Celtic Treasure

The real work of Christmas

2011-12-24T10:03:00.002Z

The Real Work of Christmas

When the last present has been opened

and the last mouth fed.

When weariness lays like a blanket over all mankind -

The real work of Christmas begins:

To seek the lost

To support the lonely

To feed the starving

To shelter the homeless

To console the broken

To love the unlovely

To pray for peace

To...

LOVE.

(c) Liz Babbs

Celtic Christian Spirit Radio - a real gem!

2011-12-16T09:04:00.000Z

I thought you might like to meet my Californian friend, Keltic Ken, who is a professional radio presenter and broadcaster. Here I am with him, a few months ago, outside KRDU Radio in Fresno, CA. Now Ken, as well as being famous for his sense of humour, also runs a unique Celtic Christian radio service called Celtic Christian Spirit Radio and it's free via the internet. I even listen via the Live 365 app on my iPhone and iPad! He's playing a lovely Christmas selection at the moment. As CCS is a Celtic treasure, I thought I'd ask him a little more about it:

1. What is Celtic Christian Spirit Radio?

It’s Christian music with a Celtic (and sometimes world-beat) sound. Think Riverdance or Enya with Christian lyrics. This is the “best music you’ve never heard” and “Christian music with a Celtic accent.”

2. How do folks access it?

Go to www.celticchristianmusic.com where there is a link to listen right from the home page. It’s free to listen (with commercials). You can become a VIP member for a nominal fee on Live365 to listen commercial free. There is also a free 365 app for mobile devices for listening anywhere.

3. Why might we want to listen to your radio station?

Broadcast Christian music has become increasingly homogenized and a cranked out formula. This music is more adventuresome, most of the artists are indie artists, not like what you’ll hear on your local Christian music radio station.

4. Why this Christmas selection?

It is a natural to go to Christmas music this time of year, but the good thing is instead of duplicating what everybody else does there is a wealth of Celtic music suited to this season. Including some ancient carols and music you’ve probably never heard before. I don’t rely on computers to chose the music. I listen to each song one-by-one and select the songs that fit my music station.

Hope in Darkness this Advent

2011-12-10T11:02:00.000Z

Advent is a season of waiting...of preparation...of promise. God is announcing: 'Behold, I make all things new' (Revelations 21:5). But it can be hard to glimpse or even imagine the new when you're stuck in a dark tunnel. And that is many people's experience at this time in the lead up to Christmas. Christmas and New Year can spotlight and heighten the difficulties in our lives and lead to a sense of hopelessness.

But for such a time as this, God gave us Jesus. 'We walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7), so despite the darkness and apparent absence of hope, we must hold onto the fact that Jesus, The Light of the World, Emmanuel, is here with us now illuminating a pathway through the darkness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel.

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:5

‎'The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.' John 1:5

Celtic Treasure CD in my shop now with FREE track download!

2011-06-28T19:29:00.002+01:00

I'm excited, I've just launched my new album Celtic Treasure, in concert with musician Simeon Wood at the Cliff College Festival. You can listen to the track ‘On Lindisfarne’ now, as a FREE MP3 download, just click on this link http://www.lizbabbs.com/shop/celtic-treasure-cd The CD costs just £7.99 from my website shop

Celtic Treasure is the spoken word and music recording of Liz Babbs’ popular Celtic Treasure Gift Book (Lion Hudson, 2009). Celtic Treasure weaves together ancient Celtic wisdom and traditional and original prayers, with Simeon’s beautiful evocative music. Celtic Treasure is an exploration of Celtic Christianity and a reflective journey leading the listener into the heart of God.
Tracks:
Introduction
Iona
Lindisfarne
Prayer
Solitude
Creation
Creativity
Community
Personal reflection
Hospitality
Celebration
You can book Simeon and I to perform Celtic Treasure live in concert. We'd love to share our Celtic journey with you - artistically and spiritually.

* To receive exclusive 'free stuff' - sign up for the newsletter via my website http://www.lizbabbs.com/

He is Risen!

2011-04-26T13:33:00.000+01:00

I’ve been reflecting on the resurrection and thinking that whatever difficulty we experience in our lives - God can move the stone!

Also, as I prepare to lead sessions on the Bible and Poetry, I’ve been reflecting on the character of God through Song of Songs - God’s poetic love letter to us:

Listen! My beloved!
   Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
   bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
   Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
   peering through the lattice.
My beloved spoke and said to me,
   “Arise, my darling,
   my beautiful one, come with me.
See! The winter is past;
   the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
   the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
   is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
   the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
   my beautiful one, come with me.”

(Song of Songs 2:8-13)

Some years ago, I wrote this poem as a response to the resurrection, inspired by the Song of Songs:

Stone upon stone

upon river

upon stream

my Lover is calling

He is beckoning to me

A love consummated on a cross

and sealed in a tomb

We rise to new life

Bride and bridegroom.

And I just love the explosion of joy expressed in this worship dance video by First Baptist Church, Houston - Dance Your Shoes Off!

During the Olympics next year, we will be taking to the streets of London to do the same thing. We’ll be allowing our joy in God to explode into dance!

Happy Easter!

Lent: Celtic-style

2011-03-09T17:27:00.000Z

Something that captures my attention about Celtic Christians is the simplicity of their faith. I think we have much to learn from Celtic Christianity in our busy lives, with overcomplicated schedules and endless church meetings.

Their joy was not based on achievement or material possessions, but in loving and caring for each other and in being grateful for all that God had created for them and blessed them with. I think we need to rediscover that sense of simplicity, thankfulness and wonder - perhaps by fasting from the things that shackle us or get in the way of our relationship with God. Lent is an excellent time to begin living more simply.

What will you give up or take up for Lent?

Reluctant Heroes

2011-03-01T13:02:00.002Z

This month I'm reflecting on St Patrick as it's St Patrick's Day 17th March; and King George VI - with all the Oscar success of the The King's Speech. I recently shared with you a favourite poem of King George VI and the Queen Mother.

But what do St Patrick and King George VI have in common?

Answer - they were both reluctant heroes.

King George VI reluctantly became King when his brother, King Edward VIII, chose abdication in preference to abandoning his marriage plans to a divorced woman. The oscar winning The King's Speech depicts George's journey from stammering obscurity to King of Great Britain.

St Patrick was not Irish, neither can he have been particularly keen on Ireland originally, because when he was sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery there! He escaped six years later when God appeared to him in a vision and showed him how to escape. Some years later God sent him back to Ireland as priest and he later became Bishop of Ireland.

Which reminds me of the prophet Jonah who when summoned by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh, ran in the other direction! It took Jonah three days of whale captivity for him to change his mind!
Listening to God is a challenging business. I wonder if you've ever wanted to run from the call of God? I know I have! When God called me to become a missionary, I wanted to run away. I was reluctant, because I thought God would send me to India or Africa. Thank goodness God knows our hearts and uses us where we are and where we can most effectively serve him.

In order to follow God's leading, we need God's strength. I love this prayer attributed to St Patrick. Try praying it aloud several times:
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of Sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
Celtic Treasure

'I can do all things through him who gives me strength.' Philippians 4:13

How I became interested in Celtic Christianity

2011-02-21T16:09:00.000Z

Ten years ago I spent some time travelling across Britain visiting Scotland, Northumbria and Ireland while writing my first Celtic gift book The Celtic Heart (Lion, 2003). Originally, this book did not have a Celtic theme, but during my trip across Britain, I found myself increasingly drawn to, and inspired by, the radical faith and lifestyle of the Celtic saints. They have left a lasting impression on the landscape, and have touched the hearts of countless people across the centuries.

When I sailed with friends by yacht to Iona, I felt an incredible sense of connection with these saints and their passion to make Jesus known. Even the difficulty we had anchoring, reminded me of the incredible dangers these monastic missionaries faced on the open seas—many dying sharing their faith.

But it was when I visited the stunningly beautiful tidal island of Lindisfarne (or Holy Island), that I realized I was no longer a tourist, but a pilgrim in search of ‘the ancient paths’. An inner transformation had taken place that deepened my faith and began to change the course of my writing.

Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is,

and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

(Jeremiah 6:16)

Putting your hand into the hand of God

2011-01-26T17:37:00.005Z

'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.' (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Many folk by now will have broken their New Year resolutions. But does it really matter? The Bible doesn’t tell us to put our trust in man-made resolutions, but in God. During these uncertain and troubling times, we especially need to put our hand into his, and trust him to guide, strengthen and support us.

