Tracing The Divine: Days 5 & 6: Laura, Evensong, Moving, Genesis and the Inklings

The last two days have been busy ones. Sunday morning I visited St. Aldates Church (directly across the street from the awe inspiring architecture of Christ Church). The message was on the role of the Holy Spirit in missions: significant truths to my heart at a timely juncture of learning.

The afternoon brought (finally!) the long awaited housemate, Laura. Together, we got to spend the evening at the final Evensong service at New College featuring one of the truly great Male chorus and Boys Choirs in the world. Lovely!!

This morning was quite an interested ride finalizing the details of our move across town to our permanent flat. But the end result was quite satisfying and we are now comfortably situated with single bedrooms, private kitchen and sitting room. We even have a tiny garden behind our flat! For someone who loves the sacred gifts of nature in the early morning, I must admit that this little garden may be my favorite part of the arrangement :) Pictures to come!

The majority of today, however, was spent in Eynsham as the first real day of our Worldview Intensive. We began with Psalm 32. This is such a merciful draught to the heart. Mr. Bywater emphasized especially how the Psalms train us how to think and how to pray in difficulty and in joyful times in a way that continues to engage and intersect with our humanity. The Psalmist here:
1) Looks at Truth
- Blessed is the One whose
+ Transgressions = forgiven
+ Sins = covered
+ Sin = Does not count against them
2) Honestly identifies the sin including the rebellion that delayed repentance. This includes description of the real anguish involved in his experience (in other words it does not deny it or bypass it)
3) Fully acknowledges and repents.
4) Warns others to respond with humble and swift repentance for sin and future submission (not like the mule that needs to be guided by bit and bridle).
4) NOW he rejoices and urges others to do so as well.
5) His last phrase "the upright in heart" serves as one last reminder to pursue this posture of obedience and faith - which includes a "rhythm of repentance and a habit of forgiveness."

There was much more but this is what is still sticking in my heart at 1 am.

The next 6 or so hours were invested in Genesis chapter 1... stimulating discussion, but a journal for another night :)

The event that proved the highlight of the day was a visit to the Eagle and Child pub where the Inklings (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien etc) had their weekly thursday night meetings. It lived up to both historical and culinary expectation!!! Burger and Chips (Fries)