Who would’ve thought that one photo could cause so much trouble?
It wasn’t the first time I’d been criticized for my friendship and solidarity with the Muslim community, in fact I’d had some threats of violence when I spoke up about Halal certification but this one took it another level.… Read the rest
As a nation, there are traits that have defined Australia for decades, but as the times shift and trends emerge McCrindle Research takes a look at the extent to which these are still relevant in defining us today.
1. The Lucky Country
Statistics show that Australia is doing better than ever when it comes to health, education, economic opportunities, and even political participation. … Read the rest
On Monday, the 26 of January, we celebrate 'Australia Day' – the official national day of Australia. I love Australia. I have travelled to around 30 countries in my short time on earth and I love different cultures and places … but there is no place like home. … Read the rest
A few weeks back I wrote a letter to the Australian Prime Minister expressing concern about how children are being treated in detention centres.
This last week I received a response from him and I post it here.
It feels like a "everyone has a right to their opinion but we're going to do what we want to do regardless" response.… Read the rest
As we head towards the crazy Christmas season, it's a good thing to pause and think about consumerism and the follower of Christ.
At CityLife, we have a social justice LifeGroup and they have put together a paper designed to be a thought provoking series of questions and comments exploring some key issues which confront us in our Western, first world culture.… Read the rest
Good friends of ours, Rob and Christie Buckingham (pastors of Bayside Church here in Melbourne), host The Exchange, an interactive TV program that engages with a variety of current issues, including parenting, technology, dealing with loss, the sexualisation of children, and domestic violence. … Read the rest
I remember attending my first Halloween party as a kid (not long after our family moved to the USA back in the 1970s), with its eerily lit pumpkins, freaky dress-up costumes and the scary dark room we were all dared to navigate ourselves through, kind of like a pseudo-haunted house.… Read the rest
Australia is marked with the beauty of diversity. People from many backgrounds, ethnicities and beliefs call this land home. Over the last several years I have had reservations about the treatment of asylum seekers, especially children in detention. The current harsh treatment of destitute people, seeking safety on our shores for a variety of reasons, does not reflect the beauty and depth of a society that embraces and celebrates diversity.… Read the rest
In October 2013, my wife and I participated with a number of other church pastors in an Indigenous Awareness Trip, sponsored by the Concilia organisation.
We began by flying from Melbourne to Alice Springs. It was my first visit to this iconic Australian town.… Read the rest
Australians Together is taking a fresh approach to building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Their web site has some inspiring stories and helpful articles. Check it out.
This coming weekend at CityLife Church, I will be sharing some of our experiences on an indigenous awareness trip we did with some Australian pastors last year, sponsored by Concilia.… Read the rest
I am sure we all heard the tragic news of actor Robin Williams death this last week. It is so sad when a person gets to the place where they think that ending their life is a better option than living it.… Read the rest
A recent article from the Barna Group:
March 18, 2014 — He was the most talked-about person of 2013 and winner of TIME’s “Person of the Year” award. Google Translate coders have set his name to translate as “a better world.”… Read the rest
Let’s be in prayer for people in the Philippines recently affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Thankfully, many groups, including World Vision, are at work in the area. Pray for safety, food and water for all families in the region, for the quick set up of evacuation centres and child friendly spaces, for those who have lost loved ones, for relief workers, and for those affected that they would find comfort in this time of tragedy and grief.… Read the rest
