Salt
NOVEMBER 2014
Saint Andrew’s Uniting
Church
Corner of Creek and Ann
Streets Brisbane QLD
PO Box 10020
Brisbane Adelaide Street
Qld 4000
Phone (07)3221 2400
saintandrews
@saintandrews.org.au
www.saintandrews.org.au
Our Mission
To help people of all ages to
develop their relationship
with God so that their special gifts can be exercised
as a witness to God’s love
in Christ.
Editor:
Richard Kitchen
Phone 07 3892 3351
[email protected]
1208/15 Cansdale Street
Yeronga 4104
FROM OUR MINISTER BRUCE JOHNSON
The Mission of Christ
I have just seen an advertisement for a segment on a
current affairs program that is going to highlight some of
the less attractive parts of our city. It seems that the journalist is going to suggest that these ugly bits might embarrass us during the G20. Heather and I have travelled
to many cities in various parts of the world and in every
one we have seen such ugly parts. However in every city
we have spent more time being blessed and inspired by
the beautiful parts.
We can always find the ugly and embarrassing, both in
people and places. But we can give our attention to those
people and things that enrich, ennoble and inspire. Even
those things that are ugly and embarrassing can inspire
us to look for ways to renew and transform rather than
feel ashamed and afraid.
During morning tea on Sunday we shared in the launch of
the book, To China, India & Home Again. This is Barbara
Graham’s account of the life of ministry she shared with
her husband Dr Keith Graham. This book tells the story of
an amazing couple who spent decades faithfully serving
the needs of vulnerable people in two countries in a variety of ways. Keith and Barbara went into situations many
may have seen as ugly and saw the beauty and transformed the lives of many people. They dedicated themselves and their gifts in the Mission of Christ and in so
doing made the love of God real in the lives of hundreds
of people.
Following the book launch the congregation considered
the proposal that Saint Andrew’s host a community meal
for homeless people in our city. The Lord Mayor and the
council have seen an embarrassing part of our city’s life
and want to do something that shows the
love and compassion of our people. While
many people are involved in offering food
to the homeless of our city, Graham Quirk
believes that together we could do something better. He would like to see us build
supportive communities that may help
those whose lives have fallen apart be
transformed.
The Congregation gave the go-ahead to
the Church Council to explore partnerships with some of the street van people,
Wesley Mission Brisbane and the Brisbane City Council to see if we can be part
of this vision for a more inclusive and
compassionate city. While there is still
much to be done before this can become
a reality, this decision showed the desire
of our congregation to become involved in
transforming this embarrassing, even ugly
aspect of our city.
In both conversations on Sunday I saw
how the mission of Christ is advanced. As
individuals respond to God’s call to dedicate themselves and their gifts to the service of others, it is astounding the difference they can make. Keith and Barbara
Graham brought healing and hope to
countless lives in two countries. Individuals who see their lives and gifts in the
light of Christ’s mission often achieve
amazing things in making God’s Kingdom
visible.
On the other hand, communities of faith
can achieve similarly amazing things in
the mission of Christ when they offer their
collective gifts and presence to reaching
out beyond themselves. It has been said
that the Church exists to serve those who
are not yet part of their life. When a community of faith loses itself in the service of
others, they often find new life.
Jesus said, “If any want to become my
followers, let them deny themselves and
take up their cross and follow me. For
those who want to save their life will lose
it, and those who lose their life for my
sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will
save it. For what will it profit them to gain
the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their
life?” (Mark 8: 34 – 37)
On Sunday morning I saw this truth expressed in two individual lives and in the
life of a community.
If God is calling Saint Andrew’s to become
community partners in serving the homeless of our city, I pray that we will be
shown our part. It would be fun to discover
the beauty in the lives of people who are
so often seen as ugly and feel we are being caught up in the mission of Christ.
ST ANDREW’S SPARKLES AFTER
EXTERNAL CLEANING.
In the October issue of Salt there was an article by Marion McConaghy about the cleaning
of the brickwork of our church.
The photo shown on Page 4 of this issue
about Brisbane Open House gives some idea
of how this has enhanced the appearance of
our beautiful building. Congratulations Marion
for organizing the Grant for this project.
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The Magic Bank Account
Imagine that you had won the following *PRIZE* in a contest: Each morning your bank
would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use.
