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Category: <span>Soul Food</span>

Category: Soul Food

Getting the best for your soul AND spirit, along side the best for your body.

Getting the best for your soul AND spirit, along side the best for your body.

First time in church…

One of the first times I went into a church off my own back, something *very* weird happened… I was a drug and alcohol addict, on a road trip to end my life. I had been in a remote location (Peak Charles) from somewhere between 1 and 3 weeks. Strangely, I had no come-down, no headaches, no vomiting and no shakes, which baffled me. I did what any good addict would do: I drove 3 hours to the nearest pub (Norseman). I bought a jug of beer, but didn’t even get through my second glass. It affected me so strangely, …

Newman Trip | Soul Food

Neighbour collapses and unresponsive

One of our neighbours had a medical episode last night, and their spouse phoned me in a bit of a state. We rushed over there and helped, until they were stable. At the end I asked if I could pray for them both, which they gratefully received. They messaged this morning to say how thankful they were and that everything was now ok. It only occurred to me a few hours later, just how amazing this actually was… People who used to live near me feared and avoided me. Burnouts, parties, 4+ loud & vicious attack dogs, drugs, car wrecks …

for thought

What is more evil than guns?

It has been incredible, that, after the latest USA shooting in a school, there has been *very* little talk of how evil guns are. It’s a stark contrast to the normal news cycle after a shooting, so I thought I’d look at why…  Surprise, surprise, it comes down to what they are trying to get you to believe. And it turns out there is something more evil than guns (or gun laws) they want you to blame.  No, no NO certainly NOT transgender people (or transgender activist / terrorists) – don’t be CRAZY! That must not be your conclusion, no …

Culture   | |

Love Wins – Transgender Terrorist labelled victim – Nashville Covenant School

My heart grieves, not only for the victims’ families, but also for the masses of precious young people being duped into a lie. I know what it is like to live with self-hatred, depression, and addiction. I know what it is like to be ostracised and rejected and bullied. I know what it is like to have questions and confusion about who I am / was (identity). But, speaking from experience, I can honestly say it was when my eyes were opened to who God made me to be, who I *actually* was, (not what other people thought, not what …

Culture | Fishing   | | |

Jesus is always at work! 202303

Some of you may know I have had some additional health battles since Christmas. A rapidly deteriorating hernia has made a significant hat on recovery from the lumbar fusion.  Today, it was a fairly bad morning – the pain to get up or walk was pretty intense. Someone was coming to pick up a parcel so I planned to ask one of the kids to walk up to gate and meet them.  As I went to ask them I had a feint thought: “maybe God wants me to talk to Shane (not his real name)”.  I wanted to swat that …

Fishing | for thought

Forgiveness for ‘sale’ – 100% Guaranteed for Catholics

You might be surprised by the claim that you can be forgiven for *everything* you have ever done. That’s right, 100%, guaranteed, no matter what you have done! You may have been told there is a long list of things you must do (and and even longer list of things you must not do) to be forgiven, but this is not true… These rules and regulations are man-made and form the basis of almost all religions, spread by well meaning, but deceived people.   Religious Rules: Keep the 10 Commandments  Get Baptised  Confess your sins to a priest  Do Penance …

False Religion / Cults | Fishing | for thought   | | |

A Satanist and a Heroin Addict at a ‘Revival’

The term revival is being thrown around a bit due to what is happening at Asbury (and now Lee, Belmont, Samford and Cedarville Universities). It brings to mind some amazing times when I took a satanist and a heroin addict (amount others) to a ‘revival’ meeting…  I hadn’t been saved long and I was incredibly excited that God had taken my physical pain, crushed my addictions, changed my heart and given me Eternal life! I was accustomed to God prompting me to say specific things to strangers. If I actually said these things (I often didn’t), amazing things happened…  Take one time. …

for thought   |

The unknown puzzle

Many years ago (on this day) an engineer, (trying to solve a completely unrelated problem), unwittingly stumbled upon what would become the best selling puzzle of all time (~400 million). Ernő Rubik found out what most of us have:  It’s crazy hard to solve!  Some can (my boys can solve it very quickly, one of them can solve all the way up to an 11 x 11 cube!), but it starts with a steep learning curve. And first, it requires an acknowledgement that there is a puzzle to solve.   Believe it or not, we are all trying to solve …

