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.
I dream that I’m at an event in an unfamiliar place. I find a list of the seminars offered and choose one to attend. But when I go to check the room number, the schedule is gone. Now, what do … Continue reading →
Posted in Lent, Mystical, Stories
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Tagged bad dream, dream, Esther Hizsa, feeling God's feelings, Psalm 42:7, Samuel T. Francis, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Deep Deep Love of Jesus, Tony Hisgett, Waves
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Read the introduction in DIY Prayer Retreat #1 for general instructions on how to facilitate a prayer retreat. 10:00- 10:30: Gather It is helpful to begin this retreat by sharing loving images of God. You may use artwork or a story like … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer Retreat Outline, Resource, Stories
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Tagged Artisan Church, David L. Fleming SJ, DIY Prayer Retreat, Esther Hizsa, Examen, Ignatian Spirituality, Joel Montes de Oca, Journal entry, Lance Odegard, Neil Gallop, Parker Palmer, Prodigal Son, Rembrandt, silent prayer, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Theophan the Recluse, What Is Ignatian Spirituality?
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I was ten kilometres into my ride on a sunny January day, when I got a flat tire. I searched my bike’s panniers, but the levers weren’t there. Without them, it would be impossible to fix the flat. I hate … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Stories
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Tagged Burnaby, epiphany, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Gracie, Grinnin' on Gracie, He who hesitates is lost, hesitate, Isaiah 40; Isaiah 40:31, Kevin Bond, Malachi 3, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vancouver, waiting, waiting on God
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It’s the end of Ordinary Time in the church year. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. For the next forty days, like many Christians, I will give up something I enjoy, so that I can identify in some small way with Christ’s … Continue reading →
Posted in Lent
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Tagged Ash Wednesday, Ashes, Ashes to go, confession, Esther Hizsa, Gerry Brague, John 8:31, John 8:32, last year's palms, lent, ordinary time, penitance, repent, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Martin, Stephen 10on12
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What feelings emerged for you when you read last Friday’s post? Perhaps you were drawn to that idyllic picture of God and prayer, yet frustrated because it’s nothing like your experience. Perhaps for you, prayer is as dry and unattractive … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer
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Tagged Dixieroadrash, Dormant Fern Garden, Esther Hizsa, Hebrews 11:1, Jay Pastore, Matthew 28:20; Philippians 4:5, Psalm 139:7, Rae Allen, Sower and the seed, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sprout, vege garden
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How powerless the soil is to produce anything on its own. I am praying with Jesus’s parable of the sower and the seed. I can relate. No matter how hard I try, those three unreceptive soils are in me, impeding … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination
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Tagged Burnaby, dependence on God, helplessness, Madison Murphy, Mark 4:1-20, Michael Cook, Night Prayer, Noon Prayer, parable of the soils, SoulStream, SoulStream noon prayer, Sower and the seed, Sower with Setting Sun, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vancouver, Vincent van Gogh
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Here is a helpful reflection for spiritual directors to use after offering spiritual direction. After offering spiritual direction, take some time to pray with what transpired. Begin by opening yourself to Christ’s presence. Descend with your mind into your heart and look into … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Resource, Spiritual Direction
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Examen for supervision, Ignatian Spirituality, jack Jewell, Risen Christ by the Sea, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, supervision
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I’m thinking about the things I do that hurt others and how I wish I wouldn’t do them. Thankfully, I have come to believe that God doesn’t despise me when I sin. Before I catch myself doing something wrong or … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit
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Tagged Burnaby, Donghee Bae, Irene Nobrega, quantum bunny, Rich Mullins, Romans 7:21-25, sad creature, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, strong like bull, TakeTone Cements, Vancouver, We are not as strong as we think we are
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I imagine myself in the shelter of God’s wings, safe and warm. Angels relieve me of my duties. I can hang up the worries of my day, click off my brain, and rest. Be still, I tell myself, close your … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Prayer, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim
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Tagged Burnaby, centering prayer, feather 1, Jim Champion, Mennonite Herald, Psalm 91:1, Psalm 91:4, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim
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On December 23, I was in Value Village when I remembered I needed to buy one last Christmas gift. I perused the books in the Religion and Spirituality section and came across two pristine copies of Ann Voskamp’s devotional, One Thousand … Continue reading →
Posted in Christmas, Stories
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Tagged A Daisy Day in May, Ann Voskamp, Brent M., Burnaby, Dayspring, Floral Themed Gift Wrap, gratitude, Josh, let go and let God, Matthew 6:30-33, One Thousand Gifts, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby
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An Everyday Pilgrim 