Tag Archives: Christ

Courage and Joy

Posted on December 8, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

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 →

Posted in calling, Christ, Christianity, faith, God, kingdom of God, Spirituality, surrender, Uncategorized | Tagged Christ, courage, faith, hope, Jesus, joy | Leave a comment

The Great Inclusion

Posted on October 29, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

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 →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, community, diversity, God, humanity, Race, Scripture, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged Christ, community, diversity, great multitude, inclusion, love, repentance | Leave a comment

Obedience and Freedom

Posted on October 6, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 10 Commandments, Christ, faith, freedom, Liberation, obedience | Leave a comment

Naming the Grief

Posted on September 15, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hello everyone. Rob here. There is a sense right now that the world is grieving. We are seeing the stages of grief being played out in the public sphere – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance – as we come … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, God, grief, Holy Spirit, Spirituality, surrender, Uncategorized | Tagged Christ, grief, Holy Spirit, Loss, Naming, surrender | Leave a comment

Good Trouble

Posted on September 1, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. In Christianity we often talk about becoming Christlike. We think that becoming more like Jesus is to become nicer or calmer, more serene. The reality is that becoming more like Jesus is to become a righteous, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, faith, freedom, God, Holy Spirit, kingdom of God, Spirituality | Tagged Christ, Christlike, good trouble, hope, John Lewis, protest, transformation | 1 Comment

Rethinking Church: Get Radical

Posted on May 22, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here again. In the last blog I introduced the idea of 12 step recovery groups being a potential model for a new way of doing church. They travel light, stay committed to their message and every member … Continue reading →

Posted in change, Christ, Christianity, church, God, Holy Spirit, kingdom of God, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged change, Christ, church, dependence, Honesty, Jesus, surrender | Leave a comment

Rethinking Church: The Meeting Serves the Message

Posted on May 20, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. Last week I started a discussion on the future of church, particularly in the Western World. The church is the body of Christ whose purpose is to reflect the head; Jesus Christ. I asked the question: … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, church, faith, God, kingdom of God, Spirituality, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged Christ, church, cross, Gospel, Jesus, recovery, spirituality | Leave a comment

Persistent Surrender

Posted on February 4, 2020 by brandnewheartnz

Kia Ora everyone. Rob here. I’ve been thinking about words like perseverance, persistence, patience and how they combine with other words like surrender, passion, calling and even, pain. I’m in an in-between time. I have started a new ministry but … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, faith, God, Spirituality, surrender, Uncategorized | Tagged Christ, endurance, faith, Jesus, Persistence, surrender, trust | 1 Comment

Hiding Places

Posted on October 16, 2019 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone, Rob here. A close read of Genesis 1-3 reveals so much of what we need to know about the human condition and how we relate to God. One of the most startling scenes is this one in chapter … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, God, Holy Spirit, restoration, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged Christ, faith, glory, hiding, masks, wounds | Leave a comment

Pulled Up and Pushed Along

Posted on August 26, 2019 by brandnewheartnz

Hi everyone. Rob here. At the moment the weather is acting as a great metaphor for my life. It’s sunny one moment and is then followed by a wind gust of gale proportions and a downpour. It’s warm and lovely … Continue reading →

Posted in calling, choices, Christ, Christianity, God, kingdom of God, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged body of Christ, change, Christ, help, mutuality, need, transition | Leave a comment