Parenting and Prayer...

Are you a parent? Do you find it impossible to juggle the demands of being constantly available to a young child and being available to God? Matt Stone on ekstasis shares helpful, workable wisdom about parenting and meditation or prayer... check it out.

Christmas break...

I'm taking a break for Christmas. But if you're looking for a late gift, why not buy ethical clothing? The Freedom Clothing Project, a not-for-profit co-operative works with

suppliers in Beit Jala in the occupied West Bank producing what are thought to be the first t-shirts in the country with a ‘Made in the West Bank and Gaza’ label. Freedom Clothing Project

inspirational artwork

On my recent journey to Lindisfarne Holy Island off the coast of Northumbria I visited 'Lindisfarne Scriptorium', where artist Mary Fleeson creates inspirational illuminated calligraphy and artwork; I quote, 'offering an art form which draws the viewer into an experience of prayer, meditation and blessing'. Her book 'Life Journey' combines beautiful images with inspiring reflections in the Celtic tradition. Her online gallery is worth a visit.

the secret place...

'When you pray, go into your private room and pray to your Father who is there in the secret place.' Jesus the Mystic (Matthew 6:5)
see the World Community For Christian Meditation podcasts

the memory of god

Rowan William recently said that we are 'held in the memory of God; tell those who are forgotten that God remembers them'. A prayer cord helps you remember God and that God remembers you. His book on the spirituality of the desert fathers and mothers (from which Jesus Prayer spirituality came) is Silence and Honey Cakes: The Wisdom of the Desert
a prayer: "Lord you never forget me, even though I often forget: I am your project."

pearls of life now in the UK

The Pearls of Life are now available in the UK at SPCK bookshops price £6.99 and they come with a little leaflet. I'd really like to see an English translation of Martin Lonnebo's book about the Pearls. Share your experience of using the Pearls in a comment? Andrew

in the Silence...

Mother Teresa, when asked by an interviewer what she said to God when she prayed, answered: “I don’t say anything. I just listen.” When the interviewer asked what she heard God say, Mother Teresa replied: “He doesn’t say anything. He just listens. And if you can’t understand that, I can’t explain it to you.”
This is the “Prayer of Quiet” – a listening beyond words. In that silence we know and are known by God (Francis MacNutt)