Viva Vineyard Church

My prayer used to be, “I trust you God I know you’re good, show me how you’re going to do it and when I understand it I will be at peace.” And that’s not what this passage is saying… Peace or understanding, which are you after? 

Paul was very sure he knew what carried true value. That changed when he met Jesus.

Isaiah 49 is breathtaking. What if it's actually not just about Israel or Jesus but us as well? And how might that be possible?

Philippians 2 is majesterial. The cruciform life of Christ and others are on display. And yet... as Paul bemoaned, "everyone is looking out for their own interests, not the interests of Christ." Why the mismatch? What needs to change?

Imprisoned Paul would insist no. Joy isn’t found in our inward turn but in an upward turn to God and an outward turn to each. 

The New Testament is jammed with prayers for God's people. As we continue to ask the Lord to teach us to pray, we're turning to the prayers of Philippians...

Jesus is welcomed as King when he enters Jerusalem. Then he goes to the Temple, turns tables and makes a statement that upends far more than the dodgy temple economy...

The Red Sea parts. Praise erupts. 3 days later, grumbling and accusation. It takes time to unlearn how we've seen God... the good news is God has his ways.

Exodus 5. Things go from bad to worse. Where is God? Can he be trusted to do what only he can do?

Culture says you define you. Moses' encounter with God suggests otherwise...

Exodus 1. Exodus is the birth story the people of Israel. Imperial oppression through economic exploitation leading to attempted genocide. The market society prison. All God's people could manage was a groan. And the groan, our groan is enough. With this God of grace, exodus always starts with a groan.

What's the aperture of your heart?

There's an ancient blessing that God gave his people. At the centre of this blessing is the smile of God.

John asserts that there is a throne in heaven and one who sits upon it and that that person is not me. How then are we to live?

At the end of Joseph's epic tale stands a remarkable act of forgiveness. How was this possible? How can we forgive today?

The difference the Holy Spirit makes.

There is an end to prison. God decides. God lifts up. God saves.

Joseph in Prison: Living well in the weight of the wait Joseph knew God as present help . And future hope .  He experienced his steadfast love. God had planted a dream in Joseph’s heart that couldn’t be uprooted.  1. Have you spent time in “prison”? What was it? Are you in a “prison” now?  2. What do you do when the “walls press in”, when the weight of the wait seems too much?  Do you sulk (give u...

"Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved" -Victor Hugo. Thanks Strahan Coleman for your amazing book, Beholding.

At this point in the story it is very clear Joseph is not in control. He's not the main character. God is. And God is with us in the pit.

Finding purpose is a crucial and elusive part of modern living. So how do we do it? Well.... maybe a deep read of Joseph's story is a good start.

Palm Sunday. The week before Easter the road to Jerusalem erupts with praise and scorn. Peace and bitter jealousy. What might this key event in the life of Jesus tell us about human's quest for the good life?

The Jacob we meet at birth is very different to the Jacob we see at life's end. How did this transformation occur?

Life is hard. We try to escape. We try to control. God offers a third way to live: trust in relationship. Abraham lived that way. How was that possible?

Do you know the difference between a covenant and a contract? Understanding that difference will open up God's incredible grace in a fresh, fresh way...