There is a story in the Old Testament about a man named Jonah. Have you heard of Jonah? And if you know anything about Jonah’s story – there is a very famous character – more famous than Jonah.
The Big Fish.

Now there are all kinds of things that can be said about the details of the big fish – where is there such a big fish? Could it be a whale shark? Did they live in that part of the world? How would one person even survive inside a fish?

So many questions that might be in your mind or resting in scepticism within you.
And yet – I want to say to you this morning – don’t let the big fish stump you. Don’t get stuck on it. Don’t let the big fish get in the way of what God might be saying and doing in and through this story.

Now the story of Jonah begins with God’s call on his life. Let’s take a look together.

A message by Samantha Barlow

I wonder whether you have ever done it. For some, the thought of doing it is disturbing or creepy; for others, doing it is clarifying.

Have you ever done it – taken a walk through a cemetery and looked at the headstones? Looked at the names, the dates and the epitaph, the short tribute to those who have died or perhaps a message to the living.

And then have you ever stopped to think what you would want to have written below your name and two dates?

Today, we discover that how we live often reflects what lives on in our legacy.
A message by David Toscano

What does courage look like when doing the right thing comes at a cost? Drawing on the remarkable true story of Corrie ten Boom, who risked everything to protect Jewish families during World War II and Elisha in the Old Testament, this message explores fear, moral courage, non-violence, and the choice to stand with vulnerable people when it would be easier to stay silent. Whether you consider yourself religious or not, it’s an invitation to reflect on the kind of people we want to be—and the courage it takes to act with compassion when it matters most.
A message by David Bone.

Attitude – I don’t have an attitude problem. You have a problem with my attitude. That’s not my problem. Or Today’s attitude, brought to you by coffee and sarcasm.

Or perhaps you have come across someone with this sort of attitude, when Elena and her dad were playing in 2021. Elena is two foot tall with ten feet of attitude.

As Lou Holtz is quoted: “Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Having the right attitude can make a world of difference. But have you ever considered that having the right attitude can also make a difference in the world?

Northern Community Church of Christ

Reputation. Not to make you paranoid, but have you ever wondered what people say about you when you are not around? I am not talking about those with an axe to grind against you, but those who know you and how they describe you to others?
Today, we discover the difference a good reputation has and how it can positively impact the lives of others.

A message by David Toscano

Just before Christmas last year, Greg lost his keys. We worked out they were missing as we were heading to bed… quite late for us. But when something like car keys are missing you need to find them. So, we looked. We retraced steps and we looked. And looked. Greg remembered our daughter had brought the keys in from the car and so we thought, maybe she put them somewhere. But she was sleeping. Do we wake her or not?

Well, after an hour of looking we decided to wake her. It did not help. She could not remember and to be honest I do not really think she was awake.

We felt like they must be in the house, but we just could not find these keys. Greg needed them to drive to work in the morning. So, we began to work out a plan for how we would solve this problem. He could get up extra early, drive our car to his company office – an hour away – get spare keys – drive back and then start his day. That would mean leaving our home at 4am. It sounded terrible to me.

So, I thought, you know, I am just going to have one last look. And as I did, I hate to tell you, but it wasn’t till this moment that I prayed about it. I said to God that we really needed these keys. Could he please help me have eyes to see them. Well, you know, I looked up from praying and there on the Christmas tree were the keys, hanging on the branch like an ornament.

Now, in a world where there are wars, famines, natural disasters, really big things going – is it right that I pray about our lost keys? Or is that a bit too small an issue to take to God?

A message by Sam B

According to a report published by the University of NSW and the Australian Council of Social Service, in the years of 2022 - 2023, 14.2% of Australians were living below the poverty line. That is approximately 3.7 million people, including 757,000 children, who lack the financial means to afford what we consider basic human needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and clothing.

Despite reductions in unemployment numbers from 2017 - 2023, the poverty rate actually increased, and there is no question that things are going to keep getting tougher for the most vulnerable in our society as people struggle to make ends meet.

For those within this 14.2%, individuals and families, who are unable to adequately support themselves despite receiving government assistance, might wonder, “Where is God in all this? Does God not care for the poor and the oppressed?”

A message by David B

Two nations wage war against each other in the Middle East. Both speak of divine justification and endorsement to garner support. We could be speaking of the events in 2026, yet three millennia ago, things were not so different.

But as Aeschylus, who lived around 500 BC, reportedly said, "The first casualty of war is the truth."

As followers of Jesus, God calls us to be all in and to be faithful in the way we live. But what happens when we find ourselves in a position where the values expressed and the values lived are inconsistent?

A message by David Toscano