Author Archives: Barrie Cooper

As I was looking through my photograph albums, I came across this. Amble harbour and the old coal staithes. I’ll simply leave you to reflect on the scene and develop your own musing! Peace be with you.

I took this photograph because of the juxtaposition of the willow tree coming into leaf, and the whispy clouds above. It has the sense of the tree dancing with the clouds, out of sheer joy. Creation praising the creator…. There is a time for dancing,.. a time for thinking… a time for praising and aContinue reading “Dancing…”

These shutters have seen better days. They were photographed in a French village about 7 years ago. I think I was captivated by the one open and one closed shutter. The open one has seen better days and is almost hanging there for ornament, the other firmly shut and not moving. Their purpose has beenContinue reading “Open or closed?”

This morning’s sunrise. No storm, no heavy sea, just a gentle moment. Words seem too much of an intrusion, so I shall simply offer a prayer. In this moment of reflection, at the beginning of the day I bring who I am into your presence, Lord. No demands or questions, just thankfulness, for being ableContinue reading “Arise!”

The interplay of stained glass and light is always energising, I’m sure you will agree. The skill involved in creating it in the first place, and the stories that it tells. Medieval crafts people leaving their world view for later generations. Heavenly light transmitted by human craft. Bold statement of life here and beyond. VisionsContinue reading “Heavenly light”

There’s a rather old fashioned hymn that popped into my consciousness as I wondered what to focus on this morning. It was written in the mid 19th century and the first line is…’Will your anchor hold in the storms of life….’ You will now have the tune and words running through your thoughts all day…sorry!Continue reading “Sun, sea, storm”

This year seems to have been a very good year for fruit. Apples seem to be in abundance and the other day I had to take this photograph of sea buckthorn berries; they were just proclaiming..’Look at me!!!’ Helen and I had to stop for a moment just to almost draw breath. A gift inContinue reading “Profusion…”

I honestly couldn’t think of a title for this scene! So Hmmm is the best I can offer! I’ve often reflected on light and shadows as a metaphor for life, including our own inner journey. However we regard faith and belief we all have to deal with our own mental map , Sometimes this worksContinue reading “Hmmm!”

This picture which a took a few years ago, got me thinking about my thought life! Quite often I can find myself being turned back to a particular worry or thought pattern, which I seem unable to break out of. Very frustrating. The spiral staircase somehow made me think about those choices we make everyContinue reading “Spiralling…”

Moon rise yesterday; a proper harvest moon! Whenever I see the moon in all it’s glory, It reminds me of the first moon landing in July 20th, 1969, when I was 12 years old. It utterley captivated me on all kinds of levels. Humankind walking on another world. The promise of so much. Excitement andContinue reading “Reaching out”