy to get bogged down in history and history to come. Which is not to say we should not engage with prophecy. There is so much in the Bible to wrestle with. (Hamo)

However perhaps in Daniel we see that the One who will one day bring all things to peace, all things under control, is highlighted.

Daniel 12

12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. ² Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. ³ Those who are wise^[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. ⁴ But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

We cannot get away from the exclusive and single saviour of the Bible. Jesus is Lord, He is the Son of Man, the Bright Morning Star. If nothing else prophecy drives us to be the ‘wise’ who will ‘shine like the brightness of heaven’.

The past month at church I have been speaking on money. It has been a spiritually taxing time. No question.

Leading into our giving day which occured last Sunday. Having never conducted a giving campaign, but needing to do so for our new building, it stressed and prodded me in areas I was not comfortable in. I am not the type of Pastor who is comfortable asking people to give. I can passionately share vision, but when it comes to the ‘hard sell’ it is not something I am comfortable with. Other church cultures seem to do it with ease.

However I am a determined ‘life long learner’. Not for one moment do I think I have arrived as a preacher, pastor leader or inspirer. So from that point of view I am glad.

I am also glad because the church I lead is a generous and passionate one. There is so much momentum and ‘oneness’ at the moment. God is good.

“Preachers, stop trying to craft a great sermon, and instead ask God what He wants to say to His people”

(Pastor Mark Edwards Inglewood Church)

We had a great conference this year at our annual ‘together’ Baptist Pastors Conference held in Mandurah. This year about 200 Pastors, chaplains and other pastoral staff came together for a great time of fellowship, food, fun and losing wedding rings on the beach.

During our annual massive volleyball game one of the pastors lost his wedding ring about 2 minutes into the game. He spent the best part of an hour looking for it. It is quite incredible how something shiny and hard, admittedly small, can be seriously lost so quickly. Fortunately he was able to hire a metal detector and find the little but significant piece of jewellery much to his and his young wife’s relief.

The sessions with Derek and Dianne Tidball from the UK were focused and packed full of content. The worship times were creative and there was a real sense of community as we met together.

 Derek Tidball Expounding on Galatians

Something that was really great was the amount of young leaders there. I caught up with many of them at a game of ‘werewolf’ and there was around 30 of them enjoying each others company. I remarked to a older friend that this sense of community amongst our young leaders will sustain them through the pain and hard work ahead. Leading churches will not get any easier, although they are coming into much healthier Baptist Communities than many of us did.

Young Leaders Playing Some Weird Form of Handball

There is a real cultural and spiritual shift happening amongst Baptists in WA at the moment. A real sense that God is moving us to places of greater openness to the move and voice of His Spirit. Its a great place to be.

 Mark Wilson Giving a Stirring Spirit Filled Challenge and Exhortation

Love to see you at either or both of our services…..

Some recent news of a very sick relative has reminded me again of the preciousness of time.

None of us know how long we have.

The plans we make are merely plans.

‘If time allows it’ is the caveat on everything we plan.

I have sensed lately that my time with my son has not been precious as it has been in the past. He is growing up so fast. And so much is going through his mind that I have no idea about.
If I fail with him, I have failed. Nothing else will matter much.