A bit about music exams in UK and France
They're really different. I think I have already mentioned that while in the UK people generally find a private teacher for their instrument, or do it through a school scheme, here there are municipal music school, conservatoires and so on. The situation is a little more complex than I had first understood, because the schools vary in the rigidity of their organisation: the most, the conservatoires, next the municipals, then the associations. Our music school is an association, but it tends to apply the standards of the municipal schools with its programme of cycles, etc. Britain - grade 1 to 8, grade 8 being roughly equivalent to A-level, pre university/conservatoire. France - 3 cycles, each taking about 4 years, with 3ème cycle being roughly equivalent to grade 8. Theory of music - UK to take grade 8 you need theory grade 5. In France you study theory alongside your instrumental studies, very slowly. Catrin's flute music is MUCH more difficult than the stuff she does in theor...
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I too, love to read certain authors and knowing the biographies of some of those writers has certainly endeared me to them. I have actually heard the great Martin Lloyd Jones preach. All I remember about him is what an unassuming man he was. Obviously a clever man but so very humble with it. I'm sure he would be one of the first to admit his infalibility, nay his sinfulness and point us to Christ.
A very wise person once told me - "Never expect anything from anyone, and you'll never be disappointed". This may seem cynical and I'm not saying that loads of people have disappointed me, but you know, men are only men at best, bless them. The 'greatest' of them can falter.
The closest thing I have seen to idolatry (not that it was you understand) is when a very famous preacher came to church and the children's address was put to one side for that week to give the preacher more time. Shame! Christ thinks very highly of children. Remember the first shall be last and the last shall be first, these are only our labels for people, not God's.
So, lets be inspired and thrilled by the encouragement of others to contemplate Christ. Let's emulate their Christ-likeness, but let's exalt the Lord who created them and praise His name for his gift of great preachers, indeed for ALL preachers, for it is not the preacher who is the focus but the Word of God which they preach.
(just kidding... but I did hear him preach. 1980 in Aberystwyth)