Stories of Hope

The role of women in society has been a controversial subject since ancient times. But it is undeniable that women have been vital leaders and even prophets - warning people and analysing strategically throughout history in significant ways. General Eva Burrows was an Aussie girl who became the international leader of the Salvos. She was awesome!

For the last 15 years or so Greg has been a vital cog in the leadership wheel to an innovative Salvo church expression in Brisbane called Gods Sport Arena.  Greg's family originates from India and from an early age Greg developed a strong work ethic.  He did not speak English when he arrived in Australia and his success story is inspiring and insightful.   He has worked for many years in managemen...

When we join organisations we often find support and encouragement emerging in surprising ways. I was in Norway recently and saw a Salvo shield on a building and went in to say g'day. The lady who worked there was very friendly and made a really nice connection. Community life can be challenging, but the strength of a team cannot be underestimated.

Narelle is a third generation Salvo and grew up in PNG with her Missionary parents.  Her life story is a consistent development of what it means to serve, to be real and to be authentically engaged in community.  Narelle loves adventure and doing new things and I suspect she always will.  

Leadership is a mixed bag.  Often rewarding, like the time I got this great poster at my farewell from Villawood Salvos in Sydney, but also devastating like the time a rehab I was running in Adelaide got closed unexpectedly.   It's important to count the cost and to get the support you need to compensate for your weaknesses, but not much happens if people are too scared to lead.  

Carmen is one of the nicest people you could meet and the lovely Sue and I have valued her friendship for many years.  But being nice comes at a cost and the journey to a more authentic place for Carmen involves having a baby and becoming a Jazzercise instructor.  We have an honest and important chat in this episode and it will do you good to tune in and have a listen.  

Its a fine line sometimes between being selfless and sacrificial to demonstrate our love or our commitment to a cause and being sensible stewards of our body, mind and spirit.     Rory McIlroys parents Gerry and Rosie saw Rorys potential as a golfer and took on extra jobs to support his career as they were not wealthy.  Their sacrifices have paid off big time, but for most of us selflessness does...

Dominique Rizzo is one of Queenslands most successful female chefs.  She is dynamic and soulful and has featured on ready steady cook and runs cooking tours throughout Europe.  She helped the Salvos cater for a massive Christmas lunch a few years ago and won our hearts with her generosity and kindness.  Her motto is "Through the sharing of food we share life and one is never lonely or hungry"    H...

I once fell asleep at the Salvos in a church service and dreamed I was dodging a football - everyone noticed.  In todays reading in Acts Ch 20 another young guy dozed off during a boring sermon, fell out of a window and died.  His name was Eutychus which in Greek means lucky!  The lovely Sue and I watched Adolescence recently.  It was very confronting.  Engaging effectively with young boys is real...

Brenton is my nephew and we often have great chats about life.  He is 32 years old and has a lot of experience and insight into the journey of faith and on this podcast episode we have a truthful conversation about his journey.  Brenton has a theology degree and has been a drummer in many of the big Hillsong productions and conferences.  His wrestle and eventual conclusions about faith display gre...

Some ideas and practices are like Sacred Cows.  Too much is at stake to challenge them, so we just pretend we are OK with it when really we are not; we just couldn't be bothered with the fight.  The people of Ephesus were hugely invested in the Temple of Artemus (It was after all one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) and when Paul challenged them they went berserk and rioted.  The hundreds of...

Cath and her husband Mark have been friends with the lovely Sue and I for over 20 years.  Our kids have had holidays together and we are like one big family when we get together.  Cath was born - surprisingly and unexpectedly as a twin in the UK and immigrated to Australia with her family when she was just 10 years old. Cath is an educator and has just recently determined to barrack for Collingwoo...

Woody Allen is quoted as saying "80% of success is just showing up" But for many of us, we would prefer not to bother with the mundane boring aspects of living well and go straight to the good bits.  Holidays, parties and getting pats on the back from our colleagues.     To pretend to be authentic often results in humiliation so we do well to find ways to celebrate and enjoy the ordinary.  I came...

