Christianity

As I drove to church this morning a powerful memory came to mind. About 15 years ago a guy at church came up to me and said, “I have no idea if this will make any sense to you but God has repeatedly said me, “God is going to take you back to the playground”. He was very tentative and a bit nervous.

He asked, “Does that make sense to you?” He was shocked and relieved when I said it made perfect sense. The guy was a leader in our church and are man I trusted so I explained what it meant.

Being born in the 60’s meant photos were expensive and not taken often. I have a photo of me aged 3, in a playground with a beaming smile. I was a very happy kid then.

Photos taken from age 4 onwards show a different child. They show a child who is carrying something of pain. I was 4 years old when my Dad first molested me. The abused child was very different to the playground child.

After receiving the message from that guy it took a lot of therapy and prayer but God did indeed restore the simple joy and sense of wonder of the child in the playground.

It didn’t happen quickly or instantly. The things I learnt in that process were valuable and transforming lessons. I am so grateful that guy was obedient to deliver a message that made no sense to him and I am grateful for God taking me by the hand and leading me gently back to the playground.

He will do the same for you if you ask.

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
'Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression I speak Jesus
Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I believe in the power of prayer. I truly believe God loves us all and wants to hear from us. Prayer doesn’t require special language, it’s simply talking to God.

I would like to pray for you. How can I pray for you today? Health? Relationships? Wisdom? Put your prayer requests in the comments and I will gladly pray for you.

I hope this encourages you today!

2025 has gone. In some ways I am glad. There were so many good things that happened in 2025 but the year ended badly with my accident.

What does 2026 hold? I have a few ideas but that’s all. This morning my Wife surprised me by dragging some outdoor lounges from our front patio and made an alfresco dining area facing our garden. She then brought out a wonderful tray of eggs, ham and chorizo. What a blessing. The birds are singing, there is a gentle breeze.

I have hope that in 4-5 weeks I should be able to walk unaided. Can’t wait. No doubt like most years there will be triumphs and tragedies. There will be disappointments and unexpected surprises that make us smile.

I must focus on the One who holds the future and is also holding me. Jesus, may I never forget or take for granted your mercy, love, protection and grace.

Trigger warning: this post discusses childhood abuse.

As I am laying in my hospital bed I am reminded it’s been a month now that I have been in hospital because of the accident. An accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

Emotionally it’s been a challenge to work through the consequences of the other person’s actions. It’s cost me $8000 in medical bills so far. It’s placed a huge strain on others who have to cover my responsibilities at church. It’s been a month of intense physical pain and loneliness.

Where is God in all of this? Where He has always been. On the throne, and beside me, all the way. Was it Gods will that I get injured? Don’t think so. God gave us free will and unfortunately we make really bad decisions sometimes. The lady who caused my accident made bad decisions and her motives are not clear although her actions since the accident point towards the potential that she might have an unhealthy fixation on me. That is a side issue.

God has been with me. Encouraging me. Loving me. Providing for me.

I recall a vivid vision I had many years ago. It wasn’t a dream, I was awake. I saw me as a 4 year old. My Dad took me to his room and molested me. I won’t go into anymore detail than that.

I saw in my vision that as my Dad led me to his bedroom Jesus was pleading with him not to do this.

Afterwards I was back in my bedroom. I was in tears. Wondering what bad thing I did to warrant that punishment. If I knew I would never do it again.

In my vision Jesus walked into my room and held me. Held me tight. Dried my tears, rocked me in His arms and told me that He loved me. He assured me I hadn’t been bad.

Jesus loved me in my darkest and most confusing moment. He loved me then. He loves me still. Often things happen that remind us that this world is NOT heaven. Thank God for that truth. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

In all of our pain. Jesus is there. May we always seek His face, may we always see His face.

I strive to be transparent here, even it can be embarrassing. I like to be honest in the hope that it might encourage others.

Whenever I have bought a new pc or laptop the first thing I do is delete all the games. I do this because if I dont I will go down the rabbit hole of wasting time.

Lately I have been playing solitaire. a lot, on my phone. I realised yesterday that the true reason I have been doing this is not a form of relaxation but rather I have been avoiding confronting negative emotions.

I don’t know what those emotions are, or what is triggering them, but I realise that avoiding those emotions is dangerous, and unhelpful.

It’s frankly a bit scary to think of allowing those feelings to land, but that’s exactly what I need to do, and must do.

Do you use avoidance techniques?

This morning I will be preaching on the “Prodigal Son. It’s one of my favourite parables.

One of the points I will be highlighting is what the father did NOT say to his wayward son.

He didn’t say, “I told you so”, “You’re a screwup”, “You should be ashamed of yourself”.

God doesn’t use those words either. You have never gone to far from God that you can’t come back.

Jesus came to rub sin out, not to rub it in.

We are 2 and a half weeks into our European holiday. Germany was fabulous, Poland unforgettable and we are now enjoying the Czech Republic. We are a bit homesick as well. FaceTiming the Grandchildren is great but we miss their hugs.

Watching church via livestream is good but being there is better.

This is not a complaint. I am conscious of how blessed we are to be able to travel like we do. We are creating so many wonderful memories. But home is home.

During World War 2 my Dad fought for Australia in Papua New Guinea. One day he was crossing a river when the rope broke and he fell into a raging river. He drowned but was revived by some local people. He told me he saw heaven before he was revived. He said it was beyond his ability to describe but he said it was more beautiful and peaceful than he could express.

Sometimes we can be homesick for heaven. The world is wonderful but heaven is a place without sickness, tears of disappointment. We can hold onto this amazing hope.

I had a fall at home this week. I was doing some gardening and tripped on some branches and landed on a branch. I knew straight away something was wrong as a huge lump instantly appeared below my knee.

Having experienced a few years ago, acute spontaneous compartment syndrome in my other leg I knew I had to get to the doctors to check out my injury.

The doctor did a thorough examination and said it was a pool of blood that would resolve itself but I needed to use ice, rest and use compression bandages.

Last night I was in a lot of pain as I tried to sleep so I prayed, “Jesus hold me”. The pain meds were not helping and I couldn’t sleep so I just wanted to be held. I instantly knew that Jesus was holding me. No judgement, no platitudes. Just a beautiful awareness that I was loved by God who knows me and loves me anyway.

He loves you too.