2012 May 13 Mother's Day
Dear friends, over the last little while I have been writing about values. One of the ones I want to foster among us is that of gratitude. Being in the company of someone who is thankful for all of life is an enjoyable experience. I know several people who are like this and it’s good to be around them. They remind me of what I have and how much I have. I'm encouraged by their presence.   Of course Mothers Day is a prime example of what I’m talking about. Our mothers have and in many cases still do much for us. What great love they lavish on us and how incredible was their service to us. It is right that we acknowledge their role in our lives and their gift to us of support and love and so many things. Show your mum or your mother like figures some love and gratitude today!   I wonder though, if we were to look further afield than just one day a year (well two if you count father’s day) and see every day as an opportunity to express gratitude for the things we have and the people we are in contact with. You see if we were to actively do that not only would we be better people but we would be an encouragement to others. And then collectively we as a church would have a wonderful influence – for good! With the Spirits help can change and can help others change. Now that's something to be a part of if you ask me.   Blessings. Jonathan

2012 May 6 SCFC Launch
Dear friends,  Increasingly we live in a world that is disconnected. I hear now that in the USA many, many, people do not go into work because they can do all that they need to from home via the internet and using their computers to achieve the same outcomes.  I heard it in a context where it was championed as the way of the future. Frankly it left me a bit sad. Not that it’s bad to work from home - I think it’s good - but sad that people become more and more isolated. I hear echo’s of people who die in their homes and are not discovered for weeks, months even. There is something good about being together. There is something right about it.  In fact it’s the way we were made to be. We are meant to share life together; we are meant to relate and look into someone’s eyes and enjoy their company.   I want to highlight with you the value of being together. Together in worship, together in community, together in service and home groups and all the other little ways we connect. My friends let us not allow ourselves to be isolated or shut in of our own accord.  Let’s keep up the practice of meeting together and enrich each other’s lives.   It’s worth the effort.   Blessings Jonathan

2012 April 29
Dear Friends, In my office, and soon to be hung up, I have two pieces of needlework that have been lovingly done by Val McBeath. One is a portrayal of the crucifixion and the other of the last supper. If you take a moment and look at them closely they are incredible pieces of work. Done with such care and framed to accentuate the work you can study them and appreciate the depth of the scene.   The pieces have been given to us by Val’s family, which is now a great reminder of a valued member.   The scenes are made up of thousands of tiny stiches that have been carefully sewn together and when finished present the whole. I was thinking about this as a lesson of life. How many times have we not thought about those little seemingly inconsequential events/moments/conversations but they have gone on to be huge in our lives?   Often we expect God to work in a big way, and sometimes God does... but in my experience this is not the norm. For it seems to be that God works though the little things, every day moments, the daily grind. And just like Val who crafted those beautiful scenes, God is working in our lives. Yes, even one stitch at a time. It brings me great hope.   Blessings. Jonathan 

2012 April 22
In a couple of week’s time we will launch again our church wide appeal for Small Change For Change. It’s a chance for you to be involved in this charity.   You might not be aware but in the last year we have partnered with quite a few others who have received bottles. These have been out and many have come back full. So the work of the charity continues and grows into all sorts of places.  While I whole heartedly believe in the work of the charity – the end result. I'm also looking for other things from the experience. Often people will think a bit harder about the philosophy of philanthropic events and ask some deeper questions. As simple as ‘why are you doing this?’  This is the chance we have been looking for in order for us to share the experience of grace that we have had and the love of Jesus that compels us to care for others.   So while we care about wells in Africa, and indeed we do. We also care about those around us who might be prompted to think a bit differently and open up to hear some of the reason why we do what we do. I encourage you to embrace both aspects of Small Change For Change!   Blessings. Jonathan

2012 April 15
Phew! Well if you were around for Easter here at Malvern Unley you might be saying Phew! And also Wow! Wasn’t God good!! Our services were well attended, God was glorified and the connections were deep. As I reflect back on it I'm so thankful to God for the week. It was one to remember. So now what? Easter is behind us and Christmas is a long ways away. This is the time of year that the church calls ‘ordinary’ time. I chuckle to myself when I read that, ordinary time. Maybe we can be tempted into thinking that we are in ordinary time. But I don’t think that's God’s opinion on the matter.  I'm of the firm conviction that not much in life is ordinary. What's ordinary about the solar system? The changing of the seasons? The miracle of birth? Not much at all I reckon. Our bodies are not ordinary nor are the relationships we enjoy. In fact I think they are extra-ordinary!!  So, we have a couple of months, how about living each day as if it’s an extra-ordinary day? How about going about life expecting the surprise, the miracle that God has placed in front of you and the one God invites you to participate in. Go on give it a go... you might be surprised!!  Blessings Jonathan

Holy Week 2012 April 5 Maundy Thursday, April 6 Good Friday & April 8 Easter Sunday
Welcome to one of our Easter services (and if you are reading this more than once then welcome again!) I trust that you are able to engage and perspective and meaning. It’s good that we set aside time and space to open ourselves out to what God is doing. I reckon I'm probably like a lot of you that runs here and dashes there. We seem to be at the beck and call of a whole host of factors – many out of our control.  But Easter time, well Easter time offers us a unique opportunity. The shops are mostly closed, the schools are on holidays and nearly all our work places are on break. It’s in this time; if we listen that God can speak to us.  I'm of the opinion that God always wants to speak, God seeks to communicate to us (to you) in a variety of ways and times. The problem is that the noise of our life is so great it drowns out Gods voice. We live too loud most of the time. But Easter, that noise is quietened. Even if we have gone away its different, it’s changed. And if we want we can hear God. Do you want to hear is the question.   If you do let me ask one thing of you today; listen, listen to the deep things of your heart, listen to what your conscious is saying, listen to that still small voice. You will be surprised if you do, and in fact, it might change the course of your life.   Take this Easter as a gift my friends, and open it carefully. Inside you will find something most precious. Blessings Jonathan

2012 April 1 Palm Sunday
Here we are at the beginning of another week, March has gone and now we are in April. Maybe for you it’s just another week of trying to fit things in, all those things to attend to, all those tasks to be done, people to see and places to visit – and oh yeah don’t forget that there is a day short this one, so work extra hard! Well I hope that's not you! I hope this week is somewhat different for you.  Why do I want this week to be different? Simply for the fact that we are on the verge of what the church down through the ages has called Holy Week. Now maybe you are not into this olds stuff and tradition but give it some thought.... the church would encourage people to set aside this week for prayer and reflection on the death and resurrection of Jesus.   It seems to me that there is great wisdom in that. You know tomorrow and next week there will be the same demands – assuredly they will continue on unabated into the years to come. But this week, this one only comes around every so often.  So why don’t you do something different this week? Why don’t you take some time and space to contemplate and reflect and meditate on Jesus? Here is your chance to push back and engage on a different level in a week that has huge significance. It’s worth the effort I assure you.   Blessings. Jonathan

