I am all about efficiency!   I like to get more things done in less time.   I want to get the greatest amount of fuel efficiency in the cars I drive.   I always look for the biggest bang for the buck.   If I can get more stuff for less money -- well that seems to be a bargain!   Often the focus on efficiency drives politicians when they make election promises.   "We...

How can we as churches strengthen our witness in the world?   For years in the CRCA we have been encouraging churches to GROW:  "To grow healthy churches which nurture and equip their members...."   But this begs the question:  what aspect of increased church health will nurture and equip their members, by God's grace grow the church numerically, plant new churches, and increase their gospel impact throughout Australia and beyond? Almost 50 years ago Pastor...

Sometimes I feel like giving up.   Especially when it comes to prayer.  Why pray?   Does it really make a difference?   I pray for things to change ... in that of my family, for my friends, for the lost, for the world.   But things don't change.   Answers don't come.   Or at least, not in the way I hoped.   Prayer is not easy.  So I feel like giving up.   That's...

The very first time I tried my hand at woodworking I went to my Italian neighbour who lived across the street from our childhood home.   As a builder he knew a thing or two about putting together a wood project.   Many years later I met a true wood craftsman -- a Dutch immigrant who had a way of turning a piece of lumber into a work of art!   He passed on to me...

How do you measure success? How do you know whether or not your achievements measure up? What does “well done” mean? These are questions I keep asking myself no matter what I do. Personally and professionally. Whether I exercise physically or engage in ministry. In my doctoral studies I wrestled with these issues as it applies to the preaching of God’s Word. How do I know whether or not the outcomes of one's pulpit ministry are...