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The Santa Question

The Santa Question

4 December, 2013 | Jeremy Crooks(3) Comments

As we enter the Christmas season, the inevitable question arises.  What is the true meaning of Christmas?  The very fact that we are asking that question, demonstrates the divergence of understanding of what the season is about.   The world generically calls it the season of giving and references Santa (rather than Christ) as the the epitome of generosity.   So how does the church reconcile these two divergent focuses of this season? There are often 3 general responses of Christian families to this season. 1.  Don't celebrate Christmas at all:    Historically, Christmas was a pagan holiday that was incorporated into Christendom culture as the Catholic church grew into pagan regions.   Besides modern day Christmas celebrations have become so commercialised that there is no redeeming value i ...

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When you’ve been hurt: Making the difficult choices

When you’ve been hurt: Making the difficult choices

28 November, 2013 | Jason Harris(0) Comments

It might be as simple as an insulting comment or as complex as childhood sexual abuse, but whatever we're dealing with, one thing is clear: We all get hurt at times. Sometimes we can overlook and move on. The damage is minimal. But when the hurt is too deep for that, it's easy for the wound to become infected. In fact, it's almost guaranteed. We come to hate the person who hurt us, we look for revenge, we talk about them, and we harbour a malicious, unkind heart toward them. Over the next three posts, I want to share some things that God has been reminding me about recently. For the follower of Jesus Christ, we have some clear teaching on how to respond to those who hurt us. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind ...

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Is giving to my church tax deductible in Australia?

Is giving to my church tax deductible in Australia?

22 November, 2013 | Jason Harris(0) Comments

Believe it or not, there are some places in the world where your offerings at church are tax deductible. This has resulted in a steady stream of searches coming through to InFocus with people trying to find out if this is true in Australia. The simple answer is "no." While the Australian Taxation Office grants tax deductible status to some organisations, churches are not normally one of them. The exception to this is when a church has a fund for educational or community purposes (such as building a community centre or an educational building). In that case, the fund can be established as a charity and DGR status applied for. Such a fund will provide a receipt at the end of each financial year outlining the amount you are allowed to deduct. Grace to you. ...

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Reformation Day

Reformation Day

31 October, 2013 | Jason Harris(0) Comments

It was on this day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Saxony. Little did he know that day what God was about to do. The poem above is something I wrote for Reformation Day last year. Rejoice with me in all that God did and is still doing through those events! Sola fide. ...

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Are House Price Increases Evil?

Are House Price Increases Evil?

28 October, 2013 | Jeremy Crooks(2) Comments

I am about to step up on my soapbox. The biggest domestic social justice issue today is unaffordable housing.  I have written about this previously, but the situation is even more acute now, so I am going to ramp up the truth level.  It is criminal that a country as large as Australia and so sparsely populated has such high house prices.   I say that as a home owner.   What may be good for me personally, is bad for our children and the future of our country.   Think for a moment about the social implications of high house prices. Immorality: Unaffordable housing pushes young people towards immorality:  High home prices delay the formation of new family units (marriage).  This puts pressure on young people to sin sexually rather than get married and form a new house-hold.   High house price ...

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Theology

How “(500) Days of Summer” could help you make sense of the gospels

How “(500) Days of Summer” could help ...

Relationships

When you’ve been hurt: Making the difficult choices

When you’ve been hurt: Making the difficult ...

Contemporary issues

The Santa Question

The Santa Question

Devotional

My Longing Soul

My Longing Soul

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