2012 March 25
In a little while it will be Easter. We will kick back and enjoy a long weekend with family and friends and hopefully some great weather!! I hope that its relaxing for you and a meaningful time with your loved ones. As well as this Easter also gives us an opportunity to share. What do I mean by that? Simply this; whatever people believe they will take the holiday time and some will be asking ‘what is this all about anyway?’ they could even be thinking ‘why do we have a holiday?’ or ‘what's all this fuss about?’. It might be that you get to be a part of one of those conversations. You might have already! As you know I think our faith is too important to be swept under the carpet or treated as a personal thing... not to be shown. When we have a chance to engage thoughtfully and carefully with others I think we should take it! not that we become like Christian muggers, but simply that we be open about what we believe and why we believe. So, I encourage you, be listening for the chance to share about Jesus life and death and then resurrection for us with others who might not yet have had the chance to make an informed decision. Who knows you might just change a life!  Blessings. Jonathan

2012 March 18
It stands to reason that there is much we do not understand about healing. Many of us have or continue to have a very simplistic view of healing. This is a problem because the way in which God acts in the world is anything but simple. And so often we are quite confused as to how and when and who God heals. Confused might not be strong enough a word... bewildered might be better. Sometimes we think that if we pray hard enough, or believe strong enough or try and live a good life then God will acquiesce to our pleading. It is true that God listens to our prayers, it is true that there are biblical examples telling us to keep on praying and keep on believing. So its right to do that. Yet its also true that much of our efforts are covert ways of trying to manipulate God into doing our will. The problem is that we are mortal God is immortal, now we know in part and God knows in full. Our priorities are never true, God sees the bigger picture.   Healings and understanding healings is a very difficult thing. And there are many facts that play into this equation.   I remember hearing a Uniting Church minister one night in a country Tassie town. He was praying for people and there were some healings that night (by the grace of God) but he said something that I will never forget .... sometimes God uses death to heal completely. I have thought about that comment a lot since then. And for me it rings true, but more than that, it adds to the picture, the whole picture of what healing is. And if anything it throws me more into the mercy of God and the grace of God than ever before. It’s worth thinking about.  Blessings. Jonathan

2012 March 11
I have been announcing that on the Tuesday before Easter (3^rd April) I plan to hold a healing and prayer service. Several people have asked me “what is a healing and prayer service?” That's a good question! Sometimes these things conjure up shouting preachers, lots of pressure and ‘weird’ things. Often we get this from the TV. That's not what I mean. What is in my mind is an opportunity to engage. What I find is that while God is active in our lives, active in speaking to us, active in the world around us – many times we miss it. For that reason it is helpful to create some space and deliberately put ourselves in a place where God can speak or act into our lives.  So this could mean, physical healing or emotional healing or even spiritual healing. It might be that you don’t need healing but you know someone who does – you could come along with them in mind and use that time to ask God’s blessing on their lives. I'm not setting any parameters on what we mean by healing. Lets be open to allowing God to move and recreate among us.  The format of the evening will be some music, some readings and prayers with a chance to be prayed for. Above all it will be gentle and focused on creating space. I hope you feel able to join us.  Blessings. Jonathan

2012 March 4
As usual I'm thinking about food.... its not hard. The sights are everywhere – I find them ok, but the smell! Now that's something else all together. I can walk past the muffin stand or the Yros sign... but when I smell them cooking.... look out!! How do you go with the aroma of food...? smell those fresh strawberries, or how about the roast in the oven? What about fresh baked bread!! That gets me every time!   What pleasurable things there are in life to enjoy. How wonderful it is to smell something and enjoy the fragrance and the whiff of something tasty. Smells of all sorts are important in our life.   I've been reflecting on 2 Corinthians 2 for some of this week. In verse 14 and 15 Paul uses a particular turn of phrase “...and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God who are being saved...” NRSV.   What an interesting thought, that we become an attractive smell for God! Paul uses the word ‘aroma’ and ‘fragrance’ as what was used for worship of the gods. But here he gives it so much more meaning. It’s not a dead smell but a living embodied one that witness to a life lived with God. Its not located to one place but moves with the person, it’s not for formal ritual but full of life!   So there you go, I reckon not much have ever thought about being an aroma! Food, flowers, incenses are nothing compared to the ‘smell’ of someone who walks Gods way. It certainly makes you think. Blessings. Jonathan

2012 February 26
Thank you to those who came and heard Dr Sean George last week. I know that some of us had to struggle with our own issues and our own deep feelings when someone presents such a topic. But I'm glad you were there. It certainly gave us something to think about and I know for a few people altered their view.  Personally I found it challenging and deeply reassuring. Not that he had been healed but that God acts in our world, in our lives and can even act in such a spectacularly miraculous way. I was also heartened to hear many echoes and similar themes to some of the things that we have been talking about over the last few years. It tells me that the Spirit is communicating to us and has something’s to say for our edification.  To those who were moved, or those who responded – I'm really delighted that you heard the voice of Jesus! Please feel my strongest encouragement and support as you continue on the road with Jesus. I'm around if you need to talk to me and there are plenty of others who would be only to happy to assist. So in a few weeks time I have another guest who is going to share a very different road with us... but more about that in the sermon!   Blessings. Jonathan 

2012 February 19
The other night I was at a Year 12 Parent Information Evening at the school. I’d say it was the best turn out for any night that I have seen for parents.... I wonder why!!   Year 12 seems to have something about it that scares even the parents! There is a lot of pressure with the year, lots of things to decide, lots of issues to be resolved.  It’s meant to be the ‘big’ year, or so they tell us. When I looked around the room, I could see some parents who had been here before and they had lived to tell the tale. I could also see a lot of parents that
this was their first time walking into the Year 12 epic. There was a lot of apprehension.   I've known lots of kids who have undertaken the year. I've seen the weariness and the
struggle and the pressure that they are under. It is a big year, although I wonder if it’s for all the wrong reasons.   It’s times like these when the words of Jesus ring very true, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest...” John 14.  Those words sound like a clear bell over a country valley telling us to follow the sound in order to find alleviation for our issues.  And not just Year 12 issues either. Anything that causes us dis-ease is under the spotlight. If that's you, maybe you might like to meditate on these words this week – I'm sure you will find Jesus good for his word.   Blessings Jonathan

2012 February 12
This week I have been reflecting on life. Not surprising really when I take two funerals in a short space of time. So let me ask you a question; what's your life worth? Really, think about it. What's your life worth? Some grand cause? Your job? All those hours of TV watching? Last Sunday I ended the morning(s) sermon with something like ‘we have but one life, let’s spend it wisely’.   So how are you going with that? Another week has passed... so what happened? Did you? Did you spend it wisely? Every now and again we need a reminder – no actually we need a slap in the face to wake us up out of our stupor and complacency and to see the things that matter. 
So what does matter in the spending of your life? Hmmm, well, that's a good one to mull over. Possibly there are particular things that change from person to person. But if I was to give a general ball park target at it I’d say things like; relationships and mentoring (that is helping others grow and be strong) with close family and significant others. Growing in faith and hope with God, realising the beauty of Jesus, helping others. Even more, helping others to know Jesus. Appreciating the world and all that has been given to us for our enjoyment.    Well... what do you think? What's your life worth? Why don’t you jot down a few thoughts.... and then if you have the inclination send it to me. I would love to hear what you believe is important – important enough to spend your life on.  
 
