Reflection
Finding Strength in Difficult Times
Hanukah and Christmas
Hanukah occurs in December (Dec 20 this year). I think that Hanukah has become a modern Jewish substitute for Christmas (presents are given). Originally this festival celebrates the Maccabees’ defeat of the Greeks in 165 BC. The Greeks had stopped the sacrifices at the Temple. They were oppressing God’s people and trying to bring an end to God’s one true religion. But…
How can you believe in Free Will and Predestination?
A common objection to Reformed and Calvinist theology is that it is fatalist, doesn’t allow for man to have free will. If God predestines man “before the foundation of the world” to salvation or damnation (e.g. Ephesians 1:4), then how can man have free will? A good question.…
Narcissism
Look up. Look more to your risen Head in heaven, and try to realize more that the Lord Jesus not only died for you, but that He also rose again, and that He is ever living at God’s right hand as your Priest, your Advocate, and your Almighty Friend.
How Big is the Universe?
Evidence of God is scattered all throughout creation. The Bible (Romans 1:20) says that mankind is without excuse for the denial of God as his fingerprints are all around us. For me one of the things that always blows my mind about the size of God, then simultaneously humbles me when I realize what value He must place on my soul, is anything that illustrates the…
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century revivalist, sat down at age 17 and penned 21 resolutions by which he would live his life. Each week he did a self-check. He regularly summed up how he was doing and sought God’s help in the process.
Farewell, Pastor Martin
Today is Pastor Martin Pakula’s final Sunday service as Interim Pastor of Hills Bible Church. Martin has been with us since June 2011, and has served the congregation at Hills faithfully week in and week out. It is a sad day, as we have grown in fellowship and friendship with Martin and Jennie. Martin’s clear and accurate expositional preaching has been provoking,…
BEHAVIOURAL CHANGE – be careful who you point your finger at
Our Pastor has made it a high priority that we actively pursue and create opportunities to tell others about Jesus. He has taken the focus off us and redirected it to the proclamation of the good news about Jesus to those not now part of our church – to friends, working colleagues, neighbours, and…
Investing what God Entrusts to us
© Minerva Studio – Fotolia.com Recently our bible study group studied the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30). A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. To the first he entrusted five talents (a Jewish measure of…
Stop – Listen – Examine
The following post is the first of three related posts written by Stu. All three will run consecutively for two days each. Please be sure to read all three. © Rui Vale de Sousa – Fotolia.com “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realise this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to…