Courage and faith
I saw a touching portrait of personal courage and faith over the weekend. In their HSC (12) Year, a student is facing a protracted stay in hospital after a similar stay in hospital in the previous year. The first thing that struck me was their personal courage. Thinking back to my own Year 12 experience, the year was a blur of assessment tasks, exams, and memories in the last year of high school. To be
Tirocinium: A plea to dads
English poet William Cowper (pronounced cooper) lived a dark life. His mother died when he was six, after giving birth to his brother. Little William was then sent away to boarding school and was cruelly abused. His father was a distant figure. After various episodes of instability, Cowper became a recluse and struggled with depression throughout his life, often suffering extended periods of despair and attempting suicide. Today, we sing his eloquent hymns “There Is
Sexual Detox
I recently read Tim Challies' little book Sexual Detox, which is a great help for Christian men in our pornified culture. The book includes a sobering description of the nature and effects of pornography and masturbation, an overview of God's plan for sex and sexuality, and practical advice for detox for husbands and men in general. I think it would make a great book for men's Bible study. Because Tim's writing is Bible-based, his perspective
Descending to the dungeon
The great English Baptist, Charles Spurgeon, loved to allude to his second favourite book in his writing and preaching. One such allusion is found in Spurgeon's statement below: There are dungeons underneath the Castle of Despair as dreary as the abodes of the lost, and some of us have been in them. Some of you know these dungeons well. The darkened corridors and stone cold floors are easily recognised. Within these dungeons, you move with
Let it be
Ah, a Beatles song. Isn’t it? Maybe that’s what went through your mind when you first read the title. Maybe, maybe not. Depends how old you are, what kind of music you prefer (or once preferred) or what you were thinking about as you sat to read this post. For me, it’s not about “Mother Mary coming to me, speaking words of wisdom” but God speaking words of wisdom. It reminds me of a verse
The patience of the gospel
"You just don't get it!" "You'd have to be blind not to see it!" "The fact that you can't see your wrong is worse than the wrong itself!" These are the kinds of thoughts that sometimes go through my head as I interact with a person I believe has wronged me or hurt me. In the home, in the church, in the workplace—we all have situations where we are absolutely sure that the other person
Parental love
Written several years ago while watching a family interact in a busy airport terminal. Parental love is firm. It rebukes and confronts in spite of personal discomfort. It rebukes again. Parental love is patient. It explains that which should be obvious. And then it explains again. Parental love is gracious. It forgives the failure that bespeaks hopeless stupidity. And it forgives again. Parental love is understanding. It stoops to soothe the irrational fear. It bothers
What’s in a name?
My husband and I had a holiday. We went to places where there were hills, shops, and takeaway food. I ventured into a shop one day that sold trinkets and ornaments. But the thing that alerted my attention wasn’t the possible purchases but the salesgirl, probably fifteen or sixteen years old, smiling as she served a customer. My eyes were drawn to the name tag on her shirt. The name was unusual. I’ve seen some
The road less travelled
There is a road that leads into Pormpuraaw. Two hundred and seven kilometres of dirt road. It only leads to Pormpuraaw. Main Roads keeps it drivable just for those who drive into Pormpuraaw. There are segments of bitumen along this road but they are short and sweet. Just enough time to rearrange your seating, relax your shoulders a bit, hear the words properly in the song that is playing, then prepare for the dirt yet
On receiving our fifth child
My excellent wife Di gave birth to a baby girl on Sunday evening. We thank God for the opportunity to nurture her life. Our hearts are full—and our days are busy! I've selected some wise advice below for parents and would-be parents. For your contemplation... The "little church" "Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by his rules. And family education and