Let’s pick up where we left off. After Resurrection Sunday—where we remembered Jesus’ sacrifice and celebrated His victory—we now find ourselves in John 21, the final chapter of John’s Gospel.

The disciples, unsure of what to do next, return to fishing. After a long, unsuccessful night, Jesus appears on the shore (though they don’t recognise Him at first) and tells them to cast their nets again, leading to a miraculous catch. It mirrors the moment when He first called them—but this time, they respond differently. They recognise His voice, and Peter rushes to Him. It’s a reminder that Jesus meets us where we are and gently calls us forward.

We also see growth in the disciples. The first time, their nets broke under the weight of the miracle—but now, they hold. They’re ready. It’s a picture of how God develops us over time, often revisiting lessons until we grow.

Finally, Jesus restores Peter after his denial, asking him three times, “Do you love me?” This isn’t about shame—it’s about restoration and calling. Peter isn’t disqualified, and neither are we. When we turn back and reconnect with Jesus, He restores us and leads us forward.

Jesus is still our Shepherd—guiding, growing, and caring for us every step of the way.

Bless ya Church!

Dave

Last week I watched Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It’s about man creating a man. The story shows that man is a terrible creator. He does not create Frankenstein with unconditional love but with ego.

When the creature doesn’t meet expectations, he’s abandoned and left in loneliness. The story raises questions about what it means to be human and highlights the responsibility creators have toward what they create.

It’s a great reminder that God created man and did not abandon him. Even when we rejected our creator, God pursues us. He did not create us for his own ego but for relationship. 

Luke 10:25-37 involves a conversation between Jesus and a religious person. 

It explains God’s command to love at personal expense. 

This command was at the heart of Jesus' own teaching. It’s the simple gospel. Love God - love people. This is the goal of the follower of Jesus but it’s a goal we have constantly failed because of sin.

This is why the gospel is good news. Jesus came to overcome sin and teach us how to love. 

Following Jesus is a heart thing. It’s a decision you make to place him on the throne of your heart. The leader of your life. This position will alter the entire way you live and invites the Holy Spirit to transform you from the inside out. 

True change in a human heart is real change in the world. This is the new humanity. 

If we love, we will feed the hungry

If we love, we will help the poor

If we love, we won’t kill or murder

If we love, we won’t steal

If we love, we will be generous

If we love, we will forgive

We can only love like this when we receive God’s abundant love for us. 

So today - when you say yes to Jesus and  live according to this love, you become part of the NEW HUMANITY.

Now that’s good news worth sharing!!!! 

Sez

My hope is that as we read through Matthew 27–28, you were encouraged and a little challenged,  as we focused on the time between the crucifixion and resurrection—“ Black Saturday.”

We see two responses to Jesus. 

Those who didn’t believe, who were still fearful and unsettled, even taking steps to secure the tomb. It shows that many people then and now wrestle with the question: What if Jesus really is who He said He is? 

On the other hand, the disciples—despite walking closely with Jesus—were afraid and unsure. Even after all they had seen, they struggled in the waiting. This reflects our own “Saturday” seasons, where God can feel distant, yet we know Jesus does not change, only our trust and faith in Him does. 

Then comes Sunday—Jesus rises, just as He promised. Hope is restored, faith is renewed, and we’re reminded that even without seeing, we are blessed when we have faith in HIM.

Let this encourage us to trust Him, especially in the waiting, and to hold onto faith in every season.

Bless yas

Dave

Good Friday reflection, How do you respond to Jesus and the cross.

The Joy of a Peaceful Mind. 

In my early 20s, I anchored my life in Philippians 4 which is a blueprint for a sound mind. I didn’t just read it; I let it shape how I think. Over time, I saw the truth of The Bible come alive. God’s Word is living and active, like a double-edged sword. Not harmful, but healing. Like a surgeon’s knife, it cuts away what doesn’t belong so clarity, peace, and truth can take root.

Philippians is a letter of joy, and chapter 4 reveals the pathway to peace. On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem as King, with people declaring peace yet surrounded by uncertainty. It mirrors our own lives. There is always something to worry about, but worry keeps us stuck in a mental loop trying to control the uncontrollable. 

Instead, we’re invited into something better.

It’s about seeing life from Gods perspective which produces joy. A mind that knows this truth will be in peace. 

Follow the instructions in Philippians 4: 6-9. Talk to God honestly, thank Him intentionally, and fix our thoughts on what is true. Our minds are often crowded with fear, comparison, and noise, but truth anchors us. Emotions may go up and down, but truth remains steadfast.

When we choose It’s possible to feel sadness and still carry joy. As Hebrews reminds us, Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” Seeing life from God’s perspective transforms our minds and a mind grounded in truth becomes a mind at peace.

So if you are struggling with worry today - choose surrender. You don’t need to be in control. Do what you can and hand it over to God. 

