I’m not a theologian. I have no wish to be a theologian. It seems to me that theology has the same relationship to God that studying cook books has to eating. And if you could see me you’d know I prefer eating. So it is with considerable bravado and ignorance that I enter the hoary old debate on faith versus works. In my last blog entry I suggested that all Christians, even saints, fall short [...]

In February a group in the Waikato took part in an experience called Survivor Poverty. The aim was to gain some empathy for those TEAR Fund works alongside. They raised over $1100 for TEAR Fund to use to assist those who need it most. The following was written by Nikki ten Hove, one of the Survivors. Nikki offers her reflections on the experience. Survivor poverty is like a slap in the face. Do it. It [...]

Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself. Don’t be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products [...]

The other day my wife and I were taking our little girl for a walk up to our local dairy. We were going there to treat her to an iceblock. She’s two and a half years old so everything is still a big deal for her. I came to a realization that is probably self apparent to most parents, but was an epiphany for me.

Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and the Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone [...]

Tens of thousands of people, trapped in ‘safe zones’ in the north eastern Wanni region are at increased risk from the escalation in attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Amnesty International said today. via ReliefWeb » Document » Sri Lanka: Thousands of civilians under attack as fighting intensifies. TEAR Fund’s Easter Focus this year is the situation in Sri Lanka. Our partner in the area is the [...]

In this Podcast we talk to Steve Bradbury, former head of TEAR Aus and a man recognised for his educational work around global development. Steve is also significant in furthering the work of the Micah Challenge. If you wish to subscribe to the Podcast – click here.

Within Christianity there is a sacrament that acts as an amazing unifier. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist, Communion etc) works to unite us with God and with the wider body of Christ – the Church – both past, present and future. The Westminster Confession of Faith says this about the Lord’s Supper:

I finally got round to putting together the comment policy for this site. It has been on my “to-do list” for a while. It is adapted from my old personal blog. It is available for viewing in the ”Comment Policy” page at the top of the blog, but for the sake of introduction here it is:

TEAR Fund now has a Podcast. The Podcast is called up:link and is an audio feature you can get each week that includes interviews with guests involved in development and advocacy around the world. It also offers comment on issues around the globe and covers themes such as development amongst poor communities, justice, advocacy, campaigning for the voiceless, spirituality where it is related to poverty and caring for the poor, activism and many other things [...]