100th Entry... Also reflections

 (TW: Trauma, Hurt, Fear, Worry, Sexuality, Marginalization)

WOW!!!!

11 years of Blogging. Wow!!!

And, what may be my 100th Entry. WOW!!!

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I do want to use this space ... given that it's mine to write about things.

First of all... as if...

Research Life... Balancing Work... Whanau Life etc 

Was not enough....

Once again....

Other things creep in!!!!

I have been in and out of Church for YEARS!!!

And many different churches.

Often... having to move... too...

Some times because of theology...

But one core issue that has impacted my membership and participation in Churches over many years has been... hokakatanga... takātapuitanga.

In some instances it has meant the approach of Conversion Therapy!!!!

In other cases... tacit punitive action dressed up as 

"Loving concern" but more an exercise on the Churches part to protective a "Conservative public image"

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The latter in very very recent years.

That same Church has a REALLY TOXIC Dangerous approach... because frankly while they let some

Of the obvious ones like Brian Tamaki spout Conservatism...

They IN ACTUAL FACT... Hold the same position,

 but tacitly. And in fact... while they DON'T March in the Streets or jump on the airwaves...

Their tactics like "quietly taking people of the Music stage" or "Giving people a break from Serving" is

THEIR Toxic version of MARGINALIZING AND HURTING People..

That Church knows who it is.... I won't say the name... But they do share Theological Whakapapa

And literal history with Destiny... as... NZs other "Apostolic Movement".

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Any way...

That church joins a long list of Churches I had to withdraw from as it was unsafe for mainly that reason.

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Right NOW!!!!

Today in August 2024...

I worship in another tradition altogether.

One... in the throes of approaching the whole conversation of Hokakatanga.

They are brave and courageous!!!

I applaud the Anglican Communion across the world for being brave enough to approach this.

YES... There are varied views and major issues.

BUT As a Communion... they are at a

Communion Level (International)

Provincial Level (National)

Diocesan Level (Regional)

And Parish Level (Local) ...

Approaching the Conversation.

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This...

I utterly APPLAUD!!!!!!

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I only offer...

A prayer... that we manaaki all involved.

I for one... pray that for us...

And for me too...

As presently... things are getting a bit tough...

Being in this conversation.

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I do have personal supports...

But yeah... 

Would appreciate all levels and types of Christian

Support, Prayer and Love...

As things are a bit full right now.... as we walk through these spaces.

AUCKLANDERS PROTEST ASSET SELL OFF AND POTENTIAL COMMUNITY LOSSES

***AUCKLANDERS PROTEST ASSET SELL-OFF AND POTENTIAL COMMUNITY LOSSES ***

Following last month's,  Auckland Council Budget Vote, Many Aucklanders are worried about job losses and loss of community Assets.

Mayor Wayne Brown plans to sell the Councils shares in both the Auckland Airport and Ports of Auckland.

At a Community Level, some Councillors have expressed worry over facilities like OMAC in South Auckland. 

Community Leaders like Hadleigh Pouesi appeared on Breakfast last month, expressing his worry of West Auckland Youth Centre, Zeal.

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Mayor Brown has said his plan will save Millions for Auckland Council.

Concerned Aucklanders worry that vulnerable communities are being treated like fodder for the Mayor's grand schemes.

Residents in Auckland fear that the Mayors plan could cause hundreds even thousands of job losses, causing grave concern during a Cost of Living Crisis.

Parents are worried too because the Mayor plans to close the Kauri Kids ECE Centres which care for vulnerable babies and young children across Auckland.

Residents are fed up and are planning to protest.

SAVE AUCKLAND is a group set up to try combat the Council's Asset Sales and Closures plans.

The first protest will be in Manurewa, South Auckland tommorow at 11am.

Tena Koutou Iwi Tapu

 I te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tama, o te Wairua Tapu, Tena ano taatou.

He uri a Paapa, no te hapu o Ngati Hikairo ki Manaia. Ko Ngati Maru to matou Iwi.

He uri a Maama, no Ngai Tai ara ko Torere, ko Matata. Tuturu, he paanga hoki ki a Ngati Rangi kei Ngawha. Tona karani paapa no Ngati Hinga, no Ngati Torehina kei Kaihu, ara kei Ngati Whatua. I whanau mai a Maama kei nga rekereke o tana kuia, kei Hokianga. Ko Te Mahurehure, ko Ngati Korokoro ona hapu. Ko Ngapuhi tona Iwi.

