The National Prayer Breakfast – What Do You Think

This has been the week of the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC, a breakfast at which President Obama spoke eloquently about his faith.  Of course some, like Fox News were not happy with what he had to say.  Others  of course were delighted by his speech.  I particularly enjoyed these comments by Eugene Cho [...]

Prayer for the People of Egypt

God of mercy Be compassionate to the people of egypt God who cares Pour out your love on all who suffer Prince of peace Provide security in the midst of violence Christ who frees Overcome oppression with justice Spirit that transforms Bring change that is liberating God may your kingdom come in Egypt and in [...]

The Hound Of Heaven by Francis Thompson

Today I have been reflecting on my favourite religious poem The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson and I realized that many of you may never have heard this poem.  So here it is for your enjoyment first as read by Richard Burton and then the entire text   The Hound of Heaven I fled [...]

Mobilizing Hope

While we were at Christian Community Development Association conference a couple of weeks ago Tom & I met author Adam Taylor who really inspired us as he talked about his new book Mobilizing Hope.  My copy of the book just arrived but I will not get round to reviewing it until next week.  However I [...]

Kseniva Simonova – Amazing Sand Drawing

Andy Raine from the Northumbria Community near Holy Island just sent me a link to this amazing video: It shows Kseniya Simonova a Ukrainian artist who just won Ukraine’s version of “America’s Got Talent.” She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and “sand painting” skills to interpret Germany’s invasion and occupation of Ukraine [...]

Are You Ready for Easter?

The beginning of the easter celebration is just over a week away and stores are full of Easter eggs and decorations to help us celebrate by diverting our attention from the real meaning of Easter to their commercialized version of it.  And how many of us are sucked in?  What is the focus of your [...]

Celebrating International Women’s Day

Today is International Womens Day, a day for celebrating the social, economic and political achievements of women.  It was first celebrated in 1911 when women in most parts of the world still had few rights. Thinking about this reminded me of the many women I have known over the years who have impacted my own [...]

Pray for the Hidden Broken Ones

I just received this email in response the the recent MSA Seed Sampler from Jeff Strong who works in Oregon.  He would appreciate your prayers.  The mentally ill are so often not just marginalized but ignored by our society as well as by the government.  Please pray for these people who are so close to [...]

The Inauguration is Over… or is it?

Well the inauguration might be over but there is still a lot being reported about it. Here are some of my favourites: First a neat photo of the inauguration from space And this one is, believe it or not the inauguration in Lego And then of course the comments on Michelle Obama’s fashions Certainly a [...]

President Begins with Prayer

This morning President Obama began his first official day in office by attending the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.  While the event had a larger than usual interfaith contingent it was still at its core a Christian service drawn from the Book of Common Prayer. Read more I do not think it [...]