World Poetry Day

Do you ever find it challenging to follow God?

In honour of World Poetry Day, here is the very first poem from the very first book I ever published.  

As God calls me to something new and unexpected, it feels as relevant today as it did all those years ago ...

It may not be an easy option, to respond to God's invitations, but experience has taught me it's the most life-giving way to live.

                Not An Easy Option

    Stirring the easy slumbers

    of my consciousness,

    he jolts me

    from the cosy rut

    I’d channelled for myself.

    Breaking the mould of others’ expectations,

    he questions once more

    the status quo in me.

    Prompting me to steer my route

    across uncharted ground,

    he challenges me

    to set my feet on pathways new.

 

    It’s not an easy option, following God.

 

    For he calls me in directions

    where I had not thought to go,

    requires of me

    a courage which I did not think I had,

    turns on their head

    my preconceived ideas and plans.

 

    It’s not an easy option,

    following God.

From 'Whispers of Love', available from my online shop.

You can read more of my poetry on my Poetry Pages.

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Journeying to Easter

 Looking for a creative resource to bless your Easter?  

                                                                                    Look no further!

The Gift of a Cross 

is a collection of poetry based on the Gospel stories of Holy Week.

Through 70 poems, the book mirrors the journey of Jesus from Palm Sunday to the empty tomb, and beyond; inviting you to put yourself in the heart of the story, as if you were there.

The book is on offer now at the special price of 

                            £7.75 inc. postage. 

 You can order it here: 

                           https://shop.patmarsh.co.uk/

I just have a few copies left ... 

Sweeter than Honey - Psalm 19

For those who haven’t seen the book yet, here’s an extract from 

Dwelling in the Psalms

Who cannot fail to bow down in wonder at the beauty of God’s world? It speaks of the glory of God more powerfully than any words can. His radiant beauty and intricate care shine forth from every aspect of creation. His love in the details is apparent wherever we look. And that same One who birthed all this into being breathed his life-giving words into Scripture. When we feed on those words and allow them to sink into our soul we will recognise them as sweeter than honey, purer than purest gold; another facet of God’s perfect plan.

God of the swirling cosmos,

thank you

for the countless ways

in which you speak to me.

 Help me

to stand in awe

before your natural world;

feed me with its beauty,

stun me with its artistry,

help me to recognise your hand

in every tiny detail.

 Give me an appreciation

of the unimaginable love

woven into creation

and the love

breathed into your Word.

 Deepen my desire

to know you more

and to live

as you designed me to.

 Amen

For more reflections and prayers like this, 

together with contemporary interpretations of each psalm, 

"Dwelling in the Psalms" can be purchased through Amazon, my online shop and all good Christian bookshops.

This lovely book makes the ancient psalms more accessible. 

Verses from each psalm are interpreted, reflected upon and a prayer offered. 

If you have found some psalms difficult to fully understand,

then this is the book for you.

Barbara Dodd

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An Epiphany Through Music

How to put into words an experience that was beyond words?  That’s my dilemma today.

My whole heart is to help people find healing, whatever that means for them. This longing has shaped my ministry for over twenty years and led to the development of retreats and resources to enable that. 

There are many different pathways to healing and last week I was privileged to experience the very special ministry of the musicians of Epiphany, on their ‘The Space’ retreat at Launde Abbey.  I experienced first-hand the transformative power of music to take us deeply into the healing presence of God, anointing inner wounds that are hard to access through words alone. 

Unique to the ministry of Epiphany is their creation of ‘sound portraits’.  These gifted and deeply prayerful musicians, guided by impressions given them through the Spirit, play spontaneous improvised music over an individual, creating a ‘portrait’ in sound of what they believe God wants to say to that person.

The immersive experience leads the listener to a powerful and profoundly personal healing encounter.  We find ourselves standing on holy ground.  And it is truly transformative.

epiphany

1. a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, 

or suddenly become conscious of, something that is very important to you

2. a powerful religious experience

definition from the Cambridge Dictionary

On both counts above, my recent retreat experience was indeed an epiphany for me. I felt immensely loved, gently healed, deeply known, and powerfully guided towards the next step in my journey with God.

The group of people who call themselves Epiphany are classically trained musicians at the highest level but also, more importantly, followers of Jesus at the deepest level.  Retreats are only a small part of what they do. They generously take their beautiful ministry into a wide variety of secular settings too, reaching out to others with God’s healing love. 

Do check them out and support or invite them.  And join them on a retreat if you are able; I guarantee it will be special.

You can find them later this year at Scargill House and Ashburnham Place.

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"Healing Life's Wounds" Oasis Day

In need of a spiritual oasis?

Interested in my new book, 'Healing Life's Wounds'?

Like to gently explore it in the company of others   ...   from your own home?

Then this is for you ...

An Oasis Day

Tuesday February 10th (10.30am - 3pm)

Healing Life's Wounds

a Zoom event

hosted by

Revd Martin Davies and Spiritual Director Jane Franklin

"Oasis Days"

offer quiet reflection for people who would like to re-charge their spiritual batteries.

Each event is a mixture of prayer, reflection, input from the speakers, and some silence :

a retreat day in the comfort of your own home.

All are welcome.

To join in with this event, 

email Jane Franklin - janefranklinretreats@gmail.com

who will gladly send you an invitation.

I am deeply indebted to Martin and Jane for leading this day whilst I continue to be on sabbatical.

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150 holy mornings

'Dwelling in the Psalms', is a contemporary interpretation for our times; a modern reflection on the ancient texts, pin-pointing their relevance for today.

This is how it came about ...

150 days.
150 psalms.
150 holy mornings.
150 wrestles for understanding.
150 searches for inspiration.
150 insights.
150 prayers.

Recovery from surgery provided the space.
              Intention became discipline.
                              Ancient texts revealed their wisdom.
                                             Struggle morphed into a love affair.
                                                               Challenge became joy.

                               It was a privilege to write it. 

                               I pray you'll find it healing to pray with it.

It's on Special Offer in this post-Christmas season:

                             just £9.95 from my website.

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A New Prayer Practice?

This season of the year, between Christmas and Easter is a great time to begin to pray your way through the Psalms.

It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, 

"The more deeply we grow into the psalms and the more often we pray them as our own, the more simple and rich will our prayer become.”

This has been my own experience as I prayed my way through all 150 psalms.  The result is my book, "Dwelling in the Psalms".  How often do you pray the psalms "as your own"?  Not always easy, is it?  How often do the words of them feel relevant to your own individual situation; right now, today?  What would it be like to write them as if they'd come from your heart; as if they echoed your experience, gave words to your struggles?

Giving my own contemporary voice to the ancient texts enabled me to really make the psalms my own.  And, if you haven't come across the book yet, maybe my thoughts can help you do the same.  

But don't take my word for it.  Here's what others say -

A book to ponder and savour, perfect for personal devotions.

Sheridan Voysey

A wonderful book.

Pat Marsh's poetic gift is extraordinary and not a word is wasted.

Penny Bird

“Dwelling in the Psalms” 

150 modern interpretations,  each with an accompanying devotional and related prayer.

Now available at the knock-down price of £9.95 

from my website.

Why not treat yourself and power up your prayer life?

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