Pilgrim's Progress tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-35331 2013-02-06T03:41:53+00:00 In Relentless Pursuit of REAL ... TypePad Two Perspectives on Fear tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2017d40ced910970c 2013-02-06T03:41:53+00:00 2013-02-06T03:44:42+00:00 Someone once said to D.L. Moody, "Mr Moody - I have found a great promise in Scripture. 'When I am afraid I will trust in you." to which Moody replied "I have a better one - 'I will trust and not be afraid." This is what life feels like at the moment - trying to find the next stepping stone. I realise I am too often like the first image - waiting before I step out, but the call is... Crafty Curate

Someone once said to D.L. Moody, "Mr Moody - I have found a great promise in Scripture. 'When I am afraid I will trust in you." to which Moody replied "I have a better one - 'I will trust and not be afraid."

This is what life feels like at the moment - trying to find the next stepping stone. I realise I am too often like the first image - waiting before I step out, but the call is there to be more like the second, to step out in faith, and trust that the ground will appear beneath my feet when I do.

SteppingStones1

SteppingStones1a



 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2013/02/two-perspectives-on-fear.html Christmas Greetings tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2017ee6371c3a970d 2012-12-13T17:51:05+00:00 2012-12-13T17:51:05+00:00 Crafty Curate
Jewel1
 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2012/12/christmas-greetings.html Transformation tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20167625bf97f970b 2012-02-15T01:47:38+00:00 2012-02-15T01:47:38+00:00 Longing for the fire to come … longing for transformation. Crafty Curate

RendTheHeavens1a

Longing for the fire to come … longing for transformation.

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2012/02/transformation.html Come, Heavenly Light tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20162fd75d2e7970d 2011-12-07T02:50:22+00:00 2011-12-07T02:50:22+00:00 First in a series of Advent images. May the light begin to shine more brightly than ever in your life, in the lives of those around you, and in our broken world. Crafty Curate

Advent2c

First in a series of Advent images. May the light begin to shine more brightly than ever in your life, in the lives of those around you, and in our broken world.

http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/12/come-heavenly-light.html Voyage tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2015433f1de96970c 2011-07-23T16:37:12+01:00 2011-07-23T16:37:12+01:00 Crafty Curate

art

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/07/voyage.html Fire Walker tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e201538e5969cd970b 2011-05-08T01:53:01+01:00 2011-05-08T01:53:01+01:00 “When you walk through the flames, I will be with you …” Crafty Curate

FireWalker1

“When you walk through the flames, I will be with you …”

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/05/fire-walker.html Easter No 3: Arise tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2014e880a3942970d 2011-04-24T02:44:29+01:00 2011-04-24T02:45:43+01:00 “This same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living in you …” (Rom 8) Crafty Curate

“This same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living in you …” (Rom 8)

Easter2011-Resurrection1

Easter2011-Arise1

Easter2011-FirstLight1

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/04/easter-no-3-arise.html Easter No.2: Watching Waiting tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2014e8805eaa7970d 2011-04-23T02:18:44+01:00 2011-04-23T02:18:44+01:00 Easter Saturday … watching, waiting, hoping … Crafty Curate

Easter 2011 - Watching

Easter waiting grave

Easter Saturday … watching, waiting, hoping … 

http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/04/easter-no2-watching-waiting.html Easter 1: Wrath tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2014e8803f60d970d 2011-04-22T19:14:17+01:00 2011-04-22T19:18:59+01:00 No 1. The wrath of God is poured upon Jesus as our sin is dealt with. (Click image for full size) Crafty Curate

easter wrath god fire cross Jesus

No 1. The wrath of God is poured upon Jesus as our sin is dealt with.

