Comments for The Painted Prayerbook http://paintedprayerbook.com Artist and writer Jan Richardson explores the intersections of word & image & faith. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:56:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by Nancy http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9620 Nancy Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:56:32 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9620 I usually sign my emails and letters "Light Blessings" or "Love and Blessings," and I think of this closing as a hug, a final note letting the recipient know I am thinking of them and wish them well. This post makes me realize how much more active and forceful blessings can be. How often we hear or even say "Bless her heart," as sort of a light remark upon hearing something sweet or innocent or even well-meaning, but missing the mark. Instead, by invoking a blessing we are intending to clear the way for transformation I usually sign my emails and letters “Light Blessings” or “Love and Blessings,” and I think of this closing as a hug, a final note letting the recipient know I am thinking of them and wish them well. This post makes me realize how much more active and forceful blessings can be. How often we hear or even say “Bless her heart,” as sort of a light remark upon hearing something sweet or innocent or even well-meaning, but missing the mark. Instead, by invoking a blessing we are intending to clear the way for transformation

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by steve http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9616 steve Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:39:10 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9616 Jan, I often find in your writing the calming sense of direction I need to bring focus to my sermon thoughts. The blessing shared today has done just that. With ccredit to you, it will be my post-sermon prayer this week, and my personal blessing of renewal. thanks so much. Jan,
I often find in your writing the calming sense of direction I need to bring focus to my sermon thoughts. The blessing shared today has done just that.
With ccredit to you, it will be my post-sermon prayer this week, and my personal blessing of renewal. thanks so much.

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by Laurie http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9527 Laurie Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:07:59 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9527 Jan, as always, you have propelled me through a thinly veiled doorway into a deep space of profound thinking. Your words have provided me some tools for sorting through some of the ponderings I have been faced with after a period of isolation due to mother nature and power outages. When the world suddenly becomes very guiet and dark, it is amazing how much we must acknowledge. And when the world suddenly lights back up, re-entry can be a challenge. Thanks for this blessing on this day. Jan, as always, you have propelled me through a thinly veiled doorway into a deep space of profound thinking. Your words have provided me some tools for sorting through some of the ponderings I have been faced with after a period of isolation due to mother nature and power outages. When the world suddenly becomes very guiet and dark, it is amazing how much we must acknowledge. And when the world suddenly lights back up, re-entry can be a challenge. Thanks for this blessing on this day.

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: In the Realm of the Spirits by Patty Collins http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/01/30/in-the-realm-of-the-spirits/#comment-9517 Patty Collins Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:20:24 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=663#comment-9517 Jan, this is outstanding. I forwarded this to my son who is under spiritual attack. It is good to have someone explain these things with clarity and without being extreme. This is truth. God bless your work--you are making a difference in this world! Jan, this is outstanding. I forwarded this to my son who is under spiritual attack. It is good to have someone explain these things with clarity and without being extreme. This is truth. God bless your work–you are making a difference in this world!

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9453 Jan Richardson Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:40:49 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9453 Thank you, Mary Ann! It's great to hear from you, and I so appreciate your words. Yes---amen to creativity and chaos being linked! My creative life definitely is intimately involved with chaos (you should see my studio!), and I can't imagine creativity and artfulness taking place without chaos. I think what makes a difference in what direction the chaos goes in---whether it overwhelms/harms/destroys (as was happening with the man whom Jesus heals in this story) or whether it brings forth creativity and life---is our willingness to be open to how God appears to us in the chaos, and to receive and live into the blessing that God offers there. If we can do this, then we're able to enter into that creative process that chaos can nudge us toward. If we can't do this, or aren't willing to, the chaos can start spinning out of control and take over our lives in devastating ways. I'm so grateful for the ways you engage the chaos and for the beautiful creativity you bring forth! Blessings to you. Thank you, Mary Ann! It’s great to hear from you, and I so appreciate your words. Yes—amen to creativity and chaos being linked! My creative life definitely is intimately involved with chaos (you should see my studio!), and I can’t imagine creativity and artfulness taking place without chaos.

I think what makes a difference in what direction the chaos goes in—whether it overwhelms/harms/destroys (as was happening with the man whom Jesus heals in this story) or whether it brings forth creativity and life—is our willingness to be open to how God appears to us in the chaos, and to receive and live into the blessing that God offers there. If we can do this, then we’re able to enter into that creative process that chaos can nudge us toward. If we can’t do this, or aren’t willing to, the chaos can start spinning out of control and take over our lives in devastating ways.

I’m so grateful for the ways you engage the chaos and for the beautiful creativity you bring forth! Blessings to you.

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9451 Jan Richardson Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:21:31 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9451 Many thanks, Maureen. Peace to you in the storm! Many thanks, Maureen. Peace to you in the storm!

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by Mary Ann Sinclair http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9449 Mary Ann Sinclair Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:21:54 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9449 Jan, I love you for what you bring to the table! I have taken a course that has linked creativity to chaos. Without chaos, there is no nudge. It has allowed me to view the chaos in my life as a friendly force...Spirit driven. Jan, I love you for what you bring to the table! I have taken a course that has linked creativity to chaos. Without chaos, there is no nudge. It has allowed me to view the chaos in my life as a friendly force…Spirit driven.

]]> Comment on Epiphany 4: Blessing in the Chaos by Maureen http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/24/epiphany-4-blessing-in-the-chaos/#comment-9446 Maureen Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:55:35 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2435#comment-9446 Your poem seems written for the particular difficulties I face now. Thank you for affirming the possibility of finding again the peace that will come on "see[ing] what shimmers within the storm". Your tea (prayer)book is charming! Your poem seems written for the particular difficulties I face now. Thank you for affirming the possibility of finding again the peace that will come on “see[ing] what shimmers within the storm”.

Your tea (prayer)book is charming!

]]> Comment on Epiphany 3: Blessing the Nets by Leslie http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/19/epiphany-3-blessing-the-nets/#comment-9239 Leslie Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:16:56 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2419#comment-9239 As a lay person being called to serve, I face the tension of a past secular career with that of serving on our church staff in Missions. The challenges are often near overwhelming. Your words bring both reason of the tension and comfort in it as well. I am blessed, encouraged and empowered to continue casting for the Kingdom! Thank you! As a lay person being called to serve, I face the tension of a past secular career with that of serving on our church staff in Missions. The challenges are often near overwhelming. Your words bring both reason of the tension and comfort in it as well. I am blessed, encouraged and empowered to continue casting for the Kingdom! Thank you!

]]> Comment on Epiphany 3: Blessing the Nets by Jan Richardson http://paintedprayerbook.com/2012/01/19/epiphany-3-blessing-the-nets/#comment-9190 Jan Richardson Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:21:16 +0000 http://paintedprayerbook.com/?p=2419#comment-9190 Thank you, Maureen. Thank you, Maureen.

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