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Category Archives: Poverty of Spirit
From Weakness to Weakness
There is a dog in Loyola House that soothes the aching soul. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “balm in Gilead that makes the wounded whole”? Apparently someone at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario has a dog who does the same thing. People who go there for … Continue reading →
Weakness: The Heart of Belonging
My old friend, Insecurity, showed up again when I attended a two-day SoulStream board meeting. Even though I was among people who are open, accepting, and kind, I felt uneasy. Someone mentioned a book I hadn’t read or music I hadn’t … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged 2 Corinthians 12:9, Aimee Ray, belonging, Dolly Rainbow, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Hugo van der Goes, needy, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Adoration of the Shepherds, weakness of God
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The God We Got
God could have come with battle lines drawn, an army of trumpeting archangels, and a legion of patriarchs. But God came in vulnerability, a baby without a home . . . –from “The Arrival” by Ann Siddall Why did God … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Ann Siddall, Dave & Lorelle, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer & Co, God wants to be held, Holding Hands, Luke 11:27-28, Plum leaves, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Arrival, The Nativity, weakness of God
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God Became Weak
“O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,” we sing. We too “mourn in lowly exile here” until the Son of God appears. We long for God to come in power and right our injustice, heal our ills, dispel our confusion, and … Continue reading →
Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Cry of Life, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Madonna Mary and Baby Jesus, needy, Sander van der Wel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waiting for the Word, weakness of God, What Child Is This?
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When We Find No Rest
“How was your weekend?” I asked “Bonnie” when I visited her again. With a pained expression, she confessed that it hadn’t been easy. Her fears were having a heyday with her, and she felt defenceless against them. Once again she was on the cross … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Ameripride Canadian LInens, Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness, Christian.Rudman, comfort kits, Day of Service, End Homelessness in Burnaby, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Martha Carlough, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 23, Salzburg Cross, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness, The Sacred Journey, Wanda Mulholland
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God’s Salvific Love
“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
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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
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Keeping Vigil
I’m awake in the middle of the night again. A sadness dogs me until I get up and listen to it. In the silence I hear a regret that I was not present. That evening I had a meal with friends. I conversed … Continue reading →
Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged being present, Efrain Almeida, Esther Hizsa, God's presence, helplessness, Judy van derVelden, Our Lady of Vladimir, Psalm 139:12, Rain on my window, Rodrigo Soldon, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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The Dance of a Loving Community
“We find it difficult to admit our faults and failings,” Doug Schroeder, SoulStream‘s director, said in a reflection entitled “The Gift of My Imperfect Self.” I read that while I was away co-facilitating a Living from the Heart intensive. During that week, I also noticed that I … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Bakeys Foods, community, crack in everything, Doug Schroeder, edible utensils, Esther Hizsa, Hans Thoma, John 13:34, Kinderreigen, Leonard Cohen, Living from the Heart, Narayana Peesapaty, rejection, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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I Wonder What’s Under
As I listen to directees share their struggles and listen to my own, I notice that there’s a strata to our feelings and desires. Like an archaeological dig, the top layer–the first one we experience–gets our attention. It’s the hurt right under … Continue reading →
This Hero’s Journey
I love being the hero. I want to be the one that fixes the problem or has the answer. If someone is in great need, I find myself ruminating about how that need can be met. Meanwhile, if someone else meets that need, … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, awareness, Esther Hizsa, Free Store, hero's journey, Joan of Arc, New Life Community Church, Psalm 121, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Transformation, Wednesday Lunch Club
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An Everyday Pilgrim 