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Crime Scenes with Coffee BeansCrime Scenes with Coffee BeansThe Strathfield MassacreThe day is 17th August 1991, and it's a sunny Saturday afternoon in the NSW suburb of Strathfield, and many are out taking advantage of the warm winter weather by shopping or catching up with friends at Strathfield Plaza. Little did the shoppers enjoying a coffee in the popular 'The Coffee Pot' cafe know there was a wannabe killer amongst them, and he was ready to put his plan of mass murder into play.What happened next, in 10 blood soaked minutes, would leave 7 innocent people dead, many more seriously injured, and a shocked and grieving nation a...2025-07-2424 minBothsides PodcastBothsides PodcastEP. 54 | Tarun Sethi - Director & Principal of McGrath StrathfieldRenowned by the industry for achieving outstanding outcomes, Tarun Sethi provides reliable, trustworthy and honest leadership as director and principal of McGrath Strathfield. Years of experience have earned him the titles of Strathfield’s number one agent in the RMA awards, Youth of the Year Business Award finalist, and in the REB's top 24 for NSW and top 52 for Australia. He is deeply passionate about real estate, treasuring the ability to leave a positive impact on clients’ lives and now he's here on the Bothsides Podcast to share his strategies on how to become a successful real...2023-10-3035 minThe Finance Show With JoeThe Finance Show With Joe#12 - Tarun Sethi; Strathfield's "Golden Mile", Understanding First Home Buyer PrioritiesWelcome to "The Finance Show with Joe," your gateway to the world of finance and property, hosted by Joseph Daoud, Founder of It's Simple Finance, alongside special guest Tarun Sethi, Principal of McGrath Strathfield, to explore the dynamic real estate landscape of Strathfield and the Inner-West of Sydney.Join us as Joe and Tarun navigate Strathfield's Market, unraveling the intricacies of this vibrant market and sharing valuable insights for both buyers and sellers.They take a stroll down Strathfield's "Golden Mile" and uncovering the hidden gems and prime locations that make Strathfield a one of...2023-09-2227 minChurch@9Church@91 Timothy 5:17-6:2 | Relationships In God’s Household Part II1 Timothy 5:17-6:2 "Relationships in God’s Household - Part II" Published: 25th of June 2023 Words by: Hui Shin Church@9 | Enfield & Strathfield Anglican Church 37 Swan Ave, Strathfield www.fields.org.au2023-06-2644 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatt 27:11-26 | Judas' guilt and the question of suicideIn this talk we will discuss the forgiveness that God can bring to those weighed down by guilt and explore the difficult topic of suicide.2022-03-3116 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 4 | Every Christian is a missionaryIn chapter 4 he gives us his three-part strategy for how we can continue Jesus' mission, no matter how gifted we are or how long we have been a Christian. Check it out.2022-03-3021 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthCol 3:18-4:1 | The family of ChristWe are skeptical of authority because all to often, people abuse their power. You only have to look at Russia right now to know this is true. As Lord Acton famously said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We all know someone who let power go to their head. And the more power someone has the worse they tend to become. If this is so often our experience then, is all authority corrupt? In this talk, we will seek to answer this question by looking at how God restores order in the family of Christ.2022-03-2219 minStupid B Say WhatStupid B Say WhatSBSW 19 - True Crime - Hatpin Murders & The Strathfield MassacreThis week Skye digs deep into Australian history as she covers the Hatpin Murders, the gruesome story of husband and wife, John and Sarah Makin, who got into the business of 'baby farming' and murdered multiple children in the late 1800s. Sean discusses the random killing spree that is The Strathfield Massacre, when Wade Frankum goes on a murderous rampage armed with a machete and semi-automatic through western Sydney's Strathfield Shopping Plaza in 1991 - killing 7 people and wounding many others.2022-03-2256 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 3 | The new self in ChristIn 2016 Two of the biggest soccer teams in the world, Chelsea and Manchester city went out to play an important match People could barely tell who was who as both were wearing similar coloured jerseys Imagine going out to play an important sporting match wearing the opposing teams jersey Pause You could say that our lives function like a jersey Our lives tell the world who we are and who we worship But so many Christians live the same way as non Christians And it has tragic results on how people view Jesus. Many of us might feel stuck...2022-03-1620 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 2 | We never move on from JesusThere is an expression which goes ‘the grass is always greener on the other side'. It’s a way of describing the feeling that our life would be better if did this or that or if we were this or that. People were facing a similar situation in Colossae. There were people who might have even called themselves Christians, claiming to be spiritual gurus offering something better than Jesus. In a similar way, there are plenty of people offering us something better if we just move on from Jesus. In this passage Paul wants us to pause for a seco...2022-03-0916 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthSuffering seminarAs we looked at the Garden of Gethsemane, we reflected on suffering in general and how different worldviews respond to sufffering.2022-03-0516 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 1:15-23 | The Supremacy of ChristIn this talk, one of our youth leaders - Josh, shares why Jesus is supreme and how this fact should revolutionize our lives. 