The Nepal flood which struck last week has become one of the worst natural disasters of 2026, with a death toll approaching 1000 people and perhaps 5000 still missing. While it can be difficult to know how to respond to such news so far away, we worship the God who is near to the broken hearted and who is able to do all things. Please continue to pray for those affected. Anglican Aid (which is the overseas aid agency of our Diocese) has contacts in Nepali churches, where sadly many congregation members are missing in the flood. A gift to anglicanaid.org.au will quickly find its way to those in need.
Today is Fathers’ Day, and a very good day to give thanks to God for fathers and father figures. Christians have an earthly father and a heavenly father. Our earthly fathers “disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but [God] disciplines us for our good, that we might share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). Hopefully we are able to thank God for the love, sacrifice and hard work of the earthly Dad he gave to us. We can also thank God for being a heavenly Father, who uses the truly transforming, spiritual discipline of the gospel.
I want to encourage all parents – but especially fathers, since it is Fathers’ Day – to enlist God’s help in the rearing of their children. There are two simple, concrete ways to do this. First, pray for your children each day. Second, read the Bible with them. Simply choose an age-appropriate Bible, read a passage (not too long), talk about it (What it says about Jesus, and how we should respond), then pray together with your child.
Don’t be put off by thinking there might be something you don’t know how to explain to your children. If they ask a question you cannot answer, take it seriously enough to find out. (You can ask me or Andrew. And if we also don’t understand, we promise to admit it!) However, don’t ever tell your kids that you disagree with the Bible. Just say, “Well, this part’s a bit mysterious to me, but it is God’s word, and God is a good God.”
Parenting is way too hard on our own. God is ready to help.