(Click image for full size)

http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/04/easter-1-wrath.html Spring Harvest 2011 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2014e87cb14e7970d 2011-04-14T15:16:00+01:00 2011-04-14T15:21:50+01:00 Just back from an excellent few days at Spring Harvest where I was part of a team leading worship at one of the evening venues. I was responsible for the visuals used during worship. What a great bunch of people to work with! There was a lovely sense of unity in the team, and a “can do” atmosphere, and serving one another and seeking to lift up the name of Jesus. If you’re visiting this site on the back of... Crafty Curate
1_3b_light_good 1_30b_beasts 2_4a_account

Just back from an excellent few days at Spring Harvest where I was part of a team leading worship at one of the evening venues. I was responsible for the visuals used during worship.

What a great bunch of people to work with! There was a lovely sense of unity in the team, and a “can do” atmosphere, and serving one another and seeking to lift up the name of Jesus.

If you’re visiting this site on the back of what you saw at Spring Harvest in Skegness, Welcome! Thanks for dropping by. Some of the visuals we used will be made available very soon over at EngageWorship (click the logo to visit), the worship resource site run by Sam and Sara Hargreaves.

Maybe see you next year!

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/04/spring-harvest-2011.html A Prayer for 2011 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20147e146b90b970b 2011-01-05T01:24:58+00:00 2011-01-05T01:24:58+00:00 Crafty Curate

Angel1a

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2011/01/a-prayer-for-2011.html Seasons Greetings tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20148c6de9ecf970c 2010-12-19T02:32:59+00:00 2010-12-19T02:32:59+00:00 Crafty Curate

ItCameUpon1aHD

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/12/seasons-greetings.html Undiscovered Country tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20147e080d456970b 2010-12-09T00:21:59+00:00 2010-12-09T00:27:39+00:00 “Follow the ark … because you have not been this way before.” (Josh 6) … There is a great deal happening right now, and I can’t see very far ahead. But deep in my gut is a profound conviction that it is all going SOMEWHERE and that HE is leading it. I for one want to get behind the ark as the Lord begins to take back the land. Crafty Curate

Planet2c

“Follow the ark … because you have not been this way before.” (Josh 6) …

There is a great deal happening right now, and I can’t see very far ahead. But deep in my gut is a profound conviction that it is all going SOMEWHERE and that HE is leading it.

I for one want to get behind the ark as the Lord begins to take back the land.

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/12/undiscovered-country.html One More Step Along the Road I Go tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f52c3699970b 2010-10-19T01:24:33+01:00 2010-10-19T01:24:33+01:00 Dedication to everyone who’s having to dig deep at the moment. Crafty Curate

Leaning-Into-The-Gale1

Dedication to everyone who’s having to dig deep at the moment.

http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/10/one-more-step-along-the-road-i-go.html Illuminate Me tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f4f0c39e970b 2010-10-09T02:45:13+01:00 2010-10-09T02:56:27+01:00 One of my lifelong prayers – maybe one of yours too? (Latin translates as “out of the darkness I cry to you: illuminate me”) Crafty Curate

LightStreaks3a

One of my lifelong prayers – maybe one of yours too?

(Latin translates as “out of the darkness I cry to you: illuminate me”)

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/10/illuminate-me.html Flow tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f4cd9884970b 2010-10-03T02:28:07+01:00 2010-10-03T02:28:07+01:00 Crafty Curate

CosmicPowerArc1

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/10/flow.html Angel Dance tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f4c8a132970b 2010-10-02T02:26:19+01:00 2010-10-02T02:27:27+01:00 Crafty Curate

Angel-Dance1a

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/10/angel-dance.html The Longer I Look tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2013487e14cbe970c 2010-10-01T00:03:53+01:00 2010-10-01T01:19:57+01:00 Crafty Curate

TheLongerILook1

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/10/the-longer-i-look.html If You Dont Go, Were Not Going Either! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f4aeab09970b 2010-09-29T00:58:34+01:00 2010-09-29T01:00:16+01:00 Lord, if you don’t go with us We’re not going either. Simple as that. Crafty Curate

YourPresence

Lord, if you don’t go with us
We’re not going either.

Simple as that.