Ou matou paanga tauiwi ko nga Hurae, ko Piripina kei Ahia, ko Kotimana, ko Weera, ko Ingarangi ano hoki.

Tena ano taatou katoa.

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Nga mate kei a koutou, kei a matou hoki o te ra, o te wiki, o te marama, o te tau e takoto ana ki nga marae. Koutou nga hunga mate, haere, haere haere.

Hoki mai ki a matou nga hunga ora, nga waihotanga o ratou maa, Tena ano taatou.

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Koia puu, kua whakatakoto e au i aku paanga katoa ki nga topito o te motu nei, otira o te ao whanui.

He mahi whakawhanaungatanga tenei. Kaore au no Iwi Tapu. No whanau kee, hapu kee, Iwi kee au. No Haahi kee atu hoki. E whakawhanaunga ahau ki a koutou.

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Inaeanei, 

Enei kupu, ma koutou.

Ma koutou ou koutou pepeha, purakau ake o Iwi Tapu e takina.

Korero mo to koutou maunga, mo ou koutou awa, mo to koutou moana. Korero mai mo to koutou na waka.

Kei hea teera maunga? Kei hea to koutou awa, moana raini? Kei hea to koutou waka?

Ko wai nga hapuu kei waenganui i a koutou. Ko wai nga marae kei waenganui i a koutou?

Korero mai mo to koutou marae.

Era mea katoa. Korero mai, korero mai, korero mai.

Korero mai mo to koutou rangatira. Ko wai ia?

Mohio pai ko wai te tohunga, engari, ko wai kee ko to koutou rangatira. Rerekee era.

Whakaarohia mo Tainui, ko Hoturoa te tangata, engari ko Hape, ko Rakataura te tohunga?

He aha ta koutou o Iwi Tapu?

Ano ra te patai, mo nga kai korero, me whai tonu ratou i ta Iwi Tapu korero nahenahe?

Whakataha pea i te ratou ake pepeha?

Tera pea kei te whai ou koutou kaikorero i nga mea e rua, te taha Iwi Tapu me ta ratou ake Pepeha?

He aha ta koutou i korero ai? He aha ta koutou i whai ai?

Korero mai, korero mai, korero mai.

CONFUSION AT MANUREWA MARAE

 As early as April 2021, Manurewa Marae was recognised as a Vaccination Centre.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/04/coronavirus-first-marae-based-vaccine-centre-opens-at-auckland-s-manurewa-marae.html 

It has received acclaim for it's efforts in the Vaccine Rollout in Counties Manukau. 

https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/16-09-2021/manurewa-marae-and-covid-19-we-ignored-billy-tk-and-got-on-with-it 

Manurewa Marae has been part of the biggest rollout in Auckland.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300473996/covid19-meet-the-people-behind-the-countrys-biggest-vaccination-rollout-in-auckland 

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On the other hand, A Church Leader whose headquarters is in Manurewa has been at the Forefront of the Anti Vaccination Agenda leading several protests to propogate that failed cause.

That Church Leader has now been arrested and is being held in remand at Mt. Eden Correctional Facility.

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The Marae was 1.25 Million Taxpayer Dollars on top of Health Funding for all the Vaccinations done.

Despite Receiving over A million dollars in Taxpayer money for Vaccinations performed,

Shockingly the Marae has gone in support of the Anti Vaccination Propaganda Machine causing chaos and disturbance at Mt. Eden. 

Mt. Eden Residents have reported that the Protestors are defecating at Local Businesses AND in the Bushes

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/01/mt-eden-residents-terrified-to-leave-homes-as-brian-tamaki-supporters-descend-on-neighbourhood-for-fourth-day.html 

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Manurewa Residents and People connected to the Marae are now asking....

What kind of confused mess is happening at the Marae ?????

E te Apotoro - Oh Apostle

 E te Apotoro, E Brian

If truly, we believe what Apostle John writes, that his master Jesus, is "The Way, The Truth and The Life", and if Apostle John's master is ALSO Our Master, then we must also believe this of Jesus, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

If we understand what Apostle Paul wrote in the Letter to the Church in Corinth about who the "God of this world" is, and that, that one is not our friend, but our enemy. That the God of this world is the Adversary of not just believers, but of all people.

If we follow as Jesus directs in the writings of Apostle Matthew to "Seek first the Kingdom" knowing that "all else" will come after that.

And if we follow Apostle Paul's direction in his letter to the Church in Philippi to "pray about everything".

