There are two forms of art: The art of addition. The artist takes a blank canvas and, with careful brush strokes, adds paint to the empty space, creating a masterpiece. The art of subtraction. The artist takes a block of stone and carefully removes unwanted pieces of rock, revealing the masterpiece that was already there. … Continue reading The Art of Subtraction
100 Days
God doesn’t waste anything. At the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown, uncertain how to communicate with the church I love, I decided to broadcast an online devotion each evening, thinking I might do this for a week or two at maximum. It turned out that I prepared 100 short talks and delivered them ‘live’ … Continue reading 100 Days
The whole earth…
In a secular age, where the sacred is pushed to the margins, to place the holy at the centre of our lives is an act of rebellion. We are resisting the cultural conspiracy that treats casually that which is divine. As Advent approaches, our celebration of sacred days becomes a way of resisting the attractions … Continue reading The whole earth…
The Disordered Heart
Over the years I’ve spoken and written much about the human heart because I’ve become convinced that everything we do and say is a result of the heart’s overflow. I usually describe what it takes to form a healthy heart, and I’ve rarely focused on the signs of a disordered heart. But in the same … Continue reading The Disordered Heart
Stillness
‘Be still and know that I am God’ Surrounded by chaos and complexity, stillness is our form of resistance. Stillness becomes our subversive rebellion. It’s the way we fight against the magnetic pull of noise and hurry. We breathe deeply. Slowly. We quieten the chatter in our heads. We rest our striving hearts. And we … Continue reading Stillness
Imperfect Gifts?
Feed the five thousand? How much food does it take to feed a crowd like that? Five lorry loads full? Jesus is given a gift. Five loaves and two fish. It’s not enough. It’s an imperfect gift. Jesus takes the imperfect gift in his hands. He lifts it up toward the heavens. He gives thanks. … Continue reading Imperfect Gifts?