Reflections from the belly
‘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”
Recently I read that a staggering proportion of anti-aging products are purchased by and for children. One Swedish beauty chain estimates that 20-40% of its products are bought by people under the age of 13; while parents are reporting that even nine- and ten-year-olds are begging for anti-aging cosmetics. Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | A ripe old age”
When Satan casts out Satan, he grows stronger: but in Christ we can unmask and bind him. A reflection on Mark 3:20-35 given to Westgate Baptist Community Church on 9 June 2024. Listen here.
I have a beloved friend whose church said she had a demon, and so they tried to bind and exorcise it. In the name of Christ, they said, she must be straight, yet over the days and years of fasting and praying and shouting and weeping they utterly failed to cast the demon out.
Continue reading “Mark | How Satan casts out Satan”
I was walking along the beach path when I noticed it: a vastness, bobbing like a bus doesn’t bob just below the breakers. It was a koontapool, or southern right whale, come to the birthing grounds just off the coast at Warrnambool. Continue reading “Psalms | Slow reading | Koontapool, God’s delight”
As followers of Jesus, we must always interpret scripture through his lens. A response to God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts, given to West Preston Baptist Church on 12 May 2024. You can also watch it here.
So I was out walking with my fifteen-year-old one dark night, when this guy got out of a car parked in the shadows and made a beeline for us. Naturally I thought, ‘A weirdo, oh help!’ Then a voice said, ‘Ali? Ali, is that you?’ and I realised it was your minister.
Continue reading “God’s bigger picture or, How to read your Bible”
Alison and the whale 