Life – The Gear Family

The Border Opened

For months, we listened with bated breath as medical authorities made their recommendations. For months, we suffered myriad local griefs, with emotions rising and falling as key metrics went up and down. For months, we watched and waited and hoped for a time when broken relationships would be restored. For months, we prayed for a… Continue reading The Border Opened

Why are Sundays harder now?

Thoughts of a Melbourne Mum in lockdown Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by… Continue reading Why are Sundays harder now?

Rerouted

At work, I was feeling more and more sick, so I’m heading home from work early to avoid contaminating the office. Train at Flinder’s St is spontaneously rerouted from a city loop to a Richmond direct express to Box Hill service so I jump on just before it leaves. Train takes off and a lady… Continue reading Rerouted

Ag Ullmhú Do Úll

For the past few years, Úll’s reputation has been rising as a thoroughly thought through, brilliantly balanced, carefully constructed conference for creatives interested in technology. Moreover, it’s held in a spectacular venue in a country we’ve wanted to visit for the longest time, not far from friends we deeply love. So we’ve decided to take the plunge and travel halfway around the globe… Continue reading Ag Ullmhú Do Úll

Godparents

Godparents are something of an anachronism nowadays. I think that asking someone you trust to watch out for your kid is invaluable. There will come a time when Steph & I are anathema to our children, and when having another set of thoughtful, loving Christians praying for them and giving them wise counsel just seems like… Continue reading Godparents

Valentine’s Day #15

Fourteen years ago to the day, my eternally patient wife (then bemused girlfriend) spent her Valentine’s Day afternoon helping me move into a sharehouse with some bozo. Practical, self-sacrificial, and loving – what more could you look for in a valentine.

Vale, ..

Sore. Unlike earlier, before we knew you were you were no more. Before the last battle you were carried through the stable door by the lion, whose roar brought forth the world, who separated south from north. And whose deeds at the stone table are worth trusting – even as the donkey brays that he cut short… Continue reading Vale, ..

Tin Man

They say the appropriate gift is tin. Perhaps “they” here are New Zealanders who struggle wuth theer vowels end hev muxed up theer “e”s with their “i”s. Maybe “they” figured that after so many years rusted onto each other, it was only appropriate to share a corrosion-safe metal. Or perhaps “they” decided to give a… Continue reading Tin Man

Nine-twelve

It was twelve years ago to the minute. I worked as a graduate on the control systems for Australia’s DVN – digital video network – for your classic Aussie, battle-hardened technical boss. He’d personally designed or built much of Australia’s media infrastructure to that point. I recall walking into scene of open mourning in our… Continue reading Nine-twelve

Making Yum Cha Feel Like Home

Dear friends, koinonos, start their long trip to Sydney. Goodbye for not long.