St Paul's Pastor

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182928332011-06-08T16:20:23.810+10:00St Paul's PastorAn open discussion on spiritual questions and current issues.Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-35595541383733421172008-09-05T21:42:00.000+10:002008-09-05T21:45:14.180+10:00What are you living for?

Dedicated people will do nearly anything to get what they want. They have a clear and unswerving focus which they pursue with determination. Liesel Jones was interviewed recently about her preparations for the Olympics. At twenty two years of age she is attending her third Olympics. It hasn’t happened without a huge commitment and a gruelling training schedule. Athletes from other countries

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-88679328444696852672008-09-05T21:37:00.001+10:002008-09-05T21:41:33.258+10:00Proclaiming Christ is what matters

As we saw below, the apostle Paul was in jail for Jesus. But he believed that God was bigger than any restriction placed upon him by other people. He took the opportunity to share his faith with the soldiers who guarded him. His life had been totally changed by meeting the risen Lord Jesus. As a result, the most important thing in his life was telling other people about Jesus. Some people

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-90925798741080977682008-09-05T21:29:00.001+10:002008-09-05T21:35:10.708+10:00In Jail for Jesus

Are you tempted to complain about getting up early on these cold mornings? Do you wish you had less homework to do (or less to mark)? Would you like a bigger house, a better car or a longer holiday? It is easy to become discontent with our lot in life, especially after the holiday break from routine. Things can often look better somewhere else or for someone else. So, how can we keep things in

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-46271468040460616522008-03-05T15:13:00.002+11:002008-03-05T15:15:51.814+11:00What do you see?

What do you see when you look at the people around you? Jesus often saw what others missed. People whom they ignored mattered to him. On one occasion he came across a man who had been blind since birth. The religious leaders saw a sinner. Jesus saw an opportunity to bring God glory by healing the man. How could they have looked at things so differently?The religious leaders believed that if

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-80001518457600558642008-02-28T14:37:00.002+11:002008-02-28T14:40:28.714+11:00He came at night

Nicodemus was a deeply religious man. He came to Jesus at night. He probably didn’t want his friends to see that he was talking to Jesus. He admitted that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. He also agreed that He had done some amazing miracles. But he was puzzled and troubled by his talk with Jesus. Jesus said to him,“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-89880294434778580432008-02-28T14:33:00.001+11:002008-02-28T14:36:59.914+11:00Who is the greatest?

How would you define greatness? What do you look for in a “great” person? Heavy weight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was famous for his personal affirmation “I am the greatest”. It was one of the ways that he used to “psych out” his opponents before a fight. Nearly two thousand years earlier, Jesus was asked this question related to greatness:“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-55410034041976181222008-02-15T14:53:00.003+11:002008-02-15T14:59:27.085+11:00Walking in the dark or living in the light?

Have you ever been afraid of the dark? This week I have been thinking about some of the times in my life when I have been in the dark. As a member of the scouts I went caving in the Bungonia caves near Goulburn. We were required to take two light sources with us into the caves, such as a torch and a caving lamp. Once we were deep underground our leader had all of us turn off our lights. When we

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-49068668505695924832008-02-08T11:08:00.000+11:002008-02-08T11:10:38.318+11:00Like a strong wind

Have you ever felt like a tug-of-war is going on inside you? There are times when you know what the right thing to do is. You want to do it but you find yourself doing the opposite. It may be holding your tongue instead of lashing out. It could be shutting the fridge door instead of going back for more. Perhaps it’s stopping to help, rather than turning a blind eye to someone in need. This kind

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-45846376784456845902008-02-08T11:01:00.000+11:002008-02-08T11:06:35.431+11:00Life is not a dress rehearsal

The sudden and premature death of film star Heath Ledger has devastated his family, friends and fans. His promising career and outstanding talent have been lost. Confusion remains about the cause and circumstances of his death. But tributes to his talent and concern for others continue to flow in. He appears to have stayed connected to his roots and to be more focused on using his gifts, than

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-2986754730847581582008-02-08T10:58:00.000+11:002008-02-08T11:01:00.027+11:00The Government of God

We have a new government! For some people this announcement has brought great joy and excitement. Others have received the news with anxiety and uncertainty. During the recent election campaign it was repeatedly stated that, “If you change the government you change the country”. Many people are now waiting to see what changes will follow. Before the birth of Christ many people were longing

