Windows On The Soul

Traditionally, Christians have majored on caring for the outward symptoms of the sick, neglected, lonely and down-trodden of society. But when it comes to speaking up or acting against the causes of some of these situations, sadly we seem to have lost our voices. The symptoms are obvious and providing relief is fairly straight-forward. But discovering, understanding and doing something about causes requires effort, research, thought and insight. If ever the church needs people with gifts of wisdom, discernment and prophecy, it is in the sphere of social justice. When Jesus said that he had come to " preach release to the captives, the recovery of sight to the blind ", he was not talking (just) about palliative care, but of removal of the impediments causing the conditions (whether unjust laws or cataracts). In this "post Christian" age we seem to be living in, there are more situations than ever that Christians need to speak-up about. ----xxxXxxx---- Lk.4:18 ...

"A couple of weeks ago, my grandson broke out with bruising all over his body. Doctors diagnosed a rare blood disease, where the blood platelets were being destroyed. His platelet count had dropped to about 9 (instead of a normal 150), meaning that he was in imminent danger of hemorrhaging to death - his blood clotting factor was about nil. "Blood transfusion was contemplated, but considered too dangerous, and of little long term use, as the replaced platelets would be destroyed also." "A prayer chain was formed among family, friends and fellow believers. He remained in hospital under observation, but with no treatment. Within days, his platelet count had risen to 102.  A week later, it was almost back to normal." "The doctor said that he had never seen such a "spontaneous recovery" before." "All Praise and Thanks to the Lord, who does wondrous things". (A member's contribution) ---===X===--- Mal.4:2 "My savin...

“ I ask... that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ” ( John 17:20,21 ). The squabbles in the church must sadden our Lord who prayed that his followers may be one. If the church worldwide were united (in spirit, not necessarily in one organisation), the world would take notice. As it is, critics of the church are constantly mocking us for our sectarian divisiveness. The church is both human and divine. It comprises fallible humans, and has yet to be perfectly redeemed. It is divine - the Body of Christ. So we need to be patient with an imperfect church. Henry Scott Holland put it this way in 1914 when the Bishop of Zanzibar wrote a pamphlet asking where the church stood. Scott Holland said that it did not stand at all, but 'moves and pushes and slides and staggers and falls and gets up again, and stumbles on and presses forward and falls into the right positi...

“Reconciliation” is very much in the news at the moment, particularly with regard to Australia’s ‘Anglo’ and aboriginal peoples. This is a subject that Christians should be seriously thinking and speaking about. Firstly, because it was often through “Christian missions” that past government policies of removing aboriginal children from their parents, was implemented. Though done with the ‘best intentions’ of wanting to provide a ‘better environment’ for the children, emotional needs of the children and parents, and differing cultural understanding of what a ‘better  environment’ is, were ignored. The wisdom required of missionaries in cross-cultural work is indeed that of Solomon. Secondly, Christians have something to say about “Reconciliation” because this is the very basis of our standing with God. Reconciliation with Him is necessary because of our sinful nature. We have said “Sorry!” (repented), but that is not enough. For some sin (like theft), restitution can ...

From now on, Australians will have more reason than ever before to associate the month of April with grief and suffering. With ANZAC day, the anniversary of the Port Arthur tragedy, and overseas, Dunblaine and Okalahoma City, the fact and impact of evil in the world are very much to the fore in our minds and hearts. Yet April is usually also the month of Easter. In the crucifixion, God is telling us that evil, pain and suffering are the reality and result of a world in rebellion with God. Then in the next breath of life after death, we are shown that evil is not ultimately omnipotent, but rather impotent, for through His resurrection, Christ has over-come sin and death. ( Mt.26:28 , Jn.16:33 ) “That’s all very well on the spiritual battleground” you might say, “but what about those of us grieving or suffering here and now?” Jesus had two things to say to all of us. Firstly, that He has come to bring good news, comfort and healing to the poor, destitute, homeless, sick and...

"In a time when blood transfusion was unknown, Jesus chose the perplexing figure of drinking His blood. Ever since, Christians have wrestled with the theology of the Eucharist. Who can describe the process by which Christ's body and blood become part of my own? We are brought near to Him; we participate in Him; He feeds us - any of these phrases only hint at the mystery. Jesus used the analogy of branches attached to a vine. The more contemporary metaphor of blood transfusion opens the way for me to grasp the intended meaning. The communion service reminds me that Christ is not dead and removed from me, but alive and present in me. Every cell in His Body (the Church) is linked, unified, and bathed by the nutrients of a common source - blood feeds life. The infusion of fresh blood also helps explain the process of cleansing. I focus on the toxins accumulating in scattered cells of my body and the happy relief that comes when blood washes away those poisons. And f...

Acceptable offerings - by faith Heb.11:4 Access to grace - by faith Rom.5:2 , Eph.3:12 Assurance - by faith Heb.10:22 Bold witness - by faith 1 Tim.3:13 Christ indwells - by faith Eph.3:17 Healed - by faith Acts 14:9 , Jas.5:15 Hearing - by faith Rom.10:17 Inherit God's promises - by faith Heb.6:12 Justified - by faith Rom.3:28 , 5:1 , Gal.2:16 Live - by faith Hab.2:4 , Rom.1:17 , Gal.2:20 , Heb.10:38 Made whole - by faith Mt.9:22 , Mk.5:34 , Lk.8:48 , 18:42 , 17:19 Overcome the world - by faith 1 Jhn.5:4 Patience in persecution - by faith 2 Thes.1:4 Pleasing God - by faith Heb.11:6 Prophesy - by faith Rom.12:6 Purifying hearts - by faith Acts 15:9 Receive the Spirit - by faith Gal.3:14 Righteousness - by faith Rom.3:22 , 4:5 , 9:30 , 10:6 , Phil.3:9 Sanctified - by faith Acts 26:18 Saved - by faith Lk.7:50 , Eph.2:8 , 1 Pet.1:9 Shielded from Satan - by faith Eph.6:16 , 1 Th...