thomas abbott

I'm getting married :)

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:30:57 -0800

This is rather old news I suppose, but when wondering about what to write for my first AL post in almost a year, thought this was the most relevant topic.

How old?

Well, I popped the question on September 12th last year.

Beijing - rockin' it for God with 'The Vine Band'

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:27:33 -0700

I'm in Yunnan at the moment on a photo shoot with Zhang Zi Yi (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, etc), but that's a story for another blog.

This is about 'Sunday Night Live' - a name coined by Robert Glover for an evening of live worship in Beijing (usually one every two months or so). Last Sunday 'The Vine Band' and Dean Sherman joined forces for an exciting encounter with God.

Do we live in a Democracy?

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 05:06:35 -0700

I recently joined a debate about Democracy on the Guardian's 'Comment is Free' blog:

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/ ronald_dworkin/2007/03/ is_democracy_possible_here.html

Here was my response to the article and many contributions:

Democracy is simply defined as: one person / one vote.
Anything more than this, then people are beginning to express their personal definition and expectations of government. Democracy does not come with a ready made constitution or a universally proved method of delivering the goods.

Worship

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:31:14 -0800

I've posted comments on a few other blogs about this, so thought I might as well blog about it.

I've been learning recently that worship in Church is actually a relatively small part of our worship to God. And really, that it's a very specific type of worship.

I listened to a great sermon by Graham Tomlin (HTB) over Christmas (via the podcasts - I was in Thailand!), about how God's creation is in constant worship by just being. The mountains... animal kingdom... humans... just by being alive we're living an act of worship. Humans have the added responsibility of choosing to worship Him, and not just on Sunday mornings, but with everything we say and do.

A broken heart - the Christian's X-Factor

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 02:50:55 -0800

I prepared this talk for a small bible study a few months back. The subject has both fascinated and challenged me.

When I read 'brokenness of heart' in the passage from Smith Wigglesworth's book (below), it seemed so... harsh. I couldn't shake the words out of my head, so explored it further.

(Apologies in advance for mixed metaphors of a 'broken heart')

Thought I'd share it with you. Comments / corrections welcome.

It's a bit long for a blog...

_______

bussing it in beijing

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 20:00:05 -0800

hi folks.

i'm now back in beijing, and all set up with a new flat, bike, and routine (same job though).

i picked my flat for the following reason:

it's very well decorated. it's also cheap, and the landlord speaks english. but, it's a bit of a distance from my office, so i've discovered a new found joy: the beijing bus...

The Dawkins Allusion

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 12:05:49 -0700

I have this reccuring urge to pray for Richard Dawkins.

I've been praying for someone to be Jesus to him. I doubt arguing God with him would be fruitfull anymore as he's clearly quite convinced of his own theories. Pride alone could keep him from admitting that God exists at this stage.

So instead of someone proving he's wrong, he needs to be shown he's wrong. And it can be done. I can't help but think of a road to Damascus moment.

farmers, canaries and midwives

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:45:07 -0700

Norwich.

Well, where else could I be?

Farmers - I haven't actually seen one yet, but it's true that most Norwich people talk like them. Naaarwich.

Canaries - I'm a Villa supporter, but I think I know more about NCFC these days. I'm based 5 mins walk away from the stadium, and I see the miserable supporters trudge by on a saturday afternoon.

back in beijing

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 02:35:52 -0700

Well, I'm back, but I'm convinced that air travel [over several time zones] is wholly unnatural, and too much of it will cause some sort of long-term damage.

Jet-lag just doesn't get any easier....

I also find that after a long flight to a country at least 4 hours different in time, the first few days don't feel real. Almost as if I'm observing life through a window.

honeymoon, honeyshmoon

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 14:02:27 -0700

Tuffers, I'm sure you're having a lovely honeymoon, but the aboutlife homepage needs updating, so hurry on back please.

Congrats by the way. Hope it's all gone swimmingly!

birthday boy

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:26:24 -0700

it's really quite late, and it's my brother's 12th birthday tomorrow... which means we'll all be forced to wake up early.

my holiday is going well. rachel and i had a wonderful time in la rochelle, france, courtesy of the piercy's.

i'm now in brum (stark difference, but not all that bad) where my family have all congregated, which is an increasigly rare occasion. i live in china, my parents & 2 siblings in thailand, and a brother in leeds...

back in blighty

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 08:49:40 -0700

Once again I've procrastinated a little with this.

But I'm pleased to say that I'm going to be in the UK (or rather, Europe) between 1st - 18th of July. I'll be in London and no doubt hanging around HTB for a few days, and I sincerely hope to bump into some of you.

Off the top of my head, I'll be in London this weekend, and then again on the 17th and 18th.

Keep it real folks, and I hope to be a little more diligent with blogs in the future.

Care for Children's National Conference 2006

Mon, 29 May 2006 06:31:54 -0700

Well, where have I been?

I find myself asking the same question.

I've been mostly in Beijing, but oh so busy. Thought I would update you with a few pictures of the primary source of this busyness - Care for Children's National Child Care Conference 2006: 'Preparing Children for their Independence'.

Fronted by Minister Dou Yu Pei and His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, 200 people from all over China as well as a number of international delegates attended, including Lord Laming and of course, our very own Robert Glover.

life in china - update

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 07:30:15 -0700

* all photos taken with my ever-handy sony p910i phone

Dudes, I cannot tell you how busy I have been. I suppose with Mao watching over my shoulder I have to be at my very best.

My laptop has been virtually glued to my hand as my company is working towards our national confrence May 15 - 17.

daily scenes

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 23:32:45 -0700

Here I will begin to help you [those who might be interested] picture what my life in Beijing might be like... or at least look like.

All pictures taken with my ever-handy p910i phone.

1. On my way to work

Some Beijing Taxi drivers sit enclosed in a jail-like existence for most of the day.