Girl At The Well – Poem.
I like to write; in that freeform manner where poems might be songs or just lilting prose. Sometimes I start and don’t finish for months, like this little piece about seasons, resources and trust. (more…)
Travel Writing
I have written on travel for a variety of magazines, newspapers and blogs.
Mostly by commission or as an invited guest, sometimes under my own steam so as to share the adventures. You can read my work for the NZ Herald or you can read some of my work on Blogger at Large at Megan’s site.
My natural love of storytelling, writing and travel has birthed a lifelong love of sharing my travel adventures and inspiring others to embrace experiencing the world.
Talk to me about travel, tourism, travel writing and the digital world.
The Way Bible
Over the course of 15 months during 2010 – 2012, I had the privilege of working with my dear friend Mark Oestreicher, on a refreshed edition of The Way bible, the original bible for young adults released in the 1970s’. As a child, my parents had a copy of the infamous green cover with black and white photography. It was a defining project to bring New Zealand stories to life with interviews and testimonies, as well as contributing to the book introductions, applications, laments and the photography elements within the final edition. It’s available online and in stores here in New Zealand.
If you would like to talk to me about The Way, contact me here.
State of Marriage: Legal or Spiritual?
This weekend, I’m going to be participating in a conversation about same-sex marriage, the various views on the subject and our response as a Christian faith community, as well as the implications. This is a subject I’ve been waiting on for years – because it’s a magnificent opportunity to redefine marriage at every level.
I first wrote about the definition of marriage as spiritual vs legal before it was even conceivable that the New Zealand government would move towards this legislation in the next 30 years. It was circa 1996 and reeling from the speedy marriage and divorce of some friends, I questioned the legal and civil process by which the dissolution of the marriage took place, in comparison to the associated impact on children, community and relationships.
The same-sex marriage debate raises those thoughts for me again, because I believe in order to have a reasonable discussion, you need to approach the debate with the right questions. So, I’ll quote from a piece I wrote for Christianity Today (bearing in mind that the last paragraph was edited externally) but here’s the quick summary.
- Marriage of any kind, is not the domain of the Church alone. Cultures throughout history have formed marriage rituals for the formalization of societal arrangements by which to raise children and manage property.
- Why should ministers of religion be charged with carrying out civil tasks?
- Can it be possible for the Church to decline to marry those with opposing beliefs around human sexuality, but not refuse those who decline any spiritual belief at all?
- Entering into the state of Marriage (legal) does not presume entry into any spiritual state of marriage, a holy union or otherwise. In it’s essence, the marriage licenses we sign are contracts, made with promises but they are not promises of spiritual intent and union.
Mary Poppins: Practically Perfect, In Every Way
“But how did they do that? And what about that house, how does it go up and down?”
Leaning forward on the edge of her seat, Ryder (aged 7) is wide-eyed, soaking up every detail.
It started just outside the doors of the magnificent Civic. Having indulged in a sweet treat gelato from next door, we watched the queues of rag-tag and beautiful celebrities and regular folk approaching the red carpet. My glamour girl companion can turn it on with the best of them, so we photo-called with Norrie before entering the Wonder Palace for the official opening of the New Zealand season of Mary Poppins.
As with any show at the Civic (don’t worry, I’ll get to the magic of Mary Poppins shortly!), the joy begins with entering that decadent foyer, looking up at the chandeliers and climbing the staircase. Along the way, I point out carved elephants with small, shining details and before too long, Ryder has taken over the tour, pointing out the parts that catch her eye.
My philosophical statement is that wherever possible, kids should have the opportunity to experience theatre like this – other-worldly surroundings, amazing production and a truly beautiful show while they are young enough to be enchanted with how it all happens, believing in the magic for just a little while. (more…)