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.
Imagine you are in your favourite place, the instructions for the prayer read. Perhaps it is on a beach or in a cosy cabin. What do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell? Are you alone or with others? After you have relaxed … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Praying with the Imagination, Stories
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Tagged Contemplation of Place, Ian hoar, Jessica Gardner, John 1:1-3, Kimmeridge, Nan C. Merrill, Night Sailing, Night Sky, praying with the imagination, Psalm 18:10, Psalms for Praying, Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh
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“Be still, and know that I am God,” says the psalmist. Nearly every Thursday evening, our contemplative group gathers to do just that. Of course there is time for fellowship, reflection and songs, but we also pray in silence for … Continue reading →
Posted in Mindfulness, Mystical, Prayer
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Tagged be still, centering prayer, Cloud of Unknowing, Ephesians 3;20, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Kelly Dycavinu, Knit Together, Moonbeams, Psalm 46:10, silent prayer, William Johnson
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On October 5, an announcement was made to the congregation that my employment at New Life Community Church would end on December 31. A few days before, I was writing last week’s post. Nervous about the coming change, I reached for … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Stories
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Tagged Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey, Eric Liddell, Flora Slosson Wuellner, freedom, McCrimmon Pulblishing, New Life Community Church, over work, seeks for that which is lost within me, SoulStream, The Risen Living Christ, Thomas Hawke, William-Adolphe Bouguereau
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Lately Jesus has been inviting me to hold his hand as we walk through life together. That reminds me of something that happened when Heidi was born. She was delivered as planned by caesarean section a week before the due date. Since I … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Stories
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Tagged Christ Calms the Storm, Christian Asuh, David L. Fleming SJ, Fr. Lawrence Lew, Hold On, Luc De Leeuw, Mark 4:39, Pray as you go, Soul of Christ, SoulStream
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Lately I have been beginning my day with Pray as you go In these short on-line reflections, I am often asked to imagine myself with Jesus and interact with him. One morning I was one of the women who followed Jesus. When … Continue reading →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Stories
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Tagged Christian Asuh, Cirque Peak, David L. Fleming SJ, enough has been given, Fred Hizsa, Pray as you go, Soul of Christ, SoulStream, Strolling with My Honey.
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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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An Everyday Pilgrim 