The changing world (264) Dec 2002

Dec 1st Barry led with no Advent hymns. I presided at the table.
2nd       Excellent Cherelle WE started, Katy and deb to harry Potter 2 and I did Christmas letter.
3rd        Angry Madeline declined Bibke study.
4th        Chris B to dinner. He is very emotionally involved with his disabled clients. Housegroup here.
5th        Denist and I need two more fillings.
7th        JMB here. Indian for J's birthday. Oldfield Baptist excellent repertoire from Jonathan Viersa.
8th        Joe Martin to lunch. Preached Jepthah in evening. Paula Ratcliffe sports personality of year. Pathetic of BBC to give george best lifetime award.
9th        Did cards B to R.
10th      Better time with Madeline so did Bible study.
11th      Treated to dinner out by damjis.
12th      Late to work as Henlys Corner blocked.
13th      Grandad admitted to Barnett General again. Finished cards.
14th      Cooked horse casserole for lunch. Gift from a customer. Visited Grandad in hospital. Lesley Barnes 50th birthday party at IPC.
15th      NP in morning. Grays to lunch. DB led carol service and Wade Bradshaw preached. Frank Marnell interrupted. he has no social graces.
18th      Housegroup turkey dinner at IPC with Madeline and Jonny. Grandad home from hospital.
19th      Grandad collapsed. Seven hour wait for a doctor in A&E.
20th      Visited Mr O in hospital
21st       Mr O had two cardiac arrests. We went and said no resuscitation. Not conscious. Rodney and Elizabeth came down.
22nd     Kary, Rachel and Elizabeth to hospital. Grandad has had a stroke. in and out of consciousness. Preached on Samson.
23rd     Rachel to hospital then wary, me, D&E. In and out of consciousness so not able to communicate.
24th     Half day only for the pharmacy. JMR&A went to join Katy visiting Grandad. D&E staying with the Littles.
25th     Katy declined church as she did not want to talk about her father. She only missed three kiddy talks from NP. Eleven to lunch then hospital visiting.
26th     K&M to hospital early. Mr O very unsettled. All to Littles including Littles senior. Home 10:30 to answer phone message saying granted died at 10:1r. Jonathan drove us to the hospital. A peaceful end and an answer to prayer.
27th     Back to work. There is to be an inquest because he died after a fall. NP came for pastoral visit.
28th     Katy to Potters bar to find the will and evidence of date of birth. No funeral order of service found.
29th     Preached from Samson again in evening.
30th     Had an Indian for Adrian's birthday and he took everyone except me to the latest Bond film.
31st     Closed half day. JMB here.

The changing world (263) Nov 2002

Nov 1st Susan Short started work well. DB tells me he will leave his firm next month.
2nd        Afternoon performance of Macbeth at Richmond Theatre. Great start with light suddenly out and thunder and lightning for the witches. Sean Ban and Samantha Bond who was the better on though Bean is a good sword fighter. Modern setting. Witches young and seductive. Boys Brigade gan show for 5th Ealing's diamond jubilee.
3rd       DB lad for NP Rom 9. To lunch a Japanese, Anglo-Japanese and burmese females.. DB led evening prayer.
5th        Madeline agreed to study Mark with me.
6th        Housegroup.
8th        Prayer at Denhams.
9th        First visit to Braithwaite's new house, Bromham, Bedford. Walk to parish church in a park.
10th      DB led for NP. Apart from two traditional hymns it was like Pentecostal. Helped by going with Hosiers to Gunnersbury Baptist, Benton and a GP on depression.
11th      Went to Ealing hospital OPD skin clinic only to find I should have been at the Hammersmith. Encouraged by elders and deacons unity. Optician says Katy has macular degeneration.
12th       Mark 1-2 with Madeline.
13th       Housegroup.
16th       Visited Marjorie.
17th        John T walked out of Nick's sermon on election slamming to door. Says they want to leave IPC. He does not want to give Calvinism a hearing.
18th         Hammersnith hospital. Solar keratosis treated with liquid nitrogen. Church meeting approves £^5,000 for manse renovation.
19th        Madeline Mar 2-3.
20th        Housegroup Judy's.
22nd       Grandad admitted to Barnett hospital with angina.
23rd        Synod in Oxford Exeter College. Apponted moderator. Started work on BCO. D&E here for Deb's birthday meal at harvester.
24th         Tonk led for DB. Visited grandad n hospital. Preached on Abimelech.
26th         Grandad back home. Madeline on parables. Hard going.
27th         Housegroup.
28th         With Steve Constable at The Kent.
29th         Mike Harvey stayed overnight.
30th         With MH to Appleby Magna hotel and EPCEW presbytery. With Katy to Uxbridge to hear Bach from Pam Halletts choir then to their home afterwards.