for thought  

How a 1500 year old prophecy nailed me…

If you have ever read history history, you’ll know that it is so far removed from us it is often hard to even understand.  Obscure references, outdated language, unclear meaning, vague projections – even if we go back a hundred or so years.  Compare all that to what I read this morning in a book written a whopping 4500 years ago: IT NAILS IT…well it nailed me!  Despite the fact that we are oblivious to our own actions – that we all think that we are good, this old book has something far more ugly to state:  “All their activity …

for thought   |

The most valuable disciples in the world…

Since Christmas, we have set up and rammed a new front fence: it’s not finished, but feels great to have *finally* made some progress on it! I have to say, that despite the pain and severe physical limitation, I *love* working with this amazing family.  We had some friends come to help – and watching our kids continually take the time to stop, include and teach others is so rewarding. To me, it is part of what discipleship looks like, a command from our Master, so desperately needed and severely lacking.  It is one of the aspects of my Christian …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting   |

In 2023: more of Him and less of me!

  Amazing. I had totally forgotten about this from last year… I can honestly say that I failed dismally in ‘letting the message about Christ fill my life’. Instead I filled my life with many other things, distractions and more. Listening to the Bible this New Years Eve, *the same* verse jumped out at me: “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.” (Colossians 3:16 NLT) New Years morning, we had a great discussion about what that looked like: “How could we let the message of Christ fill our lives? “ Some foundational answers and onto …

for thought   |

Food giveaway Christmas 2022

The other day I had the privilege of serving with my family at a food give away and sausage sizzle trying to brighten some peoples Christmas.  We met a barrage of people from all walks of life and for the most part it was a heart warming and rewarding experience.  But a couple of things were definitely *not* enjoyable…  One, seeing a woman use her young child as a ‘mule’ to try to get twice the amount of food. I felt helpless to change this boys reality – obviously embarrassed and equally powerless in his role.  Two, seeing people who …

for thought   |

Baptism notes Miss S 2022

Baptism is often seen as strange, mystical or religious, yet there is so much more to it. 
Jesus commanded the Church Baptise people. 
The Holy Spirit commands individuals to be Baptism, but as always, humans turn it into a religious stance and use it for division! Differing traditions exist: From a baby being sprinkled somehow being safe from everything for eternity, to someone having to have to be baptised 3 times, say specific prayers, not bath for a week afterwards! BOTH positions miss the point. The Bible makes it clear: there is no Free Pass due to a sprinkling, and …

Faith | Relationships   | |

Homeschool Play: His story

Yesterday I watched an incredibly powerful play put on by a group of homeschoolers. It traced just a few events in history that had a dramatic effect on the world I grew up in and still live in today.  They are events that still clearly reveal that our current world would be in a *much* worse place if our current cultural attitudes were allowed to flourish.  It showed how certain practises (like torture killing of criminals, forced sale of young girls for sex), perceived as fine by the culture, were ended due to the influence on One person. The ramifications …

Culture | for thought | Homeschool   | |

Everyday hypocrisy in worship

I recently read a post that talked about the hyperbole (and at times hypocrisy) of modern church ‘worship’. Essentially, songs that sing about us instead of Jesus, making empty promises and not following through.  We’ve been visiting a wide range of churches and it’s a pet hate of mine, singing about me in any shape or form: it only highlights how ridiculous I am, compared to the Great I AM.  Today, a song came on that was going around when I was first saved. In my excitement and zeal I *loved* this song. I sung it with gusto:  🎶  “EVERYDAY IT’S …

Preaching | Suffering   |

Be encouraged fellow pilgrim

Be encouraged fellow pilgrims…  Many of you know that for over a year I have been telling my children that they need to be sure about where God wants them as our culture is doomed. In fact, according to history, our cultures demise is sure in our life time let alone theirs.  But that said, I am not worried or discouraged – Jesus the King is on the throne, God’s will is being fulfilled and can not be thwarted. While our culture may be nearing the end of its road, this is not a new phenomenon.  The vast Herodian empire, …

