Have you ever used Christian imagery or icons to draw you into a deeper relationship with Christ? In her new book,’The Circle of Love – praying with Rublev’s icon of the Trinity’, Ann Persson expalins how meditating on a painting of the Holy Spirit helped her Christian walk when she was recovering from surgery. She joined me live in Premier’s studio on the line from Iona …
Ever fancied trekking the Himalayas, climbing Mount Everest or taking a trip to the North Pole?
Well, Dwayne Fields turned his dream into a reality when he recently became the first Black British man to reach the North Pole.
If that wasn’t enough, he’s now planning a trip to the South Pole. Our intrepid explorer joined me live in the Premier studio last Saturday …
http://media.premier.org.uk/bigbreakfast/f7038389-2a24-43d6-8b9f-9524aca0a181.mp3
Sat. on Premier’s Big Breakfast: Dwane Fields (1st black Brit 2 North Pole); p&q with John Mansfield; & welshman leading an Asian fellowship
The ‘Serenity Prayer’ from Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971):
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time,
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it,
trusting that You will make all things right,
if I surrender to Your will,
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
O blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in Thee.
Let Thy mighty calmness reign in me;
Rule me, O King of gentleness, king of peace.
Give me control, great power of self-control,
Control over my words, thoughts and actions.
From all irritability, want of meekness, want of gentleness, dear Lord, deliver me.
By Thine own deep patience, give me patience.
Make me in this and all things more and more like Thee.
St. John of the Cross (1542 – 1591)
Nun other than technology:
http://doiop.com/rollingnewshabit
‘A 13th century order of nuns who never leave their convent or read newspapers is now able to pray for victims of tragedies across world after being given purpose-made handheld device that flashes up news headlines.’ (Daily Telegraph)
My interview with ‘comedy virtuoso’ Tim Vine on Premier’s Big Breakfast on Saturday:
http://doiop.com/timvineint
My interview with Sally Leigh, about living off the land and the Food Security Conference, on Premier’s Big Breakfast on Saturday:
http://doiop.com/sallyleighint
On Premier’s Big Breakfast (Sat): Sally Leigh (the future of food); Tim Vine (Comedian); & World Cup (Dan Walker, keeping Sunday special)
O Lord Jesus Christ,
take us to thyself,
draw us with cords to the foot of thy cross;
for we have no strength to come,
and we know not the way.
Thou art mighty to save, and none can separate us from thy love.
Bring us home to thyself, for we are gone astray.
We have wandered: do thou seek us.
Under the shadow of thy cross let us live all the rest of our lives,
and there we shall be safe. AMEN
A prayer of Frederick Temple (1821-1902)
Brian Draper has a new book out. It’s called Labyrinth: Illuminating the Inner Path.
If you don’t know Brian, he is a writer, thinker and speaker who seeks to ‘provide an inspiring presence in the business world for leaders who truly wish to be part of the solution, not the problem’. He is the author of Spiritual Intelligence (Lion), and ‘Searching 4 Faith’ (Lion), and presents BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day on the Today programme.
He describes his new book as being ‘short, but sweet enough … Beautifully illustrated by the designers at Lion Hudson, it’s an evocative exploration of what it means to walk a labyrinth.’ Brian has been using labyrinths as a form of creative, spiritual reflection and meditation for a long time. His new book is a guide to the literal act of walking them, but also stands alone, as a reflection on the art of walking the metaphorical path of life and faith.
It’s a hardback book with full-colour photos throughout. I am looking forward to receiving my copy, but knowing Brian and his insights in this area, I can commend it before even reading it.
To order signed copies: http://www.spiritualintelligence.co.uk.
Otherwise, Amazon is cheaper:
http://doiop.com/draperslabyrinth
Apparently, Jesus was spotted on Google Earth:
http://doiop.com/Jesusinafield
Many Christians will say, ‘Of course it isn’t Jesus … it’s just a coincidence … or photoshop … or whatever’. But … it is interesting that people think they see Jesus in the strangest of places. Perhaps more people are subconsciously looking for Jesus than they’d like to admit. Or perhaps we should expect to see Jesus in the strangest of places … whether it be a field, or not. Or just perhaps … there’s a Creator God just has a sense of humour! Who knows?
Thanks to the ENews sweep from the Baptist Union of Great Britain for bringing to my attention this photo in the THE TIMES OF INDIA.
My interview with Tony Anthony on Premier’s Big Breakfast on Saturday:
http://doiop.com/TonyAnthony
On Premier’s Big Breakfast (Sat): Tony Anthony (Avanti Ministries); Becky Cross (21 & sailing UK, Fellowship Afloat); & World Cup’s legacy.
Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend ourselves this day.
Let thy presence be with us to its close.
Strengthen us to remember that in whatsoever good work we do we are serving thee.
Give us a diligent and watchful spirit,
that we may seek in all things to know thy will,
and knowing it, gladly to perform it;
to the honour of thy name. Amen.
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