The changing world (186) Nov 1995

Nov 1st deb not into Tutorial Centre.
2nd       Elders prayer. Boss has taken his son to Manchester to meet red devils players. Housegroup at ours.
3rd        Moaning boss back. Resolved to leave ASAP. Rachel worked pm. Labour have cancelled bonfire night firework display.
4th        Session. Shopping. Gardening. Letter to gazette on fireworks. In Israel, Rabin assassinated.
5th         Rota. Gave Mr O Southern Comfort from holiday. Took Rachel to Alperton station on her way back to uni. Steve Constable sample sermon on video went well but AH unhappy.
6th         Rachel happy start to her placement.
7th         Katy at music group. Prayer meeting poorly attended. Deb off tutorial centre with pains. Frost on car last four mornings.
8th          Finance committee. Too tired to go on to st Anne's governors.
9gh         I was the only one there for early prayer. Session at ours. We cannot offer housing to Corcorans. Finances good. as is feedback on Steve Constable.
10th         Boss reckons some money has gone missing in transit between the two shops. Pleased deb went to teens.
11th          Prayer breakfast. Present shopping with Katy. Harry Greenway not happy with my Gazette letter criticising the lottery. One of three I had published.
12th          Remembrance Sunday. Usual inappropriate folk group at Richardson's service at the war memorial. Chris Baddock and Mr O to lunch. Spoke on church government for youth service. Supported the mayor at the British Legion and found Pound also opposes the lottery.
13th          Group chaired by Barbara Yerolemou was rather slow. Deacons will not let Corcorans stay in church flat on their return from Switzerland.
14th          Katy out with c hello. Wrote to PAE about their documents. Anger over Nigeria executing Saro Wiwa.
15th          Deb and I took Welly to vet before she went to tutorial centre. Wrapping presents for Yorkshire.
16th          To Harrogate and before judge in chambers. He said Shores never sent dad bills and the six year rule applied halving the bill too £1000. Shores garage man very angry. Tea with Myra. Drove home to find Rachel there.
17th          House of Jacobs teens round for Deb's birthday.
18th          Met with Paul for session before synod which I missed due to work but I wrote our report.
19gh         Led for Raju but had rota. He is very critical of IPC elders. Liss is still with s for they have concessions to accommodate ballistic elders. Indian takeaway from Alperton to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. he is here with Miriam. Spoke on the welfare state in the evening.
20th           Before work prepared sermon on Job and Christmas letter. Good turnout for church meeting but AH unhappy over change in voting rules fr calling elders. Diana interviewed by Bashir on Panorama. Critical of Charles. Katy refused to watch. (Within two years she was no more).
21st            Everyone except us has sympathy for Diana. I still think she was a young unwise woman ignorant of the ways of royal princes. I do not excuse Charles but he was par for the course of royal princes like his great uncle. His grandfather and great grandfather and great great great grandfather were exceptions to the rule, His great great  grandfather typified it. He and Diana were both at fault. He should have married Camilla but she was no virgin. Diana was but she came from a failed marriage so had no good family example to follow. A beautiful, sad, manipulative woman but a good mother to her sons and she did good work with Aids and land mines charities. Rosemary West found guilty of three counts of murder. Bosnian peace agreement. Katy out with cello.
22nd           Boss refuses to consider a pay rise. New computer program giving trouble with labelling. With Miriam, Katy and deb to Northolt harvester in Deb's honour but found the steak very small after Boston.
23rd           Elders prayer. Boss talked but offered no more money and Moss job is open. SACRE boring presentation by Walford head of RE. Free Church woman is the pits too.
24th           Asked Moss for written offer. Enlivened by the prospect of leaving this job. Tutorial centre cancelled visit at short notice.
25th           Good elders prayer. Welly to vet. Photocopied Christmas letter. Helping Katy in garden cutting back trees.
26th           Went well preaching the grace of God in Job. carol Gray gave moving testimony on death of her first husband and she sand from messiah too. Katy at contact Sunday at her school. I visited Robbin. David Barnes on divorce. best Sunday for a long time.
27th            Group until 11pm. I stirred it up with my objections to grant Maintained schools. They are from a government not bold enough to reintroduce grammar schools and will be no help for special needs pupils.
28th           Full council. I had two questions and four supplementaries. Spoke on Acton hospital, GM schools and Tutorial centre as well as SS agenda. Home 12:30 am after drinks with the mayor.
29th           Letter offering Moss job. Katy not enthusiastic not having details of hours. She went to quartets.
30th            Elders prayer. Good housegroup. Clinton in Belfast.

The changing world (185) Oct 1995

Oct 1st Missed Mike Peat's sermon due to rota duty. Cliff Bergdal on mission in evening.
2nd         Neela from Brentside on work experience. Joint elders and deacons discussed youth worker, administrator and new deacons.
3rd          Jury says O J Simpson not guilty. Bob Heppe led prayer meeting.
4th          Indu says she will have ab arranged marriage.
5th          Prayer with Larry before work and session to 11:30 at night on DJ and matters charismatic.
6th          Interview with Moss. Becklers had a farewell dinner with us. I have told larry I was concerned at his going to PCUSA. I have given him a good reference. I would never recommend PCUSA.
7th          Did Katy's tax return.
8th          Joe preached on Jacob.
9th          Morning EHHA Southall interview on formulary development.
10th        Katy to Heston strings ensemble.
11th        After work took Welly to Great Shelford.
12th        Packed our cases for USA. West trial goes on with 10 murder charges.
13th        11:30 flight from Heathrow. 7 hours to Boston. Marty late to meet us then broke down in the tunnel. Pushed out. Broke down again on way to Southborough. car had not been serviced. Katy and Deb to hear Paul play in concert at Gordon College. Elliott and I heard Dick Keyes at L'Abri.
14th        Two mile walk in falling leaves. Bought cigars and some mac stuff at a computer show.
15th         Sunday School then church at Larson's. Rib of beef at Durgan Park. Quincy market juggler. Bunker Hill.
16th         400+ miles to NH White Mountains and the Flume, a waterfall in gorge. Vermont and covered bridge . Meal at L'Abri.
17th          Plimoth Plantation. Impressed by saints and strangers . Knew their theology well. Visited mayflower II. Evening Bible Study.
18th          Elliott took us in RV. At Northampton saw Edwards memorial and Brainerd and Stoddart graves. Katy drove to Oneida RV Park overnight.
19th          I drove RV 2 hours. Niagara falls by lunchtime. Impressive. Walked by Horseshoe and American falls. Very wet in cave of the winds walk. Maid of the Mist exhilarating with falling water on three sides. Stopped overnight at camp site. Went into Canada to see the falls floodlit at night. Disgusted we had to show passports and Americans did not.
20th         There of us drove 450+miles back to Southborough. Marti cooked Mexican.
21st          Visited local pharmacy and discount warehouse shopping.
22nd         Sunday School at Hope church. I preached on 3 solas at Larson's. Saw carl in band at boring American Football game. Walked to L'Abri.
23rd          Bus to Boston. Freedom trail followed to Faneuel Hall. Deb had caricature drawn.To Tea Party Ship. Bus back. L'Abri supper. Deb did tricks with spoons.
24th          To Kennebunkport and saw home of the elder Bush. Beautiful coast. Lobster for lunch. Shopped E L Bean at Freeport.
25th           To Boston music shops, Harvard, Warm day. Boston subway negotiated. Saw some World Series baseball on TV.
26th           Fat lift up 60 floors of Boston's Hancock Centre. Great diorama explaining the history and harbour view. Lunch at Quincy Market. Boat trip in harbour. TV saw Cleveland Indians beat Atlanta braves.
27th           To Concord to see North Bridge and the Fighting Road along which we retreated. At Lexington Green we were the only ones photographing the redcoats memorial. Salem full of hypocrisy. Occult shops and a denial that there was any historic witchcraft.  Katy and Deb with Marty to a play at Gordon College.
28th          Bought Marty flowers as we flew out of Boston with no immigration check.
29th          Larry late to pick us up at Heathrow, 6:15 am. Bed 7:30 am 3 hours. J&M came to return Welly. IPC farewell meal for Becklers with excellent sketches from teens.
30th          To Roy George before work. Group to prepare for SS committee.
31st           SS committee.

The changing world (184) Sep 1995

Sep 1st  Discoverers ends. Card from Rachel in Nigeria.
2nd       Post brought a list of addresses for Rachel's lodgings and we went to canterbury finding one small but clean.
3rd        David led for Larry. Jane back home by coach.
5th         After work to Quaker Meeting House for boring EVSC.
6th         Elders prayer before work and meeting after work. Macleods have left us for HTB. David Barnes does not want to lead or preach in future due to problems with his boys.
7th         Wrote to Barry Seagren on baptism.
8th         After work did barbecue then games and malt whisky at Babcocks.
11th       James Buchan from Acton High for unexpected work experience. Threatening letter from DJ in prison.
12th       Evening presbyter all on List and baptist elders.
13th       Surprised by Rachel coming to the pharmacy on her way home from Heathrow. To Northolt harvester celebrating her results. News from Garba.
14th       Prayer with David B before work. Took Rachel to TFG Acton. Prayer meeting.
15th       Took David B to Badger for a weekend away. Waited on for dinner in a house with antiques.
16th       S G MaGrath spoke three times from Is 40. I would like to call him as pastor. Visited Bridgewater.
17th       Communion at Badger. Discussed help for lawyers and Nigel whose shop is in trouble financially.Visited John Sullivan. Katy took Rachel to Canterbury.
18th        Applying for moss job in Brentford.
21st        Rachel home for weekend.
23rd       Costons tea. Rachel back to Canterbury. Katy to string quartets.
24th       Paul on Noah, Alan on David. Phoned Myra with greetings on her 83rd birthday.
25th       Kat to Hounslow evening class to see if she will do cello in an orchestra.
26th       Medway public meeting on how to spend Tesco planning gain.
28th       Housegroup at ours on Ram 6.
30th       To David to Exeter lodgings in a large Baptist manse.

The changing world (183) Jun- Aug 1995

Jun 9th Away day with elders at Joes. I am still down and angry over David leaving his degree course.
10th      Rachel at work with me. Premier radio launched.
11th      Randy preached. Rather a spiritual ramble than an exposition of the text.
12th      A customer asked me to dial 999 as an Asian being mugged by two Blacks outside at 1:30 pm. Three cars came and arrested three men but vistim and witness had gone.
13th       Julie from Cardinal Wiseman on work experience. CID asked me what I witnessed yesterday. SCARE at the synagogue.
15th        Work. EVSC in Acton. Ward committee then house group.
16th         Rachel started A level RE. David thinks he will work in Exeter for a year.
17th         To Great Shelford where the newlyweds are happy in the flat owned by a Christian doctor.
19th          Met with SS director Roy George,
22nd         Social services committee.
Jul 15th    IPC international food fair.
24th          Jamila, Pakistani Muslim started work.
27th          FHSA for audit workshop.
28th          Rachel to Bawtry hall weekend
29th          David to Jane in Wirral.
30th          Preached on goodness.
31st          Katy took Debbie to Leapers and brought back two easy chairs for Jonathan and miriam. This has been the third hottest July of the century.
Aug 1st    Nigel Gray led prayer meeting.
2nd          Katy painting the kitchen.
3rd           Geoffrey received a summons for over £2000 from Dad's garage. I favour arbitration.
4th            Ranald Macaulay asked me to appear on ITV on Sunday to defend the dropping of the atomic bomb 50 years ago but I am preaching that day.
5th            To Great Shelford. Countryside the brownest I have ever seen. Moved J&M into 10 Mores Meadow, their bungalow.
6th             Preached on faithfulness. Drove Rachel in Fiat to leapers and brought deb back.
7th             Jonathan Edwards gold at Goteborg world championship breaking his own triple jump world record.
9th             Wedding anniversary celebrated at Northolt harvester.
10th            Housegroup Rom 6 at Judy's.
11th            Jane Montgomery visiting.
12th            Overnight at Clarks near Birmingham. Pleased to see all four of them. Our deb milked with Peter.
13th            To Wilmslow via Kiddiminster and the statue of Baxter.
14th             With Woodcocks and to their Susan who has a demanding pair of dogs. Visited Jack Williamson too.
15th             Now walked with us to the excellent historic Styal Mill. At David and Enas with many wedding videos washed down with whisky.
16th            To Harrogate via Glossop, Huddersfield where we were lost again, Hebden Bridge and Haworth. Visited the main street and church where I remembered Grimshaw. Out to pub with Geoffrey and Sara.
17th            Took Myra to Nostell Priory. Heard Rachel has a B for A level Christian Theology. Saw Pickering and the steam train. Tea with the Rayners and their William and Phillip. Robert took us over the moors to Goathland.
18th            With Geoffrey to west End to see a village flooded in 1959 and only seen last in 1976. Visited Grassington, Ribblehead and Dent where their own beer is excellent.
19th             Lunch with Myra. Home to hot and sticky London.
20th             Larry good on self control. Helen Roosevere video in evening.
21st             Petra Goepher, German student visited.
22nd           Took Rachel to Heathrow.
24th             After work to the fait on the Common and housegroup at Robbins.
25th            Katy took Deb to Jonathan's.
25th            To IPC Liphook service. Not impressed. L'Abri lunch with Ranald. Tea with Procters.
26th             To Great Shelford and brought Deb home.
29th              Discoverers started.
30st             Booked £306 tickets with American Airlines to Boston.

The changing world (182) Mar-May 1995

Mar 1st Went to Joint Consultative Committee and missed St Anne's governors.
3rd         First Commons vote to ban hunting with hounds.
5th         Rota duty so missed David Barnes on the narrow Way. Ken Bailey video in evening on mission in Tsaiah.
7th        Rachel to Sunderland for Northumbria interview.
9th        Session but my diary daily entries dry up. Depression .
18th      David back from Exeter.
21st       SACRE
29gh     Reduced to 3000 words a sermon on Anxiety for a Times competition. I was a daily reader of the paper.
31st       Farewell party for Robin Fleming SS director.With Katy and Rachel to strip wallpaper in Robbin's flat.
Apr 1st  Saw Rory Bremner on stage at St John's.
2nd        Preached on authority of Christ, mat 7 end of series. Robbin and dale baptised. Meal in their honour.
5th         St Anne's governors
6th         Session.
10th       Visited Margery Beldam in Northwick Park hospital.
13th       Jonathan and Miriam with us.
13th       David Barnes led Good Friday dramatic reading of Mark. Preparing home-brew wine for the wedding.
16th        Joe preached resurrection.
17th        Burroughs came to plan the wedding.
18th        Met with Roy George new acting SS director.
22nd        Took David to Exeter.
23rd        Brought Robbin and dale from Northolt for church then I had rota duty.
May 1st   Octa Tanna from Indonesia with us from HOST.
 9th          Presbytery Kingston Korean IPC.
12th         Very angry and upset David has dropped out of his art and primary education degree. More angry with the university than him as they have made no effort to put him into another degree course.
16th          Council. I had one question and two speeches.
20th          Jane Burrough here to fir girl's bridesmaids dresses.
21st           Bob Heppe preached.
22nd          Paul Oakley from Burton on Trent stayed with us.
23rd          Annual council.
26th          Bottling wedding wine. David and Jane Montgomery came. Wedding rehearsal Great Shelford. Took the groom for drinks.
27th          My sermon was short at Jonathan and Miriam's wedding. All went very well with reception at Gonville and Caius College then on to Burroughs.
28th          The honeymooners rang from St Austel. David and Jane back to Exeter.

The changing world (181) Feb 1995

Feb 1st Very wet. Floods in North Yorkshire.
2nd       Deb going to Tutorial centre well. Good house group Rom 1
3rd        Saw SS director about an alternative budget. Rachel has an offer from Canterbury if the gets B grade.
4th        Katy did church flowers. I prepared sermon on Judge Not, mat 7.\
5th        Sermon went OK. Raju in the evening on North India work.
6th        Town Hall meeting on drugs in schools. Heard the shocking history of a SS client known to us at church. I remember Elliott saying Evangelicals do not know how the world lives.
7th         I was the only councillor at Special Needs Ealing Education meeting. Katy to prayer meeting. Deb not in the tutorial centre due to pains.
8th         Group meeting discussed our policy over the planning gain from Tescos Hoover plans. Perivale got a new community centre and the towpath was improved.
9th         Good elders meeting but one of us has problems with a teenage son's behaviour and suspension from school.
10th       Delivered medicines to Florrie a sweet housebound old lady.
11th       Prayer breakfast and pastoral visit.
12th       Paul on Pearls before swine. Sylvester spoke to teens in the evening.
13th       Submitted alternative SS savings for budget.
14th       Katy not happy with the worship group.
15th       SS responsive to the young member whose case I have referred to them.
16th       Visited tutorial centre and quite encouraging. Special council then ward AGM.
17th       Deb made pizza then ice skating with teens.
18th       Deb washing cars for a Bibles for schools charity.
19th       Randy and Alan preaching.
20th       New post office now open at mantels.
21st       Barry Seagren met with the session and told us Less want to leave IPC. Their prospective elder candidates are Baptists. Mayor opens the new post office facility.
22nd      Fist day at the new Mansells with post office. Proposal for Ireland and UK both to give up constitutional claims over Northern Ireland.
23rd      Rajinder a good held at mattock lane. dads garage still demanding money.
24th      Alf White, aka James Herriot died. Deb reluctant to go to counselling. Katy has decorated the landing.
25th      Shopping with Katy for lampshades. Wasting time on computer pinball.
26th      Morning service man from Jews for Jesus excellent on passover. Lord's prayed video by Bailey in evening.
28th       Two hours at council on Tescos planning gain.

The changing world (180) Jan 1995

Jan 1st  I preaches]d Mat 2, The King Revealed, and Larry led covenant service. Six Heppes to lunch. Fred wast Gloucester murderer found hanged.
2nd       David back from Wirral and we took him to Exeter.
3rd        Very cold. Took deb to Questors for cicic performance of Alice Through the Looking Glass. Katy rightly angry at IPC worship team meeting during the prayer meeting.
5th         Wet, cold, windy. Rachel at Mattock lane with me.
7th          Hosiers to dinner.
8th          Rota duty then to Braithwaite's.
10th        Mark Ashton, Round Church Cambridge spoke to session.
14th        To Thirsk then ate out in Harrogate.
15th         Malcolm Peters at Hambledon Evangelical. Visited the graves. Back after lunch at Myra's.
17th         Earthquake at Kobe in Japan, worst in over 60 years. 2000+ dead.
18th         Deb did not want lesson with Wendy. The boss in better mood since his post office completed. Rachel is a good worker.
19th          Work. Planning west. Ward. Prayer meeting at ours.
20th          Elders at Joes. Bob Heppe, Randy and Cliff Berkdahl there. Bob shared Southall plans. Becklers not settled.
21st          At Mansells. Struggling with tiredness, depression, anxiety.
22nd         Rota so missed Paul on Treasures in heaven.
23rd         Katy went to dyslexia counselling.
24th         Briefing from SS director. Rachel to interview at Christchurch Canterbury for OT degree.
25th         Prayer at Becklers.Jane started work with me. At last an English girl with brains. Rachel back unhappy with group interview.
26th          SS committee.
27th          Rachel to TFG house party. did in better spites and she cooked pizza.
28th          Preparing mat 6 sermon on anxiety.
29th          Preached. Larry persuaded Katy not to give up her church music.
31st          Education committee. Worst continental floods of the century.

Diary w/e 13 Oct 2018

Sun 7 Oct

Lorens Du Plessis good on Worldviews in adult Sunday School. Good third sermon on Heb 11, Faith and hope, from Paul Levy. Our newest church member, Raphael Siva, age two days, present with his parents. He did Num 18 in the evening with Laurens leading and Paul Meiners presiding well at the Lord's Table. Katy and I watched the first two episodes of Vanity Fair. Loved it, especially the Bunyan references, but how does a story set around 1800 have electric lights on a merry-go-round?

Mon 8 Oct

Visited our neighbour, Arpana, a Gujerati widow with three adult sons, one married with two children. Very friendly and accomplished lady. Walked to William Perkin School to see where the bus stops are for I am to escort a pupil to her home in Ealing Broadway so she may learn the route. Overjoyed to hear Hamid has been judged worthy of asylum. Session meeting, hopefully our last at Dean Hall.

Tue 9 Oct

Co-op ATM - beware. I have used this near the Town Hall twice. The first time it swallowed my card for no reason. Today it gave me £60 and a receipt for £80 withdrawn. I had to go to my bank, Santander, to claim my money which I await. Co-op say it is merely their wall not their machine. Not very co-operative IMO. Chris Roberts excellent at ELT on the Light coming into the world - the light you cannot see unless God opens your eyes in new birth.

Wed 10 Oct

Our friend Kenneth Skilling flew in from DC and I cooked him tandoori for lunch. Then I had a wasted hour waiting to take a girl home from school on the bus but her mother failed to tell me my help was not needed. Fascinated by the last episodes on Vanity Fair. I think it owes more to Ecclesiastes than Bunyan. 

Th 11 Oct

Nine elders at early morning prayer. The only thing better than rising early to pray is rising early for corporate prayer. 'How sweet and pleasant it is when brothers ...' Shopped at Wyvale garden centre and disgusted by 20 minute wait for a bowl of soup. Joel Rinn from Verona arrived to stay after a synod planning meeting.

Fr1 12 Oct

ATM £20 shortfall refunded. Joel left us for his Verona home. Katy gave her weekly piano lessons to Ethan and Elissa.

Sat 13 Oct

Big Boys Cafe, breakfast to celebrate Deb's job as classroom assistant. Book table Greenford Broadway but my only conversation was with Usmani and Mohammed on the Muslim book table. London Festival of Male Voice Choirs. Treated to excellent seats and a cab home by our friend Kenneth Skilling.

The changing world (179) Dec 1994

Dec 1st Trouble with kitchen fitters - wrong sink and refusal to fit cooker hood.
2nd       Kitchen completed apart from the cooker hood as fitters say the grill is too high for it.  Katy out helping clean Robin Gomes' flat.
3rd        David offered Exeter CU presidency. Alan with trailer helped me clear the kitchen debris.
4th         Larry on psalm for the king, I presided at table. Wycliffe video in the evening.
6th         Deb OK at tutorial centre. Prayer meeting.
7th         Dad's garage says he owed them £2000
8th         Katy not well enough o enjoy her school meal at Charlotte's Place. Session with Larry, Paul and David.
9th         Teens tramps supper finished with us and Katy's Mississippi mud pies.
10th       Prayer breakfast. Coston lunch. Jonathan and Miriam brought David back from Exeter. Break in at Mansells stole lot of perfumes.
11th       Bob Heppe on Is 9.
13th       Deb OK at tutorial centre.
16gth      Staff meal at taste of China in Harrow.
17th        With Trevor to Highbury and saw Leeds beat Arsenal.
18th         Joe on Mat 1 genealogy. Randy led carol service. Judy and her Aussie friend David to lunch.
19th         No staff so rand Rachel at school and she came in to work.
20th         Took presents to Doris and Stephen in Northolt.
21st          Assistant Sarah is in hospital. Put up mirror and pictures in newly papered hal.
22nd         Finished Christmas shopping at Ealing Broadway with Katy. House group at Judy's.
23rd          Jonathan and Miriam with. After a nearly year closed the call bridge reopened by Brent.
24th          Helped Katy prepare vegetables and wrap presents. Larry did a 5pm device. Russia attacks Chechnya.
25th          Preached on The King is Here. Robbin Gomes with us for the day.
26th          Two cars to Great Shelford and met the family including Miriam's grandparents and her dancer brother.
27th          Helped Katy prepare cold turkey lunch for Beckler's. Tim Gray to tea. England not doing well in the Ashes watched on Sky.
28th          Back on duty at Mansells. Indu wants to go to India and have her brother exorcised. Tried to get her to contact Raju for help.
30th          Two shot at a Boston abortion clinic.
31st           David to Jane in the Wirral. Did Tandoori at IPC meal before the games and watch night service. Phone call from the Larsons in USA.

The changing world (178) Nov 1994

Nov 1st At Mansells while two one ton safes were delivered for the new Post Office. Education Committee to 11pm. How come when Labour cut the demonstrators are absent unlike when we cut?
2nd        At Mansells the PO counters are being installed.
3rd        After Mansells, session.
4th        Bought food processor with Myra's gift. She is considering a home for Dorothy.
5th        Mattock Lane OK on my return after 3 days of mantels. Rachel with me in the afternoon. With Katy to a party at Sunrise radio,
6th         Pharmacy rota. Mr O and Peter Barnes to lunch. Racked elderberry wine. Our Korean lodger cooked his own food which angered Katy with the garlic fumes.
7th         Gregory the Korean lodger does not want to drink tap water.
8th         Seminar on drug abuse at Town hall.
9th         Marjorie Beldam called in for pastoral counselling.
10th       To Deb's tutorial centre, No local counselling on offer. Martin Mullins died. RC Conservative supporter who had a brain tumour which had not been quickly diagnosed.
11th       Wrote to widow hilary Mullins. Her husband went from normal, to wrongly diagnosed behavioural problem to death from brain tumour in the space of sex weeks. Tragic. Elders and wives bowling at Heathrow.
12th        Men's prayer. Agreed to have a new kitchen fitted for £2950. Repaired greenhouse glass.
13th        Remembrance Sunday at Greenford war memorial. Only two Labour councillors there to support their deputy mayor. Greg Bahnsen preaching at IPC. Took a young woman to the police with alleged rape but they said she had no case as there had previously been a consensual relationship. She stayed with us overnight. I went to the British Legion. One Conservative councillor college there with the Labour mayor and two from his side who were not sociable.
14th        Dropped our overnight visitor at solicitors. Ealing Arts exhibition. David Barnes chaired portly attended church members meeting to set the budget.
15th        Greenford RC church for requiem mass for martin Mullins the day before the funeral. Seated at the front with the family and our MP who spoke well and my Jewish councillor colleague.
16th         Mansells putting up the scripts for the addicts for the next week. Why can they get methadone on the NHS but I cannot get whisky? Sky sports subscribed to see England 1 Nigeria 0, undeserved victory.
17th          Mattock Lane work. ward meeting. Hose group.
18th          Mansells then clear up the mess left by Maureen the previous mattock lane pharmacist.
Gregory has left. Deb to teens on her birthday.
19th           Synod all day. re=elected moderator for the second year running. Gave talk to IPC and PAE on IPC history. PAE was the Presbyterian Association of England precursor to the present EPCEW and came out of an earlier London conference. I preached for them in Cambridge on several occasions and later in Chelmsford too. I hope we will one day be one denomination as we agree doctrinally if not organisational at present. Great Korean lunch. Love the kimchi. Katy keeps he distance afterwards as garlic seeps from every pore.
20th           Sermons from Larry and Alan and pot luck lunch in honour of Jonathan leaving.
21st           Group meeting. I will have four questions and six speeches at Social Services.
22nd         Full council went well. I was the Tory with the most speeches and was complimented in public and private by Cudmore the labour council leader. Neil Richardson to chair SACRE, the liberal rector of Greenford who I described to his face as a false prophet, saying peace when there is no peace in his services blessing homosexual relationships.
23rd          The kitchen fitters have postponed starting work.
24th           Failed to get anyone to oppose Richardson as chair of SACRE. Deb refused to go to tutorial centre after an altercation with our good friend Wendy.
25th           Good staff meal at a Chinese in Yeading celebrating Indu's birthday. She is Hindu. Two Sikh staff there too.
26th           Brain Boddy here for lunch. With him to Samson by Ealing Choral Society. Uplifting. Greeted widow pam Wood.
27th           Joe on Ps 2 then Brian on his work in Borno.
28th           Sarah sick. Rachel came to take over from the boss's wife. Writing to NHS purchaser about lack of mental health provision.
29th           Too tired to enjoy pharmacy education evening on dressings at the Town Hall.
30th            Deb reused to go into tutorial centre. Now she says the maths tutor is the problem. Cleared kitchen for fitters.
    

The changing world (177) Oct 1994

Oct 1st Katy and Deb took David to Exeter and John Boer left us.
2nd       Pharmacy rots so I only heard evening sermon, Bob Heppe on evangelism.
3rd        Visited Noah's Ark children's nursery. Found short cut from Empire Road to the canal for dog walking.
4th         Prayer meeting at Beckler's flat.
5th         Deb's counsellor wants to carry on but Deb does not.
8th         To Wells, Staines for lunch and walk in Windsor Great Park.
9th          Paul Clowney on anger. Dad, Luck and Joe to lunch.
10th        These are the best autumn colours for 11 years.
11th        Free Church Council in Southall commissioned Bob Heppe to serve the local ethnic churches.
14th         Bought a new mac £1400, our second I think
15th         Took old mac to David in Exeter. Pizza lunch outside in Indian Summer weather. back via large man's shop in Beer.
16th          Randy good on lust and marriage bit as usual not from the passage. Paul Clowney sorted out our computer and gave us a lot of software. Alan on Joh 18.
17th          Sellers will replace our computer as it is faulty.
18th           Computer replaced. St Anne's governors.
19th           I was applauded in SS committee for opposing Labour closing Ealing family Centre and three OAP homes.
20th           Press release done on yesterday's SS meeting.
21st           Jonathan and Miriam with us for the weekend.
22nd          Costons Conservative lunch. Welly taken to the vet with a sore rear.
23rd          Preached on oaths and truth telling from Mat 5. John Skinner to lunch. Video at church on Moravians.
24th          Interview on SS cuts on Sunrise Radio.
25th          Child and family Service say the waiting list is 30 weeks for deb to be seen.
27th          At Georgian House for 100th birthday party of Mr Maloney. Mayor there too.
28th          Northolt Rugby Club with harry Greenway launching Friends of Cayton Road Playing Fields. A campaign to stop the council building on fields in my ward.
29th           Korean Grand renting a room from us for a month. Katy in town on two day music course.
30th           Preached on love you neighbour. Did a quiz at youth service.
31st           Our Korean is dog walking with me.

  

The changing world (176) Sep 1994

Sep 1st Wet and cool. Not up in time for Bible reading.
2nd       End of Discoverers week.
3rd        Cooked my first fondue. Rachel to Weymouth on holiday.
4th        Larry did a short end of Discoverers service.
5th        Mansells shop fitting for Post Office move.
6th        MOT on Fiesta. Prayer meeting good spirit but numbers low.
7th        Deb not happy with RC councillor. Council educational social worker says they have a long waiting list.
8th        Jonathan to finish at Leslie Oliver.
9th        Jonathan to Cambridge. Pleased Deb went to teens.
10th      On my own in shop Saturday afternoon. Rachel back from Weymouth caravan.
11th       An unexpected work experience student from Acton High. Over the years I was to have many. At least two became pharmacists. All manner of ethnicities but two things in common. They would not speak their mother tongue to customers (except for a recently arrived Polish girl) and no-one can add up without recourse to the aid of a calculator. Mental arithmetic is dead.  Threatening letter from our excommunicated member now in prison. I have been helping his wife cheat the benefits system. I gave the letter to the police. They had been incompetent in getting him convicted for arson and a four year sentence. It he had been found guilty of arson to endanger life he could have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
12th         Chinese take away to celebrate Rachel's A levels. She is considering doing A level RE now.
13th         Given enough grapes to make two gallons of wine.
14th         Prayed with Larry before work. Deb at her unpopular RC counsellor. The LEA has now offered a doctor's help but no date given.
15th          At Mansells where there is a new shop front and the dispensary is now at the back of the shop.
16th         Jonathan to Cambridge. Sorting out all my letters from Nigeria which my parents kept.
17th         Nicola Braithwaite's wedding at barnet baptist.
18th         David's friend Tristram here. David Barnes on beatitudes, Alan on Joh 17.
19th         Session discussing two services, a traditional and a contemporary style.
20th         Cheques arrived, the children's inheritance from my father's estate.
 21st         takeaway to celebrate Miriam's birthday today and Rachel's tomorrow and Jonathan leaving home. Cheque from the solicitors for me.
22nd        Paid off 2/3 of mortgage. Terry Seaber in hospital for appendix operation.
23rd         Briefed by the SS director on Labour's proposed cuts and visited Mattock Lane family centre.
24th        John Boer arrived to stay.
25th        David Barnes on Mat 5 then John on his Nigeria work in the evening. Pleased to hear from Onamusis and Garba by later.
26th        John to High Leigh writers workshop. Visited two OAP homes under closure threat.
w7th       To Grange part which has a Polish OAP unit too.
27th         Mansells disrupted by back extension being built.
28th         Routleys from Argentina visited. Not seen them for 14 years.
30th         At the surgery farewell party for Dr Gray who was there when I started in 1969. David packing for Exeter.

The changing world (175) Aug 1994

Aug 1st No Sara at work. Asthma. Pleased to have Rachel all day. Do not know why I am depressed at present.
2nd        Dinner at Malhotras. She took EA and several governors to industrial tribunal and the LEA paid her to withdraw her case.
3rd         Work at Mansells. Boss not encouraging to put it mildly. Deb to counselling but she is not happy with it.
4th          86 Year old Mr Squires told me of 80 years ago today when WWI was declared. His met police father was recalled from holiday and he has not forgiven the Kaiser. He was later head of Scotland yard fingerprinting.
5th          Swapped dad's wardrobe for mine.
6th          Katy drove us to Burton Bradstock, Dorset. Luxurious cottage but no parking.
7th          Bridport Baptist, traditional, good sermon content but poor exegesis.
8th          Lyme Regis and a walk along the cliffs.
9th          The family gave us a fondue set to celebrate our Silver Wedding. Deb and I went to Chesil Beach.
10th        Wet shopping in Bridgeport. Walked at Freshwater Bay.
11th         Beauminster and Lyme Regis.
12th           Lyme Regis Monmouth beach - where the duke landed.
13th         To Thirsk via Dorset, Wits, Glos, Warwick , Leics than motorway.
14th          Rather lifeless Frandale at St James Green. To Harrogate via the grave. Geoffrey preached at St Andrew's Starbeck, charismatic C of E and later church of Brian Boddy.
15th           Northallerton, Osmotherly, sheepish, Hawnby, Boltby. Visited Nicksons in Knaresborough. Tea with Myra and called on Grahams in their new Thirsk house.
16th            Masham, Leyburn, Lawes, Swaledale. Family meal at Nags Head, Pickhill.
17th            Harrogate, Bradford, Huddersfield, Glossop, Buxton, Leek, Stoke to Leapers. In their caravan.
18th           Macclesfield for Mark Larson's wedding to Sue Wright. Elliott preached. Twins sang. Luxurious reception at Anlington Hall hunting lodge. Lot of IPC there. Took Carl back to Leapers.
19th           Carl, deb and Christopher dropped at Alton Towers while we went to Lucy and Joe in Wilmslow with Mr Overend. Nan and three more generations there. Elizabeth and Rebecca at national tetrathalon, Warwick.
20th           Home via Martins where we left Carl. Row with George next door over the dog barking. he insulted me when I banged my head on the shed door frame. Rachel not happy with A level results.
21st           Joe and rationalism and emotions. Alan on Joh 17.
22nd          Concluded I dislike pharmacy because I am there due to my failure being so up and down. Later I was diagnosed as bipolar - two decades later - and I came to see pharmacy as a providential provision. Proving the ways of providence are not quickly or easily discerned.
23rd          Katy painting the bathroom so I feel a guilty bystander as I am at pharmacy, council and church work not family and house work.
24th           Deb working with me. She is more of a bolshy teenager now. She and David wind one another up. He is working for Tessa and Yates.
25th            Opening of summer fair on Common. Few Labour there and I was the only Tory. This time I did not over indulge.
26th            Seeing SS director Robin Fleming for my monthly briefing. We always got on very well as I did with her eventual successor.
27th             Replacing bathroom fittings after painting done by Katy. I got frustrated with such practical tasks.
28th             Katy's aunt, Myra, from BC and John Skinner to lunch. Paul Clowney on materialism and evening Jen Morris of OM prior to her departure for Tunisia. We had many years of OM based at IPC. Sometimes there was friction with next door.
29th              Bank holiday. Took Deb to MacDonald's. Rachel made up with her friend Richard.
30th              Rachel at work with me. Happy Indu is in India. Boss same as ever.
31st              Jonathan and Miriam back from Italy.IRA promise ceasefire.

The changing world (174) Jul 1994

Jul 1st Rachel worked for me in the morning. Sikh Rajinder now full time.
2nd      We drove to Exeter to bring David home.
3rd       Morning rota so missed Larry's sermon on deacons. IFES speaker in the evening, Solomon formerly in Madagascar and Ivory Coast.
4th       Rachel worked in the morning for me.
5th       Nigeria lost to Italy.
6th       Elders prayer then governors visit to St Anne's school. Makes one thankful to be sound in body and mind.
7th       I am so fed up with a critical moaning boss that I would go to a better hole if I could find one.
8th       Miriam staying with us as she often does since the engagement.
9th       Rachel worked with me all day. Kim of North Korea died.
10th     Preached on limited atonement. Team visiting form Escondito, CA.
11th     Rachel now regular morning work for me.
12th     Council education briefing meant I missed church congregational meeting.
13th     St Anne's AGM.
14th     Good housegroup with Seabers and Hosiers.
15th     To Thirsk. Hired a van and with Geoffrey loaded Dad's furniture. Visited the grave and new stone.
16th      Geoffrey and I drove to Cambridge, unloaded half the van and the rest in Perivale. Davis has a job at Yates Wine Lodge.
17th       I preached on irresistible grace. Alan Hosier in the evening.Brazil won world cup on penalties.
18th       Council meeting. Pleasant new mayor.
19th       Did Patient Medication Records course while at work.
21st       SACRE and got the humanists thrown off.
22nd      Took Deb for interview at RC children centre. Elders meeting.
23rd        Rachel working with me at Mattock Lane Pharmacy. Deb and Timmy Grey camping in a tent on our back lawn.
24th        Preached on perseverance of the saints.Braithwaites to lunch.
25th        Happy at work with the boss on holiday.
26th        Cllr John Wood's funeral at St Stephens. John had gone to do some work on his narrow boat and died suddenly.
27th        Prayer with Larry and David before work. In the evening Katy and Nigel Gary wrote the monthly prayer list for the church.
28th        First rain for a while as grass is brown. Housegroup.
30th        Planning site visits. Barbecue at Varneys, Northolt.
31st        Led for Larry on spiritual warfare. Took family service in the evening.

The changing world (173) Jun 1994

Jun 1st In Thirsk sorting Dad's bungalow. Stuff to keep, dump or Mind  charity shop. I do not fit into Dad's suits. A pity. Took Myra out to Rievaulx and Kilburn.
2nd       Two loads to dump and one to charity shop. Visited Skipton, talked to Maurice Sanderson. Ate at Red Lion with Geoffrey and Sara. Not a patch on when it was the best place to eat in the locality.
3rd        Cleaned 4 Tranmire Close, Thirsk and left for Leapers Problem on the way and diverted via M62 then went via Derby and Utoxeter. Brief greeting then very delayed on M6 north of M5. Home 8:30.
4th         We are still perplexed as to the way ahead for Deb's schooling.
5th          Enjoyed Larry leading morning worship until I had to do Sunday rota and found the mess left in my absence.To St Bernard's for the 200th anniversary of the birth of the pioneering Dr Connolly. Saw the museum and the padded cell which he introduced instead of physical restraints for the mentally ill. Even a padded roof.
6th          %0th anniversary od D Day. Hoping tutorial centre will soon see Deb.
7thg        Ealing Voluntary Services Council at St John's prevented me attending prayer meeting.
8th          Prayer with Larry before work at mantels. John Skinner to dinner and we counselled concerning his problematic legacy from his family.
9th          Voted UKIP in EU election. Went to Dishley's for her as a JP to witness my election expenses declaration. Advised to have counselling for Deb but there is no local public provision on offer any time soon.
10th         Deb working with me.
11th         Prayer breakfast with jack Miller. First Planning West site visit.  Sorting what from Dad will be wanted by Jonathan and Miriam.
12th        Preached on total depravity, Rom 3. Evening youth service with good praise.
13th        First day of hot summer weather.
14th        First time on governors of St Anne's special school in Hanwell.
15th        Prayer with Larry and David before work at Mansels. Fist Planning West Committee. One's decisions are on officers statutory advice really. Objections to an application have to be according to set laid down reasons like impeding light to an adjoining property.
16th        Encouraged by a surprise visit from Elliott at my work. Rachel now working as exams over. It is busy with hay fever season.
17th        Seminar on asthma at Glaxo. They make inhalers. Session meeting.
18th       Larsons to dinner with Mark and his intended, Sue Wright, a fellow Cambridge undergraduate.
19th       Preached on election. Pot luck in honour of Mark and Sue.  I still face criticism over my persuading my fellow elders not to have a Sunday evening square dance. Larsons spoke in the evening about their past three years in USA so they must have left Ealing in 1991.
20th        To the Weales for co-operative home school, The Rock, reunion in honour of the Larsons.
22nd        Pleased with Nigeria 3 Bulgaria 0 in World Cup.
23rd         Deb has made a good start at the tutorial centre.
24th         Bach Mass at St Barnabas in a thunderstorm after a hot day.
25th         Katy and girls to town for recorder exams. I was gardening. Argentina 2 Nigeria 1 in World Cup. Dad's bungalow sold for £45,750. This enabled us to pay off our mortgage eventually.
26th         Elliott preached morning and Alan Hosier evening.
27th         No assistant Sarah again. Chronic absentee and little cover sent.Deb has mild asthma.
28th         Four elders to Joe's sunny garden for planning day.
29th         Waste of time going to Health Authority audit seminar.
30th         Maradonna sent home from World Cup. Nigeria win their group.

Diary w/e 6 Oct 2018

Sun 30 Sep

Our first stay in David's green room; his studio. Worship at the City Church. 200 or so there. Noisy with not my kind of music before the service. I would describe it as charismatic Calvinistic Radio 2 style with no liturgy. I am a Reformed charismosceptic with liturgical appreciation and Classic fm tastes. So twenty minutes of decent modern songs, not repetitive but contenfull then a tongue, interpretation?, testimonies, solo song before the sermon is not for me. Before the sermon no confession of sin, Scripture reading nor prayer for the world and mission. No-one came to greet me in the greeting time.Good sermon of 45 minutes on being filled with the Spirit. Top marks for that but the whole style is too loud and experience centred for me to ever return. Everyone to their own taste. Not my cup of tea but is you are blessed by it , be blessed. Back home by 7pm, M25 and M3.

Mon 1 Oct

Car serviced and new tyres. Eye test for new glasses, this time with a tinted lens where my vision is poor.

Tue 2 Oct

To the Halifax sorting out their incompetence. Recent dealings with banks convince me they are not run in the interests of their customers but only their shareholders. One of the lower forms of commercial life. Good U3A on Euthanasia which I led. Pleased to have a new nonagenarian male join us. Females overwhelmingly predominate U3A. Is it because women are more sociable? Also encouraged by an octogenarian lady who appears to be truly Christian. She was familiar with Lloyd-Jones. General agreement on our topic.

Wed 3 Oct

Five came to U3A current affairs on antisemitism. Very good discussion. I had to be devil's advocate for the Zionist cause as we had no Jewish participant to put the case against that advocated by our Muslim member.

Thu 4 Oct

U3A on 10,000 years of Brentford History. Mainly archaeology. No mention of the civil war. Disappointing.

Fri 5 Oct

Shopping with Katy in two supermarkets. Pleased to have Rachel and the children round for the grandchildren's weekly piano lessons.

Sat 6 Oct

To Hauxston in the rain to celebrate in advance of Hannah's 15th birthday with Chinese takeaway dinner.



pirit filled people who are convinced that the Church is the hope of the world. We exist to ‘Invite everyone to encounter Jesus.’

The changing world (172) May 1994

May 1st David Barnes on Heb 13. I presided at the Lord's Table. John Skinner to lunch. A young man who has come to faith after a difficult family background.
2nd         Delivering final election leaflets.
3rd          Delivering leaflets before work and then church prayer after pharmacy.
4th          Finished election deliveries and had elders prayer before day's work at Mansells. We expect the owner to have secured the contract to operate the local post office from inside the pharmacy premises.
5th          Telling all day 8am to 7pm at several polling stations. Then to the count in the town hall. No results before midnight but Conservatives have lost the council.  though I am OK I reckon.
6th           Home 4am. I won but council went from 29-31 to 20-48-3, a devastating labour win. Five leading colleagues out. Took Deb to see Kensington Park School. Conservative group elect Ian Green as leader. I am social services lead.
7th           To Harvester to celebrate my win though Katy wishes I had lost.
8th           Preached Heb 12 benediction. In the evening Rachel helped lead the youth service.
9th           Back to clearing the locus mess at work. I likened it to going down the beach after the donkeys. The borough will not fund deb going to private day school.
10th         I am on education and planning(west) committees.
11th       Myra rang to say Dad in heart failure. Geoffrey agrees we should let nature take its course.
12th        Phoned hospital and confirmed our views on dad. made arrangements to go to Thirsk. House group meal at Shahee tandoori Southall.
13th        Hospital sister says dad is worse ao after work drove to Thirsk with the family. David came back from Exeter. Three and a half hours and to the hospital at midnight. Geoffrey and Sara there. I stayed. Breathing laboured with opiates. He cannot talk but we reckon he knows we are here.
14th         Went to Dad's bungalow 10am for a couple of hours sleep then back to his bedside. On diamorphine. Little sign of consciousness except he said 'rachel, don't go'. These were the last words I heard him speak. Left after 10pm.
15th         Walked to hospital. There until lunch. Not conscious. Scotts and Hills visited after lunch. After tea with Myra said my farewell and drove home by 11:30pm.
16th          11am heard Dad had died. Stopped work briefly and cried. Phoned Geoffrey and arranging Friday funeral. Wrote my tribute for the service - to be printed as I would be too emotional to speak.
17th          Last Relate committee as I am no longer to be council rep. happy for I disagree with its non-directive counselling and it no longer being marriage guidance but relate however you y=think best. If it were up to me it would get no council grant as not fit for purpose.
1pth           Three speeches at the special council meeting, my first in opposition. Applauded for my third speech.
20th            Drove to church. packed church. Cousin Ron Julier there. Malcolm Peters preached, his first time in a Methodist church since he left them. Uncle Neil did not approve. Sour grapes!.
21st             Sorting out the bungalow with Geoffrey. Took Myra and Dorothy for Indian meal.
22nd            Roy Newell encouraging at St James Green then Jim Smith at Catton. Drove home after tea.
23rd             Deb does not want to try Kensington Park School again.
25th             Elders prayer before work.
26th             Mayor making. Hindu, Sharma, will have no chaplain saying his religion is private.
27th             Elders meeting. Larry, David Barnes and me.
29th             Mike Peat preached in the morning and val Inchley from Nepal spoke in the evening.
30th             Supper at Babcocks.
31st              Drove to Leapers in Staffordshire when scenic route to Thirsk. Sorted kitchen with Geoffrey.

The changing world (171) Apr 1994

Apr 1st David Barnes took the Good Friday service, dramatic readings and fairly long.
3rd        Easter day. Sat with two Chinese visitor but they left before paul Clowneys resurrection sermon.
4th        Burroughs here with Martha.
5th        Back to work and very busy post holiday.
6th        Took Deb bowling in Wembley.
8th         Killings in Rwanda. Deb to see educational psychologist.
9th         Rachel back from High Wycombe school study week. Jonathan and Miriam at Spring Harvest.
10th       Paul Clowney on Heb 13. Katy's dad here as usual for roast lunch. Took Rachel to evening youth service.
11th       Found out the list of candidates standing for election. Labour reckon they will win 39-32. Our side are optimistic though. I am not.
12th       Jack Miller at the prayer meeting. He concentrated on the need for repentance. I wanted to hear about the glory of God.
13th        Got canvassing forms and started on Middleton Avenue. Very encouraging.
14th        Once again no assistant Sarah. A repeated problem. Deb will not return to Twyford.
15th        Sarah still not at work. Met the Euro MP candidate at the opening of a Southall restaurant.
16th        Deemed it better to keep the peace at home rather than go canvassing in the cold.
17th        Ed Clowney preached.
18th        Took milk to Hosiers for Rachel's baby. Elders went on until 11:30pm.
19th         Posive response canvassing Greenford Road which encouraged me.
20th         Prayer with Larry before work. After work canvassing Greenford Road, east side.
21st         Getting a buzz canvassing Greenford Road. Housegroup and ward meeting.
22nd        Deb came and helped at work in the afternoon. Finished Greenford Road canvassing. meeting with Dr Clowney on marriage and headship.
23rd         St George's day Conservative lunch. Make Stenchard from Iowa staying with us.
24th         Four customers in rota hour. David back to Exeter. Evenings we have had videos on marriage etc. This one on intimacy not conducive to discussion.
25th         Back to dog walking. Deb working with me in the afternoon. My council colleagues are optimistic.
26th         Deb visited Harvington school and did not like it. Council meeting.Said farewell to five council colleagues who are retiring this time.
27th         Early prayer with Larry and David Barnes. Frustrated by the inefficiency of pharmacist Maureen's performance when I am off work. She managed the shop before me but is not adept with the new computer. Canvassed Costons Lane.
28th         Work busy because of coming bank holiday. One abusive Irish voter on Costons Avenue. Housegroup at Seabers.
29th          Deb went ice skating. cable TV installed.
30th          Canvassing Costons Lane with Hilary Mullins whose husband later died quite suddenly of a brain tumour.

The changing world (170) Mar 1994

Mar 1st  Deb refused school.
2nd        Katy spoke to Deb's teacher but she would not stay. Have a chronic moaner as my boss.
3rd        Deb managed only one lesson. Getting quote for new boiler.
4th        Though katy took her in to school only one lesson and not talking about it. Accepted £1800 quote for boiler.
5th         Hillingdon Choral at St John's Passion.
6th         Preached Heb 11. Wrote to Dad who is on his feet with difficulty but in better spirits.
7th         Deb at school. BBC TV filmed me on drug costs. I had a customer who was in their news department. This was on the main news exposing how pharmacists did not send paid prescriptions for pricing if the levy collected was worth more than the reimbursement from the pricing bureau. RPSGB denied it happened but all professions are conspiracies against the public interest.
8th         Council tax setting meeting. Labour abstained. Drink with the mayor afterwards as usual.
9th         Worked my weekly day at Uxbridge Road shop with miserable chief assistant who I have named, Queen Bee. RPSGB branch meeting on migraine. Advised by Denis Bland, hospital chief pharmacist on prison service job application. IRA mortared Heathrow.
10th        Katy upset as Deb refused school. More IRA mortars at Heathrow. Interview at Holloway prison. Not optimistic about getting the job. Every time I was interviewed for a public sector job it was always women interviewing and I never was offered a job. Coincidence?
11th        Deb off school. I was too tired to drive to Thirsk as planned.
12th        To Thirsk. Lunch not too good at The Angel, Topcliffe. Tea with Myra. Visited dad twice. Drink with Geoffrey. dad in better spirits but difficulty in standing.
13th        St James' Green Methodist. Visited dad twice. Drove to Perivale.
14th        Deb OK in a new class.
15th        Sears (Lab) refused to back vote of thanks for Barbara Yerolemou retiring as Social Services chairman.
16th         Struggle to get deb into school. Holloway job not offered.
17th         Deb refuses school. New RE syllabus approved by the special conference set up to produce it. Colin Hart of the Christian Institute had me put forward amendments which were ejected.
18th         Getting used to new Mediphase computer labelling system. Elders until 10:40pm. Katy would like Deb to go to boarding school but I do not see her agreeing.
19th         Jonathan brought a TV to me at work to see England beat Wales. Katy and Deb to Exeter to bring David home.
20th          Larry flew to USA for his father having surgery. Rota hour for two scripts only. Warm enough to sit in garden after lunch for the first time this year.
21st           Deb to the teaching support centre.
22nd          School refused again by Deb. Teachers agree we should not force her. She is to see a psychologist, the school will see about more resources and look at other provision.
23rd           We are told deb needs a small school and she cannot articulate her problems. New central heating working.
25th            Treated to a meal at a Pakistani restaurant in Southall by Muslims lobbying over the Town Hall sale.
26th             Kiss me late at Greenford Hall.
27th             Led Palm Sunday service. Singing drowned by Mark Larson on trumpet.Pot luck lunch for Eileen Marshall. Barbara Busse, Terri heckler's mother very good in the evening on work in India and Iran.
29th           Getting nomination papers signed for the local election in May.
30th           Becklers, her mother and adopted sister to dinner.
31st           Maundy Meal at IPC, bread and soup with readings, the latter stumblingly slow from John Corcoran.

The changing world (169) Feb 1994

Feb 1st Deb out of school very tired 11am.
2nd       Took Deb to school OK.
3rd        Church agrees on new treasurer.
4th         Deb not fit for school. Over 20 round for House of Jacobs Tramps Supper dessert course.``
5th         Took family to Laguna restaurant. Poor service.
6th          Larry preached. He is more confident but not forceful. To Braithwaites, Oakwood by tube.
7th          Deb back to school. Our group leader nearly resigned over us voting to sell Southall Town hall to Muslims. Privatising Environmental Services.
9th           Working at Mansells Uxbridge Road.
10th          Council
11th          Classical concert at St John's.
12th          Men's pray breakfast, Gordon cooking. Took Katy to find electronic piano for church.
13th          Randy not really executing Heb 10. Two OM females from Turkey to lunch.
14th          Snow in morning.
15th          Walked dog in snow. Dinner at Malhotras. She was the unpopular head of Melbourne School.
16th           Drove four elders to Martins near Oxford. Good planning meeting despite the bad report on the finances. Discussed evening services. I was to eventually keep them going largely due to one family having that as their desire if they were to stay as members. Our one excommunicated member sentenced to four years in prison for arson. He still made threats from behind bars.
17th           G&S Patience at Greenford Hall.
18th           The pharmacy I managed in the Willesden Green Gateways has been closed so I was right to jump ship from there. It did too few prescriptions to be viable.
19th            Had to pay to be told out boiler is beyond repair some have a cold house.
20th            Randy's sermon failed to expound the text. Gulas staying. They spoke in the evening, mainly Kathleen as Daniel's English is not confidently fluent. Torville and Dean at Lillehammer Winter Olympics.
21st            Judge refuses Hindu's plea to prevent sale of Southall town hall. Torville and Dean only bronze. Parliament votes for homosexual age of consent to be 18 not 16.
22nd          Council. Hindus have gone to appeal court. Deb refused to go to school.
23rd           Deb back to school but learning support inadequate,
24th          Long elders meeting on the budget.
27th          Preached from Heb 10.
28th          Deb taken to school by Katy. She finds it hard.

The changing world (168) Jan 1994

Jan 1st Daily diary resumed. Borrowed Babcocks Volvo and family to Great Shelford with a tonsillitis Debbie. Met Cattos from Aberdeen at Burroughs. We knew them from Nigeria where Gordon was in commercial employ.
2nd       Led covenant service with David Barnes preaching. Preached from Job1-2 in the evening with only three families. Spoke on LBC phone in against the dishonest bishop of Durham.Dad is tome to Thirsk hospital. He is not 100% mentally.
3rd        Braithwaites and Wells visited us. Deb still has tonsillitis.
4th        Back to work. Assistant off sick bur Rachel came in and helped.
5th        Snoozed in play at Questors.
6th        Awaiting test results to see if deb has glandular fever.
7th        Walked to canal to see where driver killed in a crash in last night's snow. Glandular fever confirmed for Deb.
8th         Cycled to work.
9th          David back to Exeter. Missed Paul Clowney's sermon due to pharmacy rota duty. David Barnes preached in the evening.
10th        Back to dog walking now his master is away. Conservative group debating sale of Southall Town hall to Hindus or Muslims.
11th        Jonathan depressed with no work in prospect. Deb is still weak.
12th        Katy down because I am out so much with church, work and council day for example.
13th        Applied for a job at HMP Holloway. Treated to a beer with the director of environmental services.
14th        After work drove with Katy and deb to Thirsk. Staying with Aunty Myra.
15th        Visited Dad three times in hospital. Poor memory. Low spirits. Lord Tranmire, formerly Robin Turton MP is in the next room. He was father of the House of Commons and leading anti common marketeer.
16th         Thirsk Methodist with Myra. Visited Dad twice before returning to Perivale.
17th          deb nor well enough for school. Jonathan negative job interview at David barnes' firm.
18th          Jonathan offered some part time work but he is very negative about it.
19th          At elders meeting decided to ask for our treasurer to resign over the state of the accounts.
20th         Deb still off school. Rachel helpful with evening work.
21st          Larry to dinner.
22nd         IPC treasurer visited and ne agrees he should resign. Miram here. Rachel away with school fellowship group.
23rd          Jonathan proposed. Miriam accepted. Paul Clowney on Heb 8.
24th          Jonathan stared work Leslie Oliver and co, note taking in court. Deb still off school.
26th          Jonathan says wedding next year.
29th          Larry preached Heb 9.
30th          Deb back to school.

The changing world (167) Jan-Dec 1993

Jan 21st Visit from Peter and Elizabeth Clark
22nd       Elders away day at Martins planning.
24th        Wendy Barber to dinner.
Feb 5th   Geoffrey and Sara visiting
7th          Nicki Merritt to dinner
Mar 20th Opened new Greenford recycling centre
May 9th   Ealing Abbey civic service
11th         Annual council and I left being chairman of environment for the back benches for the only time
25th         Presbytery
Jun 27th   11:30 to 12:30 rota duty at Mattock Lane pharmacy. An occasional Sunday chore. Babcock family to lunch.
Jul 3rd     Elders and deacons retreat
9th           Elders planning day
10th         Dominion Centre, Southall, Indian ex-servicemens' reunion. Former members of the Indian Army. The British Legion does not admit them. Racism?
13th         Larry and the new Mrs Terri Beckler to lunch
21st          Ealing Voluntary Services Council AGM at The Polygon
24th         Start of two weeks in a caravan on the Isle of Wight. Enjoyed Needles battery, Carisbroke castle, Osbourne House, Cowes regatta,
Aug 8th   Barry led for Paul Clowney
15th         Neil led for David Barnes
22nd        Randy preached. Pot luck lunch.
23rd         Elders meeting
24th         Zoe Gregory and Miriam Burrough ate with us. Miriam's first visit as Jonathan's girlfriend.
29th         Larry preached.
Sep 3rd    Church barbecue.
12th         Paul Clowney preached
14th         Presbytery at Kim's Kingston
19th         Paul preached
Oct 1st    Elders meeting
3rd          I led for Greg Bahnsen preaching. He gave me his book on homosexuality.
10th        Larry preached
13th        Free Church federal Council at Greenford baptist
16th        Ealing Junior Music School quiz supper.
17th        I preached.
14th        Preached again
27th        My father's birthday. We did not know it would be his last.
30th        Lunch at Braithwaites
Nov 4th  Elders meeting
6th          Bonfire night. Was this the time I lit a roman candle under a big fir at church and set it on fire briefly. Anther memorable night the guy went missing. dear Mike Rudd had removed it. He like Fawkes was an old bot of St Peter's School York so objected to an old boy of their school being burned in effigy.
7th          Randy preached.
9th          Pharmaceutical Society branch meting at Ealing hospital so my dinner was the buffet there
12th        Evening at Babcocks. Gordon introduced me to the delights of single malts.
14th        Stephens family to lunch. He was a GP who like civil war history, she had escaped from the killing fields of Cambodia. Two Gray boys dined too.
19th         Family ate at the Mylett Arms for Jonathan's birthday
21st         Larry preached. Barnes, Grass and Miriam Johnson joined Debbie's birthday party at Macdonalds. We had one unwelcome visitor.
23rd        Dad entered Northallerton General for bilateral knee replacement. he was never to get back on his feet or return to his bungalow.
25th        Enjoyed too much hospitality from Bob Wilson at his funfair on the common before the Thanksgiving meal at IPC.
27th         Synod then we went to Carmen opera.
28th         Larry preached then pot luck.
Dec 2nd  Elders and deacons meeting
3rd          To Thirsk
5th           Back home
9th           Elders meeting
10th         To the Leapers
11th          I did not get to Jeremy Hinds' memorial service. The only missionary I know to have his obituary in The Times. Those days Twas a regular reader.
19th          Joe Martin preached at carol service
21st          Twyford carols
24th          Thomas Wirth from HOST, a German with us for the holiday
25th          Phoned Dad in hospital.
26th          I led for David Barnes
28th          Thomas Wirth left.
31st           Working at Mansells pharmacy, Uxbridge Road my usual one day a week instead of my mattock lane. There one had to dispense methadone etc for addicts. At Mattock lane I kept no controlled drugs.

