thinking honestly about life and faith
This weekend, in the national political scene, a struggle is going on within the federal parliamentary opposition. A new leadership team will be elected on Monday, and conceivably the leader could be our next Prime Minister.When announcing a challenge, against … Read More »
Another superb quotation derived from a student’s essay.This time, it offers helpful reflection on the way we can gain insight and healing, through suffering and pain. So much nonsense is said on this subject!I for one do not want to … Read More »
I’ve spent a lot of the last month grading students’ papers.Quite often, I learn a lot from these essays and the reflections from which they emerge.In one essay, the student began with a story—unfortunately no source was cited. A Christian … Read More »
Among the many gems found in my reading this year was David Malouf’s collection of short stories, Antipodes.Malouf is a brilliant writer, in his economy of language, evoking so pungently the ethos and spirit of this land and its peoples.One … Read More »
I read last week Geraldine Brooks’ novel, March. I recall the excitement when it came out, after people had so much enjoyed her fabulous book A Year of Wonders.The latter is a story set in the famous town of Eyam, … Read More »
I promised to tell some more about the holiday in Fiji.It’s almost three weeks ago, and so quickly the benefit of a holiday is overtaken by busyness.This is a worry! But I do want to reflect on the experience of … Read More »
There has been a lot of carry-on in Australian politics of late about ‘Australian values’, and the demand that people coming to this country, as immigrants or even on a visitors visa should subscribe to ‘Australian values’.Alas, no one seems … Read More »
I haven’t written for a while. Mostly, just too busy. But in fact big things are on the agenda for me.This last ten days, I have been on leave. With my wife Merilyn and our daughter Felicity, I went to … Read More »
There is a parable of Jesus, in which an ‘unclean spirit’ leaves a person, but does not find a new home. It returns, to find its former home lovely and clean—and empty. So it goes to find seven friends, to … Read More »
It will be interesting to see the results of the recent Census of the Australian population. An ever growing number of people are ticking the box for ‘No Religion’. It’s an interesting question just what people mean by that.As indicated … Read More »