Hymn of the week 27

We haven't had one of these for a while but this is good, especially the fourth verse. Samuel Medley (1738-1799) was a Baptist minister. After a false start as an apprentice, he joined the Roy­al Navy, becoming a midshipman in 1755. He was wound­ed in bat­tle off Port La­gos in 1759 and dur­ing his re­cup­er­at­ion read a ser­mon byIsaac Watts that led to his con­ver­sion. He then left the navy and studied for the min­is­try under Dr Gifford in Lon­don. In 1767, he be­came pas­tor at the Baptist church in Wat­ford. In 1772, he be­gan his min­is­try at Byron Street, Liv­er­pool. Several of his hymns are still sung today.

Awake, my soul, to joyful lays,
And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song from me -
His lovingkindness, O how free!

He saw me ruined in the fall,
Yet loved me notwithstanding all;
He saved me from my lost estate -
His lovingkindness, O how great!

Though numerous hosts of mighty foes,
Though earth and hell my way oppose,
He safely leads my soul along -
His lovingkindness, O how strong!

When trouble, like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud,
He near my soul has always stood -
His lovingkindness, O how good!

Often I feel my sinful heart
Prone from my Jesus to depart;
But though I have him oft forgot,
His lovingkindness changes not.

Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale,
Soon all my mortal powers must fail;
O! may my last expiring breath
His lovingkindness sing in death.

Then let me mount and soar away
To the bright world of endless day;
And sing with raptures and surprise,
His lovingkindness in the skies.

Bio 12 Mary Rowlandson

In my reading I recently came across a reference to a book I was unaware of. Published in 1682 in America, it is called The Sovereignty and Goodness of God ... Being a Narrative of the Captivity and Restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.

Relatively little is known about Rowlandson (1637-1711). Wikipedia says she was a colonial American woman born Mary White in England and who lived in the frontier village of Lancaster, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of one of the town's founding fathers and she married Joseph Rowlandson in 1656. Her husband was ordained a Puritan minister in 1660. At sunrise, on February 10, 1676, during King Philip's War, the bloodiest war in American colonial history, Lancaster came under attack by a band of Naragansett Indians. She was the mother of three: Joseph, Mary and Sarah, and was among the hostages taken that day. For 11 weeks and five days she was forced to accompany her captors as they fled through the wilderness to elude the colonial militia, under what she describes as horrible conditions. In simple, artless prose she recounts the stages of the odyssey in 20 distinct "Removes" or journeys. She witnessed the murder of her friends, the death of one of her children, and suffered starvation and depression, until she was finally reunited with her husband. On May 2, 1676, she was ransomed for £20 raised by the women of Boston in a public subscription, and paid by John Hoar of Concord at Redemption Rock in Princeton.
During her captivity, Mary's youngest child, Sarah, died, while the remaining two were separated from her; nevertheless, Rowlandson continued to seek guidance from the Bible - the text of her narrative is replete with verses and references describing conditions similar to her own. She saw her trial as a test of faith and considered the "Indians" to be "instruments of Satan". Her final escape, she tells us, taught her "the more to acknowledge His hand and to see that our help is always in Him."
Until recently, it has been assumed that she died before her narrative was published. However, more recent historical research indicates that Mary Rowlandson re-married after the death of her husband and lived as Mary Talcott till January 1711, thus reaching an age of approximately 73 years.
The book, however, not only became one of the era's best-sellers, going through four editions in one year, but also earned her an important place in the history of American literature. Her book is a frequently-cited example of a captivity narrative, an important American literary genre used by James Fennimore Cooper, Ann Bleecker, John Williams and James Seaver. Because of Rowlandson's intimate relationship with her Indian captors, her book also is interesting for its treatment of cultural contact. Finally, in its use of autobiography, typology, and in its homage to the Jeremiad, Rowlandson's book helps the reader understand the Puritan mind.

A tough-minded, independent woman, she never lost her faith in God while dwelling in a "lively semblance of hell." A modern writer has said "Her voice is singular — one of the first strong voices of a woman writing about her experience in North America — and her memoir became a model for later writers, who often wrote about periods of crisis that were also times of spiritual transformation." Below is the extract that struck me. There is more here.

