Collaborative Art

I do just love to doodle.
A few weeks ago sitting next to my grand daughter (7), school homework had been on our minds, that finished I placed a clean sheet of paper on my clipboard.
I said, "Lets draw something together." Grabbing a pencil each and with no prescriptive idea in mind we set to it. We had a lot of fun.
So on her next visit she said "Let's draw something together again" and we did. And the visit after that I was busy in another room, she gathered supplies and sought me out. I love how she is inspired to draw/doodle with me.
My favourite so far has to be N°2'sqigglings.
I love the giraffe with a mane, cats whiskers, an assortment of animal legs and makes the sound Troty Meow; a worm that goes quack and a lot lot more. Such a busy interesting collaberative doodle.

Weeds

Inside Out

Judith's Task

Isaiah 55:11

... so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  

We worry we are not good enough for God. We list our failures one, two,three...
But that is not how God sees us, when we ask him to forgive us he does, he sees a clean sheet. 

Likewise, we think we are not good enough to serve God, we are too rough, too imprecise, too foolish. 

If we have listened to the words of God, scripture, prayer, pictures, Holy Spirit -  if we go on to use it however crudely or precisely in a Godly manner, a harvest from his word will return to him having achieved it's intended harvesting potential. 

And that is not for us always to know...

Post Script
This blog was written in a workshop at Cambridge Christian Writers as a 5 minute exercise

"Using a verse you like, write something about it."

As we were talking about blogging this evening, whilst others read theirs out, I decided to load it onto my blog for them all to read off the main screen.  The illustration I squiggled on my tablet. 

From being given the task, to being published online took less than 10 minutes - though I did return to sort out some of the formatting and add this explanation.

Lunch Time by Bike

Feeding time.

This collared dove has taken possession of our Bird Table, automatically arriving as I put food out

Checks around to ensure no competition, 

Then tucks in till the grate is clean...

How do I encourage other birds in, and discourage this gent without being mean to him?

Right now it is all about snow.

Looking out the back door I stood and pondered,
No birds on the snow capped bird-feeder,
Or hopping around in white expanse.
A virgin cover across the garden,
New life underneath, waiting to burst forth.

Looking forward to spring, colourful displays shard forth,
But for now we'll make best we can,
Whilst watching youngsters having fun,
As we hide behind walls of glass.

Sounding the Seasons

Sounding the Seasons
70 Sonnets for the Christian Year
By Malcolm Guite

I've had the pleasure of knowing Malcolm and his wife Maggie since before they were wed, watching as they set out to carve their own ecclesiastical path in life. What an adventurous trail they have roamed!

Over the years I have memories of Puddleduck the Barge, Bikers and their grand motor bikes in Cathedrals, evenings of beer and song as Malcolm plays in local hostelries.

'twas no surprise then to be present at the launch of Malcolm's latest book Sounding the Seasons, 68 Sonnets with Pro and Epilogue to make 70. These sonnets follow the quirky and lilting seasons through the church year giving renewed expression to a timeless narrative of God's creation and grace.

Thank you Malcolm for an interesting and entertaining evening as you and those close around you read from your book. I certainly look forward to hearing and exploring these sonnets throughout the coming years.

Tilting at Windmills

At the time of writing I am in Holland, it is proving a great place to relax, recharge, pray, read and study the bible - and to sit and chat by roaring log fires.

This morning I went out to explore, like an adventurer into the unknown. I do not speak Dutch, so unable to chat with folk as they pass by, but their friendly sounding greetings did warm my gait.

I wandered around a pond, across a bridge, along a canal and past a heron. He decided to fly off when I went to say hello, I did though get a picture of him before he left.

Maybe when I get home I will crop the picture to get a better view...

Further along was the windmill, always fascinating to visit these - maybe before I leave I will go again in dry weather with my sketch pad.

Continuing, passed by many cycles (a great dutch activity) I crossed over a few dykes and eventually returned by a different waterway passing the Town Farm with the same windmill lurking through the trees, was he waiting to ambush me?

This, I think was my really favourite view so far today.

My study this morning was in Luke, my third day on Chapter 1 verses 1-38. So thoroughly struck by Mary's phrase, 'Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word.' KJV. "
I am so in agreement,  and repeat -

I am your servant O Lord, may it be to me as you lead. 

Amen

Time Change

I have just penned a poem of sorts, in the hours leading up to clocks going back.
An audio version is here.

Following a wind and hail filled day,

Clouds hanging thickly, darkness wrapped around,

The last few hours, ticking slowly by.

Folk gathered together lifting a pint - thirst to quench,

Or dancing in the barns, or in their homes already set.

 

Clocks tick tock, steady pace,

a slow swing to and fro,

Midnight approaches,

The last few hours, ticking slowly by.

Harvest Moon will be in Pisces now,

We wait – and wait some more,

Time will not be hurried.

 

Soon, not long, at 2am - BS will change to GM

And as 2am approaches again

The long cold journey - drawn out evenings,

Crackling fires or the drone of central heating

With summer but a memory, but gladly still to come

Beckoning us from far ahead,

For now, Autumn and winter to enjoy.