What a privilege to have walked this week on Gurindji country. What a privilege to have walked this week on Gurindji Country. Before me each day was beauty and brokenness. The beauty of humble, inspiring, resilient First Nations’ people and their wonderful lands, hills, rivers and creeks. And yet the brokenness of injustice, disadvantage and … Continue reading A moment to be seized
A genuine welcome mat!
What does it look like to be a genuine welcoming gospel community? What does it look like to invite others to your dining table in an expression of genuine hospitality Certainly - as Walter Brueggemann and Sanetta Ponton highlight - it means facing our prejudices and ensuring “people not like us” are invited to our … Continue reading A genuine welcome mat!
“Well, at least … “
Well, at least … "Well, at least I don’t vote Greens." "At least I don’t live in that suburb." "At least my kid's normal." "At least I’m not on benefits." "At least I don't talk like she does." "At least I’m not like him." "And well, God, thank you that my kids are so successful … Continue reading “Well, at least … “
A beautiful invitation
As I was driving today, listening to the radio, a well-known non-Aboriginal commentator admitted he could name many great Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football players. “But I have to say, I need to go back and learn a lot more about important, historic indigenous issues.” The commentator's honest reflection came on this weekend's AFL’s … Continue reading A beautiful invitation
Competing paths
As a leader, I have before me each day two competing pathways - the street of self-advancement and the road of relinquishment. The first pathway beckons me to personal ascension, accomplishment, acknowledgement and acquisition. These things all attractively play to my innate self-interest. And yet all of these things are at odds with the way … Continue reading Competing paths
The in-between days
Saturday The in-between day They were shattered, broken They were uncertain, fearful They were cynical, questioning They were grieving, numb They were longing, yearning They didn’t know what was next It was the in-between day! And here I am, So far removed from that Saturday And yet with so many in-between days in my … Continue reading The in-between days
God save us!
Palm Sunday, palm leaves. The chorus of “Hosanna” and the prayer "God save us”. God save us from the barbaric evil we see in Ukraine. And from the hatred we can foster and hide in our own hearts. Save us from seeing skin colour, rather than a person’s dignity. And from judging ethnicity through the … Continue reading God save us!
Exiles Welcome!
For many years now, Megan, our kids and I have had the privilege of sharing our house and dining table with many people who are not like us. And these beautiful people, all with different stories, have taught me, stretched me, grown me and blessed me in so many ways. They have deposited far more … Continue reading Exiles Welcome!
Sky, sound and steps
I sit oustide tonight in the peaceful backyard of my temporary housing. I look up to the sky. I don’t see the stars, but thank God I don’t see fire and smoke. No bombs are being dropped in my neighbourhood. I am a fortunate human being. I am thankful and yet stirred! I hear the … Continue reading Sky, sound and steps
May our slumber be shaken
“When an ordinary person with a good heart pays attention to our situation, they will surely feel our pain,” writes Mehdi Ali. For the life of me, I cannot understand how for so long our Prime Minister and senior government leaders have chosen to close their ears and hearts to the cries and pain of … Continue reading May our slumber be shaken
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