By their noise and hooping they signified how many they had destroyed (which was at that time 23) those that were with us at home, were gathered together as soon as they heard the hooping, and every time that the other went over their number, these at home gave a shout, that the very earth rang again. And thus they continued till those that had been upon the expedition were come up to the Saggamor's wigwam; and then, oh the hideous, insulting and triumphing that there was over some English mens scalps, that they had taken (as their manner is) and brought with them. I cannot but take notice of the wonderful mercy of God to me in those afflictions, in sending me a Bible: One of the Indians that came from Medfield fight, and had brought some plunder, came to me, and asked me if I would have a Bible, he had got one in his basket, I was glad of it, and asked him if he thought the Indians would let me read? He answered 'yes' so I took the Bible, and in that melancholy time it came into my mind to read first the 28th Chapter of Deuteronomy, which I did, and when I had read it, my dark heart wrought on this manner, that there was no mercy for me, that the blessings were gone, and the curses came in their room, and that I had lost my opportunity. But the Lord helped me still to go on reading, till I came to Chapter 30, the seven first verses; where I found there was mercy promised again, if we would return to him, by repentance; and though we were scattered from one end of the earth to the other, yet the Lord would gather us together, and turn all those curses upon our enemies. I do not desire to live to forget this Scripture, and what comfort it was to me.

Another week

It's been a slightly odd week in that Eleri and the two youngest have been away in Llangrannog for the Urdd camp so I've been 'looking after' the three oldest - basically feeding them and keeping them out of mischief. It's been Arts Week in their school so things have been unusual for them too. they seem to have enjoyed it.

On Monday I had an Evangelical Library committee. We seem to be making progress slowly but surely. We have a major task on hand at present putting everything on one floor for the moment.

On Tuesday I met up with my good friend Paul Pease, pastor at Hook Evangelical Church, down on the southbank by the eye (he can't come north of the river any more :-)). We used to meet weekly when he was in West Kilburn but that was many years ago. He is now in quite a different set up to me and we are still very different in some ways but with core beliefs meshed and many shared experiences we can talk and talk and talk. And we did. We also played 'who is this?' on each other's i-pods. Good fun. In the evening I had the church officers meeting here which is another sort of fellowship and also very good.

Wednesday night it was the midweek meeting, looking at Deuteronomy 8.

Nothing very special then the rest of the week. Tried to read, downloaded and burned some CDs, worked on certain projects and preps for Sunday, etc.

New Photo Series 04

Kilburn Charity Shop

ABBA

Eleri, Rhodri and Sibyl went to see the movie 'Mamma mia' last night. Rhodri talks about it here. He ventures his Abba favourite. Here's mine. The opening 20 seconds of the song and video are just great. And (as my father might put it) "'ark at that piano". This is about as good as pop music gets.

PS (and I might regret this) What's your favourite?

Fraudulent link

We aim to inspire (however inadvertently). Do check this link out here. Thanks Andrew.

New Photo Series 03

Millennium Bridge, Newport City

Do you get these?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets these things. I try to spend only a second on them but this one caught my eye. It was in Comic sans font so I thought it might be genuine(!)

Dear Abbey Customer
Due to multiple attempt error while trying to login in to your online Abbey Account. We believed that someone other than you is trying to access your Account For security reasons, we have temporarily Flagged your Online Access and your access to online banking will be restricted if you fail to Verify and re-confirm your membership details.
...

The irony is that my spammer gets things I want but couldn't spot this! Ah the joys of e-mail.

Themelios

It is good to know that Themelios is available once again. Check out this link which itself give the needed links to Themelios online. (Thanks Guy and before that Martin)

New Photo Series 02

East Finchley Station

Being born again

Bloggy Special 29

Outsiders

I enjoyed watching a documentary about the late oscar winning film director Anthony Minghella this week. We have been aware of Minghella in our house since Truly, Madly, Deeply and it was an interesting and informative if slightly hagiographic account (St Anthony of Minghella it seemed he was). During the course of the programme (and this was a very small part of it) a case was made for him being an outsider based on his being of Italian parentage growing up in the Isle of Wight. it struck me because this same week I saw an interview with Meera Syal in the Daily Mail headlined "I've felt like an outsider all my life, says Meera Syal". In the article she proceeds to try and explain herself as one with the "ability to stand back and see the bigger picture" and puts it down to growing up in two cultures, etc. The article suggests that she has found some sort of equilibrium now by marrying her husband Sanjeev Baskhar, the key thing about him being his similar background (but she was married to journalist journalist Shekhar Bhatia and that didn't work out so I don't think one can be simplistic).

Personally, I think it is the other way round. I think that certain people tend to be objective, tend to feel like their on the outside looking in. They tend to veer to certain careers, understandably. I have those same tendencies and for a long time I tended to see it in terms of being different - growing up in a border county, neither English not Welsh; being working class but going to university; being Baptist but Reformed, etc, etc. At some point (I forget how now) I came to see that it was just my perspective that made me feel like an outsider and no matter how much on the inside track I became I would always feel like an outsider, which I do.

