Ramblings along the narrow way

Ooh…. this looks cool.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it…” Mt 16:13-18

Whilst in Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks his disciples first who do people around say he is. Sometimes we have a picture in our minds that the world recorded in the New Testament was very different to the one we live in today. Whilst the technology and fashions might have been different, the philosophical and religious environment was not so different. Both Greek and Roman thought were pluralistic when it came to religion, morally ambiguous with a great number of clever arguments bandied around, much like today.

It was in this environment that Simon Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. It was in this environment he declared Jesus to be the Son of God, Lord of all. In this same environment, Jesus declared that his church, his people, would prevail. That his church would be built on this declaration, that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. That the church would be founded on Christ. That, though the church was a congregation of saved sinners, the very powers and authorities of hell, who would congregate at its gates, would not be able to destroy the church.

This same declaration still applies today. The church which is founded on Christ will prevail, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. It is only by the unique work and person of Christ, the Son of God, that we might be saved.

You’re the United Nations!
Most people think you’re ineffective, but you are trying to completely save the world from itself, so there’s always going to be a long way to go.  You’re always the one trying to get friends to talk to each other, enemies to talk to each other, anyone who can to just talk instead of beating each other about the head and torso.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, and you get very schizophrenic as a result.  But your heart is in the right place, and sometimes also in New York.
Take the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid

Finally managed to spend some time playing Civ III. It’s been a while since I’ve played a full game from start to finish. Of all the computer game genre’s, the “god game” is my favourite, and Civ III is probably top of the pile in my opinion. This particular foray proved as interesting as ever (to me anyway – not sure about you :)), where I started off as the Chinese, with the Aztecs and Americans in the far distant north. As the game progressed, my empire grew, until eventually I had land borders with the Americans and Aztecs. On the other side of the Aztecs were the Koreans, and in a three-way partnership with the Americans, we swapped technologies keeping ourselves top of the pile in terms of technological advancement. Eventually the Aztecs tired of me and declared war, but due to more advanced technology and a mutual protection pact with the Americans, the Aztec nation was consigned to history. As time went on, two major powers on another continent, the Greeks and Babylonians, starting vying for supremacy and trading relations. Seeing as the Greeks were nice rather than threatening, they benefitted from swapping technologies, eventually becoming the dominant power. If it were not for the fact the Americans and Koreans were now fighting a resource sapping war, allowing me to surge ahead technologically, I might well have lost to the Greeks. Anyway, in the end I triumphed, with a space race victory, being the first nation to send a ship to Alpha Centauri. Who says computers games are a boring, anti-social, waste of time? 🙂

In this passage of John’s gospel, Jesus is taken to Pilate by the Jewish leaders, as only Pilate could legally order Jesus’ execution. They did not enter Pilate’s palace though, a Gentile residence, as that would defile them and would make them unable to take part in the celebration of the Passover. Inside the palace, Pilate could not find any legal reason to sentence Jesus to death. Pilate’s motivation in offering the choice of Jesus and Barabbas’ execution to the people was more out of pragmatic politics than seeking justice and truth.

In keeping the ceremonial law, the Jewish leaders had missed the pointer. The Passover commemorated the deliverance of the Jews from their captivity in Egypt, specifically through the sacrifice of a lamb, and the daubing of that lamb’s blood on their door posts, that the angel of death would pass over them and only cause the death of Egyptian boys, which would cause Pharoah to release the Jews. Yet, the Passover also pointed forward to the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who would be sacrificed to take away the sins of the world, to release his people from the captivity of sin. The Jewish leaders were, probably unwittingly, delivering the Lamb of God to be sacrificed, whilst observing the celebration which pointed to their acts.

We also, in our observance of religion, can miss the point. If our religion is concentrated more on the things we do, rather than looking to what Christ has done, we miss the point. We can concentrate too much on the rituals themselves, like the Lord’s Supper, instead of the Christ to whom the rituals point. Or we think there is something magical about the Bible, treating it like a superstitious charm, instead of reading it to know more about the Christ it speaks of.

Then there is Pilate, who dispensed with justice and truth in order to come to a politically pragmatic solution. After all, he was there to ensure the province was run smoothly and efficiently, an uprising because of a carpenter from Nazareth would not be good for his career. Even though, in Jesus Christ, the truth was staring him in the face, he chose to take the unjust path, the path of least resistance.