Culture | Parenting | Preaching   | |

This Yellow Sticker Saved My Life…

First off, for those who don’t know, a yellow sticker is a defect notice given out if an authorised person (like a police officer) determines your car is unsafe for the road. To say I have quite a history with them over the years would be a gross understatement. I have been given many, many yellow stickers on different vehicles over the years.  At a guess, I would have received around 50 and likely 10 or more on some of my Holdens / Toranas. As a marked man, the police often wanted to give me a fine or catch me …

for thought   |

If you have never known your dad…

If, for whatever reason, you don’t have a good relationship with your dad, I understand.  Not in a cliche, pseudo-psychological way, but in a real, understanding and experiential way.  I know how much of the below is totally hidden, almost all of the time; but inwardly these thoughts lurk and at times, they rear their head. Through even the most epic lifestyle, most hardcore addiction or best suppression techniques some of these things break into our reality. Sometimes repeatedly.   I know how you: – tell yourself it doesn’t matter, – yearn for it to not be your fault,  – put your …

for thought | Ministry / TPM | Parenting | Relationships   |

Fathers Day 2022

It was 22 years ago today that I was suddenly confronted with the fact that I had a Father who cared about me.  Maybe this seemed so powerful because my biological father was quite different. When he learned of my existence, he left: no words, no care, no contact, no protection, no provision and no explanation. I wasn’t sad about it – it was all I knew – no dad? No worries!  I had no idea of the damage to my soul, no idea of the difference a role model could make, no idea how a father could teach, model, …

Culture | for thought   |

Decisions Decisions

Decisions DecisionsEvery day, decisions bombard us: Read this post? Glance over it? Keep Scrolling? What do I want to eat? What to watch? How will I answer that question from my spouse / boss / teacher? Our very lives could be summed up as a “display to the world of my daily choices”. Some are big, others we think at the time are insignificant and make no difference to the trajectory of our lives. But this is far, far from the truth. Each and every disaster can be traced back to a seemingly harmless, mundane decision. Take for example the …

for thought   | |

Did Jesus have an agenda when hanging with sinners?

Interesting discussion guys – it’s a pleasure to read respectful discourse. It’s a topic I have regularly encountered and I see it as a vital one for the Church.  My history was that I only experienced God’s love in light of Him convicting me about sin and making obvious my need to repent while firmly in sins grip. I suddenly understood my whole life was blatantly against this God I didn’t think existed. It broke me to know that He loved me despite knowing in advance that I would chose so much against Him, contrary to His laws and against …

Preaching

Just a thread in the Tapestry of Grace 9/10/22

Today I had the privilege of talking to someone who has been in Alcoholics Anonymous  (and been dry) for 30 years. As I asked him questions, it was clear he was at a cross roads and a new chapter of his life was imminent.  I talked about Jesus, shared part of my story and asked if he would be ok if I prayed for him. I was surprised at how enthusiastic he was. As I prayed, He was moved emotionally and it became clear that his journey has been long and difficult, yet God had brought him through.  It was …

Fishing | for thought   | |

When reporters show their true colours.

I am not sure why so many Christians are up in arms about a woman saying Mary should have aborted Jesus. What do we expect from people who love sin and are spiritually blind / dead? Did we not love sin & hate what was good before Jesus opened our eyes / changed our hearts? I know for one I did. The Bible is so clear on how confused and blind people are: He literally abandons them to their own foolishness. (Scripture below). When I think back at how ridiculous my own beliefs were before Jesus changed me I am …

Culture | for thought   |

Fear of God is not Reverence

That stance / doctrine of ‘fear means reverence’ is at least partly to blame in my opinion. At times the word translated fear means terror, not ‘just’ fear, let alone reverence. No fear of God = no wisdom, no restraint, no repentance It has long been a grievance to me that people would focus on one element continually (love / grace / forgiveness) and quote things like ‘it’s God’s love that controls us (2 Corinthians 5:14), forgetting (or deliberately suppressing) the rest of the verse: “Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all …

for thought | Preaching   | |

So how does humanity survive from MONKEYPOX? 

