Author Archives: brandnewheartnz
Ultimate Allegiance
Hi everyone. Happy New Year. Rob here. 2021 arrived with the hope that it would herald a new beginning after the turbulence and upheaval that 2020 brought us. Then we had the storming of the Capitol building in Washington D.C, … Continue reading
A Profound Humility
Seasons greetings everyone. Rob here. This Christmas let’s not pretend that all is well in the world. Let’s not pretend that we don’t have our own sufferings to contend with. Let’s not pretend that we have all the answers about … Continue reading
Courage and Joy
Hi everyone. Rob here. Last night our family gathered around the TV and watched the movie, Wonder. It tells the story of a 10 year old boy named Auggie who has Treacher Collins Syndrome. After multiple surgeries he has a … Continue reading
Waiting
Happy Advent everyone. Rob here. The season of Advent is a season of waiting. We’re all waiting for something it seems: a vaccine, racial justice, political change, a job, love, a miracle, you name it. What are you waiting for? … Continue reading
The Practice of Love
Hi everyone. Rob here. In the book of James we see the old sage dispensing wisdom to his audience. It is wisdom born out of experience. As the leader of the Jerusalem church he had seen it all: Persecution, famine, … Continue reading
The Reality of Transition
Hi everyone. Rob here. We are all hearing about the word ‘transition’ these days as America deals with the problem of managing a transition of presidential power when the defeated foe refuses to acknowledge the reality of their loss. It … Continue reading
Loving and Ruling
Hi everyone. Rob here. This weekend my guys group had planned a road trip to Hawkes Bay. This morning we found out that wild weather and downed power lines meant that our accommodation had to be cancelled. We have made … Continue reading
Kingdom Rivers
Hi everyone. Rob here. One of the things drilled into us at Bible College was the idea that God’s kingdom was now and not yet. The coming of Jesus Christ, his death, resurrection and ascension meant that the kingdom of … Continue reading
The Great Inclusion
Hi everyone. Rob here. I took a few weeks off writing to work on the election we had in our country recently. I greeted people, helped them through the voting process and helped in the counting part of it as … Continue reading
Obedience and Freedom
Hi everyone. Rob here. The readings in The Revised Common Lectionary on Sunday included an abridged version of the 10 Commandments. I had the privilege of leading the liturgy on Sunday and I made the comment that modern society sees … Continue reading