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.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.–Luke 4:1,2 (NIV) Three mornings in a row,I wake from vivid dreamsof what … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Poetry, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Christian Asuh, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer retreat, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Isaiah 40:11, Living from the Heart, Luke 4:14-21, Rivendell Retreat Centre, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon
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I’m more than a little nervousof what this new year might hold–so many uncertainties. There’s no safety foundin settling intowhat I can lose–my things, my body, my mind, my loves–though I won’t stop trying,and they need tending. It’s good to … Continue reading →
Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections
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Tagged Arman Dzaferagic, Cardinal, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Janet H, Living from the Heart, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 34:19-22, Psalms for Praying, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon
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So many wondersI treasure in my heart.My soul magnifies the Lord.He has scattered the proud and lifted up the lowly!I still find it hard to believeI was chosen to give birth to God-With-Us.The wonder of wonders I wake up to … Continue reading →
Posted in Christmas, compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections
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Tagged Christmas, Esther Hizsa, Flight to Egypt, Ignacy Gierdziejewski, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, James Tissot, Living from the Heart, Meister Eckhart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus
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Blessed are you,agreeing to stand still long enoughto let your eyes adjust to the darknessuntil the starlight begins to appear,the dawning of God’s promises.–Kate Bowler, A Blessing for Open Arms Be still, my friend, and breathe with me.Let us open … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections
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Tagged A Weary World Rejoices, Esther Hizsa, Gianni, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Iris Nebula, Kate Bowler, Living from the Heart, Romans 8:22-25, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Thiên Long, Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus
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Saturday morning, I stirred the pot on the stoveand noticed the contents were too watery.I felt churning in my stomachand butterflies in my chest.Translation:If this doesn’t work outI can’t handle it. This is what puts me over the edge?Date squares … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jean Alves, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Teona Swift, the body never lies, Thomas keating
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Blessed are you …Telling the truth about where you are…Because this is precisely the placewhere God will meet you.–Kate Bowler, A Blessing for Telling the Truth All shall be well.God is always with us.There is nothing to fear. I know … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections
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Tagged A Weary World Rejoices, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Kate Bowler, Living from the Heart, Lost little lamb, lost sheep, Luke 15:4, Matthew Kirkland, Nativities Festival, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, telling the truth, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
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The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”–Luke 1:28 (NIV) You come to us,as you did to Maryand ask if we will bear Christ already seeded in us. Like Mary, we don’t … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged 3 angels, Advent, Annunciation, Colossians 1:27, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Leonardo da Vinci, Living from the Heart, Luke 1:28, Pom', SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, terren in Virginia
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And if the morning never comes,I’ll be here for whatever does.–Paul Zach, If the Morning Never Comes I keep hoping. Of course, I do. Who wouldn’t want to be seen, heard and lovedby the ones born to do that? And … Continue reading →
Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Songs
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Tagged Clickrbee, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Night Cruising, Paul Zach, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, The Porter's Gate
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I hold back, make myself small. Maybe no one will notice, no one will hear the clink of my measly offering. A part of me scoffs,“Why bother?It won’t make a difference to the church.Why not have one last meal?” I finger the coins in … Continue reading →
Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Luke 21 1-4, Prayer of Imagination, Psalm146:9, Rembrandt, Royce Blair, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon
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Do you have the patience to waittill your mud settles and the water is clear?Can you remain unmovingtill the right action arises by itself?― Lao tzu, Chinese philopsopher, 6th century BC El-roi, the God who sees me sees me trying … Continue reading →
Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Alistair Nicol, Blue Heron, El-roi, Esther Hizsa, Genesis 16:13, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Isaiah 30:15, IShutterToThink, Living from the Heart, Patience, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon
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An Everyday Pilgrim 