Stormy

As I write it is the evening of January 06 here in New Zealand. This afternoon we've experienced an extraordinary thunderstorm that came upon us very suddenly with much drama - big lightning, crashing thunder, strong wind and driving rain from the east which is rare here. Water even seeped into the passage under the...

A Moment of both Peril and Promise

Jan 6th, Capitol. "That day, and our response to it, contain potential for both peril and promise." [final paragraph] “This is indeed a moment of both peril and promise. But if love is indeed the supreme law of God for life, as I believe it is, then God’s way of unselfish, sacrificial love for each...

Waiting for Ida

I don't know how many of you have links with Louisiana but I hope and pray that the people and places in Hurricane Ida's path can weather the storm. Being a far distant observer I know little about what lies in her path but I've searched online and scanned for links on twitter, and I'll...

No Greater Love

Stained glass church windows .. I haven't seen these in real life, yet I'm in awe! Feeling very grateful to Bishop Matthew Gunter, Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac /northeast and northcentral Wisconsin USA, who shared the first photo on Facebook. I asked permission to use it and he kindly provided me with photos of...

Life Worth Living

This is my second Cover Story .. this time for Jake's latest book which bears the same name as his blog: Looking for God in Messy Places. I've previously featured Jake's writing on my blog but for those unfamiliar with his work, Jake Owensby is Bishop of Western Louisiana (USA/Episcopal). I remember when Jake first...

Texas Hill Country

Not having my own Texas photos, nor any river photos, I opted for lovely blue flowers that I saw in Dunedin Botanic Garden on 09 October 2020, which is spring in New Zealand. I can imagine this as a blue snail!(head left-side of pic, shell in the middle, 'tail' to right). Moving on to Texas...

Truth and Freedom

This reflection by Bishop Jake Owensby (Western Louisiana) was published at his blog 15 January, titled: The Truth that Sets Us Free and I'm reposting in full for my Sunday post, with Jake's permission. It helps me glimpse a positive way forward despite the deeply disturbing events in DC and tensions in the US. Jake's...

Alabama Nature, Consecration Colour

"The Rt. Rev. Glenda S. Curry was ordained and consecrated to serve as bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Alabama on June 27 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. She is the first woman to serve as bishop in the Diocese of Alabama." --from an article in the Episcopal News Service posted...

Hymn of Life, Los Angeles

Hymn of Life: Tulips by Yayoi Kusama. Fibreglass, ceramic tile and steel (2007). City of Beverly Hills Public Art Fund. Los Angeles. Taken by Nigel in 2010.

The Way of Love

The Way of Love ain't easy [pause]. Love isn't warm fuzzies, rosy specs and feet barely touching the ground. Love's more than sympathy, it's grounded and sacrificial. I was touched by this account of two women from the Episcopal Church who were showing kindness to protesters on the patio of St. John’s Episcopal Church in...

Ennis House LA

In yesterday's post I offered a distant glimpse of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Ennis House on a hilltop in Los Feliz, Los Angeles USA. It was a truly magical experience to see this house and I don't think I had any idea of what to expect! It looks like a huge Mayan Temple and...

Hummingbird Day

This post is about the lead-up to finding the Ennis House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in Los Angeles (in 2010). We don't remember much of that day but from the photo-dates it appears we found our way there the same day we visited Hollyhock House. We remember spending time in Los Feliz and loving...