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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 ...

This July, two young men from our congregration committed their lives to the Lord and as a statement to this faith, they underwent Baptism at Church. ...

The following devotion from Matthew Jacoby challenges my 'bouncing ball' personality. 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger' (Proverbs 15:1). Conflict is like one of those very bouncy bouncing balls. Every time it hits a hard surface it is propelled back up in the air. Likewise, conflict is perpetuated by hard hearts and anger bounces back ...

When life is a struggle and dreams hang in the breeze, when you're not sure what's next and long for a hopeful tomorrow, what should you do? The mantra of our culture is clear. 'Listen to your heart. Be true to yourself and go wherever your heart should lead'. Celebrities tell us it's true. 'The Voice' affirms it. Disney has built an industry on this message. And pop psy...

Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, this week issued a statement on theIsrael Folau furore that has swamped media coverage over past weeks. I quote in part: "Israel Folau's right to express his faith and act according to his conscience is of fundamental importance in any democracy, and it is of great concern to many Australians that this right is being denied a...

Many years ago, I was taught the 'ACTS' pattern for my personal prayers. It's a simple acronym. Begin with A Adoration (Praise and worship), then C Confession (Of sin, seeking forgiveness), then T Thanksgiving, and finally S Supplication (Make your requests to God). Oscar Muriu suggested a slight modification. He calls it ACTIVE prayer. It's an acronym. Same, same - b...