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.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel … Continue reading →
Tomorrow is the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere. But for those of us on the other side of the world, winter begins with the longest night of the year. Advent comes to a climax in our darkest … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Homelessness, Poverty of Spirit, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Tagged darkest hour, God's love, homelessness, hope, John 1:5, John 1:9, Luke 1:46-49, Pompeo Batoni, Progressive Housing Society, Rick Smotherman, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Incarnation: Some Assembly Required I open my door to welcome all that You are and PUT everyone comes in anxious thoughtful joyous distraught expectant ANGRY PUT (with compassion crushing PUT blame baring PUT vulnerability) lost God unassembled I feel Your … Continue reading →
I spent three days on Bowen Island walking, praying, and watching the seagulls. I noticed that when one or two birds landed on the calm sea others followed. God seemed to be telling me that as I rest in him, others … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Easter, Poverty of Spirit, Rob Des Cotes, Stories
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Tagged Blessed are the poor in spirit, Bowen Island, dieraecherin, God's love, He Qi, Johannes B. Metz, Matthew 5:3, Nativity, o0o0xmods0o0o, Poverty of Spirit, retreat, Rob Des Cotes, seagulls
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In two days Advent begins and with it comes that stress-inducing question: Are you ready for Christmas? Those words produce a flurry of images—shopping, decorating, baking, Christmas cards, and list making—that sends chills of expectations through my soul. I’m overwhelmed … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poetry, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer
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Tagged Advent, Advent Poem, Advent reflections, Godspace, Kathy Krahn, Kelly Dycavinu, Linda Smythe, New Life Community Church, Popcorn with a Spoon, preparing for Christmas, Susan Horikiri, Tanya Eichler
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Brené Brown posted this on her FB page on Nov 8, 2013: “I found the perfect image for ‘the vulnerability hangover’ – you know that feeling when you share too much and the next hour/day/week you feel like you’re wearing … Continue reading →
I guess it’s time, I thought as I biked along. And in my spirit I knew I was ready to face my shame about overeating. I meet with Karen, my spiritual director, regularly. The sacred space we share allows me … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Popular Posts, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged attachment, Everything Belongs, Julie Falk, Kindness 2, Overeating, places in us that are trying to say yes, Richard Rohr, spiritual direction, veres
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I received many compassionate e-mails in response to yesterday’s post. Thank you. You have greatly encouraged the hundreds of Burnaby residents advocating for others who are homeless or at risk or homelessness. Above is a hot-off-the-press video called It Takes … Continue reading →
“You know what’s making me mad right now? I’ll tell you,” Paul* said looking me in the eye. We were standing outside the entrance to the Greenhouse, a renovated house on the church property, waiting for the soup to heat … Continue reading →
Has this ever happened to you? You get an e-mail that explains a situation and then asks for a response. It seems simple and straightforward and you reply. But as soon as you press “send” you realize you didn’t read … Continue reading →
An Everyday Pilgrim 