Pastor's Desk
Hills and Valleys
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34:4,NIV) Valleys are incredible things because they are naturally part of the terrain of most environments. I mean if you have done any amount of driving from Perth to let’s say Brookton, there are many high hills and many low dips along the way. And this is life in a way right? We are on a journey from A (birth) to B (death) and along the way there are going to be some incredible mountain type highs with some equally opposite shocking lows. Read more
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34:4,NIV) Valleys are incredible things because they are naturally part of the terrain of most environments. I mean if you have done any amount of driving from Perth to let’s say Brookton, there are many high hills and many low dips along the way. And this is life in a way right? We are on a journey from A (birth) to B (death) and along the way there are going to be some incredible mountain type highs with some equally opposite shocking lows. Read more
Olive Trees
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Read more
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Read more
Eat the Word
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” (Jer 15:16, NIV) You would have to have your head buried in the sand to not notice that our world is in a very complex and divided place at the moment. Now I have to admit that I’ve never really been interested in world news, but as a Christian, I can’t help but keep my ears open to the world around me because it helps me to understand how the gospel might be applied to the world’s biggest questions and fears. Read more
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.” (Jer 15:16, NIV) You would have to have your head buried in the sand to not notice that our world is in a very complex and divided place at the moment. Now I have to admit that I’ve never really been interested in world news, but as a Christian, I can’t help but keep my ears open to the world around me because it helps me to understand how the gospel might be applied to the world’s biggest questions and fears. Read more
Hang in there
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Ps 92:12-15, NIV) There is something about the future that for many people can bring a sense of anxiety and I think that’s the case because the future is somewhat mysterious. Read more
“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Ps 92:12-15, NIV) There is something about the future that for many people can bring a sense of anxiety and I think that’s the case because the future is somewhat mysterious. Read more
One to One
“…they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (Acts 18:26c, NIV) So for the past few weeks, we have been exploring different methods of reading the Bible, either individually or in a group setting. We have been thinking about these things as a church because it is important for every disciple of Jesus to be fed on the words of God (Deut 8:3,1 Pet 2:2) so that we, by the Holy Spirit, can strive together in the one faith, encouraging one another as we see the day approaching (Phil 1:27-28, Heb 10:25). Read more
“…they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (Acts 18:26c, NIV) So for the past few weeks, we have been exploring different methods of reading the Bible, either individually or in a group setting. We have been thinking about these things as a church because it is important for every disciple of Jesus to be fed on the words of God (Deut 8:3,1 Pet 2:2) so that we, by the Holy Spirit, can strive together in the one faith, encouraging one another as we see the day approaching (Phil 1:27-28, Heb 10:25). Read more
Where we are at
It has been an incredible season of change and growth in the last 8 months. We have changed our name from CrossWords to Grace Christian Church, Armadale (in a unanimous vote) to better clearly express to the wider community what we are all about and that is that we are a community that holds to the doctrines of grace and that people are welcome to come to us as they are, but not to stay as they are, as the gospel changes us all and this is all by God’s grace alone (Eph 2:8-9). Read more
It has been an incredible season of change and growth in the last 8 months. We have changed our name from CrossWords to Grace Christian Church, Armadale (in a unanimous vote) to better clearly express to the wider community what we are all about and that is that we are a community that holds to the doctrines of grace and that people are welcome to come to us as they are, but not to stay as they are, as the gospel changes us all and this is all by God’s grace alone (Eph 2:8-9). Read more
REAP Method
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21, NIV) For the past couple of weeks we have been looking at some different techniques in how to read the Bible, not only for yourself but in the hope that when you get together with others, in either a group setting or just one on one, you will be equipped to open your Bible and read through the text in a way that will help you have meaningful discussion, some thoughts on application and prayer points. Read more
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21, NIV) For the past couple of weeks we have been looking at some different techniques in how to read the Bible, not only for yourself but in the hope that when you get together with others, in either a group setting or just one on one, you will be equipped to open your Bible and read through the text in a way that will help you have meaningful discussion, some thoughts on application and prayer points. Read more
The Swedish Method
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17, NLT) As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I wanted to give some great methods that I have found to be really helpful in figuring out how to make my bible reading, not only beneficial, but applicable to my every day life. Read more
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17, NLT) As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I wanted to give some great methods that I have found to be really helpful in figuring out how to make my bible reading, not only beneficial, but applicable to my every day life. Read more
The COMA Method
“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deut 6:6-7, NIV) Speaking the very words of God to other people has always been prevalent in the bible and believe it or not we are all commanded to do it in one way or another. Read more
“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deut 6:6-7, NIV) Speaking the very words of God to other people has always been prevalent in the bible and believe it or not we are all commanded to do it in one way or another. Read more
Prayer and Fasting
“But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Mark 2:20, NLT) It was just a few weeks ago that we started meeting together in our connect groups and I have been so encouraged to hear about the great discussions, deep thinking and times of prayer that have been happening during the week amongst those involved (and if you are still wanting to join a connect group, then please look at the connect information provided and get in contact with the leader to find out times and places etc…). Read more
“But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Mark 2:20, NLT) It was just a few weeks ago that we started meeting together in our connect groups and I have been so encouraged to hear about the great discussions, deep thinking and times of prayer that have been happening during the week amongst those involved (and if you are still wanting to join a connect group, then please look at the connect information provided and get in contact with the leader to find out times and places etc…). Read more