Shuffle along now

As a child I received a pair of slippers every single Christmas - useful, appreciated, but not exciting. I have been sadly slipper-less for many years, but approaching my 50th birthday (some way off yet!) I fancied again owning a pair - and my ever dutiful wife duly obliged.

A few days later Monika asked "why do you walk like that when you are wearing slippers?" and to my surprise I realised that I did indeed engage in the slipper-shuffle! Why? Well maybe wearing slippers conjured up sub-conscious images of me sitting by the fire, pipe in hand, slippered feet up, as I fade into retirement?

I make every effort now to walk properly when wearing slippers. I feel far from ready to wander off into the sunset with my zimmer for support - and thankfully I have a wife who won't allow me to!

Or as they say in Moerewa, "Tama tu tama ora, tama noho tama mate"
(To stand is to live to lie down is to die)

Party on dude

We've just returned from a wonderful week's holiday at a friend's bach in Pauanui. Reading, soaking in the spa, walking miles along the beach in t-shirt and shorts (and they call this WINTER??), talking in thoughtful mode, and soaking up the glorious beauty of the Kiwi countryside - all this has left us refreshed in body, mind, soul and spirit.
I was shocked to realise that in the 10 months we've been here, apart from a long weekend in December, this was our first proper break. I love most of what I am paid to do, I spend time with people I love, respect and enjoy, and it is thrilling to see God at work - but none of that takes the place of time off. Not taking a break is not being committed, faithful, hard-working or clever - it is stupid, stupid, stupid. Note to self - take proper hlidays, regularly. Note to others - if I don't, tell me.

The World Cup

I cannot remember hugging a man from Taiwan before, but that is exactly what I found myself doing at around 1.20am the other morning. Don't worry, this is not some sordid confession, but rather an example of what World Cup fever does to people.

The New Zealand national team - the All Whites (Kiwi pronunciation emphasises the first syllable, so it is ALL Whites rather than All WHITES) - were appearing in the World Cup Finals for only the second time ever. After months of build up, we were watching the first game, and they were trailing by one goal as we entered the third minute of injury time. Suddenly a cross came in, an All White met the ball with a firm header, and yes, incredibly, we had scored. Delirium, hugs all round (me and Harrison), the dead being awoken at 1.20am.

Following teams like New Zealand, or Hull City back in England, will give you rare, very rare moments lke this. Maybe once every decade or two! New Zealand not losing in the World Cup - once in history (so far). Hull City appearing at Wembley - once in history. Hull City being promoted to the Premier League - once in history. But the joy and celebration when those rare occasions happen is something supporters of Brazil, or Manchester United or Chelsea will never come near to experiencing. I can see why God often seems to side with the underdog - it is so much more fun!

Injustice

Emily was part of her school choir which performed as part of "the Big Sing" in Auckland Town Hall, and as proud parents of course we were thrilled to go and enjoy the evening. Her choir did really well, and I hope they feel their hard work - being in school at 8am each friday - paid off. They were great.
We heard 23 choirs perform, most were good, some were amazing, one or two average. Then the Auckland Youth Choir (I think) sang three things. 'Things' is a technical musical term to describe noises as opposed to meaningful words, sounds as opposed to tunes, and a garbled mess of voices as opposed to beautiful harmonies. The result of a 'thing' is that incredibly talented angelically-voiced young people end up singing garbage art-farty stuff rather than using their talent to actually sing.
I digress. The evening concluded with the awards ceremony, each choir being granted either "Highly Commended," Commended" or the patronising to the point of being insulting "Particpated".
I knew that Emily's choir would get the lowest award. Firstly they attend a low decile (poor) school with a mixed reputation. Secondly, they were not all white angels, nor did they use the "we are all Maori" or "this is how we sing in the Pacific Islands" tactic - they were integrated, a mixed group of kids who love to sing together. And thirdly, they sang a proper song, with enthusiasm and emotion. Not at all what the musical elite appreciate. And I was right, they received the award that was more offensive than Simon Cowell at his worst.
I wasn't the only person who left with a sense of injustice. I believe and encourage healthy competition. I do not support rewarding poor performances. But I am tired of some places being denied the opportunity to explode out of the shackles of their image or reputation. Can anything good come out of Avondale College? Or Nazareth? Oh yes!

I wonder

Two BBC News headlines caught my eye this morning. One read "Why Marriage Matters", and the other "Feeling Grumpy is 'good for you'". I jokingly wondered if the two were directly linked...marriage is good because it makes you grumpy which is good for you...! And actually, I think I may be right.
As Moni and I approach 25 years of marriage, I feel deeply grateful that we do so with a greater appreciation and understanding of one another then ever. I am sometimes astonished that this beautiful, amazing woman shares my life! And part of what I value about her most is that she not only copes with my (rare) grumpy moments, she even enjoys them - because we need people with whom we can be real, and unreasonable, and, well grumpy. So why doesn't that appear in the good marriage manual?

Mennonite guests

We curently have a couple of guests from USA who are Mennonites - a denomination I knew little about. We talked about their practices and distinctives, and their commitment to community - a major theme for Church Army at the moment.

The most interesting part of the conversation for me was when these two deeply committed young men mentioned that while at University, their church attendance has been minimal, but their faith has been maintained and even strengthened. It is a pattern I see again and again - they have not rejected established church life, or fallen out with anyone, and may well return to it when they have kids to take to Sunday School - but for now they simply don't see regular Sunday worship in a dedicated building as essential for their spiritual health.

Are they losing their faith? I don't think so. Are they following the easy way of non-demanding discipleship? Again, I doubt it. They are expressing both a dissatisfaction with what happens Sunday by Sunday, and their need for an experience of Christian community which nurtures, challenges and informs their faith 24-7, in every situation they face. It is a cry I am hearing more fequently - a longing for authentic, radical Christian community.

Passion

It is strange how I can set my alarm for 3am, and spring joyfully out of bed when it calls me - to get up and watch a football match. Hull City against Liverpool, a meaningless encounter as we are relegated regardless of the result - but a final opportunity to give one of the big boys a "bloody nose."
I find rising at 3am to pray more difficult - or I would if ever I tried. A chance to talk one-to-one with the creator of the universe - now that is pretty cool, but for some reason my passion levels remain low when it comes to praying. Maybe if Jesus pulled on the number nine shirt for Hull City I'd be more enthusiastic about talking to him.
I guess the point is - thank God - that Jesus is passionate about me, he is up at 3am waiting eagerly to chat. If I can bother to turn up.