One of the things I’ve appreciated since arriving in Shoalhaven Heads is the generosity of people in our community. Whether it’s clubs, volunteer groups or neighbours helping neighbours, generosity is alive and well. But what makes someone truly generous? I recently heard the story of a husband who arrived home...
Recently I found myself in a room full of children and discovered I had no ability to gain their attention or keep order. It gave me an appreciation for teachers, who manage both every day. That experience made me wonder whether many people imagine God in a similar way. If...
It’s State of Origin time, and if you’re from New South Wales, you may be desperately hoping to avoid the annual torture often inflicted by those north of the border. Queensland has a knack for upsetting the odds and proving victorious, despite regularly fielding teams that many experts consider less...
Brian Clough was a successful manager of the English soccer club Nottingham Forest in the 1970’s and 80’s. Before awareness of the dangers of head injury arose, a humorous incident occurred when one of Clough’s players became severely concussed. The trainer reporting to Clough said ‘you’ll have to take him...
Driving south from Gerroa I’m really taken by the trees which line either side of the road. This has got me thinking about the different ways trees feature in the Bible. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon once had a dream of a very large tree which the prophet Daniel explained was...
Christmas is over for another year. No doubt many of us gathered with families during this time. Family events can be happy occasions, but for some they can be filled with tension. Times together can put us on edge, making us careful in what we say, and relieved when the...
Recently I led the funeral of a lady who had done some outstanding needlework or cross-stitch creations. Her work was so good it won her first prize at the Sydney Easter Show. I know very little about cross-stitch. But what I do know is for any thread to penetrate the...
We live in a world in great need of peace. On 11th November I gathered with others to commemorate Remembrance Day, marking the moment an armistice was signed to end fighting in WW1. It’s right we continue to meet to mark that occasion and remember many who have fallen to...
Walking along the beach during the recent holidays, my wife commented how good it was seeing so many dads out with their children enjoying shared experiences. Children often get pleasure knowing their parents are watching. It can give them a great sense of security. ‘Dad, look at me’, is a...
The football final season brings with it disturbing trends. Agencies report an increase in incidents of domestic violence against women, often related to alcohol and gambling issues. As a church we’ve been running termly Men’s Breakfasts at which we’ve been considering what true masculinity looks like, applying the following test:...