However, this prize has rules:
1. Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend it.
4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400
for that day.
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say,“Game Over!".
It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but
for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you
couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right?
ACTUALLY, This GAME is REAL .Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*. We just
can't seem to see it. The PRIZE is *TIME*
1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.
2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is Not credited to us.
3. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost.
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any
time WITHOUT WARNING...
SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds? Those seconds are worth so much more
than the same amount in dollars.
Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so
much quicker than you think.
So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life!
DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD…SOME PEOPLE DON'T GET THE PRIVILEGE!
Thanks, Jenny Summerson
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‘HARMONY ACROSS THE TASMAN’
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Restoration Fundraising Concert
SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER, 2.30PM
St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 43 St Paul’s Terrace, Spring Hill
In early December, one of New Zealand’s treasures, the Christchurch Youth Orchestra
will cross the Tasman to perform in one of Brisbane’s architectural treasures, the F.D.G.
Stanley-designed St Paul’s Presbyterian Church.
The members of the CYO have offered their services for free to present a concert in aid
of the current stonework restoration project on St Paul’s. Restoration work and heritage
buildings are close to their heart after the devastating earthquake in Christchurch.
Proceeds from this event will go towards Phase 2 of restoring St Paul’s gothic-style
stone bell tower.
Enjoy a stunning orchestral concert whilst taking in St Paul's heritage features, including
its stained glass windows, Hill & Son pipe organ and prominent bell tower, which houses
a swung bell cast in 1888 by John Warner & Sons, London.
Local artists will add to the concert program and among their contributions will be seasonal duets for pipe organ and piano, baritone solos and Musical Theatre items plus
there will be audience participation with some favourite Christmas carols.
The concert is the culmination of the celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of the
dedication of the church building to worship in 1889.
Tickets will be available at the door or they can be purchased from 4MBS by phoning 3847 1717 or on line at 4mbs.org.au
$29 Adults
$24 Concession and Seniors Cardholders
Children and school age students are free.
Brisbane Open House 2014
Celebrating the city’s architecture and design, the 5th annual Brisbane Open House
weekend on 11/12 October was again highly successful, providing locals and visitors
with free access to more than 100 sites, talks, tours, performances and family-friendly
activities across the greater Brisbane area. Saint Andrew’s has keenly participated in this annual event
since its inauguration.
Some 850 people visited Saint Andrew’s Uniting
Church which was open on both Saturday and Sunday this year. The operation was organised by the
Heritage Committee. Sincere thanks to the fourteen
Saint Andrew’s volunteer guides who worked hard
over the two days.
Noel Adsett
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Eulogy for Graeme Russell
Dear friends
We meet to celebrate the life of a very dear friend, Graeme Ewing Russell.
Born on 29 April 1937 Graeme’s first memories are those of walking about the streets of Windsor and Lutwyche with his mother during WW II when she did regular collecting for the Red
Cross, calling at homes of people in the area who would donate between 3 pence and a shilling. Blessed with excellent musical genes, from the age of four it was clear that he had the gift
of perfect pitch. This was a great asset to him throughout his musical life to which I shall return.
At BBC in his high school years he became the official school pianist and I believe was entrusted with the task of choosing hymns for assemblies. While a teenager he gained his A Mus
A, ATCL and LTCL in piano.
I first got to know Graeme in 1963 in my first year at university. He was some years ahead. At
university he obtained a degree of Bachelor of Applied Science, following that with a Bachelor
of Chemical Engineering with Honours, and capped it off with a Doctorate of Philosophy.
Unlike so many doctoral theses these days his was actually useful. He was working in the area
of improving the efficiency of the extraction of sugar from sugar cane. His work resulted in
hundreds of thousands of tons of extra sugar being extracted yearly from Australia’s cane harvest.
Those were the days when he proudly showed me the University of Queensland’s first computer which occupied an air conditioned room. It worked in a more comfortable environment
than we did. Graeme had to book time to use it. He took a long time to complete his PhD. The
reason was that he was enjoying the musical life at UQ so much. At least that’s what we all
said.
