Why I am still a Christian
Posted on April 24, 2013
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“It was a long time ago. I had become dissatisfied with my life’s direction and that of the friends in my social circle. In my early twenties I began to attend a church and thankfully found the minister’s message and the congregation’s welcome deeply encouraging. I began for the first time to read the Bible.
One day I attended a lunch hour service in St Andrew’s Cathedral where the speaker, Dr Howard Guinness spoke on John 6.37. …”
– Bishop Paul Barnett shares some encouraging words of personal testimony.
Anglican Mainstream responds to French vote
Posted on April 24, 2013
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Anglican Mainstream in the UK has published a brief statement on this morning’s vote to approve ‘same-sex’ marriage in France.
Good news for Vanuatu
Posted on April 23, 2013
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“The opening of this container was the fulfillment of close to a 4 year project. … we pray that God’s Word would not only go out but we would see a revival in relationship with God through His Word in Vanuatu.”
– Rejoicing with those who rejoice – the New Testament in Bislama is again available.
Thoughts on Sexuality and Gender
Posted on April 22, 2013
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John Richardson in the UK has been thinking theologically about sexuality and gender in the context of the current push for ‘same-sex marriage’.
It’s worth taking some time to read his latest posts at The Ugley Vicar.
Kel Richards’ tribute to George Beverly Shea on 2CH Sunday night
Posted on April 21, 2013
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We hear that Kel Richards will be presenting a tribute to the late George Beverly Shea on his program, “Nightsong with Kel Richards” on Sydney’s Radio 2CH, between 8.00 and 9.00pm tonight, Sunday, 21st April, 2013.
(h/t Ramon Williams.)
Holy Trinity Dulwich Hill building lost in fire
Posted on April 21, 2013
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“A 100-year-old church in Sydney’s inner-west is still smouldering after it burnt down early this morning. Firefighters were called to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Dulwich Hill just before 4.00am…”
– Report and image from ABC News.
New Executive Secretary for Anglican Mainstream
Posted on April 20, 2013
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“The Trustees of Anglican Mainstream are delighted to announce that the Revd Andrew Symes has accepted appointment as Executive Secretary of Anglican Mainstream in succession to Dr Chris Sugden…”
– from Anglican Mainstream.
NSW Premier wrong to support gay marriage, says Council of Churches
Posted on April 19, 2013
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Here’s a media release (19 April 2013) from the NSW Council of Churches –
“The NSW Council of Churches today expressed strong disappointment at a decision by Premier Barry O’Farrell to support same sex marriage in NSW amid concerns over the constitutionality of such law reform. Read more
‘O’Farrell comes out for same-sex marriage’
Posted on April 19, 2013
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“Barry O’Farrell has declared his strong support for legalising same-sex marriage in Australia…”
– Sydney Morning Herald report. Photo: NSW Government.
Packer’s testimony to the reality of weakness
Posted on April 18, 2013
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Dr J I Packer speaks about his experience of weakness in this short video to introduce his forthcoming book on 2 Corinthians, Weakness Is the Way: Life with Christ Our Strength.
h/t Justin Taylor.
George Beverly Shea
Posted on April 17, 2013
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“George Beverly Shea, 104, of Montreat, North Carolina, soloist of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), died this evening following a brief illness.
Since George Beverly Shea first sang for Graham in 1943 on the Chicago radio hymn program, “Songs in the Night,” Shea has faithfully carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the Union. Graham’s senior by ten years, Shea devotedly preceded the evangelist in song in nearly every Crusade over the span of more than one-half century. …”
– News from The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Related: Bruce Ballantine-Jones’ testimony.
If Dead Men don’t Rise
Posted on April 14, 2013
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Almost 2,000 years ago, a Christian named Paul wrote a letter to a group of people in Corinth, a city in Greece.
People in that city had at one time been enthusiastic about the Christian faith, but had then begun to have some second thoughts. They had written a letter to Paul to ask something like, “You told us that this man Jesus died and then came back to life. We’re pretty sure you don’t actually expect us to believe that a man was dead and then alive again. That must have been some kind of a metaphor or a moral, right?”
– Tim Challies takes a look at 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 and the implications of believing the Resurrection didn’t actually happen.
Tips for studying Acts
Posted on April 13, 2013
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Here are some helpful tips from Don Carson – via Unlocking the Bible. (h/t Tim Challies.)
Don’t allow Prayer to be edged out
Posted on April 12, 2013
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“Once upon a time I used to be part of a Bible study group. We’d spend most of our time studying the Bible together. The problem was we often spent so long looking at the Bible and talking together that we rarely allowed much time to pray.
So we changed the name to Prayer and Bible groups. And you know what? Prayer was still frequently edged out by everything else. I wonder if your experience has been much the same…”
– Dave McDonald calls us to actually pray. In practice. As Sydney Anglicans look to elect a new Archbishop in August, and to a united mission campaign in 2014, let’s not neglect to bring these matters before our heavenly Father.
Sydney Anglican 2014 united mission campaign
Posted on April 11, 2013
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Dominic Steele and Baden Stace share some exciting news –
“At Synod last year, we resolved to pursue a united Mission Campaign across the Diocese in 2014.
The vision for this campaign is that it be a city-wide and uniting-force, providing a platform from which local churches can mission effectively and cooperatively in 2014.”
See jesusbrings.com.au – and watch the video.
If you skip the e-mail signup to watch the video first, be sure to sign up further down the page to get updates. You can also download the video to show in church or in your groups.
Please pray that this might bring great glory to the Lord Jesus – and also bring many people to rejoice in knowing him.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…