Films watched in Dec 2018

1. London has fallen

Totally unrealistic fantasy about a terrorist attack on world leaders gathered in London. Rubbis yes gripping.

2, Dad's Army: The Movie Arthur Lowe (Actor), John Le Mesurier (Actor), Norman Cohen (Director) 

Very funny indeed. It grew on me after it progressed and I got over thinking of the original TV cast.

Diary w/e 8 Dec 2018

Sun 2 Dec

Laurens managed a Sunday School class on epistemology without using that word until near the end of his lecture. Chris Roberts on Mal 4, Paul Levy on Num 13. We had an Indian family to lunch. My Christmas jumper, Katy's present to me last year, was much admired.

Mon 3 Dec

Rodney and Elizabeth here to stat two nights. Session long agenda but quickly done.

Tues 4

To Basingstoke for our second humanistic funeral. I am going to blog on this. The ideal pastoral visit over to very good pints. A two way exchange. Our pastor shepherds me and now I do the same for him. A very helpful and enjoyable evening.

Wed 5

U3A Current Affairs here on hate crimes. Only four of us but we agreed the courts have to business judging thoughts and motivations. About thirty members at the prayer meeting.Heard of ordination in Manilla, plans for Bulgaria and work in High Wycombe.

Thu 6

Excellent lunch with senior Littles at Miller and Carter, Ruislip. Slow because busy but worth the wait.

Fri 7

Most enjoyable IPC men's party with meat, beer and games.

Sat 8

To Hauxton to celebrate eldest granddaughter Bethany's 18th.

My letter to Evangelicals Now in response to criticism of Reformation Worship

With reference to John Samuel's critique of Gibson and Earngey, (December 2018),I read no unreformed high church teaching in their excellent historical compilation of Reformed liturgies. No-one has suggested that regular repetition of set liturgy is capable of producing spiritual life. This letter seems to be but a modern manifestation of the traditional Free Church reaction against the folly of historic enforced conformity to the Book of Common Prayer.

   I was raised on the sparse diet of the traditional nonconformist hymn prayer sandwich. Set forms, written prayers were regarded as less spiritual than the extempore. Now, having become familiar with a richer Reformed liturgical tradition I experience no regular repetitive recitation of the same forms but a rich variety Sunday after Sunday. Gibson and Earngey are not returning us to pre-Reformation liturgical forms but to a rich historic heritage previously neglected. I have used their book for personal devotions too and have been fascinated to see how persecuted saints prayed for their rulers and fellow sufferers.

The changing world (262) Oct 2002

Oct 1st Session with DB on worship and the chairs went well and cleared the air.
4th        Katy at worship group.
5th        Deb struggling with tonsillitis. Richmond Theatre, The Winslow Boy with Eward Fox and Simon Ward.
6th        DB led harvest well. NP on Rom 8:28. NP did evening prayer with our preparation. Lunch at Ugandans.
7th        Deb still struggles with tonsillitis.
8th       GP finds bp up 170/100.
9th       Met a Kenyan reading his Bible n the park. Chris paddock to our housegroup for the first time.
10th     Session met with Paul Levy. He is serious and I said he would have to soft pedal his views on worship to be called which he accepted.
11th     Third day meeting Peter from Kenya in park.
12th     Sermon preparation and front garden.
13rh     Paul Levy preached pretty well. I still find the new seating very hard. I do not like being aware of more people in my line of vision. Pam talked about Madeline. Little seniors to lunch. Preached Gideon, Jud 6, in evening.
14th      Only Shammi and I at work but coped well.
15th      Visited Madeline. She had a friend there and had been drinking so I experienced her anger. But she says the voices are fewer and I prayed for her.
16th       Mr O collapsed in bathroom. Katy went and brought him home. Housegroup at Judy's.
17th     One enquiry for part time work.
18th       Grandad still with us. Arthritis causing concern. Stuck in the bath lunchtime. Tea with Littles in Ruislip.
19th       With the new seating found no communion table in place. This new seating is more like kiddy church to me.
20th        To Tally Ho for Maureen's birthday. Mr O still with us. He is depressed and depressing Katy on half term.
22nd Grandad immobile and very down. Could not get through to his surgery.
23rd    Drove grandad to Potters Bar to Dr who put him on prednisolone which produced improvement. Drove to Harrogate.
24th   To Durham with Dorothy. Visited the Cathedral.
25th    Drove home in wet.
26th     David's birthday party at Fields with four generations present.
27th     Roy Kunar are good en bitterness with Tony leading. Preached in the evening on Genesis 7 and 8. DB has financial problems with work.
29th    Encouraged the session is united opposing those who say the flat decision is wrong and we will seek confirmation from the congregation.
30th   Chris Baddock to dinner before housegroup here.
31st   Katy to Potters Bar as her father is not well. Nobody knocked after I got home. We hate Halloween .

Books read in December 2018

1. A Concise Calvinistic Catechism - John M Brentall.

This book is really a misnomer. A catechism is questions with answers to be learned. This is an attempted delineation of Calvinism but the five points given are not the standard one. Reprobation is there in place of total depravity. This is merely a collection of quotations, some from Scripture, some from quotable divines.

2. Jesus in Islam - Ernest Hahn

Helpful for Christians and Muslims. The Koranic references to Isa are examined to show what Muslims believe and their misconceptions concerning Jesus/Isa. Hadith are examined too. There is a surprising testimony of truth but mixed with error.

3. Islam and Christianity: 90 questions and answers by Abd-ul-Masih (Author)

Written by a Cameroonian Christian questions 1 to 78 concern Islam so Christians may have understanding of it. Questions 80 to 92 answer Muslims questions about Christianity.

4. Reformation Worship: Liturgies from the Past for the Present by Jonathan Gibson  (Editor, Contributor), Mark Earngey (Editor)

This has to be one of my top books of this year. I reviewed Gibson's previous book with five stars. Once again he has struck gold. I was raised in evangelical Methodism, part of a free church tradition that despised set liturgy. I believe this to be a mistaken three centuries old reaction to the Anglican legal imposition of Cranmer's prayer book in 1662. Free churches in England threw out all written liturgy. In a different reactionary spirit, that os their understanding of the regulative principle, so too the Free Church of Scotland and other conservative denominations north of the border.This has resulted in liturgical impoverishment. Here one is reminded of the rich historic liturgical resources from Reformed churches. The preface and introductory chapters are most informative. I treasure the observation that in contemporary worship too many follow the bad example of Rehoboam and pay too much attention to the young. Here is an education, a treasury of devotion and resource for contemporary liturgy. I have read it cover to cover and used it in daily devotion. Of great historic yet contemporary relevance is how the exiled Protestants in the Tudor period prayed for their rulers and for persecuted saints.

5. The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan  (Author)

Refreshing to have a history that is not Eurocentric. This is really an economic history of the world from ancient times to the modern era. Very informative. I was surprised to learn of the extent of Middle eastern and beyond Christianity prior to the scourge of Islam and how t first Islamic conquest was not by the sword. However on p. 265 I found two serious errors. There are no Calvinistic priests. That may be a mere terminological mistake. But to say "The Puritans who settled in New England did so in protest against the changes that had accompanied Europe's rise and against the affluence that followed." is seriously mistaken. They fled the imposed Anglican conformity of Stuart England in search of liberty of religion. Nevertheless many insights into the driving forces in modern history.

