Category Archives: jesus

The Beautiful Paradox

Posted on March 9, 2021 by brandnewheartnz

Greetings everyone. Rob here. Following Jesus in this world is a bit like swimming against the tide with the wind at your back. I choose those contradictory and almost nonsensical images deliberately. There is an energy that comes from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christ, Christianity, faith, God, jesus, Scripture, Spirituality | Tagged die to live, faith, Gospel, Jesus, Paradox, surrender | 1 Comment

A Profound Humility

Posted on December 22, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

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 →

Posted in advent, Christianity, Christmas, God, jesus, Spirituality | Tagged Christmas, humility, Jesus, kingdom of God, love | 1 Comment

The Practice of Love

Posted on November 24, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

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 →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, faith, God, jesus, Spirituality, surrender, trust, Uncategorized | Tagged choice, devotion, faith, God, Jesus, love, trust, worship | Leave a comment

Shaken but Strong

Posted on September 29, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hello everyone. Rob here. It’s my daughter’s birthday today and my son’s next week. They are growing up and their parents are growing older. It’s a reminder, once again, that life is constant change and transition. 2020 has been one … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, Holy Spirit, jesus, love, prayer, Resilience, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged Christ in you, Jesus, love, Scripture, Spirit, strength | Leave a comment

He Is Our Help

Posted on August 25, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. This morning I found myself thinking about Psalm 121. It starts like this: I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, faith, hope, jesus, kingdom of God, restoration, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged comfort, faith, God, help, hope, Jesus | Leave a comment

Rethinking Church (Finale): Movements Must Move.

Posted on June 10, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. One of the things that is changing rapidly in church life is the role of denominations. In many ways a denomination is like a multi-national corporation that oversees regional areas and a multitude of smaller companies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, church, God, jesus, kingdom of God, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged change, church, denominations, Jesus, mission, movement, reform | Leave a comment

Let The Good Seed Grow

Posted on April 28, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. As we seek to interpret the times we’re living in, I find that it’s hard to go past Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. A farmer plants good seed in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, Father God, jesus, kingdom of God, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged faith, good and evil, hope, kingdom of God, wheat and weeds | Leave a comment

All In

Posted on April 22, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. It’s a beautiful Autumn day here in Hamilton, NZ. The leaves in my neighbourhood are changing colour quite dramatically. A few are out mowing their lawn. There are people walking the dog and playing with their … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, faith, God, jesus, prayer, Spirituality, surrender, Uncategorized | Tagged all in, commitment, faith, Heart, hope, surrender, trust | Leave a comment

Jesus Invites Us

Posted on April 14, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. In Luke 5 we see Jesus heal a man with a skin disease. He then tells him to go to the priest and not to tell everyone what happened. Verses 15-16 then say this: Yet the … Continue reading →

Posted in change, Christ, Christianity, God, incarnation, jesus, kingdom of God, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged grace, invitation, Jesus, kingdom of God, lockdown, new life, soul | 2 Comments

Jumping the Tribal Fence

Posted on May 22, 2018 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. As human beings we tend to be tribal. We’re attracted to people like us. Our friends speak the same language, share a similar standard of living, of education and values. But to live tribally means to … Continue reading →

Posted in boundaries, Christianity, diversity, God, humanity, jesus, reconciliation, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged diversity, Heart, humanity, Jesus, openness, unity | Leave a comment