Stories of Hope: Recent Episodes
Bryce Davies
Major Bryce Davies from the salvos hosts the show. Stories of Hope captures thoughts and stories of everyday people who triumph over adversity. https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/storiesofhope/
Sugunama was born into a Salvation Army family in Myanmar and has been a faithful and dedicated Salvation Army from an early age. She is married to Kevin who is an Aussie and they now serve as leaders at the Broken Hill Salvos, a remote part of the NSW division of Australia.
In this episode of Rich Tapestries Nuria and Bryce chat with Kevin Amiri who is originally from Iran. Kevin came to Australia as an asylum seeker when he was in his 30s after a radical conversion to Christianity while he was in South Korea. He is now a Salvo leader in a Farsi community at Brunswick Salvos.
Sam escaped from Vietnam when Saigon fell during the Vietnam war. He survived a five day journey on a crowded boat with dreadful conditions to eventually land in Melbourne as a refugee. The Salvos came alongside him and today he is a retired Salvo officer having served for over 30 years. Sam is a matter of fact no nonsense sort of guy and his story will inspire and encourage.
Edward and his wife Beola came to Australia after escaping from a civil war in their homeland in Sierra Leone via Guinea. They were welcomed into Auburn Salvos and have been encouraged and supported ever since. Today they are Salvo leaders based in Cairns.
It is very special that after 4 years of podcasting, the lovely Sue has finally agreed to be my guest. Her story is wonderful and will inspire and encourage you. She has a life filled with love, adventure and courage and is indeed genuinely lovely!
This is the last episode of Stories Of Hope Podcast and having her as my guest is a fitting end to what has been a terrific season in my life.
Keep an eye out for the book that has emerged from this podcast "Doing life with Bryce"
So the winds of change are blowing and this is the final Monday episode of the Stories of Hope podcast. The lovely Sue will be my guest on the last episode which will be on Friday the 1st of August. I'm thankful for all the support over the years and am looking forward to the next chapter of my ministry within the Salvos at Goodna in Queensland.
Ameet is the Salvo leader in Goodna in Queensland which is a challenging socio economic area with many multicultural communities nearby. Ameet originates from Mumbai in India and came to Australia via New Zealand. He has over 20 years experience in Christian leadership and faces the challenges of this current season with wisdom and grace.
After over a year of unpacking the book of Acts in these Monday podcasts I have come to the end. There are 2 huge themes flowing through about Church life from these pages. 1 We need to be led by the Spirit and 2 the Love of God and the fellowship of the church is for everyone. Sounds simple, but the way of genuine Spirit Led loving acceptance of everyone has it's challenges.
Brad is the Salvo leader in Carindale and shares about his life in this episode. Brad has not had it easy, with challenging family of origin dynamics, a serious health episode in his 20s and struggles to have children with his lovely wife Helen. Brad now adores his little "miracle daughter" 7 year old Hedy. But through it all, he remains one of the most encouraging and positive people you could ever meet.
Paul spent 6 years in various prisons and not because he put dodgy mushrooms in someones stew, he just had a point of view that upset the religious leaders of his time. But he never seemed to let it get him down. He wrote letters and found ways to be useful. Hope in times like this is rare and worth exploring. Somehow a combination of purpose, secure identity and faith created the sort of hope he was able to draw upon. As Chuck Nolan played by Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway says, you never know what the tide will bring in. Maybe we can all do the same.
Robert Donaldson's father was a garbage collector and for a time so was Robert. He then went on to study micro biology and fell in love with Janine. He is a Kiwi and has served in the Salvos all over the world. Its an interesting story!
If it were not for an unnamed nephew of St Paul we would not have half the New Testament, as Paul would certainly have been killed by a murderous mob out to lynch him. Family can be such a mixed bag, but the potential for loyalty and support often goes deep as the connections are significant. Often since birth. It's sometimes challenging to stay close to extended family, but is also often worth the effort.
Rich Tapestries is a new series within Stories Of Hope Podcast, celebrating the lives and contributions of Culturally and Linguisticly Diverse (CaLD) folks within the Salvos in Australia.
My co host in this series is Nuria Gonsalves who is the Cald Community Engagement National Lead and our first guest is Frank Wang who heads up the Salvos work in Bankstown in Sydney. Frank originates from China and his journey to Australia exudes courage and strength of character. The way he and his wife Belinda found their way into the Salvos and eventually into leadership is both inspiring and surprising.
Despite hundreds of years of democracy and education, people are still suffering discrimination and injustice depending on what colour their skin is or where they are from. Riots and wars abound and even in the suburbs where I live there are sometimes cruel and unfair judgments made on people based on very superficial data. Lets open our eyes and notice what biases we have in our own heart and what we see around us and lets be brave enough to make a stand sooner rather than later.
Rod is the Salvo leader in a Town in New South Wales called Young and he also looks after the surrounding area as a rural Chaplian visiting farms and remote communities. He loves his big 1100CC Yamaha motorcycle, his cut throat Razors and is an earthy bloke who loves a chat and cares deeply about people and what the Salvos stand for. I know Rod well, because we have worked shoulder to shoulder together providing financial aid to folks affected by floodwaters in Kempsey. Rod is married to Deb and I reckon he is the salt of the earth!
It is an absolute delight and honour to share on this podcast about how people have navigated thier lives. The stories are very often rich and full of courage meaning and inspiration. The lovely Sue has a great story too and finding love is a powerful part of this. I am in the mix a little, but Maggie the Toy Cavoodle has also won her heart!
Bindy had a really tough childhood but has found a way to be mindful of the ways this impacts her life today. She works for the salvos in our emergency services department and helps people who have been devastated by things like floods and fires. She is married to Marco and has three children. She is a proud Novacastrian and her story will inspire and delight you.
Some Christians feel guilty because they do not measure up to what they believe the church is wanting from them. Making new converts, deep commitment to spiritual practices like prayer and scripture and consistent service to the poor seem to be the goal posts. However doing what God has placed in our path does not always align with church agendas, so we need to measure by that, more than things like bums on seats on a Sunday morning.
Amanda has a rich heritage within the Salvos and yet it took time for her to find her true self, both within the organisation and personally. I met her on deployment in Townsville and Ingham delivering flood relief - and we got on like a house on fire. She is great fun and a powerhouse of genuine honesty and warmth. Her story resonates with me and I'm sure many listeners will relate and learn from her story.
The lovely Sue works out at a gym and has a program that measures how much weight she lifts in animals. Sometimes she lifts elephants. Doing hard things is not always to be avoided. We sometimes need to ditch our fears and head directly into the suffering if we are to live life to the full.
Brad trained with me and the lovely Sue at the Salvos college for officers in Melbourne 30 odd years ago and he and his wife Katrina have always been the sort of friends we don't see much of but are close to when we do catch up. Brad is now based in Perth and has two adult children. He is a keen cyclist and we have an authentic sort of chat about life, faith and leadership.
The role of women in society has been a controversial subject since ancient times. But it is undeniable that women have been vital leaders and even prophets - warning people and analysing strategically throughout history in significant ways. General Eva Burrows was an Aussie girl who became the international leader of the Salvos. She was awesome!
For the last 15 years or so Greg has been a vital cog in the leadership wheel to an innovative Salvo church expression in Brisbane called Gods Sport Arena. Greg's family originates from India and from an early age Greg developed a strong work ethic. He did not speak English when he arrived in Australia and his success story is inspiring and insightful. He has worked for many years in management roles and in retirement still loves to be alongside people in helpful and encouraging ways.
When we join organisations we often find support and encouragement emerging in surprising ways. I was in Norway recently and saw a Salvo shield on a building and went in to say g'day. The lady who worked there was very friendly and made a really nice connection. Community life can be challenging, but the strength of a team cannot be underestimated.
Vincent Lingiari led a seemingly insignificant strike in 1966 that was a stepping stone to Mabo, the High Court's Native Title decision in 1992. If we let injustice slide by unchecked because if doesn't affect us - we set ourselves up to encounter the same injustice when we are in need ourselves. How we treat the most vulnerable in our society sets the standard for us all and often it is a small step that gets things going.
Malcolm Linsell is a plastic surgeon and author, but success has not been easy. His parents were salvo officers and were relatively poor. His journey includes some dark days along with great determination, deep joy and a squashed up trumpet.
The lovely Sue and her very expensive wedding dress. Marriage trends have changed significantly over recent years and there are both positives and negatives in these changes. But being good at committed relationships doesn't just happen, however we organise it, we need genuine capacity to love and be loved.
Continuing with our series on supervision we chat again with Andy King who heads up the Salvos pastoral supervision program for our national emergency relief service - Doorways. Today we chat through what happens in supervision session and why that is so useful both professionally and personally.
The love in families is often very special. It is a place where more than almost anywhere else, we need the mysterious inner resources to love consistently and support unconditionally.
#StoriesOfHope, #SalvationArmy, #Salvos
When we are tired or stressed our character can sometimes erode and we start to behave in ways that are not true to our values and beliefs. Over time this can become very serious. Believe it or not, even the lovely Sue can lose some of her loveliness when she is tired and overwhelmed.
The Salvos invest heavily into Supervision, as it not only improves the quality of the service we provide, but more importantly it values the most important asset we have - our people. Andy King and I unpack the ins and outs of supervision and suggest it is an opportunity to grab wholeheartedly if you have the option.
A distinct Christian virtue is the the mysterious capacity to love without agenda. Jesus ate with misfits and nobodies and loved them in a radical way. Not sure it did him much good, but He did it anyway.
We are thinking all the time. Sometimes we over think and get anxious and frustrated. It's possible to turn our lonely flawed inner monologue into constant prayer. Dialogue with God. I know the lovely Sue does this as sometimes I hear her muttering under her breath at me and she mentions God's name. I'm sure He helps her know what to do and what not to do.
Living the Christian life is the theme of the next 18 weeks of Monday podcasts while I am on Sabbatical walking the Camino de Santiago and a variety of other activities. Its not an academic or complicated conversation as it's just me, a simple sort of Aussie bloke trying to explain how it lands for me in 2024.
Peter Slegers (Hop) lost his leg in a motorbike accident at just 19 years of age. This, along with family and relationship challenges drove him into addiction. But he has nearly 20 years in recovery and is a funny bloke. Its a cracker of a story.
Lots of things go wrong in life. Collingwood can snatch defeat form the jaws of victory, people get injured the week before running a marathon and for the lovely Sue, it was an unexpected issue with her leg. Prayer can bring a posture of hope that helps us be alert to the ways love and joy can find its way into the mix.
Dean Clifford was born with a rare skin disease and was often referred to as a cotton wool baby or a butterfly wing baby as his skin was extremely delicate. His life expectancy was maybe 5 years, but against the odds, he is now in his 40s and going strong. He is a motivational speaker and lives a high quality life.
Many people experience a time in their life when they find their calling and experience a heightened zest for life. For many Christians being filled with the Holy Spirit is one of the ways we understand this: God purposes and power entering into our lives. Not all enthusiasm is of God though! The lovely Sue's obsession with Masterchef: for example. 🙄
Rodney Walters grew up in the small town of Mt Barker in South Australia to officer parents and moved around a lot as a child. He went to 9 schools! He resisted becoming a Salvo officer as he wanted to have the opportunity to travel. Turns out Rodney is the antithesis of the saying "Join the Army - see the world"
The apostle Peter had a vision about a sheet filled with ceremonially unclean animals floating down from heaven. A voice told him to kill and eat what for centuries prior in his tradition had been unclean. It seems some things we think are true about God's ways can change.
Andy King is the pastoral supervisor for the Salvos telephone assessment team across Australia - 72 employees. To help others unpack how this work impacts them, he has had to do a lot of work on himself and as he shares his life story here, we see how his experiences and inner work has shaped his care for these workers.
I recently saw the movie Inside Out 2. It captures well the challenge for us all to be true to ourselves with all of our paradoxes. When Saul became Paul, he needed time and support to integrate his new understanding of his God given identity.
Mike is a prolific author, an internationally sought after speaker and one of the leading voices on the authentic mission of the church. Mike is not afraid to debate the tough issues and as he shares his story we see some of the experiences that have shaped his views and given him the courage to speak out.
When you think about encouragement in the bible you think Barnabus. He was instrumental in helping the Apostle Paul in the early days of his ministry. To give and receive encouragement is life giving. Who can you encourage today?
Leisa grew up in Broken Hill and luckily needed to go to the bathroom when she was a child at church which cleared a pathway in the pew for her father to go forward and embrace Christian faith. Her beautiful heart and love for God and people has been key through the challenges of family life and Salvo ministry. Today she serves young people in the Salvos in Brisbane.
