I’ve avoided writing much about the earthquake – not really knowing where to start after a season of flood, fire and storm. What can be said that hasn’t been said before? How does one reach out anew? Then Eureka Street publishes an article contrasting ‘reasonable’ and ‘unreasonable’ hope reflecting on the image of the collapsedContinue reading “Reasonable hope after the earthquake”
Category Archives: Ministry
Compassion – a “spiritual technology”…
Krista Tippett: Reconnecting with compassion | Video on TED.com. Compassion has become a cliché through overuse and overexposure, contends journalist Krista Tippett. With story and lateral thinking, she explores new ways to reclaim and implement a sorely needed collective value. By linking it with everyday expressions such as “kindness,” “curiosity without assumption” and “beauty”, she invitesContinue reading “Compassion – a “spiritual technology”…”
Turning the other cheek is not for sissies
Yep – it’s up for preachin’ this Sunday (Matthew 5:28-38) Turn the the other cheek to the one who strikes you, give your cloak also to the one who sues you for your coat, go the extra mile. What’s the rationale? According to Walter Wink: Turn your cheek, thus indicating to the one who backhandsContinue reading “Turning the other cheek is not for sissies”
Praying with the Coptics…
Many of Perth’s Egyptian community endured a sleepless night as the dramatic events of their homeland unfolded and the seat of government changed. Such was the background for the 40th day commemoration of those who died in the Alexandria bomb blast on New Year’s Day following midnight prayers. It was my privilege to attend theContinue reading “Praying with the Coptics…”
Praying for Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
What a way to tour the world! The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle takes us to these three countries, which for their size, have had strong parts to play in modern history. We join the rest of the planet in prayerful thanksgiving for some legacies and intercession for some challenges surrounding the good folk of these nations.Continue reading “Praying for Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands”
Quizzing the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus looks over the crowd and declares “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…” How did he know? What did he see in the disparate mob gathered there? Fisherfolk, tax collector, tenant farmer – the curious, the cynic and the desperado. Was he declaring what was already innate orContinue reading “Quizzing the Sermon on the Mount”
Wondering about Wisdom
For my edification, I am reading Stephen S Hall, Wisdom: from philosophy to neuroscience.(University of Queensland Press, 2010). As a science writer, the author is particularly keen to explore potential new insights provided by the emerging neurosciences without jettisoning more conventional understandings of wisdom. In fact, he conjectures, wisdom is a phenomenon that cannot really be graspedContinue reading “Wondering about Wisdom”
Teaching disciples to suck eggs
Some may find it strange to be talking to veteran congregations about discipleship, as today’s texts lead me. Most have been making the journey a lot longer than I have, and I’m getting a bit long in the tooth. Yet, once again I will address what I have come to call the magnetic summons ofContinue reading “Teaching disciples to suck eggs”
Stories of rebuilding after the floods – Eureka Street
This morning’s Eureka Street article throws out a challenge. Following the stories of heroism, resilience and community cohesion during the peak of the flood crisis. Andrew Hamilton observes that the media will follow form and find few inspiring stories to engage us in the long hard process of assessment and reconstruction. Instead, the press willContinue reading “Stories of rebuilding after the floods – Eureka Street”
Unanswered prayers
Not a terribly good week so far. Two people within our circle of concern have died following debilitating illness, both leaving young families. Another’s grandson has received a long prison sentence. Some are wondering about the effect of long and sustained prayers for these individuals and their families. Where is God in all this andContinue reading “Unanswered prayers”
Wondering Pilgrim 