CONNECTED Adventist

1 Samuel 8: 6-9 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

The Proverbs 31 Woman doesn't call any old man her husband. She has for herself a man who ALSO lives up to the Proverbs 31 standard!

Some Christians were spared any damage from the cyclone that was forecast to hit Australia last week. But other Christians weren't. So was it God's favour? His mercy? His judgement? Or maybe it wasn't any of that...

Women are often the ones accused as being seductive, tempting and flirtatious. And they can be. What troubles me when I'm with people discussing lust and temptation is that most of the conversation is about how women are responsible for the temptation men experience and indirectly labeled as the source of the men's lust. The conversation seldomly is about men. Men's power to resit. Men's power to surrender to purity and holiness. Men's ability to take every thought captive. Men's freedom from the carnal heart. The conversations, the Bible studies and the sermons are rarely ALL about men and the power of the Gospel.

I'm promoting all of yous to Saints- Redeemed by the Lamb! You've graduated from school of condemnation and darkness and are walking in the credentials of Jesus' glory and His righteousness! Don't leave the Good News on the bookshelf life. Pull out the Good news and claim it's promises and victory for yourself- EVERY.DAY.

2024 was a bit of a blur. Honestly, by the end of the year I felt so disappointed with the lack of direction and purpose I had. But hey- 2025 here we come!!

Church hurt is a things. But I think we need to use better vocabulary to label what we experienced and what we're trying to define.

As church members how do we show up for our local Pastor when they "fall from grace"? The heartbreaking reality is that if the way we support "fallen" church members is any gauge- then pick up your stone of preference and hold back on the grace. The Lentz's family story was a two edged sword for me. The betrayal and forgiveness this family has experienced and embraced, is much deeper than Carl's infidelity. The scars they'll carry are from more than cheating- it's also from rejection and abandonment from those they called family.

I'm not a fan of either Adele or Taylor. So this isn't a bias opinion on who is better. It's all more about making the Gospel simple, attainable and relatable. Let's keep offering milk until God grows people's faith so they can digest the solids.

I'm talking about the Olympic Opening ceremony but not the way you think I will.

The deer in Psalm 41:1 is out here panting and thirsty. What does that even mean and what practical lesson are we supposed to get from this deer?

I saw a worm on my walk this morning. It kind of explains why I haven't uploaded in so long...

Who's the "+ 1" in your marriage? YOUR NEW BABY! The next statement will SHOCK YOU! There's some scary parallels between your baby and infidelity! New parents, or parents to be, please listen to this episode, it may save your marriage and your family.

Grief and Loss isn't often associated with "parenting", unless its in relation to the death of a child. But just as much as there is to gain when becoming a first time parent, there is also lot of loss with the birth of a first child. But these conversations aren't always had among Christians. The dark clouds of parenting aren't always talked about and this leaves many new parents to weather the storms of change and the unknown on their own. I hope this episode gives you a sense of community in your suffering and in your loss. I hope that you realise that trying your best- is the best you can do.

They lost. But there's way more to sport than winning. A mistake that's often made in team sport is putting a lot of pressure on one or a handful of players to get the win. Experts, commentators and fans can fall into the trap of highlighting key players in a team. But this FIFA World Cup Australia learned that we to cheer on our entire team when we lost our star Striker, Sam Kerr to injury. Through the Matildas' journey this WC, I was reminded of similar mistakes we make in our churches. @pennyprojectsrs

Seeing a health professional when you're sick can be the most comforting thing you can do. While on our mission trip, I was often looking for our resident nurses and showing them my cuts and scratches,  just so a professional could tell me I was- ok! Have you gone to Jesus, knowing you need healing? He's the best "professional" to go see and He always prescribes a generous dose of mercy, grace and forgiveness. 

Some things, we don't get to choose. In Timor, I didn't get to choose how I showered. Where we stayed- a bucket and scoop IS classified a shower. But when I knew I could shower in a river- I knew I'd much rather abundance over convenience. What would you choose?

"Thus would I go on missions of mercy, Following Christ from day unto day, Cheering the faint and raising the fallen, Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way. Going afar (going afar) Upon the mountain (upon the mountain) Bringing the wanderer back again, back again, Into the fold (into the fold) Of my Redeemer (of my Redeemer) Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain" Just being lazy....didn't have time of a proper episode summary :) but let me tell you all about my family's mission trip to Timor Leste!!

