I once asked a friend what they did when everything got too much, on those days where basic functioning was difficult. There are times I’m sure when most people will experience that. Stress can trigger it or grief or disappointment or… well, let’s just go with the knocks of life. My friend told me thatContinue reading “Music soothes the savage breast – lent 2023”
Tag Archives: 40 day challenge
An oasis of tranquility – lent 2023
There is a story of a king who offered a prize for the best painting of peace. I may have told this tale before. Thousands entered and there were paintings of sunsets, of beautiful summers days, of rivers lazily winding their way between trees, of mirror like lakes with perfect reflections, of the night skyContinue reading “An oasis of tranquility – lent 2023”
The agony of isolation – lent 2023
I recently went to see an art exhibition at Guildford Cathedral. The current exhibition is a series of paintings by Iain McKillop that portray the Easter story in 27 paintings. They are extraordinary works of art, showing a great deal of emotion with the minimum of colours. The exhibition is done with minimal colours, IContinue reading “The agony of isolation – lent 2023”
The danger of shame – lent 2023
I watched a film today called Luther. It’s a fairly new one based off of a TV show of the same name about a detective. Without giving away the plot, the film has a lot to do with shame. Finding things that people would rather keep hidden, the antagonist is able to blackmail good peopleContinue reading “The danger of shame – lent 2023”
Can you hear me? Because I can’t hear you. – lent 2023
Have you ever prayed and heard nothing in response? Have you asked for guidance and just been met with silence? Have you asked for change and seen no difference? I have. It can be a really frustrating thing to feel as though your prayers are wasted and not know why. There is no one wayContinue reading “Can you hear me? Because I can’t hear you. – lent 2023”
A boat is safe in the harbour… – lent 2023
I guess it’s a kind of proverb: a boat is safe in the harbour – but that’s not what they are built for. It’s an inspirational quite attributed to a number of people and which I stumbled across a few years ago while looking for something else entirely. It’s a quote that has stuck inContinue reading “A boat is safe in the harbour… – lent 2023”
The widows mite – lent 2023
I was at a charity fundraiser this evening. I was one of the ones holding the bucket (and card machine – welcome to 2023!). I was struck by people’s generosity. Lots were putting in paper money and my bucket was almost overflowing. But in the midst of all of this someone came and, it seemedContinue reading “The widows mite – lent 2023”
What a beautiful rainbow! – lent 2023
I was driving home today in the drizzle and I saw a rainbow in the sky. From where I was I could see the end if the rainbow landing among some trees not far from me. (Yes, I know it was an optical illusion). I’ve never seen that before, I’ve always seen the colours inContinue reading “What a beautiful rainbow! – lent 2023”
The gardener and the carpenter – lent 2023
The gardener and the carpenter is the title of a book on parenting. I haven’t read the book (I’m not a parent) but the premise behind it caught my imagination so I read a quick synopsis. The essence is that when parenting, it is not the job of a parent to dictate and therefore carefullyContinue reading “The gardener and the carpenter – lent 2023”
Bigger picture – lent 2023
Sunday has come around again already, so another comic from ‘Joyful Toons’ – this one for anyone who is struggling. Its easy to loom at the things that are going wrong and focus on them, but if you want, look around at the good stuff as well. Try and remember that God has a biggerContinue reading “Bigger picture – lent 2023”
The Reason for my Hope Blog 