Newcastle Christian Students

Website dramas

Steve Watt — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:28:29 +0000

	So for some inexplicable reason the website decided today that it didn’t want to work correctly anymore. We’re working on a solution, but in the meantime if you’re looking for the sidebar (with all the links and pics and stuff) and it’s not where it’s supposed to be, try looking down the bottom of the page….
EDIT: So even weirder, posting this article has fixed the problem. Now I’m really confused. Oh well; praise God that the problem is solved.

photo credit: brdwatchr1

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The Heart of The Gospel

Steve Watt — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:06:09 +0000

Recently there’s the two words that have been floating around. You may have come across them, or you may not have. In discussions on the cross and what occured there, they both come up fairly often – Propitiation and Expiation.

They usually come up together because they’re pretty similar, but they are different. Let me explain.

Expiation is the covering, putting away, washing off or rubbing out of sin so that it no longer creates a barrier to Relationships between People and God.

Our Rebellion against God seperates us from him – think Genesis 3, after Adam sinned he was expelled from the Garden.

But if Sin is rubbed out, then there’s nothing left to seperate us from the Love of God. Expiation is a pretty good description of what happened at the cross.

But Propitiation is even better!

Propitiation means everthing that Expiation does AND that God’s wrath is turned aside or pacified by that Expiation

By his death on the Cross Jesus satisfied God’s anger at our sin and rebellion and washed it all away. The anger of God that we deserved fell on Jesus instead of us. On the cross Jesus wore the wrath of God instead of us. That means there’s nothing whatsoever keeping us from God.

And that’s the centre of our message, our gospel.

Peace with God is freely available to all because God has acted to bring it about through the propitiating death of Jesus on the Cross.

How cool is Propitiaion?

NB this raises a question; is right for God to get angry? I’ll offer some thoughts on that another time, but it’s clear that God IS angry at our Sin. Check out Romans 1:18, Deuteronomy 29:24-25, 2 Kings 22:13, Colossians 3:5-6

photo credit: Jasmic

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Opportunities Up for Grabs

Emma Lovegrove — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:58:14 +0000

At NCS one of our goals is to be reaching out to those at Newcastle uni with the gospel, and it’s great to be on the look out for new and creative opportunities to do this. I recently signed up to Ilead- the international leadership experience and development program, and along with the convenient perk of getting scholarships for overseas uni related travel I discovered one such opportunity.

Ilead run welcome morning teas for international students who have recently arrived in Australia, and they have asked Ilead-ers who are interested to participate in these morning teas. I saw this and thought, what a chance to share Christ’s love! International students can often feel isolated and apprehensive and this is one way I could see of being an ambassador for Christ and perhaps getting chances to witness for him. I want to encourage you guys, there are plenty of these opportunities like this around so keep looking, and as Paul says;

‘Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity’ (Colossians 4:5)

God bless!

photo credit: {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}

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Do you struggle to reach the last page?

Libby Vaughan — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:07:19 +0000

I’m not sure about you, but I was really challenged at Wintercon last week when Greg described how our generation is notoriously bad at knowing, understanding and loving doctrine and theology. The bible is always our first port of call to know the truth, but there were heaps of great books recommended to us last week that can help us understand this better, and grapple with God’s word.

When it comes to Christian books, despite all my good intentions, and no matter how much I enjoy reading them, I rarely reach the last page. And I know I’m not alone…

As such, I’m keen to start an NCS Book club so we can help each other digest what we read and reach the end without giving up in frustration along the way.

We’re kicking off this Wednesday, the 28th July at 9am in the back of the Brennan room. We’ll be reading “The Cross of Christ” by John Stott, and I will bring some spare copies.
It’d be great to see you there, passionate about trying to deepen our understanding of the cross of Christ.

photo credit: gadl

Small groups and Rosters and Mission Week, Oh My!

Sam Broadfoot — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:53:05 +0000

Well, WinterCon has surely come to an end for another year, now we can all put our feet up and… WOAH! JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS ALL OVER, IT’S TIME TO CLIMB OUT OF THAT ROCKIN’ CHAIR AND BACK INTO THE TRENCHES!!! There is so much goodness to look forward to in the coming days and weeks – if you haven’t heard from your small group for a while, get on the blower and announce, in the words of Jake and Elwood, “we’re getting the band back together!”