In Acts ch 9 we see Ananias going to Saul after his Damascus Road experience and helping him, even though he thought he was dangerous. We are all prompted at times to help people who we have doubts about, but who knows what a difference this might make, both to them and to you!
Fran Everitt didn't really want to come to Australia when she was 15 years old as the upheaval was significant. But thanks, in part to the beautiful community of the Salvos, her strength of character and love for people has flourished and she now cares for Aussie Salvo Officers from all over the world.
Sometimes we get stuck in a rut or feel trapped and it takes a dramatic moment for us to wake up. For Saul on the Damascus Road it was a blinding light, for the lovely Sue it was a persistent inkling to move to Melbourne. Both resulted in significant changes!
Tom Austin is the NSW manager of youth services for the Salvos and he and I worked together for a while at OASIS in Sydney. He has a fascinating story and has been shaped by both loving stability and personal tragedy. He has a surprising devotion to growing, preserving and making sauces from chillies!
In life, if we are open to it, we might receive divine guidance, we might meet people from far off lands who are different and we might participate in life together in wonderful ways. This happened to Phillip in Acts chapter 8 and I'm hoping it will happen to me on the Camino De Santiago later this year.
Dave Collinson, also known as Captain Collo, is a Salvo officer who never gets bored. He has written a book, led big bands, started Just Brass which is a music program for kids and is even an iron man. Always up for a challenge, his story is inspiring and uplifting.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit suggests we are not mere spectators of the faith. We have 100% skin in the game. It's like Collingwood on a great day where every player doing his part to create the magic. But is full surrender moving to Africa and working in a children's home or just making a cup of tea for the lovely Sue when I am tired? Or both?
Naty Keung came to Australia from Hong Kong by herself when she was just 17, as a student. She found friendship and support at the local Box Hill Salvos where she eventually met her husband Kenny. She has worked for the Salvos for over 10 years now, specialising in children's work. Her personality is just as wonderful as her smile!
Every organisation is susceptible to the danger of bad people being like a wolf in sheep's clothing. So risk management and safeguarding is critical. The early church had a guy named Simon the Sorcerer who was like this, (not to be confused with Monty Pythons, Tim the Enchanter) but thankfully, Peter saw through his trickery and dealt with him early.
Danni has a beautiful Salvo ministry where she helps troubled kids through equine therapy. Her story to get her to this place is just wonderful and her gentle but courageous attitude to life and faith is inspirational. She is married to Craig and is a mum to three children.
In Acts Ch 8 Philip heals the lame. Hard to get my head around. But I do believe in inner healing as the lovely Sue is almost perfect and lives a very happy life even though she is still lame. She is often grateful she has this affliction and not the raft of incompetencies I have to cope with.
Greig Whittaker was born into a Salvo family and had a Godly grandmother who reflected the way of Jesus beautifully. His life in business and Christian ministry within the Salvos and the wider body of Christ has always been filled with passion and creativity. His story reveals the ups and down of this sort of life and the lessons learned along the way.
The early church was persecuted and scattered throughout the world. They got involved wherever they ended up and were of influence amongst everyday people. I recently ran 60k for my 60th birthday and lots of my buddies from all sorts of places joined me for the day. It was a wonderful celebration of community.
Judi works for the Salvos in Melbourne in the fundraising area and with Salvo officer parents, has a richness of Salvo DNA in her blood. Her story includes some time in Argentina and the dream job for any child's mum - Sales and Marketing with Lego.
When Stephen was stoned as a consequence for standing up for grace and the way of Jesus, it sparked the early church to life. We do well to discover what is worth dying for, so that we can determine what is worth living for. My newborn great niece is worth living well for, I reckon. I'll try to be a good uncle!
Cynthia works for the Salvos as the refugee and people seeking asylum national lead, based in Brisbane. She was born in Indonesia and needed to escape her home country herself to remain safe, so has lived experience, relevant to her Job. She is married to Josh and that is quite a story too. Like so many of the people she works with, her story is one of courage and resilience. It will do you good to hear it.
Throughout History Laws have developed and improved to be more fair. The Napoleonic code is one such example. However Law can never deal with a selfish heart and so grace and love always need to be in the mix.
Claire is a Salvo leader with a heart for the transforming power of the love of God and a deep respect the many viewpoints and experiences of the staff and participants of our many social programs. Her life story is rich and she shares it beautifully.
Change is inevitable, but when Stephen suggested to the Jews that Jesus introduced a new way of understanding God's love, it cost him his life. You are listening to a podcast right now but just 20 years ago we only had newspapers, TV and the Radio. A lot has changed since then.
Pooja led a team of Salvos on a trip to Chicago in 2017 and the Lovely Sue and I went along and found her to be a delightful person to work with and then to travel with as a friend. Originally from Mumbai, she is now a community fundraising specialist with the Salvos based in Melbourne. It's hard not to smile along with this interview as Pooja's personality and goodness is a beautiful thing to experience.
It's useful to carve out time to reflect and assess what we do and the ways we have before us to innovate and change, but it can be confronting, as we are often comfortable and set in our ways. Kodak didn't do this and lost an opportunity to go digital, but the early church leaders considered carefully how the ways of Jesus met the Jewish scriptures in the Torah.
Annie Stonehouse is the wonderful president of my local Rotary club and has an inspiring story with amazing achievements and contributions along with significant heartache and struggle. She shares with delightful candour and vulnerability and it will do your heart good to know there are people like Annie in the world making it a better place for everyone! * Please note; Annie's story does touch on her DV experiences.
Old man Shanindar had healed broken bones indicating he was cared for by his community - the first ever record of social work. The early followers of Jesus also set aside resources and manpower to care for widows, care like this is a hallmark of Christian faith.
Mark Everitt came to Salvo leadership in his late thirties. He wanted to be a pilot - ended up in pathology work and now heads up the Salvos in Queensland. He is married to Fran and has two children and now lives in a house with a view of the hospital in which he was born!
When we do good, it almost always makes someone else look bad and so we sometimes find ourselves being persecuted in some way. Collingwood's Nick Daicos is constantly harassed and tagged because he is such a brilliant player. It's no fun, but it is a mark of respect too!
Terri has loved church and been devoted to her faith even as a small child. Her journey is marked by courage, love and an unexpected appreciation of donkeys.
In 100 years, 2124, very few people will remember me or anything I have done. The only things that truly last are the seeds of God's eternal love we sow into the lives of others. Oh, and the repair I did on my compost tumbler!
Terri Estreich has been a store manager with the Salvos for over ten years. Her association with Bryce and the Brisbane Streetlevel Mission has been a wonderful part of that journey. The life story that got her to this place is filled with adventure, heartache and a surprising sort of destiny.
#Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #StoriesOfHope
My family has been influenced recently by Taylor Swift. People are desperate to be in her physical presence. Who influences you and how do you influence others?
I used to babysit Rachael when she was just a toddler and so have known and loved her like family for many years. She and her husband Phil are Salvo officers in Kempsey, but in many ways their defining ministry was in a challenging suburb of Mt Druitt in Western Sydney Called Bidwill. It's hard to measure how the love of a salvo officer impacts a life, but Rachael's ministry exemplifies this and her story will inspire you.
The apostle Peter said this: "We must obey God rather than man". What seems best to the authorities or even to our families and friends, is not always the path we should take. My path has had all sorts of illogical twists and turns, but they have all made me the sort of Bryce I am today.
Nathan lives in one of the Salvos houses of hope. It has been a game changer, as for the first time he has exited one of his many attempts at recovery through residential rehab into safety and stability.
Nathan experienced significant challenges from a very early age and has has spent the majority of his life feeling frustrated and angry. Using drugs has been a way to cope. It was't until recently that he was just sick of the life he was living and found his way to the Salvo's Fairhaven rehab which he says, saved his life. He is now doing well and making positive life choices.
#Addiction, #DV, #MentalHealth, #Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #Faith, #Testimonies, #Stories, #LifeStory, #LivedExperience, #Biography, #Interview, #Conversation, #StoriesOfHope, #Podcast
The early followers of Jesus had varying success in sharing the message. Not everyone was keen to join up. Likewise today, people hesitate to join Christian Churches, but I'm not sure they reject it completely and I reckon God is still working out His purposes through their lives. #Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #StoriesOfHope
Geanette Seymour is a retired Salvation Army officer who has held a number of top leadership appointments most recently heading up the Salvos International Social Justice Commission in New York. As a 16 year old, she left school and was the first woman ever to train as a chemist in an all male workforce of around 7000. She has learned the lessons suffering brings and has depth, humour and a kind sort of heart! She's a gem!
Two of the early followers of Jesus lied about how generous they were and were struck down dead for their trouble. Deceit and disingenuousness is a dreadful thing and destroys authentic community. Jamie Lee Curtis once posed without flash clothes or make up to confront the unreal body image culture of our time. By the way, disingenuousness is a big word I like to use so people might think I am more clever than I really am!
Lyndal Barker has not had an easy life. Her first husband fell ill and died at the age of 27, her son was killed in a motor accident at the age of 19 and a few years ago her second husband died of cancer. But through it all she has stayed positive and with her deep trust in God has faithfully served as a Salvo officer impacting countless lives over many years. And at 74 - she is a keen park runner!!
Most families and healthy community groups will share things like camping gear, tools and even cars. The first followers of Jesus shared like this too - even selling property to make sure their friends had enough to live on. This hallmark of trust and compassion marked the early church and in many ways continues to this day.
Danielle Strickland is a world renown speaker, author and founder of various charities. Her parents were both taken in by the salvos as children and they eventually became Salvo officers. Her story is inspiring, insightful and delightful and could help you move from cynicism to hope.
Sometimes we need to speak our truth with confidence and boldness. The way of love can be corrupted, and strength is required to restore justice and love. The first followers of Jesus were like ancient whistle blowers against dodgy leadership and often paid the ultimate price for doing so. They got involved in the lives of the people who were suffering and it fired them up to speak out against injustice.
Joseph Pinkard is the Disability Inclusion Lead for the Salvos across Australia. His journey to this role is really special and the caliber of his life experiences has contributed to him being just the right person at the right time for this important work within the church. One element of this work to educate the Salvos about disability is called "Pass the Mike". A chance for people with a disability to tell their own stories. The Lovely Sue has featured in this project and her story is here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpwa7bOfT-8
The early church leaders reported seeing signs and wonders, however these days we tend to explain everything like this through science. But almost every day we say things like, "that was amazing", or "I cant believe this". So we still live in a world where wonderful things happen that guide us towards wisdom and hope.
Bridget had a safe and happy childhood, but at age 14 life took a turn and she suffered from Anorexia Nervosa. From here life spiralled into cycles of addiction and a struggle to stay stable. She eventually found herself at the Salvos and today is a regular volunteer at Streetlevel. She is a gifted harp player and a delightful person. Her story is remarkable.
The disciples of Jesus were largely uneducated and simple men. They had a vibe about them though, that came directly form the Love they had encountered through Jesus. Powerful, pure, humble sort of love. An undeniable force for good. It's so simple, even Bluey has it.
Merv Collins grew up in a tiny town in the UK called Tavistock. His dad was a baker and at just 21 years of age he migrated to Australia and joined the air force as a bandsman. 60 or so year later, he is a father and grandfather and has had a tremendous life teaching, playing music and most recently authoring two books. He led the Salvos Solid Rock Big Band for many years and I really enjoyed hearing his story as he is well humoured, articulate and just a terrific fellow.
The Love and grace of Christ are the cornerstones of faith. Peter and John demonstrated this when they helped a lame man. The lovely Sue demonstrates this when she signs me up to be kind to others. #Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #Faith, #Stories, #Bible, #Scripture, #Hope, #Reflection, #Acts, #EarlyChurch, #FaithCommunity, #StoriesOfHope
Danny and I met at the Salvos maybe 20 years ago and bumped into each other recently at a mutual friends memorial service. Danny's life story is peppered with hardship and tragedy, but also with determination and some good people who have loved and supported him. He has over 1000 sky dives to his name, but a brush with death at the salvos helping put up Christmas lights gave him more of a buzz that any of that!
Often the love we have to offer is inadequate and simple. Yet when offered in the right spirit it can be life giving and even healing for the people who receive it. Peter and John gave what they had to a lame man and it was not money, it was just the love and grace they had found in Jesus.
#Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #Faith, #Stories, #Bible, #Scripture, #Hope, #Reflection, #Acts, #EarlyChurch, #ModelsofChurch, #FaithCommunity, #StoriesOfHope
Nuria came to Australia 19 years ago and managed to find ways to settle into the new culture and lifestyle. She now works for the Salvos assisting us to work with CaLD communities effectively. She is married and has two children. Interestingly her husband Rodney, is named after the famous Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh.
#Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #StoriesOfHope, #Faith, #Testimonies, #LifeStories, #LivedExperiences,#Biography, #Interview, #Conversation
The early church was committed to evangelism. Spreading the message of Jesus wherever they went. In Australia the pulpit pounding fire and brimstone days are long gone. Friendship and genuine connection is the best way to share any love and hope we have found in faith. And more often than not, our friends teach us more than than we teach them!
#Acts, #EarlyChurch, #ModelsOfChurch, #FaithCommunity, #Salvos, #SalvationArmy, ##Faith, #Stories, #Bible, #Scripture, #Hope, #Reflection, #StoriesOfHope
Greg Morgan is the Salvos secretary for Mission in Australia. His time in country Victoria, the Northern Territory and the UK has all shaped his theology and his understanding of diversity and multiculturalism. He is married to Priya and has two adult children. He is a deep thinker and doesn't mind questioning and wrestling. #salvos, #salvationarmy, #storiesofhope, #podcast, #Faith, #Testimonies, #Stories, #LifeStory, #LivedExperience, #Biography, #Interview, #Conversation, #Officership, #Faith
The early church community praised God. They noticed what was a blessing and praised God for the gift that it was. Aussies worship sport more than God, I reckon but more and more they are appreciating nature and the value of a grateful spirit.
#Salvo, #SalvationArmy,#Faith, #Stories, #Bible, #Scripture, #Hope, #Reflection, #Acts, #EarlyChurch, #ModelsOfChurch, #FaithCommunity
Marcus Hutchins grew up on a farm in country Victoria. The solid Christian values and example of his family created a foundation that has lasted to this day. His work with the Salvos in articulating how our Theology intersects with our Social work has been fabulous. He lives in Brisbane with his wife Amanda and his three small children.
#Salvos, #StoriesOfHope, #SalvationArmy, #podcast, #Faith, #Testimonies, #LifeStory, #LivedExperience, #Biography, #Interview, #Conversation
Christmas is a time when people often gather for parties, carol services and even attendance at church. The early church gathered regularly, not just on special occasions and so their community was rich and consistent. But gathering isn't easy. People can be difficult!
#salvos, #SalvationArmy, #Faith, #Stories, #Bible, #Scripture, #Hope, #Reflection, #Acts, #EarlyChurch, #ModelsOfChurch, #Faith, #Community, #StoriesOfHope
Erica Jones grew up in Western Australia in a very challenging family situation and found support and a sense of belonging in the Salvos when she was very young. Her story has depth and joy as she encounters the beauty of healthy family life, ministry opportunities and a growing participation in God's big story.
#buildinghealthycommunity, #Officership, #MentalHealth, #salvos, #StoriesofHope, #SalvationArmy, #podcast, #faith, #LifeStory, #testimonies, #LivedExperience, #interview, #conversation
The early Christian community was marked by generosity. When people are generous, healthy relationships and community is almost inevitable. My friends Maryam and Sepher are two of the most generous people I know and they always make me feel special and valued. #Salvos, #SalvationArmy, #Faith, #Stories, #Bible, #Scripture, #Hope, #Reflection, #Acts, #EarlyChurch, #ModelsOfChurch, #FaithCommunity, #StoriesOfHope, #Podcast
John Roundhill is a keen park runner, a husband and father of two adult children and is an Anglican Bishop responsible for 49 parishes in South Brisbane. John and I have a chat walking the Mansfield parkrun and cover everything from his amazing life story to puppy poo pickup and prayer.
Prayer is a mysterious thing but in essence it is all about love. I've been praying in my garden recently and have had helpful insights on how to love and value the lovely Sue as well as what needs pruning in the garden.
#Acts, #EarlyChurch, #ModelsOfChurch, #Faith, #Community, #salvos, #StoriesOfHope, #salvationarmy, #podcast
Scott Frame shares with beautiful clarity and honesty about his journey to faith, a career as an engineer, Christian ministry, marriage and family. His deep faith shines through in all he says, especially in the journey through cancer and the consequent times of dreadful uncertainty and pain.
Relationships grow so much when we share food together and for people who are lonely and unsure of how they belong, to be welcomed at a table is monumental!
#salvos, #storiesofhope, #salvationarmy, #podcast
Matt Davis has a rich Salvo family heritage and is now the Director of Salvo Stores across Australia working with over 10,000 volunteers and staff and serving over 250,000 customers every week. His journey in the business world combined with a sincere faith makes for an interesting story.
The first Christians met together every day and shared a special sort of friendship and unity the scriptures called fellowship. But soulful fellowship like this can be experienced outside of church on Sunday mornings. In fact my running groups provide a great model of the sort of community life that came so naturally to the first Christians.
Rob Harley visited Melbourne to catch up with friends. While he was in town I interviewed him as he has strong links to the Salvos and an amazing story. His life as a journalist, author, church pastor and family man is rich with tragedy, friendship, restoration and the grace and goodness of God.
People learn in different ways and so to be devoted to teaching could be through books and study, as well as friendship and significant conversations.
Jason is a 5th generation Salvo and grew up with a love of music, singing and community. He is a scientist and has worked and studied internationally in the field of molecular biology. He works for the Salvos helping to develop the arts and also runs a community choir. Jason shares honestly about his faith and the way his scientific background speaks into this.
Us Aussies are quite cynical about people promising great deals and strategies that are sure to change your life. So getting all preachy about Jesus is never a good plan. Best to live the sort of life that points people towards the values and lifestyle Jesus was on about. Things like love, hope and joy are a good start.
Daryl Crowden grew up in India and Sri Lanka as his parents were Salvation Army Missionaries. His world view and capacity for discipline and independence was forged through these years. He has since worked in some of the most troubled disaster areas in recent times, such as the 2004 Asian Tsunami and the Christchurch earthquake. He is now head of the Salvos emergency and disaster management in Australia and in this episode shares his amazing life story!
Leaders making mistakes is not a new phenomenon. King David was a shocker. In the book of acts we see a way to foster balanced and careful community after the demise of Judas. it involves a sabbath walk and intentional times of reflection and prayer about important things in our lives.
Wendy Gale had a huge impact on my life as a young man growing up at Camberwell Salvos. She is intelligent, honest and safe to talk to about anything. She is currently the Victorian state manager of the Salvos Doorways welfare service, is married to Norm and has two adult children and 7 grandchildren. She is one of my favourite humans!
On the day of Pentecost the book of Acts records that the Holy Spirit came in power. Wind, fire and tongues that foreigners understand were experienced by the disciples. However I've never met anyone who has experienced this and my own encounter with the Spirit of God wasn't like that at all. Thankfully for me the lovely Sue has supernatural levels of love and patience without and Acts 2 pentecostal experience as well.
Nathan Rowe is a brilliant musician and has a beautiful heart for people from all walks of life. He is a leader with the Salvos in Geelong and has a dynamic and interesting take on life and the challenges of being wired in a way that is a little out of the box. He is married to Jenny and he has two children.
We all run out of steam sometimes, but there is a promise of power to live out our lives with passion in the book of Acts that is like breath to an athlete. Regenerative and life giving to every fibre of our being. It's everlasting and new every morning. It's mysterious and spiritual, but its impact is very real.
David grew up with loving parents and was well educated but has always struggled with his mental health and relationships. His life has been interesting and diverse, growing up in Alice Springs and spending some time in South America. He came to help out at the Salvos and has both served and been served in significant ways. His honest sharing will do you good.
Jesus says in Marks Gospel that believers should be able to handle snakes and drink deadly poison. Thats absurd. How do we make sense of this? It is possible to live in harmony with the Holy Scriptures and the lovely Sue for that matter, but not without careful interpretation.
Richard was a student at the Salvos Streetlevel mission and it fitted him like a glove. He loved it. He eventually went on to work in our homelessness service for three years. This is challenging work and the mental toll was heavy. His journey of growth and healing is earthy and real and the lessons and insights shared make for a fabulous story.
Most of us struggle with the paradoxes of our lives, let alone grappling with the mystery of a loving God. But when we have the courage to dig a little deeper, we often find the presence of love, hope and joy - or if you like the spirit of God, comes to us in both the tragedies and the highlight reels of our ordinary lives.
Tony and I grew up together at the Salvos and shared significantly in musical groups and social circles. Tony has transitioned from the corporate world to a lawn mowing business and not only loves the outdoor lifestyle and relationships he fosters, but also that he has time to listen to Stories of Hope podcast!!
We all have times when we get down and negative about our lives. We find it hard to believe that good will come. However many people believe that love and goodness are always around the corner for us all and that we need never give up hope. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate darkness to light story and gives hope to lots of people who find themselves without a clear way forward.
Anna and my daughter Eliza have been close friends since they met on the school bus in year 8 and discovered they were both a bit uncoordinated and unbalanced as the bus trundled along. Anna is now an adult and shares her amazing story of success, heartache, resilience and the courage and inner strength to find healing and hope for the future. She and I ran the Sunshine coast half marathon last year and raised money for the charity "Small Steps for Hannah" She is running the Melbourne full 42 K marathon later this year. She is articulate and intelligent and her story will inspire you and brighten your day.
Every year the lovely Sue and her Mum Helen make home made biscuits and sticky date puddings for the Streetlevel Fraser Island (K'gari) fishing trip. The love and dedication of this kindness has become a beautiful tradition. We all have capacity to be kind if we have our eyes wide open to the opportunities right in front of us. The simple kindness of a Pharisee named Joseph to make sure Jesus has a proper burial had much more significance than he could have ever imagined.
Paul's mum was just 15 years old when he was born and his brother was born when she was just 12. His mum passed away when he was 3. To say it was an unstable and challenging start to life, is an understatement. However he describes his Grandma, Aunty and Father as God's angels sent to look after him. They provided much needed love and stability. From the age of about 15, Pauls life has been marked by trouble and addiction. He entered the Salvos rehab at Moonyah 23 years ago, when I was the Captain there and he is now involved at Streetlevel in Fortitude Valley, where I bumped into him recently and recorded something of his story.
I'm reading a book called phosphorescence by Julia Baird. She talks about finding our ert. The idea being that when we are inert we are stagnant. Inspiration to live our one and only lives with passion is sometimes hard to find. Christ on the cross typifies the capacity we all have to sacrifice self for others and for what we believe in. When we do this in balanced and healthy ways, we find our ert and will find what is worth living and dying for.
Every year the Salvos at Brisbane Streetlevel Mission run a week long Fraser Island 4WD fishing trip for men. This year 17 of us ventured onto this spectacular sand Island and set up for camping, fishing and some authentic blokey community. I chat with Paul and Jono around the fire to get a bit of insight about how they came to be connected with the Salvos and what this event means to them.
When Jesus died on the cross the curtain of the temple tore from top to bottom, signifying that all are welcome into the presence of God and the old Levitical laws are superseded. Even women with a crippled foot. Lucky that, or the world would have missed the spectacular ministry of the lovely Sue.
It is with great sadness that I share that Wayne passed away recently. I spoke with his partner, Bea and she was happy for this podcast episode to be re-posed in his memory.
Wayne had to lie about his name at school so his father could avoid the police finding him through the education department, because of his "freelance narcotics business" From dreadful beginnings, Wayne now has a family and a beautiful life in recovery.
We all experience hardship and unfortunate circumstances. However our response to this and our capacity to remain hopeful despite the random nature of good and bad luck can make a huge difference. Jesus on the cross cries out in despair my God, my God why have you forsaken me? We all feel like this at times, but as the movie "luck" so beautifully portrays, the richest love and hope can often rise from "bad luck"
Joycelyn McIver had a challenging childhood, but in the midst of this, was beautifully loved and cared for by families within the Salvos. Her story is rich with the human experience. Courage in the face of hardship, gratitude for her many blessings and a deep and enduring faith and confidence in the goodness and provision of God.
When we position ourselves to love others, we often find ourselves compelled to behave in loving ways, when it might well be the last thing we really want to do. The lovely Sue is rarely inclined to love me but she has to, because we are married. Mark's gospel records a guy called Simon who was forced to carry Jesus' cross and although this wasn't his idea, his involvement has become a key part of the story of the cross and an example to us all of the sacrificial nature of love and service.
