Christmas magic for Christmas cynics
To Santa or not to Santa? Christmas is not a big deal in our family. I never got…
A dog’s faith
My in-laws have a sweet Irish wolfhound cross named Logan. They adopted her as a rescue dog when…
My real-life miracles
Nowadays, we use the word miracle figuratively. Either we don’t believe miracles really happen (at least, not anymore)…
Green martyrs and holistic faith
A little English church in Madrid When I lived in Madrid as a university exchange student, I attended…
Asian pride, or lack thereof
If I’m honest, I’m probably more proud of my parents’ law degrees than they are of mine. I’m…
Boys, booze, faith and purpose in Ecuador
It’s funny and terrifying how quickly ten years can fly by. Somehow it has been a full decade…
Growth and learning in my mid-30s
A number of things have made me conscious that I am no longer a young person. In addition…
How my education shaped my faith
I am one of those sad souls who spent far too long at university with little to show…
8 learnings from my younger self
This evening I stumbled upon an old Word document I wrote back in June 2009 – a couple…
Rethinking evangelism: an alternative to the Great Commission?
(Un)evangelistic personalities For the longest time, I resisted identifying as an evangelical Christian. I preferred to call myself…
Whingeing my way through Lent
Despite writing eight years ago that Lent and I were through, I once again found myself abstaining from…
The books that changed my life
I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm. More than a way to pass the time or learn…
Brutality and humanity: a book you won’t want to, but should, read
Early inspiration I suppose that every writer, whether professional or amateur, has work from their past that they’re…
The art and the agony of anticipation
My manager’s kindergarten-aged daughter is a brave little one: she willingly holds her arm out for the needle…
An awkward romance
About a month ago I heard a talk about how God made the first move with us and goes to crazy lengths to woo us. Yet framing my relationship with Jesus as an epic romance is a bit, well, off. Friend, yes. Father, yes. But this?
From Advent to Adventure
It’s the second week of Advent and I’m not really feeling it.
Generally speaking, people slide easily into one of three distinct categories: (1) those who absolutely love Christmas; (2) those who find Christmas super stressful; and, (3) those who are indifferent to Christmas.
I love Jesus but I am planted firmly in the third camp.
So I scour the season, I scour Scripture, both for magic and for logic.
Misunderstood: artists, do-gooders and missionaries
The wrong question? As soon as the question escaped my lips I knew that I had become That…
How to grow ambition
I grew up with a lot of positive reinforcement and believing in Jesus has both shrunk and supersized that.
On the one hand, ambition can be a bad word because it implies arrogance. I have become less self-effacing, more confident, over the years, but I doubt anyone I know would describe me as ambitious.
There is still this idea that ambition is a cut-throat attitude, seeking to elevate yourself regardless of the cost to others.
Um ... not me.
But y'know what, I am ambitious.
And I'm going to start owning that.
Which Bible expat are you?
Thought I'd share something different this week. Here's a quiz for anyone who's ever lived abroad.
Which Bible expat are you?
Below is a quick questionnaire about your experience overseas. Each response links to one or more people from Scripture.
Don’t give up on perfection
I am not a perfectionist. Not in the traditional sense of the word - I decided a long time ago that it was too difficult and painful to live that way, that I wasn't going to be needlessly harsh and demanding on myself, trying to get everything right down to a tee.
But I am, in my own way, a perfectionist. Deep down, I still believe in and long for perfection.
Questions about relationships
Three thoughts chewed over with friends in the last month or so: Religion is a relationship: it’s not really about…
Mission made possible
In honour of IJM Bolivia’s incredible month of July (4 convictions, a long-awaited arrest, 60 therapies completed, churches…
Stuff that doesn’t make sense
I count the days till I go home and they are too many and yet too few. I think…
Trite but true: make this your New Year’s resolution
First day back at work. It’s cold and not a bit dreary in La Paz. I haven’t…
Ecuador vs Bolivia, and losing the Missionary label
Lately I’ve felt the unspoken question of why I decided to go back to South America but not…
Why Lent and I are through
After a short history of (almost) three Easters, I’m done with Lent. I observed Lent for the first time in…
Self-censored
I’ve always valued my education, and I know a significant part of my identity and beliefs are shaped…
Election 2013. Sigh and splutter.
Another election to remind me how disappointed and frustrated I am with the state of Australian politics. There…