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-17695268205945305992008-02-08T10:56:00.000+11:002008-02-08T10:58:00.188+11:00Politics and religion

Politics and religion are two “forbidden” topics which many people think should not be discussed. Both are seen as contentious and likely to create conflict or disagreement, even among friends. Some people feel that both these topics are private and personal, and better left alone in polite company. But when it comes to the role that religion should play in politics things can get even more

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-46335826477947524272008-02-08T10:52:00.000+11:002008-02-08T10:55:26.051+11:00Waiting patiently

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:7-9 NIV) What are you like at

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-11513000693030456672007-11-09T12:12:00.000+11:002007-11-09T12:18:32.406+11:00Life is unpredictable

“Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15 NIV)Life is

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-64708017138434493562007-11-01T17:00:00.000+11:002007-11-01T17:06:04.756+11:00Grace to the humble

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-38297675765704522162007-10-24T15:16:00.000+10:002007-10-24T15:20:33.334+10:00Peacemaker or peace lover?

“Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”Are you a peace maker or a peace lover? Perhaps you are wondering, “What’s the difference?” A “peacemaker” is someone who works for peace, even when it is unpopular and costly. On the other hand, a “peace lover” is someone who wants, “peace at any price”. Peacemakers look beyond the presenting conflict. They want to know what is

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-79868773525142351822007-10-24T14:45:00.000+10:002007-10-24T15:06:21.405+10:00A future and a hope

Have you ever felt like God has forgotten you? Have you ever thought that God wasn’t listening or didn’t care? God’s people felt like that when they were taken as prisoners of war to Babylon. They had spent close to seventy years away from their homeland when the prophet Jeremiah brought his message of hope to them. Through Jeremiah God said,“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-18515824682971489882007-09-21T15:41:00.000+10:002007-09-21T15:47:17.186+10:00True Wisdom

How do you decide who to listen to? Where do you look for advice and guidance? I have been watching some of the contestants on Australian Idol in the last few weeks. What has amazed me most is the varied and often contradicting comments made by the judges. Mark and Marcia nearly always disagree. Kyle is sometimes encouraging but often rude. Dicko is focussed on what will sell records. If you

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-78542363184740453922007-09-21T15:38:00.000+10:002007-09-21T15:41:36.575+10:00Taming the tongue

Can you think of a time when you said something that you later regretted? Have you ever thought to yourself, ‘I wish I hadn’t said that’? Our words have the power to encourage and bless others. But they also have the ability to wound and curse. James describes the tongue as ‘a restless evil, full of deadly poison’. He also says that ‘No one can tame the tongue’ (James 3:7-9). Without God’s help

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-55936797969815871342007-09-05T12:54:00.000+10:002007-09-05T12:58:55.545+10:00A real faith

I was talking to a friend one day who said, “I asked Jesus in to my life but nothing happened”. As a result, he had given up on the idea of being a Christian. So, I asked him what he did after he had prayed asking Jesus into his life. I also asked him what he expected to happen as a result of his prayer. He said that he thought he would somehow “feel different”, but nothing had changed. This is a

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-59157664257025441522007-08-29T12:02:00.000+10:002007-08-31T11:53:06.388+10:00Do you believe in God?

Do you believe in God? What kind of God do you believe in or perhaps reject? What percentage of the Australian population do you think believes in God? I went surfing on the internet to try and find an answer to the last question. It was harder to answer and more controversial than I realised. Here are some of the facts that I found: “Fewer than half of Australia's Generation Y (born

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-9944819936185350682007-08-17T15:49:00.001+10:002007-08-17T15:56:49.550+10:00Faith in action

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-26466814916426170162007-08-17T15:35:00.001+10:002007-08-17T15:49:04.721+10:00Without a vision

"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law". (Proverb 29:18 NIV)IntroductionThe first part of this proverb is often translated as, "Where there is no vision …”. The Amplified version of the Bible expands on this idea with the phrase "redemptive revelations". The Message version of the Bible puts it this way, "When people can't see what God is

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-79943753032780920312007-08-14T09:52:00.000+10:002007-08-14T09:57:05.246+10:00Mercy triumphs over judgement

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," n also said, "Do not murder." n If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-54276987737720462412007-08-08T12:31:00.000+10:002007-08-08T12:42:24.884+10:00The richness of the poor

“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-33686817754535035762007-08-02T21:39:00.000+10:002007-08-02T21:54:34.643+10:00Playing Favourites

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here's a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ 4 have

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-54565402758177935932007-07-31T15:59:00.000+10:002007-07-31T16:01:14.618+10:00Are you religious?

