Newy tears

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

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!

Margin and surprise

First work flight of the year today and it was delayed. Nothing unusual about that for me. But I’ve been writing and leading some sessions on building more margin into busy lives. So, I’ve decided to try and see flight delays this year as added margin! I don’t like delays, detours, queues, unexpected waits. But … Continue reading Margin and surprise

A healing collective

Across the nation we're seeing the beauty of collective grief, compassion, empathy and respect; a quartet that that supports healing and fosters unity. And sadly, but predictably, we also see the ugliness of collective blame, which fuels division and fosters fear and often, more violence. It helps no one at all! We will see more of … Continue reading A healing collective

A choice

As our hearts ache that this happened. That this happened here. As we stand in strong solidarity with a shattered, grieving, yet courageous, resilient Jewish community. As we remember families that will never be the same - like beautiful Matilda’s. As we reflect on the worst and the best of humanity. As we celebrate beautiful … Continue reading A choice

A trifecta to master

Home! It’s always good to be home. And now to heed the advice I’m getting from all sides. “Take things slowly. Be patient. Be kind to yourself.”  Now, I must admit this self-care trifecta is always a work in progress for me. May be these three things come easily for you. They don't for me. … Continue reading A trifecta to master