Easter is a dead time as far as TV programming goes. Most Easters see the same disappointing Easter fare dished up to us by the TV stations. We get the usual "How the Easter Bunny found his Easter eggs" type children's story and possibly a 1950's costume drama such as "The Robe" or "Demetrius and the Gladiators". If we're really, really fortunate we'll get yet another BBC documentary explaining why you can't really believe all that stuff about Jesus' resurrection.

It seems, if you are unfortunate enough to be watching TV on Easter, not only are the TV ratings dead, but so is Jesus.

Good Friday, of course, is not a very good day at all!

It marks the physical death of Jesus - the day that we killed God. At the same time, Easter only starts on Good Friday. For it was the 3rd day when Jesus rose from the dead - the emphasis being on his being dead only 3 days

Without the resurrection of Jesus, our future is as dead as Easter TV. But with the resurrection – our future is secure, but only in Jesus.

If you don’t follow Jesus – make this Easter the Easter when you returned to Jesus, and started your resurrection life.
If you do follow Jesus - make this Easter the Easter when you decided to pray:
“Lord, in the light of my eternal security in Jesus, let me live the rest of my days radically for you”.

posted by Jenso at 3:45 PM

This has to be the coolest senior pastor’s web site. If you know a better one let me know!

And check out the phone (hope it appears when you hit the page). Where did they get that idea from? Wow!

posted by Jenso at 3:18 PM

An excellent article on the modern (and not so) challenge of teaching about God. The whole article is stimulating, but here's a great quote to encourage Sunday school teachers:

"you are, if it be possible, in a more responsible situation even than a minister occupies. If you teach the child wrongly, he believes you; if you teach him heresies, he will receive them; what you teach him now, he will never forget."

posted by Jenso at 9:53 AM

Our buddy Phil Campbell is talking design ideas for the local church. Check it out at the Blogspot.

posted by Jenso at 12:37 AM

Thanks to the kind folks at Christian Computing magazine for the kind words in their fine publication - we really appreciate it!

posted by Mikeman at 11:52 AM

Looking for some helpful Bible Study resources?

3 cheers for SwapMeetDave. There are some well put together studies and articles to be found there - as my home group will be discovering tonight :)

posted by Mikeman at 4:00 PM

This is a short post to say that Revive (or as I like to call them, the future of Christian Music) played at St Matts on Sunday night and they sounded phenomenal.

Not only did they nail the job of leading the congregational singing, but they treated us to some new songs, which they delivered with their trademark passion and usual infectious joy. Their humble approach to rock stardom (haha - I'm sure they'd never put it that way :) is always an ecouraging thing to see, and I for one can't wait for the new album.

Rock on boys!

posted by Mikeman at 11:28 AM

I can't believe I'm typing this, but our whole server got HACKED last night. When I logged on this morning, I saw a big black screen with a white message (in 48pt Times New Roman) declaring that "SPYKIDZ OWNS YOU."

Well done, SpykidZ. Outstanding use of your time.

Anyway, I've probably lost quite a few pages, which is kind of disappointing. I now have to find and update every file on my server that is called index.html (there are heaps of them), so who knows when I'll do it, or how long it will take me, but if you come across a GNW, NNY or Seaforth.Isonfire page that you were hoping to enjoy and all you see is a black screen telling you that SpykidZ owns me, you may feel like they own you too.

posted by Mikeman at 3:57 PM

Our buddy Nathan Tasker's new CD is set to be his best. Check it out at online here.

posted by Jenso at 11:27 AM

We celebrate close to 5 years of GNW with a look at some of the guys you'll remember from earlier works with GNW (either online or in our GNW unplugged nights in Sydney): So where are they now?

Steve Morrison spends time between his own trio site and the ever developing aroma.

Con Campbell is still Jazzing around town.

Colin Buchanan, John Dickson, and Nicky Chiswell (remember those guys from our last Unplugged?) are still going strong.

Graeme Goldsworthy is still writing lots of books.

And of course, we are still here.

posted by Jenso at 1:28 PM

Small groups are the heart and soul of the local church. If you've ever been part of a small group, you'll know it's where lasting friendships are made, and where the Bible can be dicussed in life-changing detail.

The (awesome) group I belong to was recently challenged by this article.

Why not share it with your group and see what they think?

posted by Mikeman at 9:10 AM

Check out this article about an Atheist selling Jesus. (Its an interesting read about the impact of the Jesus. All about life campaign moving across Australian TV.)

posted by Jenso at 8:37 PM

One of my old school mates, Rockin' Richard Fortune, has just set up a new ministry to the Mining industry. As if that isn't exciting enough, how good is this name - Outofthepit.org.

I love it! (Actually I dig it. That's funny because it's about mining, you see.) - You're on fire, Rich!

The site offers resources and encouragement for anyone with an interest in mining - from the city to the outback, from the boardroom to the bowels of the earth. Whether you're working in the mining industry, living in a mining town or just keen to share the vision - you can logon and make yourself at home.

Oh and I should mention the site was designed by another champion - Graham Clarke.

UPDATE - Just found this article discussing the origins of Outofthepit.org. Check it out! (great pic of Rich, too :)

posted by Mikeman at 2:25 PM

Just the most amazing web event experienced: New articles coming to GNW in less than 48 hours.
;-)

posted by Jenso at 4:52 PM

Sorry to interrupt all the hype about our impending (new) articles, but I found this cool little site today and I thought it was well worth sharing.

Christ Hacks: Tips on walking with Christ from fellow Christians.

Christian bloggers from all around the place contrbute to this site, and there have been quite a few interesting posts on there so far.

We now return you to Jens and his hype-related newsposts.

posted by Mikeman at 12:14 PM

3 days.

posted by Jenso at 10:04 AM

Only 4 days to go.

posted by Jenso at 11:31 AM

only five days to go!

posted by Jenso at 7:42 AM

8 days and counting

posted by Jenso at 10:31 AM

9 days to go

posted by Jenso at 10:30 AM