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:26-27 NIV)At different times I have been asked the question, "Are you

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-72353040375983830342007-07-20T13:57:00.000+10:002007-07-20T14:04:48.825+10:00Just Do it!

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror :24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-67670878697889545892007-06-20T16:04:00.000+10:002007-06-25T10:07:40.717+10:00The Father of compassion

Faith in God does not protect us from the painful experiences of life. But it does offer us comfort and hope in the midst of the pain. The apostle Paul describes God as, “The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). He is the One who “comforts us in all our troubles”. The root meaning of the word “comfort” is to “strengthen much”. (Online Etymological Dictionary).

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-5813604743889573012007-06-13T11:55:00.000+10:002007-06-13T12:19:56.914+10:00What makes you “mad”?

“What makes you mad?” This question was the basis of an interesting class discussion we had a while ago. What would your answer be? Anger is a powerful emotion. It is often linked to people or things which are important to us. Anger may be connected to a desire for power or feelings of powerlessness. Feeling angry is a normal part of life. But it is what we do with our anger that determines

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-4356987774139427172007-06-07T15:54:00.000+10:002007-06-13T12:26:33.127+10:00Temptation

"I can resist anything except temptation", said an old bumper sticker. For some people temptation comes in the form of chocolate. For others it is spending too much or "fiddling the books". Some people are tempted to gossip while others keep silent instead of speaking out. Temptation comes in many forms, but where does it come from? Television comedian Flip Wilson used to say, "The devil made me

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-69812749490297871502007-05-31T09:38:00.000+10:002007-05-31T09:40:51.440+10:00Wisdom

What is wisdom and where does it come from? Wisdom is the ability to make good choices. It is also about putting knowledge together in helpful ways. Wisdom can come from our life experiences. We can also get it from parents, friends and others who have more knowledge and experience than us. So, where do we start?Fear GodThe Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-84535273820950538422007-05-24T15:37:00.000+10:002007-06-13T12:35:45.382+10:00Tough minded, tendered hearted

An article in last weekend’s Sydney Morning Herald grabbed my attention on the newsstand. It was entitled "Why God is not great". As you might imagine, I was intrigued by the title and bought the paper. The article was an extract from a soon to be published book. The author argued, among other things, that "free inquiry and open-mindedness are more likely to nurture body and soul than religious

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-42648125508757849822007-05-17T15:23:00.002+10:002007-05-17T15:25:05.268+10:00Finding God in unexpected places

Jacob was an unusual choice. He had cheated his brother out of his birthright and blessing. He was his mother’s favourite. With her help he tricked his brother and then experienced the full force of his anger. Esau was like a time bomb waiting to go off. He swore he would get even. He was just waiting until his parents had died so they wouldn’t see what he was going to do. So, Jacob left town. He

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-82077402563800774662007-05-17T15:23:00.001+10:002007-05-17T15:23:43.603+10:00“I’m not here to tell you what to believe”

I often begin the school year by telling my classes that, “I’m not here to tell you what to believe”. This shocks some students, because they assume that as School Pastor that is my job! I go on to clarify my statement by saying, “I am here to help you to think about what you believe, or don’t believe, and why that is so. I’m also here to talk with you about what I believe and why it is important

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-49753316154229551172007-05-17T15:22:00.002+10:002007-05-17T15:23:00.702+10:00Christianity and Islam in Australia and beyond

The Sydney Morning Herald has recently begun a series on Islam in Australia. It aims to show the variety of people and experiences which represent Muslim people in our country. It is a reminder of the changing political and religious climate in our world. A balanced understanding of the role of Islam is essential to a clear appreciation of local and world affairs. This is one of the reasons that

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-37660190120650822982007-05-17T15:22:00.001+10:002007-05-17T15:22:20.683+10:00The Good Shepherd

What things do you think are worth spending your life on? Australian adventurer Andrew Macaulay came from Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains. He invested his life in testing the limits of human endurance. He came very close to setting a new record in paddling across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand. Sadly, within 50-60 kilometres of landfall his canoe capsized and he was lost at sea.

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-79942319259221883262007-05-17T15:20:00.000+10:002007-05-17T15:21:40.621+10:00What would Jesus do?