After the completion of his PhD he was faced with the option of continuing to work in the sugar
research field, going into academia where he had made many friends or joining the family
company begun by his father. Graeme chose to join his brother Ian and their father at Queensland Rubber where Ian became the managing director and chief executive and Graeme became the technical director. Over its lifetime Queensland Rubber made the smallest and largest products. Ian tells me that when Brisbane was in the process of being sewered, Queensland Rubber made each of the O rings that sealed the joints of the vitreous clay and concrete
pipes. The city council insisted on each O ring being independently inspected by one of its officers with the result that at times they had five or six city council employees sitting in the factory
testing each O ring.
Graeme built up the research and development arm of the company employing young graduate
engineers, both chemical and mechanical together with industrial chemists. They expanded its
operations into south-east Asia, Singapore and then ultimately to West Germany, East Germany and the United Kingdom.
Continued next page >>>
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I remember Graeme was particularly proud of the cone fenders, which he had designed for use
on wharves throughout the world. The fenders are installed in Los Angeles, Singapore, Western Europe and the UK and they are still being installed. He designed and Queensland Rubber supplied the rubber mouldings for storm surge barriers in the Netherlands at a time when
the construction of those storm surge barriers was the largest civil engineering project in the
world. QPAC sits on antivibration isolators designed by Graeme as do the massive Theatres
on the Bay in Singapore Harbour. The reality is that this family company successfully took on
the world as an exporter.
In recognition of his work Graeme was awarded the prestigious George Milne Medal for his
contribution to the rubber industry in Australia. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003
but I think that the award of which he was most proud was being invited to become a Fellow of
the very prestigious Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the brains trust of
Australia’s top scientists and engineers.
Let me turn to Graeme’s musical life which was of such great importance to him. He had a prodigious musical talent aided greatly by his perfect pitch and innate musicality. As Gordon
Spearritt said recently, we didn’t need a pitch pipe in the Madrigal Singers, we had Graeme. Of
course perfect pitch is not always a blessing. If the choir sings out of tune the owner of perfect
pitch has a big problem because he/she has to transpose.
In this very church in the 60’s the annual Easter offering was invariably the St Matthew Passion
or Brahms’ Requiem. Those were the favourites of the choral director Hugh Brandon. When
he went on sabbatical and Graeme took over the choir Graeme made the decision which Sir
Humphrey Appleby would call a “courageous decision” of conducting Bach’s St John Passion
rather than the St Matthew. It was a successful venture.
During the 60’s in our time at university there was a period when Graeme and several others
who are here today and myself were members of the Queensland University Musical Society,
the University Madrigal Group, the Queensland State Musical Choir and the St Andrew’s Choir
all at the same time. We got a lot of joy out of singing.
On one weekend in 1968 a group of six of us stayed in his family home at Caloundra. We decided to audition for Showcase 68. Dare I compare it to the current show of Australia’s Got Talent. The difference is that we had talent. We auditioned for a laugh and to our surprise we got
through and in the end we made it into the semi-finals by virtue, at no point by vote of the illinformed judges, but of the far better informed public vote. In truth, it was a bit rigged insofar
as we had members located in Women’s College, Duchesne College and John’s College.
Their frequent phone calls I am sure made a not insignificant contribution to the votes that we
received from the public. The three girls in the group were stunningly good looking, dressed in
Elizabethan costumes, ruffs about their slender necks and tiaras in their hair, but I am afraid
that Graeme, Rod Hardacre and I wearing wigs with hair around our shoulders in doublets and
hose which exposed our knobbly knees let the side down somewhat.
In 1968 Bruce and Lib Brazier founded the Jubilate Singers with Graeme as conductor and
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went on to give hundreds of performances throughout the length and breadth of Queensland.
On several occasions the Jubilate Singers joined forces with the Quodlibet Singers to prepare a
larger work I remember in 1972 Graeme prepared the choir for a performance conducted by
Gordon Spearritt of the Monteverdi Vespers 1610 in St John’s Cathedral. In about 1974 with
choir and audience wearing evening dress we did a Glyndebourne style concert of the Christmas Oratorio conducted by Graeme in Mayne Hall with a two hour dinner break for picnics of
champagne and chicken on the grass outside Mayne Hall before the second half.
Graeme gave himself untiringly to musical ventures that he regarded as worthwhile. For many
years he served on the Queensland Conservatorium Council. Subsequently he became a director of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition. He designed for our use a piano stool operated
remotely by computer thus saving the nervous contestants the stress of adjusting the height before playing. He also wrote a computer algorithm that processed the marks for us.
