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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.The Voice of Love Loving
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 →
Blessed Mistakes
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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A Leaky Bucket Tells His Story
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 →
Posted in Stories
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Tagged Donna Geissler, leaky bucket, Rob Des Cotes, Tim Fretheim, tin pail story
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Faces
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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One Uncomfortable Adventure
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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The Real Story Begins
I was as restless as a cat. I’d pack a few things then check my emails. I looked over the list of items to bring to the SoulStream Partners’ Annual Retreat. Check. Check. What? A photograph of myself? Why hadn’t … Continue reading →
Wasting Money
Every time I turned around, something was costing more money: a haircut, local produce, a restaurant meal. Then the theatre company called to say that the matinée performance we booked in our subscription was sold out. Should Fred and I change shows or … Continue reading →
Me and My Shadow
I am hesitant to confess this to you, because when I do, you will find evidence that it’s true. And where that leads, well, that makes me both nervous and hopeful. So here it is: I am pretty self-centred. I often put myself … Continue reading →
Buried Treasure
It’s all fine to recall those moments for which we are most grateful and treasure them in our hearts. But what about the events in our day for which we are least grateful? Who wants to treasure those? I’d just as soon forget them. But Ignatius … Continue reading →
Something Exciting Is Happening on Your Block
Meet Chester Filbert. He lives at 5264 One Hundred and Seventy-Seventh Street. He is frowning because, as the title of the book explains, nothing ever happens on his block. The reader soon discovers, however, that the joke is on him, … Continue reading →
An Everyday Pilgrim 