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Category Archives: Poverty of Spirit
The “Other” Who Saves Us
I was talking with a friend about how we need to radically welcome the “other”–those who are different and make us feel uncomfortable. Rev.Stephanie Spellers says, “We need them in our lives and communities for our salvation.” “How do they save us?” … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Acts 3:6, Art College Doormats, Esther Hizsa, Friday Requirement, good people, Marja Bergen, Martin Cathrae, Nicolas Poussin, Radical Welcome, rejection, Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers
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Goodbye, Rob
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
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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
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The Other Side of the Line
After I got over the shock of discovering I’m one of “those people,” I began to wonder about the distinctions I make. What constitutes being “those people” anyway? We easily divide people into two kinds: life-giving people and life-draining people cup half-full people and cup … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged A Firm Place to Stand, bad people, Esther Hizsa, good people, Living Room, Luke 15:1-6, Marja Bergen, Radical Welcome, Reflections for Our Highs and Lows, rejection, Riding the Roller Coaster, Sanctuary Mental Health Minstries, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers
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A Pleasant Place of Shelter
The woman interrupted me mid-sentence. “You need to know that something you said two years ago really hurt me.” I stood there stunned by the pain on her face and the anger in her voice. She told me what I’d said … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, humility, Imercer, Isaiah 43: 16, Isaiah 43: 19, Jason R. Goode, Numb, Olivier Noirhomme, snowy chain, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Francis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux
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Undoing My Life
I’m still thinking about the “Oh, no!” I heard when a toy car went over the edge of the coffee table and crashed. I imagine that a lot actually, when I fear going over the edge of acceptance and falling into a pit of rejection. Many things–gaining weight, … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Stories
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Tagged Cerus Scarf, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jagrap, Jeff Imbach, La Marseillaise, let go of identity, Living from the Heart, rejected one, Roberto Ferrari, Sottosopra, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tony & Wayne, Undoing
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Spinning and Waiting
Ever since my book’s come out, I’ve been feeling anxious and vulnerable. I prayed for God’s comfort and the images of the Mountain Ash tree and the Salzburg Cross, and Hafiz’s love poem came to me. I sensed God saying, … Continue reading →
Weighted Blessing
The Mountain Ash tree in my parents’ backyard was heavily laden with berries. There must have been two hundred clusters of them. “Won’t they make a big mess when they fall off?” I asked my eighty-seven-year-old father. Dad reassured me that … Continue reading →
Posted in Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Stories
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Tagged Amanda Graham, Cedar Wax Wing, Elizabeth McKitrick, Hafiz, JPC.raleigh. Randen Pedersen, Just Sit There Right Now, Martha Carlough, Mountain Ash, Salzburg Cross, Second Nature Home, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Balancing the Impossible
I’m becoming wary of my false self and its admirable intentions. Now, when I think about doing something good, I ask myself why I’m doing it. Is it to enhance my reputation, bring personal gain, or help me feel good? Or am … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Burning Bush, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, false self, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:17-31, Micahel Cook, Principle and Foundation, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim
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Life by Way of Mistakes
“Sell the painting that’s worth the most,” I coached our eight-year-old grandson. Methodically, he lifted each small masterpiece in front of him and peeked under them to see their value. He passed over a Cézanne, which I knew was worth ten million dollars because he … Continue reading →
Being “That Woman”
Am I afraid to be ordinary? It’s fun watching people who don’t know me come alive when I give a talk or facilitate a group. Before that moment, I blend into the crowd (in the photo above, I’m the short one in … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections
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Tagged Brene Brown, Daring Greatly, Dustin Gaffke, Ecclesiasticus 14:2, Esther Hizsa, fear of being ordinary, man fully alive, Martin Hricko, narcissism, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 139:13-14, Pure Joy, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the golden dream, The Guest House
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