2012 February 5
Last week we had the road in front of our house chewed up! Well, in a manner of speaking. Over the last few months workmen have been renovating the road.  First they dug up the old curbing then formed
and poured new a new curb. Then we had the old foot path removed and a new paver one laid.  Finally last week they came with a huge big machine that ‘ate’ the road and in a matter of hours a new surface was laid and then completed the next day.  It was incredible to see just how fast it could happen!  If only life could be that simple!! If only our faith could happen like that and our maturity develop so simply.   But as we all know it doesn’t. It takes time, it takes failures and struggle and learning and a bucket load of grace. And here is the point; we are so fixated on the end result that we miss the moment, we miss the fact that God is
with us now – here. Even as we read this. A new road is great, it’s nice to see and drive on and enjoy. But life with Jesus, here and now, well that's something else!! 

2012 January 29
In my office is a 2012 year planner that has all sorts of symbols, codes and scribbles all over it. If you have a look at it then probably not a lot of it will make any sense past the dates.  However with a bit of decoding you would quickly understand that we have planned out some key events for the year. And it looks good!   There are the usual Kids Clubs, church council dates, picnics and the like. But on it you will also find the preaching themes for the year; a series in lent on the book of Mark, what I'm calling the “meat and potatoes” series in 1 Corinthians, some topical (that is, you ask the questions) series and then quickly we are in to Advent and of course Christmas.  Of course there are some special events too; beginning with
Dr Sean George coming in February; on the 18^th for breakfast and then the 19^th for Malvern 10.30. I'm chasing a couple of other preachers as well... more on that when I'm sure!   But in the mix for the year is a creative attempt at engaging you with some Christian education, some Lenten studies (that one is coming soon!) some work on membership and an effort by me to intentional about welcoming new people
into the life of the congregations.  So, when it’s all said and done it’s going to be a good year!! I trust you will be blessed by all that happens here in 2012.  

2012 January 22
I have often wondered about the effectiveness of preaching. I mean what you see (or should I say hear) on a Sunday is a big part of a preachers week... not just their time but their thinking and mulling over things. Some preachers would say that you spend one hour in the study for every minute in the pulpit. I don’t think I would quite have that ratio but certainly there is a significant time investment for me in preparing a sermon.   So.... is it worth it?  Hmmm, well that's a good question! Is it worth it? All that effort... and do
people actually remember what  I say and make a change in their lives? In keeping with last week’s
theme of food let me draw another analogy; I have been most fortunate to have some good cooks in my life. I'm sure that when I was growing up I had some great and wholesome meals. My mum made sure that I ate right and had enough to eat (no mean feat for a decade or so there!). Likewise Suzanne makes sure that I eat well and that it’s good for me. I enjoy Suzanne’s cooking (it’s very good) and look forward every day to tea time! The thing is that I don’t really remember what I had for tea 2 weeks ago. I must have eaten thousands of meals and very few stick in my mind. I cannot remember what I had for my 21st birthday tea nor my 31st!  But I reckon I could go close in telling you every single time I missed out on a meal preaching is a lot like that. Its spiritual food that nurtures your soul. Miss it and we end up spiritually improvised, and that's not a good thing. Well that's where I'm up to at this stage anyway.

 2012 January 15
I enjoy summer... and autumn and spring and come to think of it I enjoy winter too! I love all that comes with the various seasons and the changes. AND I like the food too! There is something about having salads and beetroot on a warm summer evening with the BBQ and then soups in the winter or a warm roast with potatoes and veggies. I enjoy the variety.   Actually that's the mindset I bring with the preaching series we do here at Unley/Malvern. I know – you think I'm crazy, always thinking about food... just stick with me for a moment. You see it would be pretty boring if we had salad all the time, hey I like pickled cucumbers as much as the next but after a while.... it gets a bit monotonous. And the same with soup or stew (although I'm not so sure about a roast – I think I’d like to try that one out!) or the other cold weather food we have. We like a selection! When it comes to what we focus our attention towards in the sermon we also need a variety. Sometimes we have a lighter series (e.g. the current Australiana) or we eat out
(visiting preachers) or we just have a dessert (song Sunday) sometimes its spicy (like ask any questions series) and then the staple diet (biblical themes or a bible book). Of course we don’t always get it right and there are a few lessons learnt but on the whole we all get fed and we (together) grow as we
experience God. So I encourage you, pull up a seat at the table and enjoy the sustenance and variety... who knows we may just find something new and like it!

2011 December 24/25  
Dear friends, welcome to one of our services over this Christmas weekend! What a joy it is to celebrate the birth of Jesus with you. It’s quite something that year after year we never get sick of hearing that story of the
birth. Why is that? It must be that there is meaning here, that this story goes beyond what we can understand and comprehend.  That this child - Jesus - deserves more than just a cursory look. In fact by coming here today we join with billions of others who have found ‘something’ in Jesus.  My prayer for you is that this something will become real and relevant and life changing in the new year to come.  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - December 18
Last week I blogged (that is wrote in computer geek speak) about reading the bible. Thank you for those who took the time to read it and then reflect on it. Essentially this is what I wanted you to do... to read the
bible but not just to read it and then forget it. To read it and then to reflect on it. Think about it, mull it over in your head. Write down what you thought about it and questions you have, ponder it. Talk about it with those
around you. Let it ‘sit’ with you.  Reading the bible is fine, but reflecting on it – well that's in a whole different league!  I imagine that plenty of people can read a stop sign when they come up to them at the intersection. But I think that not all that many pay too much attention to it! They can read the words but it doesn’t make a difference in their actions. I don’t know about you but I have been in some close shaves because of people not reading the signs.  My friends lets be reflective of our life. Let’s think about things, work at things. Let’s be known as people who are willing to do the hard work – especially when it comes to reading scripture Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - December 11
As I write this I have 2 men installing solar panels on my roof. I'm pretty happy about the panels and the way they will enhance our life and the environment. I'm also pretty excited about the way they will fix the bottom line of the power bill! Short term pain for long term gain is what I'm thinking. I know that many of you have also gone with solar panels for the same result – free energy!! Its a wonderful thing. The sun beats down and goes into those panels which do something and it moves the meter backwards somehow ... someway.... somewhere! Yeah its a bit of a mystery! The thing is that we can recharge our own spiritual life quite simply too. And while we don’t understand it, or the process or how it works ... it does work. We can recharge our spiritual life quite simply by reading our bibles and reflecting on what it says. Yep that's it. Read you bible and reflect on what it say – easy as that. But more to the point it will change the way in which you live. Ill tell you a bit more about that next week! But take a chance this week, read your bible and think about what it says... you will be amazed! Blessings. Jonathan 

2011 - December 4
Dear friends, Every candidate for ministry is placed under the supervision of 5 ministers who have the responsibility of forming the candidate into an effective minister. In February of this year my panel suggested I approach Unley & Malvern with a view to gaining some ministry experience. I duly did and Jonathan, in a moment of weakness, agreed to supervise me and you, as a congregation, agreed to have me for a period of time.  There is an African proverb that it takes a whole village to raise a child. I think this applies to ministers too. It takes a whole church to raise a minister. I will forever be indebted to Jonathan for his guidance and counsel and I have gained much from watching Haydn, Sheila, Rosalie and Cecily as they carry out their ministry to you. Thanks also go to Michelle for her patience with me and Cynthia for everything she does. But it goes deeper than this. It has been a tremendous privilege to be the student minister at Unley & Malvern and it would be remiss of me not to express my gratitude for the way you have all welcomed my family and myself into your worshipping community.  As I sit in my new church typing this I am very aware that without your help and support I would not be able to be where I am now. God places us somewhere for a reason and I
strongly believe the Spirit was with my panel when they suggested you to me as it has been with you and me during my time here. When I arrived in March I asked you for your patience with me. I received not only your patience but also your friendship, love and support. I am genuinely grateful to you all. Please note however, Jonathan has agreed to continue to be my supervisor as I enter phase 3 of ministry so I may well be around from time to time. Again I might need to ask for your patience with me!  Blessings Douglas