Katharine grew up in Sydney and says she was a bit of a party girl, but her life turned around when she wholeheartedly embraced Christian faith. She ended up serving at a Salvo rehabilitation centre in Ghana for 13 years before returning to Australia, marrying Russell and joining him as the officer at Fairfield Salvos in Western Sydney, where she continues to love and serve folks from other cultures. It's quite a story.
Jesus was ridiculed and hurt by the soldiers who dressed him up in a robe, put a crown of thorns on his head and bowed before him in mock worship. Humour that is cruel is particularly hurtful and people sometimes get caught up in the mob mentality of it all and just go along with it. Adam Goodes was an outspoken but brilliant aboriginal AFL footballer. His career was cut short by the dreadful weekly crowd of spectators who booed and jeered him every time he got the ball. Most had not idea of the issues, they just were swept along with the sick humour and the hatred.
Links to podcasts mentioned in this episode.
Francis Connolly. https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/15397391
Paddy Moore. https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/21306416
Paul Brittenden. https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/15897188
Clare is a terrific runner and is getting faster all the time. Her confidence and self esteem has improved and she has heaps of new friends who encourage her and believe in her. Its a terrific community.
Viv Callander has been beautiful friend to the lovely Sue and I for over 30 years. Not always in the same city, but always close. Viv and her husband Ian are retired Salvo officers and have three wonderful daughters and 6 grandchildren. They have served in the Salvos for over 42 years and even did a stint in Moldova. Viv shares her story in this episode and it will do you good to listen to her gentle wisdom and reflections on a life of faith.
Blaming others for our foolishness, laziness and troubles breaks friendships and does nothing to effect change. We continue to make mistakes and feel unhappy when we do this. The umpires have been responsible for Collingwood's lack of premierships over the years and finally they are starting to behave properly, as this year we are actually doing quite well and our obvious brilliance is no longer hamstrung by their incompetence.
Ashish was born in India to parents who were brought to a salvo orphanage as babies and who grew up to be salvo officers. He married an Aussie girl and now, an officer himself, has had appointments in the UK, Australia, USA and even exotic tropical islands. His love and confidence in God is real, as it was formed authentically through seasons of doubt and trouble. It's an inspiring story.
Apparently women use more words each day than men. And apparently it's because men don't listen. Being silent has its advantages. If you are accused unjustly like Jesus it can highlight the absurdity of the charges. If you are married, it can help calm down arguments and even be a way avoid being told what to do. In our family, I am a respected secret keeper - because I don't listen and have a terrible memory. It's one of my most endearing qualities.
Marty grew up in a religious family in Sydney and for the most part found this to be a positive experience. But later in life after a marriage breakdown and the general business of life he found himself disconnected to community, unfit and overweight. He and his wife Lisa wanted a change and attended the Wishart Parkrun to make some changes to their lifestyle. Who knew that within a few years they would start a whole new Parkrun at Mansfield and find community, fitness and purpose in a whole new way.
We all have an idea of what is the right thing to do. Sometimes we have people close to us who see a foolishness that we are blind to and they let us know. Sometimes the implications of not listening are small, but at other times, like when Pliate ignored his wife or when the Captain of the Titanic ignored his crew, really bad things can happen.
Recorded before a live audience at the Salvos Creative Arts Engagement Conference in Melbourne, Julia works full time for the Salvos encouraging and nurturing the arts amongst our people. She has over 20 years experience in community theatre along with work experience in TV and Radio. She is a delightful person and shares her story beautifully.
People will attempt great things when they are assured of the support and encouragement of others. My friends complete epic marathons and trail runs. The lovely Sue is by nature a little timid, but has been shark cage diving and involved in the lives of people suffering from addiction and homelessness. Peter denied Jesus and failed because he was alone and had no back up. But when he formed a team, he found courage and became part of a force for good that changed the world.
Greg is the founder of Sanctuary. A place of refuge and community in down town Toronto. I know Greg because he has come to Australia to teach and share his story with Arrow leadership. A great quality of this man is his courage to be honest and vulnerable and as he shares his story in this podcast, you cannot help but be warmed to the humble way of Jesus that has captured and guided his life.
Jesus - the kindest and most enlightened person you could imagine was brutally killed because he was a threat to people with a completely different world view. Spiral dynamics helps us understand world views and find ways to be less freaked out when we meet people who are not on the same page.
Wayne was a teacher and school principal and has enjoyed a fulfilling life as a husband, father and committed Salvo. He has worked for many years with the Salvos, mainly at the Tom Quinn centre and has served some of Bundaberg’s most vulnerable people. He has been the host of a community radio show for over 20 years. But life took a savage turn for Wayne, when a few years ago his 39 year old son died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage.
His life story is one of faithfulness, service and the raw suffering and confusion of losing a son.
Thinking about death is not easy. Dwelling on it in prayer is even harder. But prayer is often about facing up to the things we would rather not deal with and seeking insight and wisdom. Jesus prayed in a garden before he went to the cross and agonised over it all. How we think and accept the realities of our fragile lives impacts how we live and there is strength, comfort and hope in the quietness of prayer, if we have the guts to go there. The lovely Sue has thought about her death and she is surprisingly up beat about it.
Dominique Rizzo is one of Queenslands most successful female chefs. She is dynamic and soulful and has featured on ready steady cook and runs cooking tours throughout Europe. She helped the Salvos cater for a massive Christmas lunch a few years ago and won our hearts with her generosity and kindness. Her motto is "Through the sharing of food we share life and one is never lonely or hungry" Her story is beautiful.
When we are betrayed by someone, it is really challenging to trust them again. Not impossible, but not easy. Grace and courage is required and there are always consequences for bad behaviour. But if we can't reconcile with people who have betrayed us when it is reasonable to do so, we will treat ourselves the same way. We know that with some grace and the courage to learn and grow we can improve and be more trustworthy, so lets give that courtesy to others when it is safe to do so. Everyone except president Logan from the TV series 24. He is just bad to the core!!!
Leanne Rogers visits refugee camps all over the world to teach English and spread hope, love and music to some of the most desperate people on earth. Her journey to this, from life as a middle class church attender, mother and supporter to her husband Bob, is inspiring and challenging. Her enthusiasm and purposeful living is a testament to the value of following the way of Jesus.
Sharing a meal can be the consumption of food or the opportunity to really encounter other people. Eye contact, the inflection of a voice and body language is all on display around a table. Lets not miss our opportunities to really engage with each other over food. It could be your last supper.
John Viles is a Salvo officer in Tweed Heads. He is married to Nicole and they have two children. John was loved and valued beautifully as a kid by a lady called Mrs Knowels. He became a boiler maker, following in the steps of his Father at first, but soon realised he loved sharing about his Love of God more than welding and bolting things. He became a Salvo officer and at his ordination General Eva Burrows shared a profound truth that warmed his heart.
Most people are struggling with something. Everyone has significant events in their lives. even if it's just a birthday. To pause and honour someone with a gift, some kind words or to arrange a gathering, is really special. Jesus was heading for the cross and a woman grasped this reality and anointed his feet with expensive perfume. Most people thought this was silly and wasteful. But Jesus was deeply moved.
Bethany Baillie is married to BJ and is a Salvo officer living in Western Australia. She is a young woman with a huge heart for people on the margins. A true blue Salvo who cares deeply for others. Life was cruising along nicely, but falling pregnant just wasnt happening and so a journey of IVF was about to begin, when the unexpected happened. A little life began to be formed just before this process began. What a joy!
However this joy was short lived and the baby did not survive. Bethany shares about her life and how running a half marathon was part of her healing journey.
It is both an important and heartbreaking story to hear.
We all have seasons where we get a bit complacent. Things are going OK so we just hit the cruise buton and let life mooch along. Or maybe we are just tired and in a rut. However we still need to be watching out for our opportunities and responsibilities.
Love, hope and Joy is sure to return, so lets not fall asleep and miss the moments we are given.
Vince Ross grew up living in a humpy on the banks of the Murrumbidgee river in New South Wales. Madi Madi country. His father was Scottish and His mum was aboriginal and so he found it hard to find his place in the world. The Salvos came with hammers and nails to help make some improvements and repairs to his home one day and Vince liked what he saw. He has been a Salvo ever since. His work with children and with the reconciliation journey over many years has been recognised by the General of the Salvos, who awarded Uncle Vince the Salvos highest honour - The order of the Founder.
There will always be seasons where everything seems doomed. Mark Ch 13 is a chapter of end times apocalyptic doom and gloom. But Marks world was quite small and the troubles of the day were to him of global proportions, so he wrote about them in language that depicted cosmic destruction. The hope that a return of love, goodness and peace is clear though and is a good reminder that we too will inevitably experience trouble that to us feels catastrophic.
Don't panic, be at peace. Love and goodness will return for you too!
Brenda Linsell is a keen park runner and likes to have a go at anything. Her cancer journey taught her to value every moment. She lives in Melbourne with her husband Derek and loves art, mosaics and cooking. She has lived in New York and is trained in law and nursing. She is currently the school nurse at girls school and looks after over 800 children and teachers.
The poor widow who gave her last two coins was not being generous - she was oppressed by the religious leaders who demanded her compliance with unfair and unkind rules. Jesus calls them out on this. Compassion and a heart for justice will only come when we allow ourselves to feel our own pain and when we look at difficulty with insight and wisdom. I understand this as I look at the Carlton footy club these days. My team has been pathetic in the past and I know how this feels.
Winsome grew up in a little town called Burnie on the North West Coast of Tasmania and didn't think she would travel far from this part of the world. But she ended up as a Salvo officer and has lived in London, Pakistan, Myanmar and is now in Melbourne. She has traveled the world and has taken on significant leadership responsibilities with the Salvos. Everyone I speak to says she is delightful.
What is really worth doing? What is important? What helps us live our best life? Jesus was asked this one day and he basically said this. Love God and love others with all that you are. Love the mysterious and unfathomable spiritual mystery of just being alive. Things like beauty, joy, hope and peace. Love other people with all their oddness and inconsistency. All their joys and sorrows. Live a life of giving and receiving love and you will be OK.
Kathryn McKay felt strongly at age 5 that she wanted to be a Salvo for the rest of her life. She is now a mother of three and runs a mums and bubs program for the Salvos in Sydney. She has seen huge changes in Salvo life over the years and experienced her own personal griefs and struggles along the way. She encountered a muslim culture and lived in Dubai for three years, but still loves the Salvos and is as involved today as ever.
Apparently the effigy of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd on our coins will be phased out and a new image of King Charles the 3rd will soon. take it's place. The most popular Salvo branding has changed in Australia from the Crest to the shield. Images like this are supposed to represent integrity and stability, but like all man made institutions, they are often flawed.
Dean Clifford was born with a rare skin disease and was often referred to as a cotton wool baby or a butterfly wing baby as his skin was extremely delicate. His life expectancy was maybe 5 years, but against the odds, he is now in his 40s and going strong. He is a motivational speaker and lives a high quality life.
The best of a spiritual life, things like love, hope, peace and purpose has often been represented by wine. To drink deeply of Gods love and presence. When religious leaders of Jesus time were dodgy, Jesus compared them to corrupt vine workers. Eventually the task of looking after the wine and the vineyard was given to others.
Gerrard was born blind and yet from an early age lived life wholeheartedly. He even rode his bike to school each day as a kid, following his brothers bike. He is a paralympian, has summited Mt Everest, been on dancing with the stars, he owns two chocolate shops and is planning to swim the English channel later in the year. He is a remarkable man.
I'm running an anger management course Called Circuit Breaker and finding it really helpful. The parallels with Jesus' teaching in Mark 12 about moving mountains and resolving issues with your neighbours is profound.
Mark grew up in a troubled home and struggled with self worth and confidence. His engagement with good people in the Salvos as a young man and a sincere faith in Jesus, has enabled him to overcome these challenges and develop into one of the Salvos most respected leaders. A sparky by trade and a keen Roosters supporter, Mark is down to earth and approachable.
The other day someone paid for my meal at a drive through so I paid for the guy behind me. He then paid for the guy behind him. I have no idea why this happened.
Kindness and goodness is everywhere and not always easy to trace back to a source or to understand. Powerful people get suspicious and threatened about love like this and it got Jesus into a lot of trouble.
Rod grew up in the Salvos and got kicked out of a music camp by my brother for sneaking out after dark. Despite this setback, Rod’s career as a professional singer has taken him all over the world and he has been a backup singer for artists such as Tina Arena, John Farnham and Olivia Newton John. He sang in the live band of Dancing with the Stars for 17 seasons. Rod has devoted his life to communicate soul and culture through the arts.
