Madigan's Blog

A lot has been written in the Australian media and blogshpere in the last couple of weeks since the latest Census data dropped. For those not aware, every five years the Australian Govt conducts a Census of the population, and the data gives us a wide range of information about societal trends. The headline news, as far as the secular media is concerned is that "no religion" is on the rise and Christianity is trending downwards.  It is so easy to hear the headlines and read the blogs and conclude that things are actually on the decline for God’s Kingdom. That is...

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭NIV‬ I’ve been thinking about this concept lately. Here in Mazatlan it’s similar to an Australian summer … all the year round. We arrived in winter but we were wearing T-shirt’s and shorts! I go for my morning walks and it strikes me that I’m very keen to get to the patches on the footpath that are covered with shade. Some shade is from tall buildings blocking out the sunlight, the biggest patch is created by “icebox hill.” I walk along...

Slow down please. This season is so different from past seasons. Everything is new. The battle with my headaches continues. As I roll into another day waking up with the pain in my temples and neck I feel my heart drop. This was going to be a place for renewal. I get so impatient because this situation has confined me to doing only one thing well each day. My capacity has been limited and I don’t like it. Parameters on my time and how I spend it is not freedom. In it all I hear God’s quiet whisper. Slow down!...

A few weeks ago I was doing some work for the capital expansion fundraising team at the YWAM base in Mazatlan. I was working by myself in the fundraising office and there was a knock on the door. I said, “come on in,” and in walked 4 missionary students who were doing their DTS (Discipleship Training School). They proceeded to tell me that they were still raising funds for their training and asked me to consider financially supporting them so they could finish their training. I listened intently, partly surprised by their boldness, partly amazed by their humility and partly...

We have an apartment now by the sea. It is called Boca De Cielo which means "Mouth of Heaven". It reminds me of the verse from Psalm 84. “Better is one day on your courts than thousands elsewhere.” It seems fitting to be here in this season where many have spoke refreshment and restoration over us after 28 years of being in ministry. I am excited about our new place to live. It is a blessing and I feel so strongly that part of this blessing will be how we share it with those around us. So far we’ve had...