The View

Friday, 10 May 2024

The Value of a Tulip Bulb
In the bustling markets of 17th century Netherlands, a peculiar phenomenon emerged – the Tulip Mania. During this time, tulip bulbs became exorbitantly expensive, fetching prices that surpassed the value of houses and land. While this historical event may seem far removed from our present reality, the story of the...
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Friday, 03 May 2024

Building Blocks of Hope
This week we are talking about hope. Snyder, a positive psychology researcher, says that to have high levels of hope, our children must have three things: Goals: We want our children to aspire to a bright future where they do great things. Goals help anchor effort and direction. Pathways: Once our children...
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Friday, 12 Apr 2024

The Stages of a Tour
Having not had a music tour since prior to COVID-19, expectations for orchestra students regarding the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of a mini music tour were uncertain. Did they want to share their time and skill with rural communities? Did they want to be away from their main friendship groups?  I...
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Friday, 05 Apr 2024

Changing Seasons
It’s that time of year when the last remnants of summer are fading away. The nights are getting colder, and the mornings are getting darker. The crunchy leaves are starting to appear on the ground. I find it so satisfying to jump on them and hear them crunch beneath my...
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Thursday, 28 Mar 2024

Extra Care and Time
I’m no gardening expert, despite years of exposure to Gardening Australia at my grandparents’ house. I’ve discovered that I’m very good at keeping peace lilies alive, but aside from that, the most hardy succulent will come to its demise at my house, even with my best efforts of care. I’ve...
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Friday, 22 Mar 2024

Diversity is our Superpower
Diversity is not merely a buzzword that we throw around in Harmony Week; it's a fundamental aspect of our identity as a Christian community. At Avondale School, we believe that our diversity is not a challenge to overcome but a strength to embrace. In a world where our differences threaten...
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Wednesday, 13 Mar 2024

Live Out Your Why
I love the assurance that we find in Jeremiah 29 that God’s thoughts and plans are for our welfare and not for harm. The other key part of this passage is what to do in the waiting, figuring out these good plans and seeking Him with all we have.  For...
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Friday, 08 Mar 2024

Preparing for the Big Event
On Sunday evening this past weekend, I wandered into the bedroom at home intending to get ready for sleep. As I approached the door I could hear singing and, upon entering the room, I found my wife watching something on her phone. Enquiring as to what she was enjoying, she...
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Friday, 01 Mar 2024

Love is our Song
This year marks the beginning of my 15th year working as a Pastor. Even still I am often amused as to how this all happened. I grew up in a small town near Taree, in a single parent family that wasn’t at all religious. As a young adult I never...
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