Category: culture

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WHAT THE NEW NSW PREMIER THINKS ABOUT JESUS #NSWPOL #JESUSIS

Queenscliff (Manly)

It’s been a big 24hours in New South Wales politics with the Grange-gate affair. Barry O’Farrell is out. Mike Baird is about to become the new Premier of NSW! The Northern Beaches of Sydney is becoming a political powerhouse with the Australian Prime Minister and now the NSW Premier among our local members.

Mike Baird is a well respected politician. He is also a member of St Matt’s Anglican Church on the Corso in Manly. Mike recently wrote a short piece as part of a combined Northern Beaches Churches project: JESUS IS _____.

Jesus is my hope!

I think all of us on a daily basis have trouble focussing on what really matters. Whether it be the challenge of family stresses (heightened when teenagers arrive!!), the morning commute, an over-bearing boss or screaming customers each day appears more a daily wrestle than a joy to live!

I have to be honest that there are days when I wake and feel so overwhelmed about what awaits me that I am gripped not only with fear but a searing sense that I am not up to the job.

It is often at this point I am reminded of Jesus. Not just Him but a reminder that he died on a cross for me. As this reality floods my being I can see the way through the day and the morning haze is replaced with a steadfast purpose. Indeed the scope of hope is much deeper as not only is there an assurance of support despite my frailties there is also a reminder that I have eternal life!

Originally from here.

See more great content on the jesus-is.org.au website.

Want to hear more on who Jesus is? Find a church this Good Friday and Easter. Or you could read these short articles I’ve written:

Image (c) Saltmotion. Saltmotion are based in Manly. This image used by permission. 

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CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE TOILET BLOCK AT A TIME WITH @COMPASSIONAU

Too many people die from preventable waterborne illnesses. I’ve partnered with Compassion Australia to build a toilet block to help provide access to clean water and safe toilets. The block will support 250 children who are part of a child sponsorship program in Indonesia. READ ALL THE PROJECT DETAILS HERE

I’m aiming to raise $13,000. We have already raised $2423. THANK YOU to all who have donated already. We still have $9877 to go. Can you help? Deadline is 31 May 2014.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

INDONESIA 2013 TRIP: Blog Summary; Official Video; Colin Buchanan

9 MAY UPDATE: New Total = $3533… thanks! Only $1467 until $5000. Or $8767 until $12,300. Can you help?

11 MAY UPDATE: New Total = $3633… thanks! Only $1367 until $5000. Or $8667 until $12,300. Can you help?

20 MAY UPDATE: New Total = $3738… thanks! Only $1262 until $5000. Or $8562 until $12,300. Can you help?

24 MAY UPDATE: New Total = $4150.64… thanks! Only $849.36 until $5000. Or $8149.36 until $12,300. Can you help?

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JERUSALEM // FREE @CITYALIGHT SONG AND RESOURCES FOR CHURCHES

I’m a long time fan of the congregational tunes coming out of St Paul’s Castle Hill in Sydney’s north west. They have just released a new track – Jerusalem – under the new name ‘CityAlight‘. In my opinion it is one of their best songs.

Jerusalem beautifully traces Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem, to the cross, his death, the empty tomb and now reigning on the throne in the New Jerusalem.

Here is the second half of verse 3:

Feel the earth is shaking now
See the veil is split in two
And He stood before the wrath of God
Shielding sinners with His blood

In a time where some are seeking to remove the wrath of God from their singing, I appreciate the explicit reference to the work of Jesus turning aside God’s wrath from sinners and onto Himself. What a Saviour!

I also love the movement from Jerusalem to the New Jerusalem and that it begins with people crying out for murder but ends with people crying out in praise of the One who saves. Brilliant!

Check out the website for: free mp3 download; video download; lyrics and chord chart. All great resources for churches. If you like it, go to iTunes and buy the track to help keep it at number 1 and to support this great ministry! I’m eagerly anticipating the full album coming out in June.

If you’ve stumbled here and don’t know much about what Jesus’ death on the cross was all about… listen to the song and then read this, this and this.

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GREAT NEW TV AD FROM @THANKYOUAUS

Great new commercial for THANK YOU. If you haven’t tried their products – do it! They’re top quality and each purchase helps someone in need. Here’s the blurb from the vid:

Introducing our new TV commercial that aims to showcase our range of life-changing products and educate Australia on the meaning of social enterprise.

Thanks to Channel 7 and Channel 9 for agreeing to air this ad at absolutely no cost to Thankyou. This ad was created in partnership with Kintaro Studios and Aspect Media, both of which provided services at reduced costs.

Thankyou is a social enterprise that exists for the sole purpose of funding life-changing projects in developing nations with 100 per cent of profits going towards water, food and health and hygiene solutions.

We’re here to empower you to ‘live every day, give every day’ through simply switching the brand of products you buy during your weekly grocery shop.

For more info on Thankyou and our range of life-changing products, head to www.thankyou.co

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YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE QUESTION THIS GUY ASKS; AND HE ASKS IT TWICE!

Don’t you hate all the sensational headlines used by buzzfeed, upworthy and co that people share virally on Facebook? Me too. I’m sorry if you clicked through to this one expecting more! But I do think that Napoleon Dynamite’s question is funny. My whole way through college when lecturer’s asked for questions, I always wanted to ask this one. I didn’t.

If you’re looking for more uplifting content. See the latest two posts: