I'm pleased to share with you that you can now buy my books and cards directly from the link on the top right of this page. At last I have an online shop! Please do point potential customers to this link. I look forward to receiving lots of orders!
Many thanks to you all for your prayerful support in recent times. I'm happy to report that my health is now much restored. When I look back over the last nine months, quoting Dickens, 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' But it has brought me to a place of unexpected blessings. When there was no other way to heal, there was nothing to do but to go deeper into God. My ill-health forced me to evaluate whether I was living in the most appropriate way to enable my ministry. And the Retreat Association Conference proved to be a kairos time in my thinking. As a result, I have now settled into quiet contemplative rhythms which are helping me, as a friend prayed recently, to 'grow strong in the Lord'.
I shall be continuing to take Sabbath time whilst I consolidate these rhythms and try to discern what God calls me to next. Please pray for protection on this special time, for sustained good health and for the gift of discernment and wisdom to know when to step back into ministry. Creative writing is starting to flow again and I am confident that further time in quiet prayer and reflective reading will bear fruit in future days.
I will be making myself available to lead a limited number of retreats in 2013.
My thanks again for your continuing support.
May the Lord meet you in all of your needs, whatever they may be.
.
Saturday, 30 June 2012
Sunday, 6 May 2012
A New Book!
Thank you to you all for the immense love, support and encouragement which has flowed to me in so many different forms throughout my recent health struggles. I shall be continuing to take Sabbath space for a little while longer and have currently laid aside all ministry commitments whilst I settle into rhythms that are life-giving and health-enhancing for me. Please pray for me as I journey towards a full restoration of my health.
I have not been completely inactive though and am thrilled to share with you the news that I am partnering with Mary Fleeson of the Lindisfarne Scriptorium to produce a book which will be a resource for meditation and prayer. I have long been an admirer of Mary's hugely anointed Christian artwork and it is an enormous privilege to be invited to collaborate with her. The book will be a special combination of my words and Mary's artwork and we expect it to be available before the end of the year. Please pray for Mary as she undertakes the final design work on this project. And please pray blessings on her own very gifted ministry. Mary's beautiful artwork can be viewed online here.
The publication of the Christmas book is on the back-burner for a little while, as are various other writing projects and dreams ... ... but I feel as if I am moving forwards again and a recent time of refreshment on the Northumbrian coast has helped enormously.
Health permitting, I hope to attend two events in the coming weeks: Written by the Spirit and the Retreat Association Conference. Please pray for spirit-filled blessings from these events and for the health to enjoy them.
My continuing thanks to you all for your prayerful support.
.
I have not been completely inactive though and am thrilled to share with you the news that I am partnering with Mary Fleeson of the Lindisfarne Scriptorium to produce a book which will be a resource for meditation and prayer. I have long been an admirer of Mary's hugely anointed Christian artwork and it is an enormous privilege to be invited to collaborate with her. The book will be a special combination of my words and Mary's artwork and we expect it to be available before the end of the year. Please pray for Mary as she undertakes the final design work on this project. And please pray blessings on her own very gifted ministry. Mary's beautiful artwork can be viewed online here.
The publication of the Christmas book is on the back-burner for a little while, as are various other writing projects and dreams ... ... but I feel as if I am moving forwards again and a recent time of refreshment on the Northumbrian coast has helped enormously.
Health permitting, I hope to attend two events in the coming weeks: Written by the Spirit and the Retreat Association Conference. Please pray for spirit-filled blessings from these events and for the health to enjoy them.
My continuing thanks to you all for your prayerful support.
.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
A Sabbath Pause
My year begins with a sabbath pause ...
Following a recent period of ill-health, I shall be continuing to take a break from retreat leading whilst I concentrate on restoring my health. This will require me to have a mix of rest and relaxation (to restore myself mentally), alongside the need for a disciplined regime of exercise and massage (to restore my lymphatic system to health). This could be a tricky balance to achieve and your prayers would be appreciated.
One thing that I will be investigating during this time is how mindfulness meditation can help people to heal. I am hopeful that this will be beneficial not only to myself but to others whom I work alongside in the future.
Hopefully, as I step aside from retreat leading, there may be more time to write. I am currently close to completing a book of meditations for the Christmas season. Please pray that a mainstream Christian publisher will be willing to take on the publication of this.
Thank you for your support through your love, prayers and encouragement during my recent health struggles. I have valued your love enormously and hope to be able to share positive news about my health when I next write.
.
