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This week at our Ilam staff meeting we each shared about rhythms or practices that we have which help to sustain us in our lives. A rhythm that is important for me is walking (and talking!) with friends during the week.I wonder which rhythms and practices you find helpful for sustaining and nourishing your connection with God?I’m currently doing a paper on the topic of Christian Spirituality at Carey Baptist College and the content has been thought-provoking and refreshing.  My lecturer,…

This week at my hospital work we have shared a couple of devotions reflecting on Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4: 35-41. One of our chaplains has lived most of his life by the sea and spent time reflecting on how knowing the weather and particularly storm patterns means he feels calmer in the storms. He has a deep connection to the whenua he lives on and spends lots of time in, on and watching the sea. This gives…

Seduced by a Princess  A couple of weeks ago I went for a walk up Mt Princess, a peak in the St James Range behind Hanmer. On the long, slow haul to the summit, I climbed above a large tarn known as Princess Bath. It lay glistening below me mirroring the rugged terrain and capturing the clouds in its deep blue and green waters. My legs were aching and heavy, my stomach was hankering for kai and wai, and my sweaty body was cooling…

This week I’ve been inspired by a prayer of St. Patrick. Here are some excerpts from his prayer, sometimes called the shield of St Patrick as it is a prayer for protection (lorica) before setting out on a journey: I arise today throughThe strength of heaven,Light of the sun,Splendour of fire,Speed of lightening,Swiftness of the wind,Depth of the sea,Stability of the earth,Firmness of the rock… I arise today throughGod’s strength to pilot me,God’s might to uphold me,God’s wisdom to guide me,God’s eye to…

The Map is not the Territory   Do you recognise this map?  Google Maps let me down last week. I was driving to a funeral in Darfield, dutifully following his route directions, when I ran into some ‘Road Closed’ signs. Google clearly didn’t know about this major road work and tried to direct me on through into an army of orange cones, dug up road, and oncoming trucks. Giving him new location instructions proved futile as he stubbornly kept directing…

Over Easter, I tramped over Ball Pass with some friends down in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. We climbed this stunning ridge with the tallest mountain in the country taking up space opposite and above us. I didn’t even realise it was Aoraki! I knew that was a few kilometres away and I was wondering what this big beast in front of me was called… One of the boys on this trip was frustrating me. He is probably the…

Next Friday our Emma flies to France to begin a school exchange for a month. It’s so exciting for her. There are 5 students going from Burnside High School and then in July we will host 5 students from France. We’re in the busy phase of planning and preparing to pack. A few people have asked me how I’m doing with thinking about Emma being so far away. Mostly I’m excited for her but I do get a bit nervous…

Every so often a rare talented cricketer finds their way into the Blackcaps team.  A player who fields and maybe bowls a bit, but who also has the skill, endurance and tenacity to knock up 100 plus runs at critical times. In church youth worker world, Callum is that guy. He’s been an awesome team man, stayed at the crease for way longer than most church workers and made an enormous contribution to our young people and church life.  He’s…

Earlier this week I found myself on the sidelines of a riveting game of cricket, chatting with some older and wiser Ilamites.  I was telling them how I have recently started a new work role alongside my work with children and families at Ilam.  This role involves working one day a week for the wider family of NZ Baptist churches as the children’s coach for the Upper South region.  Later, I was reflecting on my conversation with them at the…

Contradictions of life from a Christian-ish 20-year-oldI’ve never written a musing. Sometime in the last five years I stopped praying out loud. I don’t remember ever getting up on barstool. What wisdom can I possibly give to anyone intimidatingly older and wiser? What could I add to the kōrero of people who were thinking about God before I was born? These days I am still figuring out what it means to include ‘Christian’ as a part of my identity. I…

Today is the 22nd of February, it’s 13 years since the big February earthquake. I’m not sure if you’ve done something to mark the day or not. As a staff team at the hospital today we reflected together and read Psalm 46. Verse one says, ‘The Lord is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in trouble’. As a group, we shared our memories of the day and the days afterwards. We also led a memorial service for one…

Eat this Book  I wonder what instructions and messages you got about food growing up.  “You have to finish your veges before you get desert.” “You can have one biscuit in your lunch box” “An apple a day keeps the dentist away.” “Everything in moderation.” “A balanced diet is a chocolate bar in both hands.” Caring parents and childminders in every generation have tried, often fruitlessly (see what I did there) to curate the eating habits of their kids. Usually…