by | Mar 26, 2007 | Uncategorized

There It Is

I passed a man with a beard on a bicycle the other day. He was lost, looking for a street just a couple of blocks away from where we were. He had a South American accent, and a beard that was groomed perfectly, too perfectly for a man so young.

I was standing at the traffic lights, waiting for the buzz. I could sense his anxiousness behind, and eventually he worked up the courage to ask me for directions. It was my pleasure to give them to him, and then I walked across the crossing. He rode past me on his bike and then promptly took a wrong turn.

Nevertheless, by the time I reached the next road I was crossing, there he came bicycling back, a smile and a wave as he passed me again. As far as random encounters go, I rather enjoyed it.

Random
Life is a small series of random events at the moment, because everything else is connected to either business, church or Easter. And Easter is precious.

Today we have 2600 registrations and still counting. Ten days to go.

by | Feb 14, 2007 | Uncategorized

Been Home Lately

sky flashing and the heart’s still racing
just like a long, long highway ride
hands touching and the night’s still
bracing itself for the morning light
have you been home lately

living in a pocket grasp of my old life
carrying a beatup memory of my amorous self
holding back still holding you within
so everything can spark and sing
feels like coming home lately

i’ve been to lots of places
had you by my side, under my skin
but i’ve never been home with you
and the water rush and flood and burn
the light comes crashing in on me
and you within my heart, and on my mind
i’ve been to lots of places
had you by my side, under my skin
but i’ve never been home with you

grace fits me like a glove
everything can spark and sing
you by my side, under my skin
you within my heart, and on my mind

by | Feb 14, 2007 | Uncategorized

Happy February Fourteenth
Dearest Tash,
Valentines Day is just a marketing scam
I just want to say that I’m your fan..
and when you see & hear the lovebirds rave
just think of all the dosh you’ve saved..

by | Feb 13, 2007 | Uncategorized

Finding Step With You

Song Of The Moment : Won’t Back Down
Mat Kearney
woke the morning up
running off the darkest night
the longest light i’ve seen
here goes a chance i know
cashing in on all my chips
let all my ships come fly
these days, a little bit longer than the last
and all of your ways, a little bit stronger than the past
and your light, found my bottle in the night
kept me in this fight, gave me second life
and i won’t back down i won’t turn around and around
and i won’t back down
doesn’t matter what comes crashing down
i’m still gonna stand my solid ground
you found me once and for all
i laid it down in the sinking ground
the hopeless undertow
singing out the gentle sound
rattling through my smoking screens
my broken dreams last night
hallelujah ripped through my veins
i heard the hammer drop
my blood in the rain
hallelujah came like a train
when all is lost
all is left to gain
hallelujah
My Baby & Me, We Been So Far
The events of the past few weeks have been.. well.. frantic, hurried and more than a little frustrating. It’s that time of the year when my creative self rules over everything else and my head is caught up in Big Ideas, leaving very little time for anything else.
But Anything Else made time for itself at the end of last week, when a young woman drove her heavy European hatchback into the back of my very plastic-fantastic stationwagon. $9500 worth of damage later and I’m still waiting to hear back from insurance companies .. but it’s unlikely to be fixed – especially considering the state of her nose as well! 55km in the rear end can push you a long way up the road.
As Stephen so eloquently said – we were “rooted from behind on a sunny thursday”. More painful than anything else is the jarring to my lower back – I have an official ‘lumbar sprain’ and officially, it’s definitely making it’s presence felt.

146,000km
Yup, one hundred and forty six thousand kilometres I’ve travelled in that trusty Ford stationwagon. Certainly a few deep late night conversations with friends, workmates and God have transpired in that wagon. 5 trips to Wellington, at least 10 to Whangarei and the surrounding districts, and countless trips to Hamilton & Mystery Creek. We’ve endured parking fines and all sorts together, and for the most part – she’s been a faithful workhouse – exactly what she was intended to be. Although I love the feel of slick polish under my hands and a seriously powerful motor begging to be let loose low to the road and with road-hugging power – that Ford was meant to work hard – and she sure has in the short four years we’ve been together.

So I shed a few tears when I handed over the keys at the panelbeater the other day.

Fond Possessions
Speaking of them, I was thinking about my guitar the other day. I love my Gretsch – it’s solid weight and bright presence. I like it’s confidence in itself.
The Maton though, is infinitely closer to my heart I’ve discovered. Something about the warmth of the tone, and the sweetness of the action – I just seem to be able to write better melodies and sing more honest songs with my fingers holding the Maton. Is it really possible to have a ‘relationship’ with material possesions?

by | Feb 1, 2007 | god ideas, Uncategorized

daybreak night shade
raw and holy

pure nakedness before a throne
of empty sky

searching starlit galaxy for
a King who would embrace me

now, expectant through my veins
earth water moonsky – in that Holy embrace

You’re making a Love
in my atmosphere for me to drink of

Who I Wanted Always To Be
I’m reflecting on some goals and outcomes I was aspiring to at the beginning of 2005. Here at the beginning of 2007, I find that most are still 100% relevant and true, even though the context of ‘ministry’ has changed slightly.
This is uber-encouraging in light of a friend’s questions yesterday over whether or not I had made the right decisions.
Personal Values: This is what turns me on
Þ People growing, developing
Þ Community growing, developing, starting
Þ Working with ideas, creating opportunities
Þ Watching, observing and creating culture/behaviours
Þ Strategic thinking, big goals, leadership
Þ Creative expressions; art, image, sound

Personal Outcomes in Ministry: These are roles I want to explore
Þ To be creative and creating on a conceptual and practical level
Þ To be relationally involved in mentoring, group leadership, up-side-down ministry
Þ To be strategic in thought and action, observant and culture aware in order
Þ To be a relevant culture prophet, shaping and building community life
Þ To be involved in areas of transition and integration with the youth community

This is where I want to be SHORT TERM
Leading visibly and establishing a leadership portfolio
Leading network ministries such as BYM Eastercamp

Working with my strategic and lateral thinking skills
Using my creativity
Developing new teams and new opportunities for people
Problem solving
Project launching
Networking

This is where I want to be LONG TERM

Leading in a strategic, relational regional or national role with youth/young adult networks of ministry and mission; (input and outreach) such as youth pastors, young adult pastors, student ministries, parachurch organizations.
Resourcing, supporting, encouraging and leading ministry and mission endeavours within those communities and networks.
Leading, resourcing, supporting, encouraging, training and opening doors for those working in the field.
On the cutting edge of church practice, policy, direction and vision.
Involved in the study/observation practices of ministry concepts and ideas; ie: further study, seminars, research.