2011 - November 27
I'm sitting here writing this in Sydney airport on my way to Chicago; but doing so with full assurance that our church continues unabated and ministry happens irrespective of my presence.   I look around and I see all those who have chosen to travel. Many who are filled with excitement and joy at what is coming their way and others who are tired and weary having already made a big journey to get to this point.  What a marvellous expression of humanity - all in an airport!  Sitting here I’m also thinking about the street party. Hmmm, airport and street  party? I know it sounds odd but stay with me. Lots of people here are still to hear about Jesus. Lots are just going about their lives and don’t have any idea of his grace, love and forgiveness. But unless I can strike up a conversation with them I won’t have much of a chance to share.  However the street party, well that’s a different matter. We will all have many opportunities to share. How so you ask? Simple.   When you are serving or staffing a stall and they ask 'why are you doing this' then you can say 'I’m doing this because
Jesus has worked in my life and we serve him by showing that love to others in our community’. Take the risk - share that simple sentence and you will find that God will do the rest.

2011 - November 20
Do you get reminders from time to time? I do... some better than others! A reminder that I haven’t paid a particular bill (all that paper that comes into the house!) a reminder that I'm loved and wanted and in fact
needed! A reminder that I'm not 25 anymore! Lots of reminders! And lots of things to be reminded about!  Every now and again I need to remind our community of a couple of things.... that its going to be ok, that God is ultimately in control (even if we cannot see it) that we have a purpose in the world. They are some cognitive reminders. Along with that I need to bring some practical reminders.   One of the most important is that we have to be very careful with each other and mindful of each other. sometimes we forget that we share resources and facilities and space with others. So here is the rub, while we are vitally involved in the life of our church communities – our activity is not the only one. Others are just as passionate about other areas and serving in other ways.  Possibly I'm one of the few who gets the privilege of seeing over the broader
landscape.  So while we enjoy the great benefits of our community can I ask you to be thoughtful of the next user in the building or of the particular piece of equipment you’re using. Its great what we have going here, it’s actually fantastic!   We are a fortunate church in more ways than what we realise. So let’s be careful, considerate and disciplined.   Blessings Jonathan

2011 - November 13
Remember.   One word that carries with it so much weight. Remember. On Friday we were asked to remember for 1 minute. To remember all those past and current soldiers who served for freedom and the many who gave their lives. Remember. Remember the sacrifice, the tragedy, the waste of human life, the ongoing effects. I was reflecting on this word as Friday came as we paused for a minute. Remember the events that shaped out life and our world and significantly our nation. Remember those times that changed us like never before. As I think of those catastrophic moments my mind quickly wanders to now. And when I contrast the times I found myself feeling quite sad. No, I don’t only mean sad for the loss of life I mean sad for us. Sad for the fact that we seem to be drowning in a world of nothingness. Ground down by the stone of meaningless. Here we are with everything at our fingertips all the resources that we will ever need and our society is overly consumed with nothing. We have no cause outside of ourselves, nothing to die for and ipso facto nothing to live for. Sad
isn’t it. More lives wasted. But this time thrown away on a cause that has no substance and no what in Greek is called telos … any ultimate gain.

I wonder what they will say about us? I wonder what we will be remembered for? Great feats of sacrifice? Great selfishness? My friends our only hope is fidelity to the gospel. That radical news that, if we let it, will transform our lives. It not only gives us something to remember but something to live for. z
Blessings Jonathan

2011 - October 30
Dear friends, Any time we look at the Gospels we are faced with Jesus Christ and as a consequence we wonder about how we view him. Today we will be hearing about two people who were looking for Jesus for a cure. They had faith in Jesus that he would provide the cure. Faith can be a tricky thing to define however. And it is encounters like this one that make us question our own faith in Jesus.  The writer of Hebrews describes faith as, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” but maybe this definition is unhelpful, maybe it is just too nebulous. For Jairus and the unnamed woman, faith in Jesus was not something built on the unseen but rather was built on what they knew and had witnessed about Jesus. Jesus for them was very real, very seen.
As Christians we worship the risen crucified Jesus. We sing hymns that proclaim Jesus lives. We regard Jesus as a very real presence in our world today. So
does your faith rest on an unseen thing or something hoped for? Or does your faith rest on the very real risen Lord Jesus Christ who continues to deal with
us today? Yours in Christ, Douglas

2011 - October 23
Having a few weeks off camping on the Macquarie River was a great break! If ever you get the chance to see the Macquarie River then take it! It’s a lovely river system. “Where is the Macquarie River?”  I hear most of you say. Well, if you have never seen it
then you are in for a treat! But I'm a bit puzzled by the overwhelming response of Adeladians (is that a word?) who don’t know where the river is. Or the many who have said to me “I have never heard of it”.  The Macquarie River according to Wikipedia “is one of the main inland rivers in New South Wales. Its headwaters rise in the central highlands of New South Wales near the town of Oberon. The river travels generally northwest past the towns of Bathurst, Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine, and Warren to the Macquarie Marshes. The Macquarie Marshes then drain into the Darling River via the lower Barwon River.”  And anybody who knows the rest of the story knows that the Darling drains into the Murray at Wentworth and it then has the potential to end up here, in our taps, in Adelaide.  In reflecting on this I find it fascinating to think that many of us do not realise one of the sources of our life. But think about it further... as there is a spiritual principal here. And ask yourself the question... what is the source of your spiritual life? From where do you draw your water from? Have you actually begun the process of investigating and in doing so began the process of maturity? It’s these deeper questions that make you grow! It certainly makes you think! Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - October 9
Dear friends, It has been so exciting to be involved in Kids Club over the last week, with over 70 young people participating in the activities from face painting, singing, games and craft.  Kids Club is about building friendships and giving young people the opportunity to hear about the greatest friendship of all – the one they can have with Jesus.   As we look at the story today of Jesus healing a paralytic man in Mark Chapter 2, we see the great example of friendship and the willingness of the man’s friends to go the extra mile so he can find forgiveness and healing. Friendship is so important as it helps us to magnify the human experience of life in the good and the challenging times. There is great value in friendship. "Two are better than one," wrote the wise man (Eccl. 4: 9). A true friend will stand by you, even in times of trouble.  Jesus gave us the definition of a true friend: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).  Jesus is the pure example of a true friend, for He laid down His life for His "friends." What is more, anyone may become His friend by trusting in Him.  Kids Club is making a difference in the lives of many young people as they hear for the first time that Jesus loves them and that they are special to Him.  Thank you to all the leaders and helpers who have contributed to make the program a great success. A special thanks to Rosalie and Shelia who have worked so hard to support the children and plan all the different events and activities.  Together as a church community our challenge is to continue to build long lasting friendships and encourage each other along the journey of life.  Yours in Christ, Haydn

