Tag Archives: gratitude

Singing Faith, Sharing Hope

I’ve just returned from a week in Taizé, the community of brothers in France who welcome thousands of young people and pilgrims each year. This was my second visit – different from the first, and yet somehow the same. Different people, same God. Different theme, same rhythm. Different worries, same peace. As I journey home,Continue reading “Singing Faith, Sharing Hope”

Lent 2025: The Perspective of Gratitude

Some days, it’s easy to be grateful. The weather is beautiful. You manage to do all the jobs you need to get done. You spend time with people you love. You do activities that fill you with life. Those kinds of days, when everything seems to go right. I’m sure you know the kind ofContinue reading “Lent 2025: The Perspective of Gratitude”

Lent 2025: The ‘Peeking Duck’

I run a Community Choir, and it’s one of the highlights of my week. There’s almost as much laughter as music, and no matter what kind of day I’ve had, I always leave with a full heart. We’re a mix of people with different jobs and backgrounds, but we come together to sing, create somethingContinue reading “Lent 2025: The ‘Peeking Duck’”

Lent 2025: Seasons of Change

It feels like there’s a lot of change in my life right now. In the past year, I stepped away from an organisation I’d been part of for seven years. My church came under new leadership, and in the coming months, it will merge with a larger church, bringing a shift in structure and rhythm.Continue reading “Lent 2025: Seasons of Change”

Lent 2025: Gratitude or Grumbling

I don’t know about you, but life often feels like a mixed bag. One day, everything flows perfectly — like the event I helped with last night. The next, things don’t go quite as smoothly, and that was my experience tonight. I must admit, my first reaction while scrambling to get in control of things,Continue reading “Lent 2025: Gratitude or Grumbling”

Taize: a reflection in Silence and Simplicity

As I write I am watching the sun rise over the hills surrounding this french community (quite a feat for someone not normally a morning person!) I am coming to the end of a week at Taize. For those who don’t know, Taize is a religious community in France, slightly north of Leon. It wasContinue reading “Taize: a reflection in Silence and Simplicity”

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”

Gratitude and trust

I read a book (or most of it at least) called ‘Ruthless Trust’ by Brennan Manning. Its a books about how trusting God completely can transform lives. One particular chapter stood out to me. It was the chapter on gratitude. The general message if the chapter is that the people who trust God the mostContinue reading “Gratitude and trust”