Newy tears! There have been a lot shed in recent days. Joey Johns was showing them on Channel Nine on Sunday. Brother Matty was wiping them away on Fox Sports. They were flowing for Captain Kayln as Sandon Smith scored in the final minute to seal the Knight’s historic, underdog preliminary final victory. My son, … Continue reading Newy tears
Thankful and challenged
A treasured friend and mentor celebrates a milestone birthday today. As I was walking this morning, I was thinking about the difference this person has made in my life over the past 25 years. He's been a constant in my corner! My friend is humble. He’s real. He knows his flaws. Since our lives crossed … Continue reading Thankful and challenged
Scarred love
One scarred pew remains in the St Paul’s Chapel in Manhattan. It sits humbly in the corner of the historic chapel with the word “Love” aptly placed above it. St Paul’s is located 100 metres from the former World Trade Centre twin towers. And despite all that happened on the day of the 9-11 attack, … Continue reading Scarred love
Lessons on the road
I just had a warm, afternoon nap on my day off. Shame it was on a CT scan table at a local hospital. The latest scans come after my neurosurgeon confirmed that my last spinal surgery has not achieved the results we were hoping for. My ongoing pain had already told me that, but it … Continue reading Lessons on the road
Thank you!
Tomorrow there will be many wonderful female pastors and leaders exercising their God-given gifts across Australian Baptist churches. I’m deeply grateful for their leadership, inspiration, influence, wisdom, example and courage. As a Baptist male leader, I cheer these women on loudly, while recognising there is still more to do. Too many female leaders in our … Continue reading Thank you!
All in!
With many issues in life, we have a choice. We can stay on the sidelines, we can engage symbolically or at a surface-level, or we can wholeheartedly commit to playing our part in bringing real change. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme “All In - Reciprocity as Reconciliation” - invites us to step off the … Continue reading All in!
Compassion amid misinformation
Those playing divisive, race-card politics in Australia will keep getting the headlines. But the real story should not be forgotten. The people impacted most by fear-based, populist, political decisions and policies are usually the most vulnerable and those with the least voice. Let’s not let their real stories and needs be overshadowed amid cheap political … Continue reading Compassion amid misinformation
Lingering in story
Between appointments today I had the opportunity to meet John and chat over a coffee. He told me he a few times as we spoke that he didn’t want to hold me up! He wasn’t, as I reminded myself that in this moment there was no where else I needed to be. So we lingered … Continue reading Lingering in story
Drown out the boos!
Sadly, there will always be those who boo, motivated by voices that foster division, hated and fear. Many more rightly applauded after highly respected and much loved First Nations leaders concluded their Welcome to Country addresses in Sydney and Melbourne today. On a day - whereas a nation we’re called together as a diverse people … Continue reading Drown out the boos!
It shouldn’t be this way!
As we look at the world in all its brokenness and pain, it’s right to cry out “it shouldn’t be this way!”. And then what do we do? It has been good to ponder this question over the weekend with valued partners in Perth. I find myself crying out these words more and more as … Continue reading It shouldn’t be this way!
