The Amazing...

...Pukeko. I love them. They are ridiculous, gawky, and lack elegance, but there is something strangely compelling about them, especially now that baby pukekos are on the scene. Their walk is a delight, strutting with their massive feet, white fluffy backsides stuck out exaggeratedly.

I'm not convinced they play any great role in maintaining the ecological balance in New Zealand, or anywhere else. Their 'song' is a squawk. They neither fly nor walk with any degree of grace. But I love them. Partly because they represent something of the extravagant creative power of our God - and He, like me, thinks they are great. And perhaps I see myself in them - not particularly amazing at anything, and ridiculous in some ways - yet I too am an expression of God's extravagant creative power, and I am greatly loved by Him. As are you.

He's Coming

After a year back in England completing his University degree, our son Michael joins us in less than 48 hours. It seems a very long time since we last saw him, mainly because it is! Words cannot really describe the excitement which has ebbed around the Clark household as we have counted down the days.
As a father awaiting the arrival of his much loved Son, I can almost imagine the reunion in heaven after Jesus ascended. The hugs, tears maybe, then the walks and conversations, as Jesus told his Dad all about his 33 years on planet earth. Finally the conversation turns to the future - "Dad, is there really no plan B, you know, if the disciples mess up?." "oh they will, and no there isn't."
The liturgy we sometimes use at Kodesh contains the line "we are enough to be the church." There is no Plan B. God's people on earth, weak, foolish and mistake-prone though we are, are the delight of heaven. We are enough!

Meandering

I love Oakley Creek, and we walk along it frequently. In recent wet weks it has been fairly thunderous, often overflowing its usual boundries - far different from the gentle creek we enjoyed last summer. Even when it is out of sight we can hear it, swelled by the frequent if short lived Auckland downpours.
There is one section where it twists and turns dramatically, before regaining its original course - I wonder if one day it will simply cut a path straight through the slowly eroding bank - though I hope not.
In some ways our first twelve months in New Zealand have been a time of meandering, rather than the torrential impact I imagined we'd be having by now. A time to assess, take stock, be quiet, settle, pray and plan. But I pray that the time when the Gospel and the love of Jesus will be flooding unstoppably across this land is not too far away - and I long to gain a deeper understanding of what Church Army's part in that will be. There is a time for meandering, but Lord, may it soon be done.

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!