The Miracle of Dunkirk
At 7pm on the 26th of May 1940, a short signal was transmitted from the dynamo room in Dover Castle. The message simply stated, “Operation Dynamo is to commence”. A few minutes later, a small flotilla of ships slipped out of Dover and began the treacherous but relatively short crossing over the English Channel, arriving at Dunkirk. When the sailors on board the vessels drew close to the shore, they were greeted with an unprecedented sight; thousands of soldiers, wearing their dark inky green uniforms, huddled on the beaches or milled in the water. All of them were gazing towards the horizon; all of them were waiting for hope. Join us this week as we take a look at the amazing story of the evacuation of Dunkirk.
Sir Edmund Hillary – Reach the Summit
It’s 70 years since one of the most extraordinary achievements occurred. It’s the accomplishment that is spoken of, remembered and for many, is often given as the gauge of success. And so, it is no surprise that the name of this one man is carved indelibly into history. In his home country, he’s considered a hero and has been voted the most admired person in the nation. He even has a commemorative five-stamp series to honour his status and achievements. He is the best-known New Zealander in the world.
Nancy Bird Walton – Angel of the Outback
Nancy Bird Walton, Australia’s pioneering female aviator, became the youngest woman in the British Empire to gain a commercial pilot’s licence at 19. Her passion for flying started at 13 with a joyride in a de Havilland Gipsy Moth, prompting training with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, purchase of her own plane, and barnstorming tours across New South Wales with Peggy McKillop to offer joyrides and charters that brought aviation and women pilots to rural areas. She is best known as the “Angel of the Outback” for her 1930s humanitarian flights with the Far West Children’s Health Scheme, transporting doctors, nurses, supplies, and baby health services to remote outback communities, often navigating by road maps and landing in rough paddocks, to provide life-saving care to isolated families. With remarkable courage, she broke gender barriers in aviation while revolutionising healthcare access in regional Australia.
Henry Lawson
Henry Lawson was one of Australia’s most celebrated literary giants. Best known for his stark and striking poetry and short stories, Lawson’s raw depictions of life in the Australian bush strike a chord in the hearts of anyone who reads his work. As we look at the life and times of this renowned Australian poet, we might learn some lessons from his life and work.
John Wesley: The Man Who Saved England
Not many people know the story of John Wesley, the man who saved England. Today we often focus on economic and military power as the ways that we can save nations. But Wesley did it by bringing about spiritual revival. When France and many other countries in Europe were plunged into chaos and terror, England took its place as the leading nation in Europe. And it was all because of this one man – John Wesley. He transformed his nation. But first, he had to be transformed himself. This is the story of John Wesley, and how he saved England.
Ophir – The Hunt for Solomon’s Gold Mines
King Solomon of the royal House of David is considered the richest human being the world has ever known. For centuries, the legend of King Solomon’s gold mines, said to be the source of much of his immense wealth, has captured the imagination of Arabs and Europeans alike. According to the Bible, Solomon, the wise son of King David, ruled from Jerusalem from 970 to 930 BC. As Israel’s third king, he presided over the nation’s Golden Age and became renowned not only for his extraordinary wisdom, but also for his unmatched riches.
Ned Kelly – The Outlaw
In June 1880, the Kelly gang clashed with the Victoria Police in a long-anticipated shootout. When the police arrived in the small town of Glenrowan, where the gang was holed up, they quickly donned their homemade iron armour, crafted from stolen ploughboards. Whatever else Ned Kelly may have been; he was undoubtedly innovative. Join us this week as we explore his story and examine the Biblical armour that God has prepared for each of us.
King Herod – A Legacy of Blood and Stone
He is one of the most reviled and hated men in history. He was the king of the Holy Land during the time of Jesus and is best known for ordering the massacre in Bethlehem of all male children under 2 years old. His name? Herod the Great.
Charlotte Elliot – A Journey of Faith and Redemption
Charlotte Elliot’s story is one of resilience, faith, and grace. Born in 1789 in England, she faced lifelong physical and emotional struggles that left her questioning her worth before God. A turning point came when Dr. Cesar Malan visited her and encouraged her to come to God just as she was. This profound moment inspired her to write the hymn Just As I Am in 1835—a reflection of her personal journey of surrender and faith. The hymn’s simple yet powerful message of approaching God without pretence has touched millions. It influenced figures like C.S. Lewis, who found comfort in its words during his spiritual journey, and Billy Graham, who regularly used it in his evangelistic altar calls. Just As I Am endures as a timeless reminder of God’s unconditional love and grace—welcoming all who come to Him, just as they are.
Walking With Reindeer
The Sami are known as the people ‘who walk with reindeer’, but they not only walk with reindeer, they also rest with them, and they bring us a reminder of an…