Lent

Not that it makes much difference, but I won't be writing anything on this blog during Lent.

I'm sure you all will be able to cope with the disappointment!

Meilaender

Recently my good friend (and Godfather to Francesca) Thomas Pietsch paid a visit to us with his ever-charming wife Chelsea. Thom, who is now going into his third year at ALC (the Australian Lutheran Seminary) spent some time talking theology with me, and we together read a chapter ('Hearts set to obey') from Lutheran theologian Gilbert Meilaender's The Freedom of a Christian). I wish I could reproduce the text here, as it gives a very concise overview (and rightly critical) of the sort of Lutheran ethical thinking that is as popular as it is disconnected from the Lutheran Confessions.

Anyhow, since I can't give a link to Meilaender's essay I will give a link to a wonderful essay by Fr Bernhard Blankenhorn, a Dominican from the US. It's a nice summary of what I understand is called 'Virtue Ethics'. I came across it through a link on the Lutheran - Roman Catholic dialog in the US. Apparently David Yeago - who seems to me to be one of the best theologians in the ELCA - recently spoke at Blankenhorn's parish on the progress of the dialog in the US. I'm hoping for an mp3 of the talk to be put on the web soon. 

Bach

A little while ago I came across a link to these wonderful, free, and legal recordings of Bach's organ works.

If it's your thing, they're worth a listen.

A Test Blog

Today I have the good fortune to have the inimitable Schutz staying with me [that's SCHÜTZ, Fraser!]. He has been teaching me how to do a few things on my blog, like add a blog roll (see right hand side). I'm now also going to put in my first hyperlink like this (see here). 

And my first YouTube link: 

That's not me playing, unfortunately. 

Well, a real blog soon.

Emmanuelle is Emmanuwell

Sorry about the title.

Just a note to let you know that E's treatment appears to be going very well. She's even been in my study tearing up paper. This is a good sign.

Thank you for your prayers,

Fraser

Update on Emmanuelle

I've just got back from the hospital with Meg and Emmanuelle. The tests didn't turn anything up, and the diagnosis is that whatE has is viral; which is, I assume, good news. Anyhow, E is home, and her face is looking so sweet that I'm concerned some bees will try to shove her in their hive.

After not getting much sleep in the hospital last night, M and E are looking forward to some decent rest.

Thanks for your prayers.

The hospital stay proved beyond doubt (if there ever was any) that E is Feisty with a capital F. The staff couldn't stick needles in her, of poke her abdomen, or attach her to various pieces of apparatus without her cracking it.

Emmanuelle

Little Emmanuelle is in hospital undergoing tests. The doctors don't know what is wrong. Margaret is with her. Please pray for her. She'll be there overnight at least.