Who Am I Listening too? - Paul Downie

This week Paul extracts out the crushing event shortly after Jesus’ arrest, Jesus predicts Peter’s thrice denial to Peters face. Three times when queried over having associated with Jesus, Peter can’t but help being under pressure shortly after Jesus’ arrest and sarcomas as Jesus calls out a truth that Peter must face.

Peter was the one disciple who wore his heart on his sleeve, but the substance of his faith was soon put to the test and to his own anguish, his heart drops when he realises his courage was nowhere to be found when it counted. However, Jesus knew Peter’s true heart and that he would be gathered up to become one of the most powerful advancers of the Gospel the world had ever known.

Is it a lack of courage that can cause us to “follow at a distance”? Was Peter hearing some of the negative things being said that slowed his faith and hastened his doubts? Here in this day who do we handle the negativity of how people would perceive the church? Can we be like Peter and gather ourselves together and go on to be a mighty light for the Gospel? Please consider these things…

Recorded 01/01/23

Is Christmas Just Another Day? - Paul Downie

As most age old traditions weary from the “Same ‘ol, Same ‘ol” the events surround the birth of the Christ Child have been slowly replaced by other traditions like: The mad rush to buy presents and organise get togethers, watch the cricket, fire up the roast or BBQ, give the car it’s annual cleanup and do a road trip, and play the same ‘ol songs over and over and over and over an… You get the point, right?

So, is Christmas just another day tagged as the “Silly Season”? What could be done to get back to basics, or are the basics too dull in this fast paced world that craves some excitement at every turn? Maybe we are growing tired from OUR traditions. Are our traditions becoming like the world? Maybe.

recorded 25/12/22

Why Shepherds? - Paul Downie

Back in the day most Shepherds may have been loners and somewhat isolated from the “norms” of society. But they were faithful and were always tending to the wellbeing of their flock. How did these people fit in if they sought to go to the synagogue? Was there a dress code, a mind your language sign or did they need to have a social credit score that would silence those dissenting looks and comments that shunned them to the outer regions?

Join us as Paul addresses some of the social cracks of the church when confronted with todays version of the “Shepherds” who are the loners and somewhat isolated from the “norms” of society out there. What can we do for their needs? Are we really willing to go and do that which is beyond our comfort zone?

“Come and see.”

Recorded 11/12/22