Stories of Hope

I've been helping out at the recovery center with the Salvos for the Inglewood floods over the last few days and have been privileged to hear their stories and to be able to offer some financial support. I get to be kind and generous. Feels nice!

Our bodies are 70% water. When people and rivers are dehydrated, disaster is not far away. When I run I need to drink before I am thirsty or I will get dehydrated. Our souls need regular refreshment so we can avoid becoming dry and grumpy.

Sometimes gift giving is very token and means very little. But at other times gift giving can touch our hearts and nurture love and friendship beautifully.

Fire can cook bacon, refine metal and burn down a house. It is useful and powerful, but demands respect. Sometimes we get apathetic and lack the fire in the belly we need to get important things done. When was the last time you got fired up?

Bronwen Healy grew up in a fairly loving home, but found herself addicted to drugs and funding her habit through prostitution by the time she was 21. Her story of transformation and consequent capacity to help others is heart warming and inspiring.

Australia has more big things like a giant lobster and a big pineapple than anywhere else in the world. We love to promote the good things our communities have to offer and, cheesy as it is, it's not a bad thing.

A kite without a good breeze is about as useful to me as ballet shoes, but when the wind blows, it's a lot of fun. We don't know where the wind of the Spirit will blow next or where it comes from, but it sure can make life interesting!

Mitch and Jeff have been mates for 30 years. But when Mitch experienced a tragedy and started drinking, Jeff realized having a beer with him was not helpful, so they started walking. They now walk and talk every Sunday and 35 other guys join them.

Church life at Caboolture Salvos the other Sunday was simply delightful. We are a group of committed people who serve the local community and try to love and support each other. It's not perfect, but it is kinda nice.

Our relationship with the earth is important and the Aboriginal people of Australia have known this for thousands of years, but not so for many new Australians.  The gift of the land and an appreciation for it, prompts a spirituality worth exploring.

I have been attending a men's shed and I love it. They often restore old furniture and make things in slow old fashioned sorts of ways. I have been learning about leatherwork, but last week I restored a crusty old chisel. It's now my favourite thing.

Bill Violas depiction of 4 martyrs encountering the 4 elements of nature; earth, wind, fire and water; can stimulate our thinking about God and spirituality and the way we engage in our physical lives here on earth.

Maryam Zafari and I worked together for the Salvos in Villawood and helped lots of people who struggled with various addictions. Today we delve into some of the challenges and insights we have gained along the way

Halloween zombies and skulls are everywhere at the moment and death is a part of life that we do need to think about. What will people say at your funeral? The life choices you make right now will have a big impact on what is said on that inevitable day.

In Jesus time, where you sat at a wedding banquet table was important. If you sat in the place of honor and were then displaced when someone more important came along, it was humiliating. Far better to sit in the lowest seat and be invited to the top.

Francis had a tough childhood and spent many years in prisons and institutions. I met him in rehab 20 years ago and we keep in touch. He has found a way to live a simple yet happy life. This is his inspirational story.

The Netflix documentary, my octopus teacher, is the story of one mans intimate friendship with an octopus. Surely we can work out how to be friends with humans, if he can find a way to befriend an octopus!

There were two epic fails in the outback that proved to be important in the development of Australia as a nation. Failing is actually an important part of any progress.

Ben Brewer is the regional manager of the Salvos welfare services on the Sunshine coast in Queensland. He has worked for the Salvos for many years. His life story is not without troubles but it is certainly grounded in a love of God and others.

Peter Hodges was a hopeless alcoholic.  He completed a Salvo Rehab in 2000 and got sober.  He became a reliable and passionate Salvo, but died suddenly of cancer in 2008. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him, especially his children.  He was my friend.

We do well to let healthy sadness be a part of our lives. If we don't, we often allow ourselves to live contrary to our own convictions and beliefs. Sadness can jolt us into action.

Julie Bell has experienced her fair share of suffering, as her father died when she was just 19 and her sister was disabled. Her heart for the people who come to the salvos for financial counselling is a delight to witness. She is both wise and kind.

My lovely daughter Georgia has started jogging with me. This has been good for our relationship. But running early in the morning, watching the sunrise and sharing in a perfect coffee and some raisin toast the other week was top shelf!

Our capacity for love and kindness is often determined by our own personal experiences of forgiveness. Largely this is from other people, but many embrace a philosophy of life that we are intrinsically loved and valued by the kindness of God.

Nikki Curtis is a Salvo officer from an outer suburb of Perth called Merriwa. Every week Nikki and her team engage with and support dozens of local people doing it tough. She is kind, fun and wise. Her story is one of growth and courage.