Jun2020
Jesus carried our anxieties to the cross
by Rev John Henderson
Anxiety eats away inside us. At first it might not be obvious, unless we know how to spot the symptoms. Untreated, anxiety wears us down and drains us, until eventually we can no longer keep up the appearance of ‘normal’. Our energy levels drop. Others start to notice and inquire, ‘Are you okay?’
May2020
God will grant us patience and hope
by Rev John Henderson
As the coronavirus pandemic has rolled around the world, it has intrigued me how many passengers and crew on cruise ships became trapped, as successive ports denied them docking. Certainly, these floating pleasure palaces have been very popular over recent years.
Apr2020
God’s love our only security
by Rev John Henderson
Have you ever tried to ‘fix’ something, only to end up having more problems than you started with? It can happen to anyone, whatever we are trying to ‘fix’ – machinery, computers, antiques, cars and even organisations and relationships.
Mar2020
Lyrics humbly lead us to the Lamb
by Rev John Henderson
In the early 1820s, Charlotte Elliott suffered from an illness which left her with a permanent physical disability. She turned to Christ and devoted her life to writing poetry, editing Christian journals and composing about 150 hymns.
Feb2020
Sacrificial love inspires hope
by Rev John Henderson
Christians often use the word ‘sacrifice’ in a very specific way. For instance, Jesus said, ‘Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners’ (Matthew 9:13).
Dec2019
Being right with Christ
by Rev John Henderson
Human beings naturally want to be ‘right’. We will go to great lengths to justify ourselves using all the arguments and force we can muster.
Nov2019
Motivated by love rather than fear
by Rev John Henderson
Our survival as a species is at stake. We seem to be damaging the earth – possibly irreparably – or at least the biosphere, which makes our organic life possible. Its complex and interconnected ecology, atmosphere, oceans and weather systems may be permanently damaged due humans.
Oct2019
We find it reassuring when someone says, ‘I am praying for you’
by Bishop Lester Priebbenow
Struggles in the church and the world around us cause us to say, ‘The church and the world really need our prayer’. In the divine service, we pray ‘for the church, the world and all people according to their needs’.
Sep2019
God gives us the word to speak
by Rev Mike Fulwood
The deadline is here. I am sitting in front of my computer screen and I am imagining Bishop John enjoying his leave. Right now I am wishing we could swap places. In particular, I am wishing he was here to write his Heartland column.
Aug2019
There’s always more to learn of God
by Rev Robert Bartholomaeus
When I finished my confirmation instruction, I can remember thinking to myself, ‘I must know everything there is to know about God now. What more could there possibly be to learn?’ Looking back I can see that I was quite deluded.