Graeme had a long association with this Church. I mentioned singing and at times conducting
the choir in the 60’s and 70’s.
His interest was not confined to classical music. He conducted four Gilbert & Sullivan productions for the Church: Trial by Jury, HMS Pinafore, Iolanthe and the Mikado. He was also an
elder here at St Andrews and a member of the Committee of Management.
Let me refer to Graeme’s other interests. He took up flying and obtained an unrestricted pilot’s
licence and then took up aerobatics to improve his flying skills. Ian tells me that part of his examination involved having to fly from Archerfield and do a bump and go at night at Eagle Farm
Airport. However I am told that he has the dubious honour of having had air traffic control tell a
jumbo jet waiting to take off to wait at the end of the strip until Graeme Russell had finished his
examination, which he did.
Graeme was also a keen mariner and on many occasions chartered yachts on the reef with
family and friends and subsequently owned a one-third share in a boat. He loved the boating
but I think he was equally as happy tinkering in the engine room with a spanner as on the
bridge. I always felt safe with Graeme as a skipper.
Graeme has been fighting his illness for many years now but of course over the recent years
things had gone downhill. He faced his death uncomplainingly and with enormous courage. I
have always lunched regularly with him and he had no hesitation in talking about his impending passing and even joking about it. He was brave, thoughtful and considerate even in the last
weeks. He has been supported in these difficult times by Beverley, Margaret and their two
daughters, Kate and Rebecca of whom he was so proud, and Ian. He loved them all. Indeed,
he was a man full of love. He was always kind. I would describe him as nature’s gentleman.
We will all miss him.
Graeme, as Shakespeare said, “and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”. May I add to that,
Graeme, let’s hope they sing in tune because it would be unreasonable to expect you to transpose on your first day in heaven.
Ian Hanger
Page 7
WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
SEA BREEZES IN A TEA CUP
When you're on the high seas and standing on the deck of a great ocean liner there's
nothing more refreshing than a bracing breeze that blows seemingly in all directions at
once! The skin tingles and the eyes sting and the coolness that runs through the body is
exhilarating.
Well.......the breezes felt by twenty of us who went on the Mirimar II for the Women's Association annual outing might not have been quite so strong, but the day's journey by
boat up the Brisbane River was an absolutely joy. From the moment we boarded the
boat at the pontoon behind the John Oxley Library we were treated right royally. The billy
was boiling as we stepped on board and immediately we were given tea or coffee and
freshly baked scones, jam and cream—a very pleasant way to begin a day’s outing.
The sun shone brightly most of the time and the skies, while somewhat cloudy never
brought the showers that had been forecast, and as we sailed west down stream chilly
breezes began to blow quite strongly and we were grateful to be ensconced in the cabin.
It was such a colourful trip, with historically interesting points all the way to Lone Pine.
Such a variety of trees as can be seen on the banks now present a starkly different sight
from that which Pamphlett, Parsons and Finnigan would have seen in the 1820's; the exotics so different from our native growth but blending in so readily. Intermittently, however, the mangroves remain since they are necessary to keep fish stocks up in the river
itself. Especially striking were the Jacarandas in full bloom here and there along the
banks.
A most interesting commentary was given on the outward journey and the first suburb
mentioned was Milton which is just thirty kilometres from the river mouth. It is also the
farthest point reached by John Oxley on his initial exploration. However, the "XXXX" logo
of the now historical Castlemaine Brewery is much more easily seen than the monument
to Oxley's landing.
A stark difference from 1824 is the constant rows of beautiful homes with their gardens
and pathways all hugging the banks, most of which appeared to be well above the present waterline, no doubt as a result of experience with our floods.
There is the continuous appearance of pontoons and small yachts and on one occasion
only, on the southern bank a small sandy beach appeared, where, so records tell us, the
pioneer families who lived scattered in the area, gathered for picnics and swimming.
Evidently there were interruptions to the swim, for sometimes a dead cow would float
downstream.
Continued next Page >>>
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(Continued from Page 9)
If this happened the picnickers would shout
"Dead Cow!" and everyone would come out
of the water, wait until it passed and then
resume activities. There were even changing sheds and an ice cream kiosk in those
early days. These days only water skiers
and small sharks can be seen in the area.