2011 - October 2
Dear friends, I’ve recently taken up exercise for a number of reasons and let me tell you I’m not enjoying it! After I’ve staggered round the local park a few times I return home a rather unhealthy colour and completely breathless.  I manage to gasp a few words to those around me to assure them I don’t need an ambulance before collapsing on the sofa waiting to recover.  I tell you this because we start looking at the Gospel of Mark today. Mark’s Gospel is an incredibly dynamic one as the notes last week alluded to. Not only does Mark portray a dynamic Saviour who is always on the run, but the Gospel itself is written in a similar fashion.  Mark wastes no time on any extraneous details as he writes in a breathless manner of all the things Jesus did and said. There is a sense
of urgency to his Gospel, a desire to tell you as quickly as possible about the good news we have in Jesus Christ; he gives us the highlights package!  Wouldn’t it be great if we too had this sense of excitement and breathless desire to spread the word of Jesus Christ? My prayer is that as we look into the Gospel we too will be affected by the enthusiasm and take it to share with others in a similar fashion.  Yours in Christ  Douglas

2011 - September 25
Its my habit to read a lot of the bible. I suppose you would expect that from your minister. My pattern is to start at the beginning and go to the end then start at the beginning and go to the end then start... you get the point. I you have never tried it I encourage you to do so – its well worth while and it give you a grasp of the whole of scripture not just your favourite bits. It is rich and deep and a habit like that is rewarding.

At the moment I'm reading in Leviticus ... yeah I know not your average every day read. Most people steer away from Leviticus and Numbers and even Deuteronomy.  Come to think of it most people steer away from the entire Old Testament. This is a great pity as there is so much there to learn and reflect on and grow from. Actually you might be surprised!! Leviticus is point in case, it contains
rules and regs on how to worship God in the Tabernacle. Its all about blood and sacrifice and sin. Its a bit mundane and hard to follow... but if you were to step back from the detail you would see somthing else. And that is just how Holy God is, just how unapproachable and frightfully scary God is. This is
something we completely miss out by sticking to our favourite parts of scripture. God is more than just your boyfriend/carpark finder/exam helper/problem solver. We need the whole of scripture to give us the complete picture of Gods character and personality. God is a helper – true! But also God is holy and not to be toyed with or played for a fool. We do well to remember that! Blessings Jonathan

2011 - September 19
Dear friends, One of the traps we have in reading the Bible is that we see a condensed version of history. What I mean by that is we, in a few short chapters, get to overlook many years of struggle and hardship and joy and life. Take Ruth as an example. I'm tipping that many of us could read the book in about 5 minutes. But have a think about how long the story takes to unfold... even between chapter two and three... that's the entire barley harvest! So we read it in a few lines and yet it takes months to work out. This needs to form part of our reflections on the book (and the bible!).

Sometimes I allow myself to think like this in my faith. And I forget that it takes time.  More time than I want to admit, more time than I want to invest. But you see I (we) cannot just drive though the McChurch window and order a faith to go with holiness on the side and all washed down with a good size cup of problems solved.  Jesus works in us over our entire life, like the life of Ruth, like the lives we see around us. His promise is real though – that never
will he leave us nor forsake us – through the whole of life.  It certainly gives you something to think about.  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - August 28
We have a very big tree in our back yard. Its an Ash. Its lovely – give us shade in the summer and mulch in the autumn allowing the sun to come through in the winter. But its been doing a bit too well. So borrowed a mates pole saw and one Friday gave it a good hair cut. Now I don’t know if you have ever done that to a big tree. It made a huge difference to the light of the place and how our backyard now looks. Its open and bright.  The only problem is what do to with all the trimmings!!! And boy was there some trimmings!!! All the big bits we put aside for fire wood but all the sticks and little branches.... we filled up the green bin, the blue bin, then some chaff bags... then a whole pile in the back yard. Over the last 6 or so weeks we have been nibbling away at it bit by bit. Finally after many bin full’s we are finished. what an effort! Its a bit like life really. Sometimes we have an issue in our life and we want it to go away – quickly! But that's not how things go. More often than not we have to slowly nibble away at it, keeping on trying, keeping on working at it. Things like changing behaviours or offering forgiveness do not come over night. BUT bit by bit they do change. I suppose that's why we have a life time to be a Christian eh. Blessings. Jonathan 

2011 - August 21
Dear friends, Boy we really have some great communities to be a part off. I look around and see friendship and laughter and lots of nurture – its great! I also look round and see some groups forming that are becoming quite close – which is great – but they can have a tendency to be exclusive. So in this brief weekly comment of mine ... let me challenge you about being in a click. I know that not always we want to be engaging with others – and that's fair enough. However when we mix with the same group of people and we turn our back on others we are in danger of forming a private club. This is not how Jesus wants us to react or be or live. Instead he wants us to be open and careful with one another. Please think about your attitudes towards others, please think about your movements and openness, please think about your love. I’d hate to see us split off into scattered groups where as I’d love to see us (more and more) being accepting and open. Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - August 14
Dear friends, I'm so excited this week to be at Sunday night. We not only have a great service planned but we also celebrate a baptism! An adult baptism. Baptisms are for the whole church. They are not just individual events but they remind us that all of us are living this life by the grace of God who has cleansed us and makes us new. It is one of the most incredible illustrations and symbols of what Jesus does for us.   Just think about it for a moment, when we walk into the water we have nothing to offer but who we are and even that has been given to us. All we bring is a desire to walk the way of Jesus. And so we die to ourselves, have our sins washed away and are reborn into newness of life. A God given life where he inspires and helps and guides and supports us.  Some of you will remember your baptism, some of you will only know you have been baptised because your parents told you. It doesn’t matter which – but what does matter is that we live our life in light of its meanings. That our life – all of it – is directed as Jesus wants and lived as if he is in control. Now that's the challenge!!  Please join us tonight for the baptism of Shari.  Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - August 7
Dear friends, For the last couple of years we have done this series on biographies. As you know we have taken a character from history and examined their life. It’s incredibly interesting to see these lives, to hear of their struggles and to understand their achievements. All of them have been impacted by Jesus who has made a huge difference in their lives. The reason we are doing this is not to just dust off the library shelves – far from it! It’s to throw light on the fact that God uses regular people who are in everyday mundane life and does something astonishing. Further, it’s to show you that this can happen to you!!! You see God still uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. I don’t know if you have ever thought this is possible for you – but let me assure you it is! God has put you in the place where you are to use you – and use you right now. It’s no fluke where you are positioned, but it is your choice to engage with God so that the two of you might be effective. Let me restate; your life can have meaning and purpose and fulfilment way beyond what you experience now.... let’s all choose together to follow Jesus – and see where it goes! Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - July 31
I'm constantly delighted at how our community accepts change and a difference in style. Last week at all services was witness to how great this community is; in the morning we had an interview that took the place of the sermon and then in the evening the Rockgod series. You might not credit it but we are doing some really creative stuff and you are all gracious and accepting and moving with the changes. Sometimes it doesn’t always work but that's ok, we had a go. So thank you very much for your generosity of spirit! We will all be the richer for the openness to method while the message stays the same.  I’ll try and not spring too much on you in the future so you can relax a bit! But I have to say how my heart is overjoyed to be among you and be part of what God is doing here at Unley and Malvern! The days are good; the feeling is great and the future bright!!!  Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - July 24
Dear friends, Thank you to all involved in the Song Sunday that we had last week. Right across the board it was highly successful. I had the privilege of being at three services (along with a couple of others!) and was delighted to join in with such enthusiastic singing and joy-filled times. A special thank you to the musicians who also make such a tremendous effort. I'm sorry that we could not sing every song requested but I'm glad we got most slotted in somewhere!  The next few weeks (at 9.15 and 10.30) will see us focus on biographies – the examples of people who have listened to God and allowed him to change them. The 6pm evening service rolls back into the very successful ‘Rockgod’ series where we examine popular music through Gods eyes.  So lots of fun to be had and more ways to connect with our living Lord!Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - July 17
Dear friends, I'm trusting that today’s Song Sunday is a great inspiration to you. I hope you like the different style of worship and the opportunity to have a ‘good sing’! Let me know what you think and if you would ever like us to repeat it at some stage in the future. I've been thinking a lot lately of walking the Christian life and how we encourage that in ourselves I could simply say ‘read your bibles and that will make an  immense difference’ but you have heard me say that a few times! There is a story told of an old Indian woman who was asked about making choices.... she replied ‘it’s like two dogs inside of me one going one way (bad) and the other an opposite path (good)’ ‘who will win the enquirer asked?’  after a few moments pause she answered ‘the one I feed’. That is an incredibly insightful response in a Christian context. How much are you feeding your faith, your spirit, your discipleship? It certainly is a real challenge!  Blessings Jonathan 

