Happy St. George’s Day!
In honour of the Patron Saint of England, here’s a video giving the history of the English language (in ten minutes):
Tag: United Kingdom
Is England in London?
Yesterday I uploaded to Facebook a picture of a can of Boddingtons as my profile picture. This prompted a childhood friend of mine to go on a lovely little rant:
“Hmmm, since when has Boddingtons originated from ‘Britain’? Was it brewed in Scotland, N.Ireland or Wales? I don’t think so! England!!!!!!!! You can bet your life if it was a Scottish product it’d say imported from Scotland on it 😀 Plus… If the collective ‘Britain’ really has to be used they should at least have the decency to use the ‘Great’ at the beginning of it! Phew… Sorry- Rant over! PS  I guess I should be grateful that it doesn’t state ‘Imported from Europe’ on it :-D”
I told him that if this sort of thing bothers him, he shouldn’t move to the USA!
I find that Americans are usually rather flummoxed when it comes to knowing the difference between England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom so I thought that today I’d offer a brief explanation…
"Oh that today you would listen to his voice…"
An extract from my travel journal while in England:
23rd March 2011 – Reading, England
My tour of the UK begins today. This morning I gathered my things and went to the train station. After collecting all of the tickets for my upcoming journeys (the total cost of which should really entitle me to my own private train), I set off for Leamington Spa to see a sign-language society friend from University.
While on the train I prayed Morning Prayer. Although I often find travelling very tedious, there is also something about it which I find draws my spirit to God. As the English countryside sped past my window, I prayed the opening Psalm of Morning Prayer:
“…Oh that today you would listen to His voice! Harden not your hearts!” – Psalm 95
 I don’t think it was by chance that the Church chose *this* psalm to be the opening prayer at the beginning of each new day. Before we face the world, with its troubles, trials and temptations, we need a reminder. We need to be reminded to attend to the Lord’s voice, both before we begin the day, and also to listen for it attentively, hidden amongst the noise and clamour of a busy world.  A heart, if it is to remain beating and life-giving, must not become stoney or calloused by time spent with the world.
As I begin this tour of England to see friends and family, I realise that I’m walking into a lot of situations where, quite frankly, I’m way out of my depth. What am I to say? What am I to do?
“Oh that today you would listen to His voice, harden not your heart” – Psalm 95
