Prayer

"Prayer does not mean simply to pour out one's heart. It means rather to find the way to God and to speak with him, whether the heart is full or empty." From Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible

Seen above: "Pour Out The Heart" by C. Robin Janning

Why?

"I have often wondered why I am called black. And what purpose it serves to refer to any group by the amount of melanin in their skin?

... I am called black, and listen to country music most of the time, jazz, and classical every now and then, have mixed relatives, went to mixed schools, live in a mixed neighborhood, eat pizza, tuna, tacos, turkey or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I believe in people, focused work, productive play and self honesty. I play no sports but favor cooperative exercises over competitive ones. I create art that sings hope, beauty, and the complications of simplicity."

Words and Image by Jerome Lawrence
Seen above: "Tulips are People VII"

Reflections On Living Water

The Art Blog at Episcopal Cafe ...

by John Holliger

"All my life I have journeyed up the chanting river of life to find the Source. Such bliss of searching for that One who is just around the next boulder… and find that One already flowing freely within me. You in me and I in you." MORE>>

Seen above: Words and image by John Holliger

Autumn

Joan Chittister reminds us, “Today, Sept. 22, we celebrate the autumn equinox, the only day of the year in which daytime and nighttime are of exactly equal length. From now on daytime will begin to wane. But there is nothing to fear from this diminishment of the kind of life associated with sunlight. The nighttimes of life have their beauty and their lessons, too.”

Seen above, "The Golden Hour" by Brie Dodson

Blessing

"The beauty of blessing is that it recognizes no barriers—and no distances. All the given frontiers of blockage that separate us can be penetrated by the loving subtlety of blessing."

Photograph by The Rev. Scott Fisher, St. Mattews, Fairbanks
Text by John O'Donohue in "To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings"

Not Only One Thing

we are not
only one thing
not just measured line,
not just wild abandoned curve,
neither color, nor "no color."

we are assemblages of light and shadow
divine constructions built to remind
...the Lord is with/in us.

Image: "Untitled" by Moses Hoskins
painting and drawing media on canvas
54 x 80 inches

Words: C. Robin Janning

Voice Within

I just wanted to share this self-portrait titled Voice Within. I was
inspired by this quote:

“Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice
within yourself.
Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity
of all things.”
Dogen (1200 - 1253)

Japanese religious leader

Being surrounded by strong, unyielding ideals, I have learned to
listen my voice within.

This "listening" has blossomed within me. This precious gift has
helped me become more aware of the awesome beauty and wisdom of God's
world. My heart sings.

Image and words by Jeanelle McCall, all rights reserved

Our Secret Gardens

"Awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path."

by John O'Donohue in "To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings"

Seen above "Secret Garden" by Diane Walker