Lent 'Great outdoors' and 'Thru the window' reflections Wk6

GREAT OUTDOORS/ BIRDS AND AIR 

Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. 

                                      Matthew 6:26 

Active Meditation/

1. Wherever you are today, keep looking around to see if you can see a bird, they are everywhere.

2. Find somewhere where you can be quiet for a few minutes and listen to the birds singing.

3. Put some food out for the birds and watch for a while to see what comes.

4. Choose a windy day, and go out and fly a kite. Make a simple one of your own if you don't have one.

5. Go for a walk and see how many ways you can tell that air is there even though you can't see it.

6. Watch a bird flying. See how different birds move in different ways. 

How does watching them make you feel?

Find a place where you can see birds and feel the air.

Be quiet for a moment or two (as long as works for you) 

to reflect on the importance of air and birds in our world.

Prayer/

Creator God, thank you for the air that we breathe 

and the beauty of flying creatures like birds. 

Silence 

We are sorry for those times
when we have taken the simple pleasures and necessities for granted. 

Silence 

Help us to value clean air, and to do our bit to keep it clean. 

And help us always to appreciate the beauty of your creation. 

Silence - Stand for a moment and let the air you breathe and the birds you see point you towards God. 
In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you? 
Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart... 
place them into God's hands...
Amen.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thru the Window - connecting with creation through Lent when you can't get outside...
wk 6/ SKY

Your lovingkindness, O Lord, 

extends to the heavens, 

             Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.                                                              Psalm 36:5

Look out at the sky. You could try this one more than once at different times of the day. 

Meditation

Sky: 

summer sky,
blue and clear
with fluffy white clouds the 

way that children draw them.
Autumn evening sky 

the blue 

of indigo ink. 

Eyes watch 

as the sparks from the bonfire 

shoot upwards
then disappear 

into the darkness. 

Stormy winter sky: 

grey and heavy with rain, 

clouds scudding across it as if

in a hurry to be somewhere else. 

Early morning sky:
golden pink 

as the sun rises 

and floods the world
with colour once again.
2am sky:
almost black 

but on a clear night 

studded with stars
and a silver moon:
beautiful when sleep evades us. 

Sky: 

always there, 

often unappreciated,
always changing,
made by an unchanging creator. 

Something to think about

What is your favourite sky mood - or does it vary? 

Why do you think people have always wanted to explore the sky and beyond?

What does the sky say to you about its creator?

A prayer

May this eternal truth be always on our hearts,

That the God who breathed this world into being,

Placed stars into the heavens

And designed a butterfly's wing,

Is the God who entrusted his son

to the care of ordinary people,

became vulnerable that we might know

how strong is the wonder of Love.

A mystery so deep it is impossible to grasp.

A mystery so beautiful it is impossible to ignore.
Amen.

Lent 'Great Outdoors' and 'Thru the Window' challenges wk5

 WEEK 5/ ANIMALS AND INSECTS

So God made every kind of animal. He made the wild animals, the tame animals, and all the small crawling things.
And God saw that this was good.

                                              Genesis 1:25 

Active Meditation/
1/ If you have a pet, give it a hug (if it is that sort of animal) and think about what your pet adds to your life.
2/ Go for a walk and see how many animals you can spot.
3/ Hang a banana skin on a bush and watch in the early evening – it may attract moths.
4/ Go for a slow walk and see how many "small crawling things" you can find.
5/ Find one "small crawling thing” and watch it for a while to see what it does.
6/ Go outside at night and see if you can hear or even see any of the nighttime creatures. 

Go to a place where you can see animals or insects of some sort.
Be quiet for a moment or two (as long as works for you) to reflect on the importance of the many different sorts of living creatures that are in our world.

A prayer/

Creator God,
thank you for the variety of your creatures.
Thank you for the enjoyment that they give us, and for the part that they play in keeping your world healthy.
Silence

We are sorry for those times when we have been thoughtless
in the way we have treated animals and insects.
Silence

Help us to value every living creature as part of your creation;
to realise that everything has a part to play in this beautiful world,
and that we are responsible for caring for them
and treating them with respect.
Silence 

Take a moment to look and listen to the animals and insects around you...

and let them point your thoughts towards God.

Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...

place them into God's hands...
Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Thru the window - connecting with creation through Lent, even when you can't get outside...

So God made every kind of animal.
He made the wild animals, the tame animals,
and all the small crawling things.
And God saw that this was good.

