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I found an anecdote about a visit Abraham Lincoln once made to a slave auction. I doubt it's true, but it makes for a good story. Lincoln's heart was drawn to a young woman on the block. She looked with hatred and contempt on everyone around her. She had been used and abused all her life, and this time was but one more cruel humiliation. The bidding began, and Lincoln off...

One thing I've had the pleasure of observing over recent years is many of our young couples becoming parents for the first time. Their lives are transformed, literally, overnight. This transformation seems especially powerful for the new mums. Young women who previously seemed so distracted - busy with career, social life, coping with their husband, church ministries, o...

Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth", has always been my favorite verse. But just over a week ago, when I was taken to a private room by an ICU doctor who asked "have you had an end of life conversation with your dad as he may not make it out of the hospital due to his current condition" sudde...

I had an unexpected encouragement this week I'd like to share with you. I was searching for a Bible study on Jeremiah amongst the collection of notes amassed on top of my bookcase. I didn't find the book I wanted but bumped into another study from Jeremiah on the topic of endurance. Like many Bible studies, it starts with a general question to facilitate discussion: Comp...

Erin encouraged Anna and I to watch a new reality TV program that runs on the ABC on Tuesday nights (also streaming online at ABC iview). As a rule, I'm not that keen on reality TV, but we gave it a go. What a great show! It had complex characters, drama, and suspense. We laughed, we cried, and were constantly wondering what would happen next. Watch it: 'Old People's Home...

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...