First ramble of the year! (Walking, that is :)) Despite the freezing temperatures, rain/sleet and a generally grey outlook, a few of us wandered down to the North Downs for a five mile jaunt in the fresh air. After the lethargy induced over the holidays, it was good be be out and about.

Spent the evening round Sarah’s playing Diplomacy (again :)). My enthusiasm for the game was slightly cooled as I drew Italy out of the hat. With a full complement of seven players, I feared it would be a difficult game. Sure enough, after a couple of years, I was scrabbling around the Italian peninsula grasping for survival. Fortunately, the game ended with Germany and Austria-Hungary also vying for first exit, with Russia, France and England forming a rather inescapable pincer movement. The only thing stopping the inevitable happening was a shortage of time! I think we’ll have to start these games a little earlier in the day!

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

Isaac Watts

Q: Are there more Gods than one?
A: There is but One only, the living and true God.

Q: How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A: There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

(Questions V and VI from the Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Last day of the holidays…. 🙁 Decided another bash at Diplomacy would be in order. So we gathered ourselves together, six leaders of Imperial Europe, with only Italy left as a non-player. I was France, and I must admit, France’s record in the past two world wars wasn’t great, so I was a little apprehensive. For the first few years, it went well, with a curious tripartite alliance with England and Germany against Russia. Meanwhile, in the east, Russia and Austria-Hungary sliced up Turkey between themselves – poor Dave! I must admit to getting slightly frustrated when the alliance started to choke French expansion, so I turned on Germany and Austria-Hungary at the same time…not a wise move. Fortunately, just as it was all going pear-shaped it was time to head to Windsor for some ice-skating.

I hadn’t been ice-skating since last winter, so it took me a good ten minutes to find my feet. I eventually managed to do multiple laps without touching the sides before the boot managed to remove a layer of skin from my ankle, making skating more painful than pleasurable. Ah well.

Anyway, afterwards we descended on Pizza Express, opposite Windsor Castle to celebrate Steve’s birthday. A slightly bizarre experience, but fun none the less. 🙂

The disciples had lost sight of their Lord, even though he had appeared to them in his resurrection body. Instead of heeding Jesus’ words and doing his will, they decided to go out fishing. Their labours were futile though and they caught nothing. Their thoughts were so far from the Lord, they didn’t even recognise him when they saw him standing on the shore. Even though they didn’t recognise him, they decided to do what he said.

The result of doing his will was a complete turnaround for their labour, with the result causing them to realise who he was. Jesus had already prepared a meal and could’ve just stood on the shore. He had no need for their fish, but he delighted in their joy. He wanted to involve them, and even took some of the fish they had caught to add to the meal.

Today, we are to do the same. We should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to read his word so that we know his will and to pray for he delights in our prayers. Whilst he doesn’t need us to labour, he delights in our labour and wants us to be fishers of men. Through all of this, he is glorified and our joy increases.

May you all know the blessing of God in 2006.