'Stop stressing. I'm here for you. Hold on to me and let me sort things out.' (Isaiah 41:10) My translation!

To put your hand into God’s requires surrender - a letting go into God. I sometimes visualize this as falling back into his arms.

* So let's imagine putting our hand into the hand of God now. Can you visualize this?

I love this famous poem sometimes referred to as 'The Gate of the Year'. It was this poem that the Queen Mother, a devout Christian, asked to be read at her funeral. This poem was a source of comfort throughout her life and she had it engraved on the gates of the Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, where her husband, King George VI, was interred. King George VI (you may have seen Colin Firth as the King in the 'The King's Speech'), quoted it in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire.

I said to the man

who stood at the gate of the year

“Give me a light that I may tread safely

into the unknown.”

And he replied: “Go out into the darkness

and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be better than light

and safer than a known way!”

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God

trod gladly into the night.

M. Louise Haskins (1875-1957)

Christmas is Here!

2010-12-25T00:40:00.001Z

Happy Christmas

Christmas is Here!

Kings travel from afar

Christmas is coming...

Guided by the brightest star

Christmas is coming...

Bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh

Christmas is coming...

To the Son of Man born on earth

Christmas is here!

Liz Babbs

The Power of Silence

2010-12-09T13:02:00.002Z

“Progress in intimacy with God means progress towards silence.” (Richard J Foster).

How can we make space for God during this busy Advent season? One way is be silent! In ‘The Big Silence’ - a three part BBC documentary broadcast recently, a group of five busy professionals (only one of them a Christian) found God in incredibly deep ways through spending time in silence at a monastery. But the hardest challenge they faced, was making space for silence once they were back home.

St Beuno’s, the monastery where part two of ‘The Big Silence’ was filmed, was the home of the famous poet and Jesuit priest, Gerard Manley Hopkins. Many of my books grow out of the soil of silence written either at home or while staying at my local Anglican convent. But you don’t have to visit a monastery or convent to find some silence. Here are some suggestions:

Switch off the radio, TV, cell phone and computer etc.
Go for a walk.
Sit in the garden. (Even better build a shed or poustina in your garden)
Wear ear plugs!
Put on your headphones but don’t switch on your iPod. Folk then leave you alone because they think you’re listening to music!
Use your car as a sacred bubble. I often travel for hours on the motorway in silence as preparation for an event I’m about to lead. If you travel by public transport, then the ‘pretend headphones’ technique works well!

Let’s try a few minutes silence now:

In order to find the pathway that leads to intimacy with God, we need to discover the gift of silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks.

So let’s spend a few minutes just enjoying the silence… You might like to close your eyes…Don’t worry if thoughts or distractions pop into your mind – that’s quite normal… Simply visualise yourself placing them to one side like piles of papers (you can always pick them up later if you choose to)… Now try to ‘tune out’ the noise and clutter of life and ‘tune in’ to the stillness and peace...

Silence is...

A space in time to retreat.

A place to grow, to be watered and fed.

To learn only those things

that flourish

in its soil.

from ‘The Pilgrim Heart’ Liz Babbs

Solitude and Community

2010-11-16T12:54:00.002Z

Solitude and community can seem a bit of a contradiction, but Celtic spirituality was earthed in solitude as well as community. The Celts did not see one way of living out their faith as separate from another, but wove them together. Monks lived alone in cells, which were basic stone huts where they could pray. Here's a photo of Skellig Michael, one of the most ancient examples of a Celtic monastic community. It is 9 miles off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland and is the place I'd most like to visit.

Solitude in the monastic tradition, did not cut a person off from the real world, it made them more in tune with it. In fact, a contemporary definition of the word 'monk' described by Ray Simpson is ‘one who separates from everybody in order to be reunited to everyone’.

i love visiting St Cuthbert’s Island, the secluded tidal island alongside the Lindisfarne Priory, where Cuthbert used to retreat to pray. I wrote this prayer whilst standing where his cell is meant to have been:

Lord, make me and island

set apart for you.

Where the rocks of ages

ring out with praise.

Where the waters of your spirit

saturate my soul

and the fire of your presence

burns deep within.

(Liz Babbs)

(Taken from p.38 Celtic Treasure - Liz Babbs)

Do you need space?

2010-09-24T14:46:00.002+01:00

Okay, I have to admit that the space in yesterday's post really annoyed me. Blogger just simply doesn't behave when I use it. Everyone else seems to have perfected blog layout except me. No matter how I changed and re-posted my blog yesterday, that space appeared under the title. And what was worse, every time I changed it, it grew!

But it was a timely reminder, though, of one of things that most of us need most in our daily lives - SPACE. So it's great to be reminded of it visually. I once heard performance poet Jude Simpson say, "The space between the letters is spelt GRACE." And she is right. We need God's grace to live our lives at his pace and that requires that we put an extra letter in front of that word PACE and become more aware of our need for SPACE. Jesus took time and space to be with his dad, so how much more do we need time with our heavenly Father.

A friend of mine calls her time out with God her 'cave time' after the prophet Elijah. During her 'cave time' she finds a way to have some 'alone time' away from work and a busy family life. Often she has to leave the house and go for a walk to get that 'cave time', but once she's had it, she's able to face life again.

Do you need some SPACE or 'cave-time'?

Click to hear my 20 second poem SoulSpace

Celtic Morning Prayer

2010-09-23T08:41:00.005+01:00

The Celtic scholar, Alexander Carmichael, spent his life collecting prayers, songs and poetry of the Celts, which resulted in the 6 volume Carmina Gadelica - a treasury of Celtic spirituality.

I love the simplicity of this Morning Prayer and so thought I'd share it with you. In fact, I'm planning on personalising it and writing my own version. You might like to do the same adding particular activities or names of family members etc. Maybe we could share our prayers with each other.

God's Aid

God to enfold me,

God to surround me,

God in my speaking,

God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,

God in my waking,

God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,

God in my lips,

God in my soul,

God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,

God in my slumber,

God in mine ever-living soul,

God in mine eternity.

(Carmina Gadelica III, 53)

O Christ, will You help me on the wild waves?

2010-07-14T12:26:00.002+01:00

I've been meditating on various scriptures relating to water recently, including Noah building the Arc and Peter walking on water. Trusting God can sometimes seem as scary as walking on water or sailing across the ocean in a flimsy coracle! Saint Brendan the Navigator is famous for his courage at sea - his trust, determination and obedience were so strong, that he is said to have been the first person to sail across the Atlantic! I love the faith and humility expressed in this emotive prayer which is attributed to St Brendan:

Shall I abandon, O King of mysteries, the soft comforts of home?
Shall I turn my back on my native land, and turn my face towards the sea?
Shall I put myself wholly at your mercy, without silver, without a horse, without fame, without honor?
Shall I throw myself wholly upon You, without sword and shield, without food and drink, without a bed to lie on?
Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under Your yoke?
Shall I pour out my heart to You, confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness, tears streaming down my cheeks?
Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach, a record of my final prayer in my native land?
Shall I then suffer every kind of wound that the sea can inflict?
Shall I take my tiny boat across the wide sparkling ocean?
O King of the Glorious Heaven, shall I go of my own choice upon the sea?
O Christ, will You help me on the wild waves?
(Ascribed to Saint Brendan the Navigator before sailing across the Atlantic.)

A prayer for these uncertain times.

2010-05-08T19:35:00.001+01:00

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

I love this beautiful Celtic encircling prayer from Iona. It reminds me of the prayer for protection and safety in Ephesians 6 - The Armour of God. It's a really moving one to pray during these uncertain times.

My Christ,

My shield,

My encircler,

each day,

each night,

each light,

each dark,

be near me,

uphold me,

my treasure,

my triumph.

Should St Aidan be new patron saint of UK?

2010-04-23T14:44:00.003+01:00

Today is Saint George's Day and I'm reminded of leading theologian Ian Bradley's suggestion that St Aidan would make a better patron saint of the UK than St Goerge. What are your thoughts? Here are some of his reasons:

"St George had nothing to do with Britain and his legend was brought back here with the Crusades. St Andrew similarly had no links with Scotland and St Patrick was born in Scotland or England and put into slavery by the Irish. On the other hand, St Aidan unites three of the countries by having lived there and is, I believe, a better symbol for Britishness.

"Aidan was the sort of hybrid Briton that sums up the overlapping spiritual identities of Britain.

"He also makes a good patron saint of Britain because of his character. He was particularly humble and believed in talking directly to people. When he was given a horse by King Oswald of Northumbria, he immediately gave it away because he was worried that he would not be able to communicate properly.