2022-02-2309 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthAbby's testimony at SparkHear how Abby came to trust in Jesus2021-12-1403 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJosh's testimonyHear how Josh went from distrusting the Bible and following the crowd to trusting in Jesus while he was in High School2021-12-1305 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJames 3 | The tongue exists to reveal the heartHistory tells of the power of words. For example, The Civil Rights Act was passed in Congress in America thanks in large part to Martin Luther King’s famous speech “I have a dream.” History also tells us that words, gossip, rumours and lies have cost lives. Rumours of peace have left nations unprepared when Nazi tanks came through towns and Japanese soldiers landed on the shores of California. And then there is the harm that each of us have at one time or another experienced. When our reputation or relationships were damaged because of one person’s thoughtless words. I...2021-11-3021 minSPARK YouthSPARK Youth2 Samuel 7 | The partial kingdomIf you had to answer, who is the greatest people who ever lived, who would you say? TIME Magazine has a list of the most influential people who have ever lived. Now, of course, Jesus is number one on their list of most significant figures in history. And number 2 is, guess who? Napoleon. Followed by Muhammad in third place. But according to God’s plan of salvation in the Bible. The list of most important people would likely be. Jesus number 1. Abraham number 2. And King David at number 3. And yet, Times Magazine has David all the way down at nu...2021-11-3020 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthGenesis 12:1-3 | The promised KingdomThe Ganges is the biggest river in the world providing water and irrigation for a million people. The bbc did a documentary that tracked its origin. They traced it all the way up into the Himalayas, to a tiny trickle in a glacier with a small hole called the cows mouth. The entire river begins at this small point. In exactly the same way. The Bible is a story about two rivers. The river of sin, and the river of God’s promise. And these rivers flow from two men, Adam and Abraham. God’s promises to bless the whol...2021-11-2419 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthGenesis 1-2 | The pattern of the kingdomHow would you or your friends describe the good life? Some think it's having lots of money, great friends, a loving family, amazing experiences. And what do we think we will have when we finally achieve the good life? Often those who have achieved the success and fame and riches that many people aspire to have, express a feeling of emptiness. Why? Because they were looking in the wrong place. To truly answer this question, we need to go back to God and his original purpose for mankind. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org...2021-11-2415 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJames 1:1-18 | God recycles our sufferingHow should we respond when bad things happen to us? I heard of a boy, let’s call him Jack, who went to youth group, who got a scholarship to firsts rugby at an elite school in Sydney. His coach was helping him make it into the Australian team which he was close to doing. Then, one day, the mother called his youth minister in distress. He had broken his femur. After recovering. He was out for another 6 months because he snapped his ACL. His injuries prevented him from making it to the Australian team that he had worked so...2021-11-0317 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthHabakkuk 3:1-19 | Living by faithTwo years ago nobody had heard of the Coronavirus. Then in January 11th, 2020, China reported its first death by the virus. Now, the official count is that there are: 240 million Coronavirus Cases causing a total of 490 000 Deaths And it has impacted almost every area of life. Millions have lost their jobs Most of us haven’t seen our friends or family or gone to school for the last three months. And some are struggling with mental health issues as a result. What seemed so secure, our lifestyle, our independence, our freedom, our lives, are now uncertain. And many have be...2021-10-2617 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthHabakkuk 1:12-2:20 | Is God big enough for our tough questions?If you look around the world, it can easily look like evil is prospering. Over the past two months, we have heard of the Taliban's taking control in Afghanistan. As civilian executions have been reinstated. Allies of the former government have been jailed. People have been evicted from their homes. Where girls can no longer attend school. Where people live in fear. I remember hearing about three young people who fell out of a US cargo plane to their death. Because the fear of falling off the back of the plane was less than the fear of living under...2021-10-2216 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthPsalm 23 | The Lord is my ShepherdSuffering touches all of us. If you haven’t experienced much suffering yet, you will. The loneliness of a broken home. The tragedy of serious illness. The cruel humiliation of being bullied. Two years ago I had to say goodbye to Josh. Josh was a 10 year old boy who was diagnosed with cancer. After the chemo, it seemed like he was in the clear. But the cancer came back. There were about 10 tumours all throughout his spine. He fought hard. But the cancer won. He was 10 years old. Death is the most bitter suffering we will face. Imagine losing yo...2021-10-2014 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthHabakkuk 1:1-11 | What will God do about all the injustice in the world?On September 14th, 2007 a Nebraska State Senator filed a lawsuit against God for the suffering that has happened in the world. And we can empathize. I remember being at school when it was announced on the news that two planes had crashed into the twin towers on September 11. And the president could only use one word to describe what happened – evil. We all ask same questions: Why is all of this evil and suffering happening? is there any reason behind it? What is God doing about it? Does God care about our suffering? The bible is not an irrelevant bo...2021-10-1314 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthPsalm 1-2 | The blessed lifeIt’s easy to look back on your past and see how big decisions have changed your life. What’s harder to do is look back and realize how all those small everyday decisions have impacted you. Studies show that the average person makes roughly 35,000 decisions every single day. Most people give a lot of thought to making big decisions, but how many of us give much thought to the 2000 decisions you make every hour? There’s a great quote by Wayne Dyer that goes, “Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made.” So what kind of li...2021-10-1320 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | The Choi FamilyThis week we are getting to know the Choi family from the 11:30 congregation and thinking about how we can be praying for them. