What a timely reminder of the importance of beauty. Your comment that spaces (should) matter really struck me. My home church is what people have often described as a “thin place”. It is 900 years old this year, but is under the axe because, at the time it was built, proper concern was not paid to wheelchair access. Irrespective of the fact that people who rely on wheelchairs have found their way in with the help of family and friends. As I write, the friends lowering the lame man to Jesus’s feet suddenly come to mind. This past week we have received hopeful news that a historic churches working group recommends continued and further access for the congregation and others. https://stfillanschurch.org.uk/
I now live in Texas, so anything that was here to reflect those who had made their home in this place 900 years ago is sadly lost. A few years ago I searched a place to mourn the loss of my husband’s young cousin. The all-purpose worship space, complete with basketball hoops, of the church I once attended, did not meet my need. Perhaps that was the start of my journey that has now led me to the foot of my tree as a place of refuge and worship. Having said that, I also value the recently built sanctuary of a local Methodist church.
Sending healing vibrations to Fozzie! I agree that effective preaching is delivering the message that folks need to hear. Thank goodness for the Spirit's ability to move both the preacher and those hearing the Word!
Sending prayers for Fozzie! Thank you for your thoughtful essay. To wonder at the beauty of the world is very restorative. I never tire of the sunrise; I just returned from the beach and was grateful for my early morning rising, as the colors are so beautiful and so fleeting until the sun rises. Enjoy your new study, it looks beautiful!
Oh sweet little Fozzie. I can only imagine the grief. I’ve loved hearing how you have loved him and I’m not even a “dog person”.
Thank you Jeff for sharing about the need for beauty. That’s something I have been realizing lately. It’s so important to me. And during a big move transition it’s harder to come by. I’m looking each day and finding nice surprises.
Thank you for your words. They matter to so many. I enjoyed hearing you preach at Crosspointe many years ago and enjoy your posts. You make me pause and think deeply and I am grateful to you for that. I also love hydrangeas ( although lilacs are my favorite and adore peonies as well) and have lots of bushes in my yard with the same result as you. I love that two different things come from the same thing. Enjoy your new study and I hope you find peace and productivity there. Lastly, prayers for Fozzie and you all. Watching the decline of anyone you love (my Dad has Alzheimer’s) is devastating. Again, thank you for all you are.❤️
Your comments about spaces shaping us reminds me of a quote from Winston Churchill. After the House of Commons was bombed in the Second World War it was put to Churchill that the new Commons could be shaped like the American congress and others with seating shaped in an oval. Churchill said no, he wanted the members to consider the stark choice they had to make, by crossing from one side to the other when they voted.
He said "we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us". A different setting for the sentiment you expressed. The speech is also a lovely speech about a the type of beauty, meaning and homeliness found in a building - one that in his case had been physically attacked.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I loved your reflection of how the beauty and wonder of visual art motivates us towards more expressive writing. Artists and writers empower and inspire each other no matter how different our canvasses may be.
I'll definitely send a prayer up for Fozzy.
That's so true what you wrote about a pastor having to speak in a language that their listeners can understand, and I want to know that the pastor understands me. I don't want to feel as if they are way above me, that they never struggle with what I do. I want to hear their realizations and to know the raw moments that evidence the truth that they are still healing, not always understanding God, that they are still asking questions. And I want to find hope in what they have discovered so that I know, through our commonalities, that hope is mine too.
Yep, I'm thankful for my trusty rolling pin, but it's to know the Mason jar worked in a pinch. :)
Praying for Fozzie Fozz that he would feel better soon, and that you’d all get the rest you need.
Thank you again for your words that challenge and feed my soul. You, and a couple other writers have become my Sunday morning “church” as I read and allow new ways of viewing the world and scripture to fill my soul.
Strawberry and rhubarb are such a complimentary pair and one of my favorite spring/early summer combinations. The ratios you chose in your pie are almost exactly what I’ve settled on as well — the sweet and tart are perfectly balanced. And if you’re a sorbet enthusiast and have an ice cream maker, allow me to recommend this recipe that is an annual spring staple in my house: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/rhubarb_sorbet/. I sub out 1 cup of the rhubarb for 1 cup of chopped strawberries, which I add to the saucepan just as the rhubarb is softened so the strawberries don’t overcook. Don’t skimp on the ginger; it adds a playful bite that makes one’s heart sing.
❤️for Fozzie. And thankyou for this lovely reminder that beauty is not a luxury. As Robert Macfarlane put it, Beauty is a necessary survival skill for the Anthropocene. 🙏
ohmygoodness…beauty. You captured it “beautifully” and I wrote it down word for word. Gentle prayers for Fozz. As always, so grateful for your voice in our world Jeff.
Transcendent Kingdom is one of my favourite books. I truly love it.
