Author Archives: Barrie Cooper

It’s not the first time that lone trees have caught my attention. This fine specimen was captured a couple of years ago; pre-pandemic. The more observant will notice that in fact, the tree is not alone completely, and that there are other trees available on a further hill! During the season of Lent, which weContinue reading “Alone?”

It loooks like a bridge or a quay to nowhere; well in my mind it does! I love the photograph because it has so many elements. It holds the attention of the observer, as we try to pull together our individual understanding of its meaning. We have an inbuilt need to make sense of whatContinue reading “One step beyond.”

‘You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.’ Psalm 63, verse 1 Powerful words from the pen of the Psalmist. What is conjoured up in your mind as you read? I think thatContinue reading “Soul Thirst”

How would you define ‘Serenity’? For me, it speaks of calm in the midst of storm, or a sense of peace that touches our spirit and transforms our thinking. The line of trees gives a sense of what I’m searching for, along with the road disappearing into mist. The trees act as simple signposts, definingContinue reading “Serenity”

We have entered the season of Lent; a period of time for self reflection, and also looking ahead to the events of Easter week. Time moves on apace. This photograph was taken in May last year. The juxtaposition of the signpost and the small bird, with its head cocked to one side, seemingly listening forContinue reading “Listening…”

The word that resonates in my heart and soul as I sit down to write today’s blog. Held. It describes how I feel in the ups and downs of life. Held by the love and grace of God every moment, But to be honest there are plenty of times when I feel adrift and uncertain.Continue reading “Held……”

The days are lengthening and despite the rain, snow and hail, followed by double digit temperatures, we are heading towards spring! This photograph was taken last year as spring took hold. There is a real sense of optimism as the leaves raise themselves to the light. a palpable pulse of renewed energy. But I’m jumpingContinue reading “Waiting time….”

We will all have our own thoughts and definitions of the word, Wisdom. It doesn’t seem to be in common usage these days, perhaps because it has gone out of fashion or lost the power it once carried. Libraries are repositories of collective human wisdom. The internet also has become a further place to discoverContinue reading “Wisdom”

Words seem like an interruption, faced with the photograph I’ve used for this moment. It speaks about the tenaciousness of life; the ability of living things to adapt and change and find the elements for growth in the most unlikely of places or moments. New life and growth is a wonderous thing to behold; eachContinue reading “Growth….”

I love the look of this foggy photograph. It adequately describes my thinking as I set to writing today’s blog! The picture is not foggy enough to obliterate the scene, but there is that sense of a ‘tipping point’ as the fog rolls in. But it may dissipate, and the scene would be transformed….take fromContinue reading “Fog!”