Please note: It was Shaun Wynne not Gary Veale who got kicked out of music camp in 1983. Important not to incriminate the innocent. :)
Groups and organizations need to deliver on their promises or people feel ripped off and disappointed. My Tooheys trot running group promises a friendly and comfortable trail run experience and always delivers. It's a fabulous group to belong to. Jesus had no time for religious pretense and hypocrisy and one time he cursed a fig tree and overturned tables in a temple to drive home the point.
Emma Ralston had a health scare when she was a small baby and I was at the hospital with her and her parents during this time. Ever since then she has had a special place in my heart. And she loves Stories of Hope Podcast. She is interested in languages, reptiles and would totally be up for a bungie jump. She is a delightful person.
Apparently cold showers are very good for you, but it is a breathtaking shock to the system. The Easter message reminds us that the capacity to suffer is an important part of a healthy and happy life and that we do well to embrace it and allow it to do it's mysterious work.
Jonathon Ralston works for CSIRO and develops remote mining technologies that are designed for the moon and ultimately Mars. He is a scientist, a family man and a dedicated Salvo. He is the smartest guy I know, but he is also one of my best friends. He lived in PNG for a while and came from a poor but loving family. It's an amazing life story.
Downloads for the Stories of Hope podcast have skyrocketed lately and I'm not really sure why. Maybe I am on the road to fame and fortune like BTS. The lovely Sue thinks it's just a technical glitch. She's probably right. The disciples of Jesus thought they had hit the jackpot when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. But popularity was never on the agenda for Jesus, however His influence changed the world.
Hans came to the Salvos a broken man. Addicted to drugs and lost. Unable to stay clean, unable to work and unable to maintain relationships. On his 13 year journey with the Salvos he has fallen many times, but the grace and love he has received has been life changing.
We can all feel a bit insignificant at times. But Henri Nouwen suggests that when we drink the cup of our humble lives wholeheartedly we become a blessing. A blessing to the world.
Ian Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Thoracic Physician and a dedicated Salvo leader. He has kept fit over the years by jogging and playing a bit of tennis. He has always needed to juggle the challenges of his life saving work as a doctor, with the many other demands on his heart, such as family and church life. It's inspiring to hear his story.
Raising a glass at a party is a way of saying welcome, I see who you are and am glad you are here with us. Sharing honestly with others even if the story is sad and difficult is important to do, as people crave authentic friendship. A famous proverb goes like this. "A problem shared is a problem halved and a joy shared is a joy doubled"
Chris Reid is a national leader with the Salvation Army and is also a wife, a mother and a grandma, known to her grandchildren as GG. Her life has been a journey of self discovery, incorporating times of tragedy as a young woman and then some quite confronting challenges to her leadership. Chris and her husband Stuart are delightful friends to the lovely Sue and I and we have shared many meals and robust conversations.
Henri Nouwen wrote a book called "Can you drink the cup"
It is an invitation to live our lives fully. Drinking deeply of every experience - both the joyful and the sorrowful. But in my experience this requires a great deal of courage and the support of loving community.
Jamie Lee never knew her father and was homeless by the time she was 17. For many years she has lived on the streets and in youth shelters. She has dyslexia and a variety of mental health conditions. Her life has not been easy. But she has found a place that feels like family at the Salvos and for the last 13 years she has called me Daddy Bryce.
It's scary to leave the comforts and security of the known way, but if we trust that whatever we leave will somehow be made up for, we will take the risk. Our dog Maggie left the comfort and security of her mother and the other puppies in her litter, but I can assure you, she gets a much better deal at our place than she did back home.
Narelle Sketcher is the principal of Mt Evelyn Christian School in Melbourne and is a well educated and thoughtful person. She grew up at Camberwell Salvos and thinks deeply about faith and life. She shares her story with honesty and insight and it was great to connect with this lovely friend after so many years.
Some Christians say Jesus is the answer, but a book around at the moment is titled "Jesus is the question" Jesus asks far more questions than he answers. We need safe places for conversation and enquiry if we are ever to have robust understandings of life. Change and growth are mysterious things and we do well to allow space and time for ourselves and for others to grow in this way.
Graeme Golding is from rich Salvation Army heritage here in Australia, trained as a professional musician and was a Salvo officer for a while. We were great mates at that time and even shared a near death experience together. 25 years ago he met Wendy, the love of his life and has lived and served in the USA ever since.
Winning and being the best isn't all it's cracked up to be. Not to say we don't try our best, but we will almost always be out done in some way, by someone. For example, Nigella may be a better cook than the lovely Sue, but Sue will almost always come first in my book.
Narelle is a third generation Salvo and grew up in PNG with her Missionary parents. Her life story is a consistent development of what it means to serve, to be real and to be authentically engaged in community. Narelle loves adventure and doing new things and I suspect she always will.
The rich young ruler who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life was really asking how to live here on earth with passion, purpose and love. Turns out that being an uncomplicated version of yourself is all that is required.
Ruth Kohe is a Salvation Army Officer in Papua New Guinea. She and her husband Ramson are responsible for children and youth activities in the highlands. Her story is dotted with drama and tragedy but her joyful spirit and positivity is a delight.
The breakdown of families and tensions in households can be a dreadful thing to cope with. Hardheartedness can cause a lot of damage. So how do we stay kindhearted and committed to the relationships we hold dear? Zucchini slices help!
Colin and I grew up together at Camberwell Salvos and were best mates as teenagers. The richness of this friendship is evident as we share even after many years of no contact. Colin is the senior psychologist at Growth Psychology in Geelong and as he shares about his life you can tell he has thought deeply and honestly about himself and has wisdom both from study and personal experience.
The bug-a-salt fly killer gun has great potential for the development of men's groups. But salt is also a descriptor of a useful and interesting life. This podcast deals with both aspects of this wonderful element.
Michelle is a transgender woman who has two daughters and lives in Melbourne. She works as an advocate for transgender and diversity issues within the transport department. I am friends with her partner Cara and we shared a meal together recently where I met her for the first time. She is warm, open and well humored. I liked her a lot.
For the power of community to be fully realized, we cannot stay safe and comfortable. We need to learn how to suffer a bit and give ourselves away in healthy and sustainable ways.
Kevin Beach grew up in stable and loving family and was a star Rugby player in Queensland and also in the UK. Life took a tragic turn when, mid career, he was struck by a car and had both his legs smashed up. Drinking got out of control and he ended up at a Salvo Rehab, which is where we met. His courage and resilience to reinvent himself and find a rewarding and stable life is inspirational.
People fulfill the loving purposes of God in all sorts of ways and Jesus didn't seem to mind what their background was of even what they believed. He valued their hearts and their service. I once took three guys fresh out of recovery to help me serve at an evacuation centre in Rockhampton after a flood. They did an awesome job and shone brightly with love and dedication. They came home to a hero's welcome.
Matt Reeve is a husband to Clare, Father to Sadie, Matisse and Darby and a Salvo officer. His Mum and Dad fostered babies for 25 years and his sister died tragically at just 43 year of age. He knows about grief and service and the sort of practical spirituality that is so highly valued in the Salvos. Listening to his story and his practical wisdom will do you good.
Profound moments of the divine happen every now and then, often when we are in the midst of suffering. I am experiencing the grief of losing my mother just before Christmas and although this is really sad and emotional, there have been wonderful unexpected moments of love and hope.
I met Nadine at a parkrun a few months ago and we chatted for about 15 minutes, but knew we could chat forever if we had the chance. We became linked on Strava and ended up running together the other week. Her experiences with parkrun, the church and Africa makes for an interesting story.
The lovely Sue and I have come to know what to expect from each other. That is how any relationship tends to function. Our relationship with God and the mysterious forces of love is a bit the same. At some level this relationship requires us to know what to expect from God and to know what God expects from us.
Wez Koni was born in PNG and rolled into a fire when he was just three years old suffering dreadful burns. Even after 33 major operations, a move to another country and the challenge of finding the confidence to be himself, he sees his life as blessed. And he does amazing coffee art!
Even magical genies find some things impossible to understand. So it stands to reason that we will need the humility to shift our views on life and God from time to time.
Amaru is a ten year old young lady who lives in Brisbane on Yugambeh land and is of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander decent. I know her Mum Lucy. We have a chat about her life and what she is interested in and it will make you smile, make you think and make you hopeful for the future. She is delightful.
G'day. This episode is a recap of the year that was and an update on what is on the cards for 2023.
I want to thank you for listening in and being supportive and to wish you all a terrific Christmas.
Emma grew up with the love and support of a devoted mother who raised her and her two siblings alone. Her family was helped by the Salvos at Christmas one year and from there she connected and is still a Salvo today. Her journey of faith started at age 7 when she encountered the secure and comforting love of God in a powerful way. The courage to be truthful and faithful from then on has helped her develop the maturity and depth to do what she does today, guide others on their faith journeys as a lecturer at the Salvos Eva Burrows College.
Trusting people is important for any financial or relational interaction and scammers and tricksters abound. Jesus wanted His disciples to know who he was and he asked them about this directly. They thought he was the Messiah, but their idea of Messiah was very different to His and he wanted to clarify and not mislead them.
Alison Hawley is one of the most enthusiastic and colorful people I know. She has been helping people get fit and stay fit for most of her working life and is part of the Helensburgh salvos crew. She has the unique ability to get me running long distances, up hills wearing a tutu.
Fred Hollows was an irreverent and bombastic sort of fellow who had no time for cumbersome institutions. He just wanted people all over the world with eye disease to get healed.
John Dalziel has 4 generations of Salvo officer leaders in his family. But he decided at an early age, not to become a salvo officer and instead to live in community with a secular job and serve in the local corps. His influence and legacy is significant and his example and story is an important one for all people who have association with the salvos to hear.
Rachel is 11 years old and lives with her mum and dad and two sisters in Melbourne. She is a second cousin to me and I think she is terrific. She has lots to share about her life and has a great little giggle that will brighten your day.
Jesus warned the disciples against the yeast of the Pharisees; an arrogant form of spiritual pride and certainty that required signs from heaven and adherence to strict rules. Jesus was teaching the disciples to be leaders who were curious, uncertain and reflective. Open to be corrected and more dedicated to loving than to always being right.
Noela is an honorary member of my Rotary Club and has always been active in serving others, both here in Australia and in her beloved Tanzania. Her life story is not without hardship and she has allowed these challenges to shape her compassionate and generous heart.
There have been times when I have spoken before big crowds and been seen to do amazing work only come home to the lovely Sue who is cranky with me for being a jerk. Integrity and character is found in the simple and the everyday goodness and kindness of our relationships and service.
I trained as a Salvo officer with Kathryn back in 1994, but our lives have taken us in different directions and so catching up on her interesting and inspiring life story has been wonderful. She is as kind and intelligent as I remember her from college days and add to that the courage and grace to take on the complexity of her role as the General Manager of the Salvos National D&A programs, she really is quite something.
Much of life is preparation for something that is yet to come. Digging compost into a dry old garden bed is a good example. This work requires a lot of effort and is not immediately effective. We need a bit of faith and patience. What is worth planting and what will grow in our souls is an important question, but more important is the work of humility and wisdom that enables new things to take root.
Much of life is preparation for something that is yet to come. Digging compost into a dry old garden bed is a good example. This work requires a lot of effort and is not immediately effective. We need a bit of faith and patience. What is worth planting and what will grow in our souls is an important question, but more important is the work of humility and wisdom that enables new things to take root.
Tracy is a salvo officer who despite a difficult childhood, has found her way to a place of hope and service to others. She is married to Steve and has three children and one grandson. Her story is inspirational and her spirit is a joy to experience.
Warning* There is Domestic violence in this story.
Tracy is a salvo officer who despite a difficult childhood, has found her way to a place of hope and service to others. She is married to Steve and has three children and one grandson. Her story is inspirational and her spirit is a joy to experience.
Warning* There is Domestic violence in this story.
Jesus tells us in Mark Ch 7 to honor our parents and to look after them. Not all parents are easy and as they age, caring becomes more challenging. So getting this right requires wisdom and sacrifice.
Jesus tells us in Mark Ch 7 to honor our parents and to look after them. Not all parents are easy and as they age, caring becomes more challenging. So getting this right requires wisdom and sacrifice.
Dave Fitness Grew up in the Salvos in New Zealand and his life has certainly had its ups and downs. I met Dave on a cycling trip from Sydney to Brisbane and encountered one of the most friendly and enthusiastic humans I' have ever known. His love and delight in others is infectious and born of his enduring love for God.
Dave Fitness Grew up in the Salvos in New Zealand and his life has certainly had its ups and downs. I met Dave on a cycling trip from Sydney to Brisbane and encountered one of the most friendly and enthusiastic humans I' have ever known. His love and delight in others is infectious and born of his enduring love for God.