6. The Evangelicals and the Roman Catholics - C Webber


A lecture to the Nigerian Evangelical Fellowship in Ilorin, 1968 Explained where and how the Roman Catholic Church has and has not changed. An apostate church teaching serous errors, especially the mass as a sacrifice, is explained. There will be true Christians among the RCs but evangelicals should beware the errors. The contemporary strategies for the advancement of Roman Catholicism in Nigeria are described and Evangelicals called to mission.

7. An Approach to Roman Catholics by Lilian A. Walsh (Author)

An irenic approach from a former Roman catholic. Published in 1961 it may be a little dated in places but it remains helpful telling you what not to do as well as how to bring the gospel to RCs. It makes one seemingly strange unsubstantiated claim that the gospel was preached in Britain in AD 35.


8. The New Silk Roads: The Present and Future of the World by Peter Frankopan  (Author)

The author has it seems moved from historian to political analyst and futurologist. For him the future is Chinese. USA is in disarray largely due to Trump. Iran and Saudi are big players thanks to oil and the money it earns. The EU is not it seems so significant but beware Russia. Not the gripping informative read of his previous work.

9. WHY OUR CHURCH SWITCHED TO THE ESV by KEVIN DEYOUNG (Author)

The author and his church went from NIV to ESV. So did I and our church. A helpful distinction between literal and dynamic but that is not the reason to change. The author's were more technical than ours. We did not like the inclusive language changes in the current NIV.

10. Who are the Christadelphians? - Fred Pearce

The one think that all sub-Christian cuts have in common is faulty christology. Jesus for them is not the God man preexisting and entreated. So it proves here. Christadelphians according to this author who is one have a created Son of God, no Trinity and no original sin. They are also conscientious objectors. These are the departures from trinitarian orthodoxy delineated here. 

11. The Christian Approach To The Jew. by H L Ellison

Published first on 1958 it is therefore dated on developments in the state of Israel but otherwise is a most helpful work. The author  and his brother, Christian (a missionary in China), changed their last names from Zeckhausen to Ellison in 1925 to better assimilate into British society.Following in his father's footsteps, Ellison was an Anglican missionary to the Jews in Europe in the late 1920s and '30s. So he was well qualified to write instructing Christians in the subject. The family were coverts from Judaism. Despite a somewhat strange introductory statement saying the barrier between Christians and Jews is less a matter of religion and more of history there is a lot to learn here on the history of the Jews. I was expecting more on Christian witness to Jews but this is important contextualisation fo Christians to understand the varieties of Jews also.

12. Herbert W Armstrong & w/w Church by Walter Martin (Author)

Mine is titled Herbert W Armstrong and the Radio Church of God, 1968. Herbert W. Armstrong (July 31, 1892 – January 16, 1986) founded the Radio Church of God which was incorporated October 21, 1933 and was renamed Worldwide Church of God on June 1, 1968, as well as starting Ambassador College (later Ambassador University) October 8, 1947.  Armstrong preached what he claimed was the comprehensive combination of doctrines in the entire Bible, in the light of the New Covenant scriptures, which he maintained came directly from the Bible.These theological doctrines and teachings have been referred to as Armstrongism by non-adherents. His teachings included the interpretation of biblical prophecy in light of British Israelism, and required observance of parts of the Mosaic Law including seventh-day Sabbath, dietary prohibitions, and the covenant law "Holy Days".In the years after Armstrong's death in 1986, Worldwide Church of God leaders came to the conclusion that many of his doctrines were not biblical.These doctrines were subsequently rejected and the church is now in full agreement with the statement of faith of the National Association of Evangelicals. In light of these doctrinal changes, in April 2009, the denomination changed its name to Grace Communion International (GCI) to better reflect its New Testament, grace-centered teaching. I know of no other cult which came back to biblical orthodoxy. So this booklet is more of historic interest to those who remember Armstrong's broadcasts pn I suspect Radio Luxembourg when there were no commercial stations in UK.