What a timely reminder of the importance of beauty. Your comment that spaces (should) matter really struck me. My home church is what people have often described as a “thin place”. It is 900 years old this year, but is under the axe because, at the time it was built, proper concern was not paid to wheelchair access. Irrespective of the fact that people who rely on wheelchairs have found their way in with the help of family and friends. As I write, the friends lowering the lame man to Jesus’s feet suddenly come to mind. This past week we have received hopeful news that a historic churches working group recommends continued and further access for the congregation and others. https://stfillanschurch.org.uk/
I now live in Texas, so anything that was here to reflect those who had made their home in this place 900 years ago is sadly lost. A few years ago I searched a place to mourn the loss of my husband’s young cousin. The all-purpose worship space, complete with basketball hoops, of the church I once attended, did not meet my need. Perhaps that was the start of my journey that has now led me to the foot of my tree as a place of refuge and worship. Having said that, I also value the recently built sanctuary of a local Methodist church.
Get well soon Fozzie.
Sending healing vibrations to Fozzie! I agree that effective preaching is delivering the message that folks need to hear. Thank goodness for the Spirit's ability to move both the preacher and those hearing the Word!
Sending prayers for Fozzie! Thank you for your thoughtful essay. To wonder at the beauty of the world is very restorative. I never tire of the sunrise; I just returned from the beach and was grateful for my early morning rising, as the colors are so beautiful and so fleeting until the sun rises. Enjoy your new study, it looks beautiful!
Oh sweet little Fozzie. I can only imagine the grief. I’ve loved hearing how you have loved him and I’m not even a “dog person”.
Thank you Jeff for sharing about the need for beauty. That’s something I have been realizing lately. It’s so important to me. And during a big move transition it’s harder to come by. I’m looking each day and finding nice surprises.
Thank you for your words. They matter to so many. I enjoyed hearing you preach at Crosspointe many years ago and enjoy your posts. You make me pause and think deeply and I am grateful to you for that. I also love hydrangeas ( although lilacs are my favorite and adore peonies as well) and have lots of bushes in my yard with the same result as you. I love that two different things come from the same thing. Enjoy your new study and I hope you find peace and productivity there. Lastly, prayers for Fozzie and you all. Watching the decline of anyone you love (my Dad has Alzheimer’s) is devastating. Again, thank you for all you are.❤️
Beautiful comments again Jeff.
Your comments about spaces shaping us reminds me of a quote from Winston Churchill. After the House of Commons was bombed in the Second World War it was put to Churchill that the new Commons could be shaped like the American congress and others with seating shaped in an oval. Churchill said no, he wanted the members to consider the stark choice they had to make, by crossing from one side to the other when they voted.
He said "we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us". A different setting for the sentiment you expressed. The speech is also a lovely speech about a the type of beauty, meaning and homeliness found in a building - one that in his case had been physically attacked.
https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1943/oct/28/house-of-commons-rebuilding
Spaces and beauty - they are wonderful ideas to reflect upon.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I loved your reflection of how the beauty and wonder of visual art motivates us towards more expressive writing. Artists and writers empower and inspire each other no matter how different our canvasses may be.
I'll definitely send a prayer up for Fozzy.
That's so true what you wrote about a pastor having to speak in a language that their listeners can understand, and I want to know that the pastor understands me. I don't want to feel as if they are way above me, that they never struggle with what I do. I want to hear their realizations and to know the raw moments that evidence the truth that they are still healing, not always understanding God, that they are still asking questions. And I want to find hope in what they have discovered so that I know, through our commonalities, that hope is mine too.
Yep, I'm thankful for my trusty rolling pin, but it's to know the Mason jar worked in a pinch. :)
Praying for Fozzie Fozz that he would feel better soon, and that you’d all get the rest you need.
Thank you again for your words that challenge and feed my soul. You, and a couple other writers have become my Sunday morning “church” as I read and allow new ways of viewing the world and scripture to fill my soul.
Your words are always a balm to
My soul.
Prayers for Fozzie!
Strawberry and rhubarb are such a complimentary pair and one of my favorite spring/early summer combinations. The ratios you chose in your pie are almost exactly what I’ve settled on as well — the sweet and tart are perfectly balanced. And if you’re a sorbet enthusiast and have an ice cream maker, allow me to recommend this recipe that is an annual spring staple in my house: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/rhubarb_sorbet/. I sub out 1 cup of the rhubarb for 1 cup of chopped strawberries, which I add to the saucepan just as the rhubarb is softened so the strawberries don’t overcook. Don’t skimp on the ginger; it adds a playful bite that makes one’s heart sing.
that sounds excellent!
❤️for Fozzie. And thankyou for this lovely reminder that beauty is not a luxury. As Robert Macfarlane put it, Beauty is a necessary survival skill for the Anthropocene. 🙏
ohmygoodness…beauty. You captured it “beautifully” and I wrote it down word for word. Gentle prayers for Fozz. As always, so grateful for your voice in our world Jeff.
What a lovely space you have created! Love the mix of old and new. Poor Fozzie; I am sending prayers and good wishes for his health to improve
Oh poor Fozzie! So sorry to hear he's not feeling great. Hope he rallies.