https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13108099/Keith-Office-dies-aged-50-Tributes-Ewen-MacIntosh-passes-away.html

Ewen MacIntosh who played Keith in The Office dies aged 50: Ricky Gervais calls actor 'an absolute original' as he leads tributes to comedian best known for his role in the hit BBC sitcom

By James Fielding and Arthur Parashar

Published: 09:23, 21 February 2024 | Updated: 12:42, 21 February 2024

Ricky Gervais today led tributes to 'absolute original' Ewen MacIntosh, the comedy actor best known for playing Big Keith in The Office, following his death aged 50.  MacIntosh was best known for playing a Scotch egg-loving accountant in Gervais' hit sitcom which became an instant comedy classic when it launched in 2001 and led to the creation of a smash-hit American version.  The Welsh actor, who also appeared in British comedies such as After Life, Miranda and Little Britain, had shared a photo of himself in hospital in February 2022 and told his fans that he was suffering 'bad times'.   Despite the enormous success of The Office, MacIntosh was declared bankrupt in 2016. Big acting roles were limited after this and he went on to find a new source of income, making special videos as Keith on websites such as Cameo during Covid.  His cause of death has not been confirmed but friends hailed the 'empathy and incredible care' of medical staff and nurses. MacIntosh, who is survived by his parents and brother, is not believed to have been married or had children.  Gervais led the tributes this morning, writing on X/Twitter: 'Extremely sad news. The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as 'Big Keith' from The Office, has passed away. An absolute original. RIP.'

Talent agency JustRight Management confirmed the star's tragic death in a statement which said: 'With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh.  His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home.'

The comedian's friend Ed Scott, an executive producer, paid tribute to those who looked after MacIntosh, writing: 'Thanks to the incredible care and love provided by the wonderful medical staff and especially the nurses who all loved him when he brought a smile to their days.  I saw first hand the empathy and incredible care they gave him was just so reassuring during the toughest of times and am forever grateful to them all.'

Mr Scott, the CEO of Dodged A Bullet Music, said he was 'completely devastated' by the loss of his 'very good friend', adding: 'He may have had a famous face known by millions as Keith from The Office but the person inside is what I will most remember.'

He continued: 'Ewen was so full of empathy, kindness, and integrity and above all a really good man.  Sending love to his parents Sara and Ewen Sr, his brother Colin and his family, as well as his many friends and fans.'

MacIntosh appeared in The Office from its first series in 2001, playing the role of an accountant with a passion for Scotch eggs.   In one iconic scene from the show between Big Keith and Tim Canterbury (played by Martin Freeman), MacIntosh hilariously takes a large, slow bite out of a Scotch egg while Freeman discusses performing a sexual act on himself.  In an interview with Vice in 2021, MacIntosh joked that he had no idea why Scotch eggs were chosen as his signature food and revealed the difficulties he and Freeman faced filming the scene.  My first scene with Martin [Freeman], where I eat the Scotch egg we had trouble doing that for some reason. It took ages to get that done. I got through a lot of Scotch eggs. I wasn't told about it. The props guy nipped out and bought them last minute,' he said.

As fans of The Office woke up to the devastating news, many have pledged to have a Scotch egg in the late actor's honour.  MacIntosh will also be remembered for a famous scene in which he is given an appraisal by office manager David Brent (Ricky Gervais).  As Brent lists off Keith's strengths and weaknesses, MacIntosh chews his gum and responds 'don't know' to everything he is quizzed on.   'Big Keith' had a monotone answerphone message and wanted to become DJ over being an accountant. Among his most memorable moments was when he dressed up as Ali G for Red Nose Day.  Despite a number of staff changes at the fictional Wernham Hogg paper firm, 'Keith' remained in the series until its last episode in 2003.  Out Of Office, The Office podcast, also said MacIntosh would 'always be fondly remembered firstly as a great guy, but also as a key part of the greatest British sitcom of all time. An excellent legacy to leave. RIP.'

