Waitangi Day on a wave

A sunny day today, marred by a horrible earthquake and news of a Tsunami watch here in New Zealand. More concerning are the reports of vulnerable people in the Pacific on their more vulnerable islands. Worth keeping an eye on things in the whole area and staying off the beach today.
I've not had too many persistent nightmares in my life. Some of the recurring ones are too messy to share with you. But there was always the picture of a very large Tsunami. Growing up  in "Durbs by the sea" made that a kind of possibility in the back of one's mind.
It's dreams that are next on my hit list. Anyone found a decent seminar or retreat on interpreting dreams? There is one coming up this year on the Shore (our North Shore which used to be a posh part of Auckland a bit like the old Durban-North and the new Balito). Would love your thoughts on how these dreams work.
About Waitangi day? Not a lot to say really. I think a large chunk of the population seems a tad indifferent to the whole history. I also think it requires more serious study from all. The average kiwi is happy to have a holiday and noses will be put out of joint if the country with the most sails per capita is chased out of the water on this lovely day of recreation. Stupid Tsunami - they will think as are forced to step out of the recreational bubble they live in.
And many will have to stop being sightseers to the tragedies of life. Amazing how many flock to the beach to see what is happening when Tsunamis lurk. Information overload of course means that we are a bit shruggy about the needs of the masses. People will lose everything, and we will muddle on with our own issues or pleasures.

Happy Waitangi Day! If you know nothing about the history click here...

And congratulations to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who celebrates 61 years since she became Queen - the sad day on which she heard that her father had passed away. She was in Kenya at the time. So many interesting links to Kenya these days! Go Kenya!

Watch this space!

And it begins again...

I'm back to 'work' tomorrow. It's a funny idea considering what I do. So many comments over so many years ; 'you only work once a week anyway' is the standard line. Or 'on leave again?'.

It's been a good break. Nothing spectacular. A bit of this and that. I think parts of the garden are looking a tad better. And the Auckland weather has been great.

Looking ahead at 'work' - we face the same old same old things only of people have the same old attitude. I noticed this quote recently:

"Talk to him about 'moderation in all things.' If you can once get him to the point of thinking that 'religion is all very well up to a point,' you can feel quite happy about his soul. A moderated religion is as good for us as no religion at all—and more amusing."
~ Screwtape, from The Screwtape Letters

Yay for CS Lewis. It may be that people don't all agree with particulars but the devil in the book has a point.

I'm hoping that people will focus on the future and not have us all hamstrung by details and preferences. To quote a friend who writes amazing articles - thanks Rod:

Three Leadership Sinkholes to avoid… (Natal Mercury Tuesday)

Sinkhole #1: Managing will consume you. If you don’t watch your step you’ll be seduced into thinking that managing IS leading. The two will become confused and leading will morph into managing - not the reverse. Endless administrative tasks will drown your day and you. The risk-averse, the anxious employees among you (mostly managers - they LOVE safety) will exercise power and keep you managing and keep you from leading. They are managers. That’s what they do. Of course they will try to manage you. Then, the very same people will complain, “There’s just no leadership around here!” It’s a sinkhole. Avoid it.

Sinkhole #2: Over-listening to whiners. If you allow the whiners among you too much of an ear they will drown out healthy voices. Whiners are often very aggressive, especially when ignored. They’ll feel entitled to shape your job. Don’t let them. Whiners are NEVER satisfied. Whatever you do will never stop their whining. Listen to whiners, yes, but listen to the healthy, the enthusiastic, and the busy, motivated people six times as much. Pole-vault this sinkhole.

Sinkhole #3: Tripping over the remains of your predecessor. I am all for honouring the past, but leaders must determinedly point to a greater future. Resist the understandable urge to protect the memory of whomever you follow, especially if you are doing it in the hopes of gaining acceptance from those who loved the previous leader. It’s a sinkhole. Flee it.

So here's to a year which looks forward and beyond ourselves to the mission we have in this community. To the reality of God and his transforming power. To true reconciliation and forgiveness. To truth and not self-deception. To real life-changing love and service.