                                              Genesis 1:25 

If you have a pet, sit somewhere where you can see it or even have it on your lap if it is that sort of a pet. If you can see animals outside your window, sit where you can see them. If neither of those is possible find a picture of a favourite animal in a book or on the internet, or feel free to use the pictures above...

Meditation

Animals are many and varied, and sometimes we forget that we are an animal too. In more than one creation story the creator puts the human animal in charge, with the expectation that they will take care of the other animals; wanting what is best for them and being kind to them. Sometimes the human animal forgets this. Sometimes we forget to be kind to other animals, and sometimes we even forget to be kind to ourselves even though we are made in the image of a creator who shows unfailing and never ending compassion.

Something to think about

If you have a favourite animals, think about why you like them.

How do you show kindness to yourself?

When have others shown compassion to you? 

A prayer/

Blessed are you, Lord God,

maker of all living creatures.

You called forth fish in the sea,

birds in the air

and animals on the land.

You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters.

May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation.

Blessed are you,

Lord our God,

in all your creatures!  Amen

Lent Great Outdoors + Thru the Window Challenges wk4

GREAT OUTDOORS: WATER...

But anyone who drinks the water
I give them will never be thirsty. 

In fact, the water I give them
will become a spring of water in them.

It will flow up into eternal life.”
                                                    John 4:14 

Active Meditation/
1/ Water is essential for all life on earth.
Go for a walk and see how many places you can spot water.
2/ If you are near wild water that you can reach, put your hands in it,
or paddle if it is safe.
3/ Go outside in the rain. Turn your face upwards and let yourself get wet.
Maybe you could even jump in a puddle.
4/ Go for a walk where there is running water. Close your eyes and listen.
How does it make you feel?
5/ Listen to the sound of rain. (You can do this inside or outside). Notice the different sounds it makes as it lands on different surfaces.
6/ Go for a walk and notice all the things that are growing around you, both wild and in peoples gardens.

Find a place where you can see water outside.
Be quiet for a moment or two (as long as works for you) to reflect on the importance of water in our world.

A prayer/
Creator God,
thank you for water,
especially for clean, safe water to drink.
Silence
We are sorry for those times when we have wasted water,
and we remember now those places where there is not enough water to keep crops alive,
and those people who suffer because they do not have clean water.
Silence
Help us to value water as part of your creation;
to realise our dependence on it, and our responsibility to look after it.
Silence - Stand for a moment and let the water point you towards God. 

In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you?

Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...

place them into God's hands...
Amen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thru the window - connecting with creation through Lent when you can't get outside...
Wk 4/ Water

But anyone who drinks the water I give them will never be thirsty. 

In fact, the water I give them will become a spring of water in them.

It will flow up into eternal life.”
                                                                           John 4:14 

Unless you can see a river or a pond or the sea from your window, wait for a rainy day for this one. Then, sit yourself down by the window and watch the rain outside and the drips running down your window pane. You could even choose two drips and watch them to see which one gets to the bottom of the windows first.

Meditation
It rains.
Farmers and gardeners rejoice as the life-giving water falls on the land.
It rains too much.
Rivers burst their banks, houses are flooded, people suffer.
In low lying countries water levels rise and those who survive move away until it is safe to come back, because they have nowhere else to go.
It rains too little, crops die, animals die, famine comes, people suffer.
Someone once said "there is nothing as good as a glass of cold water on a hot day.”
Water, a simple thing, that we cannot do without. 

Something to think about
Thirst is difficult to cope with.
Is there anything that you are thirsty for right now?
Does rain say anything to you about God?
Do you think of water as powerful? Why/ why not?

A prayer/
Creator God,
thank you for water,
especially for clean, safe water to drink.
Silence
We are sorry for those times when we have wasted water,
and we remember now those places where there is not enough water to keep crops alive,
and those people who suffer because they do not have clean water.
Silence
Help us to value water as part of your creation;
to realise our dependence on it, and our responsibility to look after it.
Silence - Stand for a moment and let the water point you towards God. 

In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you?

Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...

place them into God's hands...
Amen.

