The last Welsh-born true Prince of Wales

Today, 16 September, in 1400, Owain Glyndwr, was proclaimed Prince of Wales. He was the last truly Welsh-born Prince of Wales... Here's part 1 of a great BBC documentary about this hero. An intellectual, cultured, Prince who reluctantly led his countrymen to war against England in the 15th century and came so close to achieving a remarkable transformation of his country. Makes a girl extra proud of her Welsh ancestry. But what I want to know is... why is he so NOT well known? When we've all heard of the famous Scot, William Wallace (Brave Heart)...? This guy seems to me to be just as heroic, if not more ...

World-Wide Furry Bibles

Look! it's in Welsh! and .. Welsh, Korean, Croatian, Norwegian, Finnish, German, Danish Tiny Bears!

Pot Noodle Welsh Miners

This is one of the ads screened at the British Television Advertising Awards 2007: Award-Winning British Commercials at MOMA. Remember The Spaghetti Harvest from 1957?

The Ying Tong Song - The Goons

now for something insane, silly and very irreverent. What can I say? It's the goons. The masters of silly--before Monty Python even. if you're a dreadfully serious person sitting in your office doing frightfully important things you may not like this. or you might. particularly if you open your doors and put the sound up too loud...

Are you THE Wilberforce?

In the same way that I am often asked, "Are you related to THE Lloyd-Jones" (see Feb 24th post) lately poor Balloon Bird is being asked all the time, "Are you related to THE Wilberforce?" (Balloon Bird's real name, for those who are not familiar with his lineage, is Sir Wilberforce-Ping.)

He is forced (as am I) to say, "No" (since he doesn't care to lie any more than I do) but then he feels he must apologize--like me--and so because he says things in threes--he has to say it three times: "sorry, sorry, sorry".

Which is a bit embarrassing for him, he says.

But there is one good thing about it. (Which actually makes the question a fine compliment.) Because, just like me, Sir Wilberforce-Ping does have a glorious namesake: Sir William Wilberforce (1759-1833)--the heroic British abolitionist who is right now in the news because of the wondrous film Amazing Grace.

And Eric Metaxas has written the book Amazing Grace that goes along with it! He's a wonderful writer and (best of all) my wonderful friend.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus!

Today is St David's Day. So, as I say: Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus!

You know this of course, but for those of us like me, St David (seen here in a stained glass window from Jesus College, Oxford) is the Patron Saint of Wales from the 6th century who helped spread Christianity among pagan Celtic tribes of Western Britain and he only ate watercress and once stood in the middle of a lake up to his neck--but I don't remember why. He is famous for saying, "Gwnewch y pethau bychain" ("do the little things") but then proceeded to be canonized and do great big things.

But then didn't someone else say do not despise the day of small beginnings? Or you never go anywhere except one small step at a time.

I'm all for that. Hooray for St David! and Hooray for St David's Day! and Hooray for the little things!

Are you THE Lloyd-Jones?

I'm quite often asked (particularly in church circles) whether I am related to THE Lloyd-Jones. To which, of course, I respond ... But I AM the Lloyd-Jones.

But they're really asking: are you related to THE Doctor David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. (Seen here wondrously on a horse.) And it's a huge compliment. Because Dr David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) is such the rock star of theologians and preachers. And I'm a total groupie.

But when you're such a fan, of such a great man, of course you'd love to be able to say you're related or connected somehow. You wish you had met him. And been able to hear him preach. Or had him as your great Uncle. You sometimes even wish (inappropriately) you could tell all manner of lies to make it a better story--you remember him singing welsh hymns to you, he took you riding on his horse--in short, you wish you could say anything other than, "no". Which for some reason I can't help but follow with "sorry". (I feel it is such a let down and I'm rather let down by the whole thing myself.)

The only connection is that half of me is from that same passionate celtic corner of the world as he (Wales). But it doesn't quite do, since I've never lived there and only know maybe three words (hello, goodnight, and darling--handily they are perhaps the most essential ones, but nevertheless.)

But all silliness aside. I'm pleased when people ask me this--because it means I've found someone else who loves DML-J's teaching and sermons and books--and (if they're not too disappointed) probably I've found a new friend, too.

If you haven't heard of him, then I'm happy to introduce you... Meet THE Doctor David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Check out one of his most brilliant books (especially the chapter on listening to yourself/versus speaking to yourself) and my favorite: Spiritual Depression.