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-10-0201 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | What does the Bible say about predestination?The topic of predestination can be confusing and often leads to a lot of debate. Is predestination a Biblical idea? And if so, how can God be fair if he chooses some people to be saved and doesn’t choose others? Find out in this Q and A with Mike our Youth pastor. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-10-0106 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | The Yee'sIn this week's installment of Our Youth Family we will be finding out what the Yee family from the 11:30 congregation has been up to and how we can be praying for them. 2021-09-2602 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | The Tan'sHere is this week's installment of Our Youth Family. This week we find out what the Tan family from the 9am congregation have been up to and how we can be praying for them.2021-09-1802 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | Get to know the Kim'sHere is this week's installment of Our Youth Family. This week we find out what the Kim family from the 9am congregation have been up to and how we can be praying for them.2021-09-1103 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | Meet the Evangelista'sGet to know the Evangelista family from SPARK! If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-09-0301 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | Has Science disproved God?Hasn’t science disproved God? These days, many people in our society, many teachers, many celebrities, many scientists, say that it is unreasonable to believe in Christianity or in God. They say that people used God to explain things that science can now explain for us. But NOW we have scientific explanations of the world. We no longer NEED belief in God. In fact, many would say that science has disproved God and that belief in God is harmful for scientific investigation. As a famous Atheist Richard Dawkins once said,  “As a believer in evolution, I can’t accept the Bib...2021-09-0218 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMental health seminar Q and A with Esther DavisHear Clinical Psychologist Esther Davis give answers to some of our parent's pressing questions about mental health. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-08-2722 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMental health seminar with Esther DavisEsther gives us some helpful tips for how to empathize and get alongside our young people who have might be struggling with mental health issues. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-08-271h 03SPARK YouthSPARK YouthA Christian framework for mental healthIn any given year, the World Health Organization says 1 in 4 people worldwide will experience mental-health issues. It is only increase by being in isolation due to lockdown, especially for our young people. Who can’t see their friends any more, go to school, or play sport and who are stuck on zoom much of the week. And as we are painfully aware, this can exacerbate or trigger things like anxiety and depression in our young people. With feelings of uncertainty, fear, worry, nervousness, feeling overwhelmed, indecisiveness, a loss of energy, decreased thinking skills, irritability, changes in appetite, and sadness an...2021-08-2711 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthSPARK youth share ways we can be good friends during lockdownHow can we be good friends during lockdown to those who are lonely or isolated. Find out from our spark youth in this podcast. 2021-08-2710 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | Meet the LuisGet to know the Lui family from SPARK! If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-08-2703 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | What does the Bible say about homosexuality and identity?It’s no secret that the Western world has undergone a dramatic transformation regarding issues of sexuality and gender identity. One of the things that often puts people off talking about this topic to their friends is the fear of being asked difficult questions. But 1 Peter 3:15 says “in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” We are to always be prepared to defend our faith. So what does the Bible...2021-08-2518 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Its true for you but not for me?Today a popular catch phrase is “Its true for you but not for me”. It’s often a response given by people who disagree with what someone else believes. The idea is that it really doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, as long as you are sincere in those beliefs. This way of thinking is commonly called relativism. Relativism is: Is the belief that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture, society or historical context, and are not absolute. In other words, ‘only I can determine right and wrong for me’. Someone may say there is no truth, bu...2021-08-2022 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthBook review | 7 myths about singlenessOur leader Jin reviews 7 myths about singleness. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-08-2003 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthOur Youth Family | Get to know the Kwon'sGot to know the Kwon family and find out how you can be praying for them2021-08-1702 minSPARK YouthSPARK Youth1 Cor 7:17-40 | What does God say about singlenessYou might not have realised this but many people will spend more time single then they will in a relationship. As we are single till we get married and then, generally one spouse will die before the other, and for many the remaining spouse can be single again for 10, 20, 30, 40 years. So what we do with our singleness, and our attitude towards it, really matters.But where does singleness fit within God’s plan? The Bible begins with a wedding between Adam and Eve. And it ends with a marriage between Jesus and his bride, the Church. What is the pu...2021-08-1719 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthInterview | Get to know one of our youth kids, Gen!Get to know one of our youth kids, Gen!2021-08-1305 minSPARK YouthSPARK Youth1 Corinthians 7:1-16 | God's blueprint for Marriage, divorce, sex and datingFor many, marriage has lost its appeal. We’re so used to Hollywood portrayals of marriage - a wedding followed by the impending doom of a divorce somewhere during the course of the movie, or reading about yet another celebrity marriage that didn’t last. There was a piece in Time Magazine was headlined, ‘Why 25% of millennials will never get married’, and, according to a Pew report, half of American adults believe society is just as well off if people have priorities other than marriage. Reflecting this attitude comedian Chris Rock has said, “Those are the choices you've got in life, m...2021-08-1117 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | Is suicide a sin?Mental health is a serious issue among youth and can, in the worst situations, lead some to consider suicide as a way out of their desperate situation. How should we as Christians think about suicide? Can a Christian who commits suicide lose their salvation? And how should we care for those struggling with mental health conditions? Listen to Mike as he tries to answer these questions from the Bible. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-08-0405 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | How can a loving God send people to hell?Hell is not a popular subject for Christians and non-Christians alike.  For over 2000 years, the mainstream Christian church has affirmed the biblical doctrine of eternal punishment in hell. In the last 60 years, however, a significant shift in belief has occurred. Our culture has no problem with a God of love who supports us no matter how we live. However, it objects strongly to the idea of a God who punishes people for their sincerely held beliefs, even if they are mistaken. People today consider tolerance the most important thing And the idea that a loving God could punish someone e...2021-07-3118 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthHear how Erin came to trust Jesus through SPARKOne of our youth shares how she came to trust in Jesus last year at SPARK.2021-07-2808 minSPARK YouthSPARK Youth1 Cor 6.1-11 | What is your identity in Christ?Is our identity strictly tied to what we have done, or how we feel, or our sexuality? Can God save and change those who have lived their lives far from God and even given them a new identity? Find out in this week's talk. If you have questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-07-2724 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJohn 11 | What will God do about the evil and suffering in the world?Suffering is everywhere. Tens of thousands of people die every day in unexpected tragedies, traffic accidents and cancer. That is comparable to the population of a small city being swept away every day, leaving families and friends devastated in the wake. It’s the numbers of people who suffer is overwhelming. Enormous numbers of deaths happen in one massive event such as the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, or the 2010 Haiti earthquake, each of which killed 300,000 or more at once And then there are is the horrendous evil that men have perpetrated. Three million Africans forcibly tr...2021-07-2416 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | Tips on how to read the God's wordHave you ever found it hard to understand the Bible? If you have questions on how to read God's Word, especially, how to read the gospels, your not alone. Lauren, one of our youth leaders, provides a helpful answer. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-07-2304 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | Why does Jesus preach in parables?Much of what Jesus famously said is spoken as stories called parables. Sometimes it isn't straightforward what he's saying. Are Jesus stories just different ways of telling us how to be better people? Why does Jesus preach in parables? Find out in this Q & A. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-07-1602 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Aren't all religions different ways to the same God?There is a Chinese proverb that says “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the (mountain top) view is ALWAYS the same.” No matter how different the various religions or belief systems seem to be, they all lead to the same destination. This is similar to the ancient Hindu story where a King gathered blind men and asked them to describe an elephant Each one grabbed one part of the elephant. The one that grabbed his trunk said “the elephant is like a hose” The one who touched his ears said the elephant was like a fan An...2021-07-1611 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | Why should we worship God?Isn't it egotistical for God to demand that we worship him? Why should we worship God? Here is as Biblical response from one of our SPARK leaders, Rhiannon. If you have any questions please send them to our Youth Pastor Mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au2021-06-2905 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthThe joys and struggles of discipling our youth | InterviewsHow can we instill within our children a lasting faith that perseveres against the tides of secularism, doubt, and fleeting temptations? According to the authors, humanly speaking, the best thing we can do according to the book Sticky Faith is “developing a clear and honest understanding of both the gospel and biblical faith. As our kids are led into an awareness of their significant role in the kingdom of God demonstrated throughout Scripture, they will have the best chance of discovering a faith that is compelling and life-giving”. (32) With this in mind we need to remember that there are no e...2021-06-2533 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 25:36-51 | Preparing for Jesus returnI remember on the night before catching a plane to Tasmania, I realised I hadn't washed any of my clothes so I had to do a late-night wash. The next morning I had to put my wet clothes in a garbage bag and take them on the plane. Being underprepared is a horrible feeling. Especially when you