Audience of One

Miscellany the thirteenth

Following from last time, I can report that “grace” has increased its importance (in Google’s eyes at least) on this website. Unfortunately, while my top three important words remain at “God”, “Matthew” and “Christian”, it seems “joy” has been kicked off the fourth spot (no longer in the top 100 either!) by the word “work”. Luckily of course this shows the trend into more entries about work, careers, calling etc. and not any profound point (just in case I’m misunderstood!).

Radiohead were amazing in concert last night, playing Everything In Its Right Place, Idioteque, Planet Telex, Pyramid Song, How To Disappear Completely and Cymbal Rush (!) amongst other amazing tracks (The Gloaming had never sounded so good!), and we managed to make it home shortly after two despite having to walk from Oxford city centre.

Currently reading: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, and The Shadow and Night by Chris Walley (in preparation for The Infinite Day).

Currently listening: Cymbal Rush by Thom Yorke (played on piano at the gig last night!) has finished; now Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring; earlier, our own covers of Disney songs, jazz standards, Muse and Coldplay.

Currently watching:

The Count of Monte Cristo is so far an amazing book; I’ve been reading it for three days now (it’s quite long) and it’s still gripping (despite knowing overall what happens, having seen the film) and generally fascinating. I may write more once I’ve finished it. It’s taken me a long time to start on these kind of books*, and now I’ve started I plan to continue.

* As to what I mean by “these kind of books”, I’m not really sure. Great novels of the past? Works that require use of a dictionary, or a passing knowledge of Latin? Books likely to contain a scholarly forward and possibly historical notes in an appendix? (Books likely to be known only as a modern film to the majority of the populace, who probably won’t even have heard of the author? Books that, once you’ve read, you end up feeling superior to those who haven’t? Hopefully not the latter, but already the temptation is there…)

UPDATE: I use the word amazing far too much.

Matthew @ 16:15, June 25, 2008 to Miscellaneous | Permalink | Comments (2)

Scribblings

Not only have I been busy trying to cram everything into the end of term, I’ve also not had a computer due to an accident some weeks ago at one in the morning involving my bicycle, velcro, and the side of a pavement. All my careful plans for interesting entries went out of the window.

In lieu of further entries now I’m at home for the week and still haven’t unpacked, here’s a scribble I found on a scrap of paper while packing up my room two days ago.

Do we have too low a view of God’s sovereignty that says “people need to hear the Gospel, therefore I must give up everything and go, otherwise I’m thwarting his purposes”?

I can’t remember writing it, and have thought through these things a lot more since, but it’s an interesting thought nonetheless.

Matthew @ 16:37, June 22, 2008 to Miscellaneous | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blessed are all who take refuge in him

Via Dan Hames:

Have a read of Genesis 2:9-10, Psalms 1, 2 and 46, and Revelation 22:1-5 (convenient link).

Dan quotes an old hymn which picks up on some of these biblical ideas, but merely reading the passages I was struck by the beautiful images, and the wonderful truth expressed. It’s worth dwelling on for yourself – I’m not going to try and say anything more!

Matthew @ 12:09, June 4, 2008 to | Permalink | Comments (0)