Kia ora e te whanau
From bad to worse
One wonders how the actions of one manifestly inadequate human being could so negatively affect the planet. Here we are, at the bottom of the world, out of harm’s way, not bothering anyone – yet caught up with the rest of the planet in an unfolding disaster at the hands of one man. How can this be? That the ill-considered actions of one individual, doing what he does, just because he can, wrecks havoc across the world. We’re watching fuel prices go up by the day – sometimes a number of times each day. The Challenge station next door was two days ‘out of stock’ on 95, only just today registering again that they have it available at a significantly elevated price – now $3.53/lt. And as I walked through the forecourt there was one with his utility loaded with an assortment of fuels cans on the tray – all being filled. Even at that price. And who can blame him? Yet it’s an ‘everyone for themselves’ response to a crisis with no readily foreseeable end.
And then we have Jesus. At Easter. The one for others. The one committed to the human race. All of us. The one more concerned with filling our tanks than his own. The one who wins by losing. As a result, we all win. Because of the selfless actions of one man. Alone. On a cross.
For your Edification
Leadership & Personal Development Resources
It’s easy, isn’t it, to assess others as being lucky. Luckier than we are. We don’t succumb to jealousy – we simply accept it as a fact of life. Some people just seem to have all the luck, they have the ‘midas touch’, things seem to work out for them. We put it down to luck.
Now, hear me – I’m not complaining, I’ve had a privileged existence, and I’m grateful. Very grateful.
In this article Jeff Haden very usefully lays down the basis for luck – how it can be cultivated, and, become part of our everyday. The article can be accessed here: https://www.fastcompany.com/91469718/5-ways-live-luckier-life-starting-tomorrow
Use “micro-measurements” to achieve success
Here’s one we can all apply – following through is simply and easily achievable. I have little doubt, it can add to our awareness, our personal growth, and joy. This short article can be accessed here: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/use-micro-measurements-to-achieve-success
5 Words To Say When “What If” Gets Too Loud
This one, from Psychology Today. How often do we find ourselves overwhelmed by the critical voice in our heads? The one that tells us we’re failing, and flailing, that we’re not enough. This simple little phrase can enable us to speak back, and settle ourselves. The article can be engaged with here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/liking-the-child-you-love/202603/5-words-to-say-when-what-if-gets-too-loud
Do the Next Right Thing
This may not be for every one. And it may be for most of us. When we’re at a point when we suspect we may have missed the mark, may feel we have wasted our lives, or at least opportunity upon opportunity, this simple advice from Carl Jung can provide a useful corrective. The article can be accessed here: https://www.themarginalian.org/2026/03/19/carl-jung-next-right-thing/
Homilies and Preaching Resources
Rather than Palm Sunday, I’ve elected to lean into Passion Sunday. My response to part of one of the lectionary options for the 29th of March is titled ‘’His Worst for Our Best’ – reflecting on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as found in Matthew 26 vs 36-46. The offering can be engaged with here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0z0XzMoFQs
Gospel Conversations – out of the Dunedin Anglican Diocese. They host a conversation of 4 Theologians / Practitioners – until this year around the Gospel lectionary text for the coming Sunday. The site with all its options can be accessed here: https://www.calledsouth.org.nz/gospel-conversations/. Led by Michael Godfrey, rather than the Gospel text, they are focusing on the first reading (traditionally known as Old Testament). For this coming Palm Sunday the 29th of March, it’s one of the texts concerning the suffering servant – as found in Isaiah 50 vs 4-9a. It can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T07746oehRg
Rev Darryn Hickling (Methodist colleague leading the Rolleston Project) has posted a brief reflection on Instagram – focussing on Holy Week and Palm Sunday. Titled ‘Resistance is Futile’ it can be accessed here: https://www.instagram.com/?ref=xav_igxfb_comet_ig_bookmark_mega_menu_launch