St Patrick's Day discount

We're approaching St Patrick's Day, so I thought I'd offer my two Celtic meditative spoken word and music albums, 'The Celtic Heart' and 'Celtic Treasure', at a special price. Both are now available to download from across the world from my website, so for this month I'm giving you a 30% discount on these albums as downloads. In UK currency that's £4.99 instead of £6.99, or $7.90 instead of $11. For more details on these albums visit my shop http://www.lizbabbs.com/shop/ 

Celtic Treasure CD in my shop now with FREE track download!

I'm excited, I've just launched my new album Celtic Treasure, in concert with musician Simeon Wood at the Cliff College Festival. You can listen to the track ‘On Lindisfarne’ now, as a FREE MP3 download, just click on this link http://www.lizbabbs.com/shop/celtic-treasure-cd The CD costs just £7.99 from my website shop  

Celtic Treasure is the spoken word and music recording of Liz Babbs’ popular Celtic Treasure Gift Book (Lion Hudson, 2009). Celtic Treasure weaves together ancient Celtic wisdom and traditional and original prayers, with Simeon’s beautiful evocative music. Celtic Treasure is an exploration of Celtic Christianity and a reflective journey leading the listener into the heart of God.

Tracks:

1. Introduction
2. Iona
3. Lindisfarne
4. Prayer
5. Solitude
6. Creation
7. Creativity
8. Community
9. Personal reflection
10. Hospitality
11. Celebration

You can book Simeon and I to perform Celtic Treasure live in concert. We'd love to share our Celtic journey with you - artistically and spiritually.

* To receive exclusive 'free stuff' - sign up for the newsletter via my website http://www.lizbabbs.com/

So who was St Patrick?

We have much to learn from those who have gone before us in the faith and so I thought I'd give you a brief overview of St Patrick. 

Saint Patrick (387-461) is the most famous Irishman of all time and yet he wasn’t born in Ireland but at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton in Scotland. He was the son of a deacon and worked on his father’s farm as a young boy, but at the age of sixteen, he was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. He escaped six years later when it is said God appeared to him in a vision and showed him how to escape. Patrick embraced the monastic way of life and became a priest, but God called him back to Ireland and he later became Bishop of Ireland. Many stories have been told of Patrick’s travels across Ireland, preaching and converting people as he went.  Irish people all around the world will be celebrating his achievements tomorrow, March 17^th, which is said to be the anniversary of his death. This extract from St Patrick’s Declaration gives a wonderful insight into his life: 

After coming to Ireland I was put to work tending cattle, sheep and hogs, and many times during that day I would pray. More and more the love of God and the fear of God came to me, so that my faith was strengthened and my spirit moved. In a single day I would pray as often as a hundred times, and nearly as often at night, when I was staying in the woods and the mountains, I would rouse myself before daylight to pray, whether in snow, frost, or rain; it made no difference, and I felt no bad effects. Because the Spirit in me was fervent, I knew no sluggishness. St Patrick

(Quoted from p.26 Celtic Treasure - Liz Babbs)

Liz reads 'On Lindisfarne' from Celtic Treasure

I've just been to Stratford-upon-Avon where I had the privilege of talking about Celtic Christianity and sharing some of my prayers and poems from Celtic Treasure. I had no idea that the venue Red Hill, was the place where Ray Simpson and others held their original meetings to set up the Community of Aidan and Hilda - what a God-incidence! Here is a clip from the end of my presentation where I read 'On Lindisfarne'.

Celtic Treasure Photo competition

I've seen some very amusing photos of folk reading my book in America and so I'm holding a competition for the funniest photo. And yes, there will be a prize. I'm just wondering what Keltic Ken is hiding behind his Celtic Treasure!

Hear Me on Cross Rhythms Radio and American Internet Radio KDRU

Here is the link below of my interviews on Celtic Treasure. The Cross Rhythms interview is just 5 minutes long and is voiced over Iona's beautiful instrumental, Luke the Calf from the Book of Kells.

The second interview is my first US radio interview and last around 40 minutes. I was interviewed by Ken for KRDU Radio, California.

http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_lizbabbs

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Desert Island Celtic books!

