Sunday 19 April 2026
Kia ora koutou, and warm greetings and Talofa lava!
Dear Saint Peter’s family
Cyclone Vaianu is behind us, and I trust everyone was safe and no major damage to properties was sustained.
The power of nature does bring a humbling perspective to our self-evaluation. This is a good thing, and a humble mindset is a healthy attitude.
Before the cyclone’s landfall, some said to me they were praying it would weaken and turn out to sea. Praise God, it did have a course realignment & was less devastating than predicted, at least for the majority of us.
With humility & prayer in mind, I recalled Jesus’ Pharisee & Publican Parable in Luke 18:9-14
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Here is a little outline that may provoke some thought.
Pros & Cons
Pro means for, Con means a negative position
His CONdition – “stood at a distance.”
His CONviction – “He would not even look up to heaven”
His CONtrition – “beat his breast”
His CONfession – “ … have mercy on me, a sinner.”
God’s PROvision – “this man … went home justified.”
Jesus’ PROclamation – “… those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Wishing you a good week, hope to see many of you on Sunday
Shalom
David Duncanson Ministry Assistant Family Youth Children
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