Ephinany

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At lunch time I managed to squeeze in a visit to Epiphany at Wallspace.

This is an exhibition of contemporary and traditional icons, all created in Britain. The display is quite stunning and incredibly moving. It’s hard to describe, but I heard once someone explaining an icon as a window to God; maybe if you can imagine walking into a church where you are presented with 73 stunning windows to God, you can grsp something of how unique this exhibition is.

If you want to visit an exhibition which demands your engagement then pay this a visit – but you only have until 12 December before it ends.

I too some photos on my phone as I did not bother taking my camera as I did not think they would be allowing photos. They were, and so I grabbed some pics of my favourite icons and have uploaded them to flickr.

great urban creation

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Another day of meeting with creative and wonderful people today.

One person was Tom who directs Kick London, YFC’s football ministry in the capital. He has such an exciting vision. It was great to hear his plans and dreams for the centre.

I ended the day before going to lectures by catching up with Rachael from YFC Church Resources in the members room of the Tate Modern. It was great to share plans and listen to each other against the backdrop of London going into darkness. It’s easy to forget how spoilt we are, and what a great urban creation we have in London..

Advent 3 my life worth sharing

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Todays Advent thought was based around hospitality.
Today I have been asking myself the question
‘What is hospitality in the 21st century when we are all rushing around’.
I think hospitality is about slowing down and caring.
It is about spending time, and opening homes, sharing meals …
but I think it is so much more;
it’s about sharing my life,
its about thinking my life is worth sharing,
as much as it is about …
thinking the other person is worth the time to share mt life with.

advent 2 … God in my flesh

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Today I have been attempting to ‘listen to the heartbeat of God, by being attentive to the presence of God within creation, by looking within my heart’ (quote from Disturbing Complacency).

It’s hard to hear as I’ve lived in a world that for so long has taught me to separate the holy and unholy, the sacred and secular, the spirit and the body. But, if God created it all, and God is in all, those distinctions cannot exist.

God in the everyday, God in my created body, God in my flesh, I am trying to hear you today!

wishes

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We are now in Advent.
Wishes abound.
For those of you interested
I’ve updated my Amazon wishlist!
(you can find it in the right hand bar
just above my photos!)

I’m proud!

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Today has been a day of pride.

Joe has been unwell and I have had the pleasure of staying home with him and Tom. I don’t spend enough time with my boys so, despite Joe’s illness, it was great to be with them both – I was proud knowing they were my sons.

While I have been with the boys, Sarah has been in London as Beth was dancing with her dance school on stage at The Shaftesbury Theatre. Apparently she was excellent and I am a bit sad that I did not see her too. I’m very proud of her though!

While being at home I have also had a chance to update the blog ‘extra bits’ properly – friends will notice the changes in the right hand bar where I have finally been able to update the prayer letter and writings section.

Advent 1: God is a tempest

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Today’s reading from Disturbing Complacency looked at the ‘ruach‘ of God and it’s incomplete translation to ‘spirit’ which we have used commonly.
Rather than spirit, ruach refers more to tempest, a real tangible ‘living something’. Spirit lacks energy compared to the depth or ruach.

Today I needed to take Joe to the doctor. The wind was amazing, a storm was brewing, it was hard to walk, the storm took your breath away and it gave me a new sense of who God is.

Paperless Christmas

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Paperless Christmas looks like a cool advent Calender.
It’s my favourite of lots out there.

think outside the box?

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ASBO Jesus again causes me to think.
Can we ever genuinely think outside of the box?
Are we so immersed in our cultural upbringing that thinking outside of the box is an impossibility?
Are there any truly genuine ideas?
What is thinking outside the box anyway?

Advent … God hanging in my mind

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Sunday is the first day of Advent and I am looking forward to starting a reflective journey using Disturbing Complacency from Sunday.

I know of at least one other person that will be attemptingthis particular Advent journey, its probably too late to et the book now unless you find it in some Christian bookshop somewhere, but there is nothing to stop you joining in the discussion and ordering the book to arrive in advent.

I like the expectancy that comes with Advent. The waiting, the looking, the anticipation of the arrival of the King. In a society that worships the instant, I think Advent is a time for a reality check, to reconsider who we are, what we are motivated by, what we are waiting for and ultimately, I guess, where our authentic focus is.

By authentic focus I mean that desire within us that drives us; the thoughts we go to sleep with at night and are hanging in our minds when our eyes open in the morning – a new car, a new apple mac, an iphone, a house …. my relationship with God.

I would love to be able to say that I go to sleep with and wake up with God in my mind, but often it is those other things of distraction. I admit that I have been sucked in by the worship of the instant in our society.

I hope Advent will allow me to wake up with God hanging in my mind more often.

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