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Encounter culture

Encounter culture

In preparing for an upcoming youth conference, I have had many discussions, watched many videos and listened to many sermons, and have arrived at the same conclusion as many others in my circle of friends: in every sphere of life the culture is rapidly changing and just having a different opinion from the majority labels you as judgemental, backward or even hateful..

  • It's weird what you turn to

    What are the things that anyone one of us turn to, when weak? Are we a bit partial to a bit of chocolate, or some extra crisps? Are we viewing our next bottle of red as a challenge to be done in one evening? I must confess that for me, the escape comes in the shape of television.

  • Divine memories

    \"What\'s your favourite memory of Jesus?\" This was a question that was posed to me a few months ago. We were driving back from a day trip up north and my friend broke the silence of our road trip with this question.

  • Becoming like Christ and contemplating the glory of God

    I am a naturally quiet and independent person. I prefer to listen than talk, and to persevere rather than ask for help. In many situations I will put others before myself, and will resist others doing the same to me.

  • How heroes are made

    What would it look like to live as though Jesus could return at any moment? What would it look like to live a life fully surrendered to him withholding nothing? What would our world look like if Jesus was Lord and King over all?

  • I will rebuild your walls… the power of God's restoration

    A few weeks ago during a time of worship at church the Lord showed me a picture of a broken ceramic bowl that had large fractures and small thin cracks. A bowl that was so broken that it was barely holding together.

  • The waiting game

    \"Waiting\" conjures pictures of a damp grey station with tired and gloomy passengers hovering in limbo. \"Waiting\" awakens drab memories of a doctor\'s lounge with broken toys, brown curtains and dusty magazines that were old news in Abraham\'s day.

  • Why translate worship music?

    Have you ever heard the term \'melting pot\'? It basically refers to a situation where you have lots of different types of people thrown in together, and they start to share and take on aspects of each other\'s identity.

  • News-casts: a terror attack slated for New York 27 Oct–5 Nov

    How seriously can we take such news-casts (Television News, News Radio, On-Line News, News Print) – a major terror attack surrounding the US election.

  • Spiritual training—just do it!

    My friend is a cycling enthusiast. Every day, she rides her bike down to the University for a hard day of studying then cycles back home, rain, hail or shine. There are some serious slogs on this particular route, not that I\'ve ever ridden it; it tires me out just thinking about doing it just once, let alone every day.

  • The new economy

    Whatever part of the world you live in, whatever system you may be involved in or whatever your interests in life may be, the economy is a central part of everything you do.

  • I'll miss you Star Wars

    The release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens was a bittersweet moment for me. As a child I watched the movies and my motivation to read was encouraged by two worlds, Brian Jacques\' Redwall and Star Wars.