know, it could have easily been avoided. In this passage, Jesus, draws near the end of his public ministry, before his crucifixion. So he seeks to prepare his disciples and us for his return that we might not be caught off guard...2021-06-1620 minSpotlight on the ArtsSpotlight on the ArtsSeason 4 Episode 4 Spotlight on the Arts | Teacher Insight Series | Ravilya Sedlar - Our Lady of the Assumption North StrathfieldRavilya Sedlar is the music teacher at 2 primary schools Our Lady of the Assumption North Strathfield and St Francis Xavier Ashbury. Ravilya has experience in the music industry as a performer with the Australian Army Band and choir conductor and accompanist for Sing Australia. She has also been involved in organising virtual concerts during COVID, whole school musicals and conducting choral workshops with adults.She is particularly passionate about creating authentic music experiences using a variety of methods such as the Orff music teaching method.2021-05-2114 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 23:1-12 | I am secondWhat does it take to be a great leader? In this sermon we see how, unlike the Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus, the True Shepherd, puts the sheep first. And how this provides a model for us. If you have any questions please message them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au. 2021-05-1018 minSummer DiarySummer Diary#93 Wendy’s garden/Japanese BBQ buffet/catch up with uni friends in strathfieldAlex took me to Wendy’s garden/catch up with uni friends at strathfield sports club/my brother took me to birthday Japanese BBQ buffet2021-04-1708 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthAll one through Christ Jesus | 1 Corinthians 1.1-17San Francisco’s Millennium Tower is in trouble. The 58-story tower is home to some of the city’s wealthiest people, its apartments among the most expensive and desirable in the city. But recently its residents have begun to notice some troubling issues. The first warning of the tower’s problems came when residents noticed floor-to-ceiling cracks running along the walls of the underground parking garage. Engineers who studied the building have been alarmed to find it has sunk 16 inches in the 7 years since it was built. Not only that, but it has developed a 2-inch lean at the bottom...2021-03-3018 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJob 38-42 | God is big and we are smallImagine being in your bed and waking to see the side of your house ripped apart and your belongings get swept out into a whirlwind and destroyed right in front of you, and just as you feel its pull dragging you and your bed along the floor towards the hurricane, and you fear you are about to be destroyed, you hear a loud booming voice, like lightning bellowing out and calling your name. You would be terrified? Well this is what Job is confronted with in verse 1 of Job 38 where we see the LORD God, the almighty Creator of...2021-03-1815 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJob 28 | Where can wisdom be found?No one wants to be thought of as a fool. As someone who makes really silly decisions. We all want to be wise. Have you ever met someone who just seemed to make really good decisions or live really well and thought. Wow they are wise. I wish I was as wise as them. You could be the smartest person in your school. And have read all the books that mankind has ever written, and still not possess wisdom. You have probably met people who thought they knew a lot, but really, they weren’t very wise. Many people sp...2021-03-0114 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJob 14, 19 | Hope in the hard timesAt some point or other, suffering will touch our lives and all of us will feel Adrift, in a boat, in a storm, without an anchor, feeling alone and hopeless. How we bear up in these moments. And our success in compassionately supporting others who are suffering ultimately depends on grounding ourselves in a hope strong enough to hold up when its tested, before trajedy strikes. So, where can we turn for hope and can we really have confidence that things will get better in the future? This is the issue that Job, particularly chapters 14 and 19, will be helping...2021-02-2316 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJob 1-2 | Learning to trust God in the hard timesSuffering is everywhere. Tens of thousands of people die every day in unexpected tragedies, traffic accidents and cancer. That is comparable to the population of a small city being swept away every day, leaving families and friends devastated in the wake. It’s the numbers of people who suffer is overwhelming. Enormous numbers of deaths happen in one massive event such as the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, or the 2010 Haiti earthquake, each of which killed 300,000 or more at once And then there are is the horrendous evil that men have perpetrated. Three million Africans forcibly tr...2021-02-1219 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthSPARK Christmas Talk - Do all religions lead to God?What makes Christianity special?  There is a Chinese proverb that says “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the (mountain top) view is ALWAYS the same.” No matter how different the various religions or belief systems seem to be, they all lead to the same destination. This is similar to the ancient Hindu story where a King gathered blind men and asked them to describe an elephant Each one grabbed one part of the elephant. The one that grabbed his trunk said “the elephant is like a hose” The one who touched his ears said the eleph...2020-12-2313 minOur True Crime PodcastOur True Crime PodcastThe Strathfield Massacre : Wade Frankum Day 8 Nightmares Before ChristmasOn August 17, 1991, 33-year-old Wade Frankum wakes for the day. He gets dressed in casual clothes with a beanie on his head and a duffle bag in his hand. Frankum went to the train station to buy a ticket to Strathfield but gave the rail worker, whom he knew, a strange command: "you'd better go home." Frankum then walked away to catch the train to Strathmore, after all, Frankum was on a mission of murder. What would happen later this day would leave a trail of victims and a hero who would rise to the top. Join Jen and Cam...2020-12-2036 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 