Midweek Meeting August 24 2022

A good zoom prayer meeting and Bible Study last Wednesday despite numbers perhaps being down a little. We looked at the closing part of Philippians 3 about Paul's example and false teachers, etc, and prayed about various things large and small, near and far.

Holiday Painting 2

 

Evolution of the collar and tie

Holiday Painting 1

 

One fun thing this holiday was putting paint to canvas. Designed to provoke a smile.

Lord's Day August 21 2022

It was good to be back in Childs Hill after the break. We were not a vast number - only seven for evening communion and then creeping into double figures for the evening service. Numbers were better in the morning. In the morning we looked at Revelation 3:20, which I have preached on before but this was a fresh sermon. In the evening we went back to Song of Songs, abandoned early in 2020. We looked at 5:9-6:13. In the morning a couple turned up who told me that they were married in the church in 1962 (it was in between pastorates and a Mr White from Heath Street, Hampstead presided). This happens on rare occasions. Not sure what they made of it. At the end of the service a young man was there. He turned out to be related to someone we know. He was a little nervous about joining us and it is good to be reminded that not all are as familiar with things as some of us have become. Must pray for him.

Mr Lear A Life of Art and Nonsense Jenny Uglow

Just before we headed off for our family holiday I was buying a book in West Hampstead when another one caught my eye. As this second one was half price, I bought it. Jenny Uglow's book on Lear came out a little while ago but I had not seen it. I first came across Lear while still in primary school and have him in my head filed next to Lewis Carroll and Hilaire Belloc. This book is accurately subtitled his art (of which I knew next to nothing) and nonsense (which I did know something about). It is a big book (over 500 pages) and nicely illustrated and presented. It is well written - clear, calm and not speculative.

Phantom of the Open

On holiday with the family. One night many of us enjoyed together the film Phantom of the Open. Based on true events it is a funny and very British film with a good cast (including Mark Rylance and more than one Welshman). An interest in golf is not necessary. We British love to see the loser triumph even if in an unconventional way. The film's message - a common one today - is to follow your dreams. However, it is not that simple. It is somehow balancing Proverbs 12:11 about not chasing fantasies with John 15:19 or Luke 6:26.

10 malicious maledictions against monks by Edward Lear

Barow, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

1. muttering
2. miserable
3. mutton-hating
4. manavoiding
5. misogynic
6. morose
7. merriment-marring
8. monotoning
9. many-mule-making
10. mocking

(also mournful and minced-fish & marmalade masticating)

See here

10 Popular Songs With California in the Title

1. California Here I come Al Jolson
2. California Girls Beach Boys
3. California Joni Mitchell
4. Hotel California Eagles
5. California Dreamin' Mamas and Papas
6. California Blue Roy Orbison
7. California Man The Move
8. Danny California Red Hot Chili Peppers
9. California (There is no end to love) U2
10. Sunny California Woman Odyssey

(I understand there is a song by My Chemical Romance called We don't need another song about California)

More Pareidolia

 

10 Differences Between Nicodemus and the Woman in John 3 and 4

1. He was a man. She was a woman.

2. He is named. She is not named.

3. He was a Jew. She was a Samaritan.

4. He was righteous, a Pharisee. She was a sinner, living with a man who was not her husband.

5. He was honoured. She was an outcast.

6. He was educated. She, as a woman, was uneducated.

7. He came at night. She came in the middle of the day.

8. He is spoken to in terms of being born again, she in terms drinking the water of life.

9. He does not understand Jesus, makes no progress and leaves still in unbelief. She slowly understands Jesus, makes progress in understanding and comes to believe.

10. He is in no state to tell others of Jesus. She evangelises her people.

St George's, Hampnett, Gloucestershire

We were passing through Gloucestershire today and popped into the little village of Hampnett. I was keen to snap the church, St Geporge's, as this is where Benjamin Beddome married Elizabeth Boswell of Bourton (1732-1784) on 11 December, 1749. Hampnett is five or six miles south of Bourton and was a very popular place for marriages at the time.

Lord's Day August 14 2022

A very full day yesterday - three sermons and two ordinances. it was very hot which made it difficult but it was a good day of worship and fellowship. Two of the sermons and communion were Alfred Place Baptist ones in English. There was also a sermon in AP in Welsh followed by the baptism of two young people from a Christian family in the sea. Great moment at lunch hearing my oldest grandchild ask his great grandfather about common grace, as referred to in the morning sermon.

An ice pick or two

 

My new grandson Boaz

With his big brothers

With me

I am a little behind with this as Boaz is already three weeks old. I do what to note that he was born on July 24, though. He is chilled but interested in what is going on. Just great.

Carey Conference 2023

I see that the brochure for the Carey Conference 2023 is now out. See here.

I am speaking on two evenings.