So how does humanity survive from MONKEYPOX?  a) A ‘vaccine’ that doesn’t actually stop you getting it b) 3 – 5 boosters that don’t stop you getting it c) wearing a mask and don’t visit people d) put everybody in lock down  e) all of the above  f) all of the above PLUS a monkey tax If you think the government overreach has been bad…wait & see what happens if Labour / Greens get in. Seriously the WHO (who get so much wrong) want total unhindered control over you and your kids. The fact that many haven’t even heard about …

Culture

The significance of 31

31 – it’s the age I was 15 years ago! Hard to believe, but 31 has a lot more significance than that… It’s also the number of babies that have survived an abortion attempt in Western Australia:  Born alive and able to live, they were left to slowly die. That’s right – in this world where people are up in arms if you smack a child, or kill a fox, or cut down a tree that a bird might live in… trained doctors and nurses stood back and did nothing as a helpless babies struggled in pain and slowly died.  As …

Culture  

Hey Christian: Position Yourself!

A news reader happy to segregate society and declare that the Saviour of the world should have been killed in the womb. A successful Christian filmmaker whose whole catalogue of film was deliberately erased by Google. The Breastfeeding Association investigating the use of the supposedly offensive term of ‘mother’. A veteran police officer under the same for stating biological facts on his personal Facebook page. Christian bakers, conservative judges, teachers, professors and sports people: all fair game.  The laws of the land are quickly sliding down a slippery slope they said did not exist. It is now virtually impossible to …

Culture | Finances | Fishing | for thought   |

Dan Andrews & Mask McGowan – you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Ten years ago, if I anyone had said that we would see the things we have in the last few, they would have been labelled a conspiracy theorist at minimum, but more than likely they would be labelled a complete nut case.  A few examples are below, they all magnify the fact that our culture has completely abandoned rational thinking and objective truth.    While some are alarmed and others are waking up to the warning signs and dangers of complete control, we haven’t seen anything yet.  Imagine if Labor / the Greens get in:  Mothers & Fathers Day gone for …

Culture   |

Violence against the pro-life crowd.

It should not surprise you that Molotov cocktails are being thrown into the offices of pro life groups. Violent & threatening protests outside of DEMOCRATIC JUDGES HOUSES are just the beginning.  If someone is willing to defend the right to crush an innocent babies skull & suck out it’s brains, then cut it up & sell it’s organs… why wouldn’t they be violent or try to kill those they disagree with?  What is the difference? Where is the line?  There is no length people will not go to to ensure their chosen way of life is not affected.  My life, …

Culture   |

Happy Mothers Day 2022

The outlook was bleak and there were many risks.  This was the worst time to fall pregnant – no income, already two children to care for and the bills were mounting.  It was clear that the father was bad news – sure enough he left as soon as he heard the news. No support, no income, no house, no financial security, no child support.  The choice for many reading this would be simple: have it killed.  Thankfully, my mother had come to believe that life was precious and sacred, even before birth. This is what she had read in the …

Culture | for thought | Parenting   |

My life – a total disaster!

Looking back on my life – I see so many errors and mistakes: – the way I treated ‘friends’ and partners, – the way I broke the law and hated anyone who tried to uphold or enforce it, – the way I wasted my energy on selfish pleasures and ‘my empire’, – the way I abused my body in the pursuit of money or ‘fun’– the way I neglected responsibilities and time for those who mattered.  – the way I could not even see other people’s point of view – the way I did *everything* for my own pleasure or good  …

for thought   |

The day I thought I would die…

I will never forget the memory of an intense argument. It affected my soul so much – my stomach was tense, my whole being in desperate fear. I actually thought I was going to die. Looking back – most people I know would say that I should have died. More accurately, they would say I should have been killed.  I was going to be born to a woman who’s partner was an alcoholic. He was bad news, offered her nothing – no support, no care. The woman already had two children to a previous relationship. This baby would push her …

Culture  

I won a PUPPY at a raffle!!!

I went to a country fete the other day.  There was a raffle to raise money for animal welfare. I hadn’t planned to participate, but I LOVE raffles: so many great prizes – and surprises. And this one certainly was a surprise…I won a puppy! I hadn’t taken much notice of the prizes being drawn, but this little fella was sooooo cute! His tail wagged the whole way home… My excitement was short lived though: As I passed a park I started thinking of all the things that would change. I would have to walk it every day – feed it …

Culture  

The slave trade, being repeated right now!

