‘”These things are sent to try us.” This is just one among many cliches in the English language that we use without thinking. Yet how often do we stop to realise they are meaningless? Who sends these hard things to ‘try’ us? An almighty sadist in the sky? This stands as one of the most popularContinue reading “Challenging False Ideas of God: The Judge-Who-Could-Never-Be-Pleased, or Perfect Love and Limitless Goodness?”
Author Archives: SC Skillman
What Do We Do About Art? There’s Always a Little Shop At The End
What do we do about art when we wander around great art galleries and museums? We see wonderful things on the walls and maybe we’re overwhelmed. These great art works are distanced from us, somehow, by the awesome spaces and dimensions of the gallery. We could never have these original art works on the wallsContinue reading “What Do We Do About Art? There’s Always a Little Shop At The End”
The Dream of William Morris at Broadway Tower in the Cotswolds
My dream, wrote the designer William Morris, is a dream of what has never been… and therefore, since, the world is alive, and moving yet, my hope is the greater that it one day will be… dreams have before now come about of things so good… we scarcely think of them more than the daylight,Continue reading “The Dream of William Morris at Broadway Tower in the Cotswolds”
In Memory of Hattie, a Beloved Pet Cat – and the Gracefulness of Letting Go
This is Hattie, born 1996, who died on 21 September 2013, at home, in her basket, peacefully, in a deep sleep. When a much-loved family pet dies we need to decide what to do next. But we kept Hattie lying in her basket for a day and a night, nestled in her blanket, where sheContinue reading “In Memory of Hattie, a Beloved Pet Cat – and the Gracefulness of Letting Go”
Cutty Sark Uplifted and Renewed – Fantastic Transformation
It’s been twelve years since I last visited the Cutty Sark at Greenwich – and what a fantastic transformation. Greenwich and its neighbouring Woolwich in south London are part of my family background, and so this area has been familiar to me from childhood. This made my return to view the Cutty Sark even moreContinue reading “Cutty Sark Uplifted and Renewed – Fantastic Transformation”
And You Will Be Like a Watered Garden…
A well-watered garden is a powerful image of creativity, abundance, fruitfulness. When asked to describe or picture heaven, I often see it as a garden. The Prophet Isaiah, wrote these words: And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will beContinue reading “And You Will Be Like a Watered Garden…”
Guys Cliffe House, Romantic Ruin in a Dreamlike State, Awaiting New Life
What could be more poignant than a formerly grand mansion, standing on a cliff, now partially demolished, abandoned and desolate? Gaping staircases you cannot climb; stone balconies you long to stand on to gaze at the view; empty windows you feel sure a shadowy figure should flit past. Just such a gaunt mansion is Guy’sContinue reading “Guys Cliffe House, Romantic Ruin in a Dreamlike State, Awaiting New Life”
Sacred Spaces in the English Landscape and Places of Inspiration: Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral
Throughout the English landscape there’s evidence that our ancestors shaped the land, to conform to their own mythological landscape. I’ve written before about sacred spaces. In that article, I looked at some renowned locations in England where people have felt they’re in touch with something bigger than themselves – a sense of the numinous. AllContinue reading “Sacred Spaces in the English Landscape and Places of Inspiration: Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral”
Book Review: Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton
Religion for Atheists: A Non-Believer’s Guide to the Uses of Religion came into my hands the other day, recommended by a friend. The book was published by Penguin in 2012. I’ve now finished the book and given it a rating on Goodreads & Amazon of 3 out of 5 stars Review: Initially, this book heldContinue reading “Book Review: Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton”
Passion, Obsession and Curiosity at the Alternative Guide to the Universe, Hayward Gallery, London
What makes art? A listener posed this question to our tour guide as we stood looking at two art gallery walls covered with self-portraits of a bag lady, taken in various public photo booths. And this was the question I pondered as I , with my two teenage children, looked round an exhibition of wondersContinue reading “Passion, Obsession and Curiosity at the Alternative Guide to the Universe, Hayward Gallery, London”
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