So Intimately Connected

~ There are many time When I cannot pray ~ When I am too tired Too restless ~ Too exhausted Too depressed ~ But I look At these images ~ So intimately connected In love. ~ Inspired by words from 'Behold the Beauty of the Lord' by Henri Nouwen ~

A Year of Inspirers (5): Henri Nouwen & “The Return of the Prodigal Son”

Henri Nouwen has inspired me in so many ways. He was born on 24th January 1932. “Return of the Prodigal Son” is a wonderful book by him that inspired a whole collection I wrote, called “Returning to the Father”. Fleeing Again and again I have fled the hands of blessing . Made myself deaf to …

Reaching Out (1) – Why bother with spirituality?

Reaching Out is a book by Henri Nouwen exploring ways to reach out to ourselves, to others and to God. Nouwen says that “The question about the spiritual life is a very challenging question.  It touches the core of life” (p. xvi) It is “born out of struggles” (p. xv) But is “worth the effort …

I arise (2) – Belovedness

This series of posts was insired by The Lorica of St. Patrick, a long prayer of protection that has inspired millions down through the centuries. It beings with such inspiration, repeating the phrase "I arise" - perfect as we rise, and the sun rises, for the start of each new day. The line this post …

Logos Therapy (4) – Loved and Beloved

Perhaps none of us has the experience of always feeling unconditionally loved all the time – but if there is anything in the concept of logos therapy – a combination of the role of meaning and of Christocentric spirituality – then love is going to play an important part.  It in the Christian New Testament …

Garden of Solitude

. When you are By yourself . Separate In your finitude . Is there a desert Of loneliness . Or a garden Of solitude? . Inspired by words of Henri Nouwen Photo by Elle Hughes from Pexels

Spiritual Reflection: A Wonderful Creation

. "Perhaps one of the greatest traps in life is self-rejection".  Henri Nouwen wrote that, and his lovely little book Life of the Beloved affirms that we are all wonderful creations.  We may not feel this way all the time!  But it can really help us on our spiritual way, to know that we are created, …

Inspiring Icons – Mother and Child

"Her eyes look inward and outward at once. They look inward to the heart of God and outward to the heart of the world"Henri Nouwen, in Behold the Beauty of the Lord, p.33 The Virgin of Vladimir

Inspirers: Henri Nouwen – “Return of the Prodigal Son” (2)

Henri Nouwen has inspired me in so many ways that each book of his deserves its own mention! “Return of the Prodigal Son” is a wonderful book that inspired a whole collection I wrote, called “Returning to the Father”. Fleeing Again and again I have fled the hands of blessing . Made myself deaf to …

Inspiring Books: The Return of the Prodigal Son (Henri Nouwen)

"All of my life is there.  All of the lives of my friends is there.  The painting has become a mysterious window...It is like a huge gate that allows  me to move to the other side of existence and look from there back into the odd assortment of people and events that make up my daily …