Parables and Poems

By Simon Brown

This precious collection springs from the tradition of revealing God by telling stories.

A Baptist pastor, Simon Brown shares his spiritual insights into everyday life.

Some stories are direct, others more subtle, but New Zealanders will identify with all of them.

A child having fun with God playing imaginary games; sitting round a campfire beside a river; death, sin, greed, hope, laughter, family and love — all are here.

Evocative images of people, artwork and places add depth and another dimension to reflect on.

Parables and Poems will stir emotional connections with this land and its people.

"Simon’s stories connect well with those interested in a truly kiwi Christian faith. I can imagine Jesus telling them if he were a kiwi. They can be read and enjoyed alone or told around a meal or a bottle of wine — even in church. For this collection of stories is rich in humour and at once bluntly realistic yet deeply moving. These are stories that young and old can enjoy together. Stories that help build community. Stories that will move you to tears and lead you to God. Stories that will make you laugh, make you think and challenge your values." Alan Jamieson, from the Foreword

“These poems and stories are strong stuff. Of the earth, earthy, they are shot through with a sense of wonder, which is an encounter with the divine. God is here — not in celestial glory — but in the ordinary and everyday. Which sounds safe enough, but beware! In the hands of Simon Brown the ordinary and everyday can turn around and bite you.” Brian K Smith, Former Principal, Carey Baptist College

“Simon Brown brings us stories from the land; yarns to warm our souls and tickle our fancies. Springing God from the gorse thickets of religious claptrap, he restores the wonder and playfulness of life itself. A delightful raconteur, Brown weaves mystery and the mundane as casually as a man knotting a fishing net. In these stories and poems he trawls the imagination and brings back a healthy catch to be enjoyed over a driftwood fire at the edge of the sea. Read and enjoy.” Mike Riddell, Author

"...In this book, questions are asked of the church, of God and of faith itself. It's subversive in the sense that it represents a Christian spirituality which is open ended, all embracing and diverse. This book is liberating, it takes a fresh, and often, light-hearted approach to many of the deep spiritual issues facing followers of the Christ today..." Rosemary Neave, Future Newz 4 Summer 2003

About the Author
Simon is married to Anita and together they’ve raised six children in the small rural community of Glenbrook, south west of Auckland, New Zealand. Simon has worked as a carpenter, commercial fisherman, cowshed hand, rouseabout, building contractor, student, labourer, pastor, school chaplain, youth worker and writer. His interests include most things but above all, he enjoys mucking around with family, and a few close friends, trading yarns.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philip Garside
• Release date: Aug 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781927260081

Simon Brown

Simon is married to Anita and together they’ve raised six children in the small rural community of Glenbrook, south west of Auckland, New Zealand. Simon has worked as a carpenter, commercial fisherman, cowshed hand, rouseabout, building contractor, student, labourer, pastor, school chaplain, youth worker and writer. His interests include most things but above all, he enjoys mucking around with family, and a few close friends, trading yarns.

Book preview

Parables and Poems

Simon Brown

Copyright © 2013 Simon Brown

Smashwords edition

First published in print format 2002

by Philip Garside Publishing Ltd.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

* * * * * *

Cover illustration: Bone carving by Mike Brown,

photograph by Craig Wilkinson

Dedication

To Anita, my great travelling

companion and friend.

* * * * *

ISBN 978-1-927260-08-1

Philip Garside Publishing Ltd

PO Box 17160

Wellington 6147

New Zealand

[e-mail]

www.pgpl.co.nz

Table of Contents

Title and Copyright

Foreword

Introduction

When God was young

Refugee camp

Deep mission

Society rules

The stranger

These old cronies

The Invitation

The Gospel of love

Visitation

Sequel

Spiritual gifts

Profit and loss

The liturgy of life

Crayfish legs and family life

Locking out the storm

Fletcher Bay

Modern folks in the land of the long white cloud and other places too

Queen of night

Friendly neighbours, pity about the house really

What!

Never Again!

Completing the Trinity

The Friary

Did you miss them Lord?

Trinity love

Hope

Life beyond the tomb

Serious prayer

Wisdom of a ten year old boy

It’s cold out

Glossary

Acknowledgments

About this book

About the Author

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Foreword

We New Zealanders live in an age where the power of meta-narratives and foreign forms of religion no longer capture us. Yet at the same time there is a lack of indigenous stories, few hints of kiwi spirituality and very few parables that connect us as a people with God. As our New Zealand spiritual hunger grows we long for indigenous stories to bring meaning, inspire courage, form personal identity and stretch faith. Simon’s stories and poems do this. Born out of our landscape and our people they connect New Zealanders with the concerns of God. Simon’s stories are our stories. Set on our beaches, in our bush and around our camp fires, the lives and questions, deep fears and life-changing prayers of people like us are told.

Simon’s stories connect well with those interested in a truly kiwi Christian faith. I can imagine Jesus telling them if he were a kiwi. They can be read and enjoyed alone or told around a meal or a bottle of wine — even in church. For this collection of stories is rich in humour and at once bluntly realistic yet deeply moving. These are stories that