Daniel

The Pain of Loss and the Hope We Hold Grief and loss are normal and natural parts of life. Each of us, at some point, will walk this road, whether through the end of a season of life or the loss of something deeply significant. In many ways, we can only experience the pain and grief of loss because we have experienced true love—this doesn’t mean the pain and grief are any easier to experience. The depth of our grief reflects the depth of our love. We grieve because we have known love, because we have shared in life’s beauty with someone or something that mattered deeply to us. And when that love is interrupted by loss, it leaves an aching void. Yet, as Christians, we are called to lift our eyes and fix them on Jesus. “ Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at ...

Come As You Are This past Sunday, I had the genuine privilege of preaching at Regent Hall. It was an occasion that felt significant, not only because of the opportunity to share God’s Word but also due to its timing. Unbeknown to most of the congregation, it marked the first anniversary of a life-changing event in my life—a day that has shaped me deeply. As part of my sermon, I shared from Romans 8, exploring the reality of God’s love. To illustrate this, I included the powerful words, also beautifully sung by the Songsters, of the song ‘ I Know a Fount ’, particularly the line: “ No one has claimed of His love and been denied .” In a world where rejection and denial are all too common, the truth that God’s love is never withheld from the repentant heart is both humbling and life-giving. No matter who we are, where we’ve been, or what we’ve done, His love is available to us. After the meeting, one of the soldiers shared a thought with me that added another dimension to Romans 8. He tol...

  Walking on Water: Faith, Storms, and Staying in the Boat “Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Courage!’ he said. ‘It is I. Don’t be afraid!’ Then Peter spoke up. ‘Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.’ ‘Come!’ answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he cried. At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, ‘What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?’”  (Matthew 14:27-31, GNT) About 12 years ago, I read If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat by John Ortberg. It was a life-changing book that challenged me to have greater faith in God and to take bold steps into the life He was calling me to—it literally meant a change of career, moving house, and leaving behind things I knew and loved. The metaphor was simple but powerful: if I wanted to live the life of fait...

Hope & Transformation  My home is filled with houseplants—a little side hobby that has become a bit of an obsession. I don’t think I’ll ever have too many plants in my home! Among my current plants, daffodil bulbs are sprouting into life beside a fading Poinsettia (I can never seem to keep Poinsettias alive!). Daffodils, though not technically a houseplant, are my all-time favourite, I will never have enough of them. They are the signal the start of spring, arriving after the long, dark days of winter. They remind me of hope, of new life, of colour, of light. Their arrival each year often coincides with the lead-up to Easter, which in itself brings amazing memories for me. In many ways, daffodils mirror the Easter message. The world around us is often portrayed as a dark and lonely place, the world tempts us with things that look attractive and appear good for us, and it’s true that we face struggles and brokenness. Worse still, the world sometimes insists that people can’t cha...

Lead, Inspire, Hope: A Personal Mission Rooted in Jesus As I navigate life as a dad, Salvation Army officer, and disciple of Jesus, I’ve been drawn to reflect deeply on my personal mission, priorities, and motivations. These reflections have, over recent days, crystallised into a guiding framework that shapes everything I do: Lead, Inspire, Hope. My Personal Mission Statement: Lead, Inspire, Hope Spiritual leadership is more than managing or directing; it’s about authentic service and spiritual direction. As 1 Peter 5:2 (GNT) reminds us, “Be shepherds of the flock that God gives you and take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly.” This scripture anchors my understanding of leadership—it is not about personal gain or ambition but about willingly guiding, encouraging, and uplifting others as a shepherd cares for their sheep. Inspiration flows naturally from leadership that is Jesus-centered. By modelling faith, resilience, and compassion, I aim to inspire others ...

Pausing, Reflecting, and Praying: A Leadership Perspective From Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to David Marquet’s Turn the Ship Around , many of us could rattle off a library of books, authors, and speakers offering insights into leadership. These resources often provide valuable techniques for success, yet most of them, with a few notable exceptions, fail to mention one crucial element: the importance of pausing, reflecting, and—in the Christian context—praying. I’ll be the first to admit my own guilt here. For years, I’ve measured my success—and that of the teams I’ve led—by busyness and productivity. I’ve equated a sense of achievement with the number of tasks completed or the volume of outcomes produced. My focus has often been fixed on the end goal, always looking ahead to the finished product. What I’ve rarely valued, however, is the journey itself: the learning, the growth, and the experiences gained along the way. I’ve rarely stopped to celebrate the small...

  My All is on the Altar: ‘Here is Raise My Ebenezer’ Life often feels like a battlefield. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12, “We are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age” (GNT). The struggles we face aren’t merely physical or relational; they’re deeply spiritual. And some days, it feels relentless - that’s my testimony. In 1 Samuel 7, we read of a moment when Samuel and the Israelites faced their own battle. They were vulnerable and outnumbered, but Samuel knew where his strength lay. He didn’t depend on his own ability or resources—he sought the Lord. As Samuel offered a sacrifice and cried out to God, the enemy approached. Yet God intervened: “That day the Lord thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that the Israelites defeated them completely” (1 Samuel 7:10 GNT). God held the victory. After this miraculous deliverance, Sa...

Guide to Managing Mental Health and Improving Mental Wellbeing In the busyness and challenges of life, mental health can often feel overwhelming. These pointers are offered from my lived experience and hope to give practical steps to help you find balance, hope, and resilience. 1. Stop, Pause, Breathe, Reflect Take a moment to pause and ground yourself. Reflect on what’s really happening around you: • What are the facts? Separate emotions and assumptions from reality. • What can you control? Acknowledge these things and work on them. • What can’t you control? Acknowledge these things too, then release them from your focus. 2. Focus on What Grounds You Life offers some guarantees—things that remain steady no matter the chaos. These might include: • Your role as a parent. • Your faith and values. • The love and support of those closest to you. Lean into these constants when life feels unstable. 3. Spend Time in Nature Nature is a powerful h...