by David Tensen | 30 Sep, 2023 | All, Poetry
Pay close attention to the wisdom of your body in the quiet seasons, in the waiting times, in the desert times. This is where those you had no time for, demand your attention once more. Rumi suggested you invite the unexpected visitors in for tea. Jesus suggested you...
by David Tensen | 16 Sep, 2023 | All, Poetry
Perhaps humility feels like this: to shut my mouth, quiet my critique, and make space for sappling and seed only time away from tallness. To leave generous gaps in the canopy of wisdom. To recall that I too remain dependent on the elements and shelter of neighbours...
by David Tensen | 6 Sep, 2023 | All, Transformation
On this day, 28 years ago in ’95, I sat in the lounge room of a youth pastor’s humble home and said a prayer commonly known as The Sinner’s Prayer. That day felt like a remarkable moment, and the 10 other teens in that little Bible study on Bribie...
by David Tensen | 21 Dec, 2022 | All, Poetry
I’m looking for 14 people who want to learn to write and publish poetry to join me in this 5-month immersive writing and publishing adventure. All the details are here: https://poetrychapel.com/poetry-chapel-collective-experience/ Poetry Chapel...
by David Tensen | 29 Nov, 2022 | All, Poetry
I’m so incredibly proud to announce that the latest Poetry Chapel volume of poetry releases TODAY across the world. 🎉 You can grab your copy via all online retailers and here from me in Australia. For me, the thing that makes this collection so incredibly...
by David Tensen | 21 Nov, 2022 | All
Whenever I am faced with outer or inner pressure to change and move forward, I like to know two things: Where should I be? and How did I get here? There are two frameworks I always reach for. One of them covers the stages of life. The other covers the stages of...
by David Tensen | 21 Nov, 2022 | All, Poetry
Poetry Chapel Volume 3. An anthology of exquisite poetry by mystical poet Chelan Harkin alongside 12 selected poets from around the world. In Australia? Get it here direct from via link below. Elsewhere? Find it worldwide here Bouquet of Stars- Poetry Chapel Vol. 3...
by David Tensen | 2 Nov, 2022 | All
Dangerous Grace explores the radical notion that God accepts us as we are, right now. Dangerous Grace is expressed in its truest transformative sense when we move beyond the ‘be better / try harder’ mantras of the false-self and can say an embodied and...
by David Tensen | 20 Oct, 2022 | All, Transformation
Late last year I started attending yoga sessions at a local studio. I’ve done about 150 classes in their various forms (gentle, yin, vinyasa). It’s been incredibly beneficial for my body, nervous system, breathing and mental health. The fact that I...
by David Tensen | 29 Sep, 2022 | All, Church -
On the other side of the global disruption known by many names, many social gatherings – including CHURCH ATTENDANCE – are DOWN. I have no empirical statistics to give you, but I know plenty of Christian church workers in Australia who have told me weekend...
by David Tensen | 13 Sep, 2022 | All, Fathering, parenting
THERE IS NO FORMULA – only probability… As parents, it can be natural for us to rate our parenting success on the apparent success of our children. This week my eldest turns 18. She left school a year early to do TAFE and is in a much better emotional and...
by David Tensen | 12 Sep, 2022 | All, business
I help people publish their own books. The differences between publishing options vary. Many years ago, aspiring authors simply hoped to get signed by a big name Traditional Publisher – this was one of the only ways to get a book to market. But things have...
by David Tensen | 8 Sep, 2022 | All, business
They say no man is an island, but what if we saw our hearts in this way – as islands of sorts – that every soul was a spread across life’s horizon like a series of islands. Each with its own vegetation, treasure, harbour and armoury. This is the...
by David Tensen | 30 Aug, 2022 | All, Audio, leadership, Poetry
I appeared on a podcast to talk about my life, faith and poetry. The NINE LIVES podcast centres around the Enneagram. (I identify as leading with the 9.) If you are into podcasts, you might like it, especially the 2nd episode where I share honestly on some tough...
by David Tensen | 25 Aug, 2022 | All, business, leadership
“TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF” This week, for the first time in 5 interviews, over 10+ screening calls, and 40+ job applications, I was asked to share about my faith, spirituality, and ideologies. To be honest, it was more validating than I...
by David Tensen | 11 May, 2022 | All, Poetry
The advanced copy arrived!! I’m really excited to share the first looks at the new poetry anthology! You’re going to love it!! Poems by me and @poetrychapel collective poets. Out mid June.Details for preorder and book launch team on its way soon!ISBN :...
by David Tensen | 24 Apr, 2022 | All, Church -, leadership, masculinity, parenting, Resource, Transformation
This was the alarming start of a recent conversation.”Is it just me, or are older guys willing to be mentors really hard to find?””Yep.” I replied, “At this age and stage of life, they are harder to find.” Let’s call this...
by David Tensen | 13 Apr, 2022 | All, masculinity
I have two sons aged 12 and 14. As with most siblings their personalities are very different. My eldest well into a season where hormones are messing with his IQ, sleep and sensibility. Peers are becoming his leading influence. This isn’t new or alarming....
by David Tensen | 9 Apr, 2022 | All, Church -, leadership, Shame, Transformation
It is almost a decade since I went into voluntary bankruptcy. In 2006 Natalie and I had sold up and sold out to do missions work in Japan. We returned in 2008 with our second child due . As it happened, we landed back in Australia on the doorstep of the Global...
by David Tensen | 7 Apr, 2022 | All, Poetry
My father cleaned offices weeknights.My mother took the weekend night shifts, as a nurse.My wife is a night owl. My teen kids too.I’m happy to get up when it’s early.I write best when the dawn breaks.That quiet morning fridge hum is the perfect companion...
