A few of the usual suspects came round this evening for a game of Risk and a DVD. Tim/Deanna and I had all our troops massed in Australasia, and only one of us would be left standing. Alas, the dice came out against me this evening. I spent the rest of the evening trying to enable file sharing from one Windows PC to my other PCs and failing. Eventually conceding defeat on a second front and watching Clueless on DVD instead. I hadn’t seen this for a while and I’d forgotten how good it was, even if it was lifted from Austen’s Emma! Eventually the Risk players called time, and unsurprisingly, the winner was Ally…again!
Dancing with Brahms
Started learning Brahms’ Hungarian Dance no. 1 yesterday evening. Currently playing it a lot slower than it should be. If I ever get the hang of this one, it’ll be cool! I’m slowly acquiring some party pieces! 🙂
Ahhhhh!
Easter bank holiday Monday! No work, and no usual routine! Thorpe Park here we come! A small band of us (20 I think) descended on this theme park, to enjoy the sunshine, the rides and each other’s company. I’m not sure which of the rides I sampled was my favorite. My sample was reduced in size due to a bruised thigh, which meant I couldn’t bend my leg properly and so was unable to sit comfortably in any ride which involved a car. The only car ride I tried was Stealth, but decided the pain involved was more than the ride was worth afterwards.
Of more amusement (rather than direct adrenaline laced fear), was the various responses made by my companions to the rides. Ranging from the usual screams, to more rigid fear.
The day even gave us all the opportunity to catch up with each other and share the time together.
To top it all off, the weather was perfect, clear and sunny, but not too hot. A little sunburn was sustained by some, but it didn’t diminish the fun.
a.m.: Luke 24:13-35 p.m.: 2 Timothy 2:8
As two of Jesus’ followers walked to Emmaus after the Passover, there was an air of disappointment among them. Their messiah had been crucified and as far as they could tell, it was over. They found it incredible that the stranger who joined them had not heard of the events which had happened in the past week in Jerusalem.
They had discussed the events in depth before the stranger had come along, and now they explained their discussion to their new travelling companion. As they went along, the discussion changed from them explaining events, to their companion explaining the reason for the events from the scriptures they knew so well. He called them foolish and explained why their Messiah had been crucified.
Once they had reached their destination, they still did not know the identity of the stranger. They urged the stranger to join them, instead of continuing to his destination as night was falling, and so he joined them. Only when he gave thanks for the bread and broke it did they realise this stranger was their Messiah, their Christ. At this revelation they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven disciples what had happened.
Much like Cleopas and his friend, we can travel through life with Jesus right beside us yet never realising. We may even call ourselves Christians, but not fully understand what Jesus Christ did on that first Good Friday. We may need to receive a dose of humility, it may be uncomfortable as our attitudes and thinking are corrected from the scriptures. However, once the truth is revealed to us and we receive it by faith, we’ll not be able to keep this good news to ourselves, but will want to tell the world.
The little princess
A nice lazy Saturday, after the craziness of last Saturday! After a short lie-in and a fat-loaded breakfast of bacon and eggs, it was off for a game of footie in the park with some of the lads from church and some of their friends. The sun was shining, and the weather was warm. After running around for ten minutes, I figured I might be better off in goal and letting some of the younger players do the hard work. The teams were fairly even, ending in 8-7.
A quick bath and freshen up later and we were out to celebrate Sarah’s birthday with a walk and then a meal at the Wetherspoon’s in Stockley Park. I was slightly surprised when I was told by a gatekeeper that I couldn’t take photos of the buildings, especially as I was taking photos of the wildlife, but we cleared things up and he was happy with my wildlife photos.
I must admit to being impressed with the food at the Wetherspoons as well, which was plentiful and tasty. (I suppose you’d have to try really hard to get a steak wrong, but I’ve seen some interesting attempts in my time!) The conversation was good, with an opportunity to meet some new people. We later convened for a game of Articulate, resulting in victory for the birthday girl’s team, due to some quick thinking from Sarah on a clue about the Maldives. Result! A couple of us even got to sing her Happy Birthday! Above all, the birthday girl enjoyed herself.
A very good day. 🙂
God made men equal
Amazing Grace is one of those films that, when you first hear about it you wonder if it’ll do its subject matter any justice but, once you’ve seen it…well, what can you say?
The film recreates the Britain of William Wilberforce in a very vivid and real way. From the opening scenes of a damp, wet, day travelling to Bath, through to the House of Commons pre-WWII bomb damage, from the setting of John Newton’s church within the crowded streets of London, to the recreation of the East-India dock in the east end. Not only is the physical backdrop set wonderfully, but also the political, with mentions of George III’s mental issues, the independence of the United States and the rise of revolution in France.