"He was also not shy of reprimanding the mighty and powerful about their failings. He saw it as part of his job to remind secular rulers not to get above themselves.... he had a sense of openness and diversity for his time that I think makes him a good candidate as the patron saint of Britain."

Ashes to ashes

2010-04-20T21:00:00.003+01:00

The Celts were great storytellers and poets. We need our contemporary storytellers to help us understand the times.

Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has written a poem called 'Silver Linings' inspired by the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

You an hear Carol reading this poem by clicking on the link

Carol Ann Duffy video

Five miles up the hush and shush of ash,
Yet the sky is as clean as a white slate -
I could write my childhood there.
Selfish to sit in this garden, listening to the past
(A gentleman bee wooing its flower, a lawnmower)
When the grounded planes mean ruined plans,
Holidays on hold, sore absences at weddings, funerals ... wingless commerce.
But Britain's birds sing in this spring
From Inverness to Liverpool, from Crieff to Cardiff,
Oxford, Londontown, Land's End to John O' Groats.
The music's silent summons,
That Shakespeare heard and Edward Thomas and, briefly, us.

Carol Ann Duffy

He is risen!

2010-04-04T00:04:00.004+01:00

Today on this Easter Sunday, and after a wonderful week of fasting from Internet communication, I want to share with you a very personal message that I've written as love poem to God:

Stone upon stone

upon river

upon stream

my Lover is calling

He is beckoning to me.

A love consummated on a cross

and sealed in a tomb.

we rise to new life

Bride and Bridegroom.

(Liz Babbs)

So who was St Patrick?

2010-03-16T10:56:00.000Z

We have much to learn from those who have gone before us in the faith and so I thought I'd give you a brief overview of St Patrick.

Saint Patrick (387-461) is the most famous Irishman of all time and yet he wasn’t born in Ireland but at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton in Scotland. He was the son of a deacon and worked on his father’s farm as a young boy, but at the age of sixteen, he was captured by Irish raiders and sold into slavery in Ireland. He escaped six years later when it is said God appeared to him in a vision and showed him how to escape. Patrick embraced the monastic way of life and became a priest, but God called him back to Ireland and he later became Bishop of Ireland. Many stories have been told of Patrick’s travels across Ireland, preaching and converting people as he went. Irish people all around the world will be celebrating his achievements tomorrow, March 17^th, which is said to be the anniversary of his death. This extract from St Patrick’s Declaration gives a wonderful insight into his life:

After coming to Ireland I was put to work tending cattle, sheep and hogs, and many times during that day I would pray. More and more the love of God and the fear of God came to me, so that my faith was strengthened and my spirit moved. In a single day I would pray as often as a hundred times, and nearly as often at night, when I was staying in the woods and the mountains, I would rouse myself before daylight to pray, whether in snow, frost, or rain; it made no difference, and I felt no bad effects. Because the Spirit in me was fervent, I knew no sluggishness. St Patrick

(Quoted from p.26 Celtic Treasure - Liz Babbs)

Why are Americans interested in St Patrick?

2010-03-15T23:49:00.001Z

I'm fascinated by the lengths Americans will go to in order to celebrate St Patrick's Day, so I thought I'd ask American author Cindy Thompson why she was is interested in St Patrick.

"Oh, my goodness! St. Patrick’s Day is huge in America. But for Americans the saint means green stuff: green beer, green carnations, shamrocks, cupcakes with green icing…and it’s also a time for celebrating Irish America, which is a good thing. However, my experience has been that Americans know little about the saint himself. The stories we hear is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland, that he brought Christianity to Ireland, and that he explained the Triune God by using the three-leafed shamrock as an example. None of these things, by the way, is supported by historical evidence. There is so much more to St. Patrick than that!

Most people know that there were no snakes in Ireland—there still aren’t. It’s generally accepted that the reference to snakes was symbolic, either as evil or as the old religion. However, none of St. Patrick’s writings refer to snakes. He did spread Christianity throughout Ireland, however what most people don’t know is that there were Christians in Ireland before St. Patrick came to convert it. What a lot of Americans don’t realize is that St. Patrick was not Irish. He was kidnapped and brought to the island as a slave, and was born somewhere in Wales or Scotland or northern England."

Top 10 things you might not know about St Patrick!

2010-03-11T15:46:00.001Z

We're heading towards St Patrick's Day, so I thought I'd ask fellow author Cindy Thompson who is American and knows a lot about St Patrick to give our St Patrick's top 10.

Top Ten Things You might not know About St. Patrick

1. He wasn't Irish. He was a British Roman, possibly born in Wales.
2. He did not drive the snakes from Ireland (not literally).
3. He first came to Ireland as a slave.
4. He returned to Ireland years after escaping because of a dream.
5. He was not the first Christian in Ireland.
6. He was not the first bishop sent to Ireland.
7. His traditional burial place is in Downpatrick with St. Brigid and St. Columba.
8. There are two original writings that survive: Confession and Letter to Coroticus.
9. St. Patrick's Breastplate, attributed to him, was written in a later time period.
10. There is no proof that he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, but no proof that he didn't.

Many thanks to Cindy Thompson who wrote 'Celtic Wisdom' (Lion Hudson 2009).

Celtic Treasure in Concert!

2010-03-03T10:11:00.005Z

Time is marching on. In just 2 days until the premiere of Celtic Treasure as a meditative concert. I can't wait. But I'm also nervous. Will folk think I've included enough detail, the right visuals, music etc? You can't overload a concert presentation with too many words. In fact, the art is to include the minimum of words - just enough to set the context for each theme and then weave the right prayers and poems across the music. The words and instrumental music need to work seamlessly together like a sacred dance. The concert as a whole needs space to breathe, opportunities to reflect, as well as times to join in the sense of celebration that so characterises Celtic Christianity.

As part of that celebration I've been learning how to play the Bodrum drum to accompany one of the concert jigs. I only managed to borrow one the other day days and so I'm not particularly skilled at it yet, in fact, I'm still learning how to keep hold of the beater so that it doesn't fly out of my hand! But then, Celtic spirituality is all about joining in, you don't need any qualifications, you just need to let go and enjoy being fully alive!

Simeon Wood will be playing music from his composition 'Across the Blue Sea' which was inspired by St Columba and his missionary travels to Iona and beyond, and he'll be playing a whole range of instruments (plus his bass flute, which American Airlines have just returned)! We hope that folk will catch our passion for Jesus, too, and see how our Celtic journey has both enriched and deepened our faith.

Ash Wednesday Reflection

2010-02-17T23:44:00.002Z

I have just been to a very moving Anglican Choral Eucharist service which was a wonderful way to begin Lent. I thought I'd share with you a prayer from the liturgy which I found particularly helpful:

For these forty days

you lead us to into the desert of repentance

that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline

we may grow in grace

and learn to be your people once again.

Though fasting, prayer and acts of service

you bring us back to your generous heart.

Through study of your holy word

you open our eyes to your presence in the world

and free our hands to welcome others

into the radiant splendour of your love.

(Eucharistic Prayer)

When we are marked with ashes, it is a sign of the spirit of penitence which we retain throughout the season of Lent. Ashes are also a symbol of our own mortality and remind us that we are but dust, and to dust we shall return.

The real nature of Love

2010-02-15T13:53:00.003Z

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, which can leave many of us feeling excluded. I must say that I much prefer the more inclusive tradition in the US, because any of your friends, male of female can wish you a happy Valentine's Day and send you cards. I still have a lovely rose which doubles as a pen, which my Texan friend and her husband gave me some years ago. And that is the nature of God's love, too - it is totally inclusive and binds us together through each other.

When I was writing Celtic Treasure, the poem that most moved me was this personal reflection on the nature of God's love:

For love is of God.

It's the life force shaping all creation.

The very essence we breathe.

For love removes boundaries
eradicates prejudice
crosses divides

builds community

and moulds

history.

Liz Babbs

Our life is characterised by love: We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4 :19

Rediscovering the Joys of Simplicity

2010-02-13T13:37:00.002Z

Many years ago now, I gave up my well paid job as a secondary school teacher so that I could focus on the ministry I believed God was calling me into. I've had to trust in God to provide for all my needs, financial and otherwise, which has been a challenging but life-changing journey. Like the Celtic Christians, I've learned to appreciate the simple things: the beauty of a sunrise, the gift of light, water, heat and health. And I've repeatedly seen God's love and care in the small - the detail of life.

