Clapham Calling

Spurgeon at West Norwood Cemetery

A couple of months back I took a funeral at West Norwood Cemetery. The Chapel is right on top of a hill and in front of it is the grave of Charles Spurgeon. If you are a Baptist it is likely that he is a hero of yours. What I really like about him is what he was like as a person. Despite his phenomenal gifts and skills he still had time for the ordinary people. When you read about him he seems to have such warmth about him and a fantastic sense of humour.

He lived here in Clapham for a time and his wife Susannah said about their time here that it was amongst their happiest. Clapham then was considered in the countryside and it was an escape from the demands of his hectic ministry at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in Elephant and Castle.

His orphanages where very near to our church. You can see pictures of what they used to look like on Lambeth council's website

Every time I have been up at the chapel I have been the only one around (until it is time for the funeral to start) and a number of times I have thought, as I looked at his grave, how would he of handled this?

Here are some photos I took.

 

Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland

Pastoral Care

Can I remind those from our church who read this site that they can pass on any pastoral needs to me. Please call or email me at  [email protected]

The sure word of God

For the first time since "A" - level English Lit. with Mr. Banks at school, I have been asked to write a book review. It will appear in Evangelicals Now at some future point. The book in question is called "The Sure Word of God" by Pastor Geoff Thomas. Mr. Thomas has had a long association with my wife's family having been their Pastor while they studied at Aberystwyth University. I better not mess it up! I might try and ask him about the book at the Banner of truth conference next week.

Here are the titles of the chapters.

1. Trusting the infallible Word

2. Satisfied with Scriptures

3. Submitting to the Scriptures

4. Obeying the Scriptures

5. Understanding the Scriptures

6. Searching the Scriptures

It is a very short book at only 120 pages long but it is bursting with a lot of helpful stuff.

Yo! Gabba Gabba Party In My Tummy.

This is from my old blog March 14th last year..

Dial a dictionary

I received an odd phone call yesterday it went like this:

Hello Pastor how are you doing?

Yes really well.

Can I ask you a favour?

Of course what is it?

I am writing a letter how do you spell the word "catch"

Catch?

Yes as in I need to catch a bus.

c.a.t.c.h

Ok thank you.

Is that all?

Yes thank you bye.

I received an odd phone call yesterday it went like this:

Hello Pastor how are you doing?

Yes really well.

Can I ask you a favour?

Of course what is it?

I am writing a letter how do you spell the word "catch"

Catch?

Yes as in I need to catch a bus.

c.a.t.c.h

Ok thank you.

Is that all?

Yes thank you bye.

No peace in the Park

   

 

The other Saturday I was desperate to get out of Clapham to some sort of countryside but without having to drive too far. We made it to Richmond Park. It was so busy. On the foot paths we were so often nearly knocked over by joggers or cyclists. It was getting very stressful keeping the boys out of danger. Planes roared over head, rugby players insulted each other loudly. I was glad to get back to Brayburne Avenue for some peace!

The trees were great natural climbing frames. Even Micah joined in.

A happy childhood

This is a picture of my younger brother Tim and myself in the early 70's I think we look a bit like Jacob and Micah

Back to Bodeans

My previous post on Bodean's obviously whetted the appetite of my neighbour and friend Peter because that's where he suggested we had lunch today. This was our second lunch appointment after we had a great time together at my favourite local pub The Stonhouse.

I wasn't sure what Peter's first experience of Bodean's would be like after my concerns about lack of consistency of food and service on my previous visits. But it turns out I needn't of worried. We were greeted by a colourfully tattooed and haired lady who took us to a booth. Within moments we had a combination platter recommended and ordered for us. I couldn't resit a side order of corn bread muffins that were small but not dry and packed with taste. Before the meal we were given complimentary? Nachos and a salsa dip. Peter said they were good enough to "eat all day long". When the main event arrived, we both tucked into a plate each of pulled pork, ribs, chicken, coleslaw and some of the best tasting chips I have ever had. It didn't take long before Peter was singing the praises of the food and for me to join in the chorus. The young guy who served us did well apart from not being able to answer a question we poised to him. But to be fair it was a tough one and not related to the menu - what are the ingredients to a Talmale?I googled the question and found out that they are cornmeal paste wrapped in corn or banana husks and stuffed with chicken, pork or turkey and/or vegetables, then steamed.

What made the good lunch experience great for me was the combination platter of conversation we had on many things including to what extent our life's experiences in many different countries and cultures (both positive and negative) shaped the people we are today.

I think our next destination is a Belgian restaurant!?

Many thanks Peter and you really are a great Dane (sorry!)

Interesting Guardian article

My oldest friend (in terms of years we have known each other - all of my 37 years!) Stephen McAlpine draws our attention to an article in the Guardian last weekend over at his blog Mission in Action

"The best article I’ve seen yet on the whole Dawkins/Hitchens “we hate religion” spiel was published in The Guardian on the weekend.  It’s written by a secular writer who is no real friend of Christianity, and it makes for a riveting read.  It’s an incisive critique of the claims made by the anti-theist crew and displays the huge holes in their arguments.
Check it out here."