Following a recent period of ill-health, I shall be continuing to take a break from retreat leading whilst I concentrate on restoring my health. This will require me to have a mix of rest and relaxation (to restore myself mentally), alongside the need for a disciplined regime of exercise and massage (to restore my lymphatic system to health). This could be a tricky balance to achieve and your prayers would be appreciated.
One thing that I will be investigating during this time is how mindfulness meditation can help people to heal. I am hopeful that this will be beneficial not only to myself but to others whom I work alongside in the future.
Hopefully, as I step aside from retreat leading, there may be more time to write. I am currently close to completing a book of meditations for the Christmas season. Please pray that a mainstream Christian publisher will be willing to take on the publication of this.
Thank you for your support through your love, prayers and encouragement during my recent health struggles. I have valued your love enormously and hope to be able to share positive news about my health when I next write.
.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Advent waiting
Advent. In the church year ... a season of waiting ... a pregnant pause, as we prepare to celebrate a birth. In reality, for many, a season of stress. For others, a time of heightened grieving ... a season when we become aware again of our losses ... and try to somehow hold them within the mystery of Love Incarnate.
I find myself in that 'waiting space' this Advent. Following a very busy couple of months and a very powerful retreat at Green Pastures, my own health has taken a downturn and I have had to step back for a while in order to rest, recover and rebuild. This is teaching me much about the need for balance in my life, and I sense that something indefinable will be birthed through this time. So 'Advent waiting' is a reality for me this year. I am 'chilling out with God' as I gently rebuild my health. Please pray for me.
It was a huge privilege to facilitate a very moving 'Touching the Cloak' retreat in October, and a great joy subsequently to receive news of significant healings that grew out of that time. I am always thrilled and deeply humbled when healings happen. Give thanks for Christ the healer.
Unfortunately I have had to withdraw from leading the Advent retreat at Glenfall House, but the event will go ahead and be led by someone else. Please pray for the retreat leader as they step into my shoes at short notice.
Thank you for your continuing prayer support. May the Lord bless you as we journey through Advent towards the celebration of the Saviour's birth.
I send you all my love.
.
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Autumn News
Autumn finds me in a busy season of ministry, but a week of silence at a Franciscan hermitage has been a good preparation.
Your prayers would be hugely appreciated.
My diary for the coming six weeks includes, two Quiet Days, a 4-day retreat at Green Pastures, a healing training course, a presentation, a short time at Rydal Hall and a week of conversations around the healing ministry; along with on-going reflections on a proposal for my own church.
Taking into account the preparation and recovery time needed for these events, this doesn't leave much time for rest and renewal.
Do please pray for me!
Please pray for stamina, inspiration & balance over the next 6 weeks; and for the Holy Spirit's empowering. You can see my diary by scrolling down on the right if you wish to pray more specifically.
It was a joy yesterday to lead a Quiet Day for Caverswall parish, on the theme, "Abide in Me". A very receptive group of people had some powerful Godly encounters as they 'abided' in Him.
Give thanks and pray for continued blessings for the Caverswall folks.
I am increasingly aware that the Lord calls me to a contemplative lifestyle and a ministry with a focus on healing. I'm still in the process of discerning exactly where I should put my energies next year, but the picture is becoming clearer. Again, please do keep praying.
Finances continue to be very tight, as they are for many people at this time. Please give thanks for those who lovingly support me in this way and pray that the Lord will continue to have His hand on the finances needed to underpin my ministry.
A few other snippets of news:
To my great excitement, the new Whispers of Love e-book is starting to sell ... I now have an electronic readership!
An update on my grandson, Jack - his course of treatment has now been completed and a recent scan revealed no sign of the cancer. As a family, we give huge thanks to all who have contributed to his healing through their care, skills and prayers.
On a personal level, there is now less of me! I am now just 2lbs short of attaining my target of losing 3 stone by October 1st. Thank you to all who have helped to raise funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital through sponsoring me and encouraging me (and hiding the chocolate cakes!).
May the Lord bless you all, through this autumnal season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Thank you for your ongoing friendship and prayer support.
.
Your prayers would be hugely appreciated.
My diary for the coming six weeks includes, two Quiet Days, a 4-day retreat at Green Pastures, a healing training course, a presentation, a short time at Rydal Hall and a week of conversations around the healing ministry; along with on-going reflections on a proposal for my own church.
Taking into account the preparation and recovery time needed for these events, this doesn't leave much time for rest and renewal.
Do please pray for me!