Books read in October 2018

1. The Deafening Sound of Silent Tears: The Story of Caring for Life by Juliet Barker  (Author)

A remarkable account of Christian compassion. Here is vital Christianity in action showing love to those most in need, the abused and unloved young people of Leeds. A small reformed Baptist church has accomplished what the state and others have failed to do and with success against all the odds. This is an honest account of the practical ups and downs of endeavouring to show the love of Christ to those in need without proselytising but sharing the gospel where appropriate. Funding seems mainly to have come through Christian supporters with some amazing commercial sponsorship at times. Government help through the lottery has been refused on moral grounds and official grants not easy to obtain. Royal patronage has helped. Heart warming and challenging

2.A place called Vom: The story of the work of Sudan United Mission in Vom Christian
Hospital, Nigeria by Margaret Moles

I served as pharmacist at this hospital, 1970 to 74 so know many of the people in this book. Some of the early history was not known to me especially the resistance initially of local people to both the gospel and foreign medicine. This is a great history of the progress of the gospel and of medical work. Sadly the Christian witness suffered when the military government took over the hospital and then when handed back to the church (for the mission had merged with the COCIN church) then the three training schools were not taken back under Christian rules. There is one factual error. The accountant was Trevor Wells not Tony.

3. Welcome to the Real World: Collected Poems and Performance Pieces 1980-2000 by Godfrey Rust  (Author)

Steve Turner is my favourite contemporary poet but Rust is next in line. Some fine poetry, rhymed and blank. Thought provoking and Christian though probably not my brand of the faith. The Trinity monologue is worth the price of the book. I deduced he is like me an Ealing resident.

4. Last Things First: Unlocking Genesis with the Christ of Eschatology by J. V. Fesko  (Author)

Covenant theology applied to Genesis 1-3. His critique of the presuppositions of Morris and his early earth creationism is presuppositional but why does the author give no presuppositional critique of evolutionary cosmology which is falsely called science? However I totally agree with his thesis that Genesis is about origins, not science. His thesis of Eden as a temple, Adam with the threefold office, trees sacramental, covenant in creation and the fulfilment of all things in Christ is enlightening. But why does he consistently call Christ the second Adam. I read last Adam in Scripture. Bur a book to make you see how eschatology is about creation fulfilled in Christ. The best argument for Sunday being the first day of the week sabbath I have ever read. The most original theological study I have read in a long time.

5. This Momentary Marriage by John Piper  (Author)

Very helpful for Christians on marriage. He shows that marriage is about keeping covenant promises not keeping up feelings of love. He is strong on marriage being as the relationship of Christ to the church. He is strongly complimentarian and helpful on headship and submission. All very good but he does not show why marriage is covenant not sacrament. he is weak on reasons for divorce and is against a divorcee remarrying while the former spouse is alive. he says his a minority position. It is one i do not share hence four stars.

6. How Sweet the Sound: Absorbing Story of John Newton and William Cowper by Noel Davidson (Author)

The biographies of the two are given then their life together with the composition of the Only Hymns. After 'God moves in a mysterious way' Cowper wrote no more hymns. Newton left to minister in London. Cowper wrote poetry until his death. Their friendship and how it was therapy for the melancholic poet is delineated and there is extensive quotation of hymns and poetry. Their evangelical faith is sympathetically described.

7. Jesus Christ, King of the Church by James Moir Porteus

A prize winning essay on the fundamental principles Presbyterian order and government first published in 1872.. This is before the raise of things Pentecostal and charismatic so the cessation of certain offices and gifts is more assumed than argued. When if comes to elders the writer is happy to assume that though there should be plurality of elders in a congregation and parity in rule of the church, some elders will not teach the word. So teaching elders are different from ruling elders in function. This is more than saying teaching elders labour full time in the ministry of the word. Ruling elders do not teach it seems. This to me neglects the scriptural injunction that all elders be apt to teach. Deacons are only male.
   After establishing the biblical principles underpinning Presbyterian church order, other variants are examined. Separatism looks at Quakers and then Brethrenism. It seems that the early Brethren in Scotland were very divisive among themselves and their recruitment was among Christians, not the unevangeklsed. 
   The book is very much a product of its times in its critique of Brethrenism then of the place of women in the church. This was written when women were not enfranchised and when some.modern arguments for women in the church were unknown.
   He refutes Erastianism an that which he calls Libertinism which I assume is Voluntarianism. I think he is for a divine right of Presbytery, an historic position in Scotland. He confutes Independency which manifests as Congregationalism. He shows they have elevated deacons to function as elders while denying them the title. Prelatic episcopacy is refuted. with their view of apostolic succession. Diocesan episcopacy is shown to have church tradition in its favour but not Scripture. The evolution of prelacy is explained. Papacy is explained and rejected.
   What Porteus favours is what he calls Presbyterial Episcopacy. He believes universal government by Presbytery is beneficially exemplified by the Council of Nicea, the Synod of Dort and the Westminster Assembly.

8. 2,000 Years of Christ's Power: Part One: The Age of the Early Church Fathers by Needham, Nicholas R. 

This is the first of five volumes though when published in 1998 the author only anticipated four volumes. The fish is eagerly anticipated for I started back to front with the fourth part and I confess that there seems to have been a development in the author's treatment of his subject. He says he started the project as a result of lecturing in Nigeria. This shows at the start of the book where the chapter on dating is not really needed by the average Western reader though Dionysius's dating system was new to me. 
   As with the previous volume I read the work is thorough and comprehensive. Original sources are quotes at the end of each chapter. it is a great introduction to the early church, highly recommended, even the icons.

9. Everyone's a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by R C Sproul  (Author)

If Calvin's Institutes are the acme of systematics they are nor exactly for the beginner. This is. 'An Introduction to Systematic Theology' - yes and the best I have ever read. I cannot recommend it to highly. I had not read Sproul before but will seek out more of his writing now. It has the rare distinction of being a book I wanted to go on and tell me more.
   If anything its strength as a profound but simple introduction to systematics is both its strength and its weakness. Some things are notably absent - like the gift of healing. I did want a more comprehensive treatment of spiritual gifts. His explanation of the origins of many words is most helpful.
   Like Calvin this is heart warming theology, systemics that can be read devotionally - a spiritual tonic as well as an education.
   One thing I would add to his three tests of a true prophet versus a false one. Any new prophecy must be in sympathy with the messages that God has prophetically revealed before. This additional test disqualifies the false prophet of Islam.

10. Has the Bible been changed? (Serious Answers to Sincere Questions) by E.M. Hicham  (Author)

I was given this by a missionary to Muslims who said it was his literature of choice to give to Christians to encourage them to witness to Muslims. The booklet is designed to be given to Muslims to answer their most common objection to their reading the Bible. It is written irenically. When telling you what the Bible is it does not put down the Quran which is not a collection of differing books. It is clearly shown that the Bible cannot have been changed down the centuries. Islamic reasons are given to encourage Bible reading. Each chapter has helpful questions for discussion. Practical objections that Muslims raise are carefully answered.

11. Practical Lessons for Evangelism Among Muslims by Vivienne Stacey (Author)

Vivienne Stacey (1928–2010) was the Principal and overseer United Bible Training Centre (UBTC) in Gujranwala from 1957 to 1982, working as a missionary with the Bible and Medical Missionary Fellowiship (now Interserve). Vivienne Stacey pioneered in Christian missionary work to Muslim women living in Pakistan. This fine booklet shows the prerequisite for evangelism are loving friendship and prayer. People vary and you have to find where they are in their faith. Knowing some common language and customs helps. Be a cultural insider as you are able. Knowing Islam and language and culture are important but primary are loving friendship, prayer and persistence.

12. Being Protestant in Reformation Britain by Alec Ryrie  (Author)

If you want to know what it was like to be a Protestant in Britain between the Reformation and the civil war, this is the book. The author understands these people and the theology, usually Calvinistic which shaped their lives. First he deals with the emotions in the light of a predestinarian theology. Did it produce despair? There was the treat of hell but assurance was to be had that one was among the elect. This assurance seemed mainly to be resting on a godly life then the witness of the Spirit. The objective reasoning that Christ has promised salvation to those with faith in him, therefore if I have s sure lively faith I must be saved, does not seem to be a logic to the fore in a reasoned assurance. Mourning for sin is true repentance. There must be a zealous desire for godliness. Joy in one's faith was there but the author seems to accept the gloomy puritan stereotype when surely they were merely serious, not given to frivolity for salvation was serious all encompassing business and entertainments in the modern sense were not as ubiquitous as in the modern age.
   What is meant to pray and the centrality of prayer to life. It is interesting to see how difficult private prayer was when only the rich had dwellings where the number of people was not greater than the number of rooms. Also we see private prayer was not done silently. It was usually vocal. The practical issues of times, places, gestures are considered as well as the usual theological aspects, set prayers and extempore.
   Reading and literacy are considered. Protestants did use Catholic books sometimes but not vice-versa. Diaries of devotions and of mundane life begin to be kept. 
   Most fascinating is the practical consideration of what happened in public services which were compulsory, in baptism, the Lord's Supper and listening to sermons. An hour was the expected length. 
   Household prayer is considered, encouraged but often neglected. The head of the house would preside at family prayer but when it came to table grace, children often led. Godly fellowship beyond the gathering of the church was encouraged.
   The final chapters on the stages of life, from childhood through to conversion and death are considered in this most excellent and informative book. A handbook of ordinary Christian belief and life.
13. The Bible and Islam: Sharing God's word with a Muslim : a basic guide by Bassam M Madany  (Author)

The author is a reformed Arab Christian in America. He has had a fruitful radio gospel ministry to the Arab world.His advice not to use Isa in reference to Christ is I find surprising. Christians are speaking of the same person but with different import. Allah is fine so why not Isa. One has to put differing content into common words like apostle and prophet where meanings differ.  This is very good on how to share the Scriptures. he warns that the essential prerequisite of mission to Muslims is patience. It is a long haul. He is informative on the history of mission to Muslims and the reasons for historic failure. 