Just watched a movie / documentary about the end of the slave trade with African Americans and John Newton.  Looking back at this point in time I think that if I was alive during this time, I would have lost it in rage and killed those who were abusing and torturing people for their own benefit.  I imagined fighting back and saving the slaves. But then I had a sobering thought: before Jesus arrested me on a cliff, I was willing to do anything to anyone for a small amount of gain.  I would lie to people. I would rip …

Culture   |

Roe versus Wade – OVERTURNED!

So it seems that the Supreme Court in the US (@SCOTUS) is about to overturn Roe versus Wade. So years after incomplete information allowed / condoned people to murder babies that can feel in womb, there is some justice for these, the most vulnerable, the truly voiceless, in our society. And now, wait to hear the reaction of those who demand the right to stamp on the rights of the one they were responsible in creating. I won’t be surprised if there are angry mobs and death threats towards those who have rightfully voted on this stain on our society. …

Culture  

How to know if Elon Musk REALLY cares about Free Speech

Do you want to know how to tell if this whole Elon Musk / Twitter thing REALLY is about free speech? I’ve got 3 simple ways for you to tell for sure.  I don’t know about you, but I find it pretty amazing when I see the reaction of so many people on the sale of Twitter. Obviously I understand the position of those who run it: the board: they want to make money and to do so they need to cater to the masses of the online community. They want the perception of being progressive, but not too much. …

Culture   |

Anzac Day 2022 – did they die in vain ?

It’s hard to imagine the sacrifices, the hardship endured by others to try to ensure our freedom. But did they die in vain?  Months or even years away from family, friends, parents or children.  No showers, cleanliness or dry socks. That’s right – itchy, infected feet swollen in boots – that was normal.  Sickness, disease and experimental ‘medicine’.  High stress environment: continually being shot at, attacked and killed.  Watching friends and allies die regularly.  Being commanded to kill other humans. Seeing horrible and disgusting acts that haunt them for life…if they survive.  Many, too young to know any better, had …

Culture | for thought  

The true cost of Spikenard and the Alabaster Jar

I love some fragrances – not man made ones, but certain herbs or flowers or spices – they are incredible.  What is your favourite aroma? Coffee? Fresh kaffir lime leaves? Basil? Coriander? Lavender? Roses? Frangipani? Saffron? Frankincense? There are so many it is incredible – each one evoking different feelings and memories – and many having a positive effect on the mind or body.  Have you ever smelled (essence of) Nard? Me neither! As of writing this though I am going to endeavour to get some…why? Because of it’s huge significance in the below story that should encourage and captivate you …

for thought | Soul Food   | |

7 Traits of successful children…according to the Bible PART 1

[This is Party one of a 7 Part Series] I recently read an article that stated the ‘7 traits of successful children’ written by a psychologist. Of course I wanted to see what was classified as ‘successful’ and whether I was doing a good job or not.  Of course, I logically know that most psychologists operate from a secular world-view, but I clicked anyway…  The first point confirmed my suspicion: Self Confidence!p This is what most of the world chases and what is associated with ‘successful’ people. From a Biblical point of view though, Self Esteem is just selective pride. …

for thought | Parenting   |

Be Bold for Jesus!

  Hi all,I have been going through the deepest valley of my life the last two years. Each time it seems there could be a break, things get worse. I currently do not believe that I will ever emerge from this one, despite experiencing our Saviours faithfulness time and again. When I look around at what is happening I also don’t believe our culture will continue to exist for more than 20-30 years. And physically, my body feels like it is falling apart – I struggle on a daily basis to cope with pain. But every time I talk to …

Fishing   |

The night I nearly killed two daredevils…

I had been drinking heavily and had had an absolute gut-ful… Seriously, this guy was going on and on about all the crazy things he had done on a motorbike and in a car.  “That’s it – time to go!” I shouted as I picked up my helmet and threw a helmet towards this guy, who I will call Grant. I did it in a way so he couldn’t back out – everyone at the ‘party’ heard. He followed me to my bike and climbed on as I started it.  Before I even put it in gear he was pushing …

for thought   | |

Will magnifying the lefts hypocrisy slap down Hollywood?

