In a recent “letter drop” in the east Auckland suburb of Botany, the National MP for the area, Mr. Jami-Lee Ross, issued a message to residents. The letter, titled “Same-Sex Marriage: What do you think?” explained that “Parliament will soon be voting on draft legislation to enable same-sex couples to marry. Members of Parliament will be given a [individual] conscience vote on this issue. To help me represent the Botany Electorate when I vote, I would appreciate knowing your views on same-sex marriage” (Jami-Lee Ross, National Party, Same-Sex Marriage Letter, 6th of August, 2012).

We grow accustomed to our surroundings, like the proverbial frog in the pot of water—where the temperature is gradually increased until the unwitting creature boils alive. We tend to become hardened in outlook as we see before us a continual stream of expediency and wrong. These days, it can be difficult to keep a tender, sensitive heart.

We grow accustomed to our surroundings, like the proverbial frog in the pot of water—where the temperature is gradually increased until the unwitting creature boils alive. We tend to become hardened in outlook as we see before us a continual stream of expediency and wrong. These days, it can be difficult to keep a tender, sensitive heart.

Last week, a seventeen-year-old Chinese young man killed nine people and injured five more with a knife, following an argument with his girlfriend (Daily Record, November 27, 2012). This event coincides with shootings in the U.S., and the murder of more than 70 people in ethnic clashes in India (Times of India, Aug

One day, while driving through a Wal-Mart parking lot, I saw a small truck slowly rolling backwards—and heading straight for a ravine at the far edge of the lot. I pulled up beside the truck and noticed that it was unoccupied. With some effort I stopped it, but I could not get it to stay until I wedged a small stone behind the rear tire. Looking back, I  assume the driver found the truck and I assume he might have said, “Wow, I thought I had it in gear!” Those are famous last words: “I thought.”