The last rehersal before the concert on Saturday (7:30pm, Harlington Parish Church). I think the choir had their best performance of the year so far. The troublesome pieces were dispatched with pleasing musicality, despite enduring possibly the warmest day of the year so far.

Still not sure about this Beethoven Violin Sonata – had the first rehersal with the violinist, and I got unstuck in a couple of places! A little more practice required I think.

Jacob, Leah and Rachael. Leah was in a loveless marriage because of custom and deceit – the oldest daughter would marry first, and Jacob was tricked. Jacob loved Rachael who was the younger daughter. There are quite a few points which arise from this passage.
Marriage should be between one man and one woman. If polygamy is allowed, there is a good chance someone will be left out.
If we do things because of man-made customs, we could be doing things for the wrong reason. For example, if I go to church because I have always gone to church, it might become a drudgery and disliked. It would also mean I would be deceiving myself, as the reason for doing good (e.g. going to church) should not be because of any attempt to make myself presentable to God, as such a thing is impossible.
If we do things out of love, it will usually be enjoyable. Jacob laboured for seven years, yet because he loved Rachael, it passed very quickly. For me, it would mean that, because I love God, I would do what God wants, e.g. enjoy going to church to hear the Word of God and to meet with God’s people.

Phew, what a day. The Camberwell girls organised a rather fun-packed day in London. It all started just after noon with a boat from Waterloo Pier to Greenwich, taking in some of London’s most famous sights, including the Palace of Westminster, the London Eye, Somerset House, St Paul’s, and Canary Wharf, along the way.
After procurement of lunch, we settled in Greenwich Park – quite a view across London from the top of the hill. Bumped into a chap doing a pavement rubbing who had a rather interesting claim. A trip to the Planetarium and Observatory followed, allowing the more mature members to catch up on some sleep! General socialising on the grass followed until it was time to get the boat back into Waterloo.
The evening was spent in a Pizza Express, enjoying good food and good company, with a brief spell of what only be described as anti-flirting with a certain young lady. A good time was had by all, and I was rather sad to have to go home. Ah well.

Lost 12-3 to Nigel at table tennis this evening. (Yes, that’s fifteen games in total!) Losing is not a problem, but a certain spectator remarked “Ah well, at least you tried your best”. What is the purpose of this saying? Is it to say I will never beat Nigel, as I played my best and lost? (Although it does raise the question of how does someone else know if I’ve played my best?) Or is it one of those comments which are supposed to make you feel better, as long as you don’t attempt to understand the words?

Ah well, time for bed I think… 🙂

Prayer meeting this evening. We were reminded why we could pray to God from Isaiah 63:15-19.

We have all turned away from God, even though he is our Creator and sustainer.
Yet, if we trust in Christ, he has redeemed us, and justified us, allowing us to approach him.
Moreover, we are more than justified before him, but adopted as sons and daughters of God, and we can approach him as Father.

Quite a thought.

Saw The Day After Tomorrow this evening. Very impressive effects, with various ways of wreaking havoc and destruction on several well-known cities. The story is slightly silly in places, ok very silly in places, but entertaining and it does raise the profile of the environment.