The Vicar

I have a new identity -

A lovely lady from Redroofs Resthome came up to me after the Sunday service and said I reminded her of someone. Not the Vicar of Dibley is it, I said. Yes she said, only much smaller.
I'm taking it as a compliment ........

"The Least Shall Have The Best"

I found the above quote somewhere, I don't know where and haven't been able to find it again. I hope it is a Booth quote, but if it's not then I believe it is a good description of the Booth's philosophy on raising the standard for the poor.
My dream would be that every area of The Salvation Army would promote this philosophy. Imagine what that would look like. The Family Stores would have a top priority of giving the best goods to those in need instead of a top priority of making a dollar. Designer clothing, quality household goods, well made furniture - these things would be reserved for those who find themselves at our doors in need. The excess of these sold to make a dollar.
Is this already how we do it - what do you think?

Kylie all ready for the wedding, not hers, (still looking) maybe today Mr Right will sweep her off her feet.

Goodlookers from EC08

JUST ACTION

Time to start blogging again after Danielle Strickland's workshop at JUST ACTION Conference on Blogging - we were reminded just what an amazing tool for good that the internet can be. What a conference! I am inspired by everything that I saw and heard but the highlight had to be the documentary on homeless youth - cared for by Oasis in Sydney. If I can attain to that kind of selfless love I will be happy.
I've had a fun time with selfless love myself this week - I know she saw me as an easy target to get what she needed - but who could resist the innocent smile and loving kiss as she happily left the building - a petrol voucher in hand. But I need to get to my Dad's she pleads the next day - but I gave you a petrol voucher yesterday, what happened to it? I gave it to my friend to do messages. My Dad's really sick, staying at the SA Hostel, I ring - no he's fine, fit as a fiddle - they tell me he's not got cancer I say to her - well he looked yellow to me she offers - well we aren't giving you more petrol or buying you a ticket - but I have no cash because my boarder punched me and stole $87 from my card - need to get rid of the boarder I say then you'll have cash - ok she says - Dear Boarder I write, please leave G's house as soon as possible - signed her Salvation Army Officer - of course she probably won't give the letter to him - word on the street is she's been sniffing petrol - no doubt helped by yours truly giving her a petrol voucher (oops) - look forward to her next visit.

“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”

Mark Twain

Furlough

Alexandra from "The Linger and Die". So called presumably because if you lingered on this spot too long you could be drowned by a flood.

Today was my first day at work after a weeks holiday. It's been kind of a watershed week. We decided to go to Alexandra for most of it and catch up with friends and surroundings that we left behind 2 or more years ago to enter The Salvation Army Training College. We had been back only once for a quick trip so it was time to relax and spend time.

The picture above doesn't do Alexandra justice and being winter it didn't look a bit like that blue sky and brown grass. It was mostly grey skies and below zero temperatures with a bit of rain thrown in and snow on the surrounding hills.
Nevertheless it was great and we enjoyed our stay with friends.
I preached at my old Corps on the Sunday about Mephibosheth grandson of the King who lived a crippled life in poverty and through David found a love that seeks, elevates and is secure. The Corps people there are my personal fan club so I couldn't fail but I do hope they heard the message as it's a great story.

We had a trip through to Wanaka for a haircut. Cause that's what you do when your on holiday you travel an hour there and an hour back with the threat of snow over you just for a haircut.

I feel much better for the break even if it was packed to the hilt with friends and family and not a minute to spare. I've done a lot of thinking and a lot of off loading and I think I am understanding a lot more the way I've got to go in terms of work and calling and who I am and who God is - yes things are back in perspective like they never have been before.
Today was my first day back at work and for the 3rd time this winter I had to wait for an hour or so before I could get out of the driveway because of ice or snow. This time it wasn't that the tyres wouldn't grip - I actually had no control for a full 2 seconds because of ice. Just might have to leave the car at the top of the hill and walk up to it every morning to avoid the excitement.

Snow

As promised by all who have previously lived on the hill in Halfway Bush Dunedin, we are snowed in. This is the second snow fall already this winter but much deeper and longer lasting than the first.

Red Letter Christians

This is a very inspiring interview with Tony Campolo. I know New Zealand doesn't have the same kind of judgementalism that we hear of in America - but it could happen here too. If we're not careful christianity could become about "thou shalt not" instead of as Jesus taught living and sharing with sinners and being salt and light in a fallen world.

http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1401

Step Ahead Bowling

I spent this morning at Ten Pin Bowling with the EPlus Step Ahead team. Samantha, Aiden and Millie thought it was a good idea to give the clown a very good checking out.

Slave to Time

I have decided ... time is not going to control me anymore. I have already started in fact. Only yesterday I announced at work that I wouldn't be available in the afternoon as I had some preparation to do. This had to happen I'm not enjoying always being behind and on the back foot. One day after work I was still preparing for recovery church 1 hour before. So this is what I'm going to do is be very strict with my planning ahead and also make sure time is allowed for family and fresh air and exercise. There we go - now could someone please hold me accountable!

