Perhaps what you need to know about me is that I am a story-teller. I love stories. I always have. I love to hear them, and I love to tell them. Stories that engage and impact an audience. Stories that compel us to live, think, or act differently.
I have devoted my life to stories – as a writer and public speaker I believe stories can change the world.
Stories have shaped my life. The stories of my ancestors, fleeing wars and living as refugees in their own country. The stories of my childhood – seen through the eyes of an only child living in Africa. The stories that shaped my years of being part of a religious institution. The stories of people I have met, their courage, their love, the injustice they have faced. Stories really are the melody of our world.
This blog is dedicated to the mystics and misfits, to those who see the value of story above material treasure, to those who have been accused of being too passionate, too strong, too quirky … May you rise above fear and intimidation. May you tell your story!
“The fact of storytelling hints at a fundamental human unease, hints at human imperfection. Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.” Ben Okri
[Photo here and on Home page by Tim Harris www.truetribe.com.au]
Hi Nicole,
I listened to your podcast on Joy fm 2015 and given the cost to you personally, I want to say how much I admire your compasssion and support for LGBTI people, especially Christians who struggle with those issues.
I have been somewhat overwhelmed with the hateful attitudes of many Christians on social media sites and I wondered if God is pleased when we behave so badly in the defence of so called Biblical orthodoxy. I don’t agree with all of your views and identify more with the views expressed by your husband Mark in a message he gave some years ago on the subject of homosexuality.
A lot of heterosexual people struggle with sexual issues and the Church loves to guilt people when they struggle with sexual issues.
Thank you for counting the cost and supporting LGBTI Christians and the wider community. I love that attitude of Jesus when he came into contact with those who struggled with sexual issues. I think of the woman caught in adultery and the difference in the Pharisees who rightly quoted the Mosaic law and Jesus.
Every blessing to you in the next phase in your life.
Thank you so much for your reflection and kind encouragement, Steve. Very appreciated.
Hi Nicole
just wanted to wish you and Mark all the best in the future as you start a new chapter of your lives. I remember many years ago attending your engagement party at St.James in Wattle Park with a girl I was seeing at the time. You were both very kind to me. I also remember a few people at the time who taught me so much about welcoming. There was a guy called Malcolm McQueen, John Edmondson and a blond guy who I think was
gay called Dale who was especially kind and caring and taught me so much particularly on ACTION nights.
I always wondered what happened to those guys.
Anyway May God be with you on your journey
Barry T
Hi Barry – thank you so much for your kind comment. I think Social Media might unearth these gentlemen 🙂 I know John is on LinkedIn. Regards, Nicole