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/if-you-dont-go-were-not-going-either.html Growing Pains tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2013487b6d4c1970c 2010-09-26T02:02:59+01:00 2010-09-27T00:32:06+01:00 ... or should I say "all the time" :) Crafty Curate

Stretch1

... or should I say "all the time" :)

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/growing-pains.html Feel Like A Glory Carrier Today? Thats What You Are tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20134870ee4d4970c 2010-09-07T15:13:08+01:00 2010-09-07T15:13:08+01:00 Crafty Curate

GloryCarrier1a

Launch1

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/feel-like-a-glory-carrier-today-thats-what-you-are.html You Shine tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f3df3f3a970b 2010-09-06T15:51:00+01:00 2010-09-06T15:52:13+01:00 I suspect we may miss the light if we don’t let our spiritual eyes adjust to the dark! (Click image for full size version) Crafty Curate

YouShine1

I suspect we may miss the light if we don’t let our spiritual eyes adjust to the dark!

(Click image for full size version)

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/you-shine.html Take Me Into The Flame tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f3d352dc970b 2010-09-05T20:15:55+01:00 2010-09-05T20:18:12+01:00 Some things I’ve learned about creative flow – When it flows, capture it, otherwise the moment will probably be lost. Let your creativity express itself in different ways on different days. Right now it’s fractal prayers – tomorrow it might be something else. Be alert to Holy Spirit promptings as the flow comes through – if that happens, stay in that moment until it passes. If other forms of prayer, Bible study, worship etc are dry and hard work, start... Crafty Curate

GloryStreams1

Some things I’ve learned about creative flow –

  1. When it flows, capture it, otherwise the moment will probably be lost.
  2. Let your creativity express itself in different ways on different days. Right now it’s fractal prayers – tomorrow it might be something else.
  3. Be alert to Holy Spirit promptings as the flow comes through – if that happens, stay in that moment until it passes.
  4. If other forms of prayer, Bible study, worship etc are dry and hard work, start to create – for me, creating can often get me going spiritually when I’ve got stuck.

(The fractals were created using some free software called Apophysis. You can find out where to get it and how to use it here.)

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/take-me-into-the-flame.html A Prayer - When Things Dont Make Sense tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f3aecbef970b 2010-09-03T23:32:42+01:00 2010-09-04T13:40:52+01:00 I started writing this prayer at 30,000 feet today, as I flew to Spain. The air is clearer up there. How we long to fly 4 miles above our lives and see with God’s eyes. Crafty Curate

ThereIsAPlaceInYou1

I started writing this prayer at 30,000 feet today, as I flew to Spain. The air is clearer up there. How we long to fly 4 miles above our lives and see with God’s eyes.

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/a-prayer-when-things-dont-make-sense.html Are We There Yet? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f37e38a1970b 2010-09-01T22:11:19+01:00 2010-09-01T22:13:23+01:00 For all that was good, there were a couple of reminders at Greenbelt that I’m not there yet. I’m finding it easiest to pray through creativity at the moment – it helps me keep my mind and heart in one place for one, and offers me a focus. I pray this visual prayer may bless you too (click image for full size). Technorati Tags: art,healing,fractal,prayer,journey,Christian,digital Crafty Curate

NotWholeYet1a

For all that was good, there were a couple of reminders at Greenbelt that I’m not there yet.

I’m finding it easiest to pray through creativity at the moment – it helps me keep my mind and heart in one place for one, and offers me a focus.

I pray this visual prayer may bless you too (click image for full size).

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/09/are-we-there-yet.html If You Found the Tree of Secrets tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20134863f433a970c 2010-08-16T20:33:11+01:00 2010-08-16T20:45:50+01:00 (created in 3D and then given a natural paint look in Photoshop. Click image to enlarge) … what would you ask it? All my life I’ve been looking for “the tree of secrets” – that place in my inner world where the answers are. It is the place where the Holy Spirit now dwells, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the Ancient of Days, the one who has watched over us all our lives knows all our secrets. I... Crafty Curate

Forest-of-Thoughts1

(created in 3D and then given a natural paint look in Photoshop. Click image to enlarge)

… what would you ask it?

