Defence spending can feel like a failure of love—but a biblical view holds the tension. King David wielded the sword with sorrow, not pride. Christians are called to protect the vulnerable and care for the poor. Wise faith embraces realism without surrendering hope.

I visited Hobbiton with my daughter—round doors and rolling hills stirred something deeper. Like the Bible, fantasy awakens us to a world at war. As Paul writes, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but spiritual forces. Fantasy doesn’t distract—it echoes the epic story Scripture tells.

Spiritual growth begins in the heart. As Jesus and Paul remind us, our loves shape our lives. Christian maturity isn’t just thinking rightly or behaving better—it’s learning to love rightly. Let Christ dwell in your heart, and let His Kingdom become your delight.

This year marks 1,700 years since the Nicene Creed. More than doctrine, it’s a shared declaration of faith that centres us on Christ. It guards truth and leads to awe—not just belief, but worship. To say the Creed is to join the Church across centuries in confessing the faith that unites us.

Liturgy’s repetition can shape us in reverence—or slip into rote habit. The difference is attentiveness. We don't discard old words; we let them speak anew. By refreshing and recontextualising, we join generations past and present in hearing God’s voice afresh. Are we listening?

We all bring assumptions to the Bible—but it’s not just a mirror of ourselves. Unlike a Rorschach test, Scripture speaks with shape, coherence, and the voice of God. Reading it requires humility, but also trust that it reveals more than we invent: it reveals truth.

I love expository preaching—but sometimes I preach topically. Both styles honour God’s Word and shape disciples. Jesus and the apostles preached contextually, drawing themes from Scripture. A healthy church is nourished by both steady diet and surgical precision.

Christus Victor reveals the gospel as cosmic victory, not just personal forgiveness. From Genesis to the resurrection, Scripture shows Christ conquering sin, death, and evil. The cross looked like defeat but was triumph. Easter is the victory cry of our King, and one day, all things will glorify Christ the Victor.

Grace is more than unmerited favour—it’s the healing life of God within us. The Orthodox tradition reminds us grace is not only pardon, but power. Not just a verdict, but a medicine. Through it, we’re transformed into Christ’s likeness—by sharing in God’s life, not just His kindness.

The line between needs and wants is often blurred. We convince ourselves that certain comforts are necessities, shaped by culture, desire, and personal bias. This same struggle affects our faith—we come to God with assumptions, shaping Him in our image. John Calvin reminds us that true wisdom begins with knowing both God and ourselves.

Life and faith rarely move in a straight line. Like sailing against the wind, progress often comes through adjusting and changing course. Jesus’ ministry and Paul’s journeys were full of detours, yet they moved toward God’s purpose. When challenges arise, it may simply be time to tack.

Executive function helps us plan, focus, and manage time, but stress and busyness can weaken it. Even Jesus withdrew to pray, showing the need for focus and renewal. If life feels overwhelming, Lent is a chance to reset priorities—giving God our best, not just what’s left. Small steps in rest and solitude can make a difference.

We presume the nation-state is just, while Empire is often seen as oppressive. Christianity may have shaped this view, but our call as Christians is to seek justice and act as agents of peace in a fallen world. While we navigate earthly systems, our ultimate hope is in the Kingdom to come.

Jesus says, “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matt 12:30) and “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40). Matthew calls for full commitment to Jesus, while Mark shows openness to allies beyond our circle. The Church must balance devotion to Christ with embracing those who work for his kingdom.

"Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven" is no small request. In heaven, God’s will reigns fully. Yet, on earth, we often prioritize personal freedom and fulfillment. Our culture shapes a gospel of self-thriving, but true life is in surrendering to God’s will. Are you trying to do you will on earth, and leave God’s to heaven?

Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl reception reflects America’s deepening divide. Her political stance fuels reactions, just as Trump thrives on tribalism. The Church, however, offers a better way—unity through Christ. We are one body, diverse yet united, showing the world that true belonging is found in God’s love, not partisan loyalty.

Pep Guardiola's struggles remind us leadership isn't the sole factor in success. Context, culture, and external forces play pivotal roles. While leadership is crucial, attributing outcomes solely to leaders oversimplifies reality. Churches, like teams, reflect broader trends beyond just their "coaches."

A minister’s quip about "Algorithm Church" highlighted how algorithms influence us, tailoring content to affirm our biases. This reflects in church, where people increasingly want messages that align with their beliefs. Yet, this mirrors societal issues: reduced debate and division. Unlike algorithms, the NT church broke divides, uniting all in Christ (Gal 3:28; Eph 2:14).

The ABC's report on Nathaniel Train as Australia's "first Christian terrorist" is controversial. Christianity, centred on Jesus, advocates nonviolence and love for enemies. Labelling Train a "Christian terrorist" misrepresents the faith, as his actions contradict Jesus' teachings and core Christian values.

America's division stems from the lack of a shared narrative and trust in a sovereign God, leading to isolated individuals and contested values. With increased reliance on politicians for hope, anxiety and blame rise. The church now has the role of fostering unity, forgiveness, and compassion in this fractured society.