At last the photo works

Die and Let Live 007

This was my first Easter Camp and surprise, surprise I really did enjoy it. Even Teri-Anne enjoyed it so it must have been ok. It was a good time of getting to know each other better and great to see some old familiar faces from Alexandra again - Kay, Ash, Sabian and Sam. The option of rice day was taken up by a number of us - in return for us not eating the normal meals and just a bowl of rice at each meal, the cost of our normal meal was collected and donated to the people who live on the dump in Tonga. I was resigned to rice for the day but soon learnt from more seasoned campers that it wasn't apparently breaking the rules to accept chocolate or other goodies offered to you from other people as even very poor people get things offered to them. The die and let live theme of the camp was memorable as was the teaching from Malcolm Irwin who instilled in us the takeaway line - sexy carrots.

The Crin Hits Dunedin

It's been a great few days with Corryn visiting. We've been making the most of the good weather and sightseeing and checking out what The Salvation Army are doing in Dunedin - I'm sure Corryn will fill you in but don't believe her when she says I'm a terrible driver just because I had a bit of a ding and my left blinker now goes tick, tick tick instead of tick tock.

Baby Cousins

Big highlight of living in Dunedin - Joel on the left and Milly on the right - the newest grandchildren. Hard to believe how quickly they change but every week there is something new to enjoy.
It's hard to measure if what you're doing is effective when working with people but a couple of things have happened recently at work that just warm your heart like the lady that came into the foodbank and declared that she was about to shoplift some groceries but something reminded her that the team at the foodbank would rather she came for help than shoplift so she left her trolley, walked out of the shop and came straight to the foodbank - that's a courageous act for someone who's in the habit of shoplifting. And then there's this man on e-bail who is well known for his wayward ways and is trying to do the right thing but is dogged by the police at every turn and he's standing tall and refusing to prove them right. I have to say I really like being in the thick of people's lives and being inspired as they are being transformed by the hand of God

Life in the Deep South

Okay, okay, okay Doug - here is the news. Of course I am loving Dunedin. I have pretty much hit the ground running. I have four staff to look after, as well as trainee social workers on placement from time to time. They are a great team - I can't speak highly enough of them. I enjoy that side of the appointment although there is much to learn regarding the management side of things. But the most exciting thing is the people contact I have and supporting people through crisis situations. Whether on the phone or in person I always offer to pray with people and they are always so appreciative of just that small act. What a privilege to be a part of.
Today I led a funeral for a 4 month old baby. A contact through our Court and Prison Worker. I was a part of a team of people like prisoners aid, prison fellowship and the undertaker who was a rock, even supplying some flowers from his own garden. Together in some way we were there to support a family in a very sad situation. As I said what a privilege and I very much sensed God's empowering presence as I was able to give assurance of their son's safety with Jesus and present the gospel.
I am also doing 5 hours a week at a rest home until Kay starts in February. I love the place though and may book in for my retirement as they have a lot of fun there - just joking for I plan to be raptured before then.
Anyway that is my life for now. Every day a new challenge.

While at College the Bonds and McGregors have been practising 'out of here' most weekends.

This is specialised training but highly recommended if you want to sustain any sort of sanity while at College. This is John in his usual position - race car driver extraordinaire - John can negotiate Wellington traffic like no other and as Bob Dylan would say 'Just Knocking on Heavens Door' - if you know what I mean.

This is Shirlee assuming her usual role as camp mother - this time at the mall - always check your sushi for any foreign objects.
Caleb and Shirlee in their natural habitat, being long serving mall dwellers. Jamaica Blue of course. And last of all Shirlee and I, riding shotgun on 'out of here' campaign.

Yesterday we thought we would take Jasper the cat for a ride in the car in his new cat cage. This would, we thought, get him used to being in a cage and in the car. Very thoughtful of us we thought with his pending 700km trip. He looked lovely in his new cage with inbuilt feeder tray and with only intermittent miaows we thought he would be fine on the long trip - that was until Teri-Anne decided to open the feeder tray to give him a pat. Jasper, being an opportunist, saw the hole and made a run for it. Unfortunately he only managed to get his head through and no amount of pushing could make him go back, he was so determined that he resorted to spinning his body around - a very good party trick. We were so convinced he was taking his last breath that we resorted to the vet where two animal experts pushed and pulled his head back into the cage. So much for giving him a good experience.

Commissioning Weekend

This is the moment I was commissioned as an Officer with the rank of Captain!

This is us at the Silver Star dinner!

And this is the moment I received my Diploma In Biblical Studies!


What a weekend - 2 years of hard work made it all the more special.