Stories of Hope

Major Bryce Davies from the Salvation Army hosts the show. Stories of Hope captures thoughts and stories of everyday people who triumph over adversity. https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/storiesofhope/

Doing the next right thing 04/06/2025

Doing the next right thing Woody Allen is quoted as saying "80% of success is just showing up" But for many of us, we would prefer not to bother with the mundane boring aspects of living well and go straight to the good bits. Holidays, parties and getting pats on the back from our colleagues. To pretend to be authentic often results in humiliation so we do well to find ways to celebrate and enjoy the ordinary. I came home with flowers for the lovely Sue the other day and she was so grateful, even lovy dovy, but this is because I usually come home with boring stuff, like almost everything she asked me to get from the shops. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35984325

Marcus Hansen 04/03/2025

Marcus Hansen 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35931530

Proper chats 03/30/2025

Proper chats 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35832985

Sandy McLean 03/27/2025

Sandy McLean 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!. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35741980

Wholeherted baptism 03/23/2025

Wholeherted baptism 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35741540

Eunice Leitch 03/20/2025

Eunice Leitch 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!! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35716500

Cyclone Alfred. Fact or fiction? 03/16/2025

Cyclone Alfred. Fact or fiction? 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! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35622305

Matt Gluyas 03/13/2025

Matt Gluyas 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35477475

Circles of concern 03/09/2025

Circles of concern 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35506585

Anneke (My Dutch Camino friend) 03/06/2025

Anneke (My Dutch Camino friend) 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35418410

Tentmaking 03/02/2025

Tentmaking 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35453935

Major Norm Beckett 02/27/2025

Major Norm Beckett 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35123610

Persuasion 02/23/2025

Persuasion 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! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35387125

Lisa Wright 02/20/2025

Lisa Wright 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35060365

Flooding in Ingham. 02/16/2025

Flooding in Ingham. 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35264955

Wendy Gale. Re posted. 02/13/2025

Wendy Gale. Re posted. 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! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/28353545

Demon Posession 02/09/2025

Demon Posession 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35078415

David Godkin 02/06/2025

David Godkin 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! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34891045

Church with no buildings 02/02/2025

Church with no buildings The lovely Sue and I recently led devotions with 30 Salvo leaders at the river in Philippi where Lydia was baptised in Act 16. Not in a church - by a river! Jesus did life significantly with folks on the road and in the marketplace as did Paul. So can we! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/35062120

Nathan Rowe - Re-posted 01/30/2025

Nathan Rowe - Re-posted 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34706275

Listening to the Spirit of love 01/26/2025

Listening to the Spirit of love We all have to make decisions and most of them are made based on logic. For example should we cross Northbrook Gorge on a rainy day. Probably not! But our decisions to prioritize sacrificial love come from the deeper more mysterious places of the Spirit. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34952750

Viv Callander - re posted. A life of love and adventure. 01/23/2025

Viv Callander - re posted. A life of love and adventure. 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/27425280

Circumcision. Ouch!! 01/19/2025

Circumcision. Ouch!! In ancient times Circumcision was an important rite of passage for many cultures and religions. Paul had Timothy circumcised so that the message he wanted to get across to his Jewish listeners would be without controversy. He was prepared to do whatever it took. Australians absorb information and find credible truth through authentic relationships and the modelling of a healthy and wholesome lifestyle. They don't seem to care about circumcision at all! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34830365

Joycelyn McIver - re posted. A journey of healing and service. 01/16/2025

Joycelyn McIver - re posted. A journey of healing and service. 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/27836190

Re-assessing 01/12/2025

Re-assessing We all do well to re-assess every now and then. In acts Chapter 15 the early church leaders made epic decisions about how to manage the new realities of the timnes they were living in. The lovely Sue has been re-assessing how romantic I am and has initiated a new dating system. I really hope I don't annoy her too much! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34706095

My Camino Journey 01/09/2025

My Camino Journey My friend Kris Halliday takes over the mic and interviews me about my recent 800 kilometre pilgrimage accross Spain. I walked the Camino Francis and we chat about the scenery, the people, the challenges and of course the many I times I found myself "Encountering Cheesus"! My jouney brought me to places of authenticity about myself, the church and of course the lovely Sue! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34752380

It's nice to get a visit. 01/05/2025

It's nice to get a visit. The lovely Sue and I were delighted to visit Rachel and Paul in Greece recently and the camaraderie we felt was amazing. People always need encouragement and support, especially if they are a long way away and this was true for the early church and is still important for local community groups and even people in hospital today. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/34706235

Ashish Pawar. An international Salvo. Re posted 01/02/2025

Ashish Pawar. An international Salvo. Re posted 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/27454374

Realistic expectations 12/29/2024

Realistic expectations 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. /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/25263900

Phil Wall. Re posted 12/26/2024

Phil Wall. Re posted Phil Wall is an international speaker, Executive coach and founder of "We see hope" He is a foundation member of the Raines Park Salvos in the UK and has an amazing story. It's a rich and full life and Phil can talk, so this is a 50 min episode. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/brycedavies/id/19058519

Stories of Hope

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