For some in the West, Islam is a synonym for terrorism and oppression. Others seem to believe that Muslims deserve a free pass, and special immunity from criticism. I’ll admit upfront that I’m biased too. I love my Muslim friends, and I have a deeper interest in Islam than any other world faith outside my… Read More How Islam Points to Jesus
Let’s be honest, it’s the world’s most fashionable religion. Buddhism has an exciting mystique about it, especially for us spiritually starved westerners. Mindfulness has gone mainstream, along with Zen gardens and the Dalai Lama. Buddhist themes light up our cinemas, from The Matrix to Kung Fu Panda and every Star Wars film in history. Christians are sometimes… Read More How Buddhism Points to Jesus
In high school I was shy and awkward. If you told me that one day I’d be discipling hundreds of young adults in one of Australia’s fastest-growing Baptist churches, I would have shaken my head in disbelief. It turns out that God has a sense of humour. This has been my adventure for the last… Read More Secrets to a Thriving Young Adults Church
Have you ever read the entire Bible? It’s a big book. To read it from start to finish takes about three days without a break. With so much to comprehend, it’s little wonder that literally millions more books have been written to explain and apply it. “To read the Bible from start to finish takes… Read More Understand Any Book of the Bible in Ten Seconds
The sky was cold and dark in Victor Harbor. Music thumped in the background. Conversations were happening all around me. I looked through the crowd and saw a Year 12 student with a couple of police officers. She was a little wobbly on her feet and she was wearing her tattered school dress as a… Read More I’ve Been To Twelve Schoolies and It Gets Better Every Year
Stigma surrounds the words “mission trip”. Stories abound of jubilant teams returning home, unaware that they’ve left a trail of offended locals, useless half-finished projects, and further-disempowered communities in their wake. These stories are real, and they are the spoiled fruit of ill conceived and poorly executed short-term trips. And they make my stomach turn.… Read More Revenge of the Short-Term Mission Trip
At 6am this morning, on four hours sleep, some friends and I stepped out onto dewy lawns as magpies warbled and the sun rose, and we surveyed the carnage of empty cans, broken tents and scattered clothing while sore schoolies began to stir. In a few hours they’d be on their way back home from… Read More Why My Eleventh Schoolies Was My Best Yet
Despite its many faults, Western civilisation has lead the world for centuries in technology, education, science, liberty, and more. Why? Lots of reasons. But the greatest force that shaped us, overlooked by many, is a humble carpenter from Nazareth. // Read this series from the beginning, or start here for how Jesus shaped Medicine. * * * Every time I… Read More How Jesus Shaped the West: Medicine
Despite its many faults, Western civilisation has lead the world for centuries in technology, education, science, liberty, and more. Why? Lots of reasons. But the greatest force that shaped us, overlooked by many, is a humble carpenter from Nazareth. // Read this series from the beginning, or start here for how Jesus shaped Education. * * * Peeling glad… Read More How Jesus Shaped the West: Education
Despite its many faults, Western civilisation has lead the world for centuries in technology, education, science, liberty, and more. Why? Lots of reasons. But the greatest force that shaped us, overlooked by many, is a humble carpenter from Nazareth. // Read this series from the beginning, or start here for how Jesus shaped Languages. * * * It… Read More How Jesus Shaped the West: Languages
