How astounding that it is the 26th February. 2012. Another birthday in the family - which is really nice. Of course the birthday person was born in Africa so is convinced that it's not really her birthday yet. Well it is now as time has marched on and the locals where she was born are awake.
I wrote to you in December. Yes two months ago on Boxing day. We now live in a world of 7 billion people and a city (Auckland) of 1.5 million. I guess we make a small contribution!And here were are on the 26th again!What has changed in the past two months? More babies. More deaths.Overall population growth.
More violence and war in troubled spots. More inconsistencies - how the "western" world intervenes when it seems helpful to their cause/s, and leaves others in trouble. Oh and the the international police people(the UN) and their attempts. Interesting.
What about the silent ones? The sleeping giant made up of ordinary people who probably could make a difference if they stood up for truth. And then the sleeping giant of the un-mobilised Christian church around the world.
And if you want a good show - watch the developments in the ALP. Australian's politicians are quite fascinating! By Monday we may well have a new Prime Minister across the ditch.
In our local scene - church life continues happily. I say that in good faith as one never knows how happy happy means. And you can't please them all - someone once mentioned this to me! A colleague told me this week that he was told (yes this is second hand) that in his church they watch for the first year, and oppose the pastor during the second year. My question - what happens in the third year? Hmm.
How am I enjoying my transition from School Chaplaincy to the "pastorate?"
Well I miss the school - the students who are the school. I do hear from some of my ex-students and it's always good to hear things are going well. The days are very different - it was quite good having lots of exciting things each day. As a pastor there is a lot more time alone. Solitude is not lonely. It helps one develop the inner life. Remember the chaplain who went back to church work and slept for three years? I am not asleep - but the tiredness is real. It's about pacing oneself.
LENT is the time of the year we are in now. And through these 40 days we are trying to focus on the essentials of the Christian faith - the sacrificial life of spiritual disciplines. Hurray for Richard Foster and other writers who over the years have called people back to the ancient ways.
For my part I am blessed to have Tom Wright's newly published "Lent for everyone" - he is a gift as a writer and speaker. Thanks God.
May you be encouraged to journey closer to our Lord at this time. May you surrender to His plan. (See my other blog http://robinpalmer.wordpress.com/ for today's thoughts on the first Sunday in Lent.)
As a blast from the past (so to speak) we spent an hour this afternoon listening to the North Shore Brass Band on Browns Bay Beach. Nice to hear music I used to play in my band days. Would love to get into it but need a sponsor or donor to get a new E-flat Tenor Horn! Made me think of my old friends in the Natal Mounted Rifles Military Band - what wonderful years.
Well happy second month anniversary of Boxing Day. And to think I used to write weekly! I must be working too hard.