As well as The Office, MacIntosh also partnered back up with Gervais when he starred in the final series of After Life as 'Buffet Man' a bloke who had been barred from an all-you-can-eat restaurant.  MacIntosh also featured in sitcoms Lead Balloon and Mongrels, while he had a small role in Yorgos Lanthimos's film The Lobster where he played a waiter opposite Colin Farrell and Olivia Colman.  As a comedian, he had a double act with Tim FitzHigham and the pair performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007.  One of his final acting credits was when he played Lionel in the British romcom Finding Fatimah.   But it was Keith that MacIntosh will be best remembered for. He admitted in the Vice interview that people would often accidentally call him Keith instead of Ewen even on sets.  MacIntosh also said he 'can't really complain' about the popularity he gained from playing Keith as 'it's made me money'.

The actor would regularly send videos as Keith on the app Cameo.  Speaking about the demand on Cameo, MacIntosh said at the time: 'People always want a message from Keith, never from me. He's still getting me work, which is quite amazing when you think about it. When the lockdowns started, I was doing about 30 a week. Now it's down to maybe 10 or 20.'

TV channel Gold said: 'We loved him as Keith in The Office and were lucky enough to work with him over the years on the channel. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at such a difficult time.' Comedy producer Gina Lyons wrote: 'Heartbroken to hear a very special friend Ewen MacIntosh has passed away. He was such an incredibly kind and funny person. Eternally loved.'

Following his death, tributes poured in from social media users, with many sharing his hilarious Scotch egg scene with Freeman.  One user posted: 'Really sad to hear about Ewen Macintosh RIP. He was so brilliant in The Office as the scotch egg eating DJ accountant.'

Another wrote: 'Terrible news about Ewen MacIntosh, aka Big Keith from The Office. He turned what could have been a nothing role into something truly iconic, one of the great comedy performances. RIP.'

A third said: 'How incredibly sad. So many iconic moments in The Office. I only ever heard lovely things about him from people who had worked with him.'

And a fourth, sharing a clip of the Appraisals episode, posted: 'Sad to hear the news about Ewen MacIntosh - thanks to him for one of the best scenes from the UK Office. Never gets old.'

Others vowed to have a Scotch egg in MacIntosh's honour. One wrote: 'Rip Ewen MacIntosh aka Big Keith. I'm going to dress up as Ali G, have a Scotch egg, rewatch The Office as a tribute.'

Another wrote: 'I'll have a Scotch egg later for Big Keith.'

A third shared: 'Ah man this is sad. Saw Ewen live supporting Ricky Gervais and he was extremely funny and entertaining with his dry and dead pan humour. Rip Keith mate. I'll have a Scotch egg for you.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13082523/Family-left-arranged-marriage-bride-vegetative-state-dousing-chemicals-force-feeding-pills-jailed.html

Family who left arranged marriage bride in vegetative state by 'dousing her with chemicals' and 'force-feeding her pills' are jailed

    Ambreen Fatima Sheikh, 38, was flown to Britain from Pakistan in 2013
    She has suffered 'irretrievable' brain damage after falling unconscious

By Dan Grennan

Published: 11:43, 14 February 2024 | Updated: 13:17, 14 February 2024

A cruel family who left an arranged marriage bride in a vegetative state by 'dousing her with chemicals' and 'force-feeding her pills' have been jailed.  Ambreen Fatima Sheikh, 38, suffered 'irretrievable' brain damage after she fell unconscious in the Sheikh family home nine years ago.  Husband Asgar Sheikh was jailed along with his parents for the horrific treatment his wife received after she was flown into Britain from Pakistan in 2013 for an arranged marriage.   Sentencing judge, Mrs Justice Lambert said: 'It is difficult to imagine a more serious injury, short of death.'

