Author Archives: Barrie Cooper

What a wonderful word! Mystified,,,mmmmm! You just want to let it bounce around in your thinking space, and let it speak. No answers, plenty of questions, acceptance. Endless reflection. Perhaps I’ll leave it just there…allowing you to make your own reflection. But you can do that anyway! As you can tell we are still shroudedContinue reading “Mystified..”

For days now we have been enveloped in mist; called sea fret in these parts. The photograph was taken a couple of days ago in the early evening. It takes some concentration and time to ‘see’ the image, which reveals itself in stages! It got me thinking about how I observe and see things. BeContinue reading “Seeing”

My reflection last Friday took us to the fountain in a place of retreat I experienced a few years ago. This purpose built retreat space has a number of self contained study and living spaces. On my first visit, I was given the study room named ‘Carceri’. In English, ‘Prison’. St Francis had his ownContinue reading “Still small voice”

Good news is always very energising. It is food for the soul. Even in these days through which we pass, those simple acts of kindness resonate in our hearts and lift our spirits. The Lectionary readings for this First Sunday after Trinity are packed full of good news! The Old Testament reading places us inContinue reading “Peace with God”

Greetings! Saturday is always a break time from the blog. Apart from a photograph and a few words. This was taken a moment ago a few meters from the house. No island to be seen! Always reaching for that point just out of sight; there but hidden. A picture of our spiritual journey. May theContinue reading “Island View”

Jesus often used the natural world as a means to access the spiritual world. He clearly understood that the two were woven together. This has always been a very powerful connection for me. Jesus once made this massively bold claim, recorded in John’s Gospel; ‘Whever believes in me, out of their hearts will flow riversContinue reading “Water of life”

500 year old oak tree, in the grounds of Dunham Massey Hall in Cheshire. A special place, close to the parish where I was a curate. The photograph was taken last summer. Who could have predicted all that would unfold in the following year. Still, it opens wide its arms to embrace and offer hopeContinue reading “The Praising Tree”

We all make them everyday! Unique to us, tellers of tales, and witnesses to our lives. There are all kinds of tracks in this photograph, taken some weeks ago. I have no idea who these individuals are; their story, their hopes, their fears, their dreams. They probably made their tracks in the sand at differentContinue reading “Footsteps”

I can’t claim to have photographed this image of the Crab Nebula! The remants of a star, which was recorded exploding in historical time (1054) by Chinese and Japanese astronomers. The whole thing is six light years across and continues to expand! Brain freeze! How to comprehend such a thing; it leaves me speechless withContinue reading “To Infinity and beyond!”

Interesting title for today’s blog, Barrie!! Just while I try and assemble my thoughts, I took the photgraph last year, heading out of Warkworth towards Alnmouth; a sea of flax in flower! Hhmmmm. I remember being overwhelmed by the scene, almost too much to process. So like I normally do, I took a photograph. LittleContinue reading “Hhhmmmm!”