Lent Great Outdoors + Thru the Window challenge, wk3

 Wk 3 - SOIL AND SEEDS/

The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. Genesis 2:9

Active Meditation/
1/ Plant some cress seeds on a damp tissue. Look at them every day to see how they are growing. (they should be ready to eat in a couple of weeks time.)
2/ If you have a garden, take a handful of soil, feel it, and smell it. What words would you use to describe it?
3/ Go for a walk and notice all the things that are growing around you, both wild and in people’s gardens.
4/ One spoonful of good soil has more living organisms in it than there are people on the Earth. Dig up a spoonful of soil and imagine all those tiny life forms that are in it.
5/ Many plants simply drop their seeds around them in the autumn. See if you can still find a seed on the ground. the flower fits onto the stem.
6/ If you have a garden, is there something that you could plant now and take care of? Perhaps something that you could eat later...

Find a place where there is soil visible if possible. Be quiet for a moment or two (as long as works for you) to reflect on the importance of good soil and seeds to our world.

A prayer/
Creator God, thank you for seeds and good soil in which to grow them.
Thank you for the food that they provide, as well as beauty and enjoyment.
Silence
Please help people in those places where growing food is difficult
because soil and growing conditions are poor,
and forgive us for the times when we have forgotten to remember them.
Silence
Help us to value soil and seeds as part of your creation;
not just for what they can give us, but simply because you made them and you love them.
Silence -
Take a moment to look at the soil...and seeds... and let them point your thoughts towards God.

Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...

place them into God's hands...
Amen

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thru the window - connecting with creation through Lent, even when you can't get outside...

from this week on, we diverge in theme from 'Great Outdoors'

Birds/ 

 those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Have a look and see if you can see any birds from your window. Perhaps on a bird feeder or flying over. If you can, stay and watch for a while. If you can’t see any feel free to use the picture at the top of this blog post, or look for a picture in a book or on the internet, or simply close your eyes and imagine. 

Meditation
Birds are everywhere whether you live in the country or a city. You don’t usually have to watch for long before one flies over going freely wherever it pleases or drops in to look for food. And they can be noisy. Some chatter all the time: one call when they are flying, another when they are looking for a mate, and yet another when they sense danger.
It is said that listening to birdsong can reduce stress - perhaps you could open your window for a minute and see what you can hear, and how it makes you feel, or find some birdsong on the internet, close your eyes, and relax. 

Something to think about
How do you feel when you watch the birds?
Is there anything that you need to be free from?
What helps you to relax? 

A prayer

O God, we gather under the shelter of your wings,

nurtured by your motherly love,

and encouraged, then, to fly by faith on the wind of your spirit.

You have spoken to us, saying

"They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength,

they shall mount up with wings as eagles."

Teach us how to wait, then, that we may learn how to fly.

And strengthen us with the assurance that we do not fly alone.

This we pray, in Jesus' name.
Amen.

Lent Great Outdoors & Thru the Window challenges wk 2

GREAT OUTDOORS: FLOWERS...

Signs of Spring...

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin.

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

Active Meditation/
1/ See how many different colours of flower you can find.
Look at all levels, don't forget trees have flowers too.
2/ Go for a walk and sniff every flower that you can find (and reach easily.)
Can you tell them apart by their scent?
3/ Find a flower bud. Can you imagine what the flower will look like when it opens? 
4/ Choose a flower to sit and contemplate.
Remind yourself that this flower has value simply because God made it and he loves it.
5/ Choose a particular flower and investigate it closely.
(Don't pick it unless it is in your garden and you have permission to do that.)
Look at the patterns and colours within the petals, the number of petals and how the flower fits onto the stem.
6/ Choose a flower and watch it carefully for a while.
See if any insects come to visit it.
See how many different colours of flower you can find.

Find a place where there are flowers growing. Be quiet for a moment or two (as long as works for you) to reflect on what flowers mean to you, and what the world would be like if we didn't have them.

A prayer/
Creator God, thank you for flowers.
Thank you for the beauty that they bring to our world,
for the life that they support,
and for the part they play in your creation.
Silence
We are sorry for those times when we have been in such a hurry
that we have not noticed the beauty of the flowers around us.
Silence
Help us to value flowers as part of your creation;
not just for what they can give us,
but simply because you made them and you love them.
Silence -
Stand for a moment and let the flowers point you towards God. 
In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you?
Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...
place them into God's hands...
Amen.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THRU THE WINDOW/ connecting with creation through Lent, when you can't get outside...

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin.

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

If you have flowers outside your window where you can see them, stand or sit and simply look.
Maybe you have a bunch of flowers indoors but if there are not any where you can see them, feel free to use the picture at the top of this post, or find a picture of a flower that you like in a book or on the internet, or close your eyes and imagine your favourite flowers.

