history in a minor key

10 June 1886
Tarawera (eruption)

25 April 1915
Gallipoli (war)

2 February 1931
Napier (earthquake)

24 December 1953
Tangiwai (lahar)

10 April 1968
Wahine (cyclone)

28 November 1979
Erebus (plane crash)

19 November 2010
Pike River (mine explosion)

Every decade or two New Zealand is hit with a deep sadness that adds to our self-understanding as a people. Our story can be retold in a minor key – and another sad stanza has just been added. There are more – but this is more than enough just for now…

Paul

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About Me

paul06.16

the art of unpacking

After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.

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1 Comment

  1. christplaysnz on December 20, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Wahine! oh Tangiwai!
    the skies that fall
    the seas assault
    the children cry
    did you hear there’s been a fire down the mine?
    Wahine e! oh Tangiwai!

    we’ll land with our battalions at gallipoli
    we’ll fly above the mountains in the storm
    as the fire erupts on every side
    we hold onto each other tight
    for we will be the first to see the dawn

    so here's to tragedies!
    long live the casualties!
    as we dry our eyes
    and write our lives
    in minor keys
    tighten the tourniquets
    oh god is it over yet
    here’s to the ones we lost before
    before our watching eyes
    and here's to the beautiful
    bruised and broken
    left behind

    over the mountains, seas
    and weary trees they came
    but Mahuika still had one more flame
    can you hear the sound of old Mawhera cryin’?
    oh rock of ages cleft for twenty-nine

    may they ride with our battalions from gallipoli
    may they fly above the mountains and the storm
    high above this land that quakes
    and trembles with each heart that breaks
    for we will be the first to carry on

    so here's to tragedies!
    long live the casualties!
    as we dry our eyes
    and write our lives
    in minor keys
    tighten the tourniquets
    oh god is it over yet?
    here’s to the ones we lost before
    before our watching eyes
    and here’s to the beautiful
    bruised and broken
    left behind

    did you here there’s been a fire down the mine?
    oh rock of ages cleft for twenty-nine

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