Survival Plan

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style” Maya Angelou Take a look at the first image. What does it say to you? This painting by Chagall, who was a Russian Jew, was made during the Holocaust …

Starstruck

“I do not know where you are leading. I am empty, unsure, uncomfortable.  I have only a beckoning star to follow.” Kate Compston Take a look at the two pictures, what strikes you most? the first is a medieval stone relief and the second is by Nicholas Mynheer, a contemporary British artist. We have recently …

Wonder

“Wonder is a sense of awe or astonishment. It can come to us at the most unexpected of times, this morning I was by the river  as the snow fell around me and I felt a sense of wonder for its beauty and its bitter chill….In this time that is dark and cold physically and …

Broken Beauty

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (St Paul) The quote above was in last week’s meditation and it started me thinking about the idea of imperfection as beauty. The first image here shows a mended bowl using the Japanese concept of Kintsugi, the ‘art of precious scars’. When the …

Daily Struggle

‘Hearken to my weary voice, O God. I am your friend & co-conspirator in the struggle for a new world.’ (Activist’s Prayer) Take a look at the first picture. This is called Vision of the Sermon (Jacob wrestling with the Angel) by Van Gogh. This picture is based on the biblical story of Jacob, who ran …

Beginners mind: mindfulness pillar 3

A podcast introducing us to the pillars of mindfulness. This is the third pillar which is Beginners Mind, Tim of Blackbird Mindfulness encourages us to stay open to wonder and opportunities. These podcasts give each of us the chance to try something new or advance and develop our mindfulness practice. https://soundcloud.com/leedsmethodistmission/beginners-mind To start from the …

Rhythm and ritual

‘Your daily life is your temple and religion. When you enter into it take with you your all.’ (Kahlil Gibran) Take a look at the first picture. This is a picture of our advent ring in the second week of advent. Every year I save our Christmas wreath and then use it for our advent …

Stuck in the Middle with You

‘Why do we rush about to the top of heaven and the bottom of earth looking for the divine who is here at home with us, if only we would be at home with him?’ (Augustine) Take a look at the pictures for this week. What do they say to you? I’m guessing you may …

Word of the Year

“Act upon hope” Commoners Choir Take a look at the first picture – you will be familiar with this by now, as I have used it twice previously this month. I have asked my daughter to adapt it in her own style for this week’s blog. For some reason, it’s has spoken to me in …

Zeitgeist

“If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill Shelterers in the Tube 1941 Henry Moore OM, CH 1898-1986 Presented by the War Artists Advisory Committee 1946 http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/N05712 Take a look at the two pictures. The first is a commission I made as part of an event aiming to focus on the Christian meaning of …