On Wednesday, Ms Sheikh's husband, Asgar Sheikh, 31, was jailed for seven years and nine months along with his father, Khalid Sheikh, 55, and his mother, Shabnam Sheikh, 52.  Asgar Sheikh's brother, Sakalayne Sheikh, 25, was given a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, and his sister, Shagufa Sheikh, 29, was given an 18-month sentence, also suspended for two years.  The court heard that Ms Sheikh came to the family's home in Clara Steet, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in 2014 after an earlier arranged marriage with Asgar in Pakistan.  The judge said she rarely left the house and never by herself. She had no independent income, no friends in the UK and could speak only a little English.  None of the family gave evidence in court and the judge said she could not say for sure when the abuse began.  The trial heard evidence that, soon after Ms Sheikh arrived in the UK, the family were not happy with her housework and chores, and Khalid Sheikh had suggested she should be sent back to Pakistan.  Concerns were raised by members of the extended family and two police officers carried out a welfare check in July but reported Ms Sheikh as being fit and well.  The judge said she attached 'little weight to that assessment' because Ms Sheikh spoke little English and her father-in-law was present during the visit.  She said she did not know who administered the corrosive substance, which left severe burns on Ms Sheikh's lower back, bottom and right ear, and must have left her in considerable and lasting pain.  And she said she did not know who 'tricked or forced' her to take the glimpiride, which was prescribed to Shabnam Sheikh and is extremely dangerous to non-diabetics, even in small doses.  The judge decided there was a two to three-day delay between Ms Sheikh falling unconscious and the family calling an ambulance, during which she became highly dehydrated and inhaled fluids which may have exacerbated her brain injury.  Even when the family called 999, they lied about what had happened to her, the judge said.  'You would all have been aware of her pain and distress,' she said.

'It's just not realistic to conclude that you did not all know of Ambreen's predicament and her desperate need for emergency medical care.  You all also knew why she was in that condition.'

The court heard that Ms Sheikh is now being looked after in a palliative care setting and will not recover but could live for decades more.  She was in good health before her collapse and there is some evidence that she was a teacher in Pakistan, the court heard.  One witness said she was 'intelligent, bright, ambitious and happy-go-lucky' before she moved to the UK, and the judge said she was someone who would 'light up a room'.  The judge said Ms Sheikh's father is now dead and her mother is in poor health in Pakistan.  She has seven siblings and one of her brothers has been over to visit her.  Asgar, Khalid, Shabnam and Shagufa Sheikh were all found guilty after a trial of allowing a vulnerable adult to suffer physical harm after a trial last year.  The offence carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison at the time of the offence but this has since been increased by Parliament to 14 years.  Asgar, Shabnam and Shagufa Sheikh were also found guilty of doing an act intending to pervert the course of justice.  All five defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.  Previously, neighbours of the Sheikh family told the court Ambreen was so isolated they didn't know she was there.  Diana Roach, their next door neighbour for 35 years, said 'on occasion' Khalid's (Ambreen's father-in-law) older brother and his children would visit them.  Asked if she ever saw anyone else go there, she said: 'No, I mean I would see delivery or postmen and what not but visiting, no.'

From time to time Shagufa, 'the daughter', would be seen with her mother Shabnam coming home from the shops or helping with work on the house.  Then in August 2015 police broke into the property with a battering ram after Ambreen was admitted to hospital in an unconscious state.  Police spoke to neighbours and news of what was going on behind closed doors came as a shock.  'I was shocked because I just didn't realise that there was another person living in the house that we weren't aware of,' said Ms Roach.

She said she didn't know Asgar had got married and his wife had been living at the address since November.  Another neighbour told MailOnline that she believed the men in the Sheikh family worked as builders but knew little about them.  'They don't talk to us and they don't having anything to do with anyone around here really,' she said. 

'We had no idea this woman was even in the house. When we saw it on the news it was a big shock.'

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Two Powerful Steps for When You’re Uncertain and Unresolved
January 10, 2023
by Amy Carroll

“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” Esther 4:15-16 (NIV)

During the first week of January 2022, the steady static of anxiety blared in my heart as I watched my friends post their New Year’s resolutions. I had joined them with enthusiasm in years past, charging with joy into our annual fresh start.  Last year was different.  I couldn’t nail down one resolution. Not even one.  A busy schedule, a personal crisis and a year of looming changes left me paralyzed with uncertainty. I could not see an obvious way forward, and I was fearful that any plans I did make wouldn’t come to pass.  Thankfully, God’s Word is the solution for every situation that stymies us. As I studied the book of Esther during this unsettled time, God gave me a new perspective. Instead of seeing Esther as a queen with a tiara, I saw her as a woman like me. A woman with uncertainty swirling around her.  When Esther was asked by her uncle Mordecai to go to her husband, the king, to interrupt a genocidal plot, she was wise. Esther 4:15-16 tells us, “Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’”

Before charging. into a risky act with an undetermined outcome, she took two powerful steps. This is a path we can follow today to steady us in uncertainty.

