Church Talk
Ears to hear and feet to walk
Friday 21 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk
In the month of August I travelled with some ladies to Australia and recently returned from a women’s conference in Brisbane. The theme was ‘Touch a Heart Tell the World’. We had speakers and presenters from around the world. We had an attendance of 600 plus women from all over the Pacific nations. It was […]
No water, no school
Thursday 20 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk
Jubilant kids at Avarua School headed home early to play on Tuesday afternoon, after water supply in the school’s area stopped. A faulty valve on the main pipe on the back-road affected all properties from Avarua School to Avarua Church. Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning water technician Wilson Rani predicted the valve would be fixed […]
Change the world with truths
Friday 14 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk
I wish to comment a little on the manner in which the world turns. Not the scientific aspects such as the manner in which the earth orbits and rotates in its sphere, and all the other necessary elements that cause molecules to integrate and align perfectly, that allow for the earth’s (life’s) synchronisation. But rather […]
Bishop in Rome
Friday 7 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk
Cook Islands Catholic Bishop Paul Donoghue is currently in Rome taking part in a renewal course for Catholic Bishops. The course is for bishops ordained in the last two years and 90 new bishops are in Rome for the course. Sixty-five of the new bishops are from Africa, 20 from Asia, three from Papua New […]
Choice for life
Friday 7 September 2012 | Published in Church Talk
We have had a feast of activities to keep us occupied over the last month. Te Maeva Nui, Constitution Day, Olympics and more recently the Pacific Forum meeting. Fathers’ Day came right at the end. Each of these life filled events attempts to bring out the best of some aspect of humanity and gives us […]
Getting unstuck in my future
Friday 17 August 2012 | Published in Church Talk
Today I’m going to begin with a question. Are you worried about your future? A survey which asked this question showed that 81% of those who responded said ”yes, I’m worried about my future.“ One person simply said, ”I’m very worried and try not to even think about my future.“ Another one said, ”I worry […]
The gift of family
Friday 10 August 2012 | Published in Church Talk
A renowned activist Desmond Tutu said, ‘You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.’ God uses the family as a timeless platform throughout history to display His glory to all generation. Every member in the family has a unique role, to portray the heart of God. Joshua, […]
Refusing to forgive is a grievous sin
Friday 3 August 2012 | Published in Church Talk
There seems to be an undercurrent thick in scales of resentment, relentless, unforgiving, and vindictive of criticism developing around us. We are becoming increasingly absorbed by its captive and tantalising tentacles that falsely stimulate one’s better judgement. Eventually even numbing and desensitising to the point we become accepting of such behaviour as a thing of […]
Respect and reverence: Ra o te Ui Ariki
Friday 27 July 2012 | Published in Church Talk
The recent Ra o te Ui Ariki at Atupare Marae in Kavera was a special occasion which centred on many things, of which one was showing respect to the traditional leaders of the Cook Islands. It is said that over 1000 people attended. I am not in a position to single out what was the […]
Going on to perfection
Friday 20 July 2012 | Published in Church Talk
Hebrews 6:1 declares: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. The purpose of the scriptures is to guide us in the ways of perfection. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 declares, ”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof (discipline and […]
Getting unstuck in my family – part 2
Friday 13 July 2012 | Published in Church Talk
The second point is – involve my family in my church. Just like you want to have this private commitment at home, with prayer and Bible study, it’s also critical that you have public times of worship together. You probably have heard the old saying about – people don’t do what you say they should […]
Tolerance versus truth
Saturday 7 July 2012 | Published in Church Talk
I last shared about a broad way style of Christianity being gradually introduced into the Christian church that is beginning to shape a new generation of believers into an experience that is void of repentance and is shelving core truths that are essential to the Christian faith. The broad way concept seeks so much approval […]
May truth reflect upon our senses
Saturday 7 July 2012 | Published in Church Talk
We have a loving and caring Heavenly Father who is ever conscious of the struggles, trials and tribulation each of his children face in mortality. Oh how he would love to cradle each and every one of us in his arms and remove the heavy burdens that laden our progress. However, in his infinite wisdom […]
Building a strong family
Friday 29 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
With this Churchtalk opportunity, I want to address the topic of ”Building a Strong Family“. I’ve received researched materials on the topic and thought it would be nice to share the findings with the public in the endeavour to help our families which I believe is the network God blessed us with to journey through […]
Fast when we feel weak and vulnerable
Friday 22 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
We should fast when we feel weak and vulnerable. This may seem to be illogical as fasting weakens one physically. Many use food for psychological gratification when they feel beat up emotionally. They are saying essentially, ”I believe I’ll feel better after I eat.“ So, why on earth would one prescribe fasting to treat vulnerability? […]
Creation Care, what's that about?
Friday 22 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
As a young Christian I thought that people care was all that mattered. Matthew 25: 41-46 – ”Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me… For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and […]
First Communion for 16
Friday 15 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
Last Sunday, June 10, Catholics worldwide celebrated the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Sixteen St Joseph’s School grade four students and a number of other Catholic children from schools across Rarotonga received the body and blood of Christ for the first time – in the form of the Holy Communion. Parents, families, […]
Safeguarding creation, and our future
Friday 15 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
The correct use of the earth’s resources implies safe guarding creation and solidarity with the future generations. An Indian proverb teaches that ”we should never think that we inherited the land from our forefathers, but we have borrowed it from our children“. Daily, on our news we hear of the 240 billion euro bailout Greece […]
Prayer and fasting
Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
OUR STUDY of prayer has emphasised the role of our prayers on earth to invoke the power of our God from heaven. Prayer is powerful because it is human weakness deferring to God’s strength. As James wrote, ”The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.“ (See James 5:16b KJV.) When the righteous pray […]
New ministers heading to Nassau
Friday 8 June 2012 | Published in Church Talk
”But many who are first will be last, and the last first.“ These words from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ have come to pass within the grounds of Takamoa Theological College (TTC) through Mr and Mrs Casey Poila, students from the Pukapuka Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC). The dynamic duo, who have been married […]