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.
Introduction: For a couple of years our contemplative group has been having one-day prayer retreats that are simple, wonderful and free. Up to eight of us have gotten together at one time. We bring our own lunch and meet for a morning or a … Continue reading →
Posted in Poetry, Popular Posts, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline, Resource
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Tagged A Daisy Day in May, Alice Popkorn, Anthony de Mello, Brent M., DSC_0678, e.e.cummings, gratitude, Greg Boyle S.J., I THANK YOU GOD FOR MOST THIS AMAZING, Lian Yu, Matthew 7:7-11; Matthew 6:30-34, Morning Prayer, prayer retreat, silent retreat, Sitting in Silence, SoulStream, Tattoos on the Heart, to have a morning..., Travis
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From time to time I have been asked if I believe contemplative spirituality is for everyone. Those who ask confess that they find it difficult and unrewarding to sit still. They experience God much more in doing things. “I’m just not wired that … Continue reading →
Posted in Poetry, Prayer
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Tagged Alan P. Tory, Celtic Daily Prayer, contemplative, Henri Nouwen, John 17:20-23, Kathrin Burleson, Michael Ford, Northumbria Community, Psalm 46:10, Psalm 63:1, Quiet Solitude, Return, Wounded Prophet
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Do you have a memory that you treasure? I’ll tell you one of my favourites. Recognize the handsome fellow dressed in red serge? That’s my husband, Fred. We met thirty-five years ago in the indigenous community of Bella Bella. Back then this tiny village, … Continue reading →
In the parable of the net, Jesus tells his listeners that the kingdom of heaven is like a fisherman that casts his net wide. He collects everything in the sea: fish and sea creatures, tin cans and old boots. God wants them all, … Continue reading →
The voice I would listen to spoke to me about my relationship with food. Before we left on vacation, I discovered Geneen Roth’s book Women, Food and God. In it Roth talks about the guidelines for eating that have transformed her life. Instead of … Continue reading →
Posted in Overeating, Popular Posts, Stories
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Ed Dahl, Forest Walk, Geneen Roth, Guidelines for Eating, Nan C. Merrill, Overeating, Psalm 73, SoulStream, SoulStream Commitments, Women Food and God
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I woke in the night feeling condemned for overeating. A voice kept at me, relentlessly inflicting guilt and shame. It blamed me for using my addiction to food as an excuse to sin. It called me a hypocrite. I repented and vowed … Continue reading →
I am a list maker. When we go camping, I have a list of everything we need categorized and updated yearly. I live by the old boy scout motto “Be prepared.” I value efficiency and love it when everything goes smoothly. That … Continue reading →
Posted in Homelessness, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Tagged Be Prepared, Boy Scouts of America, Cobs Bakery, freeparking :-|, John of the Cross, Kieran Kavanaugh, Matthew 6:10, mistakes, Starbucks, The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, The Lord's prayer, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Here is a story (and my first guest post) by my friend, Tim Fretheim. The idea for this story originally came from an illustration he heard at a retreat given by Rob Des Cotes. My post about the leaky bucket … Continue reading →
Every time I looked up from the pulpit to give an illustration or make a point, I would notice the expressions on people’s faces. What were they telling me? A smiling face says, “Preach it, sister!” An intent look says, “I’m … Continue reading →
Posted in Stories
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Tagged faces, Intimacy, My Soul Is at Rest, preaching, Psalm 27:8, Psalm 62:1, self-esteem, SoulStream, SoulStream noon prayer, Taizé, Valerie Sjodin
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So, I’m on an adventure into the deeper, bluer freedom of being myself. Yeah. Right. Remember what Gandalf said to Bilbo. “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.” Bilbo … Continue reading →
Posted in Stories
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Tagged 1 Corinthians 12, being yourself, Bilbo, dragon, evlovana, fear of rejection, Gandalf, rejection, Romans 8:31, Smaug, The Hobbit, Tolkien, uncomfortable adventure
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An Everyday Pilgrim 