soul thoughts - articles

Articles

This page has links to a series of articles that I have written over the years. They range from sermons, to articles, to film reviews, to the humorous. I hope they move you, challenge you and encourage you.

Sermons

These are sermons I have mainly preached at the St Martin's east church in Croydon. This church is no longer active. Our eastern suburbs church is now at St Martin's Lilydale.

 

The waiting servant

The prodigal son

The transfiguration

Zechariah and Elizabeth

Paul        

Introduction to the Book of Acts

The trinity

A man named Stephen        

Building friendships in the Body of Christ

The sermon below on the environment was preached at my place of work as part of World Environment Day 2006.  It was preceded by Psalm 148 as sung by the Sons of Korah. Click here to listen to the song and then read the sermon.

The environment - why should Christians care?

Prayer  

Zacchaeus - transformed by love 

Things are not as they seem 

Salvation offered for all

Flesh and Spirit - Resurrection 

Emmaus - From Broken Dreams to Restored Reality   To listen to an MP3 of the sermon, click here. (22MB)

Are we Modern Day Pharisees or Saints?

Trust - Without Jesus We're Sunk

Grace isn't fair!

The Rapture - Should it be Left Behind? new!

 

 

 

 

Essays

These pieces are essays I wrote for my sociology honours degree in 2001. The first one reflects on the influence of the world's greatest cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman, on the Australian national psyche during the Depression and War years. The second essay reflects on a comparison between what a lot of people refer to as authentic rock as compared to inauthentic pop music  It was also written in 2001. Seven years later, think the Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne in 2006 versus Australian Idol. 

The influence of Don Bradman on contributing to an Australian sense of nationalism during times of hardship

Read an abridged version that appeared in Online Opinion on 26 August 2008, the day before 'The Don' would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

The contrast of 'authentic' rock as compared to 'inauthentic' pop music

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections on life

This section contains articles reflecting on the journey of life and what I am finding as I travel on the road.

Life does not consist....

Signs of a culture in decay

Mixed feelings on Anzac Day

The upside down kingdom...or is it?

The essence of humility

Why do men have so much trouble expressing their emotions?

How should we vote?

When Christmas isn't merry

The Christian message and self-esteem 

Lent exposes my character flaws  

Stealing Back Time  

Don't Trade Lives

Good News for the 21st Century

Humanity and Meaning

 

 

Inspirational Lives


Martin Luther King 

 

 

 

 

Movie Reviews

These are reviews of movies I have seen and which have a relevant social message for today. They have been written either for the church bulletin or for Sight Magazine. 

Hotel Rwanda

An Inconvenient Truth

The Last King of Scotland

Bobby

Amazing Grace

I am Legend  

U23D

 

 

 

 

Book Reviews

These are reviews of books I have read and would recommend.

Simply Christian, N.T. Wright, 2006

Credible Witness, Darren Cronshaw, 2006

The Case for the Real Jesus, Lee Strobel, 2007

The Dawkins Delusion?, Alister McGrath with Joanna Collicutt McGrath, 2007



 

  


Website Reviews

These are reviews of websites I have been to.

The Big Switch

wecan.be 

Jubilee Centre



Album Review

Here is the first review of an album on this website. It's about John Mellencamp's new reflective album, Life, Death, Love & Freedom.

Life, Death, Love & Freedom - John Mellencamp

Check out this YouTube video of his 'A Ride Back Home', a cry to Jesus for help in a world where we can often feel overwhelmed by inhumanity and our own weaknesses.




Humourous

I hope to put more articles here over time.

Ode to Waverley Park

This is an article I wrote in 1999 after the closure of the great stadium in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is a deliberately over-the-top tribute to this great stadium. The article won 1st prize for Best Adult Article in the Dayspring Festival in 1999.


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