David grilled some tandoori chicken last night, It was so ridiculously hot and humid that to have started with the oven inside would have been torture. We simply used a jar of Pataks tandoori paste mixed with some yogurt and then put it on the grill. It’s nice served with some lemon wedges, rice, salad and naan bread if you have it. I think I saw the jars of tandoori paste in a SuperTarget, but I’m not sure.

Our Orlando apartment, we were not able to get a room in the conference centre.

David, Guy Richard and Jonathan Hays in the assembly hall at the Coronado Springs Resort.

The assembly hall.

The Assembly is over and there were many highlights for me, one being Ligon Duncan’s use of the word “indefatigable” during his discussion with Tim Keller. The only other time I’ve heard that word used was when George Galloway addressed Saddam Hussein back in 1994. For the record, Ligon and George did not pronounce it the same way, so I’m none the wiser on its true pronunciation.

Dress among the delegates was mixed from shorts and flip flops to the usual suits, ties and tasseled slip on shoes. I think it’s fair to say that stripes are in this year and checked shirts, not so much.

I sat in on some of the debates, namely the one regarding the proposal to create a study committee over the role of women (which didn’t pass by the way) which was quite interesting, but much of the other business, for me at least, was as dull as thump. I’m sure though, if you were a delegate or the kind of person who reads the BCO at bedtime, then it was riveting stuff.

Our first time at the PCA’s General Assembly has been a great experience so far. We’ve met old friends and some new ones, I have photo’s but no USB cable so you’ll need to wait until I get back.

In the exhibition hall I spoke to the nice lady from CFP and then we saw Malcolm Maclean at his booth selling psalmodies, we also caught up with Guy Richard,Jon Payne,Jonathan Hays and Bryce Hales.

Martin Cameron from HTC came up and introduced himself to us which was nice, I don’t think we’d met before. Later on we went out for supper with a bunch of guys and we got to chat to Burk Parsons who was very nice and recommended the recipe their church uses for communion bread.
Later after the evening worship service Jonathan introduced us to Jason Stellman who pastors a congregation somewhere in Seattleshire.

There have been seminars in between times and the business proper didn’t really get going until today. I stayed in to watch a little bit of the proceedings today, but it’s not really my cup of tea, so I’m back at the room getting a little rest before this evenings discussion between Tim Keller and Ligon Duncan on female deacons.

It’s de rigueur these days to tell everyone what you’re reading, so here’s my list. In the interests of full disclosure I should add that some of these books I’ve recently read, and some I’m still ploughing through.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto
Michael Pollan’s latest book takes a look the Western diet and the increasing popularity of processed food. If you enjoy foodie/research type books then this is a must read.

The Senator and the Sharecropper
Probably one of my favourite reads this year. Set in Sunflower County, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, this book chronicles the lives of U.S. Senator James O. Eastland and sharecropper Fannie Lou Hamer. both on opposite sides of the fight for civil rights. I found it to be a well written and immensely readable book, a must read for anyone interested in the history of Mississippi and the civil rights movement.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer
Still reading this one, but so far so good. A meticulously researched book detailing the assassination of Lincoln and the 12 day hunt for his killer, the die-hard confederate John Wilkes Booth.

Only in America
I like Matt Frei’s style, for those who don’t know him he’s the news anchor on BBC America. His book alternates between detailing the Frei family move to the USA and newsworthy stories such as Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath in New Orleans.

Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches
Just started this one, I think I’ll take it with me next week for GA.

Holding on to Hope
I’ve just got this one from Amazon, I haven’t started it yet, but it looks good.

Joel being the more musical of the two boys so far often asks for requests when we are in the car. Among his favourites are Johnny Cash, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynrd, but his most requested song is ‘Gloria’ by Van Morrison…

Van: “and her name is G..
Joel: “Arrrrrr!”
Van: “L…..”
Joel: “Arrrrr!”
Van: “O…”
Joel: “Arrrrr!”
Van: “R….”
Joel: “Arrrrr!”
Van: “G-l-o-r-i-a gloria!”
Joel: *plays air guitar at this point*

If you don’t read the Reformation 21 blog or live in the UK then you’ve probably not heard about the Church of Scotland’s evangelicals attempt to prevent the installation of Scott Rennie, an openly homosexual minister in Queens Cross Church in Aberdeen. At The General Assembly last week, they did not manage to prevent his installation with the vote going 326 to 267 in his favour. You can read some of the back story here.

I’m sorry that it’s come to this for the Cof S, but not surprised really. David grew up in the Cof S, trained for the ministry at Glasgow University and was removed as a candidate in his final year because of his views regarding the ordination of women.

It was a painful time for us both, but for him especially. At the meeting of Glasgow Presbytery where his candidacy was terminated, the moderator read out a summary of his views, he then asked, not one but three times, if anyone had anything to say on the matter, but the presbytery remained silent and so his candidacy was terminated. It was hard knowing that none of the evangelicals present were prepared to speak up in his defence, though many of them hold exactly the same views on women’s ordination that he does.

Strangely, the only real support we received from within the denomination at the time was from George Newlands, a theologically liberal professor at Trinity College in Glasgow. He was very gracious and kind and took a real interest in our welfare.

Well anyway, here are a few links to some other blogs discussing the matter. David Meredith posts his thoughts here and Carl Trueman, over at the Heidelblog, makes his thoughts known here.

Some more photos from our trip, if you want to see the rest click on any of them and it will take you to my Flickr page.

View from our hotel window

San Francisco style painted home

Magnolia Blossom

The Cornstalk Fence

Streetcar on the St Charles line

David and I are just back from a weekend trip to New Orleans. We had a great time eating the local cuisine and sightseeing in the French Quarter and the Garden District, though my feet are still recovering.

We took a tour through the city which took us through several different areas of town including the Lower 9th Ward where were able to see where the levee was breached and the rebuilding work which is still going on. You can see some of the new houses being built by Brad Pitt’s “Make it Right Foundation” here.
We toured one of the cemeteries and saw the above ground tombs there, then we toured the Garden District where the guide pointed out various large mansions, including the one from the Benjamin Button movie (the last photo below), and John Goodman’s house. Brad And Angelina apparently live in a fairly modest townhouse in the French Quarter.

We ate out in some great restaurants including Emeril’s NOLA, Bayona for posh nosh, the Parkway Bakery for some Po’ Boy shrimp sandwiches, and not forgetting the ubiquitous Cafe Du Mond for beignets (that’s square donuts sprinkled with powdered sugar)

So they’re still talking about Carrie Prejean, (Miss California) who was called names by one of the judges in the Miss USA pageant because of her answer about gay marriage, which apparently cost her the Miss USA crown. Incase you missed the whole sorry debacle you can catch up here.

I’m having a hard time taking this whole thing seriously, I mean persecution, really? I just wish she’d put more clothes on.