Month: September 2014

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GLOSSOLALIA // NEW EP FROM JAKE BERRY

glossolalia-jake-berry

My friend Jake Berry has just released his debut EP, Glossolalia. It’s excellent! Jake is a massively talented singer-songwriter and I think his voice is as good as Jeff Buckley’s.

I’m giving away 5 FREE downloads to the first 5 people to comment on this blog post. (I’m currently getting spammed, so if this is your first comment, I will have to approve it before it goes live.)

You can listen to the EP at the bottom of this post.

I asked Jake a few questions to find out a bit more about his heart behind the release.
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BRINGING HOPE IN IRAQ // UPDATE FROM OPEN DOORS #WeAreN

On 10 June 2014, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS – now known as Islamic State) seize Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul.

An estimated half a million residents join a mass exodus out of the city, many heading east to Qaraqosh or north to places like Dohuk and Erbil.

For more than 30 years, Open Doors has supported Christians in the Middle East – including 20 years in Iraq.

Take a look around one of the churches Open Doors supports in Erbil, Iraq and see what life is like for those taking refuge at the church.

For more information about Open Doors and how you can pray for the situation in the Middle East visit www.opendoors.org.au

Find out more about Father Douglas and the work Open Doors is doing in the Middle East, visit our blog: http://opendoorsblog.org.au/2014/09/26/bringing-hope-in-iraq/

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#INSTALIFEWEEKLY // 28 SEPTEMBER 2014

#instalifeweekly

This post is dangerous. Why? Because it has the word ‘weekly’ included in the title. That means I’m aiming to post it – you guessed it – weekly! Perhaps I’m setting myself up for a #fail? We’ll see.

I’ve cut the automatic uploading of Instagram photos to this blog, but I’m still keen to share photos with those who aren’t following on Instagram.

See below for the first edition of #instalifeweekly…

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WHAT IS IT TO BE HUMAN?

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Social networks are a significant part of life in the our world: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; Snapchat; MySpace; Google Plus; LinkedIn. And whatever comes next! However, social networks are not a new invention. A group of men that have swum in the same location at the same beach for the last 40 years who have no interest in digital networks, are still part of a social network.

Social networks show us that we have a deep desire for connection, community and relationship. It shows we are human.

What is it to be human? Relationship is important. It really matters.

What does the Bible say about relationship?

Listen to sermon below…

Here is the structure:

We have a deep desire for relationship
1) MADE FOR RELATIONSHIP
2) BROKEN RELATIONSHIP
3) RECONCILED RELATIONSHIP
4) PERFECTED RELATIONSHIP
Life Under God

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IS ISLAM THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?

is-islam-the-greatest-enemy

We desperately want our western brothers and sisters in Christ to realise that the greatest enemy of our faith today is not communism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Atheism, or even Islam. Our greatest enemy is lostness. Lostness is the terrible enemy that Jesus commissioned His followers to vanquish with the battle strategy He spelled out for them in Matthew 28:18-20. He was addressing this same enemy when He plainly clarified His purpose in coming: “I have come to seek and to save those who are lost.”

Our hope is that believers around the world will get close enough to the heart of God that the first images that come to mind when we hear the word “Muslim” are not Somali pirates or suicide bombers of violent jihadists or even terrorists. When we hear the word “Muslim,” we need to see and think of each and every Muslim as a lost person who is loved by God. We nee to see each Muslim as a person in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. We need to see each Muslim as someone for whom Christ died.

Nik Ripken, The Insanity of God, p. 302-303

Find out more about Jesus: who He is; why He came; what it means to follow Him.