Relationships
How to be Wrong when Right
One of my work colleagues – let’s call her Kristie – is on a self-confessed journey of converting from Judaism to selected aspects of Buddhism. Last month, while we were waiting for a flight in the Qantas Club, Kristie described to me how she is creating her new designer spirituality based on what she likes. [...]
Grace for Slackers
“Woman, get in your place and stay there!” With these words in last week’s post I was preaching boldly to myself while some of my readers were startled. If you are a woman who has heard those words spoken without compassion and understanding, I apologise for setting a tone that may have alarmed you. I [...]
When a Backyard Barbecue Becomes a Heavenly Rendezvous
Do you ever come away from spending time with another Christian feeling unsatisfied with the quality of fellowship? That you talked about sports and politics or cooking and kids but never really touched on deeper topics of the heart? Do you long for conversations to stray past the safety zone of general topics and delve [...]
Hope for Homosexuals
In the last blogging segment I wrote a post called “Straight Talk about Gay Guys”, trying to touch on the issue of homophobia in our local churches and in ourselves. The topic of homosexuality—both gay and lesbian—is uncomfortable for many of us. But it won’t go away, and it’s probably closer to home than most [...]
Thank you Mum
I remember the day as if it was yesterday. It was my first day in high school (Year 7 for international readers) and my whole world was changing. In primary school, you reach the top of the food chain in Year 6 only to start again at the bottom in high school. At the end [...]
The patience of the gospel
“You just don’t get it!” “You’d have to be blind not to see it!” “The fact that you can’t see your wrong is worse than the wrong itself!” These are the kinds of thoughts that sometimes go through my head as I interact with a person I believe has wronged me or hurt me. In [...]
Parental love
Written several years ago while watching a family interact in a busy airport terminal. Parental love is firm. It rebukes and confronts in spite of personal discomfort. It rebukes again. Parental love is patient. It explains that which should be obvious. And then it explains again. Parental love is gracious. It forgives the failure that [...]
What’s In A Name?
My husband and I had a holiday. We went to places where there were hills, shops and takeaway food. I ventured into a shop one day that sold trinkets and ornaments. But the thing that alerted my attention wasn’t the possible purchases but the salesgirl- probably fifteen or sixteen years old, smiling as she served [...]
Of Relationship and an Open Mind
I try to keep an open mind. You can broach just about any subject with me and I’m willing to listen and consider other perspectives… usually. There’s one thing that tends to get in the way of my open mind. That’s when someone has a go at someone I love. Don’t get me wrong. I’m [...]
When Daddy is Weak
On the weekend our family went out for dinner. We sat at an outside table at a restaurant somewhere in North QLD. At a table next to us was a family with two young boys, they couldn’t have been more than 3 and 4 years old. Things started out very pleasantly (as they usually do). [...]
When Everything is Crashing Around You
I think I’d have a mental breakdown if I was in Job’s position yet he blessed God at the end of chapter one after all he lost and went through. A lot of people cursed God and died for much less than what Job went through. We should examine ourselves and see how we’d go [...]
On Receiving Our Fifth Child
My excellent wife Di gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday evening. We thank God for the opportunity to nurture her life. Our hearts are full — and our days are busy! I’ve selected some wise advice below for parents and would-be parents. For your contemplation… The “little church” “Every Christian family ought to [...]
