Whoever does the will of Abba God in heaven is my sister and brother and mother. (Matthew 12:50) In the vibrant tapestry of an Australian garden, we find a striking embodiment of diversity and inclusion. From the majestic eucalyptus to the delicate kangaroo paw, each...

Here there is no difference between Jew and Greek; all have the same Creator, rich in mercy toward those who call. (Romans 10:12) In the vast expanse of the Australian outback, a remarkable phenomenon unfolds. Thousands of budgerigars, each with their unique plumage,...

But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For Christ is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart. (Ephesians 2:13-14) In the vibrant depths of the Great...

The Gentle Gardener Blessed are those who are gentle: they will inherit the land. (Matthew 5:5) In the nurturing presence of a gentle gardener, we witness the beauty of humility and interdependence. With tender care and patience, the gardener coaxes life from the...

Trusting Like an Emu Chick The truth is, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kindom of heaven. Those who make themselves as humble as this child are the greatest in the kindom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4) (The Inclusive Bible...

Embracing New Beginnings People who are healthy don't need a doctor; sick ones do. I have come to call sinners, not the righteous. (Mark 2:17) The Australian wattle, with its vibrant golden blooms, stands as a testament to the power of new beginnings. While the mature...

The Divine Symphony In the beginning there was the Word; the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) In the vast tapestry of creation, the Pied Butcherbird's melodious calls remind us of the Divine harmony that permeates all of existence. Just as...

Unity in the Spirit There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called into one hope when you were called. (Ephesians 4:4) Off the coast of Australia, the Moon Jellyfish drift gracefully in the currents, their translucent bells pulsing gently as they navigate...

Anchored in Abundance Or again, the kindom of heaven is like a merchant's search for fine pearls. When one pearl of great value was found, the merchant went back and sold everything else and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46) (The Inclusive Bible translation uses ‘kindom’...

Perseverance in the Desert Blessed are those who persevere under trial! Once their worth has been proven, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to the faithful. (James 1:2-3) The Gibber Plains, vast desert landscapes strewn with weathered stones,...

Dormant Potential Awakened Humbly welcome the word which has been planted in you, because it has power to save you. (James 1:21) In the vast, arid expanse of the outback, the Nardoo fern lies dormant, its potential hidden beneath the parched earth. To the untrained...

Resilience Amid Fragility We are afflicted in every way possible, but we are not crushed; we are full of doubts, but we never despair. We are persecuted, but never abandoned; we are struck down, but never destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) The Walls of China in Mungo...

Sacred Solitude But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to God who is in that secret place, and your Abba God—who sees all that is done in secret—will reward you. (Matthew 6:6) The Boobook Owl, a nocturnal creature native to Australia and New...

Praying in Nature's Cathedral Rising early the next morning, Jesus went off to a lonely place in the desert and prayed there. (Mark 1:35) The ancient, weathered rock formations of the Pilbara region in Western Australia stand as silent sentinels, bearing witness to...

Solitude and Prayer But Jesus often withdrew to some place where he could be alone and pray. (Luke 5:16) In the vast expanse of the Simpson desert, a solitary Coolabah tree stands tall and resilient, its branches reaching towards the endless sky. This lone gum,...

The Interconnected Web of Love I give you a new commandment: Love one another. And you're to love one another the way I have loved you. (John 13:34) In the vast and ancient landscape of Australia, a remarkable tapestry of life thrives. From the towering eucalyptus...

The Ripple Effect of Selflessness So don't do things out of self-interest; always seek the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24) In the lush forests of Australia, the green tree frog plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem. By consuming...

The Patient Love of Magpies Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, and it is not snobbish; it is never rude or self-seeking; it is not prone to anger, nor does it brood over injuries. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) In the intricate social...

The Wisdom of the Ant Those who are faithful in very small matters will also be faithful in great matters; those who are dishonest in very small matters will also be dishonest in great matters. (Luke 16:10) In the intricate tapestry of creation, even the smallest...

Stewardship and Sustainability Warn those who are blessed with this world's goods not to look down on other people. They are not to put their hope in wealth, for it is uncertain. Instead, they are to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with all that we need...

Eternal Investments Don't store up earthly treasures for yourselves, which moths and rust destroy and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal...

Shedding the Old, Embracing the New Don't store up earthly treasures for yourselves, which moths and rust destroy and thieves can break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can destroy them and thieves cannot break...

The Transformative Fire of Faith Indeed, I consider the sufferings of the present to be nothing compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. All creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-19) In the Australian bush, the...

The Unchanging Presence Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) At the heart of Australia stands Uluru, a sandstone monolith that has endured the relentless cycles of the seasons and the passage of time for thousands of years. Its steadfast...

Seeds of Hope May the God of hope fill you with such peace and joy in your faith, that you may be filled with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) In the Australian bush, the tiny seeds of the grevillea lay dormant, patiently awaiting the right...

The Sacred Unfolding And I am sure of this much: that God, who has begun the good work in you, will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) In vibrant gardens across our country, the humble chrysalis of a butterfly...

Harmony in the Midst of Change "We know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love God and have been called according to God's purpose." (Romans 8:28) In the lush depths of the rainforest, a fascinating dance unfolds. The strangler fig, a...

The Light of Unity In the Word was life, and that life was humanity's light (John 1:4) In the tranquil forests of Southeast Queensland, a mesmerising display unfolds as dusk settles upon the land. Fireflies, tiny beacons of light, begin to flash in unison, creating a...

Emergence of the Divine Christ is the image of the unseen God and the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1:15) In the misty rainforests, a small green shoot emerges from the damp soil, pushing through the earth with a gentle yet determined force. This humble...

The Seed of Divine Potential Before anything was created, Christ existed, and all things hold together in Christ. (Colossians 1:17) In the vast expanse of the outback, a bush tomato tiny seed lies dormant in the red earth, waiting patiently for the perfect conditions...