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Author Archives: Esther Hizsa
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.God Became Weak
“O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,” we sing. We too “mourn in lowly exile here” until the Son of God appears. We long for God to come in power and right our injustice, heal our ills, dispel our confusion, and … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Cry of Life, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Madonna Mary and Baby Jesus, needy, Sander van der Wel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waiting for the Word, weakness of God, What Child Is This?
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A Patch of Fog
“Turn on your lights and slow down,” Fred said. The fog on the road was so thick, we couldn’t see more that a few metres in front of us. I drove slowly, silently, looking for red tail lights and road signs … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, being present, bravelittlebird, David Wagoner, Esther Hizsa, Heavy Fog, Houston Marsh, John Knox Christian School, Lost, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stand still, Super Thick Fog leaving Montalvo
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A Sense of God’s Presence
This month I returned to Bowen Island to spend a few days alone with God. I hoped it would help me get through the dark months ahead. I didn’t have much of a sense of God’s presence until I passed by a church and … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Prayer, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Alan Feebery, Barbara Brown Taylor, Beeston Church, Bill Ingalls, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, FarelGab, Gerald May, Howth St.Mary's Church, Learning to Walk in the Dark, Luke 17:20-25, Metro Vancouver, Perseid meteor shower, Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Dark Night of the Soul
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The King of Kensington
“I have some sad news for you,” the minister said and paused. “Ken Ryan asked me to give you a call. He’s got lung cancer. Stage 4. He’d like to see you.” If you’ve read my book, you may recall Ken, … Continue reading →
God Isn’t Always Trying to Teach Us Stuff
Sorry folks. No new piece of writing came together for me this week. I hope you enjoy this post, originally published in 2013. God knows my thoughts even before I do.* And having heard all my thoughts, God must have a … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Stories
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, cell phone, Esther Hizsa, everyday, Frederick Buechner, God's love, Karen Tjøstelsdatter, Maltbie D. Babcock, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation, Philip Howard, Psalm 139, Psalm 139:4, Song of Songs, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, spiritual journey, Steve Imbach, This is my Father's World
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When We Find No Rest
“How was your weekend?” I asked “Bonnie” when I visited her again. With a pained expression, she confessed that it hadn’t been easy. Her fears were having a heyday with her, and she felt defenceless against them. Once again she was on the cross … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Ameripride Canadian LInens, Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness, Christian.Rudman, comfort kits, Day of Service, End Homelessness in Burnaby, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Martha Carlough, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 23, Salzburg Cross, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness, The Sacred Journey, Wanda Mulholland
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God’s Salvific Love
“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →
Posted in Helpful Images, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Brennan Manning, Christ in Gethsemane, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, helplessness, Hold On, Luc De Leeuw, Michael D. O'Brien, Ragamuffin Gospel, salvific, Soul of Christ, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Keeping Vigil
I’m awake in the middle of the night again. A sadness dogs me until I get up and listen to it. In the silence I hear a regret that I was not present. That evening I had a meal with friends. I conversed … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged being present, Efrain Almeida, Esther Hizsa, God's presence, helplessness, Judy van derVelden, Our Lady of Vladimir, Psalm 139:12, Rain on my window, Rodrigo Soldon, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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The Dance of a Loving Community
“We find it difficult to admit our faults and failings,” Doug Schroeder, SoulStream‘s director, said in a reflection entitled “The Gift of My Imperfect Self.” I read that while I was away co-facilitating a Living from the Heart intensive. During that week, I also noticed that I … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Bakeys Foods, community, crack in everything, Doug Schroeder, edible utensils, Esther Hizsa, Hans Thoma, John 13:34, Kinderreigen, Leonard Cohen, Living from the Heart, Narayana Peesapaty, rejection, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Here? Again?!
While I was co-facilitating a week-long intensive on spiritual formation, I noticed a familiar feeling: the desire to protect myself. It caused me to subtly close myself from God and others. Once I recognized what I was doing, I took a deep … Continue reading →
Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, Joel Olives, Living from the Heart, Martha Carlough, Rivendell Retreat Centre, Salzburg Cross, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stand Again
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