Who dares speak of joyIn this world so full of woe?When downcast eyes and heavy heartsQuestion why it is so. Why spell out this defiant wordIn the face of life so dreary?Don’t you see the tear-stained faceand the shoulders stooped so weary? The prophet calls for peace and faith,The apostle for robust trust,The baptiser laysContinue reading “Advent Joy”
Category Archives: Personal
Advent Peace
While thirteen-year-olds riot on Rottnestand Middle East regimes fallAssassins smile and CEOs hide awayProphets amplify their call. Prepare the way! Get ready!Straighten things up and clear the road!If it’s peace you want, then roll up your sleevesAnd do the work, share the load. For peace within requires an altered mindAnd a disposition to forgivenessPeace withoutContinue reading “Advent Peace”
Law of Hope vs the Law of the Jungle
Political fortunes shift and swayAbroad and at home we dodge their sprayExcept that’s impossible, for come what mayThey affect how we live from day to day. Something anew has risen its headA phrase of combat that fills one with dreadFresh from a lexicon of conflict abroadFamiliar, however, for we’ve wielded its sword. Lawfare – theContinue reading “Law of Hope vs the Law of the Jungle”
50 years ago tonight …
Fifty years ago, tonight, I knelt alongside my colleagues as elders of the Federal Conference of Churches of Christ in Australia stepped forward. They laid hands upon us, ordaining us as ministers. This sacred moment marked the climax of four years of rigorous study, formation, and discernment within our live-in community. I honed my skillsContinue reading “50 years ago tonight …”
The Middle of Decade Eight
James Baillie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Waking up to the day that marks the middle of my seventies, the muse beckons me to a brief thematic review of each decade – its wound and its gift. So here goes! Decade one sees a fawn emergeTimidly testing boundaries Seeking safe borders Decade two summons brittleContinue reading “The Middle of Decade Eight”
Disinformation Bill Danger
I saw it onlineTherefore, it must be worthyAccording to who? I’m conflicted – ever vigilant and vexed by the great tide of false and harmful content washing over mainstream and social media and alarmed by current legislative efforts to curb it. It is always problematic when freedom of speech is undermined by censorship. The currentContinue reading “Disinformation Bill Danger”
When St Valentine wears the Ashes
I asked Artificial Intelligence (AI) to compose a ballad exploring the conundrum of St Valentine’s Day falling on Ash Wednesday. Both are on the Christian calendar. One is a feast; the other begins the Lenten fast. It was fascinating to watch AI wrestle with a binary rather than a unified approach. AI is culturally conditionedContinue reading “When St Valentine wears the Ashes”
Two Journeys, One Destination
Many Christians worldwide are now preparing to observe the Season of Lent, beginning next week with Ash Wednesday and culminating in Holy Week, the days marking the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem and the events concluding with the triduum, that is Good Friday to Easter Sunday, the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus as Christ.Continue reading “Two Journeys, One Destination”
Velcro vs Teflon
“Well, if you’re going to talk to me in that way with your insults and ultimatums, you’re going to find me a tough customer! I advise you to find your manners and then come back for a chat.” Does that sound non-confronting? Is there a better way? When I’m in conflict with someone, I canContinue reading “Velcro vs Teflon”
“When I’m 104”
If Paul McCartney was writing the lyrics now, this might be the title. Sixty-four today is young by any standard. So I tackle Sr Joan Chittister’s reflection on “Ageism” in her book The Gift of Years with some diffidence. In my mid-seventies, I can’t say that I have yet experienced to a noticeable degree theContinue reading ““When I’m 104””
Wondering Pilgrim 