The Winter Garden is starting to show signs that spring is on the way….

The hard frozen ground has begun to soften as tender new life is breaking through. Snowdrops are taking their stand – ‘this is their moment’ – as they declare that spring is on the way….

Have you seen our new art installation inspired by a personal faith journey?

Growing Faith

Growing Faith – An Installation in Breathing Space Garden by RobArt – Installed December 2024

faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…hebrews 11.1

‘Growing Faith’ is installed between two trees that appear to have died, with no life in, the word faith hangs between these pillar like structures that encourage us to have faith, even when naturally all seems lost.

there is hope of a tree….job 14.7-9

Then as we gaze down to the ground there we see, bursting forth newness of life and the tree coming back to life…

if you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes – mark 9.23

Rob writes, “This piece was an idea that I had which was inspired by my own faith journey. It represents the steps of faith on the journey to seeking God. As you can see the letter F is the smallest and when you take a closer look you can see it has a lot of imperfections. This is what the start of my journey began like before the Lord helped it grow from something so imperfect and small, little by little my faith began to grow a bit bigger and a little less imperfect step by step. I’m hoping and praying that one day my faith will be like the letter H. It’s the biggest and strongest and is the more perfect part of the piece that represents a Faith that is big enough and strong enough to manifest God’s almighty power into miracles through true belief and the power of prayer.

Sometimes we can have a crisis of faith or even a loss but never forget that the Lord’s faithfulness to us can not be broken and he can move mountains with a tiny bit of faith as small as a mustard seed. God was, is and will always be faithful..”

Created by Rob Johnson

We may sense our need of a breathing space where we can be still, let hope and faith spring again, out from the winter of circumstances – in order to discern truth again, love goodness again, and enjoy beauty again. You are welcome here. contact us

(Set aside a space over 4-5 days or 4-5 hours or 4-5 quarters of an hour … over January, to ponder the questions below. Record your musings as you go –  in a diagram, in writing, in images or sketches. Don’t rush :: be still.)

Facing WEST – the direction of the setting sun

What beliefs, attitudes and traditions are fading in my life? Whom do I need to farewell or let go of? What maps no longer work for my life? Where is deep healing needed?

Does the parable of the lost son speak to your life? Luke 15.

Facing NORTH – the North Star that guides, stabilizes and orientates.

Who are your spiritual guides and dearest friends? What are the understandings of God that nurture and sustain you? What writings, what values, resonate deep within you?

?Ponder the parable of the rich fool  : Luke 12.15f

Facing EAST – the direction of the rising sun

What new energy or movement is starting to emerge in you? What is starting to happen? what are you starting to take hold of? Where are you being invited to embrace something new?

?Check out the parable of the great banquet – Luke 14.15f

SOUTH –  source of energy, warmth, light, spontaneity

Where is your creative energy being called forth? What do you really long to do or be? How do you nurture yourself?

What made the difference in the parable of the sower? Luke 8.4f

Considering all four compass points as a whole, can you resolve to live the year ahead fully? What would a full yes to God in your whole person – physical, emotional, spiritual – look like?

You may wish to return to your compass many times in prayer and reflection to allow it to reveal more fully the insights and learnings that are there for you.

Eternal God, grant to us this day and everyday, such readiness and delight in following you, that whether our lives are short or long, we shall have lived abundantly.   AMEN

Kiwi Christmas greetings from Lois & Peter in Aotearoa New Zealand

You can find Daily meditations for Advent at this link.

A PRAYER OF HOPE FOUND IN THE INCARNATION

We share a common earth We stand among each other

We share our planet We share birth, death, hunger, and love.

The sky opens above us and we receive a breathing space.

The earth stands beneath us and we are grounded.

The water becomes our blood and we are one sea.

Living things die for us. We die and return to soil, sea and air.

In all of us is a longing For a life not yet come

For a world free and just A dream of hope for all creation.

                                           Adapted from Dorothy Mc Mahon, cited Bread of Tomorrow, SPCK, 1992