father’s day musings
September 5, 2011
I thought I would share some of the musings I have had on Father’s Day.
Click here for a pdf of some thoughts.
hope
March 17, 2011
With the current world events, wars in the middle east, Tsunami and earthquakes in Japan, earthquake in New Zealand, I’ve been reflecting a great deal on what the state of the human spirit is! As I look around our community and city of Sydney it is obvious that there is an increased sense of fear, anxiety and hopelessness….. People seem scared and uncertain of the future.
As a Christian, one of our foundational values is that the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead brings hope… God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure ( Hebrews 6:11)
As Christ as our redeemer and saviour, we as a Church must offer hope to a frightened world. Jesus is our sure foundation, our rock our Lighthouse in a storm.
Why not share this hope today? I know there is someone waiting for this good news: hope in the face of hopelessness.
east coast church flood relief
January 15, 2011
As we all know, Queensland has been hit hard by statewide flooding. One of our relating NCMI churches has been affected by the floods and in response a flood relief fund has been set up.
From their website:
The Eastcoast Church Flood Relief Fund has now been set up. This fund will help our community and immediate sphere of influence, with any overflow going to the Premiers Relief Fund.
To contribute transfer money to: BSB:014272 Acc:353997731 with the description “FloodRelief”
If you know of anyone in immediate need, please let Leon and Sonja know either through the facebook page, or by calling them.
For more information, please visit the East Coast Church website.
are you regular?
November 17, 2010
I have been reflecting on the idea of why regular Church attendance is important in the life of every disciple of Christ Jesus. I remember seeing the Kellogg’s add on All Bran. The slogan is it keeps you regular on the inside….. Regular Church attendance is good for us…it keeps us spiritually regular not only on the inside but outside.
Here are some reasons why:
The Bible tells us we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25). Church is the place where believers can love one another (1 John 4:12), encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13), “spur” one another on(Hebrews 10:24), serve one another (Galatians 5:13), instruct one another (Romans 15:14), honour one another (Romans 12:10), and be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32).??When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its “body parts” need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer’s life. Weekly church attendance is in no sense “required” for believers, but someone who belongs to Christ should have a desire to worship God, receive His Word, and fellowship with other believers.
new days ahead
October 12, 2010
Whoa after 9 years of knee time, yes regular time on our knees in prayer for a permanent building for our Lighthouse to call home, we have now moved into our “NEW-OLD” facility. Who would have ever thought that we would be meeting in a 100 year old Methodist building? Not used as a place of worship for over 25 years. As I was having lunch with my great friend Leo Nicotra, we were amazing at the amount of people and buzz generated in front of our new place.
As I reflect and how fast it has all been, from when we enquired to when we moved in, it was so fast! But was it? Over the last 9 years God had heard every single prayer, every single tear, and every single anguish and in His perfect timing He (as He always does) provided the right building, for the right time and for the right place. God does make everything perfect in his perfect timing. Proverbs reminds us “ teach me to number my days aright that I may gain a heart of wisdom” … may I use the time the Father has given me to thank him and never ever let go of the promises in Him.
worship seminar
October 12, 2010
Saturday 16th October 2010
Lighthouse Christian Church, Holtermann Street Crows Nest
Join us this Saturday 16th October for a worship seminar with Matt Doty and musicians from Life to the Nations church in Melbourne.
9:30am for free coffee and the seminar will run until 1pm. A free lunch will be served from 1-2pm. A love offering will be taken on the morning to show support for Matt and his team.
temporary service time
October 11, 2010
A reminder that this Sunday, 17th October our service time will be 9-10:30am in the morning. We would love you to stick around after and join us as we enjoy the Crows Nest Fair.
new building
October 11, 2010
A reminder to everyone that we have now moved to our new building. For move information about location and directions visit the building page of our website
disappointments
August 4, 2010
As a leader, I have faced the ups and downs in life. Often there are many sweet and incredibly powerful times. Other times are very hard. The issue of how a leader deals with internal conflict and disappointments is very important. I have had my fare share of disappointments in 16 years of ministry. Yet every time the Holy Spirit has given me strength and empowering to overcome. The Bible reminded me that we are called to be not just winners, but more than overcomers. So how do we overcome disappointments?
- Be real and tell God how you feel. Acknowledge your pain, offenses, betrayal and hurt. Do not pretend and get over spiritual about it. Pain hurts!
- Ask the Holy Spirit to invade that space and overwhelm it with the love of Jesus.
- Forgiveness is one of life’s greatest miracles: forgive God? Yourself? Or those who have wounded you.
- Do not allow the state of disappointment permeate your soul: realise it is just a bad day or season. But this shall pass and you are a Victorious, Faith-filled, Empowered, Gracious Son or daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
- Remember that no weapon forged against you shall prosper.
- FREEDOM shouted William Wallace in Brave heart: live a free person and with no yoke of slavery. “He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed”
- Finally ask yourself this question: what have I personally learned from this situation? What could I personally have done better?
francois botes
July 26, 2010
Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th August 2010
NBPS Hall (Tues) & Berowra Baptist Church (Wed), 7:30pm
Francois Botes ministers all over the world in Worship, Teaching and the Prophetic ministry. Join us as hear and learn from this amazing man. All are welcome.
Francois Botes is based in the United Kingdom and ministers worldwide in local churches and oversees a number of Prophetic training seminars / schools both for those who are generally interested in the Worship and Prophetic ministry, and for those who are clearly called to the 5 fold ministry of Prophet.