An online resource to help create a regular time of prayer and its adoption as a regular routine. "Prayer is simply the medium through which we communicate and commune with God. The practice of prayer is learning to set aside dedicated time to intentionally be with God, in order to become like him and partner […]

"Anna Grummitt eats pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, ponders the recent comeback of Lent, and considers what these 40 days are all about." https://www.publicchristianity.org/lent-lifehack-or-something-more/ Image : Photo by Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash

Read or listen to Tony Payne's piece on the challenges of proclaiming faith in a world that appears to restrain freedom of speech. "Perhaps the reason that Western Christians today lament their lack of access to or influence within the ‘public square’ is that once, within our race memory, we were among the powerful who […]

It is important to recognise that life will bring us times of lament. We can stand with others through such experiences in a world where emotions are often felt but not easily expressed. "Avoiding lament contributes to a culture that doesn’t know what to do with grief, pain, and loss—all painful realities that will be […]

Presenter and author Sheridan Voysey speaks of longing and disappointment, but suggests that may be part of a reorientation of our plans. ""There’s a wonderful proverb: Hope deferred makes the heart sick. And gosh, we now know that when that hope is deferred and deferred and deferred, and another month and another month and another […]

The authors note the changes that the global pandemic has brought to the workplace, and observe that hybrid working environments have created challenges for employee culture, career paths, mentoring and general wellbeing. From their research they bring useful pointers to help orientate organizations to new demographics and workplace relationships. "How should leaders relate to, and […]

How will church adapt as society encompasses technological advances such as artificial intelligence? "A new app that lets you chat with as many as 20,000 notable people from the past is the latest AI offering to come out of the tech sphere. From legendary American baseball player Babe Ruth to US President Abraham Lincoln, Historical […]

A thoughtful and helpful reflection on celibacy. "If we are to live lives of celibacy, does that mean our sexuality is now playing no active role in our lives? Are people like me wasting our sexuality by not giving expression to our sexual desires? If so, it seems odd that this vital aspect of our […]

A thought provoking piece considering a technological development that affects us all... "The world of AI is here, and vistas of immense and exciting possibility lie before us. That much is certain.  But I must admit, my initial amazement at first encountering ChatGPT quickly gave way to unease and a sense that something essential could […]

An honest but encouraging and helpful discussion about the challenges of ministry work and relationships with others... Image: Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash

At the age of 22 Alex Gaffikin worked for 2 years in Antarctica as a meteorologist. In this discussion she reveals how she faced the loneliness of relentless darkness, and in the process learnt to lean on God, who meets us wherever we are. "“I had really started to doubt everything,” she recalls. “I was […]

From Dr. Timothy Keller's series: "Practicing The Christian Life", this sermon looks at Psalm 1:1-6, which is the introduction to the Psalter, the prayer book of the Bible. "Psalm 1 says that meditating on the Scripture is what will bring blessedness—absolute well-being. The magnitude of that claim, and in some ways the simplicity of the […]

Get your notebook ready and settle comfortably to watch this engaging discussion on many aspects of prayer. Rich with biblical references, the group reflects on the practice of prayer; encountering the presence of God in ordinary life; how vital prayer is to their daily routine, and how they have learnt to adapt their prayers to […]

Tim Keller encourages us towards regular prayer with our God, the Almighty One who holds all in his hands. "Keller, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in May 2020, said that despite the pain and fear associated with cancer, he and his wife, Kathy, “would never want to go back to the kind […]

Book Titles Don Carson, Praying With Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Baker Academic, 2015. Tim Chester, The Message of Prayer: Approaching the Throne of Grace, (The Bible Speaks Today Bible Theme Series), ‎ IVP, 2003. Tim Chester, You Can Pray: Finding Grace to Pray Every Day, ‎ P & R Publishing, 2014. John Calvin, […]

Pastor and author Tim Challies provides a helpful set of criteria for examining doctrine (belief or set of beliefs). "The task of the Christian is to evaluate every doctrine to declare it fit or unfit. John Stott says it characteristically well: “Christian doctrine is healthy in the same way as the human body is healthy. […]

