TODAY I AWAKE - MORNING HYMN OF PRAISE

My morning hymn today is a modern one from my hymn book Singing the faith:

Today I awake

and God is before me.

At night, as I dreamt,

he summoned the day;

for God never sleeps

but patterns the morning

with slithers of gold

or glory in grey.

Today I arise

and Christ is beside me.

He walked through the dark

to scatter new light.

Yes, Christ is alive,

and beckons his people

to hope and to heal,

resist and invite.

Today I affirm

the Spirit within me

at worship and work,

in struggle and rest.

The Spirit inspires

all life which is changing

from fearing to faith,

from broken to blest.

Today I enjoy

the Trinity round me,

above and beneath,

before and behind;

the Maker, the Son,

The Spirit together - 

they called me to life

and call me their friend.

(John L Bell and Graham Maule)

NEWS ON LITTLE WHITE RABBIT

This morning Little White Rabbit was missing, he left a note to say he has gone in search of a female he spotted last weekend. He knows it will soon be valentines day and remembers his adventures last year - I will keep you posted.

WORDS OF INSPIRATION - THE WAY TO GOD

On the way to God the difficulties

Feel like being ground by a millstone,

Like night coming at noon, like

Lightning through the clouds.

But don't worry!

What must come, comes.

Face everything with love,

As your mind dissolves in God.

Lal Ded (b1326) Kashmir

From my book The Bridge of Stars

TODAY'S VERSE

The paths of leadership are trod

By those who humbly walk with God,

Their gracious spirit holds a sway

That makes you want to go their way.

D De Haan (Our Daily Bread)

LITTLE WHITE RABBIT VISITS DAGFIELDS

On Saturday Little White Rabbit had a trip to Dagfields near Nantwich, for those who like browsing it is a place full of interesting items - old and new. It has appeared recently on the TV show called Antiques Road Trip

Now where shall I start

Lots of ornaments

Better go and see what I can find

Lots of toy soldiers

I'll be here all day looking at these books

She's rather nice

HYMN FOR THE START OF A NEW WEEK

Thank you, O God,for the time that is now,

for all the newness your minutes allow,

make us alert with your presence of mind

to fear and longings that move humankind.

Thank you, O God, for the time that is past,

for all the values and thoughts that will last.

May we all stagnant tradition ignore,

leaving behind things that matter no more.

Thank you for hopes of the day that will come,

for all the change that will happen in time'

God, for the future our spirits prepare,

hallow our doubts and redeem us from fear.

Make us afraid of the thoughts that delay,

faithful in all the afairs of today;

keep us, Creator, from playing it safe,

thank you that now is the time of our life!
 

Fred Kaan (1929-2009)

Singing the Faith

MORE ICE ANIMALS

More pictures from Durham

THE WORLD IN TUNE PRAYER

Prayer is

The world in tune.

A spirit-voice.

And vocal joys

Whose echo is heaven's bliss.

(Henry Vaughan 1822-95) Wales

The Bridge of Stars

MORE SCENES FROM A WALK IN THE SNOW

Little White Rabbit continues to walk along the Cheshire lanes in the snow.

Hello Little White Rabbit where are we going today?

I am taking you for a walk around Newton and Kingswood

We have come up meeting house lane

We are now going down Newton Hollows

What a pretty picture

It's a bit cold

Pathway leading to old family cottage

Coming up the lane to the crossroads

Birchill Chapel, now a home

Gates leading to a house in the wood by the chapel

 

That's interesting wonder if they take rabbits

Looking across to what used to be Crossley Hospital

Crossley Hospital, now apartments

Cheshire sheep

 

Looking along Waterloo Lane

 

Pylons, the noise from them keeep little grey rabit awake at night

 

Back on familiar territory

No sign of the flowers or the wild women

 

Almost home

B ye, hope you enjoyed your walk