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 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 →
Posted in Childhood, Popular Posts, Stories
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Tagged Acts 12, belonging, community, freedom, letting the shy soul speak, listening to our fears, listening to our lives, SoulStream, SoulStream noon prayer
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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 →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Stories
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Tagged alabaster jar, anointing of Jesus, Fr. Lawrence Lew, Ignatian prayer, Mary Magdalene, Matthew 26:6-14, self-centredness, suscipe, Take and Recieve, wasting money, wasting time
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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 →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Prayer, Stories
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Tagged Daniel Bonnell, David Benner, Glimpse of and Angel, Lolowaro974, Me and My Shadow, Noon Prayer, self-centred, self-centredness, Shadows, snuggling up to God, SoulStream, Surrender to Love
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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 →
Posted in Ignatian Spirituality
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Tagged Adplayers, C.Robin Janning, consolation, Daily Examen, desolation, Ignatius of Loyola, Luke 2:19, Margaret Silf, Mary Treasures All These Words, Prayer of Examen, Psalm 23, Treasure Island Archive 10
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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 →
It isn’t just fear, shame and judgment that are placed on me. I receive compliments too. People often thank me for something I’ve done or tell me how a certain blog post has impacted their lives. But it’s hard for me to take it in … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Chocolate Ganache Tartlet, Chotda, Guiss95, Jeff Imbach, Living from the Heart, Luke 12:27, Margueritte, Regent College, spiritual direction, The River Within
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It wasn’t my outfit that offended; it was my belief. After the disgruntled person walked away, a friend remained and asked me if I was okay. Neither of us had more than a few minutes to talk. I blurted out, “I think … Continue reading →
Posted in Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged expectations, fear, freedom, Galatians 5:1, judgment, Just Ard, Just Passing, Martin Hricko, Pure Joy, Weighed down
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I preached after a particularly full week and three restless nights. I was tired but felt confident. I had practised my sermon out loud without relying much on my notes and looked forward to doing it like that on Sunday. However, when … Continue reading →
They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Not just some believers, but all of them. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house … Continue reading →
Posted in Helpful Images
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Tagged 1 Samuel 16:13, Acts 2:1-4, do-it-yourself life, He Qi, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Coming, Jago, John 6;1-15, Loaves and fishes, Luke 1:35, Luke 1:67, Pentecost, Romans 8:12-14
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I have been born again and again and again. With each new spiritual birth, I emerge from darkness into light as helpless as a babe. How does this new life in Christ work? In the past month, I have been … Continue reading →
An Everyday Pilgrim 