Marcus Hansen
Stories of Hope
Marcus has been a part of my life for over 20 years. His journey from Addiction to sobriety has had plenty of bumps along the way and his most recent slip has been dreadful. The loss of his parents recently was like an anchor coming adrift in his soul and he has since suffered serious physical injury, despair and isolation. Today he is back on track and building a solid recovery - which is remarkable.
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Proper chats
Stories of Hope
Having significant conversations is really important. The church has often done this well with regular gatherings like bible study groups and opportunities to listen to challenging speakers. But it is not the only place this happens. Often important conversations happen in universities or cafes or even on bush walks. In todays reading in Acts 19, Paul leaves the Synagogue and goes to the lecture halll of Tyrannus, where people of all persuasions chatted about deep things.
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Sandy McLean
Stories of Hope
Sandy McLean is a wife to Andrew, a Mum, a granny, a friend to many, a Salvo officer and an avid dancer. Her friendship and influence on many lives is remarkable. Stories of Hope podcast would probably not exist without her encouragement and belief, as she was my boss during the early years. Sandy is lots of fun and genuinely wonderful; hearing her story will do you the world of good!.
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Wholeherted baptism
Stories of Hope
The Bible often talks about baptism. Being fully immersed into a new way of being. This practice was normal in the ancient world to symbolise decisions or commitments to a new lifestyle or to belong to a new group. Many of us take on new ideas, but if we are not wholehearted, we will soon drift away. To be wholehearted about grace and being kind to ourselves, even when we make mistakes, is the foundation to a life of, boldness, love and authenticity.
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Eunice Leitch
Stories of Hope
I have known Eunice for as long as I've been with the lovely Sue, as her daughter Gill is one of Sue's best friends. Eunice is a straight shooting scot and a no nonsense sort of lady who I've always enjoyed. She is like 100 years old and used slate and chalk to learn at school. She is expert in dance, fitness, social work and was even a volleyball ref. A down to earth Salvo who cares deeply about people and will fight for what she believes is right. She is a cracker!!
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Cyclone Alfred. Fact or fiction?
Stories of Hope
For a long time, maybe 5 days, it seemed possible that all the talk about Cyclone Alfred hitting Brisbane with force was - excuse the pun - a load of hot air. The build up was constant and the lovely Sue and I hunkered down in our home waiting for it to arrive. Nothing happened - until it did. Our suburb copped torrential rain for days and was badly flooded. People talk about the impact Jesus has had on their lives too, and for most people who hear this, their attitude is - I'll believe it when I see it!
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Matt Gluyas
Stories of Hope
Matt is a wonderful entrepreneurial Salvo leader. He is married to Jac and has 2 children. Like a lot of creative and dynamic sorts of leaders, his schooling did not accomodate well for his learning style or gifting and for many years he struggled to believe in himself and flourish. Today he is one of the shining lights in Salvo leadership and heads up a creative and effective work in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He and Jac are some of our closest friends and I loved hearing his story on the podcast.
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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.
info_outlineLiving 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.