Just watched Goodbye Lenin on DVD. A highly amusing film, which also reminded me of when West and East Germany were separate countries. If seems so long ago that Germany had been divided by ideology, but this film refreshed my memory. The basic plot is that the mother of a family has a heart attack and goes into a coma, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. She awakens afterwards into a united Germany. When she is discharged, the doctor tells her son that she mustn’t have too much excitement, or she may have another attack. Of course this would be straight forward except she loved the principles of the Deutsche Democratik Republik, so it’s demise might well be an undesirable source of excitement for her. The film courses the great lengths the son and daughter take to try and shield her from the change from communism to capitalism, from food labelling to brash Coca-Cola hoardings, with many amusing moments, entwined with the odd thought-provoking situation. After all, whilst capitalism has its benefits, it also has its disadvantages.

Another violin lesson, another scale to learn – or two in this case. It’s been a while since I’ve actually had to think how a minor key differs from a major key, espcially in its melodic and harmonic variants. Long as I remember to flatten the third, sixth and seventh notes on ascent and only flatten the third note on the descent, I’ll have the melodic sorted. The harmonic is easier as you just flatten the third and sixth both ascending and descending. I’d got so used to just playing them on the piano, I’d stopped thinking about the actually theory behind it all. Ah well, at least if I ever get to grade 5 and want to take the practical exam, I’ll already have my ancient grade 5 theory certificate kicking around so that’s already sorted.

As with most May Day bank holidays of late, I travelled up to Bulstrode, the headquarters of WEC International for their annual open day. The event is used to show what God has been doing through WEC over the past year, as well as provide a breath of fresh Spirit to blow out the Spiritual cobwebs. It was encouraging to hear how the gospel is spreading amongst nations who’s people have suffered greatly in recent times. Missionaries working in Cambodia, China and the Ivory Coast gave accounts of how people are turning to Jesus Christ, with countries like China now sending out missionaries to neighbouring countries, even though this is discouraged by the Chinese authorities. This was contrasted with Western Europe, where material prosperity amongst other things means people no longer think they need anything from God. With all this in mind, we were reminded the gospel of Jesus Christ is for people of every nation.
Finshed the day with a barbeque at Dave’s place, allowing oneself to refuel and relax after a rather packed day. Oh, and the weather was marvellous, unlike last year’s May Day bank holiday!

The apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Collosae argues that Christ should be placed first in the lives of all Christians. His reasoning for this is threefold.

1. Christ is the creator, there is nothing which exists which wasn’t created by him. As such, every man, woman and child belongs to him. This statement alone would be enough to show that Christ, through his commands, should be obeyed and first in our lives. After all, if he created us, he would know what is best for us. His commands would be in our best interests because he is good and loving. If he were not good and loving, there would be no order and our lives would be a permanent chaotic living hell, but the universe is orderly, and we have been placed in a small corner of it which is perfect for life to flourish.
2. Christ is not the creator, he is the sustainer of creation. The world was not just created and left to run like some clockwork toy, or set off like a firework as a product of a chain reaction. Christ keeps all of creation in a state of order, with every passing moment, that life can continue. Whether it is the Christian worshipping God, or the atheist arguing against God, Christ sustains both and allows both to exist.
3. If that were not enough to place Christ first in our lives, he is also the saviour of all who put their faith in him. Even as a good and loving God, he did not have to be crucified, to take our place, to take on the punishment due for our sins. As a good God, a holy God, he could’ve rightfully punished us for our sinful rebellion against him. Yet, he loved us so much that he was willing and able to do this.

With this in mind, all Christians should place Christ first in their lives. To glorify him rather than themselves, to do as he commands. As ultimately through glorifying him, we will find joy. Of course, if we haven’t placed our faith in him, we should, for without his Holy Spirit working in us, we are unable to keep his commands, and ultimately unable to place him first in our lives.