Author Archives: Barrie Cooper

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”

I’m not immediately sure why I’ve chosen this photograph. It was taken last summer whilst we were visiting friends in North Wales. But here it is. There are lots of elements in the scene; light, shade, moving water; fallen tree. If we give ourselves a space, we will experience our own interpretation. Just try itContinue reading “Crossing Point”

Forgive the lack of a post today…but here’s something late on! My best friend has just taken up icon painting and very generously gave me this icon of St Basil….of whom more tomorrow! I placed a statue of Buddha in fromt of St Basil, as a reminder of the diverse and very precious world weContinue reading “Something Understood?”

I’m getting into some kind of pattern in the writing of this daily blog. Patterns are not really my thing, but to be frank if I don’t ‘patternise’ (sorry) my thinking, this would never happen. The pattern for the moment (subject to change) is that I’ll look back through photograph albums and then choose oneContinue reading “Doubt and faith”

I wanted to start my reflection with this image I took yesterday. Nothing really deep and meaningful to say about it; I’ll just let it speak for itself. Self giving is around us and within us all on one level or another. Acts of kindness from others to us, and vice versa. In these momentsContinue reading “Self giving”