Recently, I’ve found my attention drawn to a Podcast series called “He’Brew” within the Project Zion Podcast, which focuses on the Old Testament writings. It was an episode on “The Law.” After listening to this particular episode, I felt inspired to open the Book of Leviticus to see if anything would capture my attention. Leviticus sounded a lot like an ancient priesthood manual, filled with religious rituals and purity laws.

Communion is one of my favourite sacraments in the church. I love the ritual and tradition, no matter how it is presented. Whether I’m kneeling before the emblems during a large in-person service, or sitting around a table with a small group, discussing our relationship with Jesus, our shortcomings, and our hopes—communion creates a deep sense of connection and closeness. Even online, I can set up a sacred space at home, prepare my own emblems, and still feel united with my faith community across the country.

At the outer edge of the ocean pool is a wall. Most of the time, it holds the water in, but when the tide rises and crashes over the pool’s edge, it also keeps the swimmers safe inside. When swimming laps, it’s hard to see the edge until you’re almost upon it. In fact, they’ve painted it white, likely because you wouldn’t notice it otherwise. 

The weather threatened rain as Ken Archer and I arrived at Tiona on Thursday, ready to review new signage and final touches for the Tiona Chapel. No matter how many times I visit, I’m always excited to be there. Aren’t you?

In his latest editorial, “Being Yourself,” Bill Gillard invites us to explore the values and beliefs that shape our identity, especially in light of how God sees us. This introspection is more than just an exercise; it’s a profound inquiry into the forces that drive our actions and define our lives.

One of the fables attributed to Greek slave and storyteller Aesop (620-564 bce) is about a deer gazing at its reflection in a pond. The deer was proud of its antlers, which were a thing of beauty and were more elegant by far than those of any deer in the forest. As he continued to look at his reflection, he caught sight of his legs which like those of every deer were skinny and unattractive.

Being called to Elder in the Community of Christ means many things to me.

In their 1991 book, The Edge of Adventure, Keith Miller and Bruce Larson recount a story about a traveller who is venturing across a desert when he runs out of water under a searing hot sun. The traveller is near death. Then he comes across a pump above a well that is buried deep in the sand.

I love a sunburnt country…Those words evoke a special feeling of connection for many of us, and it is almost impossible to say those words without moving on to the following lines that conjure up personal reflections of what this country means to each of us. The words from this poem “My Country” by Dorethea Mackellar, connects us to the collective conscience of Australia, no matter what part of the country you reside.

Have you noticed the wattle is in bloom? As I drove into Newcastle today the wattle blooms lined my path; the golden yellow and green standing out against the more subtle green-grey of the tall gum trees in the distance. For a moment the beauty had me transported to a place of calm and reverence and the words to the song “Cootamundra Wattle” filled my thoughts.  I felt a gentle touch of God’s healing as I listened again to the words.