14. Reaching Muslims Today: A Short Handbook by North Africa Mission (Author)

Primarily to help in witness to Muslims from North Africa. A very comprehensive and practical short guide to witness to Muslims.The beliefs of Islam are listed and contrasted with the Christian faith. The conflicts are described. Islam's view of Christian faith is given - it's misunderstandings. Christian answers to Muslim objections are given. Then simple rules and advice on how to be a witness to Christ are given using Scripture, stories, door to door, on the street and in homes.. Words that differ in meaning and words to avoid are advised. An excellent and irenic approach.

15. Sex Education: The Muslim Perspective by Ghulam Sarwar (Author)

Written in 1989 by the director of the Muslim Educational Trust. I wonder if the law on sex education in schools has now changed from what is portrayed here. The book teaches what Christians will approve of, that the only place for sexual relations is between a man and a woman in marriage. Chastity and fidelity are stressed. Homosexuality is forbidden. Most aspects of sexual etiquette described would be supported by Christians except a woman should be always covered except for face and hands. Contraceptive advice is not needed for good unmarried Muslims. Abortion is wrong. Practical advice is given to parents on how to approach their childrens' schools. There is much here where Christians and Muslims can be co-belligerents against the secular world of modern schooling.

16. Slippery Slope - The Islamisation of the UK by Patrick Sookhdeo (Author)

The author was born a Muslim in Guyana and became a Christian in England. His concern is that the UK is becoming by various means a more Islamic society.  In 2001 census, UK Muslims were 1,591,126. Since this booklet was written in 2011, the United Kingdom Census 2011 gives the UK Muslim population in 2011 as 2,786,635, 4.4% of the total population. ONS in 2016  said that in 2014, the total rose to 3,114,992. So the Muslim population is growing rapidly. The major cause apart from immigration is a far higher birth rate among Muslims who are encouraged not to use contraception. Muslims are described as diverse in their approach to integration but in general wanting to see the UK become more Islamic. How this is done is presenting Islam as benign when in fact it teaches that it should be in control. Most Muslims want peaceful change. How should Christians respond? The authors approach is spiritual putting prayer first but it is also politically realistic. I would share all his concerns except that on halal food. Christians must respond positively with friendship, love and evangelism.

17.Total Eclipse of the Sun in Cornwall and South Devon: Wednesday, 11th August 1999 by Pam Hine (Author)

I booklet to keep for 23 September 2090, the next UK total solar eclipse which will have a path very similar to the one detailed here. Poor to 1999 it was 1927 a total solar eclipse was visible here.This leaflet describes what was to happen on 11 August 1999 in great detail. My son went to Cornwall to see it. I was at work n London. Everything stopped as darkness fell and we went out to see 96.6% of the sun eclipsed. Never to be forgotten. A souvenir to keep.

18.CREMATION NOT FOR CHRISTIANS by Alfred J LEVELL (Author)

My copy was published in 1981. I am in agreement with the message of the book. The author wrights for a Strict baptist publisher and it shows when he argues for burial from his views on the proper mode of baptism. I found his historical section on cremation somewhat inadequate. He does not really tie it into Eastern religion and reincarnation. A reverence for the body, the whole man and his unity could be better stated as well as the appropriateness of cremation for non-Christians.

19. Godliness Through Discipline by Jay E. Adams (Author)

My copy was published in 1973. An excellent primer on what today's Christians neglect. There are no instant fixes in the Christian life. It is a long distance race. Endurance is all too often lacking. Instead Christians expect instant change and gratification. This booklet gives sound counsel.

20. 1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart (Focus on the Bible) by Dale Ralph Davis  (Author)

Very informative and helpful. The commentary text is better than the questions. They are often closed questions which are not helpful in promoting group discussion. Good covenantal redemptive historical approach.

21. The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal  (Author)

My edition was published by IVF in 1961 with a helpful foreword by D J Innes. 

Henry Scougal 1650–1678)  was the second son of Patrick Scougal. His father was Bishop of Aberdeen for more than 20 years.In 1672, Scougal was ordained and appointed minister of a church 20 miles from Aberdeen, where he served for one year before returning to take the office of professor of divinity at King's College, where he taught for five years. The Life Of God In The Soul Of Man  was originally written to a friend to explain Christianity and give spiritual counsel. This work was almost universally praised by the leaders of the Great Awakening, including George Whitefield, who said he never really understood what true religion was until he had digested Scougal's treatise. The foreword gives other commendations from prominent Christians, many of whom did not share the author's ecclesiology but enthused over his presentation of the gospel in this book.This is a 17th century book written for that time and in its language. It can be read with profit today. I see there are editions in modern English and that would be preferable for today's reader. His message is the true religion is no formal observance but a reception of the divine Christ into the soul of man. His exposition of divine love is very moving. He challenges the difficulties of a Christian life and gives helpful advice on the responsibilities of a Christian.

22. With People of Other Faiths in Britain: A Study Handbook for Christians 

Produced by the United Reformed Church in 1980. Subtitled 'A Study Handbook for Christians'. It is solely for liberal Christians who believe in dialogue with other faiths not evangelicals who believe in mission. Biblical Christianity like Islam is a missionary religion. The Christianity portrayed here wants to talk to people of other faiths 'to help protect their own culture from erosion'. This is liberal Christianity as part of the multicultural enterprise. As one who follows the Saviour who said no man comes to the Father but by him, I beg to differ. It is a good handbook on liberal Christianity. One thing surprises me. The URC is against sharing places of worship with other faiths it says. But when our local church wanted to buy a URC property they preferred to sell it to become a Hindu temple.

23. How Our Children Come to Faith (Basics of the Reformed Faith) by Stephen Smallman  (Author)

An excellent small primer on covenant children, baptism, regeneration and conversion. The author is a grandfather who has seen his children come to faith. He started as a Baptist as many do but writes now from Presbyterian conviction. He shows how Jesus blessing children is recognised even by those who refuse them baptism. Salvation is the covenant promise to all believers and their children. Of course, children or adults we must be born again. Our children may be regenerate at any time for it is by the Holy Spirit's work. Conversion comes at different times and in different ways but those who believe in baptism as a means of grace can be encouraged to address their infants as the believing children they are. 

24. Retelling the story of Harold Shipman by Dr Steve Hyer (Author)

A doctoral thesis by a doctor on why a doctor killed. Shipman remains an enigma after you read this book. Who was to blame for the worst serial killer in England's history. The man himself bears responsibility as do the community around him which failed to investigate the evidence that all was not well in the medical praises of Shipman. I note there is no reference in the book to the local pharmacist being investigated and cleared of not seeing something was wrong. The pharmacist's records would have been routinely examined by the police who had no suspicions.Shipman appear4d to have the reputation of a caring GP. He certainly cared deeply for his family. The author's conclusion is that Shipman simply did not think or care about the consequences of his actions in terms of his victims and their families.  A seemingly ordinary person is capable of great evil as in the case of Eichman.
    The weakness of this study is that the ethics of morality are not discussed. Who is to say what is evil and why? The author assumes a sort of common sense approach that the reader will know what id good or bad. fair enough but from where do we get our morality. We can see Shipman lacked it, but why? The devil may look like an angel of light, or a bearded, respected elderly doctor.
   
25. The British in Northern Nigeria by Robert Heussler  (Author)

A fascinating account of the British colonial rule of Northern Nigeria from 1900 to independence in 1960. This is a fine history of the British policy of indirect rule through the traditional emirs and chiefs. This is how a very small number of colonial officers ruled millions of Nigerians in a vast undeveloped land. It was a benign partnership, self financing by local taxation. The barriers to government were a deeply traditional and largely Islamic society with endemic nepotism and corruption. District officers had a largely free hand in how they governed but there was always a huge social gulf between the races and usually a strong insistence on protocol. The author confesses there are few Nigerian sources as to how the British were viewed so the book is written almost exclusively from British sources. My one criticism is that there is almost no reference to Christian missions and their exclusion from areas deemed to be under Muslim rule. This exclusion had an adverse effect on the development of the North for schools and hospitals that Christian missions could have brought were excluded from Muslim sensibilities. It is also the case that areas that were hardly Muslim were brought under Muslim rule.
   Having now read a second time another shortcoming is no real treatment of slavery. It has been estimated at 30%+ before 1900. A  decree finally abolishing slavery was only promulgated in 1936 . There are references to the corruption of officials who were slaves and their unsuitability for office but a chapter on slavery would have been a helpful addition. Were owners compensated in 1936?

26. The Method of Grace by George Whitefield (Author)

My copy was published in 1961 and is receded by an extract from, ' The revivals of the 18th century, particularly Cambuslang'. The sermon was preached at Glasgow 1741. It is a most searching sermon proclaiming the law of God concerning sins actual, original and of unbelief.True faith is a matter of heart reliance on Christ. There is a great force and conviction as he urges sinners to close with Christ and continue walking with Him, looking to Him. Even from the printed text you can sense the force of the preacher's appeal for his hearers to find peace with God in Christ.

27. Turning the Church Inside Out by Harold H. Rowdon (Author)

Published by BMMF (now Interserve) in 1982, an excellent booklet from a senior lecturer at the then London Bible College (now London School of Theology) and the then Home Secretary of BMMF. It is all about the relationship the local church to mission and missionary societies. Biblical and very much needed still today. Missing is the corporate aspect of the church's mission. Individualism is a bugbear. We will never make an impact on Muslims until we show them a better community than theirs. Also we have now moved on to being a country receiving as well as sending missionaries.

28. Forgive!: As the Lord Forgave You by Patrick H. Morison 

An excellent and practical primer on the obligation of forgiveness.  First you must know you are forgiven by God's grace to you in Christ. Then you must obey Christ's command to forgive. It demands reconciliation too, no retaliation. Ways we retaliate are helpfully delineated. The need for seventy times seven is studied. We are to return blessing for hurt and manifest a loving spirit. The only thing I missed was a consideration of forgiving the unrepentant. First rate teaching.