All my life I’ve been looking for “the tree of secrets” – that place in my inner world where the answers are. It is the place where the Holy Spirit now dwells, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the Ancient of Days, the one who has watched over us all our lives knows all our secrets.

I chose to represent the Spirit as a tree, because trees are a favourite image of Bible writers – the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the tree of life, the tree whose leaves heal the nations.

So my journey to the Tree of Secrets continues … who knows what it might whisper to me where I get there?

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/08/if-you-found-the-tree-of-secrets.html Fancy A Fight? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f2ef46f0970b 2010-08-09T01:51:13+01:00 2010-08-09T01:52:21+01:00 Song of Hope 2 (5:01) This isn't over yet, this LIFE thing. This is the sound of me fighting through! Kind of old school Bukem-esque drum 'n' bass. (Hover mouse over grey bar and click play. If viewing in a news aggregator, right click and "Save As") Crafty Curate

Song of Hope 2 (5:01)

This isn't over yet, this LIFE thing. This is the sound of me fighting through! Kind of old school Bukem-esque drum 'n' bass.

(Hover mouse over grey bar and click play. If viewing in a news aggregator, right click and "Save As")

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/08/fancy-a-fight.html It Shall Not Always Be So tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e20133f2b5a8b7970b 2010-07-30T03:12:33+01:00 2010-07-30T03:24:45+01:00 'It Shall Not Always Be So' (3:20)Whatever life is like right now, it shall not always be so. He promised. Another little musical accident today - may it keep you going a bit longer. (To listen to the track, hover the mouse over the grey bar and click the play button. To download, right click and select "Save As") Crafty Curate

'It Shall Not Always Be So' (3:20)

Whatever life is like right now, it shall not always be so.

He promised.

Another little musical accident today - may it keep you going a bit longer.

(To listen to the track, hover the mouse over the grey bar and click the play button.
To download, right click and select "Save As")

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/07/it-shall-not-always-be-so.html Prepare the Way tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2013485d3e43d970c 2010-07-29T13:36:23+01:00 2010-07-29T13:36:23+01:00 Something’s definitely going on. I want to be ready when it all goes down. Crafty Curate

HighwayOfHoliness1b

Something’s definitely going on. I want to be ready when it all goes down.

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/07/prepare-the-way.html What Makes You Great? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83452024769e2013485b34d21970c 2010-07-26T12:21:55+01:00 2010-07-26T12:23:18+01:00 Just back from a few days at the Keswick Convention. One stand out moment was driving past Bassenthwaite Lake on a beautiful sunset evening, and suddenly feeling prompted to pull into a lay-by, walk to the lake’s edge and seek God’s presence. Before long I found my heart pouring out to God. I love those unexpected God moments. (The above illustration, done in Adobe Illustrator afterwards captures the essence of the scene). The other stand out moment was hearing Prof.... Crafty Curate

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Just back from a few days at the Keswick Convention.

One stand out moment was driving past Bassenthwaite Lake on a beautiful sunset evening, and suddenly feeling prompted to pull into a lay-by, walk to the lake’s edge and seek God’s presence. Before long I found my heart pouring out to God. I love those unexpected God moments. (The above illustration, done in Adobe Illustrator afterwards captures the essence of the scene).

The other stand out moment was hearing Prof. Don Carson speak so movingly, with tears in his eyes, about what it is that makes Christians great, greater than John the Baptist and all who went before him (from Matt 11). Simply this:

We are great because we get to bear witness to Jesus

… in a way that John the Baptist and all before could not because Jesus was not yet crucified and risen!

What a wonderful reminder – there were tears in my eyes too. May we never forget this!

 http://craftycurate.blogs.com/pilgrims_progress/2010/07/what-makes-you-great.html