by David Tensen | 15 Mar, 2020 | All, Australia, General News, Transformation
Imagine for a moment a virus. A virus which begins claiming the lives of the frail and vulnerable across the world. It is a communicable disease that spreads like previous strains. But it catches the medical community off-guard and its presence is met with...
by David Tensen | 13 Mar, 2020 | All, Church -, leadership, Resource
In light of the recent the COVID19 pandemic, a number of pastors, teachers and trainers have been considering streaming online services/training/classes in place of meeting in-person. My wife and I ran gatherings and teachings for Christians for about three years. We...
by David Tensen | 7 Feb, 2020 | All, Poetry, recommended links
THAT PHOTO OF YOU ON YOUR FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL When I look at that photo of you on your first day at school; I mean, really look at it; I see myself. I see A young Wide-eyed Slightly-scared Smiling-for-the-photo Knot-in-my-stomach No-idea-on-what’s-coming Part of...
by David Tensen | 26 Jan, 2020 | All, Poetry
It could feel Like you are nowhere For 40 minutes For 40 days 40 years, perhaps. One thing is certain; At first You will believe you’re lost. If you’re lucky Loneliness and despair Will tap you on the shoulder Reminding you Of their faithful presence. Part of you Will...
by David Tensen | 15 Jan, 2020 | All, recommended links
As many of you know, the 2020 fires in Australia has claimed the lives of many people and Australian wildlife. David’s daughter, Mia, has handmade a small batch of Koala Pins from clay. She’s hand-painted and varnished them too. All profits from these will...
by David Tensen | 27 Nov, 2019 | All, General News
Every season begins and ends. Sometimes, endings are difficult; sometimes they are necessary; at times they accompany joy, other times, sadness. It was seven years ago that I felt God clearly speak to me to leave the well-paid management work I was doing and begin a...
by David Tensen | 30 Oct, 2019 | All, Church -, leadership
Just before recording this, the Christian world had been watching the fall out generated by American Pastor John Macarthur’s comments on Pastor Beth Moore. There were some choice statements made about women in ministry. Annie Layton and myself thought...
by David Tensen | 27 Oct, 2019 | All, Poetry
‘Oh God.’ Five letters. Two words. One exhale. Full stop. ‘Oh God.’ All my voice could say. Trusting that my very being would fill in the detail. ‘Oh God.’ Hand over mouth. Hand over heart. Your hand over me I hope. ‘Oh...
by David Tensen | 21 Oct, 2019 | All, Poetry
Of all the poetry I’ve written, this piece is the dearest to me. It has been a faithful companion to me for the past year. One of two I’ve committed to memory. It remains a compass and summary of my journey towards midlife. I’ve never published it...
by David Tensen | 19 Oct, 2019 | All, Poetry
“Dad, I’m gay.” Confessed the young man And his father embraced him Just as he’d always done “Mum, I’m gonna be a single mum.” Confessed the young woman And her mother embraced her Just as she’d always done” Dad, I...
by David Tensen | 7 Oct, 2019 | All, Children, parenting
Hey, dads! Playing frequently with your young kids matters all the way to the classroom. Some recent research by Meuwissen and Carlson in the Journal of Family Psychology [1] underlines the importance of fathers playing with their pre-school children. Again, dads,... by David Tensen | 3 Sep, 2019 | All, family, leadership, SHIPS, Transformation
(4-minute read) “I don’t get it, I thought we were friends! I leave the team, and boom, I’m cut off and no one contacts me anymore.” Sound familiar? In working with leaders across organisations, you come across many cases of ‘disappointment’ stemming...
by David Tensen | 1 Sep, 2019 | All, leadership, Transformation
It’s a confronting, tough and frustrating time. It’s filled with new energy and a different type of the drive to what we experienced in our teens and twenties. Guys between 28 and 32 (roughly) who hit their thirties tend to make major, life-altering...
by David Tensen | 31 Aug, 2019 | All, Fathering, masculinity
Pop quiz: How many iconic Superheroes have a relationship with their parents? Or, let’s just say, their fathers? Most fathers are dead or absent, right? (Some, like Black Panther, have a mother that’s still alive.) What’s going on? Professor Jospeh...
by David Tensen | 25 Aug, 2019 | All, original thoughts, Resource, Transformation
BECAUSE IT’S FATHERS DAY IN AUS 1ST SEPT – I’VE MADE THIS A FREE COURSE. Have you ever been asked to bless another person only to discover you didn’t have much to say? I mean we bless our food at meal times but when it comes to others so many...
by David Tensen | 23 Aug, 2019 | All, Inner Healing, Resource, Transformation
On the 23rd of August I livestreamed a 20 minute teaching to explain the stages of a healthy faith journey – with all it’s ups, downs, breakthroughs and breakdowns. https://youtu.be/7jAZdrpEfrU
by David Tensen | 17 Aug, 2019 | All, Poetry, Transformation
THE WRESTLE I found you beyond the ‘why’. Far from the ‘why not’. Worlds from the ‘why me’. You held a space for me beyond answers to questions my pain had as if you knew information was never going to heal or resolve or fix my suffering. Instead, you agreed to...
by David Tensen | 14 Jun, 2019 | All, Children, parenting, Transformation
I’m not sure what your child’s tantrum trigger is. Perhaps it’s a NO to your toddler’s request to watch Frozen for the 100th time just before bedtime. Maybe it’s a NO to your 8-year-olds request for lollies at the grocery store, again. It could be the 3rd NO to...
by David Tensen | 26 May, 2019 | All, Resource
Mental Health, like physical health, appears on a spectrum. So why do a lot of Christ-followers and church-goers tend to hide, ignore or shame mental health issues or illnesses? ?♂️?♀️ . Good question! And what about spiritual things? What about demonic spirits?...
by David Tensen | 15 May, 2019 | All, Children, Prayer, Resource
This 30 minute audio prayer was especially developed for children battling with anxiety and fear. Since recording and releasing the prayer, adults and children alike have sent in stories and testimonies from all over the world of healing and relief from fear, stress,...