People often judge parents by the kids actions. I know, it shouldn't be like that but it's true in many cases. So what happens when people judge God by our choices? Sweet potatoes, it's a worry; or is it an honour?

IDK I still think BFF are like burger advertisements- big claims on flavour and satisfaction, marketing is impressive (and borderline deceitful) when in reality- their messy, half the size they're supposed to be and dry. But hey, convince me otherwise... No, I know some of you went to the right place to order your "BFF meal" and have lived a happy life with that trusty BFF from Kindergarten. Good for you, but I still believe the lesson we ALL have to learn- the "friendship scourges" AND the "let's have our babies at the same time" crew- is that our trust should never be on our friends more than on God.

Did you hear about the Asbury Revival?!?!?! If you didn't make sure to listen to this episode.

Ok, I've been thinking about death some more. This one cut a little too deep. This episode feels very close to home, I'm convinced I might be heartbroken in Heaven.

We need to have more conversations about suicide.  Too many Christians are suffering in silence. 

Does your friends lists look just like the Pharisee's or like Jesus'? Sabbath keepers: check. Vegetarian: check. Non-drug user: check. Use appropriate language: check. But what if we spent time with people who lived their lives completely different to the SDA norm? Could you call them your friend? Would you sit a have dinner with them? Jesus did.

Parenting as a Christian seems to have an additional layer of complexity- modelling the character of our Heavenly Father! Yikes that's an epic responsibility! With a 13 and 12 yr old, my parenting seems to be forever evolving and so is my perception of God.

Everyone loves a wedding! But no one loves a DIVORCE! Well, not like a wedding at least- unless your marriage was real bad, then you might have a big divorce party. But what happens to marriages to go from all loved-up to "I never want a share a bed with you AGAIN"! To be honest, I wish I knew....I wish I knew.

The stadium is PACKED! Sold out game! Every seat is filled and the noise of the cheering crowd is a spectacle on its own. Everyone has come to see who will win. Who will progress to the next round. The crowd is completely invested in their team. The game is between the kingdoms of God and Satan- and your life- is match the crowd has come to watch. The crowd, is the heavenly host. Who will win?

Can you believe it!! 4 years of the CONNECTED PODCAST- Thank you JESUS! Although I do feel this year was a bit of a write-off...but let's not talk about that now. Today I wanted to acknowledge and appreciate all those peeps who think they're only a little toe or a pinkie in the work of the church. I see you, I value you and I'm SO thankful for you!

Given that 90% of my life seems to be spent writing research assessments and reading hundreds of pages of academic journals and literature....the reality of failing or passing my assessments puts a lot of pressure on my day-to-day functioning. So to add a spiritual dimension to "failing and passing" can make life a mental and emotional pressure cooker! I miss you!!

Not every righteous decisions is easy to make. Following God's will isn't the 'flashiest' either. The path that God sets our for us may not be the one with the 'pretty lights'. Sometimes, the will of God, the narrow path, doesn't cater for our wants, but we can definitely trust, that it will cater for all our needs and most importantly- all our spiritual needs. Lets be honest- many times, the narrow road is not our preference!

Don't get upset, there's a reason I'm telling you to go to church...well honesty, I had to tell myself to go to church last sabbath. Church felt like a lifeline to me this last week. In the last two weeks life became so disorderly, that I needed my constant. I needed my unmoving weekly point of stability and grounding... I needed church!

Lets talk about BBLs... yes, BBLs! It's important, your identity, beauty and worth shouldn't be based on the size of your butt!

Better quality audio than the first Jesus + Therapy episode.... slightly different stuff though...cause I can't remember exactly what I said in the first episode...but don't stress- because y'all know God showed up and got me to say what needed to be said AND that's what matters! "I know, there's a ton of you who don't "believe" in therapy. Don't worry I get you, but I also think there's tremendous benefits to therapy. I even think it can help us to spread the Gospel more effectively... for real! As Jackie Hill-Perry's merch would say- Jesus + Therapy!"

I know, there's a ton of you who don't "believe" in therapy. Don't worry I get you, but I also think there's tremendous benefits to therapy. I even think it can help us to spread the Gospel more effectively... for real! As Jackie Hill-Perry's merch would say- Jesus + Therapy!

I know ya'll heard enough about "The Slap"... so I'm not going there. But I am going to chat about stuff that's related and discuss what would happen if David had done the same thing? Would you still read the Psalms?