13. Special Gifts for a Special Age: A Scriptural Analysis of Tongues and Spiritual Gifts by John H Skilton

A concise statement of the cessationist position argues solo from Scriptures showing the extraordinary gifts were to authenticate apostolic ministry. Both have ceased.

14. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT by Derek Prince

I found this to be a curate's egg - good in parts. At first I found it excellent showing it is baptism into the Spirit everywhere in Scripture. My first query was the bold statement that baptism is immersion. That I question as do most non-baptists. His warnings are apt but it seems this is an experience for after conversion, it is not equated with something that happens to all at regeneration. IMO Prince is describing the filling of the Spirit. baptism, by definition is an initiator experience, into Christ and into the Spirit. 

15. The Ten Commandments by J. I Packer  (Author)

Introduction to and exposition of the Decalogue. Instruction for Christians and helpful hints fir preachers.

16. The Law of Promise - William J U Phillip

A paper from the Proclamation Trust showing how the Law functions with the world of God's grace.  The law reveals the character of God, the covenant God. Covenants always come with laws. We reap the consequences of Adam's law breaking. We are saved by the last Adam who fulfilled the law . Now out of love for him we long to keep God's law.

17. God's Law in Christian Ethics - Lewis Neilson

This is subtitled, A reply to Bahnsen and Rushdoony so is a response to their theonomy. The author particularly takes issue with the teaching that the civil magistrate should enforce Mosaic law concerning false religions. I think this is a rather long winded refutation of theonoy. I would merely want to expound the Westminster Confession's statement that we are now only to follow the general equity of the civil law. The theonomists have failed to go with the flow of redemptive history from nation to church.

18. As it was in the beginning - Jan H Boer

The first volume of a projected twelve entitled Window's on God's World. Thirty one daily meditations on Genesis 1written to awaken Nigerians to the implications of the cultural mandate and wean them off a pietistic, dualistic Christianity which fails to apply the faith to all of life. This is Kuyperian theology for Africa.

19. Living in Dangerous Times - Marano Di Gangi

An address to the annual meeting of the Committee for Justice and Liberty in Toronto 1968. The dangerous nature of contemporary times are delineated. Similar to and differing from today. He calls for realism in assessing the situation and living according to Biblical revelation as the solution. 

20. Life in the Kingdom - K C Sewell

An address given at the 1973 Easter conference of the Reformed Church of Christchurch New Zealand. A plea for Christians to realise the kingdom of God is more than the institutional church. Christians should be active applying the rule of Christ to all of life which at present is in the grip of secular humanist thought. We have a cultural calling in all of life - politics, education, labour relations included. A proper biblical Kuperian approach.

21. The Dooyeweerdian concept of the word of God by Robert A Morey (Author)

Published in 1974 I found this a surprising critique. I have read with appreciation several books by those called Dooyeweerdians. Dooyeweerd himself I have found somewhat beyond my comprehension as is much of the discussion on the mailing list Thinknet which I read. I had no idea that these writers propagated an unorthodox theology of the Word of God. Allegedly they believe the scripture is not propositional truth in the realms of science, history, theology or ethics. That is a serous charge but I have not seen it. Certainly the author accuses them of heresy but admits that the first generation heretics often lead exemplary lives but their fruits become evident in their seed. Apart from some departures from orthodoxy over sexuality I have not seen this from the next generation on Thnknet.

22. A Hole in the Dike - Carl Bogue

The author studied under Berkouwer. This is subtitled, Critical aspects of Berkouwer's theology. Not an easy read but he lists departures from historic Reformed orthodoxy. VanTil accused him of moving to ne0-orthodoxy and his Kantian distinction of noumenal and phenomenal seems to bear this out. If you read Berkouwer this book will be of help.

