Sons of Gallipoli

This song by NZ singer/songwriter Chris Skinner is a beautiful way to reflect on ANZAC Day and our NZ national anthem. This version is sung by Chris himself with the Auckland Boys' Choir. Seeing these beautiful children sing so innocently brought tears to my eyes.

Sons of Gallipoli

Chris Skinner

We sang —God of Nations at thy feet—

As we stood on that sacred shore

With a heartfelt pride

Somewhere deep inside

For the sons of Gallipoli

We sang —E Ihowa Atua—

From the place they call Anzac Cove

We gazed out to sea

Where our home would be

For the sons of Gallipoli

How still you lie

And how still you die on other hillsides.

We sang —hear our voices we entreat—

As the wind blew from off the sea

With a tearful sigh and the question why

For the sons of Gallipoli

We sang —God defend our free land—

And for all whose lives are torn

With one voice implore

No more talk of war

For the sons of Gallipoli

"Love this Place" ~A Visual Ode to the Earth, Earth Day 2015

Today April 22nd is Earth Day 2015. This 16 minute video is a "collage of visual poetry" that will both inspire and challenge. Make a cuppa and take the time to watch - such a brief but powerful way to respect our "home planet" - and perhaps find some new motivation to help keep it beautiful.

Reflection

Still water

welcoming mirror

creation's beauty reflected

for all who pass by.

Still heart

welcoming mirror

divine beauty reflected

for all who pass by.

Perspective

The sky's the limit?

Actually... no!

It's just the fragile edge of one small planet

in one insignificant galaxy in the vastness of the universe.

But I'm grateful for the beauty of the manageable sky 

in New Zealand, Auckland, Orewa,

Maygrove Lake

near my house

today.

Resting

No need to rush off

anywhere.

Content to float

and "just be".

Concentric Circle Elegy

In the final week of the Lent retreat we were asked to write an elegy, a poem about how we would like to be remembered. It was a surprisingly hard thing to do. It felt somehow wrong to be celebrating my own life rather than waiting for someone else to do it after I died! It was a humbling thing to do. It gave rise to great gratitude to God for all that my very blessed life has enabled me to be and do. It was also a powerful reminder that how I live now will probably be how I will be remembered. Here's what I wrote - and I encourage you to write your own!

She was a quiet child

often at home, unwell

with books as her companions.

Yet remembered now 

as a pioneer, a risk taker

and a writer of books!

People often commented 

on her smiling eyes and 

safely welcoming presence - 

gifts that grew into

decades of soul companioning.

She was a creative teacher

first of children, later of adults.

Always looking for ways

to make learning fun

and deep at the same time.

"Concentric Circles of Faith" 

is how she describes her journey.

The ripples growing wider each year

evolving constantly into

the endless expanse

of Infinite Love.

Wherever you are planted...

Wherever you are planted

open your face to the sun

and share

 your beauty with the world!

Sometimes I feel like this!!

Easter Morning

We went to the beach before sunrise this morning. I haven't done that for many years - but what a wonderful way to start the day! Here are a few images:

How to Surrender

(This is a poem I wrote as part of the Lenten retreat.)

How to Surrender

I used to think surrender

was the easy option

just shrug your shoulders

roll your eyes

and give in quietly.

But now I am talking about

something different

harder,

more courageous.

So take a deep breath

It might be risky...

Open those clenched hands

extend those folded arms

lean out past the point of balance

and let go

Let go control

Let go “knowing”

Risk it all on Trust

You might land

in the water

surprised you didn't  drown

and finding you can float

You might discover

wings that take you

higher than you

ever thought possible.

You might fall

into the abyss

and much, much later

be caught
in the tender hands of Love.

Just for fun...

What do you see when you look at this photo? I was playing around with various photo angles and perspectives and didn't see what I see now until I put the photo on the computer:

It's a pity I don't allow comments on this Blog! (I had too many spam ones) I'd love to know what you see. Often what we see isn't exactly what is there. It depends on our perspective and sometimes it reflects what we want to see - or what we fear seeing. (But it might also be just for fun!)