Jon's Musings

Water of Life

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:59:25 -0700

A rather abstract parody documentary I recently made with my brother. http://www.field4.co.uk/film/
Enjoy!

Dawkins vs. McGrath

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:50:25 -0700

After being on the cards for quite some time, Richard Dawkins (atheist scientist chap & author of 'The God Delusion') and Alister McGrath (scientist theologian chap & author of 'The Dawkins Delusion') finally crossed swords in a public debate at Oxford on 21st March '07. In can be downloaded here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/ audio_video/podcasts/books/ article1570989.eceIt makes interesting listening!

Butterin'

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:22:30 -0700

A tune I recently composed.

Enjoy!

Recorded 16/03/07
Featuring:
Jonny Dexter - Tenor saxophone
Nick Ball - Drums
Paul Michael - Bass
Myself - Piano

Second Thoughts

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 07:44:06 -0800

I decided to delete my previous post (in which I had a massive rant at the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music). Although nobody expressed that they were offended by it, I think some of the things I said could have come over as slightly obnoxious.

It also broke some of my principles. As I said several posts previously, I don't like ranting or complaining and try not to participate in it. I don't mind thought out criticism (which is more like I was doing with Dawkins) though this rant was not that. I made many wild sweeping statements which I expect were not very accurate or fair. It was also fuelled more by my opinion and emotion than facts, I fear.

Thoughts on Dawkins

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 04:51:59 -0800

I recently read through Richard Dawkins latest and heavily publicized book, ‘The God Delusion’. I hoped that it might help keep me on my toes intellectually and pin point areas of my faith that are a bit dodgy on the apologetics front. However, there was in fact very little in it that I found challenging.
There have already been many scathing reviews of this book (some in fact, written by atheists). Here are links to a few:

Calvinist Romance

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:33:53 -0800

Terrible....
(the caption reads "Baby, your name must be Grace because your irresistible")

Moving House - the end of an era

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 10:39:48 -0800

I’m moving house next week (my ‘home home’ in Shropshire, I’m a student in London). I have lived there for fifteen years and it has been the house I grew up in (I'm now 20). Lilleshall is a beautiful, picturesque village (middle and to the east of Shrops)and I doubt I will live anywhere like that ever again.

Erroll Garner - a genius

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 13:33:08 -0800

One of my biggest influences in jazz piano is the great Erroll Garner (1921 - 1977).
The driving swing, laid back right hand, big fat chords and the sheer joy one gets from listening to him really resonates with me.

When asked about his great talent, he was reported to have said "The good Lord gave it to me and I'm trying to develop it".

Everything Sounds Like Coldplay Now

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 04:46:15 -0800

http:// www.everythingsoundslikecoldplaynow.com

I think this is even true of some Christian music!

....a week later

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:47:20 -0800

Well I managed (just about) not to complain for a week. Its quite good in a lot of ways though frustrating in others.

From now on, I am going to be allowed to complain, but only when its really necessary (ie think before you speak). There is no point in pointless whinging.

I am certainly never going to use this blog as a ranting platform, however much I want to.

A week of no complaining

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 05:25:14 -0800

I've often thought that at least 99% of the complaining, ranting and criticising people do (especially myself) is unecessary. In Dale Carniegie's famous book 'How to win friends and influence people', the first principle is 'Don't criticize, condemn or complain'. It may be a bit extreme to never do any of those, but it would certainly be worth cutting them down.

I particularly hate the kind of complaining where a group of people bitch about someone behind their back (and it can be very hard not to join in). Surely it was that kind of thing that Paul was on about here .

Naff Jokes

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 05:36:12 -0800

I am known by some for my unique brand of humour. Most people think its awful and totally un-funny, though that is probably because its far too sophisticated for the average human being.

Anyway, here is a selection of my favourite jokes. Some are my original ones, others I've picked up.

Why are pirates, called pirates?

Because they arrgghh!

Jon's Theological Predicaments - 2: The Love of God

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 07:01:42 -0700

I expect this predicament (and I certainly hope) will be shot down in flames. Let me point out that I'm being some what provocative and I am certainly not promoting a hellfire damnation God. These are just some doubts I have been having.

I constantly hear the notion that God loves each and everyone of us, and that his love is unconditional and universal (and indeed, I think I do believe this). I have cause to question this belief however, not on the grounds of evil and suffering in the world (which is another predicament all together) but on biblical grounds.

Jon's Theological Predicaments - 1:Nasty Nature

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 02:59:08 -0700

We all have big questions about life, God etc. that we wrestle with from time to time and are quite difficult. There are some which are like mighty itches which I can never seem to be able to reach to scratch. I thought I'd start to put some of my most troublesome ones on here for disscussion, under 'Jon's Theological Predicaments'. This is the first Installment:
I often find the destruction, chaos and suffering in nature and, it would seem, creation to be most difficult to reconcile with a God that created the world that was 'good' (gen1:25). I often hear the analogy of a broken chair: The chair was good when it was made, but then somebody broke it so don't blame the maker. ie: The world was created as a good place but then humans messed it up. However, nature doesn't seem to suggest a world which was once good but now gone bad, but a world that has been built with, upon and thrives on pain, destruction and chaos.

Lessons In Forgiveness - A Short Film

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 10:04:26 -0700

My Brother and myself have recently made a silent comic film on the subject of forgiveness. It can be viewed here:

http://www.field4.co.uk/film/