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If only you knew

If only you knew

In July, my family and I returned to South Africa for the first time since moving over to New Zealand (6 years ago). I’ve written about my experiences before and how it has shaped me as a person. So, going back was special..

  • You can make a difference Australia!

    What I love about Australia and Australians is that for the most part, we are a people who make a positive difference in the world.  Australia’s prosperity and governance makes it possible people to live peaceably, find opportunities readily and make a difference.

  • Blessings in Disguise

    Do you ever find yourself in a moment in time when you don’t know what on earth is going on? I don’t mean that in a condescending way; but rather, in relation to your circumstances or surroundings, have you ever found yourself wondering how you got there? And how do you figure out what you do from there? It’s a tough set of questions to answer; but are definitely worth asking.

  • Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

    I’m washing dinner plates — my mind is tangled with concerns when I’m interrupted by a gentle inner nudging to walk outside. I rip off my rubber gloves, turn away from the soap suds and enter the cool night. It’s a short stroll to the ocean.

  • Spirituality vs self-help

    Western Christianity has in some cases become watered down to a self-help or medication for the emptiness inside. We have substituted missional living and even building up Christian community for an inward-looking truncated version of the Gospel.

  • The track

    As the Footplate Padre in 2009 I was guest of the late Dave Moyle in Wahgunyah in rural Victoria and took a photograph on a straight section of railway track and has been reflecting on it ever since.

  • The Blessings Of A Church Family

    One of the best and most important things we get to do as Christians is to be part of a church family. God’s design for the church family is the same as his design for the families we grow up in – a warm loving community in which we are loved, taught, supported, and corrected.

  • The Rex Dale Story

    My life began in a country town in Western Australia. My family attended a Baptist Church. It was every Sunday because my father was a very disciplined person and for him church attendance was an important part of the rhythm of life.

  • The Arts in discussion

    Centuries past, the Christians led the way in the arts. Art in all its forms: painting, architecture, writing, acting, music and so on. There are churches in the Orthodox denominations, where the interior of the building is decorated with paintings and statues of biblical characters in strident colours, even using gold leaf.

  • When you hate your name

    Do you like your name? Growing up, I had my fair share of teasing when it came to my name (and also nickname). Even with the most beautiful and well-meaning name, someone will be able to annoy you with it. Ahh.. the joys of growing up!

  • Ad Astra

    I like contemplation. It doesn’t always lead to action, but that’s ok. The act of thinking is under-rated. Good thought processes require good foundations, something severely lacking in modern society. The tree of information we eat of becomes the system that we live from.

  • The Christian’s own family

    We all know that children have a tendency to rebel against their parents. Teenagers tend to think they know the answers to everything, ignoring the good advice of those around them.