I had some students who came late to class last week without a good reason. I had already warned them that if they were late again they would be on detention with me at lunchtime. When I reminded them that was what would be happening one of them said, “But sir, what would Jesus do?” Usually, that is a good question to ask, especially in a Christian Living class. I think they thought that I would

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-58505738863789352372007-05-17T15:17:00.000+10:002007-05-17T15:19:26.811+10:00Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick?

Lat week, as I was driving home from school I was disturbed by the sound of sirens approaching from behind. I pulled over expecting what was about to happen. Three police motorcycles cleared the roadway waving cars down as they came. They were followed by several four-wheel drive vehicles, a large armoured prison vehicle, more four-wheel drives and a police car. A helicopter hovered overhead,

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-74726445042290769282007-03-09T13:59:00.001+11:002007-03-09T14:06:52.071+11:00Who do you know and who knows you?

If you were planning a party whom would you invite? Would you have difficulty working out whom to ask? Or would you have trouble knowing when to stop? Relaxing and having fun with friends is one of the great joys of life. But what if you didn’t know anyone, or nobody knew you? Going to a party is not much fun if you are stranger and everyone ignores you. A friend invited me to a party once where

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-31170944223151002512007-02-23T14:30:00.000+11:002007-02-23T14:32:00.890+11:00What do you worry about?

What do you worry about? Are you more concerned about being hit by lightning in a thunder storm or falling out of bed? Do you feel safer traveling by car or flying in a plane? Do you become anxious when you sit down to eat dinner? “Why we worry about the things we shouldn’t … and ignore the things we should”, was the title of a recent article in Time magazine. It quoted the following statistics

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-20255174028090831682007-02-23T14:28:00.000+11:002007-02-23T14:30:30.113+11:00Remembered by whom for what?

What do you like people to notice about you? What would you like them to remember about you when you’ve left the room or left this earth? In the last couple of weeks two very different people have been remembered in the media.Emma Tillman is a name most of us had probably never heard of until her death at the end of February. She was 114 years old and the oldest known person alive at the time of

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-61178516269116189732007-02-23T14:23:00.000+11:002007-02-23T14:25:07.352+11:00“The God who sees me"

Our society often values the freedom of anonymity. We like to be able to move around without being known or noticed. It is often easier to be just another “face in the crowd” than have to build relationships, deal with conflict or think of the needs of others. This attitude “protects” us from both accountability and commitment. But it also leads to isolation and loneliness.In the first book of

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1165460128514687582006-12-07T13:53:00.000+11:002006-12-07T13:55:28.516+11:00Where love is God is

“Love” is one of the most used and abused words in the English language. We can use it about chocolate, pets, clothes and music. It is also used as an excuse for lust, abuse and obsession. But real love is something that all of us need to both receive and give. The Bible speaks about real love when it says,“We know what love is because Jesus gave his life for us. That’s why we must give our lives

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1165459912876446592006-12-07T13:43:00.000+11:002006-12-07T13:58:02.506+11:00What is your focus?

Have you ever been watching a video and wished you could see things from a different angle? Perhaps, you wanted to see over the shoulder of the hero or look at another angle of the landscape. Well, with many DVD’s you now have the opportunity to do just that. You can select alternative viewpoints for many of the scenes. Most movies are originally shot from a range of angles. But the director

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1163126588998685312006-11-10T13:40:00.000+11:002006-11-10T13:43:09.010+11:00Naming evil

The conviction of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been received with jubilant celebration by many of his former subjects this week. At the same time, there has been a mixed reaction to the sentence handed down, death by hanging. No-one appears to question that his rule was cruel and unjust. But some individuals and agencies have expressed concern as to whether his trial has been fair and

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1162344535096805652006-11-01T12:26:00.000+11:002006-11-01T12:28:55.106+11:00Finding meaning

One of the deepest questions in life is, “Why am I here?” Without a clear answer people can become depressed or even reach the point of thinking that life isn’t worth living. Following Jesus Christ helps us to find God’s intended meaning and purpose for our lives. He said to his first followers,"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1161925141031104252006-10-27T14:52:00.000+10:002006-10-27T15:05:10.600+10:00Where does your help come from?

I visited Mt Buffalo in the Australian alps recently. It was crisp and cold, gusty and majestic. It reminded me of the greatness of God and the words of the psalm, "I look to the hills, where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth". (Psalm 121:1-2) There are many things in life which are beyond me. But they are not beyond the care or power of God.

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1161921535462263962006-10-27T13:58:00.000+10:002006-10-27T13:58:55.463+10:00Is this a day to save life or destroy it?

