Church Talk
Good tidings of great joy
Friday 23 December 2016 | Published in Church Talk
IN ‘A CHRISTMAS Carol’ written by the English author Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew Fred, captures the magic of this sacred time of the year by reflecting that…
Publisher backtracks on Bible 'tweaks'
Friday 16 December 2016 | Published in Church Talk
THE PUBLISHER of the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible has reversed its controversial decision to finalise the text after “tweaking” 29 verses.
Joy to the world – it's Christmas time!
Friday 16 December 2016 | Published in Church Talk
"JOY TO THE WORLD" is a popular Christmas carol. The words are by English hymn writer Isaac Watts, and are based on the second half of Psalm 98 in the Bible. The song was first published in 1719.
Why every human being needs the Lord
Friday 9 December 2016 | Published in Church Talk
WITH all the atrocities committed against humankind in many places around the world, during which people are hurt, wounded or killed, many are living in fear as to whether or not they will get to see another day.
Good news full of hope and promise
Friday 2 December 2016 | Published in Church Talk
THERE IS no greater news than this: “The God of the Universe knows you and loves you, and all of your sins and wrong doing. He forgives at His expense in Christ.”
It's that magical time of year again
Friday 2 December 2016 | Published in Church Talk
CHRISTMAS is a magical time.
Families portray the glory of God
Friday 25 November 2016 | Published in Church Talk
Renowned activist Bishop Desmond Tutu was once quoted as saying, “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”
Perfect Praise takes dedication
Friday 18 November 2016 | Published in Church Talk
EVERY TIME we as fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ attend church we always expect the spirit of worship to be high and powerful.
Journey through a mighty storm
Friday 11 November 2016 | Published in Church Talk
FOR THE past 18 years, it is ritual that my family and I attend a memorial service held every year, on the November 1, to commemorate the lives that were taken in the devastating Cyclone Martin, which struck our beautiful home, Manihiki.
Have life more abundantly
Friday 4 November 2016 | Published in Church Talk
THIS HEADLINE for this week’s column comes from a verse in the Bible, in John 10, verse 10: “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
What to do when love falls away
Friday 14 October 2016 | Published in Church Talk
Today we continue to discuss the need to think clearly about your relationships.
Clear thinking on relationships
Friday 7 October 2016 | Published in Church Talk
RELATIONSHIPS are that area of life where you and I struggle with the greatest highs and also the greatest lows of life.
The inspiration of the Scriptures
Friday 30 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
OUR STUDY of Christian doctrine has brought us to three great truths:
Have you heard the Good News?
Friday 23 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
IN THE US, websites from The New York Times to The Washington Post to Forbes have been reacting to a new emoji-studded Bible translation, the latest effort to make the Holy Book appeal to young readers.
Island visit challenges evangelists
Friday 23 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
STUDENTS from the Seventh Day Adventist Avondale College of Higher Education in Auckland, New Zealand visited the Cook Islands during their mid-year break recently.
Story of Isaac holds vital lessons
Friday 23 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
GENESIS 27: 1 – 4 reads: “Now it came to pass, when Issac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”. And he answered him, “Here I am”.
All-conquering faith prevails
Friday 16 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
GENESIS 21:1-7 NKJV reads: “And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken.
When prolonging life means causing even more suffering
Friday 9 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
Kathryn Butler, MD, is a trauma and critical care surgeon who recently left clinical practice to home school her children. She teaches at Harvard Medical School, and has contributed to the literature on surgical critical care and medical education. She and her family live north of Boston in the US.
Teens say faith important
Friday 2 September 2016 | Published in Church Talk
A new American Bible Society study has found that practicing Protestant teenagers: those who identify as Protestant, attend church at least once a month, and say their faith is very important in their lives, and who read their Bible, do so the same amount all year long (73 per cent), much like all Bible-reading American teens (69 per cent).