Category Archives: Helpful Images

Right Where I Am

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I looked at this drawing of an injured bird and felt tender inside. I lingered for a while with that feeling and the sense of being held. Then, in the retreat’s spacious silence, I reflected on a poem by Mary … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Brian Wakelin, Byron O’Donnell, Devotion, Esther Hizsa, He Will Know, Mary Oliver, Olive B. Chan, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell, Striped Sparrow, The Beautiful, wounded bird in hands | 1 Comment

What’s a Bucket to Do?

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve been on Bowen Island co-facilitating Living from the Heart, so I’ve had no time to write. But I think you’ll like this post (originally published in 2014) which follows up what I posted last week. The quote at the bottom … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit | Tagged abide in me, Beach Sunset, Christian Asuh, consent to be loved, Darrell Johnson, Esther Hizsa, Father Thomas Keating, God's love, John 15:4, John 17, leaky bucket, Living from the Heart, Mark Pegrum, one with God, Open Mind Open Heart, Regent College, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Yallingup | 1 Comment

Immersed in an Ocean of Love

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Here’s one of my favourite posts, originally published January 17, 2014. I hope you enjoy it. I awake at 4 a.m. with an emotional heaviness and remember what caused this feeling. I got hoodwinked by fear in a legitimate disguise: I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged Donna Geissler, Esther Hizsa, fear, God's love, Imago Dei Communities, immersed in God's love, leaky bucket, ocean of love, Psalm 139:18, Rob Des Cotes, Sandy Beach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wave Coast, weakness, Wonderlane | 6 Comments

God Inclined His Ear to Me

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. –Psalm 116:1,2 I imagine God inclining his/her ear to … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Helpful Images, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Burning Bush, Douglas Steere, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Helichrysum: Memory of the Sun, Henri Nouwen, Michael Cook, Night Prayer, On Listening to One Another, Pentecost, Psalm 116:1-2, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

God’s Salvific Love

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Brennan Manning, Christ in Gethsemane, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, helplessness, Hold On, Luc De Leeuw, Michael D. O'Brien, Ragamuffin Gospel, salvific, Soul of Christ, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Goodbye, Rob

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

On April 6 friend and mentor Rob Des Cotes passed into glory. Rob was a pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, musician, writer and artist. Hearing God’s call to go deeper in contemplative … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged Chris Niekel, Donna Geissler, fear, God's love, Imago Dei Communities, immersed in God's love, leaky bucket, ocean of love, Psalm 139:18, Rob Des Cotes, Sandy Beach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waves, weakness | 1 Comment

Moving from “Me” to “We”

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

If I were Jesus riding into Jerusalem, I would have been pretty agitated. Imagine entering the city where you’re about to be betrayed, abandoned, beaten, and killed. How could Jesus remain present to the crowds of joyous people shouting, “Hosanna!”? Before the week is through, … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Helpful Images, Holy Week, Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged Brian Whelan, Isaiah 41:13-14, Jesus enters Jerusalem, Luke 19:28-42, Palm Frond, Palm Sunday, Rob Des Cotes, Samuel John, Soul Care Retreat, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 6 Comments

A Miracle Day

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

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 | 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 | 2 Comments

Christ Will Come Again

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

The disciples were anxious, afraid and extremely sad as they watched Jesus whisked up to heaven. What would they do now? He promised he wouldn’t leave them alone, that God would send the Holy Spirit. But how could this Spirit possibly replace Jesus? What … Continue reading →