To say Australia is a land of extremes sometimes seems like an understatement. With extreme heat in the Southeast and Eastern Australia, on Tuesday, Mildura is predicted to nudge up to 50 degrees and Melbourne in the low 40s. Up north WA, they are wrestling with a cyclone.

It is part of the reason why Government and emergency response agencies encourage people in areas prone to natural disasters to be prepared. To have a bag ready to go at a moment's notice.

Even iconic landmarks are getting ready for catastrophic events.
But when it comes to the decisions we make, can being ready make a difference in helping us to live life well?

A message by David Toscano

"I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway."
These are the words the apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome. He is describing what management theorists and life coaches call the Knowing-Doing gap.

The Knowing-Doing gap can apply to individuals, to organisations or systems and it refers to the disconnection we can experience between understanding what you should do and actually doing it. I know for my health I should eat less chocolate and run more often. Actually, doing that though is difficult. That’s the gap.

And we can experience that Knowing-Doing gap as we live out our faith – that’s what Paul’s words speak about. If we want to live life well – we know that we need to spend time with God, we know we need to cultivate the fruits of the spirit, that living life well means living as people who are loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful and have self-control. And yet – actually doing it? We know we are called to be compassionate and generous, especially to those in our society who are experiencing disadvantage – but are we DOING it?
How can we start to bridge the knowing-doing gap.

A message by Samantha B

Devotion sets direction. What we are devoted to quietly shapes the path we take—not usually in one dramatic moment, but little by little over time. The things we give our attention to, the things we return to, and the things that fill our thoughts and our time shape our priorities, our values, and the way we live. That’s why devotion matters so much to God.
Today, I will talk about how devotion guides our decisions and directs our days.
A message by Jacqueline N

In the words of the philosopher, Dr Seuss, " Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!"
"You have brains in your head, You have feet in your shoes, You can steer yourself in any direction you choose."
"You won't lag behind because you'll have the speed. You'll pass the whole gang, and you'll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest."
"Except when you don't. Because, sometimes, you won't. I'm sorry to say so but sadly, it's true, that Bang-up and Hang-ups can happen to you."

For the average person the Western World, we are faced with, on an average 35,000 decisions per day. All of those decisions, in small ways and big ways, are crafting us into the person we are becoming. So, if your life is moving in the direction of your decisions, do you like the direction your decisions are taking you?

A message by David T

Love is a many splendored thing.
Love lifts us up where we belong.
All you need is love. Or in the words of Anna from Frozen – "Love is an open door."
There are countless songs that centre on Love – love for children or siblings, love for friends, romantic love. And probably just as many that speak about heartbreak.
But what is Love, really? And how do we receive it and pass it on as a Gift of this season?

A message by Samantha B

If you were to survey a group of parents, chances are that the highest response to the question, " I just want my child to be ..." would be "I just want my child to be -happy".

So today, if you find yourself chewing on life's gristle, then, according to the Life of Brian, "give a whistle" and "always look on the bright side of life".

Or perhaps if we reflect on the tension around achieving happiness with the philosopher, Sheryl Crow, "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad. If it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?"

We discover that pursuing the emotion of happiness can be superficial. When, what we really need to do is go much deeper.

A message by David T

2000 Years ago, the world was far from a peaceful place. Herod the Great, the cruel king of Judea, died, sparking a frantic struggle by his sons, those who had survived their father's murderous tendencies, to fill the power vacuum.

But 2000 years ago, something else happened. A child was born. This child had a vision. A vision that threatened the oppressive systems of the day. One that prioritised justice and righteousness for all, not just the elite few. Just like many who had gone before him, he ended up nailed on a cross, the price one paid for challenging the principalities and powers of the world.

A message by David B

What does hope look like for you? For some, hope looks like a lottery ticket or a Scratchie.

For me, hope looks like McLaren in Formula 1. Bruce McLaren, a Kiwi racing driver, founded McLaren F1 in 1963. I became a fan, being introduced to F1 and the team by the Melvins, who attended the first church I pastored at Enoggera in QLD in the late 90s. That was perfect timing because it also coincided with when they stopped winning constructors' championships.

But I lived in hope, and last year and this year McLaren won, and I continue to hope that either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri will win the driver's championship next weekend.

We can find hope in all sorts of places. What gives you hope, and how do you give hope to others?

A message by David Toscano.