At the Monte Cecilia Park in Auckland (on my first day back home):
‘I do not run like someone running aimlessly‘ (1 Cor 9.26)
May it be so, Lord Jesus. |
At the Wai-o-tapu thermal area outside Rotorua:
‘Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God’ (2 Jn 1.9)
May it not be so, Lord Jesus. |
In the backyard of a bach at Lake Tarawera:
‘Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us‘ (Heb 12.1)
May it be so, Lord Jesus. |
But after awhile, running becomes very tiring for those little legs.
It is important to be caught, to sit down, to rest … and to soak up the love.
‘Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free; |
nice chatting
Paul
PS: My Luvly Lys (Micah’s Mum) sent me another photo of the little running man to keep me company in faraway India:
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‘I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free’ (Psalm 119.32)May it be so, Lord Jesus. |
About Me

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.
Recent Posts
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Reading stories to grandchildren over Christmas reminded me again of how powerful they can be. They are so compact and simple in presentation, and yet so clever in construction. There are just so many features at work in an effective story. It is some years since I taught narrative preaching, but when I did I’d…
Apart from the eight years in which we were based overseas, Barby has been working at the Refugee Resettlement Center in Auckland since 2002. This year she is a ‘release teacher’, spending one day each week in three different classrooms, with three different age groups. Impressive—and demanding. One day is spent with 11-13 year olds—from…
The joy of childhood and generational connection. Really special. A future All Black maybe?
Lovely, lovely, lovely.