If we hear the words of Jesus about "Praying to be seen of others" as written by Apostle Matthew, where Jesus calls such loud people "Hypocrites".

And if we understand that even after events like the Martyrdom of Stephen, there were no loud protests from Christians.

IF INDEED ALL THAT IS CLEAR...

Than the writings and deeds of Biblical Apostles, present you and your followers with a few questions.

Do YOU also truly believe that Jesus actually is the Way, the Truth and the Life?

Is a Believer's life supposed to be easy?

Should Believers blame the Government or anyone else if their life is not easy?

Is blaming Earthly Governments for what they do or not do; "seeking first the Kingdom"?

Is any response other than "prayer" appropriate for believers?

Is it the duty of believers to loudly decry the evils of this world or it's Governments?

Are the believers in 2021 wiser and better than the first century church that our reactions are different than the the first century church?

Brian, have you been wise as a believer?

Have you as a believer shown light to the world?

The Apostle James directs those who seek wisdom to ask God.

Did you as a believer, Ask God?

Or did you Brian, disregard Apostle James's Warning and "find fault"?

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These are all questions for reflection.

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See, here is the thing. Lockdown has been tough. Covid19 and it's effects are tough. Yes, the economy is not at full strength and so some people have little or no work. And yes, aside from other obvious things, Mental Health of so many is indeed taking a massive hit because of Covid19 and Lockdowns.

You can see that. So can I. We all know that stuff. It is clearly tough.

Indeed an increase in violence on the roads and in neighbourhoods is all clear to see for anyone.

It is very hard out there.

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Knowing all that then;

I humbly offer that it is not your response that has exemplified the

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST JESUS, 

SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OR 

PRAYING ABOUT EVEYTHING.

I know for sure it has been other Christians doing that.

Other Christians just keep preaching God's word. They keep praising and worshipping. They keep singing, they keep praying, they stay devoted to study of God's Word.

They have done this EVERY DAY Of The Week. They have turned their churches in to Food Warehouses. They have rolled up their sleeves and have sent out food packs across our vulnerable communities.

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Finally, I offer this.

The Apostle Paul like you faced Charges and was sent to Prison.

But Apostle Paul did NOT face Prison for decrying Rome, Rome's idolatry, Rome's Emperor Worship, Rome's Immorality or anything else. Apostle Paul had not whipped protest against Imperial Rome. Apostle Paul did not organise calculated Civil disobedience against Caesar.

Apostle Paul faced prison because he believed in, prayed to and preached about Jesus.

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Brian, you hold a special biblical title.

I do not know if you have honoured the title of Apostle.

I also do not believe you have honoured those Apostles in the Bible before you, who were called by Jesus Christ.

I pray, you come back to Faith.

2021's Political Rejects

In the 2020 Election, Hannah Tamaki got a distant 3rd place in the race to win a seat in Parliament.

Her party only got 0.1% of the Party vote overall.

In the same Election, Sue Grey came a pitiful 6th place in her race for a seat in Parliament.

Her party also only got 0.1%  overall.

Worse yet in their Electorate races, for their parties;

Hannah's Party got 7th place,

While Sue's Party got 10th.

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An utterly dismal showing.

They barely even make anything of a blip even in fringe Politics, either in their regions or across the country.

Even calling them Political lightweights does not dignify that term.

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In 2021, media only scoff at either of them, while most voters barely give them even a third thought.

They might be making some noises here and there but it is clear that our only reaction to either of them is at our kindest dismissal or at our most brutally honest, complete disdain.

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I can't even call them "The bottom of the political barrel" that would say that they might one day get up and out....

No... Politically, they died along time ago, were buried, concreted over... pallets stacked on top....

And then there are barrels.

DESTINY CHURCH PLANS ANTI GOVERNMENT - ANTI LOCKDOWN DEMONSTRATIONS

Led by  Brian Tamaki, Destiny Churches are planning Anti Government Demonstrations.

The Protests are planned for early October in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

It is also believed that they plan Demonstrations in other locations.

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In a recent Facebook Live, Tamaki draws comparison with similar demonstrations in Melbourne.

Those demonstrations  are reported to have shut down roads and highways in Melbourne.

Using a slick advertising Campaign, minors as young as 14 are being encouraged to "Get Arrested" and be put in handcuffs.

The Demonstrators are also hoping to deceive Police using Propaganda.

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The Demonstrations are in protest against Covid-19 Lockdowns used to stop the spread of the deadly virus.