The Soundhouse
Atmospheres
27/11/08 22:24
How do you explain atmosphere? The mood of a place or circumstance? The air? Scientists will talk about gases and stratospheres. Dictionaries offer numerous definitions, my favourite is... “the pervading tone or mood of a place or situation with reference to the emotions invoked”...definitions that call on the emotions, that insist on a response. We hear, “there was an atmosphere” and we know immediately the person detected tension in the air.
It’s fascinating how some people sense atmosphere easier than others. Some friends of mine recounting their trip to Wales spoke of long walks, beautiful scenery, “could see for miles, breathtaking”, mountain views and stone circles. Describing the stone circles, “I didn’t like the place” remarked the wife. “Really?” came the reply, “I never noticed, perhaps we should have prayed.”
There are some church buildings I love, Wells Cathedral for one, full of light and beauty and ancient prayers. There are some places I go back to again and again, Derbyshire, the High Peaks where my breath is snatched away by wild landscapes, where peace descends on the soul and life flows from the heart. What is it that makes faith, hope and joy rise up within me? A building where craftsmen spent their skill giving glory to God? A part of the earth where the mark of the Creator still shines brightly?
Places where glory, power, wildness and beauty can be tasted, touched, experienced in a moment, that the senses will remember for a lifetime. Places and atmospheres, atmospheres in places that demand a response from the heart as the Creator calls.
Anji Gregg
It’s fascinating how some people sense atmosphere easier than others. Some friends of mine recounting their trip to Wales spoke of long walks, beautiful scenery, “could see for miles, breathtaking”, mountain views and stone circles. Describing the stone circles, “I didn’t like the place” remarked the wife. “Really?” came the reply, “I never noticed, perhaps we should have prayed.”
There are some church buildings I love, Wells Cathedral for one, full of light and beauty and ancient prayers. There are some places I go back to again and again, Derbyshire, the High Peaks where my breath is snatched away by wild landscapes, where peace descends on the soul and life flows from the heart. What is it that makes faith, hope and joy rise up within me? A building where craftsmen spent their skill giving glory to God? A part of the earth where the mark of the Creator still shines brightly?
Places where glory, power, wildness and beauty can be tasted, touched, experienced in a moment, that the senses will remember for a lifetime. Places and atmospheres, atmospheres in places that demand a response from the heart as the Creator calls.
Anji Gregg
“The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2