Opinions

What do you think about Christianity and Christian life? What do others think?

New planets
Did you know that European astronomers have found 32 new planets outside our solar system?
Subconscious
How motivated are you to clean up when you catch a whiff of cleaning fluid?
A spirit of mission
This is a Godgiven task, one in which we all share and contribute.
Names
What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Game plan
Families have to be more intentional about discipling their children.
Fear
Imagine standing at the open doorway of an aeroplane 14,000 feet in the air.
Tweed Valley College in Fiji
I was in Fiji when Tweed Valley College and Kempsey Adventist School visited.
Grasshoppers
When you're standing out in the open under billions of twinkling stars, do you feel as small and insignificant as a grasshopper?
The will to seek His will
Often there are no immediate answers and our faith is challenged.
The four-year itch
"Calling season" has started-and your pastor is up for grabs.
No expectations
Francine Bell speaks about expectations.
Space travel
For those of us lucky enough to witness Neil Armstrong become the first man to walk on the moon in July 1969, this event has certainly been one of the most memorable in our lifetime.
Faith
If you're familiar with the Bible, you might be thinking of the verse in Hebrews 11 that says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see".
Social networking: friend or foe?
People have lost their job as a direct result of posting on social networking sites.
Healing
"If I just touched his clothes, I will be healed." Those were the words of a woman, an "unclean" outcast with an incurable disease that had caused her to bleed for 12 years.
Touching Jesus
In recent times, questions have been raised concerning the viability of Adventist education and whether investment in our schools continues to be justified.
Are you personality positive?
The only real difference between optimists and pessimists is how they deal with failure.
Lucky or blessed?
Are you lucky or blessed?
Wedding vows
Francine Bell asks if you read the article in the weekend newspaper about couples abandoning the "till death do us part" clause in their wedding vows?
Peace
Remaining still in nature gives me perspective.
Ragiampun school
Here I stood with 42 years of experience, with some resources, with the good will of hundreds of able teachers in the home unions behind me, and with an aching heart.
Celebrities
Aveline Hernandez talks about celebrities.
Joy
As members of the kingdom of God, joy is the native land to which we return.
Celebrity deaths
Francine reflects that June 25, 2009 will be a date that will long be remembered as an historic day in popular culture.
Swine flu
Francine Bell asks... are you worried about the swine flu pandemic?
Susan Boyle Pt2
Remember Susan Boyle, the lady from "Britain's Got Talent", well she made it to the finals, but came in second to a dance group. She suffered such a breakdown that she had to be admitted to a clinic.
The weather
Francine Bell asks how the weather is where you are?
Education leaders in the South Pacific
This week I cannot help recording a few impressions of my last 12 days of my "work".
Vegetarian day
Last month, Time Magazine Online revealed that, in a bid to combat climate change, the mayor of Ghent has declared every Thursday "Veggie Day".
On the field of battle
David's focus was on the invisible God-not the visible Goliath.
Shopaholics anonymous
For many of us living in the Western world, shopping isn't so much done with a "need to have" reason, but spurred more by the emotional reaction of "ooh, that looks nice."
Someone is always watching
Whether we are mindful of it or not, someone is always watching, forming opinions of who we are based mainly on our behaviour and interactions with them.
Offense
Francine Bell considers what it takes to become "unoffendable".
Romantic relationships
As the number of people who claim no religious affiliation increases, the opportunity to find a partner has somewhat decreased.
Project Wednesday
I don't have all my answers yet but it has been good for my spiritual journey.
We need this recession
Hardships and hard times are a precious gift.
Humility
It seems there are too many negatives that come with the concept of humility.
Susan Boyle
Good things do come in unexpected packages.
Knowing
The future is all about knowing, and when you know the future, what do you do with the information?
A "still, small voice" in action
I know the pain I feel; how much more must God feel?
Contagious fraud
Is fraud contagious?
The resurgence of the humble story
The resurgence of the humble story, if embraced by the church will make a difference.
The Lewis Centre
Interesting ideas include the concept that homework is not required because time at home should be quality family and leisure time.
Gender divide
Have you ever felt slighted because of your gender?

Laughter clubs
In 1995, Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor from Mumbai, India discovered an overwhelming body of scientific literature about the amazing health benefits of laughter.
Why I believe in starting new churches
I believe that is what God wants in order to renew the Adventist movement, create significant lives and transform communities.
Easy or hard
I doubt Jesus would have spent so much energy talking about loving the hard to love if it weren't important to Him.

School shootings
Francine Bell reflects on the two American students who walked into their high school ten years ago to embark on a shooting spree now known as the Columbine High School massacre.
Fresh air blows
In the world of political PR and spin, no matter its colour, truth is often a casualty.
Spirituality and health
Francine discusses the relevance of spirituality in health care.
Through the fire
I believe God understands our suffering and He suffers with us.
Barbie
Barbie, the world's most-sold doll and inspiration for little girls and fashion designers alike, turns 50 this year.

Roll increases of 50% and Brother Yun
Ken Weslake talks about his recent trip to Papua New Guinea.
For the sake of our youth
We are seeing the rise of this "army of youth" the prophet wished for.
SNZ campaign reflection
Two years of planning, praying and preparing for a major evangelistic effort in Christchurch, New Zealand saw its "first fruits" on Wednesday evening the February 25, 2009.
Radical Baptists
Historian Arthur Patrick unpicks one of the rich strands of Christian history...more
Lake Eyre
Francine Bell observes how when Lake Eyre starts filling up, it becomes a reminder that God hasn't forsaken us...more
Aussie bushfires
Francine Bell contemplates why bad things happen to good people...more
Seasons
We are a country that is hurting and it's our time to show love to the people who need some hope in their lives...more
A month of prayer
Today as an older person, I realise that prayers aren't always answered the way we want them to be, or at the time we want them answered...more
I secretly observed the Sabbath
As I continued alone, I discovered many Bible truths that led me to start keeping the Bible Sabbath...more
Children today
I am thankful for the upbringing I received...more

Geoscience conference
Barry Hill talks about a recent faith and science conference he attended...more

Gaza strip
Was it Israel, or Palestine that started it...more
Families really matter
God designed families so all of us could experience acceptance and learn to give and receive love...more
Black History Month
Francine Bell examines racism and asks whether you have ever stereotyped someone simply because of their race...more

The depth of hope
While I hope fashionable social concern for justice can bring positive results and be an entry point for many who will move to deeper commitment, by itself such an impulse struggles to hold up under the overwhelming weight of sorrow, injustice, tragedy and evil in our world...more

A holiday conversation
Ken Weslake reflects on a conversation with a mother during his holidays about dsylexia and learning difficulties in children...more

Responding to the Fijian floods
Francine Bell reflects on the state of emergency in the flood ravaged town of Nadi in Fiji where ten people have been confirmed dead, the government is estimating a bill of $20 million and scores of tourists were unable to return home...more

Storing up treasure
InFocus researcher Kent Kingston asks is there such a thing as a sure-fire investment anymore?...more

Christian behaviour
I once overheard somebody remark, "I'm amazed by people who talk about God's word but have never behaved Christianly to me"...Christians are a group of people who are constantly under scrutiny...more

Our neo-Amish story
It has a more immediate impact on how we do what we do...more

A glimmer of beauty in Zimbabwe
A story of compassion and generosity set in the midst of the legacy that Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe is leaving behind. The people are suffering from the inability to obtain access to clean water. But then a glimmer of beauty...more

Charles Pointon: what a life
Guest commentator Brenton Stacey reflects of the death of a 90 year old friend after a car hit him while he crossed a road on his electric scooter...more