Circles of concern
Stories of Hope
There are plenty of things to worry about and we can't fix everything. We need a healthy balance of concern and relinquishment of concern. What is within our control and what is not? In todays reading Paul shakes his clothes to symbolise his decision to stop trying to influence the Jews in Corinth. He had done all he could do and they were not his problem any more. Sometimes we need to do this too and just leave what is not within our circle of control.
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Anneke (My Dutch Camino friend)
Stories of Hope
Anneke and I met on the Camino in Spain last year and walked and shared together like family for over three weeks. Her fun, positivity and openness was heartwarming. She currently works as a bus driver and represents something of the wonderful variety of people from all walks of life you meet along the way.
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Tentmaking
Stories of Hope
We read in Acts 18 that Paul was a tentmaker. He did this to pay his own way, but also to model and demonstrate the values and culture of the new way of living he was on about. The way of Jesus. In my work with the Salvos it has often been when folks come alongside me in my everyday living - maybe working in a garden, cooking a meal or helping someone move into a new flat, that they get a glipse of what the Christian life is really like.
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Major Norm Beckett
Stories of Hope
Norm was cared for as a baby by the Salvation Army in Belfast as his parents were no longer able to look after him. He came to Australia when he was 5 and was again loved and supported by the Salvos in Sydney. He became an officer and has just retired after 44 years of service, Norm and his wife wife Isobel recently ran a study tour of Greece and Turkey for 30 salvo leaders that I attended. His life is a testimony of love, service and hope.
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Persuasion
Stories of Hope
If I were to be persuaded to a new way of thinking, the best way is for someone I trust to model and explain things in a compelling way. For me it was my friend Marty who inspired me to lose weight (8.6 kilos - no kidding!) and Joan from the Salvos church I grew up in who inspired me to embrace Christian Faith. Both lived out what they suggested!
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Lisa Wright
Stories of Hope
Lisa Wright had a tough start to life and ended up living in a caravan with a friend when she was just 15. Her life has been touched by abuse and neglect and drugs became a way to cope. Her rock bottom came when she ended up in jail. But this was the jolt that pushed her towards recovery. The Salvos did their thing and today she is 3 years sober and employed by the Salvos to help others. Its an inspiring story.
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Flooding in Ingham.
Stories of Hope
Last week I was privileged to serve the flood ravaged communities of Ingham with the Salvos. It's a devastating situation and people are really hurting and weary from the long hot and heartbreaking clean up and the reality of so much loss. However, as in almost all dreadful circumstances there are lessons to learn and opportunities to grasp that we don't have in times of ease. Seeing everyone work together to help was one of them. What a powerhouse of love and support this team of Salvos was able to provide.
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Wendy Gale. Re posted.
Stories of Hope
My special friend Wendy Gale Passed away not long after I did this interview in 2024. She had a huge impact on my life as a young man growing up at Camberwell Salvos. She was intelligent, honest and safe to talk to about anything. Her last employment was with the Salvos as the Victorian state manager of our Doorways welfare service. I spoke with her husband Norm and he is happy for this episode to be aired again in her memory. I am so sad Wendy is no longer with us, as she was one of my favourite humans!
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Demon Posession
Stories of Hope
Demon possession is not necessarily the scary little red devil with horns and a tail we might imagine. It is anything that robs us of our true God given identity. People make a lot of money keeping us hooked into things like TV and social media. Lets be careful not to lose ourselves or we may need to go through the modern day equivalent of an exorcism and be brought back to our true selves.
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David Godkin
Stories of Hope
David Godkin Is one of the nicest guys you could meet. He exudes a kind and gentle strength that makes him a wonderful sort of Salvo. He is married to Sandra and has 4 children and 15 grandchildren. From humble beginnings in the Western suburbs of Sydney he has found himself in vital Salvo work ranging from small country towns to executive leadership roles. He is a parkrunner, a trombone player and a fellow Camino pilgrim. Safe to say - we are mates!
info_outlineThe 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.
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