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I often walk through the bush near our place in the early morning or late afternoon, just as the light is changing. It's noisy, very noisy. In summer cicada song fills the air as they raise their voices (or drum their abdomens) in joyful chorus. At other times of year kookaburras laugh, and parrots of various sorts squeak, squawk and squabble in the tree tops. But the sou...

Dr. Manju Rajaratnam spoke about Understanding Emotional Health. ...

On the 8th April 1802, Matthew Flinders sailed his ship, the Investigator, into a sheltered harbour near what is now Adelaide. He was on a voyage of exploration, mapping the 'Unknown' south Australian coastline. Much to his surprise he discovered a French vessel, the Geographe, captained by Nicolas Baudin, at anchor in the same harbour. France, ruled by Napoleon Bonaparte,...

I came across this little story by Marilyn K. McAuley. It outlines the secret to a successful marriage. Relationships are complex and perhaps it's a bit simple. But it sure has the ring of truth about it. See what you think: A couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary were asked what the secret was to a successful marriage. As the elderly are wont to do, the old...

I wrote this back in 2007. Still holds true today. There is hope in Jesus. It's been one sad story after another. Keith Urban, gifted singer/songwriter, marries a glamorous Aussie movie star, and a couple of months later checks in for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Two weeks ago pop-star Robbie Williams, at the peak of his career, is admitted to rehab for prescriptio...

I love this poem. Flying Crooked The butterfly, a cabbage white,(His honest idiocy of flight)Will never now, it is too late,Master the art of flying straight,Yet has who knows so well as I?-A just sense of how not to fly:He lurches here and here by guessAnd God and hope and hopelessness.Even the acrobatic swiftHas not his flying-crooked gift. Robert Graves ...

We have a book at home compiled by the Directors of the Japan Bonsai Association called 'The Masters' Book of Bonsai'. It tells you everything you need to know to create an award winning bonsai. Bonsai is the art of growing trees in a small pot so that, although perhaps only a foot tall, they give the appearance of a tree, to quote, 'found high in the mountains, or a form...

David Starling, lecturer and head of Theology @ Morling College, spoke at the Church Camp retreat. See the talks below. ...

The word 'peculiar', in common usage, means, 'different to what is normal or expected; strange'. So, wearing a clown suit on a commuter train that's peculiar. Planning a romantic weekend getaway in Bankstown that's peculiar. Writing a novel with a crayon that's really peculiar. This year's church camp theme is 'Peculiar People' because Christians are supposed to be p...

When Oscar Muriu came and preached to us about getting out of our comfort zones, I had no idea the impact, this sermon would have on me. A few things resonated within my spirit. I know I'm not the only one who was ministered to that day. I've had several conversations with people here who have felt that we must somehow take seriously what God may be saying to us through ...