1.  Pause for the plan.

Esther didn’t react immediately. She paused. It wasn’t a passive pause, though; Esther took three days to fast, a scriptural practice of abstaining from food to hear from God.  Instead of flailing ahead with our own ideas and agendas, let’s follow Esther’s example by getting quiet, sharpening our spiritual hearing, and watching for God’s perfect plan.

2.  Lean on your people.

When Esther paused, she didn’t do it alone. She did it with her community.  Esther’s story encourages us to lean into the people around us for support; however, there’s one caveat. Let’s make sure to choose our people wisely. When we reach out to people who love us and love the Lord, they can be the trustworthy sources of wisdom and support we can rely on. A spiritually mature community can be one of God’s most precious gifts in uncertain times.

If you’ve found yourself in uncertainty already this year, groaning inwardly that you don’t have any shiny resolutions to share, don’t despair. Being uncertain and unresolved can lead us to a place of beautiful dependence on God and others. It’s there that we begin to pause instead of plowing forward. It’s there that we become determined to keep our community close.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12665495/itv-interviews-Latifa-Abouchakra-Iranian-propagandist-israel-hamas-press-tv.html

Fury as ITV airs interview with British Palestinian woman on Islamophobia in the UK just days after she described the murder of Jews as a 'homecoming' on Iranian state TV and called Hamas attacks a 'moment of triumph'

By Sabrina Miller and Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent For Mailonline

Published: 15:06, 24 October 2023 | Updated: 16:13, 24 October 2023

TV News aired an interview with a British Palestinian woman on Islamophobia in the UK just days after she described the the murder of Jews as a 'homecoming' on Iranian state TV and called Hamas terror attacks a 'moment of triumph'.   The Board of Deputies of British Jews slammed ITV for its 'staggering failures of due diligence' for giving a platform to Latifa Abouchakra, who has been accused of being a propagandist for Tehran.   Ms Abouchakra, a reporter for Iranian state news channel Press TV, was interviewed about her experiences of Islamophobia in England.  During the broadcast Ms Abouchakra, who was described as a 'British Palestinian woman living in London', said that she had been 'called a terrorist' by strangers in the street.  But critics are urging ITV's chief executive Dame Carolyn Julia McCall to issue a 'public apology' for giving 'airtime to a literal propagandist for the Iranian regime'.  Last week, in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Israel that left 1,400 people dead and hundreds taken hostage, Ms Abouchakra produced a report describing the assault as a 'homecoming' of 'Palestinian resistance factions'.  She also described the hostages, around 20 of whom are children, as 'prisoners of war'.  In a video shared on her Instagram shortly after the terror attacks on October 7, a smiling Ms Abouchakra said: 'Nothing will ever be able to take back this moment.'

Last week, in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Israel that left 1,400 people dead and hundreds taken hostage, Ms Abouchakra produced a report describing the assault as a 'homecoming' of 'Palestinian resistance factions'.  She also described the hostages, around 20 of whom are children, as 'prisoners of war'.  In a video shared on her Instagram shortly after the terror attacks on October 7, a smiling Ms Abouchakra said: 'Nothing will ever be able to take back this moment.'

Critics accused the broadcaster of 'irresponsible journalism' by letting a spokesman for the terrorist group 'peddle lies' and deny the massacre of civilians on October 7.  Hamas Politburo member Osama Hamdan was seen smirking as Channel 4 News presenter Matt Frei challenged him about the 'appalling slaughter' of Israelis inuding reports of 'beheading' and 'the burning of children' by the group's fighters.  The terror group spokesman replied that Israel was 'lying', adding: 'This is a big lie created by them. They built this country on the blood of the Palestinians.'

Later in the interview when brought to ask over the kidnapping of 'innocent civilians' and taking them to Gaza, the Lebanon-based spokesman denied there were any hostages, despite the huge weight of evidence to the contrary.  Hamdan said: 'There is no hostages. There is war prisoners and there is foreigners.'

