The things I think about and want others to think about with me
God's 'BUT'
Where are you on the first day of the week'? What deep sleep are you in ‘at early dawn’? What tomb, what defeating narrative or situation are you visiting each day or each year, accepting it as done and dusted, impossible to be resurrected to new life?
‘But’ is the name of Jesus’ foot that kicked down the doors of Hades and freed hell's prisoners among a mighty tumult and uproar. ‘But’ is the triumphant look from Jesus’ eyes that drained the blood from Satan’s face and froze the demons of the underworld mid-celebration. ‘But’ is the word that frees you from your past, erases your sins, dispels your fears, and overpowers your defeats…
Unwrapping Christmas
Every year millions of people participate in the most amazing mystery story conceivable, yet ‘miss the forest for the tree’. Christmas wafts over our consciousness like a carol in a shopping mall or drowned in lunch-time beers wearing bright coloured party hats. But what a pity to miss the mysterious story underpinning this season…
Communities of Sent Ones
“I continue to dream of a completely missionary Church, and a new era of missionary activity among Christian communities.” Pope Francis has been banging this drum for years now, but is it getting through? If the word apostle means ‘sent one’, then to recover our apostolic identity we need to see ourselves as a Sent Church - a ‘community of sent ones’.
Elvis and Keith Green: Caught in a Trap
Music and fame are an intoxicating combination… As Elvis knew well, the magic of the gift is incredibly satisfying - like a drug in itself - so much that you can easily get lost in it and mistake it as the end goal. I know this magic well
A Time to Revive
How aptly named is the word ‘grog’? A popular relaxant and Australian social icon, I admit to availing myself of a few cool ales over the summer break in a good communal spirit. The only thing is, it tends to leave the headlights a bit ‘foggy’ and the antennae a bit less sharp, doesn’t it. To have a relaxed, joyful, wound-down heart is good thing: but a dulled and foggy headspace - not so much.
Looking for a sign?
I don’t know whose home you will be travelling to this year, or if you’re busy preparing your home to welcome others into it, but there is one table we are all invited to this Christmas. Especially if you think you are the furthest away…
'I Want What He's Got': catching the Spirit of Jesus
Have you ever been to a restaurant and thought, “I’ll have what they’re having!” Perhaps it was a dessert, a cocktail, or maybe you’re thinking of the scene in When Harry Met Sally. Whatever it is, I think we can all relate to wanting something we haven’t got, that someone else has that looks totally amazing…
When Love Comes Down
Jesus’ death on Good Friday is more than a public holiday. It is the worldwide declaration of an insane, passionate, dedicated, committed, gutsy love, on the behalf of a Father-Creator, to reach out and embrace his children who have wandered far and wide in pursuit of everything else.
Getting Pregnant with God
Imagine being SO filled with the Holy Spirit that you became literally ‘pregnant with God’? The reality is, this is something we are all called to do, not just Mary
Class Warfare in Church
One of the comments since the weekend’s ‘miracle’ election result is how Labor overplayed their hand and turned off voters by appealing to ‘class warfare’. ie. get the media machine churning, pit one group against the other, create a straw man and hope the swing goes in your direction. I’m no political analyst, but I have been around Church ministry long enough that I couldn’t help but think, ‘Hmmm, that sounds awfully familiar - Why is that?’ I think we could have a lot to learn from this as a Church if we’re willing to listen!
What Does God Want This Lent?
We may be healthier at the end, but Lent is not a diet. We may raise money for those in need but it’s not a fundraising campaign either. So what does God want from you and me this Lent? The answer is simple, beautiful and profound.
How to be a New Person This Year
Forget trying. You’ll never do it! You can’t - not in your own strength anyway. I’m down for personal transformation and becoming the best version of myself. It’s just that I’ve discovered striving won’t achieve it. Here’s what will…
Small Things Are Big Things
If ever there was a time that God celebrated ‘the things that are not to shame the things that are’, it’s got to be Christmas. Think about it…
New Wine, New Fire
I had just arrived home and was parked in the driveway, but I couldn't turn the engine off or get out of the car. I don't know if you've ever had something like this happen to you, but it felt like an invisible shield had just descended around me and I was transported to another place
When I Met The Risen Jesus
We meet the risen Jesus today in all sorts of unpredictable ways, circumstances and people; as long as we are open and look with the eyes of the Spirit
Responding to the Creative Burst
Inspiration comes at the most random times. Sometimes it falls while I'm driving home drumming on the dashboard of the car. Other times in the shower while my brain is turned off soaking my shoulders in the heat, or over a glass of wine sitting at the piano... It's at disarmed moments like these, when my soul is open, that a little bell in my head sounds- "bing" - and a revelation appears.
Why We Need Men
This is what's needed in Australia today - a rebirth of true male community; a 'band of brothers'. A safe place where the guard can come down and guys can move past the mask of 'so what do you do for a quid', to the place where there is a handful of solid guys you know who have got your back...
They Will All Know Me
Do you need to be a theologian to know God? What's the point of the Holy Spirit? Sure, these aren't questions everybody asks themselves, but they're really important ones to know the answer to.