Georgia lives in South Australia and is a delightful 11 year old young lady. Georgia and her Mum have a lovely chat with me on the podcast and it will brighten your day to listen in.
Georgia lives in South Australia and is a delightful 11 year old young lady. Georgia and her Mum have a lovely chat with me on the podcast and it will brighten your day to listen in.
It's fair to say Belinda is not your A-Typical Salvo officer. Her life has been both tragic and beautiful and her vibrant personality makes for a fabulous and inspiring story of Hope.
It's fair to say Belinda is not your A-Typical Salvo officer. Her life has been both tragic and beautiful and her vibrant personality makes for a fabulous and inspiring story of Hope.
Jesus was scathing towards the religious leaders who pretended to love God but were not reflecting the love of God in their actions towards others. In a similar way, I can appear to be devoted to the lovely Sue, but she has an acute radar on these things and is not shy about mentioning when I have drifted off course.
Jesus was scathing towards the religious leaders who pretended to love God but were not reflecting the love of God in their actions towards others. In a similar way, I can appear to be devoted to the lovely Sue, but she has an acute radar on these things and is not shy about mentioning when I have drifted off course.
Bernie Muendel had an encounter with the Salvation Army and God most powerfully when a Salvation Army Major hugged him when he was at his lowest point. Her love and that moment, set in motion a life transformation that has impacted thousands of lives. Bernie worked in the Salvos rehab program in NSW for 18 years and now with his wife Terri are the leaders of the salvos in Lake Macquarie.
Bernie Muendel had an encounter with the Salvation Army and God most powerfully when a Salvation Army Major hugged him when he was at his lowest point. Her love and that moment, set in motion a life transformation that has impacted thousands of lives. Bernie worked in the Salvos rehab program in NSW for 18 years and now with his wife Terri are the leaders of the salvos in Lake Macquarie.
Spirituality is a bit mysterious and hard to understand, but it seems to come to everyone in some way or another and like Jesus waking on water to comfort his disciples, it is often unlikely, but very real when we are struggling. Dr Lisa Miller in her book "The Awakened Brain" says we all have a beautiful innate spiritual life and that it's important to value it in ourselves and in others.
My expert ten year old on the podcast today is Aaliyah who lives in Sydney. She has a lot to say and is a very interesting and delightful young lady!
There are too many big issues to resolve and I sometimes feel insignificant and powerless. But if we love like Jesus did, we will do the small things that make the world beautiful and hopeful.
Sandra and I have been friends for many years, but it went to a whole new level when I was on the support crew for a 50K Oxfam walk she did a few years ago and I needed to massage her feet. Sandra and her husband Tony married late in life and now are the Salvo leaders in Cooma. There is never a dull moment in her story and apart from being a mad keen Carlton supporter, she is a fabulous human being.
Being busy can be a badge of honor. But there is great wisdom in slowing down at times and rediscovering the gently art of prayerful reflection. Don't ever get into the space where today is just a pathetic continuation of yesterday.
Jerry and I met at the Men's Walk and Talk group we both attend. Jerry is into Munga animation, gaming and singing. He has autism and as he shares his story, it is inspiring to hear the way he has pushed through so many of the challenges he has faced.
When we love others we need to understand that we can only ever bring a small portion of the love they need to feel whole and complete. Reminds me of the six ribbons song from the TV series Against the Wind.
Bob is a Baptist pastor and has vast experience in many different aspects of ministry. His engagement with the military and a variety of different cultures is always earthy and practical. He loves Jesus, but nothing silly.
We all have an influence no matter how insignificant we may see ourselves to be. Every time we engage with others we bring things like hope, love, despair and hatred into the space. When we bring love, who knows what healing and hope this might bring into someone's day. Our puppy Maggie always brightens the room.
We all have an influence no matter how insignificant we may see ourselves to be. Every time we engage with others we bring things like hope, love, despair and hatred into the space. When we bring love, who knows what healing and hope this might bring into someone's day. Our puppy Maggie always brightens the room.
Tracy Iles has been a strong and loving support to people on the margins of society for many years. Her work with the Salvos has been powerful and a catalyst for many transformed lives. Tracy loves God and is now the leader of faith communities in the Newcastle area. She also knows how to lead a team of pumpkin cooks.
Allegra is 8 years old, but is turning 9 soon so is quite close to 10 years old. She lives in Brisbane and loves AFL. She barracks for the Calamvale Leopards and if she had lots of money she would give most of it to charity and get another puppy with whatever is left over. She is delightful!
There is plenty in life to shut us down and plummet us into despair. Politics, climate change and health challenges to name a few. To stay positive and optimistic in the face of trouble is an act of faith and the Lovely Sue does this beautifully. This photo of her swimming is not her most glamourous, but it captures her joy and enthusiasm for life.
Lucas Cairns is a talented musician, a loving husband and a father of 4. He is a Salvo officer who loves young people and is also a heart transplant recipient with a whole new lease of life. It will do you good to listen to this man explain how he has embraced the storms of life and how much he delights in the everyday miracles around him.
To listen to some of Lucas Music click here. Lucas Cairns YouTube
Lucas Cairns is a talented musician, a loving husband and a father of 4. He is a Salvo officer who loves young people and is also a heart transplant recipient with a whole new lease of life. It will do you good to listen to this man explain how he has embraced the storms of life and how much he delights in the everyday miracles around him.
To listen to some of Lucas Music click here. Lucas Cairns YouTube
When we love like Jesus did, people will feel free to leave or stay. They will never feel trapped or obligated to repay us or align to our agendas.
In this episode recorded before a live audience at Carindale Salvos, we chat to Matt Boulton about his life and how his personal life journey shaped his calling to help men with anger issues. Matt runs a program called Circuit Breaker which is a ten week course to provide tools, strategies and support for men and women who feel like their temper may be effecting their relationships. He has been running and developing this course for the last 22 years and has extensive experience and expertise around the causes and solutions to the tragic reality of domestic violence in our community.
In this episode recorded before a live audience at Carindale Salvos, we chat to Matt Boulton about his life and how his personal life journey shaped his calling to help men with anger issues. Matt runs a program called Circuit Breaker which is a ten week course to provide tools, strategies and support for men and women who feel like their temper may be effecting their relationships. He has been running and developing this course for the last 22 years and has extensive experience and expertise around the causes and solutions to the tragic reality of domestic violence in our community.
Jesus was intentional about loving people with troubled minds. His compassion for the anguish of traumatized people was consistent. The heartwarming Academy award winning movie "A Beautiful Mind" tells a similar story.
Louanne and the Lovely Sue have known each other since they were children. Louanne has endured a lot in her life, including relationship breakdowns, and serious health challenges, but her resilience and faith is remarkable and her work with the Salvos in Sydney's Northern Beaches for the last 14 years has been a Godsend for people doing it tough in that area.
There will always be difficult times in life, as we are all subject to sickness, conflict and ultimately death. But to be filled with fear is just going to make things worse. So we do have an option to remain calm, even if we forget to put the bins out.
Karl and his family immigrated from the UK in 2016 and were living their dream of a whole new life in Australia. But Karl's 7 year old son Richie was diagnosed with cancer and that set the family into an 18 month long whirlwind of hospitals and grueling treatment regimes. Tragically, Richie passed away in September 2021 and his family established Richie's Rainbow: A foundation to support cancer research for kids. I met Karl as he comes along to the men's walk and talk group. This is his story. https://richiesrainbow.org.au/
When we live wholeheartedly and shine brightly, we need not be afraid of what others might think. Our lives are often wonderful and inspiring and it's a very loving thing to share this with the people we care about. It's good for them.
Ryan's mum worked with me a few years ago and he now lives with his parents and his little brother in Tasmania. He is nearly 8 years old and wants to buy a house with a very unique added extra. He is also a dinosaur expert!
When we love people we are foolish to expect predictable outcomes as a result. The journey to wholeness and growth is a mystery, much like how a seed germinates in the darkness of the soil to become a beautiful flower.
Lauren is a beautiful person and despite a cancer journey during the pandemic has maintained a positivity and hope that warms your heart and helps you really appreciate the simple stuff in life.
Families are a mixed bag. Sometimes we are close and feel very safe and at other times there may be distance and even animosity. If we are to love like Jesus, we need to let some people get close. Really close. Close like family. Sometimes people need us to be loyal, reliable and accepting and sometimes we need them.
Jason is a wonderful thoughtful man who has been a wise voice for the poor within the Salvos for many years and who now works in the court system in Victoria specializing in family violence. I knew him when he was a cool teenager who had long hair on the top of his head. Back then he was in a rock band called State of Mind and was an exceptional lead guitar player.
Jesus was often misunderstood as he gave preference to loving people who were unable or unwilling to benefit the powerful institutions of his day. Selfless love is illogical, costly and infuriating to uninvolved onlookers.
Eddie Miekus has been volunteering for the Salvos off and on for over 20 years. He has an interesting life story and a big heart to serve others.
Jesus chose unlikely and ordinary people to be his co workers in sharing the message of God's love to the world. My daughter Georgia helped me wash the car when she was little and although it was not particularly efficient, it was completely adorable and I can't remember enjoying washing the car more, than on that occasion!
Alberto grew up in an orphanage in Jamaica and was eventually adopted by an Australian Salvo couple here in Brisbane. He had no idea that we was gifted with the ability to run fast - really fast. He now holds multiple Australian records for the 400, 200 and 100 meters sprints in the T20 class and represented Jamaica in the recent Tokyo Paralympic games.
Charity Barnam “You don’t need everyone to love you, just a few good people" Unfortunately some of us ignore this wise advice and get carried away with being noticed and popular, while the people closest to us feel invisible.
Shirli works for the Salvos in Wulgurukaba country near Townsville and is responsible for a national team of workers who educate and connect Salvos with Indigenous people and their customs. She has her own story to tell and comprehends from lived experience what most of us can only see as statistics. She is a beautiful human and a complete delight to chat with.
If we are to love like Jesus did, we will stand up for people who are treated unfairly. Even if it costs us our security and comfort.
Rosy grew up in a loving family and in the folds of a loving church, but needed to spread her wings and push the boundaries. She lived a quite risky life for a while before settling into Salvo ministry. It turns out though, that the most risky and difficult journey for Rosy was the one into silence and emptiness that forged her current sense of depth and confidence.
Life and the world we live in has certainly changed a lot since I was a kid snuggling up to my Grandma Davies and we need to be wise and flexible to stay relevant. But despite decades of cooking shows and culinary development, she is still the best cook I've ever met.
For many years Kristy struggled to believe she was of great worth. Even with a loving family and a forgiving church, she struggled. But one day it landed for her and since then, she has had the strength to overcome obstacles and live her best life.
Linda had quite a challenging childhood and found family and hope in the Salvos at an Early age. She and her husband Steve have been Salvo officers for many years and they now run an organic Faith Expression on the East Coast of Tasmania. Bryce and Linda have a chat about the challenges and joys of ministry in the new world of o.f.e.
I was at a Salvo community meal last week and loved chatting with the people at my table. They were a bit rough and ready, but they were sincere and seemed to really care about each other. Jesus often shared meals with notorious sinners, He seemed to really enjoy this. One bad egg he befriended even became one of the 12 disciples.
Brodie was teaching English to kids in Vietnam as part of an extended working holiday, when his life was turned upside down by a devastating motorbike accident. His injuries are significant, but his attitude and positivity is amazing. He comes along each week to a group called "men's walk and talk" and inspires us all to be thankful for whatever we have.
Everybody makes mistakes and has annoying personality traits. But if we are to love like Jesus did, we will have a huge capacity for forgiveness. To stay married to me, the lovely Sue has needed to forgive me regularly, which I suspect makes her a Saint of the highest order. One time, in a car museum - I pushed the boundary to the edge.
Lucy and my daughter Georgia studied together and were flat mates. I love her like a daughter. Lucy is a bubbly delight to chat with and her story will make you smile and know again, that there really are still wonderful people in this world.
If we are to love like Jesus, we will be safe for people who feel like they are lepers to hang out with. No judgement, no rejection, just warmth and acceptance and maybe even healing!
Tony Kerridge had a challenging childhood and spent many years in and out of jail and in addiction. His five beautiful children were deeply affected and disconnected as a result. He got clean and almost instantly his family found healing too. Loved and embraced wholeheartedly by some loving Salvo communities, this family has moved on and now is doing really well. Its a fabulous story.
