About Esther Hizsa
Esther is a writer, spiritual director, and cofacilitates contemplative retreats and courses. She lives in Vernon, B.C. with her husband, Fred.
Our faith tells us that the infinite love that is the architect of our hearts has made our hearts in such a way that nothing less than an infinite love will put to rest the restless longings of our hearts. –James … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Mystical, Reflections
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Tagged E.Allison Peers, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer, George Matheson, O Love that will not let me go, Plum leaves, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, The Dark Night of the Soul, The Nativity, Trevlig fjärde advent!
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This Advent I’ve been enjoying short films from The Work of the People that speak of this season of waiting. They invite me to be unravelled, to hold my cup of longing and not go around it, to welcome the stranger, and … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Reflections
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Tagged Advent III, Esther Hizsa, Hadrian's Christmas Tree, joy, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, The Work of the People, Trevlig tredje advent!
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Why couldn’t I just settle down and be present? Have I not been spending enough time in silence? Am I suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder? Is this more evidence that I have ADHD? I looked around the sanctuary artfully decorated … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Reflections
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Tagged Advent, Barry Stock, Esther Hizsa, Genesis 1:1, New Life Community Church, peace, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Hope God, you come like the persistent widow and knock on my door. You keep knocking, wearing me down with your pleas until I do right. You come like the friend at midnight calling me out of bed to give my neighbour what they … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Poetry
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Tagged 5-8, Esther Hizsa, First Sunday in Advent, Luke 11, Luke 18:1-8, Mark 13:35-37, Matthew 25:1-13, Psalm 23, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Susanne Nilsson, Ten Virgins 07, Waiting for the Word
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At some point, the desperate need to shout fell away as if it were a worthless coin. It’s not that I didn’t want to be heard or at times stay awake at night plotting how I might be heard. But one day … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Stories
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Tagged A Hidden Wholeness, coins, Esther Hizsa, inner teacher, Jeff Milner, Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, Parker J. Palmer, Psalm 32:3, Ron Frehner, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, Thomas Leuthard
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I sit by the roadside in Jericho begging. A crowd goes by and I ask, “What’s happening?” They tell me, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Without thinking, I shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections
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Tagged Ceridwen, Eric Gill, Esther Hizsa, Georges Rouault, gospel contemplation, Less organic waste, Luke 18:35-43, more healthy food, Psalm 116:2, ReFood, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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I told my spiritual director about a recent experience of feeling like a bull in a china shop. In situations like this, I’m reminded of the Nissan Bluebird we briefly owned. Two decades ago when our family was sailing around … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged C33 Nissan Laurel RD, deeper trust, Esther Hizsa, insecurity, JChubby, John 11:25, Johnny Sears, Nissan Bluebird, resurrection, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Sometimes I’m a bull in a china shop. No matter how cautiously I tread, I break a family heirloom or someone gets cut by shards of glass. I regret the mayhem I’ve caused and feelings of insecurity rise up. Will … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged Autumn Bench, Autumn Colors, change, Courtyard Japanese, Esther Hizsa, Garden, insecurity, Jim Choate, Johnny Sears, letting go, loss, Markus Stöber, peaceful-jp-scenery (busy), spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Transformation
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Here’s another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline. Boelle Kirby adapted it from sections of “Befriending Insecurity” by Johnny Sears in Weavings Journal, Nov/Dec/Jan 2016-17, and May I Have This Dance by Joyce Rupp. You’ll find the introduction to Do It Yourself group prayer retreats here and other … Continue reading →
Posted in Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections
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Tagged Boelle Kirby, Carl Mueller, Creative Splurges, Esther Hizsa, fall leaves, Horse Chestnut terminal bud in winter, Johnny Sears, Joyce Rupp, leaf, Rob Howard, Sharon, Shaun C. Williams, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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It’s this time of year, when the nights are long and the days cold and rainy, that I begin to accompany people through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Daily Life. These retreatants embark on a nine-month journey with Christ, asking … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections
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Tagged Audrey Assad, Christmas Cactus, Early Bud, Esther Hizsa, I Shall Not Want, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Lonely, Michael.PortrayingLife.com, Psalm 23:1, R. Halfpaap, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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An Everyday Pilgrim 