Some people are ‘straight-talkers’; they are not afraid to bring up confronting or challenging truths in order to communicate directly and clearly, and to solve problems. They can at times appear to be insensitive, and always need to ensure that they are gracious as well as truthful. But wouldn’t we say that ‘honesty is the…
Back in 1997, talented Aussie kids’ entertainer Colin Buchanan wrote a great song called ‘Practise being godly’. The song reminds us that the Christian life can be a bit like a race or some other kind of sport (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7,8). As Colin puts it, “You can lift big weights, you can…
Prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian life, both as individuals and as the body of Christ. Yet not all prayer is as effective as it could be. Sometimes prayers can be so general that they are more akin to lists of things or people, rather than actual prayers. I’ve often heard the phrase…
Have you ever found yourself having to say the same thing to someone, over and over again? I’m sure parents and teachers can relate to this, with children often needing to be asked or instructed more than once to do a particular thing. But repetition is not necessarily a bad thing. As a pianist, I…
2025 marks 150 years since the laying of the foundation stone of the present All Saints’ Anglican Church building here in Tumut. We remember and give thanks for the many faithful women and men, girls and boys, parishioners and clergy who have been part of the life of All Saints’. We thank God for their…
One common misconception among unbelievers is that to become a Christian, you first need to ‘clean up your act’, so to speak. You need to stop doing all the things God doesn’t want you to do, and start doing His will. Then, if you earn enough merit by living a good life, God will accept…
One of the great things about the Bible is the breadth of different topics covered. It speaks to every situation and important issue we face in life, giving us wisdom and strength. You wouldn’t think it, but the Bible even contains a cure for ‘itchy ears’ (figuratively speaking, that is!). Today’s reading from 2 Timothy…
The British evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins, one of the most well-known atheists of our time, has long been a vocal critic of all religions. Yet on Easter Sunday in 2024, Dawkins made an unexpected statement: he considers himself a “cultural Christian”. He explained that, while he did not actually believe the Bible’s teachings,…
I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely not as fit and healthy as I used to be. The problem is mostly self-inflicted; I haven’t looked after myself very well. As I discovered last cricket season, there are consequences of not playing for fifteen or so years! My tiredness is not limited to the field,…
Australian scholar Rev Dr John Dickson currently serves as Professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity at Wheaton College in Illinois, U.S.A. After a recent stint back home in Sydney, he has just returned to the States with a large carton full of Arnott’s TimTams. Like many people who live and work in a foreign…