Middlesex v Glamorgan at Lord's Ground, home of Cricket

Yesterday I went to watch Middlesex play against Glamorgan at Lord's Ground, and what a lovely day it was. The weather was perfect: sunny, not too hot, brillant light and plenty of sunshine.

I have taken some photographs of the occasion. I think the Lord's Ground is wonderful, full of such history, tradition, great modern architecture and grand buildings. I saw some great batting by the Middlesex team and some fine bowling from Glamorgan, and at the end of the day the Middlesex attack. I was really impressed by Dawid Malan's sterling batting. But as a left handed myself and a Middlesex supporter, I'm very biased. You can't take anything away from DM, he batted very well and has loads of talent.

Prayerwalking 2009

My next prayerwalk (D.V.) is on Saturday 16 May 2009, the third Saturday in May. For those who have been on this prayerwalk in the Constable Country, it starts at 10.30 am in Royal Square, by the war memorial, and ends between 5pm and 5.30 pm by the River Stour, on the Suffolk side, near Dedham bridge. During the prayerwalk we visit the churches of St Mary at Dedham, Langham, Stratford St Mary and East Bergholt, passing the Congregational Church at East Bergholt by John Constable's former studio.

This year there is no Cup Final on the third Saturday in May. I understand that it will take place on 30 May 2009.

Easter Reflections

This is a special time of year for Christians.

Christ has died
Christ is risen
Christ will come again.

Hallelujah!

We rejoice in the wonderful victory of the cross at Calvary. We exult in the power of Jesus' resurrection. We are rejoice in the hope of eternal life, life that has the quality of eternity and can be enjoyed in this life but it extends to the life to come.

Through the triumph of Calvary and the empty tomb, there is forgiveness, mercy, shalom and loving kindness beyond our expectations and understanding. God's shalom is greater than man's peace, prosperity and promise. The glorious Gospel message is greater than any political pact, presentation or policy. True hope is offered and no pious platitudes or empty promises. Politicians continue to fail us and demonstrate their greed and avarice. Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, leads us forward to grace and truth.

Maunday Thursday 2009

Today I am leading the united service of Churches Together in Hornchurch. In my thoughts are the prayers of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and the passover meal which is the basis of our Holy Communion. It is for us today a meal with the Holy Trinity; that's fellowship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

ΚΑΤΑ ΙΩΑΝΝΗΝ 17:20-26 (1881 Westcott-Hort New Testament)

²⁰ου περι τουτων δε ερωτω μονον αλλα και περι των πιστευοντων δια του λογου αυτων εις εμε

²¹ινα παντες εν ωσιν καθως συ πατηρ εν εμοι καγω εν σοι ινα και αυτοι εν ημιν ωσιν ινα ο κοσμος πιστευη οτι συ με απεστειλας

²²καγω την δοξαν ην δεδωκας μοι δεδωκα αυτοις ινα ωσιν εν καθως ημεις εν

²³εγω εν αυτοις και συ εν εμοι ινα ωσιν τετελειωμενοι εις εν ινα γινωσκη ο κοσμος οτι συ με απεστειλας και ηγαπησας αυτους καθως εμε ηγαπησας

²⁴πατηρ ο δεδωκας μοι θελω ινα οπου ειμι εγω κακεινοι ωσιν μετ εμου ινα θεωρωσιν την δοξαν την εμην ην δεδωκας μοι οτι ηγαπησας με προ καταβολης κοσμου

²⁵πατηρ δικαιε και ο κοσμος σε ουκ εγνω εγω δε σε εγνων και ουτοι εγνωσαν οτι συ με απεστειλας

²⁶και εγνωρισα αυτοις το ονομα σου και γνωρισω ινα η αγαπη ην ηγαπησας με εν αυτοις η καγω εν αυτοις

In preparing for the communion service, the eucharist, I remember three stories:

1 The story of the Lutheran priest's wife: a simple yet profound belief
2 The story of Count Nikolas von Zinzendorf and the servant girl at communion: unity and humility before receiving the sacraments

3 The story told by Canon Hugh Dibbens about forgiveness at a communion service in Japan.