Change.

So it's official.

A few weeks ago I attended the Wellington Diocese MDE. Anglicans love acronyms. In this case MDE stands for Ministry Discernment Event. It's about whether or not I am indeed called to ordained ministry in the Anglican church. To become like a vicar type. Scary stuff.

I left this weekend with the understanding that the wheels of the church turn slowly. I told people so.

However the following Friday morning I was surprised by a call from Bishop Tom. He had a proposal for me... 'Would I consider fast-tracking my process and head up to Auckland next January?' I had the weekend to make my decision. Wow.

I talked to close friends and family. I prayed. And on Sunday afternoon I talked to John (my vicar and boss). Bishop Tom had made it clear that John really didn't have a choice on this one, but I needed his support. We talked and prayed. We agreed that the timing was not what we expected, but that it was somehow right.

Monday afternoon I told Bishop Tom I would go for it. He told me that was the right answer. Within the hour I had the application forms, and within two hours I had a meeting booked with Jim White, Dean of St John's College for the following morning. I had less than two days to get my completed application in. The wheels were indeed turning fast.

So on Sunday night I had the privilege of telling the Karori Vive crew that I won't be around come 2010. A hard decision, and a costly one. I love the Karori crew.

Today I paid a visit to Auckland to visit St John's and to get an idea of the lie of the land. Very grateful to Tim for taking the time to show me around. It's a lovely place, peaceful, beautiful and studious. I don't imagine that the path ahead will be easy. I pray that it will be exciting. Life in abundance.

So I'm on the plane home as I write this. All of a sudden the word 'home' takes on extra meaning.

Celebrating a Billion Seconds of Life

Heather's House Party

Eight Minutes past One: Darlene Time

From an old idea my mate Sam McGuire had years ago… Saw the photo of Darlene on her website and couldn’t resist.

One Third of a Million!

One of the most amazing things to happen to me this year was to be given a car after my old car died. And this weekend we moved past the 333,333km mark!

Not bad at all for a 1.3 litre engine.  Legend!

Discerning, writing, hoping, waiting

For those of you who don’t know, I’m early in the process of figuring out whether I’m called to ordination as a Priest in the Anglican Church. In two weekends time I will be heading off to the discernment weekend. But for tonight it was a desperate effort to get some of the overdue paperwork dealt with. Had a great evening hanging with some of the Karori crew, then snuck into the office for some productive time.

The prospect of ordination excites me greatly.
But it terrifies me.

Sometimes a dream is so grand that reality would only seek to ruin it.
Sometimes insecurities rob us from ourselves.

Sometimes it’s a bold step.
Sometimes it’s a tentative movement based purely on the encouragement of friends.

Sometimes I know.
Sometimes I just know.

 

At the moment I’m wrestling.
I’m fat. I’m lazy. I’m boring. I’m conformed.
I seek transformation.
Please?

Farewell old friend

Waiting for the auto dismantler to come and take my car away. The gear box gave up months ago and I should have dealt with this earlier. I got this car in 2000 and drove 170,000km in her. She's been a good friend. (A better friend to me than I have been to her.)

Wow

John Wesley’s Small Group Questions

These take accountability to a new level…

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?

4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?

5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

6. Did the Bible live in me today?

7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

8. Am I enjoying prayer?

9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?

10. Do I pray about the money I spend?

11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

12. Do I disobey God in anything?

13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

16. How do I spend my spare time?

17. Am I proud?

18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?

19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?

20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?]

From http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/05/accountability-questions.html

James

Uh oh...