Marcus has been a part of my life for over 20 years.  His journey from Addiction to sobriety has had plenty of bumps along the way and his most recent slip has been dreadful.  The loss of his parents recently was like an anchor coming adrift in his soul and he has since suffered serious physical injury, despair and isolation.  Today he is back on track and building a solid recovery - which is rema...

Having significant conversations is really important. The church has often done this well with regular gatherings like bible study groups and opportunities to listen to challenging speakers. But it is not the only place this happens. Often important conversations happen in universities or cafes or even on bush walks.  In todays reading in Acts 19, Paul leaves the Synagogue and goes to the lecture...

Sandy McLean is a wife to Andrew, a Mum, a granny, a friend to many, a Salvo officer and an avid dancer.  Her friendship and influence on many lives is remarkable.  Stories of Hope podcast would probably not exist without her encouragement and belief, as she was my boss during the early years.  Sandy is lots of fun and genuinely wonderful; hearing her story will do you the world of good!.  

The Bible often talks about baptism.  Being fully immersed into a new way of being.  This practice was normal in the ancient world to symbolise decisions or commitments to a new lifestyle or to belong to a new group.  Many of us take on new ideas, but if we are not wholehearted, we will soon drift away.  To be wholehearted about grace and being kind to ourselves, even when we make mistakes, is the...

I have known Eunice for as long as I've been with the lovely Sue, as her daughter Gill is one of Sue's best friends.  Eunice is a straight shooting scot and a no nonsense sort of lady who I've always enjoyed.  She is like 100 years old and used slate and chalk to learn at school.  She is expert in dance, fitness, social work and was even a volleyball ref.  A down to earth Salvo who cares deeply ab...

For a long time, maybe 5 days, it seemed possible that all the talk about Cyclone Alfred hitting Brisbane with force was  - excuse the pun - a load of hot air.  The build up was constant and the lovely Sue and I hunkered down in our home waiting for it to arrive.  Nothing happened - until it did.  Our suburb copped torrential rain for days and was badly flooded.    People talk about the impact Jes...

Matt is a wonderful entrepreneurial Salvo leader.  He is married to Jac and has 2 children.  Like a lot of creative and dynamic sorts of leaders, his schooling did not accomodate well for his learning style or gifting and for many years he struggled to believe in himself and flourish.   Today he is one of the shining lights in Salvo leadership and heads up a creative and effective work in Noosa on...

There are plenty of things to worry about and we can't fix everything.  We need a healthy balance of concern and relinquishment of concern.  What is within our control and what is not?  In todays reading Paul shakes his clothes to symbolise his decision to stop trying to influence the Jews in Corinth.  He had done all he could do and they were not his problem any more.   Sometimes we need to do th...

Anneke and I met on the Camino in Spain last year and walked and shared together like family for over three weeks. Her fun, positivity and openness was heartwarming. She currently works as a bus driver and represents something of the wonderful variety of people from all walks of life you meet along the way.

We read in Acts 18 that Paul was a tentmaker.  He did this to pay his own way, but also to model and demonstrate the values and culture of the new way of living he was on about.  The way of Jesus.  In my work with the Salvos it has often been when folks come alongside me in my everyday living - maybe working in a garden, cooking a meal or helping someone move into a new flat, that they get a glips...

Norm was cared for as a baby by the Salvation Army in Belfast as his parents were no longer able to look after him. He came to Australia when he was 5 and was again loved and supported by the Salvos in Sydney. He became an officer and has just retired after 44 years of service, Norm and his wife wife Isobel recently ran a study tour of Greece and Turkey for 30 salvo leaders that I attended. His li...

If I were to be persuaded to a new way of thinking, the best way is for someone I trust to model and explain things in a compelling way. For me it was my friend Marty who inspired me to lose weight (8.6 kilos - no kidding!) and Joan from the Salvos church I grew up in who inspired me to embrace Christian Faith.  Both lived out what they suggested!