2011 - July 10
Dear friends, I'm finding it hard to believe that we are now at the end of our series on James. It seems to have gone by so quick! There is no doubt that we have found some riches in the pages. And as you can tell there is a lot more to be discovered and contemplated on and outworked in our lives.   Isn’t it odd that we have this ancient text, the one we call the bible and we treat it with such a blasé attitude. We can access it freely online, there are dozens of translations and styles available but we overlook it so often. Yet simply spending a few weeks concentrating on a single book has brought forward a depth that has left us all enriched. Imagine how much more there is ready and waiting for us, imagine how much comfort there is waiting for us to uncover it, imagine how much strength and guidance there is- waiting for us to discover it!   Well the morning congregations are about to go into a season of hearing stories of people’s lives who have been impacted by their reading of the scriptures. Who knows, if we allow the scriptures to go deep in us, maybe in time other churches might be telling stories about some of us!  Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - July 3
This week Malvern 10.30 misses out on their ‘bit’ of James (James 4:13-17 & 5:1-6). So let me reflect on it for a moment (you might want to read it a couple of times yourself). Notice how James uses imagery that provokes our thinking into realising that life is temporal. His main thesis is that we have a temporal life like a ‘mist’. He develops this theme in pointing out how we hunger after vanishing things. The inference here is that we must put our hope in Jesus. This is the only thing that stays secure, the only think that we can hang on to in a shifting world. His message is a poignant today as it was then!  Verse 17 talks about sin and thinking about it I wonder if the sin in this case is putting ‘stuff’ over God, putting the temporal over the everlasting. How often do we do that? More than we care to admit! We actually have a name for it... it’s called consumerism. The opposite of this reminds me of Jesus words in Matthew “seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you...’  That's what James is on about. Quite a call eh? Quite a challenge! It makes you think.  Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - June 26
Dear friends, Thank you to all those who were involved in the various services last week. We certainly had a variety over the weekend and it was most memorable! The feedback has been positive right across the spectrum. You’ll notice that next week we have a special guest at Malvern 10.30; the Rev. Dr John Smith. This man has been one of my heroes for quite some time since I heard him speak in the late 80s! He is a most engaging speaker and has an incredible message. I encourage you to bring all those who you think are interested. Later in July I have another guest planned for both morning services – but more about that closer to the time!  But you know what? We are in good heart and we are travelling well. This is a great place to be a part of and a wonderful community! Thank you for your part!  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - June 19

The passage in James set for today is all about the tongue (James 3:1-12).  I encourage you to read it again.  Even several times is a good practice to get a sense of the text. James is keen for us to realise the potential – both good and bad of the tongue.  He is not talking about someone else’s but ours.  He’s talking about your tongue and my tongue. Notice he suggests the great power and influence we can have with our words.  I wonder do we really understand the potential of this body part?

Here is a challenge for you; why don’t you try and encourage someone or several people this week.  It’s easy to be negative over issues or people but not always that easy to be positive – why don’t you try and make a positive statement this week for someone else.  Let’s, all of us use our tongue to build up, to encourage, in supporting someone, in drawing them out to be the best they can be. I'm going to give it a go, to put aside negativity and speak about the positive.

Who knows someone might do it to us!  And we all would like that wouldn’t we.

2011 - June 12

Dear friends As you know there is never a dull moment around here! I'm keen to keep things ticking over and moving forward in lots of different ways.  Next week sees two events taking place during morning worship. The first at Unley 9.15 is the guest appearance of Dr Bek Christenson who will be talking about her experiences in the Gaza strip. Bec is a young lady with a passion for justice and a love for that part of the world. I have heard her speak at Annesley and was most impressed. The second, is Malvern 10.30 with our Next Gen service. This is an all ages service where we use creative ways to discover Gods truth for us. Its a wonderful time to laugh and enjoy each others company in a diverse worship experience. This one is followed by soup, bread and dessert (not necessarily in that order if I get my chance!). Both of these events would be good to bring friends and family to. In fact you can come to both! I do – every week!!  So lots of things happening, please come and connect!  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - June 5

last week at Malvern 10.30 i skipped over this story in my sermon. i thought you might like to read it - its pretty powerful.  James tells us that if we see Gods direction and don’t take notice of it we are like a person who looks into a mirror sees something that needs to be sorted and immediately forgets. Its a bit like this story I found. One day during my morning run I noticed a blind woman walking on the other side of the street with her Seeing Eye dog, a beautiful golden retriever. As I was about to pass them, I noticed a car blocking a driveway a few paces ahead of them. At that moment the dog paused and gently pressed his shoulder against the woman's leg, signalling her to turn aside so they could get around the car.  I'm sure she normally followed his lead, but that day she didn't seem to trust him. She had probably walked this route many times before and knew this was not the normal place to make a turn. Whatever the cause, she wouldn't move to the side and instead gave him the signal to move ahead. He again pressed his shoulder against her leg, trying to guide her on a safe path. She angrily ordered [the dog] to go forward. When he again declined, her temper flared.  I was about to speak up … when the dog once more put his shoulder gently against her leg. Sure enough, she kicked him …. And then she impulsively stepped forward—and bumped square into a car. Reaching out to feel the shape in front of her, she immediately realized what had happened. Dropping to her knees, she threw her arms around the dog, and spoke sobbing words into his ear.  My friends don’t do it. Listen and take it to heart.(James 1:23-24)
blessings Jonathan

2011 - May 29

well with the weather cooling down its nice to be inside. recently we have installed a new wood heater and its very comfortable to be home with the family. one of the things i notice this time of year is that we have a bit more time. What i mean is that we are not racing around to someones place for a BBQ or heading off the beach. We tend to be home bodies, trying to keep warm. Its easy at this time to just spend your time watching TV and 'frittering away' the hours. How would you go getting a good christian book (i can suggest many) and developing your spiritual life over these winter months. I know that many if not all of us would like to be closer to God, why not take the chance to create the space this winter. Even, now dont be too shocked, read a couple of chapters of your Bible! i know, i know, radical suggestion, but sometimes i have just got to say it.  so, use this time to engage with God - deliberately. Use this time to take some spiritual nourishment into your body. Use this time to "draw close to God and he will draw close to you" i think i read that in James somewhere....blessings Jonathan