If you were marooned on a desert island and were only allowed to take one Celtic book, plus your Bible, which one would it be?

You'll see my selection, though I cheated and had two in my previous blog! But if I had to chose just one, it would be Celtic Daily Prayer by the Northumbria Community because it is so rich and varied and would sustain me for years.

Quaker Abbey chose Celtic Daily Prayer, but I like Pastor Chris Monroe's response here:

"That's easy to answer! It's the one that's held together with duct tape because I take it everywhere Celtic Daily Prayer. You can see my interview with Pastor Chris on Celtic Christianity by visiting his DesertFather blog.

Keltic Ken chose my book! Here's his response:

"Celtic Treasure - It points me to Christ, features scripture and original prose...and, the lovely photographs will be a welcome change from the same old scenery on that desert island!!!"

Feedback from my Celtic Treasure interview

I've already had some very interesting feedback from my first American interview in under 24 hours! God bless social networking and the Internet. It's interesting that folk responded to this blog and my radio interview on Facebook. Maybe people don't like writing comments on blogs any more. I don't mind, because I just love to hear from folk and right now Facebook is buzzing. Here are some of the comments posted:

"Great interview I appreciated the comments about the Celtic Christians enjoying community and the simple things in life as that seems to be where God is calling many of us. Both of your comments on mission reminded me of George G. Hunter III's book, The Celtic Way of Evangelism, emphasizing the Celtic way of community mission vs. the Roman model. I hope we do see more of that here in the states as it seems more scriptural to me. Isn't it interesting that such an ancient Christian way can seem so odd to our US churches and yet we often stand so proudly as the leader of the "correct" way of doing things. The interview was refreshing. Thank you for the insights. I hope many enjoy this "quiet little book." Susan Gaddis (USA)

"Your book arrived yesterday and it's beautiful! That's not only true outwardly (the pics and thick coated paper and artwork), but inwardly too (the poems and prayers and stories)! Keltic Ken sent me the link for the interview you and he just finished -- I so enjoyed that! Now I'm looking forward to interviewing you more than ever for my blog (paradoxology.com)." Chris Monroe (Pastor in California)

"Hi Liz.. up late working here - thought I'd take a break and have a quick listen to the interview.. I thought it gave a really good overview of the book and where you are coming from. I pray that it gets in to the hands of many many people as I'm sure God will speak to them through it.. Blessings!" Andy Green." (UK musician)

Here's my first American radio interview on Celtic Treasure

I've just been interviewed by Ken about Celtic Treasure, for KDRU radio in California. I don't think I've ever done such a long distance radio interview before. Isn't technology amazing. Ken was very patient, because first I managed to drop my cup of tea all over myself, just before the interview and so needed to ice pack the burn. Then, part way through the interview, I lost my voice! Ken must have thought that I was a disaster area. However, nothing seemed to phase him as he was a total professional. The whole interview lasts just under 30 minutes. You can hear the interview - minus the "ouch" from hot tea, by clicking on this link:

http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_lizbabbs_com

Quick Guide to enjoying life Celtic-style

While the West values money, fame, power and success, unearthing the treasures from the Celtic tradition, can enrich and transform our lives. Here’s a quick outline of some of these riches:

Caring for Creation

Celtic Christians cared for the environment and rejoiced in creation. Like the well known Celtic symbol, the Celtic knot, they could see God woven into everything and celebrated him in every aspect of their lives. They enjoyed his presence even when doing the most mundane of tasks like milking the cows, or kindling the fire and they said special prayers to accompany these activities. (See yesterdays blog).

Simplicity

Their simple lifestyle, uncluttered by materialism, enabled them to appreciate more fully the generosity and abundance of God. And they thanked God for everything in their daily lives, like the sunrise, the provision of food and the blessing of friends:

Bless to us, O God

The morning sun that is above us,

The good earth that is beneath us,

The friends that are around us,

Your image deep within us,

The day which is before us.