23. Wine in the Bible and the Church by G.I. Williamson (Author)

Writing in 1876 the author's background was the old United Presbyterian Church of North America. His first contention is that the so call temperance movement, in reality a total abstinence movement which culminated in the disastrous Prohibition, was never based on Scripture. When the church passed motions on alcohol being injurious to the best interests of society. Drink was evil and to be shunned. He establishes that this is not the Biblical teaching about wine that gladdens the heart of man. One weakness id that though he shows wine is necessarily alcoholic he does not define strong drink. Was it made with stilled spirits? One interesting minor point is he demonstrates the temporary nature of the Jerusalem synod prohibitions. For around five years later, Paul does not tell the Corinthians to avoid meat offered to idols. The only thing I would add to this written argument is that the practical result of binding Christians with rules against alcohol is blatant hypocrisy. I have seen an ordinary church member disciplined while one who was a stet governor opened a brewery without church discipline.

24.  The Millennium - Jonathan Edwards

A sixties reprint from The History of Redemption  with additional quotes from twelve other authors quoting from apostolic father up to the last century. The are strong statements in favour of post-millennial hope. However when I read of what Edwards expected during the millennium, like Christian schools and books published in Africa I judge that we can be said to be in the millennium now.

25. People and Lands: A Personal Reflection on the State of Israel - Andrew Kirk

A reflection on Israel, Zionism and anti-semitism. I was disappointed HE NEVER TACKLES THE CHRISTIAN ZIONISTS WHO BELIEVE THE STATE OF ISRAEL IS A FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY. NOT DOES HE TELL US THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE JEWISH DIASPORA IS A RESULT OF GOD'S ELECTION AND ALSO THEIR REJECTION OF MESSIAH.

26. Christian Handbook for Defending the Faith by Robert Morey (Author)

A very concise introduction to apologetics which could serve as a primer for someone wanting to witness to the truth of the faith. The author seems to have been influenced by Van Til and Schaeffer. He deals with presuppositional and evidential approaches. A Christian world and life view is articulated and applied to ethics, art, history, psychology and marriage. Objections are refuted.

27. Arminianism: Another Gospel - Ergattes

My copy is by the same publisher but a Donald MacLean writes the foreword but is not the author. Publication is in 1965 and of 30pages. The first part seeks to establish Arminianism as akin to Roman Catholicism as evidenced by Stuart Anglicanism led by Laud. It then moves on to John Wesley with an unsavoury tale of his libelling Toplady. It fails to distinguish Wesley from Laud's position. Then Moody is castigated by Kennedy including the irrelevant use of musical instruments in his evangelism.Then having given the negatives there is a reasonable exposition of whey Calvinism is the Biblical system.

28. The temple of Ezekiel's prophecy: Being an enlarged and revised edition of an explanation of the nature, character, and extent of the building which is ... as " a house of prayer for all people. " by Henry Sulley  (Author)

Mine is 'A house of prayer for all people', a 1963 paperback,reprinted from the first 1906 edition of the longer title. The author, a Christadelphian, teaches that Ezekiel's temple will be literally rebuilt according to the Scripture on the return of Christ. Sacrifice will be re-established looking back to Christ's. Wtitte n while Zionism was still a dream this forces a restored Israel in Palestine.The whole idea fails to see the movement in the history of redemption from literal Israel to spiritual church. He also denies eternal punishment. Cultic heresy.


29. The Art of Divine Meditation by Bishop Joseph Hall (Author)

Mine was purchased in 1968. Ten rules are given as to the way of Christian meditation. These are then applied in an extended meditation on death followed by 85 topics for meditation outlined by Hall. e was bishop of Norwich under Charles I and imprisoned under the Commonwealth.

30. Understanding the Scriptures - A De Graaff and C Seerveld

The Dooyeweerdian concept of the word of God by Robert A Morey was reviewed earlier. This is what Morey complained about. De Graaf gives his perspectives on how to teach and not to teach the Bible. Then Served looks at Mum 22-24 and critiques three usual ways of reading it which he characterises as the literalistic fundamentalist, the critical neo-orthodox and the scholar tradition reformed. He then gives his view which he calls biblically Reformational. I am happy with is critiques of the traditional and his Reformational approach. But I remain unhappy with De Graaff denying that the Bible gives propositional truths. True it is not a book merely to teach morality but theology and morality it does teach. Statements like, 'The Scriptures know nothing about God's essence of about his incommunicable and communicable attributes' is simply wrong like saying Trinity is not taught because the word is never used. God is spirit and his essence belong our comprehension. But Scripture does enable us to speak of his attributes.  Or, 'The Scriptures contain only on Directive, and that is the great commandment'. This is wrong.

