Reflections from the belly
An invitation to connect with the earth. (Listen here).
Down by the river, on a gentle bend, there is a quiet spot. You can rest there awhile and listen to the water rippling. If you turn your gaze to the sky, you will see branches. They corkscrew around, twisting and turning, bending and bowing in response to each other so that every leaf on every branch has its own space. No tree is crowding another, for they are crown-shy.
Continue reading “Genesis | Abraham and the teacher trees”
Some people want church to be a super-comfortable shelter from the world: but without friction, no fragrance! Listen here.
A few weeks ago, I was interviewed on a Christian radio program. When the host asked me about my childhood, I said that it had been church all the way, for which I was (now) incredibly grateful. The host told me he had also grown up in the church and said it was a great blessing ‘having a sheltered upbringing and a peaceful home life and all that sort of thing …’
Continue reading “Corinthians | Without friction, no fragrance”
A reflection inspired by Psalm 19, shared with Flemington Ark People’s Pantry on 15 September 2024. Listen here. Links to further resources below.
There’s an ancient story, the oldest in the world, which many people know. It’s often associated with the people of the desert: the Martu, the Anangu, the Pitjantjatjara, the Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra peoples, but others know it, too. It’s a long story, with dozens of different versions and a thousand twists and turns. The characters go by different names in different places, as does the story itself: but sometimes it’s called Kungkarangkalpa: the Seven Sisters. And, very, very, very, very briefly, one version goes like this: Continue reading “Psalms | The Seven Sisters”
A friend encouraged me to re-preach an oldie, but you can never quite do the same thing twice. So here’s the oldie, changed to reflect recent news events and some fresh weirdness in my life. Listen here. Given to Coburg Uniting Church on 8 September 2024.
‘If you don’t raise your voice, it is unlikely that anyone will hear you,’ wrote Malala, the Afghani girl who was shot by the Taliban simply for going to school. Yet last month, the women of Afghanistan had their voices completely silenced. ‘They must not sing or read aloud in public, nor let their voices carry beyond the walls of their homes,’ reports The Guardian. Why? Because every woman’s voice is now deemed to be ‘a potential instrument of vice.’
Continue reading “Mark, Isaiah | Raising her voice”
‘Those who love and fear you lack nothing,’ sings the Psalmist. ‘God listens. God delivers. God protects.’ But we know the truth. Good people suffer. The poor are hungry. The innocent are accused. Prophets are silenced. So, is this psalm sanctimonious and full of false promises? Or is something else going on? Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | I called in my affliction”
In the weirdness that has become my life, I co-hosted this morning’s Sunday Morning Together program with Vision Christian Radio. You can listen here.
On the plus side, they invited ME. I got to talk about some moments in my life journey, and also preach and lead communion. But if you’re wondering why I didn’t mention ministry, of course I did. However, citing Paul (‘We no longer live under the requirements of the law, but under the freedom of God’s grace’ and ‘Christ is the only justification anyone needs’) then naming that LGBTQ+ folk were part of Sanctuary was deemed too offensive, and so the entire section about my ministry was removed prior to broadcast. To which I say: People – if your faith is so fragile that you cannot even HEAR that LGBTQ+ people are part of a church, then perhaps you need to rethink your faith. Ω
Revelation can be read to judge and exclude … but what if it’s not like that at all? Listen here. A reflection on Revelation 6:1-8:1 given to the Vietnamese Evangelical Church of Australia (English language service) on 28 July 2024.
A couple years ago, I met a young woman on a train. I was quietly reading my Bible, trying to be discreet, but she noticed and began asking questions. Gradually our conversation unfolded, and what I learned was this: She was South Sudanese. Her family had fled that long and terrible war, and eventually found asylum in Australia.
Continue reading “Revelation | So much better than you think!”
‘You set a table in the presence of my enemies …’ sings the Psalmist, ‘my cup overflows.’ There are two ways to imagine this, two images of God. Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | In the presence of my frenemies”
The dance of the liturgy heals and transforms us: but to receive its gifts, we must participate. Listen here.
One of my happiest childhood memories were church barn dances. Once or twice a year on a Saturday night, we’d gather in the hall with a dance caller and bush band, and off we’d go with a do-se-do and twirl your partner! People of all ages skipped and galloped, wove and spun, stumbling and laughing and moving down the reel.
Continue reading “Samuel | Joining the sacred dance”
A reflection given to Canterbury Baptist Church on 7 July 2024. This congregation is facing a move, as their property is about to undergo a major redevelopment. And while there will be much to gain (don’t even mention the toilets), there will also be a great deal of loss. Given all this, I reflected on the theme of God’s dwelling place. Listen here.
Where does God live? What does God’s house look like? Does God live at church? These are big questions often asked by small people, but I wish more big people would ask them. Because I reckon many big people haven’t really worked out the answers, even though the questions have been floating around for thousands of years.
Continue reading “John | God’s dwelling place”
Alison and the whale 