Confronting evil and the demonic in our day and age seems extreme and the language is laced with judgment and condemnation. But Jesus loved people enough to confront the things that were destroying them and causing suffering. When we really love people we will do whatever we can to help them find freedom and wholeness.
Katie Jackson and I ran the Red Shield Appeal at a private girls school she worked at for about three years We hit it off and loved doing this together as Katie is a dynamic and fun lady. A few years later Katie was diagnosed with appendix cancer and her story took an unexpected twist. Her courage and honesty as she shares her story is heart wrenching and inspirational.
Jesus was a master teacher and people felt loved and inclined to grow, heal and learn from him. If we love like Jesus, we will teach others in ways that are life giving and helpful. Kids often say "I love my teacher" because good teachers care and adapt to students in ways that are loving and wise.
Matt is a gentle and thoughtful sort of fellow and yet tackles one of the hot topics on the philosophical and political landscape - environmentalism. His Christlike way is humble and disarming and draws you towards the issue rather than away. Hearing him share his story is good for the soul.
I was a fat little kid and not a great footy player, but one time a senior staff member at my school noticed me and I overheard him say to my footy coach that he thought I "was a good player and went in hard for the ball" It felt good! Jesus noticed and affirmed ordinary people all the time, and it was a powerful demonstration of His love.
Peter Janetzki is an educator and counselor and often ran sex education programs in schools. He also heads up a yearly Fraser Island fishing trip that the Salvos join. He is a husband, father, grandfather and has had his fair share of hard knocks. In this episode he shares his story and the mindset that has seen him rise above this and find happiness and meaning.
In my quest to be a more loving person I am exploring how Jesus loved people by carefully reading Marks Gospel. Turns out his first step was to do his inner work. To surrender and embrace the cost of a life of love.
SJ is one of the most positive people you could meet. Her running and support of others who run is spectacular to witness. But her life has not always been easy and her story demonstrates the power of faith and love.
Not the easy sort of love you feel when you are happily together with friends eating cheesecake, the sort of love you have when the people in front of you are behaving badly and you really want to slap them or completely disengage, but instead you decide to try to be helpful.
The lovely Sue and I did our Salvation Army training with Sandy Fernee back in 1993. Since then, she has studied Egyptian Archeology with a side subject of the history of witchcraft. She has become a vegan and a passionate advocate for the protection of wildlife and now works as the operations manager for an arts program that supports people with intellectual disabilities. She is quite interesting really!
We live very fast paced lives and we can often struggle to find perspective and peace. Mindfulness is a way to slow down, notice our actual lives and gain wisdom and fresh hope. Breathing is an important strategy, so toilets are not ideal.
Brad McIver grew up in the Salvos but ended up living a double life. It was in a broken place in his life in Darwin that he gave up trying to run his life and he surrendered to God. He got honest, lost 40 kg, started getting fit and today runs marathons and holds positions of great responsibility in the Salvos.
When we truly feel what someone else is feeling, we get to love on a deep level. This is not always pleasant, as many people are sad, afraid and angry - not fun emotions. But avoiding this means we avoid relationship and that's a lonely place.
Heather Hawkins is an extraordinary marathon and ultra marathon runner, She has run in extreme environments all over the world. She grew up in the Salvos in Melbourne and went on to become a nurse. She is married and has two children, and in her 40s was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This scare birthed a new found zest for running and living every moment to the full. To go into the draw to receive a copy of her book "Adventurous Spirit" please make a donation to Ovarian Cancer Australia https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/ and send me a copy of the receipt. bryce.davies@salvationarmy.org.au
I've not been well. I have a head cold and have been flying, so my ears are blocked and I feel like I do life in a deep sea diving helmet. But there is still much to be grateful for and practicing gratitude is a game changer!
Check out the tips on practicing gratitude on the resilience project website.
https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/everyone/gratitude/
Graeme Mclimont was a lecturer at the Salvo training college the lovely Sue and I attended back in 1991. He has had a stellar career in the Salvos and has pioneered many impacting and important projects and initiatives. He is a creative and intelligent thinker and a great person to chat with on a broad range of topics. He is now retired and helps run the Sunbury bowls club which has just been awarded the best bowls club in Australia.
Most of us don't do what we know we should and can experience a lot of shame and guilt about this, especially, it seems, if we have grown up in the church. We maybe see ourselves as evil and sinful. But bad behavior is often complex to change and we do better when we deal kindly with ourselves rather than harshly.
Kris Halliday's great grandfather was a renown drunken sailor who found his way the the Salvos in Australia way back in the late 1800's. Kris had a desire to be a Salvo officer from an early age and endured through many years of rejection because of his sexual orientation. Kris is a salvo officer today based in Melbourne and he loves it.
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for". There are seasons to develop, consolidate and rest, but these are always to prepare us for the adventure of living our lives to the full.
There are not too many people I know who are as passionate about faith in Jesus and who back it up with decades of effective frontline, earthy Salvation Army ministry like Craig Stephens. Buckle up for a life story that is full throttle from start to finish.
What good is faith if it does not result in loving behavior? In the 2011 Brisbane floods, thousands of people could not just sit by thinking kind thoughts about those suffering around them. They formed a mud army and gave practical expression to the sentiments. Lets hope an organic mud army of loving support for flood victims rises up again now!
Conor Watt dreamed of being a photographer and a surfer as a child, but addiction ravaged his life and those dreams dissolved. But now with 23 years of recovery, he has taken up photography and anything is possible.
Richard Rohr says the opposite of faith is not doubt, it is certainty. To have faith is to acknowledge that we cannot see what is ahead and to go there anyway. To leave our comfort zones and hang on to hope. When we do this humility and love is sure to follow.
Jennifer Short had her challenges as a child but they all served to make her mentally tough and resilient. The Salvos were supportive through her childhood and so she decided to give back by riding from Sydney to Melbourne in a Salvo fundraising event.
My new role in Tasmania with the Salvos is to encourage and support what we are calling Organic Faith Expressions. Let’s unpack this. What does Organic mean? Chemical free agriculture. It is more expensive and doesn’t always look perfect, but it is less synthetic and more sustainable. For our faith to be organic, the idea is that we trust the Spirit to guide us into more natural and sustainable models of faith and community.
Jason is of Indian descent and grew up feeling different and when his Father left home his sense of being lost was crippling. He became involved with the Salvos as a 10 year old boy and it changed his life, giving him a new sense of identity. He now runs the Salvos in Moree helping kids experience the same sort of stability and love that helped transform his life.
The cute puppy on my social media pages has the capacity to be a terrorist when she puts her mind to it. So I am attending puppy school - not so much to teach the dog, but to teach me!
I need to unlearn my bad dog handling habits and embrace new ones!
Kim Haworth is my boss when I am working in Tasmania. She shares her interesting life story and the fact that as a child she was a tap dancing duck. She is a “full throttle “ sort of lady, full of love, fun and passion.
I once went on a simulated ride in a space shuttle. It was sort of real, but it didn't prepare me for piloting an actual space shuttle. Sometimes our religion is a bit like this, it seems perfect until we are confronted with living it out in the trenches with real people.
Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett helped out at a soup van when they were teenagers. This birthed a dream to do something and make a difference. That dream is now Orange Sky, a mobile laundry and shower service to homeless people that fosters community.
If we are to be encouraging, we need to take the risk of getting involved in other people’s lives. We don't always need to fix their problem, sometimes all we need to do is hold their hand for a while.
John Cleary was a radio producer with the ABC for over 30 years and has a rich personal and philosophical experience with the Salvos. From Solid Rock Big Band to being on the road with Desmond Tutu, it's a rich and interesting life story.
Everyone needs encouragement and there are things we can all learn to do this better, like asking good questions and listening well.
People are often afraid and need little moments of hope, so lets not be stingy with words and actions that encourage.
Stuart Glover is a proud Bundjalung man who is currently the secretary for Mission in the Salvation Army, Australia wide. Years ago, he and I were part of a little group called "thrash" where we wrestled with our doubts and tried to be honest.
Stories of Hope Podcast started in April 2020 and has published over 250 episodes and 32000 downloads. But there are a few podcast changes afoot for 2022, one of which is our new puppy Maggie, who is sure to get a few mentions!
Kate Baudinette grew up in the Salvos and enjoyed an idyllic childhood. As an adult, family and church life was rewarding and happy. Then cancer rocked her and disturbed the status quo, but faith found a way to bring her peace. Peace like a river.
I have a new role in 2022 that will involve me travelling 6 times a year to Tasmania. I will still live with the lovely Sue in Brisbane, which is just an ocean and 2489ks away, but I am excited about the new role.
Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a banquet where everyone is welcome. It’s not that complicated really, just go outside and fire up the BBQ or a cook up some vegetable soup. The smells and an “Everyone is welcome” sign will do the rest.
Shelley is one of the most gregarious and positive people you could meet. She is a fabulous singer and runs a vintage poster shop in a trendy suburb in Melbourne. She is the mother of two boys and has survived tragedy and heartache. This is her story.
When a disaster hits, like the 9/11 terrorist attacks or even a flood – people are usually generous and compassionate in response. Reality is, there is always a crisis for someone and we have opportunities, every day to be amazing humans.
The lovely Sue has a saying. It’s better to be married to a goat than a Fox. She generally trusts me, however she let me choose the frames for my glasses once, but has never trusted me to do it again.
Paul Moulds has helped hundreds of young people and asylum seekers with great compassion and skill as a salvo leader. He was adopted as a baby and has faced many challenges along the way since then.
It's an inspiring story.
The Salvos run heaps of great Christmas parties each year for people who come to us throughout the year for support. Volunteers love to help out each year and kindly give up their Christmas day to lend a hand. But there is an even better way!
Social media seems to produce a lot of insecurity as we look at others and compare. When we find ways to celebrate others successes and genuinely care when they struggle, we find a more childlike, beautiful way to love.
Narelle came to the Salvos as a child by joining in our equivalent of Girl Guides. She ended up spending a large part of her working life with the Salvos, including 11 years in Malawi. She has a dog named Miko.
Janice Hoogeveen is a corporate leader in branding and marketing. Her journey to be involved with the Salvos advisory board at Streetlevel is mysteriously random and completely delightful.
Christmas is a time of wondrous impossibilities. Angels chatting to shepherds, virgin birth, wise men following a star etc. Inexplicable happenings that alter the course of history and give us hope and cause to wonder.
Alison grew up in the Salvos and was used to a middle class church community. She ended up involved at the Salvos Streetlevel drop in center and in emergency work in the 2011 floods. She lost 50KG recently and is simply a delight to chat with.
One of the wonderful parts of being human is to celebrate. Often we do this with food but it can also be dancing, music, hugging and even growing lettuce. Make sure you position yourself to celebrate regularly. It's good for the soul!
The other night I want to look at Christmas lights, and ended up having an unexpected cuddle with the beautiful newborn baby of some friends of ours. It was a special moment. I reckon God touches us deeply in these sorts of special moments.
A chat with Maryam Zafari about strategies to cope with loneliness - especially at Christmas time.
I've been helping out at the recovery center with the Salvos for the Inglewood floods over the last few days and have been privileged to hear their stories and to be able to offer some financial support. I get to be kind and generous. Feels nice!
Our bodies are 70% water. When people and rivers are dehydrated, disaster is not far away. When I run I need to drink before I am thirsty or I will get dehydrated. Our souls need regular refreshment so we can avoid becoming dry and grumpy.
Paddy Moore has personal experience with abuse and trauma. His encounter with genuine community that felt like a loving family impacted him deeply and his journey of recovery and healing continues today. He is intelligent, warm and insightful.
Sometimes gift giving is very token and means very little. But at other times gift giving can touch our hearts and nurture love and friendship beautifully.
Fire can cook bacon, refine metal and burn down a house. It is useful and powerful, but demands respect. Sometimes we get apathetic and lack the fire in the belly we need to get important things done. When was the last time you got fired up?
Bronwen Healy grew up in a fairly loving home, but found herself addicted to drugs and funding her habit through prostitution by the time she was 21. Her story of transformation and consequent capacity to help others is heart warming and inspiring.
Australia has more big things like a giant lobster and a big pineapple than anywhere else in the world. We love to promote the good things our communities have to offer and, cheesy as it is, it's not a bad thing.
A kite without a good breeze is about as useful to me as ballet shoes, but when the wind blows, it's a lot of fun. We don't know where the wind of the Spirit will blow next or where it comes from, but it sure can make life interesting!
Mitch and Jeff have been mates for 30 years. But when Mitch experienced a tragedy and started drinking, Jeff realized having a beer with him was not helpful, so they started walking. They now walk and talk every Sunday and 35 other guys join them.