Taking the stage amongst this backdrop is an abominable trade in men and women which was taking place not only in the British Empire, but across the whole world. Whilst the British were highly significant in the transatlantic slave trade, this was more because they were the super-power of the day. Every power up to the day, major and minor, engaged in this trade.
Yet, a small group of men and women, driven by their evangelical Christian faith sought to abolish the trade within the British Empire. With Wilberforce as their leader and their voice in parliament, they tirelessly sought to change the way the Empire traded. Whether they knew it or not, in changing the attitudes of the super-power of the day, they would slowly change the whole world’s attitude to slavery.
With such a great story, the film’s only mission was to keep it compelling and real. With a slew of British actors, the main characters of the story came to life. William Pitt, Charles Fox, Thomas Clarkson, Oloudaqh Equiano, John Newton, amongst many others, as well as William and Barbara Wilberforce, were wonderfully presented, and one had a glimpse of their lives and what they went through, and ultimately what they achieved.
The only minor quibble I have with the film is the way Wilberforce’s conversion was portayed. Gone was the long trip around Europe, instead replaced with a slightly briefer and quirkier spell in the garden. I guess the problem is that the film has to compress such a remarkable life in such a short time. That said, Wilberforce’s faith shone throughout the whole film, showing how God can use even a politician for his glory. Even though Wilberforce himself had trouble reconciling serving God with politics, eventually, he was persuaded that he might be able to do both without compromising his faith. Far from separating religion and politics, Wilberforce combined the two, eventually changing the world for the better. Maybe not perfect, but certainly better.
A superb film, well worth watching, telling an even greater story of a man serving the God whom he loved and obeyed.
Our sacrifice, our substitute
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
The sinless saviour
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Luke 23:41
God loves you
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8
Too much wedding cake!
I think I ate too much wedding cake on Saturday! I really struggled to run around for more than twenty minutes this evening. Saying that, I scored a few goals and I think my leg is feeling a lot better than it did before the game. Kill or cure I guess!
a.m.: Matthew 13-20 p.m.: Psalm 2
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Mt 16:17
When Jesus speaks of the church, the first thing he tells us is that it is his. We forget this at our peril. It is so easy to forget that the Lord Jesus Christ is Lord of the church, that he bought it with his precious blood. As such, anything the church does must be in accordance with his word, so that his will may be done and that his name might be glorified.
When Jesus speaks of his church, he refers to the body of his people. Later in Mt 18, he speaks of the church speaking and hearing. Buildings don’t speak and hear, people do. This is the people redeemed by his blood, by faith, and who have received the Holy Spirit who enables them and works through them.
Also in Mt 18, Jesus speaks of the importance of a church to be holy, for its members to exercise self-discipline, and if they cannot, then they should be disciplined appropriately.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Mt 18:20
Additionally, we are to meet together, expressing our membership of the universal church, by being committed to a local church. We are not to wander through our spiritual journey as hermits, but in fellowship with other believers. For the church is the kingdom of God on earth, our haven through which we may find support and encouragement.
As we live and work together in the church, if we holy then there will be harmony. We will love one another, just as our Lord loved us. This is not to say we will all be clones, but that we might be able to use our different distinctiveness’s in unity.
A church which does the will of her Lord will be a happy church. For in him we find our chief enjoyment.
Congratulations Karen and Nigel!
I had the privilege of taking part in the wedding of two good friends today. Starting at around 7am(!) I attempted to carry out the duties of best man, stuff like ferrying the groom to the church on time, shunting people around for photos and making a speech (of sorts!). I must admit, I’m thoroughly exhausted, but had great joy in seeing my friends get married.
Gimel
×’Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands.
Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight; they are my counsellors.Psalm 119:17-24
E!
It’s been one of those weeks which just hasn’t stopped! The only prevailing memory from my violin lesson on Tuesday was learning to play Chanson de Matin, by Elgar. It starts in third position, which is bad enough, but later one of the notes is the fourth E above Middle-C! When I first saw it on the page, I had to stare for a while, count the ledger lines and then work out what I was going to do to play it. It’s so high that you’re really just relying on harmonics in order to ensure you’re in tune. Saying that, I’ve heard the piece played by competent violinists and it sounds beautiful, there’s something quintessentially English about it, very much cucumber sandwiches and afternoon tea. Hopefully, with a lot of practise, I’ll be able to do it justice.
Wednesday evening was spent at Vic and Barb’s to catch up on their latest travels and merely to share friendship and fellowship. A nice relaxing evening.
Miscellaneous
BOINC