We have added two walk up slots to the week – come and join your NCS family as we strike up convos (why not suggest to your small group that you could come together?), not to mention Mission Week, kicking off partially in week 4, before building in week 5 to the Bar on the Hill talk on Thursday night.

As Greg said at WinterCon, we’re living in a building suspended in mid air – the split second before it all comes crashing to the ground. So that’s enough arm-chair dosing, lollygagging tomfoolery, let’s get pumped for Semester 2!

Photo Credit: bluesbrothersgallery.com

Bible Blunders and How to Avoid Them!

Martin Shadwick — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:33:14 +0000

Friday 25 June 2010
3pm – 4:30pm
Martin & Jen’s House
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Atheists, have you ever had a Christian tell you, “You’ve got the Bible wrong”?
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Christians, have you ever said that to someone?!

As I’ve chatted with atheists and sceptics and read their books and blogs, it’s struck me that there are a few key differences in how we approach the Bible. My friends who are atheists have noticed this too.
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This informal seminar will offer some tips from a Christian perspective on how to read the Bible. My aim is pretty simple – just to help atheists and sceptics understand where Christians are coming from.
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All welcome. An RSVP on facebook would be helpful so I know how much snackage is required.
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Our house is across the road from uni. If you need the address contact me on 0448 005 427 or martinshadwick {at} gmail(.)com

Free BBQ – Tuesday nights during exams

Martin Shadwick — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 06:14:49 +0000

Stomach grumbling from from all that study?
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Take a break to refuel
at the NCS/FOCUS exam time free BBQ.
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Tuesdays 7pm-9pm

outside AIC / in front of Auchmuty library
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If you would like to help out, please turn up at 6.20pm for set up.

Beware the Thorns of Exam Times!

Sam Broadfoot — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:17:04 +0000

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”

Jesus’ words in the parable of the sower remind us of the many small things which can call on our attention, diverting our eyes from eternal glory. It’s interesting that the “good” things in life (riches and pleasures) can stop us from maturing, but around exam time I don’t think that riches and pleasures will be our main distraction! Most of us will be bunkering down for the next week or three, trying to cram in thirteen weeks worth of knowledge. Whilst it’s good to work hard, and we ought to be studying diligently in order to learn our various trades, we need to be careful that our study patterns don’t grow thorns. Don’t let them choke your life!

Since lectures and tutes are over, you may have more time to decide upon your own routine. Why not use the next three weeks to develop a great quiet-time routine alongside your study patterns? Perhaps you could start each day by reading and reflecting on God’s Word, before opening up your textbook?

On the other hand, if you’re one of those lucky student’s who has no exams, or you finish early, beware the pull and distraction of life’s pleasures. Enjoy your time off and use your holidays – make them a great time of refreshment, and a reminder of God’s great promises in Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

photo credit: Tatters:)

NCS AGM!!!

Steve Watt — Mon, 31 May 2010 06:51:18 +0000

Yep, it’s that constitutionally-appropriate time of the year again for us to hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM). It’s on this Wednesday at 5pm in Life Sciences (it’ll fit nicely between the Bible Talk and TNT). So bring along some supper, warm up your “Second!”s and “Aye!”s, and prepare for a whirlwind tour of the past year!	He's excited for the AGM! Are you?

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Elegant Evening

Laura Graham — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:31:06 +0000

Tired of wearing the same old unwashed clothes to uni every day? Feel trapped in a cycle of faded shirts, frayed jeans and scuffed shoes? Do you long for a reason to feel silk against your skin and/or use that fancy aftershave your mum bought you in the vain hope you would need it someday? Are you dying to bust out those heels or (if your name is Roger) that cravat you’ve been saving?

NEVER FEAR – we have the event for you!

Elegant Evening

Friday Night from 7pm (28^th of May)

Where? The Rotunda – King Edward Park

Wear? Fancy-shmancy clothes

How Much? Free, just bring

some food to share

photo credit: .faramarz