Church life at Caboolture Salvos the other Sunday was simply delightful. We are a group of committed people who serve the local community and try to love and support each other. It's not perfect, but it is kinda nice.
Our relationship with the earth is important and the Aboriginal people of Australia have known this for thousands of years, but not so for many new Australians. The gift of the land and an appreciation for it, prompts a spirituality worth exploring.
Mark Curtis was an alcoholic and a drug addict for over 20 years. He ended up in jail and was mandated to do a Salvo rehab in Perth.
He as been sober for ten years and now is married and manages a community garden in the rehab that saved his life.
I have been attending a men's shed and I love it. They often restore old furniture and make things in slow old fashioned sorts of ways. I have been learning about leatherwork, but last week I restored a crusty old chisel. It's now my favourite thing.
Bill Violas depiction of 4 martyrs encountering the 4 elements of nature; earth, wind, fire and water; can stimulate our thinking about God and spirituality and the way we engage in our physical lives here on earth.
Maryam Zafari and I worked together for the Salvos in Villawood and helped lots of people who struggled with various addictions. Today we delve into some of the challenges and insights we have gained along the way
Halloween zombies and skulls are everywhere at the moment and death is a part of life that we do need to think about. What will people say at your funeral? The life choices you make right now will have a big impact on what is said on that inevitable day.
In Jesus time, where you sat at a wedding banquet table was important. If you sat in the place of honor and were then displaced when someone more important came along, it was humiliating. Far better to sit in the lowest seat and be invited to the top.
Francis had a tough childhood and spent many years in prisons and institutions. I met him in rehab 20 years ago and we keep in touch. He has found a way to live a simple yet happy life. This is his inspirational story.
The Netflix documentary, my octopus teacher, is the story of one mans intimate friendship with an octopus. Surely we can work out how to be friends with humans, if he can find a way to befriend an octopus!
There were two epic fails in the outback that proved to be important in the development of Australia as a nation. Failing is actually an important part of any progress.
Ben Brewer is the regional manager of the Salvos welfare services on the Sunshine coast in Queensland. He has worked for the Salvos for many years. His life story is not without troubles but it is certainly grounded in a love of God and others.
Peter Hodges was a hopeless alcoholic. He completed a Salvo Rehab in 2000 and got sober. He became a reliable and passionate Salvo, but died suddenly of cancer in 2008. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him, especially his children. He was my friend.
We do well to let healthy sadness be a part of our lives. If we don't, we often allow ourselves to live contrary to our own convictions and beliefs. Sadness can jolt us into action.
Julie Bell has experienced her fair share of suffering, as her father died when she was just 19 and her sister was disabled. Her heart for the people who come to the salvos for financial counselling is a delight to witness. She is both wise and kind.
My lovely daughter Georgia has started jogging with me. This has been good for our relationship. But running early in the morning, watching the sunrise and sharing in a perfect coffee and some raisin toast the other week was top shelf!
Our capacity for love and kindness is often determined by our own personal experiences of forgiveness. Largely this is from other people, but many embrace a philosophy of life that we are intrinsically loved and valued by the kindness of God.
Nikki Curtis is a Salvo officer from an outer suburb of Perth called Merriwa. Every week Nikki and her team engage with and support dozens of local people doing it tough. She is kind, fun and wise. Her story is one of growth and courage.
I have recently purchased an electric bike to help restore my confidence as a cyclist. It's bright pink, but none the less, I'm back out there riding and enjoying all the benefits of cycling.
When the lovely Sue and I were dating, we went on a bus trip to some very romantic places in Europe and she asked me to marry her at every one of them. I was not interested. But she persisted!
Ann Maree attends my Rotary club and is working towards becoming a mid life mentor for women. "Women in their fifties suddenly become invisible" Ann Maree participates in a number of networking groups and is always growing. She is quite delightful.
Many of our kitchen appliances are amazing, but they sometimes live in the dark cluttered corners of our low cupboards - unused and unappreciated. But if they are out in the open and have a regular use, they are terrific!
Jesus had an agenda to smash through the old religious idea that certain people were in and others were out. His association with the dodgeyest people in town infuriated the polite and respectable religious leaders of his day. He cast the net wide!
"Going to church" is a phrase Christians use to describe their involvement in the gathered people of God. Traditionally this has focused around what happens on a Sunday morning. Join me and my friends Matt and Sandy as we chat about how that looks today.
The lovely Sue and I attended a night of poetry last week with my Rotary club. It was not exactly Dead poets society, but it was profound, nostalgic, funny and highly relational.
A sincere cry from a place of brokenness and despair is better any day that cocky confidence from a place of superiority. We do know this, but the trickery of power, money and position can easily blind us.
Colin Reynolds was engaged to a girl name Elaine who had Cystic Fibrosis. Her tragic death shaped his life profoundly. He traveled to Vietnam where he met Phuong. They are now married with two boys and are salvo officers in Melbourne.
20 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I have been watching documentaries and movies about it on the TV. I am sad, horrified and impotent all over again. But I can still love and support my immediate neighbors wholeheartedly.
Is there a big chunk of your time and energy set aside to feed something that bears no fruit? Assess it and give it another good year, but if it's still useless it might be a good idea to cut it down.
Shushannah Anderson also known as Shush, is a young, super bubbly, creative and enthusiastic Salvo. She is a fellow podcaster, recently married and spent time doing a creative arts training program in New York. It's hard not to smile listening to this.
At Caboolture Salvos the other week we potted dozens of Bromeliad plants as we had the people, the resources and the vision for a worthwhile project. We now have a front porch that resembles a tropical paradise.
We think we need ten times more money than we really do to be happy. The world can't sustain our decadent lifestyles so we will need to learn how to be happy with less. The lovely Sue found a way!
A massively high priority for me is to be a good dad, but there was no "how to be a good dad" subject in the school curriculum. I chat today with my daughters, Eliza and Georgia about the Fatherhood journey they have experienced.
I've always believed that more people die each year from falling coconuts than from shark attacks. Turns out this is just not true.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that we can all be helpful, even if we think we are inadequate and have nothing to offer. Sometimes unlikely healers are there for us when the expected supports let us down.
Dan Casey with his co-host Shushannah are the hosts of a Salvo creative arts podcast called 7 days. Dan's story includes a fairly traditional Salvo upbringing, but his life is anything but traditional and his enthusiasm for life will boost your day.
When we trust people, everything is easier. I trusted Andy, despite his taste in running pants on a recent trail run and it was fabulous. If nations and people of influence trusted each other more, so many problems could be solved.
Our inner life needs solid rock to secure our minds and hearts in the inevitable storms of life. But they are very rarely perfect and we can be beautiful and secure people even though we might look a bit dodgy on the outside.
Selina is married to my brother Russell. She is currently a senior researcher at a feminist unit at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South Africa and she focuses on the complex relationships between Christian faith and patterns of violence against women, children and marginalised sexualities. She also loves Afro-Latin dancing and dressing up for her annual church Carnival. You can find out more about her work with faith leaders around the world by clicking here.
https://blogs.sun.ac.za/urdr/who-we-are/#Staff
Older people love being invited into big ideas, as they like being a part of a team and have wisdom and experience to bring to the table. And if not, they like a cup of tea and have time for a chat.
It is possible to count the number of seeds in an apple. But impossible to count the number of apples in a single seed. Seeds grow in their own time frame and we do well to trust this process rather than to try to manipulate it.
Donal and Cornelia McKernan from the Bruderhof community near Inverell, came to the Salvos in 2015 and offered to serve for 6 months. They are delightful people and sharing how they live and the history of the Bruderhof makes for an interesting chat. Check out their music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6cs4WcM36Q
The 2021 Olympics often brought me to tears. Tears of hope and inspiration. Hope that the world can in fact get along and relief that inspirational leaders like Aussie Boomers basketball captain, Paddy Mills, are in the mix.
Divine love often finds us but sometimes we need to search for it like it is hidden treasure. The lovely Sue loves me and I love her and sometimes its just there and natural. Other times it takes a lot of work!
Janelle is a great friend Sue and I met in 1987 on a bus tour of Europe. She was your average suburban Christian housewife 5 years ago, but today is heavily involved in rescuing victims of human trafficking in Nepal.
everydaughtermatters.org.au
Watching the Olympics has been good for the soul. Love, respect and a culture that values the power of community is a welcome contrast to the fear and mistrust in our world today. I think I want to be an Olympian too!!
Just like everyone has access to the sewer system, everyone has access to the love and blessing of God. It’s not earned, it’s generously available to everyone!
Dr Russell Rook grew up in a Salvo family in the UK and attends the Raynes Park Salvos in the UK. He is the founder of a variety of amazing charities, he consults members of Parliament and is a fellow trombone player!
For most of us, self-discipline is a challenge and we need to get involved in events that inspire us and hold us accountable. No one will sponsor me for Dry July, but if it was dry from coffee and chocolate, I might get a few more takers.
The Bible mentions sheep over 200 times. And as I often relate, feeling a bit stupid and lost, I like to hear what it has to say. Turns out Sheep shouldn’t try to be tigers and actually need other sheep and the humility to accept a bit of guidance.
Born in Northern Ireland, Sharon Callister is an amazing ultra marathon runner, recently completing a 320 kilometer event in the Arctic Circle. She was also the CEO of the Salvos Aged Care Plus for ten years and made a massive contribution.
We find meaning in our lives when we have healthy relationships. When we are in lockdown and tempted to stock up on dunny paper and look after No 1, lets take opportunities to look out for others and connect, even if it involves songs about squirrels.
God is always doing a new thing and we need to be open-minded to keep up with this. We do this every time we pray. We open ourselves up to receive new truth about how Gods kingdom love is to be expressed in this world.
Mike Carter grew up in America and moved suddenly to Australia when he was 13. This change set him on a course of drug using that nearly killed him. Now, over 20 years clean, Mike is the founder of a charity for young people. overflowfoundation.com.au
Jean Fox was involved in a weekly cooking show on channel 7 back in 1955. She came to the Salvos in real need as her husband struggled with alcohol. But for 8 years Jean and her team made awesome cupcakes for people in recovery.
Every day we have the opportunity to allow good seeds of truth to grow in our lives. But often the soil of our spirit is hard or overgrown or shallow. When we nurture our spirits, seeds of truth, opportunity and love can flourish!
Lucy Davis is an Aboriginal, South Sea Islander woman who lives in Brisbane. Lucy is the National Coordinator of the Salvation Army’s Reconciliation Action Plan or RAP and is passionate about her family and her culture. This is her story.
A few weeks ago on the 26th May 2021 there was a lunar eclipse, a Blood Moon. Just a small incidental alignment of objects in our tiny solar system, in our particular galaxy. No big deal really, there are at least 170 billion galaxies!
Sometimes people stray from the ways that seem best for them and there are often good reasons for this. Coming to our senses and finding our way home to truth and love takes courage, humility and faith.
Matt Reeve and Sandy McLean join me to chat about a few topics raised in the interview with Phil Wall back in May 14. We discuss how a mature Christ like Love is the main power of our living rather than having all the answers to complex issues.
I shared a podcast the other week about the fabulous love and compassion of the town of Gander in Newfoundland that inspired the musical Come from Away. Well today I want to share a real life story of this culture in a printing company in Brisbane.
My brother Russell lives in South Africa and is the director of a NGO that helps financially disadvantaged young people progress into higher education. His journey from a middle class Salvo upbringing in Melbourne to a very different life in Cape Town is an interesting story.
I’m not much for the big sing fest type gatherings where we seem to sing forever and never have time to chat. I’d much rather gather with a dozen or so sincere friends and have more of a fireside sing along.
Love and hope in a person is infectious and hard to contain. Like a warm smile or a big laugh, it just seems to influence whoever witnesses it. A tiny mustard seed grows and spreads everywhere and is difficult to stop.
Kelvin Merrett is a naturally introverted and quiet sort of fellow, but he has the integrity and capacity to carry senior leadership responsibilities for the Salvation Army in Australia. This is his story.
Nobody really knows what it’s like inside our skin. People can empathize, but we ultimately need to face our lives alone, nobody can face it for us. However some people find comfort in the mysterious of God at these times.
Damo has had a tough life in some ways and ended up needing help from the salvos. He now works at the Salvos recycled Bike workshop and I hang out with him every Wednesday morning for a few hours. I really like him and he and I have a bit of a bromance!
Ambition can be a dangerous fixation on a set future that drives us to achieve a goal in a way that diminishes our humanity and hurts the people around us. Ambition that is not generous, creative and loving is often ugly and immature.