31. 365 Days with Newton by Marylynn Rouse (Author)

The daily quotes are it seems wholly from Newton's sermons, many unpublished. I was surprised that his letters were not utilised as he id famous for the letters. Sometimes the language for over two centuries ago is not the clearest. Most delightful are the poetic postscripts. These I presume are from the Only Hymns but regrettably there are no citations.

Diary w/e 1 Dec 2018

Sun 25 Nov

My coach from York arrived at Heathrow at 5am and one bus from there brought me to the bottom of our road. I was in bed by 7:30 am for a snooze before adult Sunday school led by Arthur Keefer on Proverbs in which he has a doctorate. Chris Roberts preached on robbing God, Mal 3. A number of new people present.In the evening I took my college, David, to Harmonsworth for his fourth talk on witness to Muslims. Our captive audience numbered 30 or so with new detainees from Ghana, Namibia and Nigeria. One of the latter is a convert from Islam.

Mon 26

Central Middlesex OPD for pre-surgery assessment. Minor surgery on prostate due in two weeks.

Tue 27

Had to return fo Central Middlesex for a repeat blood test before Lunchtime Talk, Chris Roberts on Joh 5.

Wed 28

Joint house groups study introduction to Titus by Paul Levy.

Thu 29

All Christmas cards done and ready to post.

Fri 30

Last cut of the lawn. Erected bird feeder.

Sat Dec 1

On volunteer duty at the Evangelical Library.

The changing world (261) Sep 2002

Sep 1st Tony led well. Ugandan couple to lunch. I led evening prayer.
2nd       Session. Amazed at Yumiko's parents coming from Japan to see us about her working for IPC. We accepted her. Concern at Paul Levy wanting to rush things and not seeing NP as a respected organiser.
3rd       Housegroup Judy's Lukk 23.
6th       The Oval with Trevor and Chris. Vaughan made 195 and India lost one wicket.
7th        Senior Larsons to breakfast en route to Egypt. Senior Littles to dinner stuck in a house move chain unable to compete. let down by their buyer.
8th        Worship facing the long wall with some enthusiastic, others complaining. Pot luck at 52. evening I preached Judy's 1-3. Encouraged to have 16 there.
9th         Barnett General called to say Mr O in admissions ward with heart problem. Able new Iranian WE. Visited Melanie Neal an old Mattock Lane customer with divorce problems.
11th        Visited Mr O in hospital. Housegroup.
13th        Visited Mr O. Ovidian and Hong Key to dinner.
14th         Presbytery at Midhurst School with Mark Harvey as clerk.
15th         Yumiko and Emmanuelle received into membership. Not happy with new seating lay out. Preached Jud 3 in evening.
16th         Deb working with me.
18th         Housegroup here.
21st          JMB here with Indian take away for Miriam's birthday.
22nd        Barry led well for long winded Mike P. Halletts drove us to Iden Green where I preached at an ordination..
24th         Not happy with DB's proposal of chairs permanently facing the long chapel wall.
25th         Started Christianity Explored at housegroup,
28th         Cooked breakfast at church. Idea of John Trekois. Visited J&M. Edwina Currie reveals affair with John Major.
29th         Much better service with Barry leading for NP on Rom 8:28. Four Roes with us all day. I preached Judy's 5-6.
30th          Sudha's final day so tally Ho lunch. Jeanette T phoned concerned over rowdy church children.