2011 - May 22

Dear friends many things come and go in the life of our families and friends. many things take place taht we dont even notice. clean water is one of those. we have it in abundance and even with a price rise we are very fortunate. some time ago we prayed a prayer for "God to break our heart for the things that break his". this lead us to Small Change For Change and utlimatley now to the fundraiser event. Im asking you to support this as we seek to promote the event much wider in the community around us. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO TAKE MORE BOTTLES but to be supportive of the event that is designed to promote and fundraise to those outside of our church community.  the date is the 4th of June at 7pm till 12 (you dont have to stay all the time) the venue is goodwood communtiy centre.  I look forward to seeing you there in this vital work.  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - May 15
I've just returned from a week’s break over at Coffin Bay National Park.  We camped there as a family with the Callens. If you haven’t been there then you are missing out on some of the best coast this nation has to offer. It’s a bit of a hike and you need a 4wd to get into some of the park – but it’s worth the effort!  We played on the beach, looked at the wildlife and birds, fished, enjoyed the dolphins in the bay and generally had a great time! We even swam – well the kids did!  The thing about camping in one spot for a week or more is that you get to see the rhythm of the life around you. You slow down enough to observe, discern and appreciate. I think there is a great parable in this. Its a lot like our relationship with God.... I've spoken about this before. But it strikes me every time! We just move too fast and this makes us all the poorer! Poorer in the things that really matter... I'm sure you can figure what that is for yourself!  Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - April 24
Dear friends, Welcome to one of our Easter services! I trust that you have found it meaningful and engaging. It certainly was designed to be that way. Easter is certainly a big deal for us as a church community and it defines who we are. My hope for you is that you will in some way experience the presence of the risen Jesus in your daily life. There is no doubt he speaks now and that he is active in people’s lives. If you have ever wondered about this maybe this Easter is the time to ask him. Ask him to reveal some of his presence to you in a way that you understand. The story of Easter is not confided to the remnants of history but continues to unroll in day to day live. I speak of firsthand experience.   There are lots of ways you can connect with this community if you would like. Of course we have regular worship services, kids and youth programs, craft, home groups and time to time seminars... plus lots more. Shoot us an email and we will make sure that someone from the team catches up with you. But don’t forget that its Jesus we are on about and we are super keen to see people live a life with him in it. We’d love to help you with that.  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - April 17
You will notice in the newssheet today that there are some activities we have suggested for Holy Week. Whether you do them or not is up to you – BUT what I encourage you to do is to set aside this week as special. Set aside some time (even just a few moments) to journey with Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. Maybe read the palm Sunday story (Matthew 21) then the days leading up to the crucifixion and the event itself. If you do read the stories don’t just brush over them.... meditate and think over them, even write down your thoughts and questions.  This is a special week – as we have already said – a holy week. Let’s all treat it as such and not just a chance to wind up work for a few days break. I guarantee that if you spend some time then Jesus will speak to you and you will walk deeper into a relationship with him.  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - April 10
Well the week has been full!! lots of activities, lots of fun and challenges and opportunities and disappointments and energy. Sounds a lot like church life if you ask me.  Thank you to those who have put in, for those who served, who came, who took a risk and invited their friends along to one or several events. its good.  Its important that we as a church community make the effort to live a life of openness and invitation. its important that we do this for a whole stack of reasons, not the least of all being that Jesus asks us to do it, he asks us to share our faith and hope with those who don't know. like its been said many times before its one beggar showing another beggar where they have found bread. so thank you if you were involved. thank you for your generosity and effort and risk.  Soon we are into kids club and then easter. again more chances to invite others to be involved in our shared life.  Blessings. Jonathan 

2011 - April 3
Well here it is friends. Mal//Function week has arrived, all the busy preparations all the plans all the work. And it’s here! I hope that you are able to engage with some of the week. I hope that you are able to enjoy some of it and serve at some of it and just be part of a community that's on the move.  In the business of it all can I encourage you to not forget our purpose for all of this... that is, to share the hope that we have in Jesus. To share the reason why we would do this and why we would bother to engage with the community. Its easy to overlook this simple thing, but this is the most important of all. Jesus is our reason for being, so let him be the reason for our serving too.  By the way, there are still a few spaces at some of our events if you want to come and bring a friend.  Ill see you there!! Blessings Jonathan

2011 - March 27
It won’t be long and Mal//Function will be upon us... next week in fact! It looks exciting. It looks like it’s all coming together and all about to happen in a big rush.  If you haven’t done so yet, there is still time to offer some help and bring along a friend. Its really easy to bring along a friend... it goes something like this;  “Hi [insert name here] we are having [insert particular event here] and I was wondering if you might like to come along?”   They might say “I’ll think about it”, or “yes” or even “how much?”  You can then say “great! Ill remind you in a few days” or “great ill pick you up”, or “no cost! Just come!”  Truly, it’s easy. Trust me!

There are lots of ways that people can connect with our community and lots of ways that they can see what the church is like (people not buildings) without having to commit. Most people would like that and I'm guessing that many of your friends would like that too. That's the sort of company you keep.  So, take a deep breath and ask someone to come along. You will be surprised at the result!!
In anticipation, Jonathan 

2011 - March 20
Dear friends, Please can you feel my warmest encouragement to be involved in the Mal/FUNction event.  This is a big deal for us as a church and it takes all hands on deck to make it happen. There are lots and lots of ways to be involved on all sorts of levels. Please don’t feel guilt however!! That's not the intention at all. BUT what is, is a chance for you to bring your friends and allow them a chance to connect with Jesus in some way shape or form.  Let me make a few details clear: 
-  The carnival is open to all!! So bring them along for some fun, particularly kids will enjoy this.
-  The prayer night is for all too, so come along to pray for the needs of the community
-  The dinners are designed for you to bring a friend/s. It’s $20 for you and free for your friends!
-  The men’s and women’s events are designed deliberately for that and are exclusively so.
    So bring your correlating friends! The men’s is limited so be quick. Again if you come please contribute but your friends are free.
-  The Friday night youth event is free but there will be a canteen with saleable items
-  Then the bush dance is as cheap as we could make it!
So please come, please help, please bring your friends!  Both Sundays will be events to remember too!!!  Looking forward to seeing you there and enjoying life together. Blessings Jonathan

2011 - March 13
I found a great web site the other day with some incredible bargains.... http://www.ozsale.com.au/  It’s got some cheap quality gear available at bargain prices. Why don’t you go and have a look?
Some of you would have heard me talk about the reasons behind Mal//FUNction.  I'm quite open about the fact that we must share our faith. We hold a precious truth that many others would benefit from. It’s a delight to know Jesus and our privilege to share the hope we have in him. But my thinking is wider than this. I'm trying to bring a DNA among us that has faith sharing as a natural part of our daily life. I'm not talking about preaching or bible bashing. But a genuine honesty that points to the deeper things of life. I am hoping that this, faith sharing, becomes normal for us.  So, why have I combined the two paragraphs together in this one blog? Simple! I'm happy to share with you my finds to save your money, and I'm happy to share with you my finds to save your life. Can you see where I'm going? It’s natural to share resources, so should it be natural to share faith. In a way that's got integrity and honesty and respect.  Blessings. Jonathan