In our consumerist world, I was encouraged to read an amazing article about a millionaire, Karl Rebedeer, who has given away his whole fortune to charity, because it was making him miserable. He has sold his luxury houses, gliders etc and is moving into a small wooden hut in the mountains and says he feels "free, the opposite of heavy." I've printed the link below. It makes interesting reading. To quote him:

"My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing. Money is counterproductive - it prevents happiness to come."
"More and more I heard the words: 'Stop what you are doing now - all this luxury and consumerism - and start living your real life. I had the feeling I was working as a slave for things that I did not wish for or need.'"
I was just listening to the voice of my heart and soul.
The entire proceeds are going to charities he set up in Central and Latin America. "I increasingly got the sensation that there is a connection between our wealth and their poverty." (The Daily Telegraph)
Millionaire gives away fortune which made him miserable

How have you rediscovered the joy of simplicity?

Thin Places

2010-02-10T12:34:00.008Z

Those of you who read my personal blog 'Holy Smoke' or connect with me on Facebook will know that I'm on a diet. Well it's not that sort of 'thin place' I'm talking about today, but it does tie the two blogs in rather nicely!

I describe a 'thin place’ as somewhere where the veil between heaven and earth is thin. A place heavy with the presence of God, where it is easier to pray, talk and to listen to God. When I visit such places, it’s like stepping into a warm bath. It’s as though all my worries and the heaviness of living in this world, falls off. I can relax and begin to breathe again. Often, in these places, there is little or no cell phone reception or Internet access - a blessing in itself! Suddenly I become unchained, unshackled.

Novelist, Mary DeMuth in her memoir 'Thin Places' (Zondervan 2010) describes thin places as, '..snatches of holy ground, tucked into the corners of our world, where, if we pay very close attention, we might just catch a glimpse of eternity.....They are aha moment, beautiful, realizations, when the Son of God burst through the hazy fog of our monotony and shines on us afresh.'

Many of the thin places I love to visit, like Lindisfarne, have monastic roots, where there has been a daily rhythm of daily taking place across maybe sixteen centuries or more. What an awesome thought. No wonder these places are special!

What is your experience of 'thin places' and how do they affect you?

The Celtic Heritage of Armagh, Northern Ireland

2010-02-05T11:31:00.007Z

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Alan Harper, OBE, delivered a lecture on the Celtic Heritage of Armagh in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh on Monday 1st February, St Brigid's Day, organised through the Centre for Celtic Spirituality, Armagh. Archbishop Harper was previously an archaeologist and worked on the last excavation of Navan Fort.
You can read a transcript of this lecture (which is quite complicated & involved) by clicking on the link below:

http://ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=news&newsid=2892

I especially like this quote from his closing statement:
'Celtic Ireland was never accomplished as the Romans would have said “by force of arms”. It was accomplished in the name of God through the apostolic ministry of men like Patrick.'

Remembering St Brigid (450 - 523AD)

2010-02-02T13:28:00.008Z

Yesterday was St Brigid's Day. St Brigid is an inspiring women and one mentioned in Celtic Treasure. So I thought I'd share with you a brief description of St Brigid taken from the Northumbria Community's wonderful new website:

St Brigid was inspired by the teaching and preaching of St Patrick from an early age. In her late teens she decided that she wanted to give her life to Christ and to become a nun, much to her father's disapproval. Whatever her father's thoughts of her, Brigid was a generous and deeply faithful woman who could never refuse the poor. She freely gave away her father's possessions, milk and flour to anyone in need. Eventually Brigid's father became so frustrated with her that he decided to sell her to the King. They journeyed to the castle, and while Brigid waited at the castle gates for her father to negotiate with the King, a beggar came along asking for alms. Brigid at once gave him her father's jewel-encrusted sword. On hearing of this the King declared that he could never buy Brigid. 'She's too good for me' he said, 'I could never win her obedience'. Her father realised that the place for Brigid was a convent.

Brigid led a group of women who had also decided to become nuns, and she asked Bishop Mel to bless their taking of the veil. The Bishop saw the Spirit of God descending on Brigid and called her forward. Laying hands on her, he said, 'I have no power in this matter. God has ordained Brigid.' Mel then proceeded to read the rite of consecration for a Bishop over Brigid.

In 470 Brigid founded the Abbey at Kildare, a double monastery for monks and nuns. She became famous for many things, but most of all for her hospitality and welcome.

Brigid's Grace

God bless our food;
God bless our drink.
And keep our homes and ourselves

in Your embrace, O God.
Amen.

(Click on the link to the Northumbria Community in my Blog List to see their new website and blog.)

Struggling to keep going? In Christ you have the strength

2010-01-16T02:06:00.008Z

I'm grateful to Catherine Davies of the Northumbria Community, for bringing this beautiful prayer to my attention. It's a great reminder that in Christ we have the strength to do all that he has called us to:

Christ has many tasks for us.

Some are easy; others are difficult.

Some bring honour; others bring reproach.

Some are to our liking, and coincide

with our own inclinations, and are

in our immediate best interest;

some are just the opposite.

In some we may please Christ

and please ourselves;

in others we cannot please Christ

except by denying ourselves.

Yet the power to take on all of these

is most definitely given us in Jesus;

for it is He who strengthens us,

and comes to help us when we are weak.

Celtic Daily Prayer from the Northumbria Community pubs. © Harper Collins"

Northumbria Community New Year Liturgy

2010-01-05T01:40:00.021Z

Part of the New Year Liturgy from the Northumbria Community 'Celtic Daily Prayer' (c) HarperCollins:

The Opening Door

This is to be used as a ‘first-footing’ prayer. In Scotland, and the northern parts of England, New Year is given much importance: folk go from house to house wishing each other a good year ahead, and celebrate their good wishes with food and plenty of drink. It is often seen as important who should be the first to cross the threshold and ‘bring in the year’ once midnight has passed. This song (spoken or sung) asks Christ Himself to come and ‘first-foot’ for us. The door is opened to welcome Him in and invite His blessing, whether He comes in silence or in the company of other guests.

This day is a new day

that has never been before.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Opening of door

Enter, Lord Christ –

we have joy in Your coming.

You have given us life;

and we welcome Your coming.

I turn now to face You,

I lift up my eyes.

Be blessing my face, Lord;

be blessing my eyes.

May all my eye looks on

be blessed and be bright,

my neighbours, my loved ones

be blessed in Your sight.

You have given us life

and we welcome Your coming.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy.

This year is a new year,

the opening door.

Be with us, Lord,

we have joy, we have joy.

Did the Celtic Saints make New Year Resolutions?

2010-01-04T15:24:00.005Z

I very much doubt that the Celtic Saints made New Year resolutions! But I am convinced that these missionary wanderers had long-term goals and aims - to make Christ known. And were they successful? Spectacularly! Britain would not have been a Christian country without them. St Aidan (pictured holding the torch of the Gospel) and St Cuthbert, for example, from their mission base on Lindisfarne (the monastery), were responsible for spreading the Christian faith across the whole of Britain.
We have much to learn from those who have gone before us in the faith:

Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls.

(Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)

'New Beginnings' meditation

2009-12-30T00:19:00.000Z

The New Year is a time to stake stock, to say thank you to God for all that has been and to move forward into what will be. You may want to make a list of the treasures of 2009: friends, family, collegues, events, health, employment, financial provision, answered prayer etc. Then click on my video meditation below and enjoy...

New Beginnings

New year,

new hope,

fresh challenges.

A chance to let go

-to leave behind

what was,

and adventure

into what will be...

(Liz Babbs, p.43 The Restful Heart)

'Smooring the Fire' Prayer

2009-12-29T02:38:00.004Z

The Celts believed that God was with them in every aspect of their daily lives. Whatever the task or time of day, there was a special prayer to be said. I love this 'Smooring the Fire' prayer as it reminds me of families gathering together around the fire at Christmas and New Year. With all the snow we've had here in the UK and more on the way, I think many of us will be turning up our heating or throwing extra logs on the fire as we huddle together to keep warm.

Smooring the Fire
The sacred Three

To save,

To surround

The hearth,

The household,

This eve,

This night,

Oh! this eve,

This night,

And every night,

Each single night.

Amen

(from Carmina Gadelica p.32 Celtic Treasure)

Liz reads 'On Lindisfarne' from Celtic Treasure

2009-12-10T23:25:00.000Z

I've just been to Stratford-upon-Avon where I had the privilege of talking about Celtic Christianity and sharing some of my prayers and poems from Celtic Treasure. I had no idea that the venue Red Hill, was the place where Ray Simpson and others held their original meetings to set up the Community of Aidan and Hilda - what a God-incidence! Here is a clip from the end of my presentation where I read 'On Lindisfarne'.

