This prayer by David Johnson is called “Revel in Summer” Dear God, Let us revel in summer. Let us soak up the long days and warm sun. May our feet walk on sandy beaches and our heads rest on thick grass under blue skies. May we listen to and marvel at the singing of the birds and stop to watch blissful children at play This summer, God, may our breathing slow and our hearts open. God help us to be present to all that is so that we might best see all that might be ..read more

Given we have just passed the summer equinox in Australia I felt it an appropriate time to share “A Sonnet of Transfiguration” by Malcolm Guite. It speaks of the transfiguration of Jesus and may be found in his book, “Sounding the Seasons”: For that one moment, in and out of time, On that one mountain where all moments meet, The daily veil that covers the sublime In darkling glass fell dazzled at his feet. There were no angels full of eyes and wings, Just living glory full of truth and grace. The love that dances at the heart of things Shone out upon us from a human face. And to that light th ..read more

As the moon reflects The light of the sun May we reflect The love of the One ..read more

Does victimhood free one from moral responsibility? If we consider someone oppressed, are we morally obliged to overlook ANYTHING they do to their oppressors? Do boundaries no longer apply? While the conflict in Palestine is the one getting attention presently, my question extends to all conflict situations. Because I think it’s important to establish principals that extend beyond tribal loyalties. Standards that apply to all humanity, no exceptions. It’s crucial to acknowledge that experiencing oppression can be profoundly challenging, leaving lasting emotional and psychological scars. Howeve ..read more

In our cultural imagination, YHWH often wears the robes of judgment, a celestial critic ready to pounce on the slightest misstep. The tale of Jonah, however, beckons us to question this caricature. This story from the Old Testament presents Jonah as a reluctant prophet. That is, after all, how Jonah ends up in the belly of the whale – fish, sea creature, take your pick – midway through his journey. When tasked with delivering a warning to the Babylonian Empire, Jonah flees over the sea in the opposite direction. Why? Because he feared YHWH was not the xenophobe he was and might just be open to ..read more

Following from my comments the other day on Jesus and his teachings on social status, I want to turn my attention to the place Indigenous Australians in Australian society. Indigenous Australians have a unique and rich cultural heritage that predates European colonization by tens of thousands of years. However, their historical and ongoing experiences since colonisation have been marked by marginalization, discrimination, and dispossession. Their land was stolen, their wages were stolen, hell, even their children have been stolen. They were not even counted as human for an awfully long period ..read more

I was sitting down to pray when my thoughts turned to those of you who, for want of a better term, are going through a deconstructive phase in your faith. I just want you to know that you are not alone on your journey of deconstruction. It can be a challenging and often overwhelming process to question and reevaluate the beliefs and foundations of your faith. However, it is also a courageous and transformative journey that can lead to a deeper, more authentic understanding of your spirituality. As you navigate this path, remember that it is okay to have doubts and uncertainties. In fact, quest ..read more

Both the Bible and the Tarot use symbols and stories to convey deeper truths about the human experience, and I find it fascinating how these two seemingly different systems can intersect and inform each other. In the Bible, there are many archetypal figures that represent different aspects of the human experience. For example, the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden can be seen as a metaphor for the human struggle between desire and morality. Similarly, the story of the prodigal son can be seen as a representation of the journey of self-discovery and the ultimate return to one’s true n ..read more

When someone takes a literalist approach to the Bible, they tend to assume that every word of the Bible was written to be taken at face value and applied to our lives in a very rigid way. However, the Bible is a complex and multifaceted text that was written in different languages, in different cultural contexts, and over a span of thousands of years. Therefore, taking a literalist approach can lead to a simplistic and reductionist view of the Bible, where the nuances and complexities of the text are ignored or misunderstood. This can also lead to a rigid and dogmatic understanding of God and ..read more

As Christians, we are called to love and respect all people, regardless of their beliefs. While we may have different convictions and worldviews, it is essential to show kindness and compassion towards others. This raises the question: Do Christians have a license to slander the gods of others? Let’s consider some biblical passages that address this question and seek insight on how we can approach this topic with grace and truth. Paul in Ephesus In Acts 19:37, the town clerk of Ephesus is trying to calm a riot that had erupted due to the preaching of the apostle Paul. He reminds the crowd that ..read more