2011- March 6
I have a very nice drink bottle, actually I have a few but one in particular is special to me. Its a Laken -European made and has been with me on some good adventures. I’d rather drink out of one of these types of bottles than a few hundred plastic ones!  The thing about my bottle is that you cannot see inside of it. It has a grey anodised finish on the outside that does not let you view the contents. It is supposed to be a water bottle, but the reality is that I could hold most fluids.... Gatorade... cold tea.... milk... petrol.... 1080... gulp (literally!).  although I could take my bottle down to a laboratory and have it tested that's not really practical, so the easiest way for me to find out what's in my bottle is to taste it. Now common sense would tell me that there aren’t many people who are going to fill my bottle with something... and even less people who will fill it with a toxic substance!  So where am I going with this blog? Last week and for the next few I have/will opened up a provocative series on ‘questions’. Undoubtedly somewhere along the way your assumptions will be challenged and you might think it’s very strange or uncomfortable. Can I though encourage you though to sit with a new idea or an unpalatable idea. You see underlying much of our assumptions of faith is our understanding of God. Who you think God is will define much of your thinking in God stuff. This series might be a chance for you to re-evaluate just who God is and gain a clearer understanding. As the bible says “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Go on! I encourage you to!! Have a taste and see that Jesus is behind this, that he is good, that he wants the best for your life! Blessings Jonathan

2011 - February 27
This week has been the full roller coaster of emotions. The news from New Zealand is heart wrenching. Watching the images on the internet, seeing the pain leave us feeling helpless – yet we can pray! And pray we must!! Pray that God comforts those who have lost, God helps those who are survivors, God helps the country get back up on its feet. In all this of course is the attempt of the media to cover the story – but yet we get the sensationalism of grief. I was disappointed to see the front cover of both the Advertiser (expected I suppose) and the Australian on Thursday. Maybe another time ill talk about this some more.  I’ve also watched with dismay the Libyan crisis. My heart again has gone out to people who are affected by no fault of their own. As in the earthquake we stand by and just watch. What can we do? We feel helpless... BUT we must pray for them, we must ask our Almighty God to input into that situation, to work, to resolve, to bring about the best solution. Our work, our help in these times is prayer. This is the ministry that God calls every Christian to and we must do it for our brothers and sisters who need our intercessions. Lets make this week a week of prayer. Will you join with me? Blessings Jonathan

2011 - February 20
Another interesting week in federal politics. Christmas Island and funerals got a lot of air play. First, an accusation we spent too much on flying people down for the funerals. Then after all the grief and culture shock, debate arose about whether refugees should stay in Sydney or ‘wait in line’ with the other detainees on Christmas Island.  I can’t help wondering if those now calling for refugees to stay in Sydney are the same people who questioned the cost of airfares: who a little while ago were demanding a limited immigration policy. The opinion of the nation seems to sway from one side to the other, without missing a beat. Fickle!  Public opinion is like a moth; it goes where the candle burns the brightest. A good friend once accused me of doing this. It rocked me to the core. After serious reflection I decided my friend was wrong. But his words have been a challenge to my thinking, and more importantly, to  my integrity.  As people of faith we cannot afford to hold one opinion in one group of people, then switch for another.  We must ensure that we are firmly tethered to our Lord.   Blessings. Jonathan

2011 - February 13
Let me come right out and say it; I think showing emotion in a public space is helpful and right. I'm referring of course to our Prime Minister and her heart felt words on Tuesday during parliament’s vote of condolence. I managed to catch some of Her speech and was mildly listening when I noticed her voice breaking and heard the obvious tones of someone moved by the events. Its good to see. No actually its better than that – it’s great to see! Why is it that we only see people when they have it all together, all in control, everything metered? That doesn’t sound like life to me! More like robotics. I suppose this resonates with me as I have been leading some larger services of late and reflecting on the role of grief in our society. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us “that there is a time for everything...” Indeed that is true. Let’s not pretend that we have it all together or its all happy. But lets be the community that rejoices, laughs and grieves (yep even cry) with each other. Blessings Jonathan

2011 - February 6
Last week I spoke with you about the newssheet and how we are working on changing the design. As you can see it’s a bit different today and will be a moveable feast for a while now until we settle on a format. We welcome your input, but just remember that we are trying to save paper and still be informative. If you have some suggestions then pop a note on the care card or send them through by email.  Also last week I was asking for any questions that you hear asked about the faith. Thanks for those who have replied. I plan to do a series on these things so if you have some questions then send them through to. I don’t guarantee to answer them all, nor do I have all the answers, but we can at least raise the issues!!  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - January 30
So how did you go with the Australia Day holiday??? Did you manage to share faith with someone? Yes? No? You know the Lord gives us many, many opportunities to let people see the deeper things, the meaningful things that are important to us. Sometimes these come up unexpectedly sometimes we can see them coming.   Often people say to me that they don’t know what to say and they don’t know how to answer the questions that are raised. That's a fair point. I will continue to give you the tools to know what to say. But I'm interested to hear what you think are the questions that people are asking. If you would like to jot them down for me or email or txt me or carrier pigeon then I might be able to address these in a helpful way.    I'm serious, so give it some thought and let me know.  Blessings Jonathan

2011 - January 23
Well Australia day is coming up!! The time of BBQ’s, hanging around, enjoying the company of friends and rellies. Come to think of it .... its actually a good time to practice that wonderful Christian tradition of hospitality. You know... thinking further you could actually host something that might give you a chance to share your faith. You could even say something like... did you know about Matthew Flinders or Eureka Stockade or the early Prussian immigrants. WOW there you go, Australia day holiday can be used to share the hope we have. Imagine what we could do with Easter!!   Blessings Jonathan

2011 - January 16
If you noticed last week we lost a big part of the tree at Malvern. If you don’t believe in miracles then maybe you might want to have a closer look!!  I was involved in cutting the tree up and came across those little white things that chew on wood!!! They had done their work and hollowed out a huge part of the centre of the limb. Of course there were lots of other reasons why the tree went down (and David Lawry will give you a very informed opinion) but, think about those white ants for a moment. Little things that put together caused the weakness.  Hmmmm….. I think that is an easy one to give a spiritual meaning to! Little things that put together cause spiritual weakness…. Little lies, little bit of un-forgiveness, little bit of bitterness, little bit of greed and lust and idolatry…. You get the point.  My friends – keep short accounts with Jesus and keep those little things away!!!   Blessings Jonathan

2011 - January 9
Welcome to the New Year, well at least the first bits of it.  As always I want to encourage you to put Jesus first in your decisions and in your doings.... maybe for some of us it’s time to make a habit... what I mean is that we have this brand new year in front of us and we could well do with the routine of reading our bibles and praying every single day. If you were to do this every day, it would make a huge difference to your year and the way in which you respond to the things that will come your way.  Why don’t you take my advice and see if I am right???             Go on... I dare you!  Blessings Jonathan

2010 - December 29
Well a very merry Christmas!! Another one rolls around seemingly on the back of last year! My grandfather warned me that the years would go by faster as I got older but I didn’t believe him...!
Can I encourage you ... on this weekend of all... to - slow – it – down ... to remember just who it is that we owe it all to. His name is Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of all Lords. Don’t be caught up in so much fuss that the primary reason becomes secondary, or even worse - forgotten. One day we will all have to bow before him. His name is Jesus.    Blessings Jonathan