Sometimes we can view God as a cosmic policeman who sets up a long list of rules that we can’t keep. We think that he is just waiting to catch us out and punish us. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it was the religious leaders who acted like that in Jesus’ time. On many occasions they tried to catch him out breaking their rules. They wrongly assumed that God supported their

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1161921447490715432006-10-27T13:54:00.000+10:002006-10-27T13:57:27.506+10:00Which is easier?

I have been thinking recently about some of the questions that Jesus asked. Sometimes they were to challenge the hypocrisy of the religious leaders he met. At other times, they were to encourage people and draw out their faith. Over the coming weeks I’ll reflect on some of these questions. In the beginning of Mark’s gospel we read about an encounter Jesus had with a man who was paralysed. Four of

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1158901905159767582006-09-22T15:11:00.000+10:002006-09-22T15:11:45.160+10:00A future and a hope

This week’s column is dedicated to Year 12 as they prepare for exams and consider their future. It reflects on the Bible verse found in the front of the school handbook. (Jeremiah 29:11). We pray that they Year 12 may know the future and hope God has planned for them.Have you ever felt like God has forgotten you? Have you ever thought that God wasn’t listening or didn’t care? God’s people

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1158901813544368512006-09-22T15:07:00.000+10:002006-09-22T15:40:13.956+10:00God's promises of hope

I know what I’m doing. Most of us need a regular reminder that God knows what he is doing in the world, and in our lives. Sometimes we are tempted to believe that he has abandoned us or is giving us a hard time. But God says, “I have plans for you. I will take care of you. I will give you the future you hope for”. When life is difficult or uncertain we can lose hope. When we are moving away from

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1158901615730625442006-09-22T15:06:00.000+10:002006-09-22T15:06:55.730+10:00Living hopefully in an age of uncertainty

The fifth anniversary of “September 11” terrorist attacks and the death of high profile figures Steve Irwin and Peter Brock have unsettled many people. They are reminders of the fragility of life and the uncertainty which is part of our world. Such awareness can overwhelm us unless it is balanced by a greater awareness of God’s love and power. How are we to cope with such unsettling events and

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1158901542328696992006-09-22T15:02:00.000+10:002006-09-22T15:13:44.476+10:00Run to God for safety

Where do you turn when you feel scared or in danger? Who or what do you look to for help? Some people install an alarm system and put bars on their windows. Others escape to a remote location away from the pace, pressures and dangers of city life. Alcohol, drugs and other addictions are another way of escaping from things. The Bible encourages us to “run to God for safety”. This means looking to

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1157372564370016642006-09-04T22:21:00.000+10:002006-09-04T22:22:44.370+10:00The Father of the heavenly lights

“The Father of the heavenly lights” is “God our heavenly Father”. He is unchanging and life giving. Fathers’ Day can be a time of mixed emotions. For some people it is a time of great joy and thankfulness. Others can feel empty or angry about the absence of a father figure or the negative memories it brings. We may be tempted to pattern our view of God on our experience of earthly fatherhood.

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1157372504326522442006-09-04T22:20:00.000+10:002006-09-04T22:21:44.326+10:00God is unchanging

God is the “unchanging One”. Theologically he is described as immutable. His character and nature are always the same, always consistent. This is reflected in God’s goodness and perfection. God is the giver of “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17) But sometimes we can be tempted into thinking that God is holding out on us. The apostle Paul reminds us that God gave us his best gift in sending

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1157372441082097292006-09-04T22:19:00.000+10:002006-09-04T22:20:41.100+10:00God is life giving

Who gave you life? Did earthly parents? Yes, but ultimately God our heavenly Father did. James mentions four dimensions of this life which are linked to God’s word. (James 1:13-27) He says that God gave us birth through the word of truth (verse 18). When we hear the good news about Jesus and believe in him we are “born again”. (John 3) This means we begin a new life with God. Secondly, we

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1156120066481181902006-08-21T10:26:00.000+10:002006-08-21T14:00:01.130+10:00Receiving God’s goodness and faithfulness

Receiving God’s goodness and faithfulness begins my admitting our need of God’s help and grace in our lives. Trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour is a way to express this. We admit our need to be forgiven and that we can’t fully show others God’s love on our own. What we receive from God we can then share with others.Reflecting God’s goodness and faithfulness to others is something that

