As the age of 19, I left America with my family to relocate back to Melbourne, Australia where I was born. I had been living in the USA for 10 years. I had friends, memories, and great opportunities for the future there. But my family was coming home and so I agreed to come with … Continue reading Time to Jump?
Insights from the Eagle
I love eagles. We live in a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Melbourne. When I took my first sabbatical back in 2012, on the very first day, Nicole and I were walking on a gravel road nearby and a huge wedge tailed eagle flew over our head and then up throught the trees. It was … Continue reading Insights from the Eagle
Stories Around the Cross – The Denial
The Denial (Mark 14:27-31, 66-72) The theme of abandonment overshadows many of the Stories Around the Cross. Jesus was abandoned by betrayal (Judas), by indifference (the disciples sleeping three times in Gethsemane), and by denial and desertion (Peter and the Twelve). When Jesus needed them the most, his friends left him alone. They all participated … Continue reading Stories Around the Cross – The Denial
Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap
Here is some wisdom from Proverbs 4. Vs.1. Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. Vs.4-5. Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them." Vs.10. Listen, my … Continue reading Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap
The Fisherman and the Businessman
A holidaying American businessman standing on the pier of a quaint coastal fishing village in southern Mexico watched as a small boat with just one young Mexican fisherman pulled into the dock. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. Enjoying the warmth of the early afternoon sun, the American complimented the Mexican on … Continue reading The Fisherman and the Businessman
Could you live to be 100?
Over 3,000 years ago, Moses wrote this: Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures … they quickly pass, and we fly away … Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:10-12. NIV More people are living over 100 today than at … Continue reading Could you live to be 100?
Overcoming Worry
Worry is a normal part of the human condition. Our minds naturally drift towards thinking about what could or is going wrong in our life or our world. Jesus understood this and addressed it (Matthew 6:25-34), as did the apostle Paul. When writing from prison to the church at Philippi, Paul said: Philippians 4:6-8. Don’t … Continue reading Overcoming Worry
The Race of Life (Part 4)
How is Your Race Going? 4. Are You Detoured? Sometimes we take a wrong turn. We're going the wrong way. We might even be lost. Even Jesus said that there is a wide road that seems attractive but it doesn’t always lead to life. Think of the prodigal Son who left home for the … Continue reading The Race of Life (Part 4)
The Race of Life (Part 3)
How is Your Race Going? 3. Are You Stopped? Sometimes we stop because of tragedy. Bad things happen to good people. Pain, hurt and tragedy touch most people’s lives. We don’t always know why. Life tends to ‘freeze frame’ in these moments. We need healing and comfort. Grief, which is a normal response to ‘loss’, is … Continue reading The Race of Life (Part 3)
The Race of Life (Part 2)
How is Your Race Going? 2. Are You Slowing Down? Maybe you are slowing down for various reasons. You could be tired or fatigued. You've been through a busy patch that has felt like running up a steep hill. Maybe you've been working too many long hours, running too fast for too long, and now … Continue reading The Race of Life (Part 2)
The Race of Life (Part 1)
As we begin the New Year together, it's a good time to reflect on our life - where have we come from, where are we now, and where are we going? Through the course of time, we all move through: age stages (child, teenager, young adult, adult, senior adult), faith stages (seeking, finding, growing, maturing), … Continue reading The Race of Life (Part 1)
The Power of Focus
Proverbs 4:25-27 says (Message Bible translation): Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. Here is some good and helpful advice for life: 1. Look straight ahead. We need to have a … Continue reading The Power of Focus
Living a Joy-Filled Life
In order for us to live the joy-filled life God desires for us, we need to be on guard for joy robbers. This takes some work. It doesn't happen by just saying, “Don't worry, be happy”. We need a strategy. 1. Overcome Irritations with PATIENCE. We can't avoid irritations coming our way. We have to … Continue reading Living a Joy-Filled Life
Joy Robbers
Yesterday, we talked about Christmas joy - the message of "good news of great joy for all the people." Yes, joy is God's will for your life ... all because of Jesus. But, we have an enemy! Jesus made this very clear ... John 10:10. “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but I have come … Continue reading Joy Robbers
Christmas Joy
Christmas is probably a distant memory for most of us now but it is good to be reminded of the core message that it brought - one of "good news of great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10) because of the arrival of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The One who would bring salvation and … Continue reading Christmas Joy