7:13 29 | Be careful how you listenIt's popular to say that It's arrogant to say that there is just one true faith? To say everyone’s beliefs are equal seems very tolerant. But we could only hold the belief that all religions equally lead to God if we have failed to listen and understand each major religion. Islam says that Jesus was not crucified. Christianity says He was. Only one of us can be right. Judaism says Jesus was not the Saviour. Christianity says He was. Only one of us can be right. Hinduism says God has often become a man. Christianity says God became a...2020-12-0118 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 7.1-12 | Are Christians self-righteous hypocrites?One of the most common reasons people leave Christianity or publicly oppose it is because they are personally disappointed with hypocrites who claim to be Christian. For example, Helen, a law student said "I have to doubt any religion that has so many fanatics and hypocrites, There are so many people who are not religious at all who are more kind and even more moral than many of the Christians I know." Have you ever heard people say something like this? Gandi famously said "Give me your Christ but keep your Christian! " How would you respond? Jesus himself rebuked...2020-11-2617 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 6:19-34 | The key to stressing lessSome sources suggest that there has been a 30% increase in mental health disorders due to the pandemic. If you speak to psychologists or GP’s they may tell you that it feels more like a 50% increase. There is more talk about anxiety and mental illness at the moment than any time I can remember. We have all experienced it at some level. The question is when we start worrying about the future, what will stop our thinking from becoming like dominos, snowballing into panic, and a feeling of helplessness and despair? The good news is that Jesus understands our an...2020-11-1818 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 6:1-18 | Praying for God's kingdom to advanceEvery major religion sees prayer as important. But are all the chants of the Buddhist, the prayers of the Muslim, the request of the Jew, the cries of the Hindu and prayers directed to Mary and the saints all heard and answered by God? What difference does it make in knowing God is your Father and Jesus is your saviour? And what does God wants us praying for anyway? Have a listen to find out. And if you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-11-1018 minDead Bodies PodcastDead Bodies PodcastEp 102 - Herman Rockefeller and the Strathfield MassacreMelbourne millionaire Herman Rockefeller’s disappearance mystified police, until they untangled his complex life that involved a secret mistress and an underground ''swingers'' network. Wade Frankum went on a shooting rampage at a shopping mall in Strathfield, Sydney, on 17 August 1991. He killed himself, after leaving eight dead and six wounded.2020-11-091h 05SPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 5:17-48 | A deeper concern for a changed heartIt's common for humans to overestimate their own qualities and abilities, relative to others, and in so doing, rate themselves more highly than others.  Scientists call this the above average affect. This is especially true when it comes to whether or not we think we can get to heaven by our good works.  What about you? If you died tonight, would you be in heaven? Why or why not? Jesus is going to help us think about this question. For further questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-11-0518 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 5:1-16| Jesus upside-down kingdomIn terms of influence and achievement, Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived. He never went to university, never got a degree, never got married, never traveled far from his home. Yet, more books, songs, paintings, and movies have been made about him than anyone in all of history. And nowhere else, does Jesus give as clear and comprehensive teaching about what it means to be His disciple then the Sermon on the mount. In this section, Jesus explains what it means to be apart of his upside-down kingdom. If you have any questions please email Mike at...2020-10-3019 minCESE Podcast:  What Works BestCESE Podcast: What Works BestClassroom management with Strathfield Girls High School - What works best podcastWelcome to a special CESE eight-part podcast series. In this podcast, Mark Scott, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, discusses what effective classroom management looks like in practice with Strathfield Girls High School principal, Angela Lyris, and students. To read the transcripts or access the 'What works best' resources go to: www.cese.nsw.gov.au/publications/what-works-best To watch the video of this conversation go to: https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/educational-data/what-works-best-2020-update/teachers/theme-classroom-management2020-10-1213 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | 'Is it ok for a Christian to be ambitious?' With Grace and YoungIn this Q and A video I talked to Grace and Young, some of our SPARK parents, about the recently released Netflix documentary on Michael Jordan and discussed the question 'Is it ok for a Christian to be ambitious?' and 'Can a Christian be a top athlete?' I hope you find it encouraging. If you have any questions please email Mike the Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-10-0912 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthFamily Discipleship Parent Event - Talk + Panel + Q & A64% of all lifetime Christians become Christian before 20 and there’s a drastically lower rate of conversion over the age of 20. Only 20% of those who made a profession of faith as a child persevere as a Christian in early 20s. That means, 80% of those who made a profession of faith as a child are lost before they hit 20. The discipling of children to have a faith that perseveres is of the utmost importance. But what role do parents have and how can we overcome some of the barriers to a growing faith in Children? Listen to this podcast to find ou...2020-10-091h 01SPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 3:18-4:1 | Is all authority corrupt?We are skeptical of authority because often, people abuse their power. As Lord Acton famously said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” How should Christians understand and relate to authority? Find out in this week's SPARK talk. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au.2020-09-0918 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 3:1-17 | The new self in ChristMany people who either leave Christianity or publically oppose it do so because they have been personally disappointed with Churches and Christians. Should the Christian life look different? If we’re saved by grace, how seriously should Christians take sin in their lives? If you have any questions please email our youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au 2020-09-0923 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthColossians 2:6-23 | You never move on from JesusThere is an expression that goes ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’. It’s a way of describing the feeling that our life would be better if did this or that or if we were this or that. It's popular these days to say that Christianity is outdated. The temptation is to look for something new, something fresh, something enlightened, something impressive. Should we move on from Christianity and get with the program? Find out in last week's talk. If you have any questions email our Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au 2020-08-2117 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthExodus 20:14 | What is God’s view of sex?Since the 1960s, Our attitudes towards sex have undergone a revolution. As people began to make freedom of expression the most important thing, sex was no longer viewed as something that should be kept special for marriage. Just as a fish is created to live in water, we best flourish when we live the way God designed us to. So what was God’s original intention for sex? Find out in this talk. If you have any questions please email the Youth Minister Mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-07-0119 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Resilience Q and A with Amy WheatonAmy Wheaton answers some parents questions on the topic ‘Raising Resilient Kids’.    Amy Wheaton is a Christian clinical psychologist with over ten years of experience specialising in child and adolescent mental health and well-being. If you have any questions please contact Mike the Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-06-2215 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Matt on God’s sovereignty in parentingIf you have any questions please send them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-06-1701 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | The Yi family sharing what it means to honour your Father and your MotherIf you have any questions please send them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-06-1705 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthResilience Parent Event with Amy WheatonAmy Wheaton gives a talk on the topic ‘Raising Resilient Kids’ – The art of teaching our children to bounce back’ for both primary and high school parents to equip those of us who have kids to help our kids navigate life's challenges. Using a positive psychology framework, Amy covers some practical tips, tricks and strategies we as parents can use to assist our children develop these patterns in order to set them up positively for whatever life may throw at them now and in the future. Amy Wheaton is a Christian clinical psychologist with over ten year...2020-06-1738 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Matt discussing the 5th CommandmentMatt Whitfield sharing on how he has tried to teach his kids  to know and love God as in Deuteronomy 11:18-21 which says “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart.. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise…”2020-06-1604 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Hui Sharing On The 5th CommandmentHui Sharing about how he has tried to live out Ephesians 6:4 which says "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Hui also shared about the difference between honour and obey. If you have any questions please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-06-1606 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthExodus 20:8-11 | Good news for busy peopleWhile average work hours and household chores are down, many of us would still consider ourselves very busy people  There are several reasons for this, like busyness becoming a status symbol,  the fear of missing out, the relentlessness of trying to stay up to date with social media and the avoidance of the big questions about life by keeping yourself busy. But, could it be that one of the biggest reasonos for why so many are feeling busy and tired is that  over the past 40 years our society no longer prioritises a day of rest. A Sabbath where we giv...2020-06-0218 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthExodus 20:7 | The Third commandment - Whats so bad about OMG?The phrase OMG likely comes from the phrases “Oh God” and “My God” which were originally phrases used in prayers for help, forgiveness and gratitude toward God. Since the rise of social media and instant messaging, the phrase OMG has become very popular. MTV’s top 20 music videos are now called the “OMG Top 20” and it features regularly on TikTok. In Matthew 12 Jesus says "on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." Why would Jesus say such strong wo...2020-05-2617 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthExodus 20:4-6 | The danger of our imaginationsEveryone has an imagination. Our imaginations can be used for good in things like art and invention. However, our imaginations can be used for evil as well when it draws us away from worshipping God as he has revealed himself to us. God will not share His glory or his people with a rival. What are the ways in which your imagination may have drawn you away from the good God who saves us? This weeks talk helps us to understand the second commandment and how all that we desire is ultimately found in Jesus. If you have a...2020-05-1914 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthExodus 20:1-3 | Is being sincere in your beliefs enough?Today a popular catchphrase is “It's true for you but not for me”. It’s often a response