'New Beginnings' meditation

The New Year is a time to stake stock, to say thank you to God for all that has been and to move forward into what will be. You may want to make a list of the treasures of 2009: friends, family, collegues, events, health, employment, financial provision, answered prayer etc. Then click on my video meditation below and enjoy...

New Beginnings

New year,

new hope,

fresh challenges.

A chance to let go

-to leave behind

what was,

and adventure

into what will be...

(Liz Babbs, p.43 The Restful Heart)

'Smooring the Fire' Prayer

The Celts believed that God was with them in every aspect of their daily lives. Whatever the task or time of day, there was a special prayer to be said.  I love this 'Smooring the Fire' prayer as it reminds me of families gathering together around the fire at Christmas and New Year. With all the snow we've had here in the UK and more on the way, I think many of us will be turning up our heating or throwing extra logs on the fire as we huddle together to keep warm.

Smooring the Fire
The sacred Three

To save,

To surround

The hearth,

The household,

This eve,

This night,

Oh! this eve,

This night,

And every night,

Each single night.

Amen

(from Carmina Gadelica p.32 Celtic Treasure)

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'.

Meditation on Psalm 139

I'm delighted that so many folk are enjoying my new video on YouTube, especially during this busy season. So just take 5 minutes now and allow God to enfold you in his love. (Words and music taken from The Celtic Heart).

Ninian's Catechism

The New Oxford American Dictionary describes the word catechism as 'a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of a series of questions and answers'. I love the simplicity of St Ninian's Catechism which is taken from the book Celtic Fire by Robert Van de Weyer:

Question: What is best in this world?

Answer: To do the will of our Maker.

Question: What is his will?

Answer: That we should live according to the laws of his creation.

Question: How do we know those laws?

Answer: By study - studying the Scriptures with devotion.

Question: What tool has our Maker provided for this study?

Answer: The intellect, which can probe everything.

Question: And what is the fruit of study?

Answer: To perceive the eternal Word of God reflected in every plant and insect, every bird and animal, and every man and woman.

Beautiful Celtic-style prayer to bless your day

I love this beautiful prayer that David Cole has just posted on the Celtic Christian Spirituality Facebook page. So I thought I'd share it with you here. If you have prayers written in the Celtic-style, do send them to me and I'll share them.

May you know the strength of the Spirit as you walk today

May you know the peace of the Spirit as you rest today

May you know the power of the Spirit as you seek change today

May you know the source of the Spirit as you grow today.

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!