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1156119993720657532006-08-21T10:25:00.000+10:002006-08-21T13:58:41.216+10:00God's goodness and faithfulness

Believing that God is both good and faithful can sometimes be difficult. We can be tempted not to trust in God’s faithfulness because of our negative life experiences. When other people let us down and disappoint us we may blame God. Perhaps our prayers haven’t been answered in the way that we had hoped. Or maybe we have been unfaithful to God or to other people. But the Bible assures that God is

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1156119922292039862006-08-21T10:24:00.000+10:002006-08-21T10:25:22.303+10:00Spiritual DNA

Have you thought about your spiritual DNA? DNA is the building block for all forms of life. It is used to pass on the essential character and nature of things from one generation to the next. The Bible tells us that we also have a spiritual DNA. As children of God we are made in his likeness and intended to reflect his character and nature. (Genesis 1:25-27) The apostle Paul describes this DNA as

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1155868046461026772006-08-18T12:20:00.002+10:002006-08-18T14:43:34.976+10:00Sharing the dream

"Dealers in hope’are people who have the capacity to ‘dream’ and to see a better future beyond the present reality. Prayerfully inspired by God such people have made a huge difference to the world down through the ages. From the apostle Paul to Martin Luther King (Jnr) and Mother Theresa, such people look beyond what is to what could be. But they don’t achieve the dream by keeping it to

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1155100522721897442006-08-09T15:09:00.000+10:002006-08-13T21:43:06.226+10:00Seeing a better future

“A leader is a dealer in hope”, said Napoleon Bonaparte. We live in an age which is desperately in need of a sense of hope. Events such as September 11, 2001 and the subsequent “war on terror” have brought a renewed sense of uncertainty to the world. Previously we faced the “Cold War” threat of possible nuclear annihilation. Today’s threats are chillingly close and more personal. Locally, it

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1154564842212111992006-08-03T10:27:00.000+10:002006-08-18T15:07:23.653+10:00The Love of Christ

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1154064700867793992006-07-28T15:28:00.000+10:002006-07-28T15:31:40.876+10:00Feeling forgotten?

Sometimes we can feel forgotten, by our family, our friends or God. All of us want to be loved, noticed and cared about. As a younger person one of the questions that troubled me was, "Is this all there is to life? We live a few years, we die, are remembered for a while and then we are forgotten." If that was all there was to life, it didn't seem to make much sense to me. That question led me on

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1153973177945529762006-07-27T14:05:00.000+10:002006-07-27T14:06:17.946+10:00The peace of Christ

I saw a photograph in one of last week’s newspapers which has stayed in my mind and troubled me greatly. It was of young Israeli children writing messages on the sides of missiles bound for Lebanon. That evening on the news a large bomb crater was shown in Nazareth where two young children had been killed by a rocket launched from within Lebanon. As both a teacher and a father I am distressed and

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1153973126015496912006-07-27T14:04:00.000+10:002006-08-01T13:28:29.090+10:00When God is silent

Sometimes, God can seem to be deaf or ignoring us. The Bible records such a story in Matthew’s gospel. It is the story of a distraught mother seeking help for her suffering child. At first, Jesus appears to ignore her. Next, after protests by his followers that she is becoming a nuisance he seems to reject her, saying he has only come to his own people. (She is from another racial background).

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1153973067384048202006-07-27T14:03:00.000+10:002006-07-27T14:04:27.386+10:00When God speaks

When God speaks people and nations are changed. Throughout history and in modern times when God speaks to people they are empowered to change. The first followers of Jesus heard his voice saying, “Follow me”. The left everything and followed him and their lives were changed The apostle Paul (Saul) was filled with hate towards Christians when a blazing light blinded him and he heard the voice of

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1153958964075615402006-07-27T10:07:00.000+10:002006-07-27T14:08:39.453+10:00What do you know about Jesus?

“Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. 2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished (amazed). They asked, “Where did he get all his wisdom and the power to perform such miracles? 3 He’s just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18292833.post-1130283712243177372005-10-26T09:33:00.000+10:002006-07-27T14:11:29.773+10:00Welcome!

Hi! My name is Peter and I'm interested in connecting with people wanting to explore faith and make sense of life. I grew up in a Christian family and have worked as a pastor for many years. But I have found that lots of people who are searching for spiritual reality struggle to find it in traditional forms of church. My blog reflects on what's happening in my life and in the world around me.

Peter Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05295483236778581918noreply@blogger.com1