Meditation
Flowers are wonderful things. Tiny seeds grow into so many shapes, sizes and colours, and for most of us, they are something that makes us smile. Someone once said "every flower blooms in its own time,” and there are flowers that bloom in every season, even the depths of winter. They are beautiful to look at, many are sweetly scented, and some are even good to eat. Some are so tiny that we hardly notice them, but they are all valued by God simply because he made them and he loves them - just like us.

Something to think about
What things are blooming in your life right now?
What would you like to see blooming in your life when the season is right?
What season are you in at the moment?  

Prayer 
Creator God, thank you for flowers.
Thank you for the beauty that they bring to our world,
for the life that they support,
and for the part they play in your creation.
Silence
We are sorry for those times when we have been in such a hurry
that we have not noticed the beauty of the flowers around us.
Silence
Help us to value flowers as part of your creation;
not just for what they can give us,
but simply because you made them and you love them.
Silence -
Spend time looking at the flowers, letting them point you towards God. 
In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you?
Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...
place them into God's hands...
Amen.

Lent Great Outdoors & Thru the window challenges wk1

Both 'The Great Outdoors' and 'Thru the Window' Lent activities will appear each week on a Monday afternoon. Early today just so you can check in and see what we're doing!

Great Outdoors Challenge:
Welcome to “Get Outside in Lent.” Each week there will be six ideas for things to do outside and a celebration suggestion - because even in lent Sunday is a celebration day. Pick and choose what you would like to do. Change it and make it your own if you want to, or just do what it says. More than anything , enjoy being outside, take time to connect with nature, with anyone else you might be sharing this with, and with God.

Wk 1/ 'Trees' - 

Scots pine

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Isaiah 55:12 

Active meditation
1/ Hug a tree. Remind yourself that God made this tree and he loves it just as he loves you.
2/ Find an evergreen tree. How would you describe the green of this tree? Be imaginative.
3/ Find a tree with no leaves on it yet. Can you see buds where the leaves will form?
4/ See if you can find a tree with catkins on it.
5/ Take a long view and see if you can tell trees apart by their shape and the sort of pattern that their branches make (you don't need to know what they are, just spot the difference).
6/ Take a few minutes (or longer if you like) to sit under the tree. Lean your back against it and see if the experience speaks to you in any way 

Find a nearby tree if possible. Be quiet for a moment or two (as long as works for you) to reflect on what trees mean to you, and what the world would be like if we didn't have them.

A prayer:
Creator God, thank you for trees.
Thank you for the beauty that they bring to our world,
for the life that they support,
and for the part they play in your creation.
Silence
We are sorry for those times and places around the world
when people have destroyed trees because they are greedy for something else.
Silence
Help us to value trees as part of your creation not just for what they can give us,
but because you made them and you love them.
Silence -
Stand for a moment and let the tree point you towards God. 
In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you?
Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...
place them into God's hands...
Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thru the window - connecting with creation through Lent even when you can’t get outside. 

Wk 1/ 'Trees' 

You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, 

and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Isaiah 55:12

If you have a tree outside your window where you can see it, stand or sit and simply look.

If there is not one where you can see it, feel free to use the picture above – it is a Scots pine – or find a picture of a tree that you like in a book or on the internet, or close your eyes and imagine a tree that you know.

Meditation
Trees are amazing things. Their roots go down into the ground holding them upright and stable and taking precious nutrients from the soil to feed their growth. Moving up the tree the trunk and the branches become thinner and more delicate making patterns against the sky that are often very distinctive. And they support life. Whether there are leaves on your tree or not, there will be creatures living on or under the bark; perhaps birds nesting in the branches; even squirrels or owls hiding away.

Something to think about
Where are you rooted?
What do you need to feed your growth?
What gives you life? 

Prayer
Creator God, thank you for trees.
Thank you for the beauty that they bring to our world,
for the life that they support,
and for the part they play in your creation.
Silence
We are sorry for those times and places around the world
when people have destroyed trees because they are greedy for something else.
Silence
Help us to value trees as part of your creation not just for what they can give us,
but because you made them and you love them.
Silence -
Stand for a moment and let the tree point you towards God. 
In the quietness, what is the still, small voice of God saying to you?
Spend a few moments thinking of people and situations that are on your heart...
place them into God's hands...
Amen.