Meditation on Psalm 139

2009-12-03T15:02:00.000Z

I'm delighted that so many folk are enjoying my new video on YouTube, especially during this busy season. So just take 5 minutes now and allow God to enfold you in his love. (Words and music taken from The Celtic Heart).

Ninian's Catechism

2009-11-05T15:42:00.004Z

The New Oxford American Dictionary describes the word catechism as 'a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of a series of questions and answers'. I love the simplicity of St Ninian's Catechism which is taken from the book Celtic Fire by Robert Van de Weyer:

Question: What is best in this world?

Answer: To do the will of our Maker.

Question: What is his will?

Answer: That we should live according to the laws of his creation.

Question: How do we know those laws?

Answer: By study - studying the Scriptures with devotion.

Question: What tool has our Maker provided for this study?

Answer: The intellect, which can probe everything.

Question: And what is the fruit of study?

Answer: To perceive the eternal Word of God reflected in every plant and insect, every bird and animal, and every man and woman.

Beautiful Celtic-style prayer to bless your day

2009-10-26T13:16:00.006Z

I love this beautiful prayer that David Cole has just posted on the Celtic Christian Spirituality Facebook page. So I thought I'd share it with you here. If you have prayers written in the Celtic-style, do send them to me and I'll share them.

May you know the strength of the Spirit as you walk today

May you know the peace of the Spirit as you rest today

May you know the power of the Spirit as you seek change today

May you know the source of the Spirit as you grow today.

Celtic Treasure Photo competition

2009-10-24T20:03:00.011+01:00

I've seen some very amusing photos of folk reading my book in America and so I'm holding a competition for the funniest photo. And yes, there will be a prize. I'm just wondering what Keltic Ken is hiding behind his Celtic Treasure!

Hear Me on Cross Rhythms Radio and American Internet Radio KDRU

2009-10-10T11:17:00.007+01:00

Here is the link below of my interviews on Celtic Treasure. The Cross Rhythms interview is just 5 minutes long and is voiced over Iona's beautiful instrumental, Luke the Calf from the Book of Kells.

The second interview is my first US radio interview and last around 40 minutes. I was interviewed by Ken for KRDU Radio, California.

http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_lizbabbs

_com http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_lizbabbs_com.xml

Desert Island Celtic books!

2009-10-07T22:19:00.010+01:00

If you were marooned on a desert island and were only allowed to take one Celtic book, plus your Bible, which one would it be?

You'll see my selection, though I cheated and had two in my previous blog! But if I had to chose just one, it would be Celtic Daily Prayer by the Northumbria Community because it is so rich and varied and would sustain me for years.

Quaker Abbey chose Celtic Daily Prayer, but I like Pastor Chris Monroe's response here:

"That's easy to answer! It's the one that's held together with duct tape because I take it everywhere Celtic Daily Prayer. You can see my interview with Pastor Chris on Celtic Christianity by visiting his DesertFather blog.

Keltic Ken chose my book! Here's his response:

"Celtic Treasure - It points me to Christ, features scripture and original prose...and, the lovely photographs will be a welcome change from the same old scenery on that desert island!!!"

Favourite Celtic Christian books - join in the conversation

2009-10-02T19:05:00.050+01:00

These books are my top desert island choices. If I were only allowed 2 Celtic books on my desert island, these are the two I'd chose. I love many others, of course, and many of them are listed in the choices below:

Quaker Abbey

Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

with Introduction by Richard Foster.

James C. Elliott

"The Celtic Way of Prayer: The Recovery of the Religious Imagination", by Esther De Waal I re-read it every Lenten season.

My wife uses the Northumbria Daily and Night Prayer (when we got them, they were in two volumes), I use the Glenstal Abbey Prayer Book and the one put out by the St. Aidan Trust, USA, an order she and I are both contemplating joining, and a companion to the Order of Aidan and Hilda, connected with Ray Simpson!

Wes Connell Just finished "The Path of Celtic Prayer

by one of my favorite authors - Calvin Miller. Good Stuff, the chapter on Lorica Prayer was exceptionally good.

I am going to be starting a small group discussion on the book "The Celtic Way of Evangelism" by G

eorge

Hunter who I met at a conference a few years ago. He is good friends with Ray Simpson and suggested I visit the Lindisfarne community if I ever get a chance. He says they are living out authentic Celtic Christianity daily.

Madeline Cotter
I mainly read Ray Simpson's books, 'Pilgrim Way',' Celtic Daily Light','High Street Monasteries' and others. I have read some of Esther de Waal, at present I am reading 'The Story of Holy Island' Kate Tristram's new book.

For daily prayer I use the 4 Celtic Prayer books by Ray Simpson and a very useful hand book 'Prayer Rythms for Busy People', also by Ray Simpson, the Guardian of the Community of Aidan & Hilda, to which I am pleased to be a member.

Viv Neville
A Celtic PsalterMorning & Evening Prayer - Philip Newell

This prayer book draws you deeply into stillness & silence. Really beautiful prayers.

Susan Gaddis
Celtic Daily Prayer--my morning coffee & bedtime prayer book;
The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III--awesome book;
The Path of Celtic Prayer by Calvin Miller--great application stuff;
Listening for the Heartbeat of God by J. Philip Newell--very helpful in understanding the history of Celtic spirituality;
The Celtic Way of Prayer & Every Earthly Blessing by Esther De Waal;
The Pattern of our Days by Kathy Galloway;
Edward C. Sellner's two books on Celtic Soul Friends and his great book on Wisdom of the Celtic Saints--for stories of the Celtic saints.
Thanks for compiling a list for us all to glean from. I'm looking forward to your blog list.

Glenna Sloan

Carmina Gadelica.

Sister Fidelma series by Peter Tremayne

Quaker Abbey

Glenna, I had a summer reading club meet at my home last year and they are still passing the Fidelma series among others at All Saints Episcopal Church here in Portland, Oregon. I gave them deep background for each session and gave handouts. We'd just done one of the Philip Newell books in the spring term.

Rosalyn Smaill

In the order in which I came across them, my favourite Celtic books are:
Celt & Saxon - the Struggle for Britain by Peter Beresford Ellis, a refreshing look at British history
Exploring Celtic Spirituality, by Ray Simpson
Celtic Fire, by Robert van De Weyer
Celtic Daily Prayer, Northumbria Community
They are all, in my mind, worth reading, exploring, praying. I hope you enjoy them!

Liz Babbs

No one has mentioned David Adams' books of Celtic prayers. They are very popular here.

Plus my thanks to Hans Erdman who has uncovered a Celtic children's book St. Brendan and the Voyage Before Columbus by Mike McGrew and Marnie Saenz Litz (Illustrator)

What are your favourite Celtic books?

2009-10-02T17:52:00.008+01:00

Folk are beginning to ask me what other Celtic books I'd recommend. So I thought I'd pick your brains and ask you which books you particularly enjoyed, as there is such a range out there. I even have another gift book The Celtic Heart (Lion Hudson 2003) which has been very popular, with free CD of original Celtic instrumental music composed by my friend Simeon Wood. Simeon is a professional Christian musician who even performs on the QE2! The CD is a beautiful weave of Celtic whistles, flute, pan pipes etc. Simeon and I performed Celtic Heart for many years as a concert presentation, taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You can buy it from Amazon or get a signed copy direct from my website www.lizbabbs.com

http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Heart-Reflections-Lifes-Journey/dp/074594874X

Relax to the beautiful evocative Celtic song 'Skellig'

2009-10-02T01:12:00.005+01:00

Many thanks to James C Elliot who posted this link on my Facebook page. It is a YouTube video set to the music of Loreena McKennitt's 'Skellig'. Skellig is an ancient Celtic monastic settlement in Ireland that I am dying to visit. I mention it in Celtic Treasure. The video is wonderfully evocative with beautiful music and has some great lyrics and visuals. It really transported me into the presence of God. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zE3oAZnsuc

Celtic Prayer for Writers

2009-10-02T00:16:00.005+01:00

As I spend much of my time writing, this beautiful Celtic prayer is especially meaningful. I first spotted it in the book Celtic Fire by Robert Van de Weyer (DLT, London 1990) .

