Northern Community's Podcast

Devotion sets direction. What we are devoted to quietly shapes the path we take—not usually in one dramatic moment, but little by little over time. The things we give our attention to, the things we return to, and the things that fill our thoughts and our time shape our priorities, our values, and the way we live. That’s why devotion matters so much to God. Today, I will talk about how devotion gu...

In the words of the philosopher, Dr Seuss, " Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!" "You have brains in your head, You have feet in your shoes, You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." "You won't lag behind because you'll have the speed. You'll pass the whole gang, and you'll soon take...

Love is a many splendored thing.  Love lifts us up where we belong.  All you need is love. Or in the words of Anna from Frozen – "Love is an open door." There are countless songs that centre on Love – love for children or siblings, love for friends, romantic love. And probably just as many that speak about heartbreak.  But what is Love, really? And how do we receive it and pass it on as...

If you were to survey a group of parents, chances are that the highest response to the question, " I just want my child to be ..."  would be "I just want my child to be -happy". So today, if you find yourself chewing on life's gristle, then, according to the Life of Brian, "give a whistle" and "always look on the bright side of life". Or perhaps if we r...

2000 Years ago, the world was far from a peaceful place. Herod the Great, the cruel king of Judea, died, sparking a frantic struggle by his sons, those who had survived their father's murderous tendencies, to fill the power vacuum. But 2000 years ago, something else happened. A child was born. This child had a vision. A vision that threatened the oppressive systems of the day. One that priori...

What does hope look like for you? For some, hope looks like a lottery ticket or a Scratchie. For me, hope looks like McLaren in Formula 1. Bruce McLaren, a Kiwi racing driver, founded McLaren F1 in 1963. I became a fan, being introduced to F1 and the team by the Melvins, who attended the first church I pastored at Enoggera in QLD in the late 90s. That was perfect timing because it also coincided w...

This morning, we begin with a well-known story, and it goes like this: Once upon a time there was a hare who lived in the forest. He was a speedy runner and loved to race others to prove he was the fastest. “I’m so fast, no one can beat me” He would say to anyone that would listen. One day, Hare was boasting about his talent when a small voice said,  “You’ve never raced me.” It was Tortoise. “YOU,...

For around 9 months of the year, we might like to see magpies as fun and playful. Then, for the other three months, some of us experience the magpie, like Max Sherwood did at Lake Illawarra, NSW, a few years back - filmed by his dad. The Magpie, Australia's angry bird! With the unfortunate reputation of menacing people who dare step out of line, leading to some losing an eye or worse. And whi...

Let's test your associations between colours and emotions. While there is some variation, there are general common or popular views around the various colours and our feelings." Red- passion or anger Blue-sad or depressed (Beyond Blue) Yellow- joy Orange-loneliness (as per the tv series Big Bang Theory) nothing rhymes with orange Green- with envy Interesting to note that the logo here is...

Australia- where we turn nicknames into an art form, especially on jobsites. Hopefully, you have never been called one of these: Morphine - slow-moving dope. Lantern - not really bright and always has to be carried. Bushranger - always holding others up. Mastercard - takes the credit for someone else's work. Perth - always 3 hours behind everyone else. Wheelbarrow - only works when pushed. Wi...

This morning, we are looking at Greed vs Charity. And, just as a way to get our thinking engaged- and I'm looking for answers to this question-what country in the world, as a percentage of the population, do you think has the most people who give financially? A message by Samantha Barlow

"Food, glorious food! Hot sausage and mustard! While we're in the mood--Cold jelly and custard! Please pudding and saveloy!  What next is the question? Rich gentlemen have it, boys- - In-di-gestion! Food, Glorius food! We're anxious to try it. Three banquets a day -- Our favourite diet! Just picture a great big steak- - Fried, roasted or stewed. Oh, food, Wonderful food, Marvellous...

Depending on what studies you read, the average man will think about sex between 8 and 19-times day, and the average woman will think about it between 6 and 10 times a day. While it might seem like a lot, compared to the 200 thoughts on food or eating per day, it helps to put things into perspective. Today we embark on a new series with today's topic of Lust vs Chastity. A message by David To...

In December last year, the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission released updated figures for the cost of serious and organised crime in Australia. The Institute estimates that it cost up to $68.7 billion a year in 2022-2023. "The $68.7 billion cost of serious and organised crime represents more than $2500 for every person in Australia."...

It can be hard to admit you need some help. We live in a world that celebrates strength, independence and being the master of one’s own destiny. In the words of the song made famous by Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way,” plays out at funerals almost as an anthem of defiance. Sticking it to The Man. But what if, rather than seeing the need for help in life as a sign of weakness, we saw it as a life-t...

Death has been called the great equaliser. It comes for all, regardless of social status. In the words of Job: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” And in the words of the modern idiom referring to worldly possessions: “you can’t take them with you.”  Have you ever stopped to consider how we view death can shape how we live? A message by David Bone

Friendship.  Helen Keller wrote that walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.  The power of friendship can be seen in how friends provide unconditional support and acceptance.  Poet Maya Angelou encourages friends “to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud”.  Friends are the family you choose.  True friendships offer a comfortable silence, understanding, and the freedo...

It is a powerful emotion that plays out in many of our lives. The fear of loss. We can fear losing something or someone, and so we put in measures to protect what we have. We can become suspicious of others and their motivation. But what if we could overcome this fear of fighting to protect what we have? Could it be that if we do, our open-handed approach could change and shape our lives for the b...

Fear-- it is a primal emotion that we experience. Both natural and necessary to keep us alive - to help us survive. The body responds with sweaty palms, the heart races, and adrenaline surges. But rather than just fight or flight, sometimes we freeze. The solution to fear, the panacea we seek, is safety and security. And while good and true, what if there was also another way, another option that...

Born into a family of little note, guided by visions from the archangel Michael, Saint Margaret and Saint Catherine, this teenager was sent by Charles the 7th to the battlefield as a part of the French relief arm. With Joan’s arrival, holding her banner aloft, hope lifted, and the demoralised French army rallied. The English abandoned their siege, and the French army pursued them, to victory after...

A tale of two brothers is a story of choices, and how the choices we make have consequences that can shape our destiny. A message by David Toscano

Some people say you never forget your first love. That the love you have for your family or for places or activities shapes you as you grow, and those loves stay connected deeply within your soul. Maybe that’s true. But I think the love that we have for people and places and things fades if we don’t choose to actively remember, we choose to keep loving. And sometimes we need reminding. A message b...

A few months ago, I purchased an e-scooter to give me the option for the 48 clear days a year in Melbourne when it is fine to ride it to work. But because I want to be around for a while to come, I wear a range of items to protect me from serious injury. Long pants, jacket, gloves and full helmet. In the 80s, Sid the seagull taught us about sun safety and the importance of slip, slop, and slap. Bu...

The rise of the Alpha Male reportedly has its roots in the 1940’s animal behaviourist writings of Schenkel, particularly around wolf packs and the male lead wolf. And with the rise of extreme right-leaning influencers, we have Nick Adams as the latest pick for the USA Ambassador to Malaysia, sparking protests in Kuala Lumpur. But isn’t the whole concept of Paul’s male headship in the home just the...

Change. It is said that the only person who likes change is a baby in a wet nappy. The reality is that staying the same is comfortable. But the only difference between a rut and a grave is depth. It has been said to ‘Be the change you want to see in the world. But to be the change, we first must be prepared to change.’ And today, we explore the keys to a life lived well through a life transformed....