Please pray for stamina, inspiration & balance over the next 6 weeks; and for the Holy Spirit's empowering. You can see my diary by scrolling down on the right if you wish to pray more specifically.
It was a joy yesterday to lead a Quiet Day for Caverswall parish, on the theme, "Abide in Me". A very receptive group of people had some powerful Godly encounters as they 'abided' in Him. Give thanks and pray for continued blessings for the Caverswall folks.
I am increasingly aware that the Lord calls me to a contemplative lifestyle and a ministry with a focus on healing. I'm still in the process of discerning exactly where I should put my energies next year, but the picture is becoming clearer. Again, please do keep praying.
Finances continue to be very tight, as they are for many people at this time. Please give thanks for those who lovingly support me in this way and pray that the Lord will continue to have His hand on the finances needed to underpin my ministry.
A few other snippets of news:
To my great excitement, the new Whispers of Love e-book is starting to sell ... I now have an electronic readership!
An update on my grandson, Jack - his course of treatment has now been completed and a recent scan revealed no sign of the cancer. As a family, we give huge thanks to all who have contributed to his healing through their care, skills and prayers.On a personal level, there is now less of me! I am now just 2lbs short of attaining my target of losing 3 stone by October 1st. Thank you to all who have helped to raise funds for Birmingham Children's Hospital through sponsoring me and encouraging me (and hiding the chocolate cakes!).
May the Lord bless you all, through this autumnal season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Thank you for your ongoing friendship and prayer support.
.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Reflection Time
For those who are fans of electronic media, I'm pleased to report that the new 'Whispers of Love' is now available as an e-book, and can be purchased here. [You can also download a free sample from the book.] Personally, I prefer a nice paperback that can be thumbed through in the bath, but us starving authors have to keep up with the times ...
As the summer begins to open up, there is at last some space in my busy schedule to relax and reflect. I have just enjoyed a hugely refreshing break in beautiful Northumberland.
I am aware of being at a crossroads in my ministry (something I have written of before), and of needing to take time to reflect upon and discern where the Lord calls me to focus my energies in 2012. Yes, I really am thinking that far ahead ... . Two recent events, each with a healing focus, have reaped huge blessings, but have also opened up questions and possibilities for the future direction of my work.
Quite simply, I can't do everything that I'm invited to do, or all the things that might be possible. So, over the summer, I shall be prayerfully considering where my focus should be.
Please give thanks for recent healings facilitated ... the Lord's grace is amazing.
And please pray for me as I embark upon conversations and reflections. I'll keep you posted ...
I pray you will all be able to take time yourselves to relax and enjoy the all-too-short summer.
Thank you for your continuing interest and support.
.
As the summer begins to open up, there is at last some space in my busy schedule to relax and reflect. I have just enjoyed a hugely refreshing break in beautiful Northumberland.
I am aware of being at a crossroads in my ministry (something I have written of before), and of needing to take time to reflect upon and discern where the Lord calls me to focus my energies in 2012. Yes, I really am thinking that far ahead ... . Two recent events, each with a healing focus, have reaped huge blessings, but have also opened up questions and possibilities for the future direction of my work.
Quite simply, I can't do everything that I'm invited to do, or all the things that might be possible. So, over the summer, I shall be prayerfully considering where my focus should be.
Please give thanks for recent healings facilitated ... the Lord's grace is amazing.
And please pray for me as I embark upon conversations and reflections. I'll keep you posted ...
For all that has been, thanks.
For all that will be, yes.
Dag Hammarskjold
I pray you will all be able to take time yourselves to relax and enjoy the all-too-short summer.
Thank you for your continuing interest and support.
.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Touching the Cloak
It has been the most enormous privilege to spend the last week working with the Order of Jacob's Well, speaking and leading meditations at their annual conference. The Spirit moved in power and many people experienced significant healings, both during led meditations and in individual ministry times. We did indeed 'Touch the Cloak'. Give thanks for healings experienced.
It was a refreshing reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit and the healing available today, made possible through the death of Christ on the cross. I look forward to hearing how this continues to work itself out through the lives and ministries of those at the conference.
The week really deepened my heart for the healing ministry and has opened up several thoughts and conversations about possibilities for developing my work. I am aware of needing now to spend time in stillness and discernment, in order to know the way forward.
First, though, I will be leading a retreat at Llangasty in a couple of weeks time.
I would very much value your continued prayers.
Thank you.
Footnote:
The new edition of 'Whispers of Love' is now available on Amazon, as well as directly from myself.