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”
Category Archives: Spirituality
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…”
Saying sorry – the continuing journey
The third anniversary of the Australian government’s Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is rapidly approaching (13th February). What of substance has occurred since then? A bi-partisan response to the audit presented to federal parliament this week, Closing the Gap, revealed some challenges, unfulfilled intentions and a degree of frustration on all sides.Continue reading “Saying sorry – the continuing journey”
Australia & the World Pray for the UK & Ireland
Many countries deserve our thoughtful prayers from week to week and we are certainly mindful of the dramatic events affecting millions of people in Egypt right now. Focused attention on troubled and changing regions does not deplete a disciplined and planned approach to prayer, however. Ireland and the United Kingdom comprising England, Northern Ireland, Scotland,Continue reading “Australia & the World Pray for the UK & Ireland”
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”
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”
Discovering authenticity through vulnerability
Just stumbled upon one of the great TED talks (they all seem to have some thought provoking gems). This one hit something in my core. I found myself shouting YES all the way through as Brené Brown, a researcher in social work, shared her learning about discovering one’s true authenticity and authority through vulnerability. Look atContinue reading “Discovering authenticity through vulnerability”
Disaster & Discipleship
As one prepares for sermons this Sunday, one wonders how the lectionary will speak into the preoccupations of a community. Not only the Queensland floods (15 lives lost), but the many more lives lost in flooding this week in Brazil, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and South Africa will be not far from our minds. TheContinue reading “Disaster & Discipleship”
What happens when we pray for others?
If you have moved beyond the idea of prayer as some sort of cosmic slot machine – where you put in a request and hope that a combination of piety, good will and divine mood will line up and discharge a favourable response – then what do you expect happens when you pray – particularlyContinue reading “What happens when we pray for others?”
The King’s Speech – a reflection
Jenny and I joined a theatre full of baby-boomers to take in The King’s Speech, an art movie that is giving the holiday blockbusters a run for their money. The tension is set when Australian iconoclasm meets the brittle straitjacket of the cultural accoutrement that had built up around the British Crown and ther establishment thatContinue reading “The King’s Speech – a reflection”
Wondering Pilgrim 