Author Archives: BCUC Admin

A message from Matthew 19 February 2017

This devotion from “With Love to the World” 7th of Feb, 2017 grabbed me when I first read it and I would like to share it here with the whole community. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NIV) 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I was at a meal with a family the other day. We were talking about churches that would rather die than change. A 12-year-old said, “Who would choose to die?” A wise question that needed to be asked by a child; indeed, why would anyone choose death? Choosing life seems so obvious! But there are many ways in which we choose death. For the ancient Hebrews it was to break covenant with God, extending their time in the Exodus and ultimately sending them into exile. For us as individuals, choosing death can be about holding onto addictions, habits and dependencies. We know that such things will kill us, but we can’t break with them. The possibility of life and freedom can seem more painful than our familiar ailments and slavery. In the same way, many churches actually choose death through preferring control and predictable decline to the risk of freedom and change. Today’s passage sets the choice before us. God has sworn to be faithful to the promises made to our ancestors. God does not need to curse us; we do this ourselves. God of birth and resurrection, help me to choose life. Please continue to choose life with me and everyone here at Burnside City Uniting Church as we follow Jesus together – Matthew.   … Continue reading →

from Rev Linda Driver – 12 February 2017

Have you ever had someone suggest that you could do something ..and thought, “Who me? They must be thinking of someone else – I can’t do that!” As I began my Period of Discernment, that’s exactly what I was thinking, “Who me?” “Who am I to think that I could be a minister of the Word, to be ordained, to be a leader serving in Christ’s church?” As part of my Period of Discernment (or PoD) I went on a discernment retreat up at Nunyara Conference Centre at Belair. At one point during the retreat we were sent off to spend some time in silence and listen for the still small voice of God speaking to us. I headed off by myself to sit quietly with my Bible. During that time I was led to one particular verse which stood out and has been significant for me ever since: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)  It was that word timid, that stood out for me. Time after time I have felt called to take on challenging roles or tasks. Some have called me courageous or brave. But I don’t think that’s been the case. Under the surface I have often lacked self-confidence, wondering if God picked the right person! Through this time of formation, first in my PoD and then as a Candidate, God has shown me over and over how much God loves me – with such a deep, abiding, immeasurable love. God has shown me that if I trust in God and step out in faith,  I can do what God calls me to do, through the strength and enabling power of the Holy Spirit – many times confirmed by the encouragement and prayers of others – often just at the right time!  And God has shown me that if I call on God’s name and wait for God’s leading, God’s promises will be fulfilled. So, through the Holy Spirit, I have learned that God does give me the courage to do the things he calls me to do. The power, love and self-discipline that come from the Holy Spirit far outweigh any fear or self-doubt or timidity – even when they do come creeping back in to my mind. In this time of formation, through mentoring, study, prayer, ministry-practice, vulnerability and reflection I have moved to a place where I can say, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) What is God asking you to do? Each one of us is unique and brings particular gifts, skills and passions to contribute to the body of Christ and to this world we live in. May you too, have the courage, power, love and self-discipline of the Holy Spirit to carry out your unique calling.   … Continue reading →