Fam! This is a mighty long episode for a mighty good reason! So pumped I don't have nothing to write... I kind of talked about it for an hour lol

"Fake it till you make it" they say. But what if you lived your life emphasising the authentic, genuine experiences of your true story? There is so much richness and power in hearing the truth of someone's journey.  Interestingly enough, I find that the confidence we carry with our story, is what makes it powerful, not the events, severity or details.  How your life experiences have impacted and transformed  you, can instantly be heard when spoken with authenticity.

In groups discussions, I'm usually the one that contributes to the discussion or remains silent. The only times I remain silent are when; I'm tired, it's not worth investing my energy into the discussion or when I don't know anything about what they're talking about. I was recently with a group of people, who all cooperating were super knowledgable about something i wasn't. I found myself seeking to learn from them. My mind was so stimulated discussing a topic I had never talked about in my 38 years of life. I compared my experience to conversations I've had countless times. When I knew 'stuff', I was more willing to share my thoughts. And with some topics and in some discussions, I was given the metaphoric 'mic' to speak with authority to the group. I'm currently in a stage of my life where I'm learning so much. I'm often more silent than vocal. But life experience, my faith and my academic achievements are creating more and more opportunities to "hold the mic"

The unfortunate truth is that disaster is inevitable, it's not a matter of "if", but "when"? I know, it kind of sucks, hey. But I actually spoke with two people who think the impact of a flood, was actually a relief for them in one specific area of their life. It would appear that for some people, all the challenges of living through a natural disaster actually helped them in some areas of their life.

Culture is so important. Culture isn't always positive, it simply is whatever has been reinforced and embraced by a group of people. The reality is that culture can be just as strong in negative elements, as another organisation can strive to make sure their culture is a positive one. Additionally, the desired culture of a group, isn't necessarily the reality of the group. Culture is created from much more than just- intent. So what is the SDA culture? There's one area of our culture that seems to be a pattern- and its not a good pattern.

Having a black-eye for two weeks taught me a lot about shame. Not any old shame, but the shame we choose to place on ourselves, with no need for help from anyone placing extra shame on us! We’ve all messed up, made mistakes, and as the Bible says, ‘we’ve all sinned’. But not all wrong choices carry the same negative consequences. Choosing the wrong flavoured drink doesn’t normally carry shame with it. Most often, the heaviness of shame we carry, is equivalent to the heaviness of sin we committed. Is it possible to carry a ‘light load’ if the sin was is so large?

Whether we like to admit it or not, we all seem to look like or act like our parents, or other adults who have had an impact in our upbringing. Sometimes our mannerisms, our character and our appearance can be unintentionally a reflection of what was modelled to us during influential stages of our life. Often, not only do we take on the good from these influential people, but somehow, the bad seems to creep into our personality too. But should it be that way?

Relocating to a new town, school or workplace after years in an area can make leaving an emotional experience. Packing up and leave the familiar can be unsettling and exciting. Saying your final goodbyes to people you've grown with can also be sad and a relief; depending on how much you got along with the people. What I did learn from leaving our home town of 13 years, was that goodbyes should be said much more often than just when we leave.

Pack only the essentials. When we move, so many of us tend to pack things up that we know we don't need or use. Why? There's a degree of regret, loss and even attachment that we have with purchasing and having so many 'things', so we pack them and move them to the next location, simply because we may not want to do the 'hard work' of culling and admitting our defeat or loss. But storing hurt without converting it to wisdom, can make us change and let the Devil win!

Adults are often telling kids to 'grow up'. But growing up can be overrated. Adulting isn't always glamours. Most importantly- Jesus told us to not grow up. There's something about children that Jesus highlighted in the way children relate to salvation and faith. Child-like faith; trusts, is humble, is loving and is forgiving. Those who will be the greatest- will be like children!

Psychology is so POWERFUL. The ability to understand the way the human mind functions can be the most useful skill we can have to help bring people to a place of healing from their past. I degree of psychological knowledge can also help you to protect yourself from harmful people. But with any superpower, we can use it for good and for evil! Watch out for those 'psychological' people!

I've been a vegetarian for almost 15 years but I still think the aroma of beef cooking in a fry pan or BBQ is pleasurable. When we read about our sacrifices and refinement being a 'pleasing fragrance on to the Lord' it may not sit that well with our soul. For the participants of refinement, the Refiner's fire isn't typically identify as 'sweet' or 'pleasant'- its usually super painful and uncomfortable and we just want it to end already! But the sweet fragrance doesn't come from short, comfortable refinement, it comes from long exposure to the Refiner's heat!