The Scribe

My hand is weary from writing; my sharp quill is not steady; as its tender tip spits it dark, blue stream, the words which are formed on the page are jagged and uncertain.

O Lord, may it be your wisdom, not my folly, which passes through my arm and hand; may your words take shape upon the page. For when I am truly faithful to your decision, my hand is firm and strong.

Let me never write words that are callous or profane; let your priceless jewels shine upon these pages.

Sometimes Amazon reviewers can sum up Celtic Treasure better than I can!

2009-09-23T23:48:00.005+01:00

5.0 out of 5 starsInspires us with the lives and spirituality of the Celtic saints 11 Sep 2009

Nick Wilson *****

This is a fascinating and inspiring book at so many levels. The photography is stunning, with images from the islands of Iona and Lindisfarne as well as more everyday views of creation. But it is the way the author describes each of the Celtic saints, draws out the common themes and applies them to today which is most powerful. She sets the context - the Roman influenced church had been proscriptive and compartmentalised. But as that empire drew to a close the Celtic spirituality, with its emphasis on the spiritual being integral to all aspects of life, was able to spread with the Celts as they set up new communities. She describes each of the saints and draws on their lives and writing; all were flawed (St Columba being banished from Ireland because of his temper) but were used powerfully by God and their influence continues. She talks about the 'thin places', often remote, natural places where where God's presence was most easily sensed. And she draws on aspects of Celtic spirituality; prayer as part of everyday life, celebrating creativity not as an object of worship but something for which God should be praised, community and the 'rule of life' still binding together dispersed communities such as the Northumbria Community and hospitality, welcoming and caring for the stranger.

Celtic Treasure explains how to connect with a time and way of life which in some ways can seem out-dated. But what shines through is how the ancient Celts were in touch with creation, with each other and with their creator, and how their spirituality permeated everything they did. Be inspired to draw on their way of life.

Loving the poor

2009-09-22T13:23:00.006+01:00

The Celts saw Christ as a champion of the poor and downcast and this was modelled in their care for the poor, as can be seen in this poem taken from the Celtic Fire - An Anthology of Celtic Christian Literature by Robert Van do Weyer:

Remember the Poor

Remember the poor when you look out on fields you own, on your plump cows grazing.

Remember the poor when you look into you barn, at the abundance of your harvest.

Remember the poor when the wind howls and the rain falls, as you sit warm and dry in your house.

The cows have grass to eat, the rabbits have burrows for shelter, the birds have warm nests.

But the poor have no food except what you feed them, no shelter except your house when you welcome them, no warmth except your glowing fire.

I wonder what the modern day equivalent of this prayer might be.

The Coracle and The Unknown Journey

2009-09-14T11:50:00.002+01:00

Next weekend Monos - a centre for the study of monastic culture and spirituality, is offering a coracle making weekend at the monastery, Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. It sounds like a wonderful monastic mix of prayer and manual work with each person going home with their very own coracle at the end of the weekend. I think it's a brilliant idea and would loved to have joined them, thought I'm not sure I have room for a coracle in my house.

The theme of the weekend is The Unknown Journey, which is seen as a motif for Christian living. There will be plenty of sharing about the Irish monks and their travels. These monks took to the open seas, risking everything and trusted that wherever the wind blew them, the Holy Spirit was leading them. They then set up community wherever they landed caring for those around them. It was an unknown journey, and one requiring complete surrender and trust in God.

Beautiful ancient Celtic prayer by St Columba

2009-09-13T19:24:00.008+01:00

I was away on retreat this weekend and as part of the monastic rhythm of my local retreat house, you can join in praying the Divine Office at various points in the day. Today, during the Vigil Office, I came across this lovely ancient Celtic prayer by St Columba:

Kindle in our hearts, O God,

the flame of that love which never ceases,

that it may burn in us, giving light to others.

May we shine for ever in your temple,

set on fire with your eternal light,

even your Son Jesus Christ,

our Saviour and our Redeemer.

Amen.

Columba (597)

(Taken from the Vigil Office, 'Common Worship Daily Prayer', Church House Publishing.)

Feedback from my Celtic Treasure interview

2009-09-11T11:42:00.011+01:00

I've already had some very interesting feedback from my first American interview in under 24 hours! God bless social networking and the Internet. It's interesting that folk responded to this blog and my radio interview on Facebook. Maybe people don't like writing comments on blogs any more. I don't mind, because I just love to hear from folk and right now Facebook is buzzing. Here are some of the comments posted:

"Great interview I appreciated the comments about the Celtic Christians enjoying community and the simple things in life as that seems to be where God is calling many of us. Both of your comments on mission reminded me of George G. Hunter III's book, The Celtic Way of Evangelism, emphasizing the Celtic way of community mission vs. the Roman model. I hope we do see more of that here in the states as it seems more scriptural to me. Isn't it interesting that such an ancient Christian way can seem so odd to our US churches and yet we often stand so proudly as the leader of the "correct" way of doing things. The interview was refreshing. Thank you for the insights. I hope many enjoy this "quiet little book." Susan Gaddis (USA)

"Your book arrived yesterday and it's beautiful! That's not only true outwardly (the pics and thick coated paper and artwork), but inwardly too (the poems and prayers and stories)! Keltic Ken sent me the link for the interview you and he just finished -- I so enjoyed that! Now I'm looking forward to interviewing you more than ever for my blog (paradoxology.com)." Chris Monroe (Pastor in California)

"Hi Liz.. up late working here - thought I'd take a break and have a quick listen to the interview.. I thought it gave a really good overview of the book and where you are coming from. I pray that it gets in to the hands of many many people as I'm sure God will speak to them through it.. Blessings!" Andy Green." (UK musician)

Here's my first American radio interview on Celtic Treasure

2009-09-11T00:47:00.010+01:00

I've just been interviewed by Ken about Celtic Treasure, for KDRU radio in California. I don't think I've ever done such a long distance radio interview before. Isn't technology amazing. Ken was very patient, because first I managed to drop my cup of tea all over myself, just before the interview and so needed to ice pack the burn. Then, part way through the interview, I lost my voice! Ken must have thought that I was a disaster area. However, nothing seemed to phase him as he was a total professional. The whole interview lasts just under 30 minutes. You can hear the interview - minus the "ouch" from hot tea, by clicking on this link:

http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_lizbabbs_com

Media coverage of Celtic Treasure

2009-09-10T14:09:00.010+01:00

If you want to find out more on celebrating life Celtic-style, I've written an article for Woman Alive magazine which is in this month's issue. I will also post this article up on my website and blog next month.

Later today, though, I'm going to do my first American Internet radio interview. Facebook is a great way to connect, and I 'met' my interviewer through the Celtic Treasure Group I've set up there. Ken's radio station in California is called KRDU and can be found by visiting http://www.krdu1130.com

I'll let you know when the interview is available on podcast.

Quick Guide to enjoying life Celtic-style

2009-09-05T21:44:00.005+01:00

While the West values money, fame, power and success, unearthing the treasures from the Celtic tradition, can enrich and transform our lives. Here’s a quick outline of some of these riches:

Caring for Creation

Celtic Christians cared for the environment and rejoiced in creation. Like the well known Celtic symbol, the Celtic knot, they could see God woven into everything and celebrated him in every aspect of their lives. They enjoyed his presence even when doing the most mundane of tasks like milking the cows, or kindling the fire and they said special prayers to accompany these activities. (See yesterdays blog).

Simplicity

Their simple lifestyle, uncluttered by materialism, enabled them to appreciate more fully the generosity and abundance of God. And they thanked God for everything in their daily lives, like the sunrise, the provision of food and the blessing of friends:

Bless to us, O God

The morning sun that is above us,

The good earth that is beneath us,

The friends that are around us,

Your image deep within us,

The day which is before us.

St Patrick

Joy and Community was integral to the Celts way of life, because it was seen as being part of the abundant life God promises in John’s Gospel I came to give life - life in all its fullness (John 10:10 CEV). As the Celts were particularly drawn to the teachings of John they believed God wanted them to celebrate, because having fun is a hallmark of a vibrant community.

Community and Hospitality

The Celts understood that their love of God and each other was at the heart of the Gospel message and so building community and offering hospitality was central to their way of life.

Celebrating Creativity

The Celts were a highly creative people, producing pottery and woodwork, metalwork and elaborate jewellery as well as creating exquisitely beautiful manuscripts like the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.

A ceilidh, which is known today as a popular social dance event, was originally a social gathering and could include story telling, songs, poems, proverbs and ballads, but not necessarily dance. I love the idea of people sharing their God-given creativity in this way, but then creativity was seen as a natural expression of worship to the Celts.

