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.

John "Roaring Rogers " Puritan lecturer of Dedham

I have visited Dedham many times. I love the Constable Country. I enjoy prayerwalking along the footpaths by the River Stour. It is a designated area of natural beauty. The architecture of Dedham is delightful and "there is little that offends the eye". The parish church of St Mary deserves a lengthy visit. The view from the church tower is spectacular. Ask George, the verger, for details of tower tours etc.

During the 17th century St Mary's Church was the centre of a puritan revival under the ministry of a great preacher. The Reverend John Rogers was not the vicar, as some scholars have believed. He was the lecturer.

John Rogers preached powerfully from the pulpit, and on market days he proclaimed the Gospel from the small tower by the muniment room. Thousands listened to his sermons. On one occasion a bishop was unable to obtain any transport because so many people had arranged to go to Dedham to hear "Roaring Rogers".

JR loved God's Word and faithfully handled the wonderful truths until 16??. See if you can find out when. His son went to New England and exercised a preaching ministry in the 17th century.
JR's uncle was the lecturer of Wethersfield, Essex, which was place of Puritan theological education up to 1662.

John Rogers' grave is outside the church on the north side of the sanctuary wall. There is a bust in his honour to the left of the altar rail.  I intend to write much more about Roaring Rogers of Dedham.

St Francis Hospice, Havering atte Bower

I am enormously impressed by St Francis Hospice. The staff and volunteers do such valuable work in a loving and caring environment. The buildings, gardens, facilities and fabric are beautiful, and so is the view to the south, when the conditions are right, across the Thames to the Kent countryside. On a clear day I can see for miles from the SFH gates.

I love the decor of the day room area. It is so good that folk with a very limited life expectancy can come to a lovely environment to spend their last days.

I am glad that more funds and support have come to this important place. It is a place that deserves investment of time, money, effort and wisdom. When folk there are so needy and ill, it is good to know that there are people who really care and provide a remarkable place for them to die with dignity and loving kindness. Life is fragile; handle it with prayer.

St Francis Hospice makes me proud to be a resident of the London Borough of Havering.

The joy, presence and peace of the Lord

When a person becomes a true Christian then God in Christ by a work of the Holy Spirit enters their life. It becomes, or it should become, an abundant life. It is a taste of eternity and a glorious experience of the living God. Hallelujah. Men, women, boys and girls can have a personal relationship with the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God leaves His mark on a person's life and there is evidence that God has touched them. He crown our lives. Surely goodness and mercy/loving kindness/grace will follow us all the days of our lives. There is, at the outset, true repentance, conversion, new life ushering in a new hope. Some doubt it and others are indifferent to the life of faith, but once truly experienced then there is joy, peace and the reality of God's presence. It may seem like wishful thinking to some sceptics and agnostics, but it is a wonderful adventure in faith.

In His presence there is fullness of joy, joy unspeakable. It is not shallow worldly happiness, but joy in wellbeing, joy in an intimate relationship with God, joy in the shalom of God.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. Sadly some never receive this glorious gift of God.
Grace is amazing. It touches body, mind/personality and inner spirit, the spiritual recesses of a person. Some lack assurance of salvation and God's love for them in Christ Jesus. Providence and the provision of faith are mysterious and hidden by God in His elective purposes. We cannot fully comprehend the way God's grace, salvation, sanctification and calling operate. His ways are not our ways. God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. What a privilege it is to know that He grants us good gifts and helps us to enjoy His presence and His peace, deep inner peace in our souls. It is the peace of God that passes understanding.

The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever.

Shalom