Played Ed this evening. 5-2 frames to me. 🙂 Not sure if it’s because I’m getting better or some other reason though. The Riley’s in Staines could do with some airconditioning though – really really warm!

Spent the evening in Nando’s in Staines, with some of the usual suspects, to celebrate Dave’s birthday. Unusually, it was an all lads affair with all the ladies away for various reasons. Even without the ladies, it was a great evening, with some interesting conversations and we played an interesting game after dinner called Imaginiff. It basically tested our knowledge of each other, both as individuals and as a group, through multiple choice questions, awarding the more knowledgable. There were some interesting answers to some of the questions. 🙂

The apostle Paul was eager to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. After all, what could be more amazing? The very idea that, even though we sinned and turned our backs on God, God loves us and gave his only Son to die in our place is an amazing thought. The idea that this substitution is not gained through our own efforts, but merely by trusting solely in the Son is almost beyond belief. Yet when you think about it, it is the only way we can be made right with God. Our sinful nature prevents us being able to do anything to put right our status before a holy God. Only God is able to do anything about it, and only God can bear the punishment due for the sins of his people.

With such good news, Paul is right to point out we should be telling everyone, for people won’t know of this great gospel without being told.

Yet, no one will be without excuse, because everyone knows God is holy and just and that they’ve fallen short of God’s glory. Looking around at Creation reveals the fingerprints of God, and so revealing his glory and majesty.

After a brief time watching the England-Jamaica football match, practising the violin for a bit, playing the piano for a bit, taking a short walk around Osterley Park, I wandered down to Capers restaurant in Windsor to meet up with some of the former members of the Harlington Singers for a meal and an opportunity to catch up. I thought I was a bit late, but some others arrived a lot later than me. The evening was spent catching up and discussing all manner of things – always interesting sitting opposite a lawyer. Whilst the company and conversation were good, I’m not sure the food was worth the price tag it carried. Saying that, it was substantial and I guess that’s more important.

Spent Friday evening round the Hollands’ household with some of the usual suspects for a game of Monopoly. It all started off normally, with properties slowly being purchased, and no silly bargaining taking place too early. Eventually, with most of the properties gone, I managed to wheel and deal in such a fashion that everyone got a set apart from Deanna – who eventually managed to buy a set anyway through landing on the properties! The pace of the game then speeded up, with people dropping out fairly rapidly. Whilst I didn’t have the most money, I survived long enough to go out leaving only Ally and Dave to battle it out.