With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.Ezra 3:11To be honest, I have a funny relationship with singing praises to God. It’s tricky right. Sometimes it’s the songs. Sometimes it’s the people playing the songs. Most o...  Read More

19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22...  Read More

Then he (Jesus) said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”Luke 12:15Isn’t greed ugly? We don’t like it when we see it. Whether it’s the bonus the CEO gets paid, or the profit a company makes, or just that person at the party who takes more food than they should. Greed is ugly.But so rarely are we brave enough to loo...  Read More

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.Philippians 4:12-13I don’t know that I really know what it is to be in need. But I certainly know what it is to have plenty. And yet, l...  Read More

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God,    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature of a servant,    being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death— ...  Read More

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19I remember when we first launched Village Church. It was during the second NSW COVID lockdown. What does it look like to start a Church online? We didn’t...  Read More

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:4-7We dealt with thi...  Read More

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3-4I used to love obscenity, foolish talk and coarse joking. Nothing better than playing some football, yelling some...  Read More

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has be...  Read More

Start children off on the way they should go,and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6Every Wednesday, we turn our ear to wisdom. As a parent, I'm constantly feeling out of my depth. Raising kids and particularly raising kids to trust in Jesus feels overwhelming in this culture. But the consequences if we don’t are far more overwhelming.The wise writer reminds us. Childr...  Read More

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.Philippians 3:18-19Isn’t that sad… It’s kind of the line you imagine your grandma saying over and over as she watches the nightly news. It’s fi...  Read More

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God,    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing    by taking the very nature of a servant,    being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man,    he humbled himself    by becoming obedient to death— ...  Read More