given by people who disagree with what someone else believes. The idea is that it really doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, as long as you are sincere in those beliefs. It sounds very tolerant and reasonable. But is being sincere in your beliefs enough? Does anyone really live consistently with this belief? To find out, watch this talk on the first commandment. If you have any questions you would like answered please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au. You...2020-05-1314 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthWhy we need the lawIf you asked most of your friends what Christianity is about, chances are they’d point you to rule-keeping. “Christianity? It’s about being a good person, and loving your neighbour” many will answer. You can understand why many people think this is what Christianity is about. After all, the Bible is filled with laws. Commandments that tell us how to live, and what not to do. But, trying to be a better person doesn’t get us very far. Certainly not to heaven. What we will see today, is that, far from being an unbearable burden, the law is a good...2020-05-0315 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | How should Christians respond to the Coronavirus?Only five months ago nobody had heard of the Coronavirus. Now its all anyone is talking about. No life remains untouched. Many are filled with fear and anxiety as their worldly security has fallen apart and are unsure where to turn. So the question is, can we depend on God amidst this pandemic? And how should we respond as Christians? Have a listen to hear what the Bible has to say. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-04-1915 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthResources to help you and your family draw closer to God and to one another in this uncertain timeMany of us have struggled to know how to adjust and respond to the complete societal upheaval that coronavirus has brought. So, I have developed a list of resources to help you navigate these uncertain times, to help parents and their children grow in their trust in God and grow closer together as families. I have also provided some general resources to help you keep up to date with the Coronavirus and to help parents with their home learning. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org...2020-04-1710 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthJohn 20:24-31 | What evidence is there for the resurrection?How do we know Jesus really did rise from the dead? And is the evidence believable? Listen to hear about the eye-witness testimony from Jesus' most sceptical disciple. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.2020-04-1416 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ & A | Some tips for chatting to your friends in the lead up to EasterEaster is probably the best opportunity for our friends and family to hear the good news of the gospel. But how can we make the most of this opportunity? In this podcast I seek to provide an answer that some of Hannah's girls had regarding how to have helpful conversations and how to invite our friends along to SPARK. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.2020-04-0510 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 21:33-46 | The grace and responsibility of the KingdomIn this sermon, we will be looking at the parable of the wicked tenants and considering the patience of God and whether there is such a thing as a lazy Christian. Is becoming a Christian like receiving a ticket into a carnival; all the privileges without any responsibility? Why have we been saved? Listen to find out what the Bible says. 2020-04-0516 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthQ and A | What is repentance?When Jesus began preaching he began with the words "Repent for the kingdom of God is near". The famous Reformer of the 1500's Martin Luther famously wrote that all of a Christian's life is one of repentance. Repentance is a necessary response to the good news of Jesus. But what is Repentance? Listen to find out. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.2020-03-2906 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 21:18-33 | The danger of rejecting JesusDo we want a God who just accepts everyone or a God who brings justice? Why did Jesus curse a fig tree for not having any fruit? What is repentance? Find out on this weeks youth talk. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au2020-03-2916 minSPARK YouthSPARK YouthMatthew 21:1-17 | Welcome the kingWelcome to our first episode of our SPARK Youth Podcast. Here is last weeks youth talk!2020-03-2416 minCDSFA Community Football PodcastCDSFA Community Football PodcastEpisode #15- Angelica Georgopoulos, Strathfield Football Club - All Age Women/1s, Junior Vice President and RefereeAngelica Georgopoulos represents the bright future for female football within the CDSFA. She is on the Executive Committee at Strathfield Football Club as the Junior Vice President. She is a player for Strathfield FC in the All Age Women/1s competition. She is also a referee with the Canterbury Referees Association. Angelica recently attended a Women in Football conference in Manchester. She comes back to Sydney enthused and ready to positively influence female football.2020-02-2947 minCDSFA Community Football PodcastCDSFA Community Football PodcastEpisode #2 - Alexandra Georgopoulos, Strathfield Strikers FCAlexandra Georgopoulos from Strathfield Strikers FC kicks goals on and off the field. She has played football since she was six years old, in mixed gender teams before moving onto female teams in her teen years and later playing in the top division of her age category.In 2016, Alexandra was chosen by FIFA, among 50 others worldwide, to visit FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, to take part in consultations to improve the game for the global community. She currently holds the position of Female Football Officer at her local club, Strathfield Strikers FC. ...2019-07-3141 minClinton Maynard on 2UEClinton Maynard on 2UEJodi Mackay to contest StrathfieldSafe Seat: Labor leader John Robertson has stepped in to ensure Jodi Mackay will be the Labor Party's candidate for the seat of Strathfield. Justin Smith speaks with her about changing her mind on politics. More…2014-10-2508 min