Adapted from Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) Liz Babbs

What might Celtic prayers look like today?

2009-09-04T16:25:00.006+01:00

I love Celtic prayers because they are so earthed in reality. The Celts had prayers for ordinary everyday tasks like milking the cow or lighting the fire etc. The prayer, Smooring the Fire is a particular favourite of mine and so I was keen to include it in Celtic Treasure.

Smooring the Fire

The Sacred Three

To save,

To surround

The hearth,

The household,

This eve,

This night,

Oh! this eve,

This night,

And every night,

Each single night.

Amen.

(Carmina Gadelica)

I wonder what the equivalent prayers might be today? Maybe, the prayer of having a shower, putting the central heating on, driving my car, going to work, doing emails. It sounds funny to us today, but there is a lot to be said for developing such an attitude of thankfulness.

Delighted folk like Celtic Treasure in the States too.

2009-09-04T01:22:00.000+01:00

Treasured Jewelby Gigifal

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August 31, 2009: Celtic Spirituality is a treasured jewel for those seeking to deepen their spiritual journey following the pathways of ancient traditions and wisdom gleaned by the Celts. UK author, Liz Babbs, inspires her readers with new insights into the value of such disciplines as hospitality, prayer and solitude, creativity and celebration of life that sustained pilgrims throughout the ages. This book shares the same sensitivity found in her other books, spoken as encouragement from a dear friend. The illustrations bring the words to life and will carry you directly to the Emerald Isle. Whether you are looking for a loving gift to give a friend or a beautiful book for your bedside, Celtic Treasure is your answer.

A Real Treasureby PacJac

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August 31, 2009: Informative and inspiring, Liz Babbs, Celtic Treasure, gives the reader a peek into the ancient Celtic lifestyle and unearths spiritual treasures that will refreshen and inspire the reader to greater heights.

A great book for the bedside or as a devotion to jumpstart the day. I recommend this book to those with a thirsty soul, those who have grown weary, or those looking for treasure.

Celtic Treasure launches in America today

2009-09-01T00:16:00.009+01:00

I thought with the launch of Celtic Treasure in America today, I'd share something of my journey in writing this book.

My interest in Celtic Christianity came as a result of visiting Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and Iona ( a Scottish island) eight years ago. I was so affected by the overwhelming presence of God in these sacred places that it resulted in me changing the content and title of the gift book I was working on from 'Reflections', to 'The Celtic Heart' (Lion Hudson 2003)! This book has since sold thousands of copies and become my best-selling book, even being published in German by Random House.

Now to level with you about Celtic Treasure. To be honest, I was not looking to write another Celtic book, but God had other ideas. He stopped me in my tracks and gave me a 'picture' of an ancient monastic archway, like the one in this photo of Lindisfarne Priory (founded by St Aidan AD 635). Through this archway, all kinds of folk, who weren't Christians, were coming to God. Some were even dancing and celebrating his presence. And so Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) was born. I had an amazing time writing it and it really strengthened my faith.

Those Celtic Saints rock, and without their radical ministry, Britain would not have been a Christian country. No wonder so many folk look to Celtic Christianity for inspiration today.
Celtic Treasure is released across the US today into all kinds of book shops, and I am very excited to see what God will do. Writing is such an adventure with God in control.

First prayer ever written by a woman!

2009-08-30T12:24:00.005+01:00

This is perhaps one of the first prayers written by and for women. It is taken from an Anglo-Saxon source and found in the Nunnaminster Manuscript and written around AD 900 by a nun in a Winchester convent. I found it in my local convent. What an amazing monastic treasure!

On the Ears

O God, my Lord,

who,

in the moment of death,

was deaf to my wretchedness

but with ears open to the inward will

of your Father’s way.

I give you thanks,

and in so doing,

I ask forgiveness for these ears

whose hearing has been polluted

by the evil things that they have heard.

I pray

that never might I have to hear

in the day that will come,

the judge’s sentence

equal to the faults that I have heaped up,

from the fire of your love,

Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen.

(An Anglo-Saxon Passion – David Scott SPCK 1999)

Ancient Celtic Hospitality Rune

2009-08-21T09:04:00.002+01:00

I love this ancient Celtic rune, which I mentioned in Celtic Treasure. I've seen it quoted in many retreat houses across the country. It's a wonderfully warm welcoming poem and a timely reminder to be thankful for all God has given us:

We saw a stranger yesterday

We put food in the eating place,

Drink in the drinking place,

Music in the listening place,

And with the sacred name of the triune God

He blessed us and our house,

our cattle and our dear ones.

As the lark says in our song:

Often, often, often goes the Christ

In the stranger's guise.

(Taken from p.70 Celtic Treasure)

Celtic Hospitality

2009-08-20T12:18:00.004+01:00

I love it when readers write to me and tell me about their favourite poems or sections from my books. When I write them, I'm never sure which parts will 'speak' to people. Patty Facebooked me to tell me how much she was enjoying the section on hospitality. The Celtic concept of hospitality is a very biblical one - to be God's loving welcome to the stranger. Tomorrow, I'll share with you one of my favourite Celtic hospitality runes which picks up on this theme.

Patty also mentioned that she loved my poem. So I thought I'd share that poem with you. It's based on a shape poem. I love writing shape poems because I'm such a visual writer. Shape poems have an immediacy and simplicity too. I'd love you to send me any shape poems you've written.

Love of God

Help me to be kind

To see the needs of the poor.

Spirit of God

Help me

To be

So that I might see

You more.

Liz Babbs

Beautiful prayer posted by Andy Phillips

2009-08-03T20:47:00.007+01:00

Hi folks, am back from Scotland now, but have had a nasty sickness bug that I'm still recovering from. Will post up some photos, soon, from what was an amazing dance conference. But in the meantime, here is a wonderful prayer posted by Andy Phillips on this blog:

As the setting sun reddens the western sky, we bless you;
As the moon rises in the east to greet the coming night, we worship you;
As another day draws to an end and the evening stars appear, we praise you.
This night the seas will rise and sweep clean sands whose beauty has been marred by restless footsteps;
Restore your image in us, Lord, as we sleep, which we have wounded by our foolishness and greed;
Bless and protect us, Lord, and those we love;
Grant us a quiet night and a perfect end, so may we greet you, come the dawn, with hearts and minds made new.
Amen.

2009-07-10T13:59:00.005+01:00

Am just packing up and preparing for the Scottish launch of Celtic Treasure. I'm speaking and leading workshops at the International Christian Dance Conference in St Andrews. Britain will be dancing to my prayer from Celtic Treasure 'On Lindisfarne' which I will be voicing 'live' with music. Can't wait to meet and worship with 300 plus dancer from across the world.

Here's the prayer, taken from page 19 of Celtic Treasure

On Lindisfarne

On Lindisfarne

walking in the footsteps

of Saint Cuthbert

I know I an standing

on Holy Ground.

Sacred steps that prayed,

surrendered,

sacrificed,

saved.

And their memory lingers on....

An inspirational presence

saturating the landscape

with the holiness

of the one

true

God.

Liz Babbs

Eccentric Author Photo!

2009-07-10T13:43:00.007+01:00

Thought you might like this photo. It's very author eccentric and was taken by one of my friends when I was packing up after the book signing. Someone was horrified because they thought I was smoking in a Christian bookshop! It's a lollipop - honest!

God sends bagpipes & kilt to launch Celtic Treasure

2009-07-04T20:25:00.006+01:00

Had a great day signing Celtic Treasure in my home town Nottingham today. I couldn't believe it, because when I arrived, I could hear bagpipes. I had just commented on Facebook that I wished I'd got a Scottish bagpipe player there. And there he was, just metres away and so here's the photo. Wasn't God good to send me such a Celtic asset! We had great fun after celebrating in the oldest pub in England, 'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem' afterwards.

Sacred Space Celtic-style

2009-06-30T22:58:00.007+01:00

I was leading a retreat day a few days ago and mentioned the amazing Skellig Michael in Ireland as a wonderful example of sacred space. It is a Celtic monastic community dating back to the 7th Century. These stone 'beehive' huts or cells were built by the monks themselves near a sheer cliff edge almost at the summit of the 230-metre-high rock!

I can't wait to see Skellig when I visit Ireland again, but the sea conditions have to be just right even to visit!

