Insight
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Tragedy at Atoifi: 10 years on
I was deeply moved reading Jean Gersbach’s reflections in the [June 15] edition of the RECORD. In fact I must confess to a few tears. -
Grace . . . again
You may remember that a recent Insight column dealt with the need for all of us to be gracious to one another and others. -
Heading in the right direction
For the Seventh-day Adventist Christian, both the journey and the destination are of the greatest importance. -
Grace is only grace when it’s gracious
Do not talk about grace if you do not intend to be gracious. -
An organised church
2013 is the 150th anniversary of the formal organisation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. -
Thoughts on a plane
As I write I am travelling by plane between Brisbane and Sydney. -
Transaction that seals the deal
We know that Easter is not observed on the dates of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. But on this Sabbath, I am going to reflect on what He has done for us anyway. -
Neighbours
No, I am not going to talk about a long-running popular soap opera on Australian television. Instead I want to talk about something that is even longer running. After all it was Jesus Himself who called upon us to “love our neighbours” as we love ourselve -
Therefore . . .
The other day I was once again reading the gospel commission in Matthew 28. As I have so many times, I was contemplating Jesus’ directive to His disciples to go and make disciples among all the peoples of the earth. -
Really surprised
A teenager was attending a special Sabbath afternoon service at a conference camp meeting. A pastor was being ordained. He was the youth director of the conference. Both he and his wife were much loved and respected by everyone. -
The challenge of changing the world
Those who had the privilege of attending the World Changers Youth Congress in Brisbane have enjoyed one of the most revitalising, vision-casting events that we have ever conducted in the South Pacific Division. -
A new year
This year our Church globally will commence an unprecedented effort to reach the major cities of the world with the Gospel. -
Looking forward and looking back
I was looking through the final RECORD for the year (then the Australasian Union Record) published in 1912—100 years ago. A poem by an R L Johnson caught my eye on page 5. -
Shores of Galilee
Recently it was my special privilege to wake up in the early morning and wander along the shores of the Sea of Galilee close to the remains of Capernaum. -
Young people changing the world
You know how it is? Sometimes you feel so proud of something you feel like the buttons on your shirt could actually pop off your chest! -
Parable of a donkey
One evening a donkey was boasting to his fellow donkeys about the events of the day. -
Why witness?
Some years ago my wife and I were asked by a conference to conduct evangelistic programs in a provincial town. I well remember the senior elder approaching me soon after we arrived. -
A whole person . . . a disciple?
I have just returned to our Wahroonga office after chairing an important meeting of the governing council of Pacific Adventist University (PAU) in Papua New Guinea. -
Strength of the church
I am at Camp Howqua in Victoria. It’s early and still dark. I can see a few kangaroos feeding in the mist down by the river. -
Discipleship
The Christian life is about discipleship. A disciple is a follower. A Christian disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ. -
By this shall all people know
Some years ago I came across research which emphasised that the single most significant factor determining if young people remained in connection with the Church was the quality of the relationships they had with significant mentors and role models in the -
God put my wrong on Him and His right on me
One of my favourite Bible passages is found in 1 Corinthians 5:14-21. The Gospel is simple. It goes like this ... -
Religious liberty
As I write a very small group of us are representing the South Pacific Division at the Seventh World Congress for International Religious Freedom. -
Questions on sexual standards
Recently, a number of people have asked me about the position of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. These are good questions, and ones to which our Church has dedicated substantial prayer and thought. -
Revived by His Word
Can I ask you a simple question? When did you last open your Bible and just read? -
Bonjour!
J envoie mes salutations speciales a tous mes frères et soeurs dans nos pays francophones. Et je prie notre Dieu de continuer a etre avec vous et de vous donner sa paix et sa sagesse. -
Women in leadership
Erna Johnson is the director of Adventist Women’s Ministries for the South Pacific Division. She is s especially concerned about abuse both inside and outside the Church. “Seeing and hearing about abused women within our churches both saddens and angers m -
Women in leadership positions
Dr Tracie Mafileo is deputy vice-chancellor of Pacific Adventist University, located near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. -
Pacific leaders come together
From time to time I hear comments about the amount of time church leaders spend in meetings.