In the interview the spokesperson also insisted that Israel was responsible for an explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital which Palestinian health officials claim has killed 500 people.  'They [Israel] are lying and they have to admit that they have done this crime and they have to be turned to the war crime court,' he said.

During the broadcast Mr Frei, who has been based in Israel since the outbreak of the conflict, questioned Hamdan over the horrific actions of Hamas's militants as they massacred their way through southern parts of Israel.  Challenging the Hamas spokesperson, Mr Frei said: 'Do you regret the slaughter of Israeli civilians? Because many people I've spoken to here believe that what you did on October 7 has set your cause the Palestinian cause back by decades.'

A Channel 4 News spokesman said: 'Since the start of this conflict, Channel 4 News has reported on the unfolding crisis by relying on the principles of independence, due impartiality and accuracy.  Last night, in light of the differing narratives emerging around the attack on the Al-Ahli Arab hospital, a senior spokesperson for the political wing of Hamas was interviewed and robustly challenged as part of the programme's independent and impartial reporting.'

Meanwhile, the BBC continues to face criticism for refusing to describe Hamas as terrorists.  The BBC refers to Hamas as a 'militant' group, despite it being proscribed a terrorist organisation in the UK, and described its slaughter of hundreds of innocent civilians as a 'militant' attack.  On Saturday, Danny Cohen, former television executive at the broadcaster, warned that the BBC's 'failures' over reporting had 'dangerous, real-world consequences'.

His comments came days after a BBC correspondent in the Middle East speculated that a bombing of Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City speculated it was most likely caused by an Israeli airstrike, explaining 'it's hard to see what else this could be, really'.

Israel has stringently denied responsibility for the explosion, as has Hamas, with officials from across the globe trying to find the cause of the blast that killed hundreds of people.  While the BBC said at 'no point' their reported said 'it was an Israeli air strike' he was 'wrong to speculate'.  Mr Cohen said the reporting of the horrific explosion that shocked the world, revealed a 'bias and deep-rooted prejudice' at the corporation.   

oncology

Stephen Dillane

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Waiting for a Turning Point
November 21, 2022
by Tessa Afshar

“And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden …” Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)

In our Instagram culture, the future is often associated with words like dreams, goals and opportunities. But for those traveling through a dark season, it can feel like the future has nothing to offer but loss.  No one is impervious to seasons like this. They slither in through our worst failures; they sneak up on us through unexpected circumstances such as physical or mental illness. They crawl in through grief and trauma. And they make certain claims about our future.  I have learned that beyond the scorched places of life, a well-watered garden awaits. This imagery can be heard from the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming to a Judean people who had lost everything that God intended a reversal for their lives. Their “scorched places” would one day become like a “watered garden”: “And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden …” (Isaiah 58:11).

In my early 20s, I went through a divorce I didn’t want, and suddenly my future felt hopeless. All my dreams were in tatters. Because I had been rejected by a man I trusted, I felt like I must, at my core, be rejectable, like I was damaged in some way. I might get into heaven because of God’s grace. But on this earth, I would always be less-than. No one would want me after this.  Lies like these can grow deep roots. They can suck out hope and turn our future into a scorched desert. If we aren’t careful, we might lay our foundations upon them and try to build a permanent home on those shifting sands.  Standing on the other side of this “scorching” experience, I now see with wonder that a glory awaits when we get beyond these grand breakings of the soul. Which is why I have come to have great respect for them. I have learned the most transformative lessons of my life in moments when it felt like my heart had shattered.  First, I have learned a resilience that has nothing to do with the fragile way I am made. By nature, I am emotionally and physically fragile. It doesn’t take much to shake me. But on the other side of these dark seasons, I have found a spiritual resilience a strength that flows from God and allows me to navigate an increasingly hard world without breaking.  Second, I have entered into my God-given purpose at a depth I never would have known unless I walked through my scorched seasons. If God had not allowed me to navigate those valleys, I might have still walked in my gifting but in a superficial way. My influence for good, my usefulness in God’s Kingdom, would have been vastly diminished.  Third, I have learned to enter relationships with a level of health and joy that I lacked before experiencing shattering heartache.  This reminds me of how, years after Isaiah’s prophecy was spoken, those same Judeans, now captives in Babylon, could look up and see the wonder of the hanging gardens. Perhaps they remembered the prophet’s promise as they looked upon this impossibility: a garden with large trees and flowing streams on top of a roof. In the searing heat of Babylon, what should have been a scorched place this rooftop, this brick and bitumen canopy had turned into a verdant garden. What an incredible reminder of Isaiah’s promise!  Perhaps you are in a scorched season of your own. Perhaps when you look up, all you see is a rooftop. An impossibility. Perhaps some event is whispering into your heart, Your future is a ruin. Or worse, You are a ruin.  I want to tell you that beyond your scorched place, a garden awaits you. Hold on, beloved. Your turning point is coming.