After the Lone Pine visitors disembarked
we berthed at Sherwood Park known as the
Arboretum and it was a delight to walkthrough such a lovely parkland.
While stopped at this calm, peaceful spot
we were given a most delicious roast lunch
and apple crumble prepared by the crew
and then began our return journey. We
passed under the suspension bridge
(Indooroopilly) which is modelled on Sydney Harbour Bridge, rounded the supports
which were erected on the site which could
well have been developed into a gold mine,
passed the continuous whirlpool eddies
caused by the dredging and meandered
back to our starting point, arriving a little resistant to having to move, but relaxed, refreshed and revitalised. It was a thoroughly
enjoyable day. Our sincere thanks to
Jenny, Betty and Margaret for organising the day.
Our final meeting for the year will be on
20TH NOVEMBER 2014 the third Thursday
of the month, at Vat and Peter Matheson's
91 McConnell Street, Bulimba at 10.30 a.m.
Please bring a plate and advise Jenny on
3300 1343 or Betty on3263 2230.
Mary Elmes
St Andrew’s Celebrates 50th
Anniversary Ordinations
At the 9.30 am Service on Sunday 19th
October, we celebrated 50 years of Ordained Christian Ministry for the following
Ministers who were present at the service:
Rev Peter Blackburn, Rev Bruce Gulley
Rev Cec Hawley Rev Ian Kerr
Rev Dr Ian Mavor,Rev Bruce Ross
Rev Evan Stenlake, Rev Jim Tame
Rev Michael Veary
The Bible readings were delivered by 3
of these Ministers, obviously very experienced and practiced in the art.
After the sermon, Certificates of Recognition were presented. A requested hymn,
unfamiliar to many of us, “And are we yet
alive, and see each other’s Face?”
Charles Wesley 1749, followed the Presentation of Certificates. The Sacrament
of Holy Communion led to the conclusion
of this special service.
The Sanctuary Choir was augmented by
3 additional singers, adding to fine singing by the Choir in the Introit “O taste and
see” Vaughan Williams, with the introductory solo sung by Clare Hutchinson.
The Anthem was a new offering by the
Choir, “You are mine” David Hass (arr.
Mark Hayes) and was well received by
the congregation. Katherine Williams de
Vries played the clarinet accompaniment.
It was a memorable service.
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LIKE MANNA FROM HEAVEN
With Thanksgiving coming up in North America this weekend, some biblical validation for
the festival seemed appropriate. So here is a reading from Exodus, chapter 16:
The entire assembly complained about the leadership of Moses and his brother Aaron.
They said, “Why did you lead us out of Egypt where McDonald’s was open 24/7, to bring us
out to this wilderness where we will surely die of hunger?”
“Give us this day our daily burgers and fries,” they chanted.
So Moses said, “I will show you that all this was part of an intelligent design that
reaches its pinnacle in self-actuating human beings. Tomorrow morning, you will receive
whatever you need.”
In the morning, when the dew lifted, the people found flat flaky things lying on the
sands.
They said to one another, “What are these?”
Moses said to them, “These things are credit cards. You may use them to gather whatever you need for the needs of your household.”
The people gathered up credit cards by the handful.
And the people took their credit cards, and hiked through the canyons and wadis to
Woolworths and Coles and Kmart, and bought everything that they could possibly need.
Now Moses had warned them, “Do not gather more food or clothing than you need for
each day. Any treasure you lay up for yourselves will be corrupted by moth and rust.”
But the people didn’t listen. They stored their surplus goods in their tents, thinking they
could sit back in their newly-acquired lounge chairs while the less fortunate had to make
another trip to Target. But when they got out their meat, it had maggots. Their cheese had
grown mould. The children had already outgrown their new running shoes.
So the people took their purchases back for a refund. But the store managers pointed
out that Moses had warned them against purchasing more than they needed. “Sufficient
unto the day is the weevil thereof,” the managers said, peering into sacks of spoiled oatmeal.
The people discovered that they had nothing left of their purchases. Except a negative
credit balance, on which they were expected to pay 19.84% annual interest.
“But if we can only buy enough for one day at a time,” the people protested, “how will
we survive over statutory holidays and holiday weekends?”