Cancel Culture: any white man that even looks at a woman the wrong way or – who could believe it – is ever alone in a room with her is canceled, attacked, dropped and sacked. A white mans career and life can be destroyed DECADES later on the testimony of a drunk or drug affected woman.  But, Will Smith, who is ok for other people to have sex with his wife, physically assaults a comedian for a mild insult… but then, something much more telling happens. Minutes later he gets a standing ovation from hundreds of famous and influential people, many …

Culture | for thought  

What is your TRUE worth?

I’m often amazed at the seemingly insignificant events that cause long term and deep emotional pain to people. A common one is what someone’s parents treated as more important than them.  Parents take note: the holidays, the money, the friends or parties, the toys, the job you have time for but not your child…it is causing incredible damage.  So what was it that communicated your value? Or, what was it that communicated a lack of value to you?  “What is the event or thing that communicated the most value to you?”  For myself, my biological father leaving when I was born had …

for thought   |

Easter – an annoying inconvenience.

If Easter is just an extra day off, family / holiday time, chocolate eggs or a slightly larger hang-over: you’re missing out… BIG TIME!  It still blows me away, how, as an acute alcoholic with a house set up like a pub with beer on tap, how many times I ran out of alcohol on a Good Friday. Driving for hours trying to find anything open, desperate to get more off my face – it was about the only ‘meaning’ Easter had for me: an annoying (but predicable) inconvenience.  But now, this Easter morning, too sore to drive to church, …

for thought   | | |

Disneys Despicable Depiction…Targeting vulnerable children

This week, details made public have confirmed what many have long known: Disney is no longer child friendly. I would go further and say it is positively dangerous for children and also aggressively anti-parent… Disney seems determined to remove all rights from parents and push their far-left (and in my opinion toxic) view of sexuality, gender fluidity and racism on to unsuspecting children. Many will have picked up these undertones increasingly in their recent movies and removal of gender language (including in their theme parks , but still may be surprised by the advertised minimum quotas of particular minority groups …

Culture | for thought   | |

The Bible – the book we love to hate…

Today, while listening to the Bible, it hit me: “No wonder people hate the Bible!!”   “No wonder people hate the Bible!”  Seriously, it’s no wonder it get’s so much negative press…it deserves it! While 95% of what is presented is completely false, no one cares: it’s a book we all love to hate…  I did too. Anyone who dared to try direct me towards it would get an instant and angry attack: those who had represented it to me while young had hurt me, so NO WAY! But today, I see things very differently.   Here’s the verse that I was …

Culture | for thought   |

Wake Up Christian – the fields are RIPE!

With everything that is going on in the world at the moment: the uncertainty, the fear, floods, wars, coming economic strain, disease, government mandates, is sure is good to know how it will all end!  If you read the Bible, none of what is happening is a surprise – it was all written down thousands of years ago so we would not be worried when it happens. And, even if the demise of the West happens in our lifetime (which is highly likely), we need not be afraid: Jesus is in control!  I have found that virtually every person I have …

Fishing   | |

Crushing News…do NOT do this!

I feel bad asking when so much is going on around the world, but I would really appreciate your prayers this coming week or two. I have been struggling with pain & have just received some pretty bleak news to do with my spine. Just when I thought things would be looking up too.   I won’t go into details here, but I need God’s strength just to get through each day, let alone face the long term. I have written more details on our blog that you may find encouraging / helpful – especially if you are a pain …

for thought | Health   | |

How Discipline Proves Love

I recently wrote an article looking at the ‘Death of the West’: how history reveals that we can not survive the next 40 years. (Article is Here)   All through history, powerful, educated, military nations that should rule the world have ceased to exist. However, it is small, insignificant, uneducated nations like the Jews, have survived through the ages (despite concerted efforts to the contrary!) . It just does not make sense… Unless of course there is some supernatural power at play. Interestingly, the Bible describes this very scenario: a God who punishes nations who violate His law. According to this incredible book, the …

Culture | for thought | Parenting   | | | |

My back is killing me – Adam Keegan

I received some bad news this week… After being told that recovery from spinal surgery would take 3 – 6 months, I have now been informed that it will be 12 months to 5 years, and the level of pain I am in now, may never decrease.  That was hard to hear, especially when I have been struggling to cope wth the pain I am in the last few weeks. I also find it incredibly difficult not being able to do much physically. I am in a state worse than I would imagine I would be if I made it …

for thought | Health   | |