Pastor, Scott Hubbard, is an editor for Desiring God. Turning to the words and example of Jesus, his article is an encouragement and guide for the times that prayer can seem merely a discipline, reminding us that God invites us to approach him in prayer, to share our cares and lives with him. "Prayer easily becomes […]

Katie Faris, a pastor’s wife and mother of five, is the author of "He Will Be Enough" (TGBC 2022). In this article she points us to the biblical book of Job, whose life abounded with suffering. Faris refers to the questions Job asked of God, which reflect our own human pleas for understanding in times of grief […]

Sam Wan looks at the human need for memory -- how it is particularly poignant at Christmas. He reminds us to reach out to others at Christmas, particularly with the assurance that we are never forgotten by God. "We have all had some experience of isolation over the last few years. But for many of […]

This helpful discussion between Tony Payne and Phillip Jensen reflects on present day attitudes to Christmas. Whilst as Christians we may feel that the gospel is somewhat lost in the commercial overtones of the festive season, the podcast and transcript suggest ways in which the good news of God coming as man to save humanity […]

With the Christmas holiday season fast approaching, this article by renowned theologian and pastor, John Piper, may offer some timely gift suggestions (or requests!)... "Suppose you read about 250 words a minute and that you resolve to devote just 15 minutes a day to serious theological reading to deepen your grasp of biblical truth. In […]

In this encouraging article, Adam Nesmith discusses a helpful guide to spending more, regular time in God's Word, which is taken from “Keep a Quiet Heart” by Elisabeth Elliot (Revell, 2004). "I think we need to distinguish between quiet time and a full on, in-depth Bible study. If you plan on having the latter every morning […]

Churches all over the world are presently celebrating Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year in the church calendar. Mark Earngey looks at the history and biblical beginnings of Advent and encourages us to consider the preparations and prayers Christians can make at this time. "Advent comes from the Latin adventus which means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. […]

Jocelyn Loane shares her thoughts about gift giving at Christmas, which are likely to strike a cord with many of us. However her reflections help us consider further this centuries old tradition, and rather than feeling stressed by the expectations of others and the lure of consumerism, we are given a very positive outlook as […]

Anne Lim reports on the presentation of senior clinical psychologist Gavin Brown, at a recent online mental health summit. "Brown was one of a panel of church leaders, mental health practitioners, lived-experience advisers, and theologians who led over 100 participants from across the country in a conversation about how churches can respond to Australia’s mental […]

In this podcast and short audio transcript, John Piper explains the importance and value of praying from Scripture. He gives a clear explanation of ways to do this using biblical examples. This provides a helpful guide to the practice of praying the Bible. "If we don’t form the habit of praying the Scriptures, our prayers […]

This short article provides a wise reflection for living each day as a Christian. Tim Challies reminds us that in every situation, whether good or bad, God has purpose for us all. "There is no circumstance in which God has nothing for us to do, no situation in which we cannot be faithful to his […]

Faith, Hope and Carnage – Nick Cave and Seán O’Hagan. Text Publishing, 2022 Deakin University's Personal Chair, Literary Studies, Lyn McCredden, reviews this recent acclaimed publication , stating... "Whether you adore or despise Nick Cave, this book offers you a great deal. Far more than the stereotypes of the gothic expatriate, or the drug-loving, post-punk, underground […]

Justine Toh considers those who are opting to keep to themselves at Christmas, away from the familiar traditions of time with family and friends. She concludes that there are blessings that connecting with others will always bring. "It’s easy to see the appeal of Christmas alone or with a select group of people with whom […]

As the season of Advent draws near, Adam Ramsey invites us to slow down amid the consumer frenzy and anticipate the true wonder of Christmas. "As we remember God’s promises fulfilled at Christmas, we are reminded of just how intensely the incarnation of Christ shook the world! The meaning of Christmas goes miles deeper than […]

With Christmas only a few weeks away, it is indeed timely that we remind ourselves of the great opportunity this season brings to invite people to our church services and pray that our conversations might witness to the Lord Jesus. Adam Ramsey suggests that we can turn even Santa into a discussion about the gospel. […]

Four Principles for Reading Well In his helpful article, Joe Rigney, pastor, academic scholar and author, uses a familiar biblical reference to illustrate how we can thoughtfully consider the meaning and significance of written texts. "To do this, we must distinguish between what the author meant by his words and the effects of his words on […]

"Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." John 14: 24 The Christian life is a path of discipleship, founded in our response of love to Jesus' love for us. The Bible clearly states that we should not be lukewarm in our faith […]

The author of this short article encourages a richer personal prayer time with 3 simple suggestions from D. A. Carson's book, "Praying with Paul : a call to spiritual formation". "Scripture moves me to pray every time I read the words of James, where he reminds us that Elijah had the exact nature as you […]

This video highlights the steadfast faith of the long-serving monarch and the certainty she had of life after death, granted to believers in the risen Lord Jesus. In her 2014 Christmas message she said, "For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an […]

All Christians at times find it hard to pray. This can be experienced as an awkwardness as we start out on our journey of faith. For the more mature believer, there can be seasons where one feels more distant from God, as well as the occasions when we wonder about our prayers being answered. In […]

In this podcast, Natasha Moore from the Centre for Public Christianity interviews Professor Sarah Coakley, Anglican minister, theologian and writer. In their discussion about her book, "The New Asceticism: Sexuality, Gender, and the Quest for God " (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2015), Professor Coakley explains, "I see desire as a central human phenomenon … We see desire […]

Simon Smart reflects on the ever growing issue of loneliness. A recent Telstra and YouGov report reveals that 40% of Australians experience isolation. The pandemic certainly brought this to our attention, although it is not a new phenomenon, despite our increasing technological connectivity. It is a concern that loneliness can reduce a person's lifespan by […]

In this thought-provoking article, John Piper reminds us that the Christian path is not necessarily an easy one. Whilst we might try to avoid stress and seek comfort and peace, Piper highlights biblical passages that tell us that stress and danger are normal -- "“through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts […]

A reflection on the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll, noting her example of faith and trust in the almighty God, whose presence reaches down from his heavenly kingdom into his earthly one. "And for one brief day the nation, indeed billions around the world, watched as a Queen, whose every fibre acknowledged that transcendence, was […]

Steven Lee suggests four obstacles to sharing our faith: namely lack of gospel knowledge, apathy, fear and lack of compassion. Thankfully he reminds us that by working together, we can over come such obstacles. The steps recommended include praying together, recalling and applying the Gospel together, ultimately proving the power of the Gospel together. "We […]

Did you know there are two types of happiness? There is instantaneous, in the moment pleasure, and there is also a more meaningful happiness that contributes to fulfilment in life. We look for ways to relieve the tension this causes in many ways. Paul Bloom explains how and why. "Psychologist Paul Bloom can't be the […]

Timothy Keller Sermons: Haman’s Cry of Darkness Suffering is ever present in this world and Christians often question its presence in their own lives. In this podcast Tim Keller explores Psalm 88 and encourages the listener with the teaching it offers. "This message is from the Psalms, which is the prayer book of the Bible. […]

Do you, or people you know, have questions about Christianity? Do you find it hard to ask questions? You are not alone. This seven part podcast series is designed to help. The episodes discuss" Faith and Proof", "Meaning", "Satisfaction", "Identity", "Morality", "Justice" and "Hopefulness". "Questioning Christianity with Tim Keller — for people who are interested […]

In this lively 30 minute podcast from the Centre for Public Christianity, the presenters discuss with psychologist Dr Valerie Ling ways in which we can look after ourselves and others, when feeling jaded and low in spirit. "Feeling a bit blah mid-way through 2022… still?  In 2021, organisational psychologist Adam Grant named that pandemic feeling. […]

We have probably all experienced burnout or know of others who have struggled with such feelings, particularly in the last couple of years and the COVID pandemic. Mark Roberts looks to Psalm 18 to help form prayers for ourselves and others in this situation. "We all face times in our lives, including our work lives, […]

Life can be very topsy-turvy, if not completely overwhelming at times. Yet, despite feeling off balance, as Natasha Moore finds, there can be useful experiences to evaluate, such as recognising that we are all fragile and dependant on others. She shares her perspective here. "Do most of us, post-lockdown, mid-2022, feel a bit like a […]

As a researcher, Meryl Herr is used to asking questions. However in her everyday conversations, questions do not always flow so easily. In this article she suggests how we might initiate really useful life questions with others. "I wonder if we’re all cheating each other by not asking big-enough questions—or at least the questions that […]