I put this up

1. Because it's on my mind

2. It may help someone who keep feeling like an outsider to see why and not get frustrated

3. It may help make sense of this odd blog but perhaps not

New photo series 01

Kilburn Carpetshop

Arhosiad byr

I spent the day in Newport on Tuesday as my father is ill in hospital in the Gwent. He didn't seem too bad. He was telling people about my book, like any proud father. It is always nice to be there even though I am a stranger. It holds a lot of memories. I enjoyed having a cuppa in the market. I notice the bookshop has gone. Do people in that part of the world read? I travelled by coach at a reasonable price adn time. It makes for a long day though.

Parti Pumdeg

Y Mabolgampau

Penblwydd Pumdeg

It was the London Welsh School's sports day last Friday (Y Mabolgampau). I missed it last year as I'd booked myself into a day of conference in St Helen's. It was combined with a party for the children marking the fiftieth anniversary of the school. The sports (weirdly) were on astroturf. My two boys were in the losing white team. Being a small school the competitors were often mismatched but no-one minded too much. Gwion excelled in throwing the welly. Very impressive.

The children's party included a proper entertainer (Papalarny) who was very good and much enjoyed. Gwion doesn't think I'm funny any more. There was also cake and food to eat and the singing of Penblwydd Hapus to the school!

We were home in time to grab a bite to eat and then out for our clubs at church. Ali, one of our deacon's wives, spoke at the younger ones and her son Pieter kindly agreed to speak to the older ones so I didn't have too much to do.

Most of the family went off for a school barbecue and fundraiser on Saturday. They used to have the sports at that event but as I'd done my paternal duty the day before I skipped the barbecue.

Pre-millennialists

While I was in Oxford the other day I was encouraged to see a man witnessing to a nice young couple (Michael and Iona) in the main street. Michael is a student at Oxford but thinks he hasn't got soul. So much for modern education.

Having admired John Thistlewaite's bold witness I was immediately brought back to earth with a bump as firstly he was from Worcester not Oxford and had come up for the day, which is so often the case with street evangelists. It's not wrong, it just makes me wonder why.

The other thing was his raptures (unintentional pun) over some pre-millennialist scheme he'd been sold and that he was eager for me to hear about. I told him I was a minister and pretty much a-mill (although I'm quite eclectic and basically believe everything is getting better - and worse). I tried to explain why I think the Devil is now bound but he couldn't see it. So John went from hero to zero in about 10 minutes with me. There we are.

Then this morning a minister I know (Martin S) who is mildly Calvinistic and pretty pre-mill 'phoned to ask me about the availability of pastoral training. Although he was keen to avoid anything to a-mill he didn't try to argue me into his pre-mill view but took our difference as a given. That seemed a better approach to me.

Last Wednesday I also met a very pro-modern Israel Jewish believer who goes door to door in our church's name. Again we are miles apart on some of these eschatological issues but we can work together. Once more, a better pattern surely?

You don't exist

I happened on this new item today and a 16-year-old schoolgirl who is unable to leave the country, open a bank account or get a job - because she does not officially "exist".

A BBC news site says
"Jade Jacobs-Brooks, of Harlow, Essex, was born during a holiday in Spain and due to a mix-up she does not have a valid Spanish birth certificate.
This means that she is unable to register her birth in the UK and is unable to get a passport.
Jade was turned down for a Saturday job because she was unable to prove her ID.
Her parents Victor and Linda have spent 16 years trying to get the necessary paperwork.

'So upsetting'
Unless she can produce a Spanish birth certificate she will have to undergo a £750 Life in the UK citizenship test - usually required of non-English speaking immigrants.
Jade said: "It's so upsetting feeling like I don't exist in this country. My life is on hold at the moment. I can't get a job, a driving licence, go abroad, get married. I couldn't even go on a day trip to France. I have been really angry at times but I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to be allowed to live a normal life."
Jade was born in September 1991 at the Veya Baja Hospital, near Alicante on the Costa Blanca.
A few days after leaving hospital the family went to Orihuela civil registry office to register Jade's birth, but received the wrong paperwork.

'Rigorous over passports'
Despite the initial mix-up Jade should still have been able to obtain a full Spanish birth certificate - if she had a certificate from the Veya Baja hospital confirming her birth, but was told: "There is no mention of her."
Like all UK residents, she can get treatment on the NHS, go to school and holds a National Insurance number. The Home Office said they were unable to comment on individual cases but said a citizenship test may be the best way to resolve the issue."

It struck me as a crazy story and made me think of Christians who lack assurance. Perhaps there are other applications.