Author Archives: Barrie Cooper

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for reading this blog. I’m not writing anything today; just in need of a break. May your day and each moment be blessed by the peace that passes all understanding. Blessings and Peace, Barrie

‘Give me a moment’. A simple phrase with profound consequences. I guess we all utter the phrase sometime during the week; subliminally to ourselves, or to another. It’s about having ‘space’, however you wish to define that. ‘Living in the moment’ is a phrase we might use. I am really poor at doing what seemsContinue reading “The Moment”

Being a native of the Wirral, a peninsula, sitting across the River Mersey from Liverpool, tunnels are important! There is the Mersey Railway Tunnel, opened in 1886, and two road tunnels; The Queensway, opened in 1934 and the Kingway opened in 1971. So, there’s some trivia for a rainy day! This photograph is simply capturingContinue reading “Tunnel”

I remember reading Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, 26 years ago, in my first year as a Prison Chaplain. It had a profound effect on me. The story of a man who spent 27 years in prison, for daring to stand up to injustice on a industrial scale. The title is simple but profound,Continue reading “Let it shine!”

I feel slightly awkward writing today’s blog. It’s 10.47 in the morning on 29th April…no where near the dimming of the day. But this photograph chose me and I’m led to write on the theme!!! Helen and I are great fans of the singer, Alison Krauss. She sings a very evocative version of the BonnyContinue reading “Dimming of the day..”

Light and darkness….hope and fear. Balance is the thing, but hard to reach sometimes. In my years working as a Chaplain in Prisons I had my fair share of trying to maintain balance, in the midst of fear, and the desire for hope, personally and for others. At times I was drained of hope andContinue reading “Hope”

I think the word, ‘Thanks’ is the most powerful in the English language. It can change a moment; transforn a relationship; break down barriers…..the list is endless! I just want to thank you for taking time to read my musings; it is a blessing to me that you do. Sorry that sounds very self referential!Continue reading “Thanks”

So much time, to think, ponder, wonder, worry, try to make sense of all that unfolds in our world and planet. Moments to remember what has passed in our lives; hopes, fears, longings, missed opportunities, and looking ahead, if we dare, to what might be. Our vision of our lives in this place in whichContinue reading “The Road”

Need I say any more?! Photograph taken on our daily walk. What is going through the bird’s mind? How do we see things; ourselves, the times we are going through. God in all this. A prayer; Lord we are seeking, but not always finding. Moving, but not catching up. Questioning, but silence reigns. Lost, butContinue reading “Humour”

I guess that’s about it! If I may share something…where does all this thinking of mine lead? I was heading for a no blog day. Then had a look at some photographs I took on a lunchtime walk with Helen a couple of hours ago. The phrase, ‘blue sky thinking’ popped into my mind. ItContinue reading “Blue sky thinking”