Glenn Hohnberg looks to the Book of Proverbs to help us navigate the path of grief with those who are experiencing loss. "'Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,but a good word makes him glad.' (Proverbs 12:25) Those going through grief and loss—for whatever reason—feel anxious. The world feels less stable, less safe. Anxiety […]

The ABC's international affairs analyst, Stan Grant, reflects on the declining numbers of those identifying as Christian in Australia. "While historically the West was founded on Christianity, the modern West was shaped by the break with God. People were sovereign. Liberalism prized the individual above all." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-03/census-religion-christianity-no-religion-god/101201640 Image: rsz_1pexels-rodnae-productions-8675096.jpg

This short video notes how despite today's technology permits greater interaction between people, studies reveal that the numbers of us experiencing anxiety and isolation are rising. A call to look at the Christian message of relationship, as God the Creator intends, reveals how a sense of identity and human flourishing can be restored. https://www.thinkingfaith.asia/big-questions/loneliness-and-anxiety Image: […]

We all know how it feels to be discouraged, and yet we often feel ill-equipped to support others through such experiences. Lindsey Carlson reminds us that the letters of St Paul, the Apostle, can guide us in such ministry. "Discouragement is a key strategy utilized by the enemy to distract, dishearten, and defeat followers of […]

How do we manage the emotional impact of tragic news reports from around the world? How can we help or make a difference? Meredith Van Der Klip offers some useful practical advice to help navigate troubled times. "God says in Zechariah 4:10, “Do not despise the day of small things.” In the face of large-scale tragedy, […]

In the last sixty years or so, the lives of women have embraced many changes. They have gained freedom to make decisions about relationships, family, careers. Considering possibilities and making choices can be overwhelming, particularly if considered in the frame of a current worldview. Kara Martin reminds us that God values all spheres of work, […]

In this final article of her series looking at how those in their twenties view their lives, Jacqueline Isaacs cites the work of clinical psychologist Meg Jay. Jay sees many clients who wonder what they have to show for their twenties. However good support and an understanding of the shift of pace in life at […]

Jacqueline Isaacs continues her series for those in their twenties, who may be experiencing burnout and wondering what happens next. "The idea of climbing a staircase is tiring. We can all relate to how exhausted you feel after climbing a flight of stairs and realizing there is another, and then another. What triggers the quarter-life […]

Written for Christians, this article assists in recognising ways in which discouragement may present in the everyday, not only in failed outcomes, but also in our behaviour. Helpfully, we are reminded where strength and encouragement are to be found. "The truth is, most of us don’t like the look of discouragement. It feels embarrassing. Why? […]

Part of a series of articles for those predominantly in their twenties, this piece describes an aspiring lawyer's experience of burnout. "...I had no idea how to slow down. Busyness functions like an addiction. When you stop, you have to face your thoughts, which terrifies most of us. So to cope you have to keep […]

Charlie Self offers prayerful ways in which the Holy Spirit can help Christians discern where God is leading them. "I may have an opportunity to take a new job and a significant promotion. But it would mean that we (wife, 4 year old, 2 year old, and me) would have to move about 1,000 miles […]

This is a podcast discussion excerpt between Missy Wallace and Brandon J. O'Brien from Redeemer City to City. Christians are encouraged to consider what is meant by the public sphere, and how churches might equip their members to demonstrate Christ in many different realms of work and influence. "The Global Faith & Work Initiative is […]

How do you score on happiness and satisfaction charts? Melbourne Institute's long-running Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey collects data on relationships, work, income, health and education. With results that show declining happiness among Australians, this article notes factors that can contribute to our sense of well-being. "Lisa Williams, a social psychologist […]

John Piper outlines 9 ways we can glorify God at work. "Just home from two weeks in Australia, I am brimming with thankfulness to God for his people there, and for the pleasures of working with them..."  Source: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-glorify-god-at-work

Review by Nathan Campbell Does the idea of telling people about your faith in Jesus make you want to cringe in fear of sounding like a fool? Nathan Campbell is convinced this is the book for you! See his review for yourself and you might have found the antidote to your fear. "The goal is […]