He is so trustworthy. 
Sez 

How good has it been going through the letters written by Paul to the Philippians?  This last Sunday was chapter 3. 
I love how God’s word teaches us about His character and about ourselves at the same time. The two main points from Sunday were found in verse 8 and verse 12. 
Verse 8 
ALL things are rubbish (dung, poop) outside of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Paul had many reasons to boast, from who he was, to his standing in the community and even his adherence to religious expectations, but he counted it all loss, as garbage, compared to what it means to have Jesus as Lord and Saviour. I want to ask you what gets in your way? What has higher priority in your life than Jesus? Because that is what is ruling your life instead of Him. I used a basic example of an app that I thought had value in my life, but when confronted with the choice between it and Jesus - after some strong discussion, I yielded to Jesus. For you, it could be work, finance, family, gaming, hobbies, sport, friends - yep, i had a slide for this but forgot to reference it - these are not necessarily bad things, but are they in the place of Jesus in your life? 
Verse 12
Jesus has laid hold of each of us for a purpose. What is yours? We each have the same reasons,  the same as Paul - to be made new, to be made into His image, to be His witnesses, to help others to conversion, to join in His suffering, and thereby His resurrection.  But how that is outworked might be specific to you. Lay hold of that. Jesus has laid hold of you! Which is not a touch footy term, it is a grab and tackle to the ground action, there is no question about it. 
Love you church 
Ps Ally 

First of all what an inspiration the church in Philippi is! It was small—around 75–100 believers—but it was growing despite strong persecution. Paul writes this letter while in prison, yet his message is full of joy and encouragement because the mission of Jesus was still moving forward. 

In Philippians 2:1–4 Paul gives a powerful picture of Christian community. If we are truly united with Christ, we should be marked by encouragement, love, compassion, and humility—valuing others above ourselves and looking out for their interests, not just our own.

Unity like this doesn’t happen automatically. It grows through humility, sacrifice, and serving together for the sake of the Gospel.

It’s a powerful reminder that following Jesus isn’t about serving ourselves, but about loving and serving others as Christ did.

Homework for the week:
Spend some time soaking in Philippians 2:1–4. Read it slowly, reflect on it, and ask God to shape your heart through it.

As we lean into Him, humility, kindness, and unity will grow—and our lives will begin to shine in a world that often focuses only on self.

Thanks for being part of this journey together.
Dave

Citizens of Another Kingdom
In a world where identity is often tied to nationality, status, and security, Paul writes to believers in Philippi with a startling reminder: their truest citizenship is in heaven. Philippi was a proud Roman colony. Roman citizenship meant protection, privilege, and belonging. It shaped how people saw themselves and how they behaved.
Yet from a Roman prison cell, Paul calls the church to live as citizens of another kingdom.
This wasn’t poetic language. It was a shift in allegiance.
Heavenly citizenship reshapes everything. It reshapes our relationships — we see others not as competitors or inconveniences, but as partners in the gospel. It reshapes our circumstances — even hardship can serve God’s purposes. It reshapes our identity — “For to me, to live is Christ.” When Christ defines us, we are no longer controlled by success or threatened by loss. And it reshapes our conduct — our lives begin to visibly reflect the values of our true King.
Citizens live differently because they belong somewhere.
The question Philippians invites us to consider is simple: what kingdom shapes your instincts? What governs your reactions, your ambitions, your loyalties?
When Christ becomes our life, everything else finds its proper place. Our security rests not in temporary passports or shifting circumstances, but in the unshakeable kingdom of God.
Today, live aware of where you truly belong.
What would change in your life this week if you consciously lived as a citizen of heaven?

Holiness begins here: in the renewal of the heart.

To be holy isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be set apart. 

It looks a lot like repentance. Turning away from our behaviour into our true identity - a child of God. We are called to be holy. 

It’s living with a heart that values what God values—a heart that fears breaking His. Holiness looks like integrity, truth, and a radical love that overflows toward others. 

Holiness costs us selfishness but gives us freedom.

Have you been feeling challenged by recent world events? Are you like me, and feeling the squeeze of the slipping moral/ethical values in our world and wonder, what's going to be next?
It also seems that revival is stirring around the world, with university campuses having open worship before starting the academic year. Salvations and baptisms around Australia and other places are increasing....
If we read the unfolding events of Gideon in Judges 7... and then look back at the lead-up to these events in Judges 6, we see that God had a plan to rescue His people. He needed people to hear and respond to the plan. This plan was impossible for man to do, and totally reliant on God to move. An amazing victory occurred at the end. 
I'm prompted to believe that while things may be growing dark in the world around us, God has a plan for our ultimate well-being. It might get uncomfortable in the meantime.... but God's goodness and His plan will have an amazing ending. 
Let's lean in to listen, do what He asks, pray for our families, communities, and the world, encourage each other... and trust the promises in His word - that His plan ends better than we could imagine.