Recent Deaths of Christian Leaders

It was a privilege to be last week at the funeral Michael Keen a long serving elder at Alfred Place Baptist Church alongside my father-in-law Geoff Thomas who read and prayed at the funeral. The service was led by my son, the present pastor, Rhodri Brady. Michael's son Andrew gave a helpful tribute. Keith Underhill read and prayed at the graveside. It was good to sing there. Thankfully we missed the rain. Among Michael Keen's many achievements was the establishment and continuation of one of the finest Christian Bookshops in the country. His Finder index was also a great help. He was one of those quiet, anonymous heroes of the faith (like his wife Norma). A recording of the funeral is available here.

Then shortly after we heard of the death of the evangelist John Blanchard. Proper  obituaries do not appear to have been produced yet but they ought to be and surely will. An interview with him from just a few weeks ago can be found here.

10 boys names starting with J and ending with N

I was trying to remember someone's name - was it Justin or Julian. Turns out it was Jason. A lot of boy's names begin with J and end with N, it seems. Here are ten

1. John
2. Justin
3. Julian
4. Jason
5. Jordan
6. Jonathan
7. Jaden
8. Jefferson
9. Jackson

10. Jocelyn

Hear him carefully

I was slightly disappointed with this new 143 page biography of the veteran evangelist as it almost completely lacks analysis or any criticism whatsoever.  Rather, it simply catalogues the evangelistic travels and publishing story of a very successful evangelist under God indeed. I understand the laudable aim of the book but in the end to read of "masterful and comprehensive" (73) "a brilliant defence" (78) "a superb booklet" (96) "the best talk I have heard" (97) so often becomes a little wearing. Brian Edwards travel book for Day One is a better place to turn. There is also a reference to the Grove Theatre in Aberystwyth on page 99 - not a place I am aware of. 

Christian Biography

Christian biography is the theme for the July edition of the Banner magazine. It includes a stimulating commendation of the subject by Derek Prime and an introduction to the other Brainerd (John) by Mack Tomlinson. I currently have Lloyd-Jones and Archibald Brown on the go and am keen to get back to Bavinck and William Williams but would also like to get into John Blanchard but all these projects are pretty much on hold this week as I'm reading up on the Trinity. Never enough hours, eh? 

UQ App

EP have just done their first app. It is free.

Details:

Ultimate Questions Mobile Application

Android Platform – Initial Release 22 November 2011
Searching for the App from a standard PC (Non-Tablet/Mobile Device)
By navigating to the following link, key information about the app is displayed*
(*They are aware that the wording on the main page requires an update, the current wording is a bit clunky and needs some work). https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ultimatequestions.app

John Blanchard

I was in the Evangelical Library the other day and I saw the latest Day One Travel With publication and took it to read. It's by Brian Edwards and is on John Blanchard - the first time a living person has been covered, I believe. John was born in Guernsey, lived in the Highlands and has travelled the UK and the world so he should fit the bill.

I was familiar with some of John Blanchard's story though there was plenty new to me. It was interesting to read about his call to Westminster Chapel and to ponder what might have been. Remarkably in 1982, aged 50, he got baptised by immersion. The statement that he is not one for small talk explained the awkwardness I had observed on the very few occasions our paths have crossed. The book does get slightly tedious in parts as yet further ports of call are listed but it is a fascinating book. One other piece of trivia I gleaned was the fact that Sam Ryder (as in Ryder cup) was a Christian (a member at Spicer Street, St Alban's).

There are now 18 such Travel Guides - 5 themed (Cambridge, Oxford, Israel, British Museum, Martyrs in Mary Tudor's time) and 13 on individuals.

Christian Book Titles

Michael Griffiths had two books at one time Cinderella with amnesia and Shaking the sleeping Beauty. I remember hearing him say a family joke was that the next should be called Rapunzel with alopecia. There were other suggestions but I've forgotten these.

When someone comes up with a good title it's tempting to have some fun. I notice that John Blanchard's Gathered Gold volumes of quotations are being republished. (There were two Gathered Gold volumes and a Sifted Silver). I've been waiting for Platinum Platitudes to come out for years.
Gary Gilley has both the helpful little book This little church went to market and now This little church stayed home. One wonders when This little church had roast beef will appear and ultimately (we all know churches like this) This little church went wee wee all the way home. Having just checked on the net I find people are ahead of me. See the PS here