St Patrick

Joy and Community was integral to the Celts way of life, because it was seen as being part of the abundant life God promises in John’s Gospel I came to give life - life in all its fullness (John 10:10 CEV). As the Celts were particularly drawn to the teachings of John they believed God wanted them to celebrate, because having fun is a hallmark of a vibrant community.

Community and Hospitality

The Celts understood that their love of God and each other was at the heart of the Gospel message and so building community and offering hospitality was central to their way of life.

Celebrating Creativity

The Celts were a highly creative people, producing pottery and woodwork, metalwork and elaborate jewellery as well as creating exquisitely beautiful manuscripts like the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.

A ceilidh, which is known today as a popular social dance event, was originally a social gathering and could include story telling, songs, poems, proverbs and ballads, but not necessarily dance. I love the idea of people sharing their God-given creativity in this way, but then creativity was seen as a natural expression of worship to the Celts.

Adapted from Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) Liz Babbs

Celtic Treasure launches in America today

I thought with the launch of Celtic Treasure in America today, I'd share something of my journey in writing this book.

My interest in Celtic Christianity came as a result of visiting Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and Iona ( a Scottish island) eight years ago. I was so affected by the overwhelming presence of God in these sacred places that it resulted in me changing the content and title of the gift book I was working on from 'Reflections', to 'The Celtic Heart' (Lion Hudson 2003)! This book has since sold thousands of copies and become my best-selling book, even being published in German by Random House.

Now to level with you about Celtic Treasure. To be honest, I was not looking to write another Celtic book, but God had other ideas. He stopped me in my tracks and gave me a 'picture' of an ancient monastic archway, like the one in this photo of Lindisfarne Priory (founded by St Aidan AD 635). Through this archway, all kinds of folk, who weren't Christians, were coming to God. Some were even dancing and celebrating his presence. And so Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) was born. I had an amazing time writing it and it really strengthened my faith.

Those Celtic Saints rock, and without their radical ministry, Britain would not have been a Christian country. No wonder so many folk look to Celtic Christianity for inspiration today.
Celtic Treasure is released across the US today into all kinds of book shops, and I am very excited to see what God will do. Writing is such an adventure with God in control.

Eccentric Author Photo!

Thought you might like this photo. It's very author eccentric and was taken by one of my friends when I was packing up after the book signing. Someone was horrified because they thought I was smoking in a Christian bookshop! It's a lollipop - honest!

God sends bagpipes & kilt to launch Celtic Treasure

Had a great day signing Celtic Treasure in my home town Nottingham today. I couldn't believe it, because when I arrived, I could hear bagpipes. I had just commented on Facebook that I wished I'd got a Scottish bagpipe player there. And there he was, just metres away and so here's the photo. Wasn't God good to send me such a Celtic asset! We had great fun after celebrating in the oldest pub in England, 'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem' afterwards.

Celtic Treasure Promo video

My interview on location in York - filmed by fellow author Paul Griffiths. Wasn't that nice of him. But, don't I make some funny faces when I'm interviewed!

Celtic Treasure has just arrived!

An exciting day. I've just received my stock of Celtic Treasure today, even though it isn't available in the shops until the 19th June. So you can order an advance copy signed by me from my website now. I've sold 10 already today. Click on the cover of my book on this blog to purchase, or visit my website www.lizbabbs.com
Let me know if you like it and any favourite thoughts, poems, prayers etc and I'll post them on this blog.
Remember, you can still win a free copy by joining this blog and leaving an interesting comment.

Win the 1st signed copy of Celtic Treasure

Win the first signed copy of Celtic Treasure by joining this blog and leaving a comment. I'll be making my selection on Monday 15th June, 4 days before it is published and available in the shops. The more interesting the comment, the more likely you are to win!

Good luck.

Celtic Treasure published in just 2 weeks

Welcome to my new Celtic Treasure blog. It's an exciting time as I've just received the first author copies of my new Celtic gift book Celtic Treasure. So why this blog? Well, I want to share with you some of the riches of Celtic Christianity. We have much to learn from those who have gone before us in the faith, and I plan to share some of the riches of this ancient tradition with you here.
Please come through and add your thoughts, comments and insights.