Published

Ripples, my book of children's stories and plays, has been published on Smashwords. I am awaiting its review to find out what, if anything, needs to be touched up to make the Premium catalogue. It is suitable for use by those in Children's Christian Ministry. The stories can be adapted to include the names of those in your Fellowship. Likewise, Parents and Grandparents would find them a great basis for sharing. I have actually found that many adults, and particularly the elderly, relate to the stories. Go on, take the chance - buy it. Now that I have taken that step, I must turn my attention to another completed adult book I have tentatively named 'Begat', and also get stuck into my Creation book which I have not added a word to for well over 6 months. Get a move on Jim.

Boy Scout Walking

Like many young New Zealanders I was a Scout. You know, the Baden Powell 'Be Prepared' type. I clearly recall learning how to walk a straight line. You line up some object, normally a tree, spire etc, fix your gaze upon it, and walk towards it ensuring that you never look to either side or down at your feet. Follow that advice and look back once you reach the object. Your footprints will be roughly in a straight line. Therein is the big secret of Christian Life. You must fix your gaze upon Christ and walk directly towards Him. Do not look to either side nor up nor down. Look else where, and you will wander from the straight and narrow. So, I've wandered off the straight and narrow. How do I get back? When I left St Columba's Church in Napier, to live in Masterton, the Communications Committee presented me with a book as a going away gift. That book shows how to get back on the straight line. It is 'Finding our way Again' by Brian McLaren and is part of The Ancient Practice Series published by Thomas Nelson. This is a book I whole-heartedly recommend. It does not matter really whether you have wandered off the path or not. It is an amazing book that will ensure you examine your current practices and help you find meaning in your spiritual life.

Family

If you are related to me and you see the heading 'Family,' you are probably saying, "What's he going to go on about this time?" Well, I am going to go on about family. Probably in a bit of a long-winded way. My wife and I have shifted back to Masterton after fourteen years in Napier. They were enjoyable years, mostly. Back here we somehow feel that we have arrived home. Certainly my Christian journey while in Napier was interesting. I went through stages; Progressive Christianity, Sea of Faith and the go to Church, sit in the pew, listen to a sermon, sing a few hymns, say the Lord's prayer and then go back to the 'real' world once again stage. Somewhere along that road though I met my Lord. It was not a massive burning bush, or bright light experience, but rather a series of small 'things'; prayers becoming meaningful, peace that would regularly envelope me while reading the bible, the words 'He walks with me and He talks with me' coming into my mind. I knew they were words from a hymn, but it was one I had never never sung or seen. The tune 'given me' was also correct. Tears now pour from my eyes whenever I sing Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. Gradually I gained a compelling urge to tell people about God; to do God's will. I felt God's blessing upon my writing. Then, I discovered Creation Science Evangelism and Answers in Genesis and became a Creationist. The interesting point is that while people accepted my Christian position, they baulked at Creationism. How can you be a Christian, accept the bible as the word of God, but not believe what it says? So where does family come in? Well on Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, I went to services at the Masterton church I had attended fourteen years previously. Although I am now older, (state the obvious Jim) with an earring, moustachioed with a goatee beard, and very long hair in a pony tail, I was welcomed back with hugs and opened arms. I don't think they realise how much of a prodigal son I feel.    

Character Building

My wife and I have recently shifted from Napier to Masterton. This has been character building in a big way. First the truck leaked in the rain and caused serious damage to many items that my wife considered irreplaceable. The washing machine then decided that its life span had been achieved. Likewise the microwave decided to join the washing machine in machine heaven. All of this would have been enough to cause melt down in a weaker man. (We did not have removal insurance which would have cost the same as normal excess and besides what could happen between Napier and Masterton!) I have not melted down. Just the opposite. There is a book on my bookshelf titled bumps make you stronger, or something similar to that. (I have yet to unpack that particular box.) The damage to our items are the bumps on the road upon which I am currently travelling and they have helped me/us to see that they are only objects. We have arrived physically safe and thank the Lord for bringing us to this place and including a valuable lesson in the process.

PC and Children

There was a time when children were safe in the community. Sadly this is no longer the case. From time to time I have assisted at an after school care (Afcare) program. When a child is hurt or crying your natural instinct is too cuddle them to make it better. You do not dare do so today do you? You must be so careful or you leave yourself open to terrible allegations. Not long ago, through a stuff up, I went to a primary school to meet a school boy and escort him safely to the Afcare program about quarter of a mile away. I did not know the child and he did not know me. I only knew where I was to meet him. I waited, and waited. I asked parents and teachers. Nobody could see or remember the child. One mother asked me what I was doing. In hindsight, my comment that I was "Looking for a boy," wasn't my greatest line. The result? The boy's father had picked him up early and not notified the Afcare program. How dangerous is that! How sad that in this day and age when children are growing up, in many cases without a male presence, interaction between children of both genders has to be so carefully managed by both genders.

Brook Besor

Yesterday I spoke to residents of an aged care facility in Napier, New Zealand, in a Bible study. I spoke about David and his pursuit of the Amalekites who had decimated his resident town of Ziklag. (1 Samuel Chapter 30 Verses 1 to 25 with the emphasis on verses 23 to 25.) While there are numerous lessons to be taken from this incident, the one I concentrated upon was the need for the camp to be guarded. The residents of the home are clearly not able to physically be at the forefront of the battle but they can stay behind at the camp and guard it. The camp is Christianity. They can guard it with prayer and there is nothing the powers of darkness fear more than prayer. As David states; Those who guard the camp are as important as those who go physically into battle. (Paraphrased.)

Sitting In The Back Seat

     Most Sundays I provide a lift to Church for an aged lady. This lady, in her 80's, sits with another elderly lady - both of them in the back pew of the Church. Recently these two have 'fallen out' over some small matters. A touch of Alzheimers has not helped. It now falls to me to sit between them and maintain the peace. This is a job I am willing to undertake as it allows what has been a caring friendship between the two of them to continue, albeit in a slightly different form.
     Unfortunately the lady I provide the lift for is partially blind and hard of hearing. She also has problems staying awake during the service. As a result she spends most of the service asleep in my lap stirring only when I stand for the hymns.
     What a lovely lady she really is though, once you get to know her. Her life has been very difficult and she now finds herself in a foreign land and in a nursing home with others she has nothing in common with and a family she believes has abandoned her. Thank God that her beliefs give her a family.