Author Archives: Dale Harcombe

Family and Marriage

We’ve probably all heard it at some point, the idea that if a guy wants to know what his intended will be like in later years to look at her mother. Sometimes it might be true but not always. The strange thing is no-one ever suggests to a woman that they look at their intended’s father to see what he will turn out like. Wouldn’t you think that could be just as valid? Is this as my writer friend suggested a case of sexism? Or is there not such a strong link between fathers and sons as there is between … Continue reading →

A Strange Easter

What a strange Easter this has been. Not going to church Good Friday and again today for Easter Day, as it is already here in Australia, has been very odd. It makes it not feel like Easter at all, because to me Easter has less to do with chocolate, eggs and bunnies and more to do with the most amazing event in history, the resurrection of Jesus. To be here and see my husband go off on his own to church again this morning is hard. We’re so used to going to church together and sharing these special occasions together. … Continue reading →

In Sickness

Sometimes we can tend to take those lines in the marriage service ‘in sickness and in health’ without really thinking through what they mean. Mick and I had practical experience of it this week. It has been a very rough week for us, as I have been in extreme pain with a back problem and been ordered by the doctor to rest. Unfortunately with back problems there is often not a lot the doctor can do. E ven resting is hard to do when constantly in pain. What’s even worse has to get up to go to the toilet and … Continue reading →

Short and Long Term Goals

When a team takes the field for a game of footy they are playing with a goal in mind. The short term goal is to play the best they can and win the game. The long term goal is at the end of the season to hold up the premiership cup for their club. As Christians as we go through life the short term goals might be things we pray about and need to do that day. Do you take time each day to stop and pray about the things that God would have you do that day? Even as … Continue reading →

Words and Body Language

In marriage it’s important to watch our body language as well as our words. In a recent article a writer friend shared an example where a husband put his wife down in front of others. After being complimented by friends for the meal and commented that like her mother she was a good cook, the woman’s husband replied ‘Yes, it’s always important to take a good look at your girlfriend’s mother before proposing.’ The comment sounds relatively innocuous. It might even have been taken as a compliment, except for the body language that accompanied the comment. The rolling eyes, the … Continue reading →

What Being Married Means

You wonder what being married means to some people. At least I do, especially when I see the way people behave towards their supposed love one and the lack of time and concern put into their marriage. This attitude towards marriage is reflected in our movies and TV programs. Recently while watching a program, which I’m not going to name because it is inherent in many of our TV shows, I thought how different the attitude there towards marriage is to mine. Obviously it is different to Tristi’s too after reading her latest blog. Notice what she’s thinking about and … Continue reading →

The Right Attitude

Sometimes the best laid plans have to be put aside because of consideration for the other person or the circumstances or both. Recently Mick and I had big plans for an outing with our daughter and her husband and young child. In the end it came down to putting the needs of others above selfish desires. Given the conditions which saw rain bucketing down all day to go out and be paddling, or should that be puddling, around in the rain was not a viable option, especially when four out of the five of us had recently been sick. Common … Continue reading →

Surprise, Surprise

Women surprise their husbands more than men surprise their wives. Would you agree with this statement? While, playing tennis I commented to my female tennis partner that I could see what my husband on the other side of the court was doing. Yes this was a bit of a challenge match, women against the guys. ‘I can see what Mick’s doing,’ I said to my partner. ‘He’s serving right down the T to cut out the angle on my return shots.’ ‘That’s what happens when you’ve been married as long as each of us has. We know how they think,’ … Continue reading →

Fuss or Not?

It’s that time of year here where the weather keeps changing. One day it is beautiful and he next cold and windy. Sometimes it changes even within the one day. Sunday morning when we went to church it was brilliantly sunny and we expected a warm day exactly like the day before. By the time we came out of church it was cold and windy. Many people seem to be struggling with colds and largely because their bodies can’t adjust fast enough to the changes in weather patterns. I’ve been one of them. I’ve been battling cold and flu symptoms … Continue reading →

Part of a Team

Continuing on with my theme from last week’s blog about an apt illustration, here are some more lessons that apply to footy as well as to the Christian life. Most important for any football team is that they listen to the coach and listen to their captain. You see them before the game, at the quarter time and three quarter time huddles and at half time listening intently to the coach and captain. No-one interrupts or tries to talk over them. They listen. Every eye is fixed on the one speaking, so they do not miss anything. We need to … Continue reading →