An older Christian once told me, “if you live long enough, you will suffer”. Over the years, I have seen how true this statement is and for our young family, it has been around the area of health. As I look back, I have vivid memories of two occasions where my wife and I sat anxiously while the doctors were trying their best to deliver to us sad and life-changing news. Having walked through such dark moments, I am now even more convinced that we need a good theology of suffering. This is especially so, given the rise of the wealth-and-health gospel, which though appealing, does not prepare Christians for the grim reality of the brokenness of life this side of heaven. With a good theology of suffering, these deep and dark moments often result in a deeper knowledge of God and a unique understanding of what it means to trust in him.
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Chronics and the cross: Living with chronic illness in light of the cross – Tawanda Masango
Moore02 alumni enjoyed their 20-year reunion at College
It’s 20 years since our year group arrived at College in 2002. We call ourselves Moore02 and we had our 20-year reunion on Saturday 24th of September.
Starting with a talk on 1 Timothy 4:6-16, we were reminded about what it truly means to be a good minister. Then we took turns to share and pray for each other. Some had travelled from Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne and being at College together felt like we had gone back in time. How precious to have had the example and support of this group of people through the highs and lows of ministry life.
Andrew Leslie, Lionel Windsor and I put aside our staff/teaching hats to become tour guides. While marveling at the impressive new library, our Moore02 peers were almost sad for new generations of students who no longer get to experience the damp, cold and dark library we knew. Thank you to Erin for organizing the Library archive memorabilia – we definitely looked younger in those Societas magazines! Thanks to Paula and everyone who organized College gift bags and the specially prepared video-welcome from Mark Thompson. These touches made our gathering extra special.
Praise God that he works through frail alumni like our Moore02 group. May he continue to sustain us through his grace for his glory, for years to come.
Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – Provincial Memorial Service
In the presence of the Governor of NSW, the Hon. Margaret Beazley AC KC, and state, federal and Commonwealth dignitaries, and other Faith leaders.
The Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, Archbishop of Sydney, Metropolitan of NSW, preaching, and the Very Reverend, Sandy Grant, Dean of Sydney, presiding.
Archbishop: The Most Rev Kanishka Raffel
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That Vision Thing …
One of my strongest memories from US Presidential elections was the statement of George H.W. Bush (the old one, not the young one), who used the phrase ‘that vision thing.’ I am not sure, but I think he was lamenting his lack of ‘that vision thing’ at the time—but, whatever the context, the phrase stuck in my mind as important.
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What do you want to become? (Ephesians 5:5–7)
What do you want to become? When you close your eyes and picture yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, what will you have become? What do you hope for, pray for, and plan for?
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Loving Jesus exposes our hearts
No matter how many times I read Luke’s Gospel, it always impacts me. This is because we meet Jesus as he meets with different people. Although it is a little hard to choose, I think my favourite encounter is Jesus’ interaction with the woman who was a sinner from Luke 7:36-50. There is so much to unpack in this story, but let me share with you just three things that struck me.
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