If we consider ourselves to be following Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, we should act with integrity. If we are faced with situations in which the truth could be dispensed with, in order to have a pragmatic solution, we should endeavour to stick to the truth.

Another Saturday, another glorious lie-in! 🙂 Finally dragged my body out of bed at around noon, had some breakfast, showered and headed down the the snooker hall where I beat David 4-1 frames. Not a great game of snooker, a little scrappy in places, but good practice.
Spent the evening walking the long walk starting in Windsor at the castle, through Windsor Great Park with the usual suspects. The weather was beautiful and dry, with a gloriously painted sky illuminated by a bright setting sun. It was great to be able to chat in the serenity of this vast Royal Park, to catch up with friends and discuss all manner of things, whilst surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation. We then wandered into Windsor to find some food, and continue chatting until late. A very relaxing day.

Well, I didn’t get any replies to the email which I sent to the main candidates standing to represent the parliamentary constituency in which I live. So I was left to decide for myself from various sources available to me. The most useful document was an election brief published by the Christian Institute and showed the party policies on morality issues amongst other things, and the BBC also produced a useful guide detailing the parties’ policies on the popular issues. Armed with this information, I decided who I would vote for, wandered down the polling station and made my mark. All there’s left to do now is sit back and watch the election coverage and see what Peter Snow’s Swingometer does this election. Saying that, I might just lie down and have a nap as I’m knackered from just going out to vote – I think I’ve got a viral infection.

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.

Another early Saturday morning! This time being domestic IT support for a friend, sorting out his computer installation. I wonder how many people out there would be stuck with their computer if they didn’t have a geek for a friend? It would seem to be something which everyone needs, mostly because computers really aren’t as easy to use as a television, especially if Microsoft is anything to do with it. I’ve noticed I don’t have as many calls to resolve problems with Apple Macs, or Linux. The former I put to real ease of use, and the latter to the fact that only geeks use Linux. Anyway, the worker is worth his wage, and I was provided with lunch.
Spent the afternoon down the snooker hall, as is usual with most of my Saturdays recently, playing David, eventually coming out 4-1 frames in front. Not a bad pace considering it was only for about two hours.
A few of us then bundled down to Camberwell in the evening. I have yet to successfully navigate my way to Camberwell by road, without somehow getting to Vauxhall, getting bamboozled with all the possible routes, eventually ending up heading to Elephant and Castle instead of carrying along the A202 to Camberwell! I blame Karen :), as I was going to turn right, but she reckoned we should go straight on, so I figured I’d listen to her. At least we got to see the church building where C H Spurgeon once pastored. Fortunately, this only adds a few minutes to the journey, but greatly complicates the route. We eventually met up with other folk from churches around London, shared a meal, played games and chatted. After a week in the secular world, it was good to experience a glimpse of the kingdom of God.

You are Romans.

Which book of the Bible are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Q: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?
A: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

(Question XXXVI from the Westminster Shorter Catechism)

Today had an interesting combination of events. Some time in the near future, I hope to travel to Kenya. In preparation for this, I need some vaccinations. Seeing as I haven’t travelled outside of Europe in the past decade, I needed the full gamut! A week ago I made an appointment to visit two surgeries, which was necessary because my doctor isn’t a Yellow Fever centre – they can’t administer the Yellow Fever vaccine. However, whilst I was told this information, the nurse gave me a Hepatitis A/Typhoid vaccination. Two down straight away. So today I trundled to my doctor for a Polio/Diphtheria/Tetanus booster in one arm, and then over to the other doctor for the Yellow Fever vaccination in my other arm. I am now all vaccined up for my trip to Kenya. All I need now is some anti-malaria tablets. Of course, I had a violin lesson this evening, which was interesting with two slightly dead arms!
Saying that, I appear to be learning a lot of stuff. I’m currently looking at two baroque pieces, a couple of studies by Kinsey, the major scales of A, D, G, F and C, and the arpeggios of G, A and D. I haven’t quite got the hang of trills in the baroque pieces and my slurring is a little suspect at times. It may be a while before I play as proficiently as I do the piano, but it’s given me a completely new insight into the string player’s viewpoint. I might take it a little easier on them next time I accompany one on the piano!