Comments on: The Artful Ashes http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/ Artist and writer Jan Richardson explores the intersections of word & image & faith. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:48:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Susan http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-819 Susan Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:33:27 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-819 Jan: After reading through the gospel texts for Lent, the Worship Committee which I chair came up with the theme "Lent: Through The Chaos" for the season this year. Your reflections on chaos, and those of some of the other respondents, strike a chord as I tiptoe into the theme. Thank you for your words and artwork. Some of your concepts may find their way into liturgies that I will be writing. I look forward to having you as one of my companions on the chaotic path of Lent. Blessings on your own journey. Jan:
After reading through the gospel texts for Lent, the Worship Committee which I chair came up with the theme “Lent: Through The Chaos” for the season this year. Your reflections on chaos, and those of some of the other respondents, strike a chord as I tiptoe into the theme. Thank you for your words and artwork. Some of your concepts may find their way into liturgies that I will be writing. I look forward to having you as one of my companions on the chaotic path of Lent. Blessings on your own journey.

]]> By: Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-785 Jan Richardson Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:41:45 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-785 Thanks much, Lucy! Yes---your phrase "glorious chaos" resonated for me. A good phrase for the tumult that I sometimes do need, for that's often where the creativity comes from. Seems to be part of my ongoing work to be present to the chaos, to not try to impose too much order on it or stifle/suppress the gifts it has, while at the same time finding a path through it. And working to be clear about what chaos is glorious and necessary, and what chaos is depleting, damaging, soul-draining, and needs to be left behind. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your thoughtfulness. Lenten blessings to you! Thanks much, Lucy! Yes—your phrase “glorious chaos” resonated for me. A good phrase for the tumult that I sometimes do need, for that’s often where the creativity comes from. Seems to be part of my ongoing work to be present to the chaos, to not try to impose too much order on it or stifle/suppress the gifts it has, while at the same time finding a path through it. And working to be clear about what chaos is glorious and necessary, and what chaos is depleting, damaging, soul-draining, and needs to be left behind. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your thoughtfulness. Lenten blessings to you!

]]> By: Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-784 Jan Richardson Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:35:10 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-784 Oh, Phyllis, such good images you offer, here in your words as well as in your gorgeous artwork. Thank you. Know you're in my prayers this Ash Wednesday and in the season to come. Blessings as you work with the layers; may the heavy ones be transformed into something beautiful. Hm, a tabernacle, perhaps... Oh, Phyllis, such good images you offer, here in your words as well as in your gorgeous artwork. Thank you. Know you’re in my prayers this Ash Wednesday and in the season to come. Blessings as you work with the layers; may the heavy ones be transformed into something beautiful. Hm, a tabernacle, perhaps…

]]> By: Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-783 Jan Richardson Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:31:40 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-783 Many thanks, Sunrise Sister. I'm always intrigued when an idea or theme surfaces in a variety of places in my life---that often seems to be how invitations to a new path, or a deeper one, come my way. Am working to keep my eyes open to notice when it happens! Whatever you feel drawn to take on in this season, I hope the coming days will offer some good stretching and much grace. Would be happy to hear how it turns out! Many thanks, Sunrise Sister. I’m always intrigued when an idea or theme surfaces in a variety of places in my life—that often seems to be how invitations to a new path, or a deeper one, come my way. Am working to keep my eyes open to notice when it happens! Whatever you feel drawn to take on in this season, I hope the coming days will offer some good stretching and much grace. Would be happy to hear how it turns out!

]]> By: Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-782 Jan Richardson Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:25:25 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-782 Roberta, Roberta, Roberta...thank you! How lovely. I wish you much peace, clarity, comfort, and whatever else you need in the wake of your father's death and as you journey through Lent. May the coming days have much sustenance to offer. Thank you again. Roberta, Roberta, Roberta…thank you! How lovely.

I wish you much peace, clarity, comfort, and whatever else you need in the wake of your father’s death and as you journey through Lent. May the coming days have much sustenance to offer. Thank you again.

]]> By: lucy http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-778 lucy Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:02:58 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-778 "Ash Wednesday beckons us to cross over the threshold into a season that’s all about working through the chaos to discover what is essential." these words named for me exactly what i have been feeling recently. it is a sense of glorious chaos, but it feels increasingly important for me to discover what is essential in the midst. thank you! “Ash Wednesday beckons us to cross over the threshold into a season that’s all about working through the chaos to discover what is essential.”

these words named for me exactly what i have been feeling recently. it is a sense of glorious chaos, but it feels increasingly important for me to discover what is essential in the midst. thank you!

]]> By: phyllis http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-774 phyllis Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:31:39 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-774 As always you've sparked my imagination and soul with your descriptive writing and minimalist artwork, Jan. So little, yet so much! I've been in the OT in my daily readings about sacrifices, altars, tabernacle which brings me to the NT of sacrifices of praise and aromas and fragrances. Now, considering Ash Wednesday and the burning up of old patterns, things hindering me or things I'm holding on to are wonderful and terrible to consider, knowing discernment of change is often difficult. Pray that I can throw off the layers that are heavy and not be lulled to inactivity, or indifference during this season of Lent. Your story of charcoal discovery was quite inspiring and challenging as well. Yea, Peg! As always you’ve sparked my imagination and soul with your descriptive writing and minimalist artwork, Jan. So little, yet so much! I’ve been in the OT in my daily readings about sacrifices, altars, tabernacle which brings me to the NT of sacrifices of praise and aromas and fragrances. Now, considering Ash Wednesday and the burning up of old patterns, things hindering me or things I’m holding on to are wonderful and terrible to consider, knowing discernment of change is often difficult. Pray that I can throw off the layers that are heavy and not be lulled to inactivity, or indifference during this season of Lent. Your story of charcoal discovery was quite inspiring and challenging as well. Yea, Peg!

]]> By: Sunrise Sister http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-770 Sunrise Sister Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:06:32 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-770 I have been contemplating a "taking on" during the Season of Lent this year. Uncertain of making the commitment to myself and to God, a bit of reticence, maybe not up to the task. My morning prayer with writer, John Baillie, my morning reading from Thomas Merton, the scripture that my mind selected from the readings and the message I found there, AS WELL as your post have all been nothing but encouragement and permission for me to "proceed." I'll let you know one day how it all turns out:) I have been contemplating a “taking on” during the Season of Lent this year. Uncertain of making the commitment to myself and to God, a bit of reticence, maybe not up to the task. My morning prayer with writer, John Baillie, my morning reading from Thomas Merton, the scripture that my mind selected from the readings and the message I found there, AS WELL as your post have all been nothing but encouragement and permission for me to “proceed.” I’ll let you know one day how it all turns out:)

]]> By: Roberta http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/02/22/the-artful-ashes/#comment-768 Roberta Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:40:23 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=757#comment-768 Jan, Jan, Jan.....do you have any idea how much God has gifted you? and how you honor that gift by sharing it with the rest of us? thank you.....in the wake of my father's death this month I feel drawn to consider what the essentials truly are in my life during this upcoming Lenten season. Jan, Jan, Jan…..do you have any idea how much God has gifted you? and how you honor that gift by sharing it with the rest of us?

thank you…..in the wake of my father’s death this month I feel drawn to consider what the essentials truly are in my life during this upcoming Lenten season.

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