Iona lyricist Cindy L Spears says Celtic Treasure is the best Celtic Christian book on the market

2009-06-25T11:19:00.009+01:00

"After reading your book I was deeply moved, encouraged and blessed. I say this most sincerely: this is the best Celtic Christian book I have read on the topic. Why? You have pulled out all the treasures of the history of Celtic Christianity and written it in such a way everyone, no matter their background, can understand and embrace all the beautiful truths. You have carefully, in true Celtic form, woven the many threads of the saints, the beliefs, the poetry, the music, the inspiration, the Word-- in short, all the foundational elements into a beautiful inspiring explanation of the importance of this culture. This culture which you and I and so many love and admire for its totality needs to be shared by more. Reading this reminded my heart of so many things we often lose in the hustle and bustle of modern day life. Thank you for writing this - it is so well written! The photos, too, wonderfully accent and heighten the experience of the words.

Do you know, over and over again, I kept thinking of many of the lyrics I have written that echoed your own words and the words of the saints? And I was very much reminded of how I felt when I was in Ireland standing on many of those cliffs feeling the centuries of prayers that went up for the Celtic people. It is such a universal thing isn't it: that need for oneness and unity of spirit and the desire to explore our roots. Liz, it is a true honour to be included in this collection as it very much represents my beliefs and heart." Cindy L Spear

Boy, we had a fun 'Celtic Treasure' day

2009-06-22T23:49:00.008+01:00

We launched my book on Saturday at a Celtic Treasure creativity day in Essex, for the Christian Dance Fellowship of Britain. I love our dancers - they are so up for anything and God did amazing things.We mixed art with design, and devotion with dance. It was wonderful to see one of my CT prayers danced out in intercession for the the lost too. Very moving. What a great way to launch Celtic Treasure. A real celebration of creativity through worship. Wish you all could have been there. Boy, did we have fun.

Celtic Treasure Promo video

2009-06-15T18:46:00.003+01:00

My interview on location in York - filmed by fellow author Paul Griffiths. Wasn't that nice of him. But, don't I make some funny faces when I'm interviewed!

First Reader feedback on Celtic Treasure

2009-06-12T15:24:00.006+01:00

I always love hearing from my readers. This is my first comment, received this morning, from Gill, who lives in Oxford, England:
Thank you so much for posting my book so quickly. I am thrilled with it – it is a really beautiful book, and I will be buying more copies for family and friends.
I was interested in your introduction saying about your box of family treasures and the similarities you've draw between what we inherit from our family ancestors and ancestors in the faith. When I went to Iona in 2006 it was following the death of my father, and was a really important part of the healing process for me. I was amazed how God used that time to bring my family feelings and faith together, and it has had a lasting effect. I think if I had had your book then, it would have been an even richer experience.
Anyway, thank you again – not just for this brilliant book, but all you do. You are a true inspiration.

Celtic Treasure has just arrived!

2009-06-10T19:44:00.005+01:00

An exciting day. I've just received my stock of Celtic Treasure today, even though it isn't available in the shops until the 19th June. So you can order an advance copy signed by me from my website now. I've sold 10 already today. Click on the cover of my book on this blog to purchase, or visit my website www.lizbabbs.com
Let me know if you like it and any favourite thoughts, poems, prayers etc and I'll post them on this blog.
Remember, you can still win a free copy by joining this blog and leaving an interesting comment.

Love this Celtic Quote

2009-06-09T23:18:00.007+01:00

One of my favourite monastic writers is Esther De Wall. I long to go on one of her retreats some day. I love this quote from her book 'The Celtic Way of Prayer':

The Celtic world....remains totally unique, earthy, and mysterious, knowing darkness and pain but equally rejoicing in light, full of poetry and song and celebration, showing me the depths of penitence and the heights, touching me in the secret hidden parts of my own self and yet connecting me with others. Esther De Wall

Amusing Celtic poem!

2009-06-09T15:42:00.004+01:00

Well the Celts were all about celebration and living out John 10:10 (experiencing life in all its fullness). So here's a fun poem from Phil about Celtic Treasure:

There is a young woman called Liz

Whose creative writing's a whiz

A spiritual Celt

Who has under her belt

A great, brand new book, that's the biz !!!

Win the 1st signed copy of Celtic Treasure

2009-06-09T00:29:00.003+01:00

Win the first signed copy of Celtic Treasure by joining this blog and leaving a comment. I'll be making my selection on Monday 15th June, 4 days before it is published and available in the shops. The more interesting the comment, the more likely you are to win!

Good luck.

New Header!

2009-06-08T18:08:00.002+01:00

The nice folk at Kregel Publishing, who are going to be distributing Celtic Treasure in the USA, have just designed me a banner for my blog. Nice, eh?

I've also just finished an article on 'Celebrating Life Celtic-Style' for Woman Alive magazine and it will appear in their October issue here in the UK.

Add a comment and let me know your Celtic musings.

Liz

Starting the day with Saint Patrick

2009-06-05T14:09:00.006+01:00

I think a great way to start the day is with this prayer attributed to Saint Patrick:

Bless to us, O God

The morning sun that is above us,

The good earth that is beneath us,

The friends that are around us,

Your image deep within us,

The day which is before us.

St Patrick

Celtic Treasure published in just 2 weeks

2009-06-04T22:31:00.000+01:00

Welcome to my new Celtic Treasure blog. It's an exciting time as I've just received the first author copies of my new Celtic gift book Celtic Treasure. So why this blog? Well, I want to share with you some of the riches of Celtic Christianity. We have much to learn from those who have gone before us in the faith, and I plan to share some of the riches of this ancient tradition with you here.
Please come through and add your thoughts, comments and insights.

Celtic Treasure

The real work of Christmas

Celtic Christian Spirit Radio - a real gem!

Hope in Darkness this Advent

Celtic Treasure CD in my shop now with FREE track download!

Tracks:

He is Risen!

Lent: Celtic-style

Reluctant Heroes

How I became interested in Celtic Christianity

Putting your hand into the hand of God

Christmas is Here!

The Power of Silence

Solitude and Community

Do you need space?

Celtic Morning Prayer

O Christ, will You help me on the wild waves?

A prayer for these uncertain times.

Should St Aidan be new patron saint of UK?

Ashes to ashes

He is risen!

So who was St Patrick?

Why are Americans interested in St Patrick?

Top 10 things you might not know about St Patrick!

Celtic Treasure in Concert!

Ash Wednesday Reflection

The real nature of Love

Rediscovering the Joys of Simplicity

Thin Places

The Celtic Heritage of Armagh, Northern Ireland

Remembering St Brigid (450 - 523AD)

Struggling to keep going? In Christ you have the strength

Northumbria Community New Year Liturgy

Opening of door

Did the Celtic Saints make New Year Resolutions?

'New Beginnings' meditation

'Smooring the Fire' Prayer

Liz reads 'On Lindisfarne' from Celtic Treasure

Meditation on Psalm 139

Ninian's Catechism

Beautiful Celtic-style prayer to bless your day

Celtic Treasure Photo competition

Hear Me on Cross Rhythms Radio and American Internet Radio KDRU

http://www.gcast.com/u/KelticKen/www_lizbabbs

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Desert Island Celtic books!

Favourite Celtic Christian books - join in the conversation

What are your favourite Celtic books?

Relax to the beautiful evocative Celtic song 'Skellig'

Celtic Prayer for Writers

Sometimes Amazon reviewers can sum up Celtic Treasure better than I can!

Loving the poor

The Coracle and The Unknown Journey

Beautiful ancient Celtic prayer by St Columba

Feedback from my Celtic Treasure interview

Here's my first American radio interview on Celtic Treasure

Media coverage of Celtic Treasure

Quick Guide to enjoying life Celtic-style

What might Celtic prayers look like today?

Delighted folk like Celtic Treasure in the States too.

Treasured Jewelby Gigifal

A Real Treasureby PacJac

Celtic Treasure launches in America today

First prayer ever written by a woman!

Ancient Celtic Hospitality Rune

Celtic Hospitality

Beautiful prayer posted by Andy Phillips

Eccentric Author Photo!

God sends bagpipes & kilt to launch Celtic Treasure

Sacred Space Celtic-style

Iona lyricist Cindy L Spears says Celtic Treasure is the best Celtic Christian book on the market

Boy, we had a fun 'Celtic Treasure' day

Celtic Treasure Promo video

First Reader feedback on Celtic Treasure

Celtic Treasure has just arrived!

Love this Celtic Quote

Amusing Celtic poem!

Win the 1st signed copy of Celtic Treasure

New Header!

Starting the day with Saint Patrick

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