https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2022/10/05/this-is-why-your-art-matters?utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=227576773&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--2azNV6tWhdwQ9-feKhWnj_lV05M1XZzo3jMmuOT8ioBT6C72RcGz-7x3ETI0RRw9OxrJFkMXzpPZaoQOvUNXmt2GmhQ&utm_content=227576773&utm_source=hs_email#disqus_thread

This Is Why Your Art Matters
October 5, 2022
by Rachel Marie Kang

“And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 (NIV)

I was just a young girl when I learned how to see brokenness more than any other thing.  Even when I could not name it, I looked for it in the ruin of run-down buildings, in flowers faltering and failing to bloom.  More than just seeing brokenness, I could sense it, could feel it sweeping around me, seeping in and out of me. I was so good at gathering broken things and burying them deep within, until I was no longer just beholding brokenness it was beholding me.  Brokenness was becoming me.  All of us are born into this brokenness. All of us are birthed and brought into this earth of inevitable darkness, a darkness that burns beneath the bone.  You already know the story of a serpent hissing whispers of shame, of the forbidden fruit and the inevitable fall of man. (Genesis 3) So instead of telling you about the woman taking a bite and breaking the heart of God, I will tell you the story of God’s breaking of God breaking up the darkness and bringing forth light.  It’s the story of God staring out into the darkness, to which He speaks, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).

It is here where our stories begin. It is here where the looming possibility of the incredibly hard and terrible things that happen in our lives first lingers. Our stories began when God created boundaries to contain and control the darkness and the deep.  We began with the world that God called good but that He still allows to remain with “a sense of wildness and chaos that must yet be controlled,” in the words of Jeffery M. Leonard, Professor of Biblical Studies at Samford University and author of Creation Rediscovered. Of course, that wildness and chaos is humankind’s own fault, not God’s it's the result of our sin.  Leonard also writes that “God charges humankind with taking up the divine mantle of creating and working to push back the boundaries of this chaos still further.”

It is within this tension of a controlled chaos not yet completely cast away that God ultimately initiates tikkun olam. This is a Judaic concept that defines this tension as God’s purpose of leaving room for repair in this world. In this restorative plan, God invites us to participate in the work of pushing back the darkness in this world, of tending to this wild planet, of tending to our own wild hearts and of playing a part in restoring all things to the way they could and should be.  Restoring all things to peace.  This is why your art matters. Every journal entry written, photograph captured, song strummed and graphic designed every letter penned drips and drowns with more weight and wonder than you will ever possibly come to imagine or understand. Whether in public or private, we bring forth art not as a way of claiming that we are right about anything but as a way of climbing back toward the light.  God’s plan in the beginning wasn’t simply to save us from the inevitability of sin. His desire all along was that we, just like Him, would live and long to push back the darkness and forever hold our gaze upon His goodness and His great light.  This is not to say we play any role in working for our own salvation. Jesus Christ completed that work once and for all on the cross. Rather, it's the work of the restoration of things (communities, classes, churches, relationships, our own lives) that we are invited into and art is just one of many ways to do so.  In response to His great love and grace, we will sing and dance and cultivate creativity in the corners of our homes.  We will read books and write our own.  We will pen poems and post photos to our socials.  We will knit scarves to keep strangers warm.  We will find creative solutions to teach our children and tend to the land.  We will experiment with recipes and invite others into our hospitable homes.  We will live our lives courageously, cultivating our art and being captivated by the art of others.  We will know that, in all that we say and do and make, we are coming to know Christ and helping to make Him known.