Rough Waters!

A most appealing and inviting sight greeted us on Monday as we headed to spend a few hours on Ullswater as part of our ‘Advent Journey’; snow-capped mountains, clear blue sky and modest waters.

However, our day on the water was to be unaccomplished as personal circumstances became the challenge of the day!

On returning home we found that the waters still had a part to play in our day and had much to ‘say’.

Our thoughts were turned to the images that we have seen on many occasions over the last few months, where in the midst of ‘rough waters’ there still can be found a ‘peace and calm’.

For us this led to the account that we have read often of the man who set out, with some friends, to journey from one side of the lake to the other.  The storms came and the waters began to stir. Whilst his friends became anxious about the change in circumstances, he rested in peace and calm holding onto the words he had spoken that the opposing lake shore was their destination.

The baby we look to in the manager this Christmas became that man.

Storms come and storms go but in their rage we have found that as we look to and acknowledge the comforting, counselling words of the ‘manger man’ we can know that same peace and calm and that our ‘shore’ will undoubtedly be reached.

More Than Water?

Flowing waters always cause the words of one of our wedding songs to resonate in our minds:

Let Your living water flow over my soul,
Let your Holy Spirit come and take control,
Of every situation that has troubled my mind,
All my cares and burdens on to you I roll.
Father, Jesus, Spirit.

Revealed in the manger, the man who came to say, "The effect of this water is short lived. The water I come to give will rise like a spring within those that receive it gushing fountains of life daily and beyond"

Water Sources

The River Tees is a beautiful river. Its source, however, high on the eastern slopes of Cross Fell is an often bleak and in many ways  humble place for such a precious commodity to begin its life.

Photo: Northumbria Water Ltd

This beautiful river grows and comes to life as it descends, ultimately, into the worldly conurbations of North East England.

Photo: George Todd

It takes on a life and direction of its own with distinctive and unique features which cannot fail but to make an impression on those that choose to observe it.

Low Force, Summer 2015

 



 Where do we find our "life" source?

Water!

On waters rough or calm we are left with the thoughts, what is this water all about and what does it mean to us?

Water is life giving and sustaining; it can be refreshing with cleansing properties and powerful in force.

Leaving Shore

As we leave the shore this week whether the waters are still & calm or rough & choppy we go with a sense of anticipation as to what might be discovered...

Cenacle

Day 7 of Advent and its time for a slightly different thought. If you haven't seen or heard Cenacle they are well worth checking out!

Cenacle O Come All Ye Faithful

Milestone

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is a milestone, the end of an Advent week underground. 

So after setting out to discover:

"who is it we are preparing for and where is it we are looking to put Him?"

Our hope is that the light has revealed some new thinking.....

Here's a roundup of a few more pictures, possibly the last this year, from some of our adventures where the light has been much needed. Hope you like them:

Tomorrow will see the start of a transition to a "watery" week afloat, look out for something completely different!