The Last Man Standing

I've been watching a fascinating, and fun, program over the last few months. Six young men have travelled to some fascinating and remote villages around the globe to compete in traditional and often brutal 'sports' - all with the goal of being "The Last Man Standing".

It's been fun to watch the changes in the personalities of these men as they are confronted by cultures and practices completely foreign to their norm - especially the spiritual and ritualistic. In nearly every culture the 'sporting event' has been preceeded by a ritual that sought to gain advantage by spiritual empowerment.

No matter who we are, or what our culture, we look to the spiritual to find advantage, to claim hope, to seek direction. Even the agnostic and the athiest look to something bigger than themelves when theyare in trouble, or hurt.

For some of the tribes featured in The Last Man Standing their ritual points to a belief in a god of war, a god to be bargained with and sacrificed to; a religion motivated by fear; a selfish religion with a reliance on sorcerey and 'black magic'...

Some of the other cultures revealed a more kindly, benevolent god; there was not such a reliance on sorcery, but rather a religion celebrated through dance, song and constant celebration.

It made me wonder how you would define the God I serve if you watched me at work and play for a week. Would you see a god like that revealed by the Pharasees: stern and legalistic, couched in a life governed by 'decency', authority and duty, reinforced by preaching that induces guilt. Or would you see a god revealed by the example of Jesus, who loved misfits, dropouts, marginalised (sinners) and therefore enjoyed parties, lived spontaneously in a world that revovled around feasting and joyful celebration.

Would I reveal a model of ministry based on the Pharisee who demanded repentance before acceptance, or like Jesus would you see me turn that expectation around?

My conception of God radically influences my living, and both intentionally and unintentionally influences your imagination of god too. That's a huge responsibility!

When A Nation Stops

It's been quite an amazing day here in Auckland. Two unique New Zealanders were farewelled: Sir Edmund Hillary, the man who conquered Everest and Hone Tuwhare, New Zealand’s most distinguished Maori poet writing in English, playwright and author of short fiction.

Tuwhare is probably not as widely known as Hillary but I was introduced briefly to him through my daughters school studies last year. (http://www.honetuwhare.co.nz/) His poetry in particular has captured her imagination - his major, recurrent concerns, expressed through his writing were love, friendship, the life of the feelings, the experience of loss and death. It was sad to hear of his passing, but this man will live on through numerous writings; young and old alike will read his words, and like my daughter be transported from the mundane to the sublime - and in his words find challenge and release.

Despite the impact of Tuwhare his funeral today passed almost unnoticed in the shadow of Hillary's state funeral. A man known the world over for his conquest, (with Tenzing Norgay) of Mt Everest in 1953. However, until his death I was unaware that that was not what defined the man as special. It took guts and determination to climb Everest, and I don't want to minimise that - but it's what he did as a result of that fame that made him special. He devoted his life to helping the ethnic Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region. His Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools and as a result was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003.

Last night, with my family and a friend (Darren Hailes) I lined up with thousands of others (for two hours) in the squally rain to pass through the Church and view the coffin, the painting and the emblems of his life. As the line crawled toward the church, bikers, business men, children, grandparents all swapped memories and discussed the impact Hillary made on their lives - there was laughter, there were flowers - but the moment a person passed under the magnificent stained glass windows and through the church doors, there was silence, reverence and respect.

It is interesting at these time to see that people of all nations, cultures and ages look for something beyond life. Not only are people looking for role models and heros, but there is an inherent soul reach for hope and meaning beyond death.

Where are the heros, the role models and the mentors? Where can people find hope, truth and meaning? If church is going to be relevant it needs to be occupied by people striving to be heros!

Sri Lanka 2008

In June this year a small group of people from The Meeting House are travelling to Sri Lanka for a few weeks. Whilst there we will be supporting some of The Salvation Army's ministry to children and women. One of the places we will visit and work in is The Haven in Colombo - here children and women rescued from the sex trade are given new hope, young girls who have no where to have babies are looked after, children who have lost parents are cared for. It's an amazing ministry and one that we are thrilled to be able to support.

We will also have the opportunity to work with Tsunami victims in the South Western district (and I will have the privilege of meeting some of the families I helped back in 2004/5).

This trip is an opportunity to make a small difference in the lives of the people we visit and journey with, but more than that it's an opportunity for those of us going to be taught and have our lives impacted by the stories of others.

My experience of these visits is that the visitors are changed (for ever) - and as a result their ministries back home are transformed. So not only will this trip impact those we visit, but it will impact our Corps and further energise the ministries of The Meeting House.

When the World Goes Quiet

Our house is almost at the base of one of Auckland's 50 (or so) volcanoes, on one of the busiest roads into Auckland: a major feeder into the city, the highway system and one of the biggest schools in the area - just down the road they are constructing a major new highway and the footpath outside our house has been ripped up and rebuilt 5 times in the last year. Some of our nighbours like to 'party' long, loud and late and that's when they aren't having excited, exhilarating, exhausting 'discussions' with family and friends.

During school term and 'normal' days the road is busy and loud, but over this past week it has been relatively quiet. It's a time of the year to savour, and for some in the house to sleep.

Life is often a bit of a surprise roller coaster isn't it - you know the general direction that your going in, and often we have even scoped out the finish line, but the bends, drops and climbs in between can sometimes take us by surprise. I am grateful for the times, when in the middle of the ride things smooth out for a little while and you can catch your breath, even if it is just to steady yourself for the next gut wrenching fall, or muscle tightening climb.

It's good to make time to be still... for a while

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Living in a country that sees the New Year before the rest of the world is both cool and annoying. Just because your New Year didn't start for a few hours after mine doesn't mean you should wake me up at 2am or later. (Bah Humbug!!!) Although it was nice to hear from you all.

Having said that, let me wish any one that falls across this blog by mistake a Happy and Hope-filled New Year.

When I look back at the year past I am amazed at the opportunities of minstry I have had in three continents and 6 coutnries - and the things that I have learnt and the ways in which God has stretched me again.

At least life is not boring!