Hans Van Der Vlist. The power of Grace.
Stories of Hope
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.
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Can you drink the cup? Part 3 of 3
Stories of Hope
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.
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Ian (Doc) Brown
Stories of Hope
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.
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Can you drink the cup. Part 2 0f 3
Stories of Hope
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"
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Chris Reid. Grandma (GG) and Salvo leader.
Stories of Hope
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.
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Can you drink the cup? Part 1 of 3
Stories of Hope
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.
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Jamie Lee Dugdale and Daddy Bryce
Stories of Hope
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.
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Leave the comfort zone.
Stories of Hope
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.
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Narelle Sketcher. Educator and friend.
Stories of Hope
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.
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Jesus is the question
Stories of Hope
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.
info_outlineThe 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.