So Moses established credit limits. To each family, he assigned a credit limit, sufficient
to stock a refrigerator and freezer. But for special occasions when turkeys had to be ceremonially sacrificed, credit limits could be increased.
“Use your credit wisely,” Moses advised them. “For tomorrow the banks may change
their policies, as they are entitled to do, at their discretion, without advising you, and you
will be bound to minimum monthly payments on your debt forever and ever.”
>> Page 11
Continued…
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“You told us we were escaping from bondage,” the people objected. “Once we were slaves
in Egypt, and the Lord God led us out of Egypt to freedom.”
“Not to freedom,” Moses corrected them. “To the free market. Tyrants and pharaohs can no
longer impose suffering upon you. Now you are free to get yourself into as much trouble as
you want.”
Copyright © 2014 by Jim Taylor. Non-profit use in congregations and study groups, and links from other
blogs, welcomed; all other rights reserved.
Book Launch at St Andrew’s
To China, India & Home Again
By Dr Keith & Barbara Graham
At morning tea following the service on Sunday 26th October Noel Adsett presided at
the launch of this most significant publication, which chronicles the extraordinary lives
of the authors and their years of service in
China and India.
Noel introduced Barbara Graham, well
known to many of us, and the members of
her family present for the launch. He then
briefly touched on the late Dr Graham’s early
life and his studies that led him to a LMS
scholarship to Ormonde College.
He then presented a brief synopsis of the
content of this book, a story showing the unwavering service they provided over many
years in China and India, at times under considerable danger and duress.
After the official launch of the book, Barbara
spoke briefly to the congregation.
It was a memorable occasion, and a fitting
recognition of the great service Keith and
Barbara gave as medical missionaries in underprivileged areas in China and India over
many years.
Photos at right >>>
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SYD-O’S BACK PAGE
“When bad things happen to good people!”
There are two points of view from which life can be looked at. There is the
positive, optimistic view, seeing all the good things: and the negative, pessimistic view when we see only the bad things that happen. The notion
that only good things happen to good people went out the window when
they nailed Jesus to a cross.
What happens when we are thrown into the abyss of a life-threatening situation? What
coping mechanism do we grasp hold of? More often and, without thinking we ask “what
about me?” “Why does God allow suffering if he is a God of love?”
When I was working as a Lifeline Rural counsellor in the Jericho Shire in Central Western
Queensland in the early nineties I was asked often by people living in the city about depressed droughted graziers: “Are they in this situation because they are not Christian?”
In St. Luke’s Gospel there is a passage (Luke 13: 1-9) about some Galileans being killed:
“Were they worse sinners than all the other Galileans!” Paul and Silas, both good servants, were thrown into prison (Acts 16: 16-34). Jesus’ own disciples, seeing a blind man,
asked: “Who sinned: was it him or his parents to cause his blindness?” (John 9: 1-2) Even
Jesus dying on the cross asked: “Why?” (Matt. 27-46)
Why do bad things happen to good people? We need to recognise that we live in an imperfect world: that pain and suffering are part of life: that life is a series of gains and
losses to be used constructively, not only to cope, but to transcend and beyond that, to
grow in understanding and depth. Experience is what a person does with what happens to
them; in other words, we have to take responsibility for our re-actions.
Seeking to support someone in a crisis, we need to be sensitive to the feelings of the other
person. The most hurtful comment I’ve heard given to a family in crisis goes something
like this: “If you were a born-again Christian, if you had more faith, it wouldn’t have happened!” That kind of comment cuts right across the true Christian understanding of God as
the God of grace, love mercy and compassion. Our task is to be the supportive compassionate friend, to listen, encourage and assist those in crisis to discover their true self and
worth and to transcend the crisis.
One of the many graziers we grew to love in the Central West was a guy who lived alone,
rugged, almost illiterate and with a mountain of financial and emotional problems. On leaving his property one day he said, “I know you’re a religious bloke but thanks for turning me
around!” All we did was to gain his confidence, listen to his story, encourage him to face
reality and make something out of his situation.
Finding the image of God within you can make all the difference in what you get out of life.
Focus on the fact that every moment is a gift from God to be cherished and lived: take responsibility for your life: straighten out your priorities and, with God’s help set specific
tasks and goals and keep your eye on the ever present window of hope and opportunity.
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