At the outer edge of the ocean pool is a wall. Most of the time, it holds the water in, but when the tide rises and crashes over the pool’s edge, it also keeps the swimmers safe inside. When swimming laps, it’s hard to see the edge until you’re almost upon it. In fact, they’ve painted it white, likely because you wouldn’t notice it otherwise. 

The weather threatened rain as Ken Archer and I arrived at Tiona on Thursday, ready to review new signage and final touches for the Tiona Chapel. No matter how many times I visit, I’m always excited to be there. Aren’t you?

In his latest editorial, “Being Yourself,” Bill Gillard invites us to explore the values and beliefs that shape our identity, especially in light of how God sees us. This introspection is more than just an exercise; it’s a profound inquiry into the forces that drive our actions and define our lives.

Beliefs are powerful. They are the unseen currents that shape our motivations and guide us toward what matters most. Whether through affirmations, meditation, or prayer, our inner narrative is continuously moulded by the beliefs we choose to embrace. To be truly authentic is to be mindful of these beliefs, consciously selecting the thoughts that will anchor our lives.

As Paul Ham eloquently states in his book, The Soul: A History of the Human Mind, “Beliefs are the engines of human history.” This idea, that our beliefs shape not just our personal narratives but the course of history itself, is both empowering and sobering. If our beliefs today carve the path for tomorrow, then what we choose to believe—both individually and collectively—holds immense power over the future.

One of the fables attributed to Greek slave and storyteller Aesop (620-564 bce) is about a deer gazing at its reflection in a pond. The deer was proud of its antlers, which were a thing of beauty and were more elegant by far than those of any deer in the forest. As he continued to look at his reflection, he caught sight of his legs which like those of every deer were skinny and unattractive.

Being called to Elder in the Community of Christ means many things to me.

In their 1991 book, The Edge of Adventure, Keith Miller and Bruce Larson recount a story about a traveller who is venturing across a desert when he runs out of water under a searing hot sun. The traveller is near death. Then he comes across a pump above a well that is buried deep in the sand.

I love a sunburnt country…Those words evoke a special feeling of connection for many of us, and it is almost impossible to say those words without moving on to the following lines that conjure up personal reflections of what this country means to each of us. The words from this poem “My Country” by Dorethea Mackellar, connects us to the collective conscience of Australia, no matter what part of the country you reside.

Have you noticed the wattle is in bloom? As I drove into Newcastle today the wattle blooms lined my path; the golden yellow and green standing out against the more subtle green-grey of the tall gum trees in the distance. For a moment the beauty had me transported to a place of calm and reverence and the words to the song “Cootamundra Wattle” filled my thoughts.  I felt a gentle touch of God’s healing as I listened again to the words.

I recall the experience Jeremiah had with the Lord recorded in Jeremiah 1, when he was assured that he was known by the Lord before he was even born.  At that time Jeremiah was consecrated by the Lord and was appointed to be a prophet.  Jeremiah replied to this commission by saying that he didn’t know how to speak for he was only a boy.  But the Lord promised him that wherever Jeremiah was sent, the Lord would tell him what to say.  Then the Lord put out his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said: “Now I have put my words in your mouth.”  This divine touch gave Jeremiah the authority to become a great prophet for the Lord and speak for him.

The ocean waves were pounding on the shoreline today. My puffer jacket and a hot coffee were the only things that stood between me and the icy breeze. I sat in solitude until a little bird inquisitively came to sit at my table. He looked me right in the eye almost politely asking for a crumb from my muffin. I dare not show him any favours though. The sea gulls were nearby ready to swoop at any moment if they saw any sign of weakness.