Pentecost Celebration in Romford Market, London Borough of Havering

This afternoon Christians in Havering celebrated the birthday of the Church universal, the global Christian fellowship.  On the day of Pentecost, after the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit came in power and majesty upon the disciples of Jesus in Jerusalem.  The event is clearly described by Luke in the book of The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two.

I have attached some photographs of this joyful celebration of the Day of Pentecost, on this very warm May afternoon.

NATO in Afghanistan?

Yes, NATO (OTAN en francais) is active in Afghanistan. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Organisation du Traite de l'Atlantique de Nord) is helping forces fight against the Taliban threat and counter insurgency.  Now my knowledge of geography is good. And the North Atlantic is a long, long way from Afghanistan!

Love, the most excellent way

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, even being able to translate Russian at meetings, but don't have love, then I have become a noisy gong and clattering cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, even getting a Cambridge PhD; and if I have faith, so as to remove mountains and those who oppose me and challenge my inflated ego so that I act like a great dementor, but don't have love, then I'm nothing.

And if I give away all my possessions to the poor and if I give up my body through hard work and much effort to be burned, and if I reach high levels of senior management, and if I win tennis tournaments,  but don't have love, it gains me nothing.

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love is not jealous.
Love does not brag or boast and is not arrogant.
Love does not act rudely.
Love is not self seeking.
Love is not easily angered.
Love does not keep a record of wrongs; it does not store them in a black book or secret file.
Love does not take delight in evil or when bad things happen to enemies. Love shows mercy and kindness to  foes.
Love rejoices in what is right.
Love bears all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

Love never fails.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.

A Leisurely Luncheon in Lovely Lavenham

Yesterday I enjoyed a very long luncheon in Lavenham at the Swan Hotel Restaurant, which has two AA rosettes and serves excellent food. Delicious! The Swan is steeped in history, as is the town of Lavenham, Suffolk.  Some of you may know it from the Lovejoy television series (starring Ian McShane, Dudley Sutton, Phyllis Logan, et al.) or perhaps the film Matthew Hopkins, Witchfinder General (starring Vincent Price, Rupert Davies, Ian Ogilvy, Hilary Dwyer, and Nicky Henson). Others may know it for its quaint buildings and the magnificent Guildhall now in the care of the National Trust.  If you love medieval timber framed buildings then Lavenham is the place to visit.  Then there is the wonderful "Wool Church" of St Peter and St Paul.  Great architecture. It was originally built with funds raised by the prosperous local merchants, whose fine houses still survive today in various forms and guises.

Sadly there is no longer a railway station nearby and parked cars spoil the central square. But Lavenham continues to charm the many visitors that come again and again. I'm one of them.

Well done England, worthy winners of the World Cricket Twenty 20 title in Barbados

Playing at a consistently high standard, the England Cricket team won the final of the Twenty 20 World competition by beating Australia by seven wickets.  The Aussies were restricted to 147 for six wickets against an on form English attack, which was aided by disciplined teamwork and first rate application by the England XI.

Delightful day out in Dedham Vale: Constable Country Prayerwalk

Yesterday three men and a dog went to Dedham Vale.  It was a lovely May day, despite some chilly winds, passing dark clouds and a much slower than usual pace.  I took too much with me.  I was burdened as Bunyan's Pilgrim in the early part of his journey. My fellow intercessors helped me from time to time.  I hope they enjoyed the Bible readings, the flute music (Tic, the dog, didn't judging by his barks),




the many photographic adventures and above all the fellowship with the Lord and with one another in prayer, pilgrimage and pleasant paths through pastoral places.  Yes, I like a bit of alliteration.

What's with the asparagus?

The other day (early May) she who must be obeyed, her indoors etc. was reading about asparagus in a magazine published by Sainsbury's supermarket.  It said how great our British asparagus was, arguably the best in the world. And now it's the English asparagus season.

So we went down to the local Sainsbury's and bought a lot of asparagus.  We like it. And where did it come from?  Lincolnshire? No. Northamptonshire? No. Somewhere in the East Midlands? No. Somewhere in Eastern England? No.  The Vales of Evesham? No. Somewhere in England? No.  Britain? No. Great Britain? No.  Europe? No.

It came from PERU!  Well Paddington Bear should be pleased.