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Looking in Two Directions at the Same Time

24.11.2023 Categories: All | Advent Written by: Neil Percival

An amazing thing about Chameleons is that their eyes can look in two directions at once. It’s an ability well suited to the season of Advent when we also need to look in two directions. In this season, we look backwards in time to God’s first entry into the world in human form at the birth of Jesus.

Leadership Lessons From Jesus

16.11.2023 Categories: All Written by: Neil Percival

In an encounter with the religious leadership of his day, described in Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus identified three leadership failures or abuses.

Dealing with Hurt and Pain God’s Way

07.09.2023 Categories: All Written by: Neil Percival

It’s a fact of life that people will hurt us. The only way to avoid that is to live in complete isolation and not have relationships with anyone. Of course, that just creates a different kind of pain. So, assuming we don’t want to take that path, what’s the best way to respond to the people who hurt us?

Who Do You Say I Am?

27.08.2023 Categories: All Written by: Neil Percival

On one occasion, Jesus asked his closest friends this question, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Their first response was to list what other people said about him. “Some say John the Baptist, others say…” (Matthew 16:14).

Why Things Go Wrong in Churches?

21.07.2023 Categories: All Written by: Neil Percival

Often, people come to a Church in a time of crisis and because they have a need they hope the Church can satisfy. It may be a physical need. It may be an emotional need. It may be because they perceive that something deeper is missing from their life, an unmet spiritual need.

Give Me A Break

25.06.2023 Categories: All Written by: Neil Percival

I am constantly meeting stressed people. People are stressed by the demands of work, family responsibilities, relationship breakdowns, the current economic climate, sickness, loss, and the unexpected challenges of life. Stressed people are also often exhausted people because one of the hardest things to do when stressed is switch off and rest.

The Sparrow Measure

25.06.2023 Categories: All Written by: Neil Percival

How do we measure a person’s worth? Our first thought is often to use dollars. For example, the last time I looked, Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, had a net worth of $195 billion. If the measure is not dollars, it will be some other achievement or success…

Tags: Worth, Value, Matthew 10:29-32

Untouched by Captivity

19.04.2023 Categories: All | Anzac Day Written by: Neil Percival

The Gallipoli landings introduced the name ANZAC to the world. General Sir Ian Hamilton said, “Before the war, who had ever heard of ANZAC? Hereafter, who will ever forget it?”

Tags: Anzac Day, Romans 8:38-39

Easter – The Season of Hope

31.03.2023 Categories: All | Easter Written by: Neil Percival

Easter is almost upon us, and I’ve been reflecting on why we celebrate Easter and what basic human need it satisfies.

Tags: Hope, Needs, 1 Peter 1:3-4

The Palm Sunday Street Parade

27.03.2023 Categories: All | Palm Sunday Written by: Neil Percival

“A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matthew 21:8). The image of Jesus and his followers approaching Jerusalem with crowds lining the streets, shouting and waving palm branches and throwing their cloaks on the road got me thinking about modern day parades.

Tags: Matthew 21:8-9

The Cure

05.12.2022 Categories: All | Christmas Written by: Neil Percival

Naming a new baby can be a challenging process, and not just for the parent. It can be hard for the child who has to live with the results of that choice. Mary and Joseph were spared this challenge because this important matter was decided by God and his decision was delivered by angel.

Be Prepared

05.12.2022 Categories: All | Advent Written by: Neil Percival

We’re in the season of Advent. If any of you were in the Scouts or the Guides, you’ll know the theme of this season – “Be Prepared.” What are we preparing for? The arrival of Jesus.