The changing world (260) Aug 2002

Aug 1st At home with fever.
2nd       GP says PUO but fever down and worked in afternoon. To Canterbury over the bridge.
3rd        Visited Walmer castle home of warden of the Cinque Ports.
4th         St Mary's Brede. Visited martyrs memorial and Battle of Britain museum. Home.
5th         Excellent dinner at R&A's. Marjorie in Meadow House hospice.
6th         Visited Madeline who is more positive.
7th          Housegroup here.
9th          J&M here. Bethany walking.
10th        Bethany with us all day as parents off to a wedding.
11th        NP Rom 7. Visited Marjorie in hospice at Ealing hospital.
13th        Heathrow to Bucharest. Romanians took us to American flat.Met Dutch couple. Taken to meet politician.
14th        Met Koreans and Romanians. Toured presidential palace the world's second largest building. Addressed political meeting.
15th         Ovidian, driver and student took us to Siniai mountains.Unmade road for 25Km and had to walk at times.
16th          Hotel breakfast. Small monastery and cave. Barbecued trout in village. Bucharest.
17th          To three different children' ministries. Katy spoke well.  Found Hong Key very pro-Israel and nt happy with my critique of Zionism not a fulfilment of prophecy.
18th          Spoke at Zion and Peace churches.
19th          Visited village museum.
20th           Gave two church history lectures. Supper with a deacon and heard how his mother survived communism and knew Wurbrandt.
21st           Church history lecture and then adult Bible study.
22nd          Last lecture. Visited two needy widows. met with students. Took our hosts to dinner.
23rd           Back to home.
24th            Visited Marjorie in Meadow House. Seems good despite weight loss.
25th            DB led for NP Rom 8.
26th            Aaron Lawler and family to dinner. They have moved to near Perivale station.
27th            Back to work and Sudha wants to leave.
28th            Damjis have sold up to Virgi who failed to get my job. Housegroup.
31st            Took communion to Cath Benton and visited Beldams.

The changing world (259) Jul 2002

Jul 1st Priya Patel WE started.
3rd    Deb has £250 prize for good work last year. Housegroup Luk 22. Charlie cooked Chinese supper.
4th    Session.
6th    Took Deb to Clark's farm at Awre on banks of Severn.Via Oxford and Gloucester400 year old house. Fish traps in the river.
7th     Jerram Barrs good on washing disciples feet. In evening Charlie gave his testimony.
8th     Mohamed WE. Iraqi Shi'ite beautifully mannered and pleasant.
9th     Late start yo Oval ODI because of rain. England 229 for8off 32 overs. India all out for 165.
10th   Builder round to see about chimney breasts. Housegroup Judy's.
11th   Visited troubled Madeline but she did not open up a lot.
13th   ODI Lords. England 325 for 5 then India got home with two balls to spare. So saw 651 runs and centuries from Trescothik and Hussein. Deb back from Clarks.
14th    Randy OK on Joh 5. New OM team. I presided at communion then members meeting on new children schedule. DB led evening prayer.
15th     Deb working with me. R&A round to meet Charlie.
16th     Lunchtime to Marion's flat with birthday present.
17th     Stayed late for board meeting. Not optimistic for pay rise.
18th     Beggars Owers in Willesden.
19th     3% pay rise. Hristo round for catechism. Deb to child protection meeting. Shipman said to have killed over 211 patients.
20th      Session. Laleham for Sharon Wells wedding to Simon. Reception at club in Chertsey and I danced a lot.
21st      NP on Rom 5. Japanese Baptist missionary to lunch who wants to do student work. Told Mike Peat he should step down as presbytery clerk. Visited Marjorie in Northwick Park. Charlie left.
24th     Housegroup.
25th     Commonwealth games Manchester.
26th     Hristo on catechism.
27th     To Brede for wedding of Abigail Gray to Ben Wragg. Howard Hallett take ill and to hopital but back for speeches.
28th     Took Mr O to great Shelford baptist. Lunch with Burroughs. Hottest day of year. Edwards and Radcliffe commonwealth golds.
29th     Katy and deb to Canterbury.
30th     Feverish after dinner.
31st     Had no work despite fever as no locus available. Cancelled housegroup here. early bed.