Fancy a deeper faith?

 To seek a deeper faith in God is to desire strength when times are tough.  A deeper faith inspires greater action in caring for the poor and the downtrodden.  It has very little to do with how we appear, but with what we do.  In this sermon to the Anglican Cathedral of Second Life I share two ideas to encourage you into a deeper faith.  To listen to ‘Kites and angry airline passengers: 2 big steps toward a deeper faith’ click on the play button below. (21 mins in length).

Also I would be interested in hearing how your faith has deepened, feel free to share your ideas with a comment below.
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What is the point of going to (virtual) church?

Today marked a special day for me: I started a new service within the Anglican Cathedral of Second Life and to my surprise my dad showed up!  It is the first time I have preached with my dad present and it was made possible thanks to the virtual setting.  Though we live in different countries we were able to share the church experience.

The service happens within a virtual building (Cathedral) within Second Life.  Wherever you are, assuming you have a good computer and connection, you can attend church.  The service liturgy and Bible readings are typed and read out and my sermon (see below) is preached live.  This is an interesting experience, I literally preach to a computer monitor; though actually I am speaking to people from around the world. And it is this unusual dichotomy that dominates the virtual experience: being both present but actually not being present.  So in the image above I used the word ‘within’, was I actually within the virtual Cathedral?  Well yes, but also I was standing in my kitchen at home before a monitor.  I was both present and not present, depending on how you define being present.  And it is in this definition that most debate exists.  Are you really present when you are not physically in the same space?  Can one be virtually present?  I would argue we are seeing a shift from where being present is only a physical experience to one that will include electronically generated presence.  It will become more the norm that community is possible without ever actually meeting.  The ascendancy of facebook, the expectation of convenience, the ubiquity of mobile technology all point towards a growth in the acceptance of non-physical community.

This will place pressure on our theology of incarnation, of community, of the Eucharist as we the church wrestle with this dramatic shift.  Whatever you may think (and I welcome your comments!) it was simply wonderful to lead a service that included my own father.

To check out my sermon from the service, entitled ‘What is the point of going to church?’ click the play button below (11 minutes in length).
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My Hope For the Church

Today I led my final 12 noon service in the Anglican Cathedral of Second Life. After 18 months the time has come to hand the leadership onto others.  This decision was a hard one and brought about through a change in work circumstances.  I have become very fond of the service and have loved serving those from around the world who worship within the virtual Cathedral.

And announcing a new service!  In a couple of weeks I will start the sixth service specific for those in the Asia/Pacific area.   More news to follow.

At my last 12 noon service I preached about my hope for the church which grew out of my concern of the slowly eroding influence of the church in the West. The churches message is still as fresh and as deeply relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. And without a doubt we continue to have something important to offer society. So it is with this conviction that I shared my hopes for the church.

To listen to the short message press play below.
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When I find myself in times of trouble, Mary offers wisdom

Luke 1: 39-55 is the story of two pregnant women and an amazing fact.

In this 8 minute message I share the single reason why in the midst of all Mary’s suffering and pain, she was able to glorify God.
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4 Steps to Reducing Stress at the End of a Busy Year

Are you feeling a little tired and stressed at the end of a busy year? In this practical message inspired by Philippians 4:4-7, I share 4 easy steps to reducing stress. (15 minutes in length) Press play to listen.

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Stressed?

Feeling stressed? This past Sunday I preached on stress and offered some practical tools to combat your stress. To listen click on the play button below. (14 minutes in length).
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Politics is in the air while love is everwhere?

This past Sunday I preached on 1 John 3:1-15 and the stunning reality that we are the children of God. So what does this mean in the face of the huge amount of political stuff flying around at the moment? Click on the play button below to check my message out. (17 minutes in length)
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Do you decide whether you go to heaven?

The story in Matthew of the rich young man (19: 16-30) is way more than just some anti-capitalist statement, it is about what informs our decisions. In this 11 minute message from this past Sunday, I explain in a very personal way, the dangers around how we make decisions in life. To listen press the play button below.  To subscribe to my messages as a podcast via iTunes click here.

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I am a stupid Christian

How do you shoot yourself while driving?  Why am I really quite stupid? All will be revealed by checking out my latest mini devotion by clicking here:  I_am_a_stupid_christian (490)

As Bold As An Ex Prisoner

This past Sunday I preached on Acts 19 : 1-20 which tells some of the amazing story of Paul. Through this account I share the challenge of being bold, of stepping out of our comfort zone towards God and more of what He wills of us. Check it out by clicking the play button below (9 mins in length).
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