Category Archives: Stories

Sojourners in a New Land

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Twenty years ago Fred, Rudy, Heidi and I sailed the forty-foot boat we used to own west around the world from Vancouver to Turkey. The voyage took three years and we visited seventeen countries. People often ask which one was our favourite, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged Bishop Melissa Skelton, Esther Hizsa, new land, Psalm 26:8, Randy Murray, sailing, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, Tieras | 2 Comments

Smitten

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“God is smitten with us,” Steve Bell said between songs at a recent concert. “Lent is about love and returning to the Lover who is absolutely smitten with us.” To get us in the mood for Lent, Steve sang love … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Stories | Tagged Christian Asuh, Esther Hizsa, Jeremiah 31:3, lent, Matthew 10:30, pilgrimage, smitten, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell | 2 Comments

Sharing the Weight, Revealing the Glory

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

When I told a friend about my dream, she was moved by what came out of it. “Why do you think God gave you that dream now?” she asked. “That’s a very good question,” I said. We both knew it was a question … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Stories | Tagged Celtic prayer, Christ be with me, Esther Hizsa, God with us, hairs on our heads, I bind unto myself, Jørn Støylen, Pebble Beach, practising the presence of God, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Patrick's Breastplate | 1 Comment

The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I dream that I’m at an event in an unfamiliar place. I find a list of the seminars offered and choose one to attend. But when I go to check the room number, the schedule is gone. Now, what do … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mystical, Stories | Tagged bad dream, dream, Esther Hizsa, feeling God's feelings, Psalm 42:7, Samuel T. Francis, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Deep Deep Love of Jesus, Tony Hisgett, Waves | 2 Comments

DIY Prayer Retreat #2: God Is Love Loving

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Read the introduction in DIY Prayer Retreat #1 for general instructions on how to facilitate a prayer retreat. 10:00- 10:30: Gather It is helpful to begin this retreat by sharing loving images of God. You may use artwork or a story like … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer Retreat Outline, Resource, Stories | Tagged Artisan Church, David L. Fleming SJ, DIY Prayer Retreat, Esther Hizsa, Examen, Ignatian Spirituality, Joel Montes de Oca, Journal entry, Lance Odegard, Neil Gallop, Parker Palmer, Prodigal Son, Rembrandt, silent prayer, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Theophan the Recluse, What Is Ignatian Spirituality? | 2 Comments

She Who Hesitates

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I was ten kilometres into my ride on a sunny January day, when I got a flat tire. I searched my bike’s panniers, but the levers weren’t there. Without them, it would be impossible to fix the flat. I hate … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged Burnaby, epiphany, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Gracie, Grinnin' on Gracie, He who hesitates is lost, hesitate, Isaiah 40; Isaiah 40:31, Kevin Bond, Malachi 3, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vancouver, waiting, waiting on God | 1 Comment

In the Shelter of God’s Wings

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I imagine myself in the shelter of God’s wings, safe and warm. Angels relieve me of my duties. I can hang up the worries of my day, click off my brain, and rest. Be still, I tell myself, close your … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Prayer, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Burnaby, centering prayer, feather 1, Jim Champion, Mennonite Herald, Psalm 91:1, Psalm 91:4, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | 1 Comment

Gifts

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

On December 23, I was in Value Village when I remembered I needed to buy one last Christmas gift. I perused the books in the Religion and Spirituality section and came across two pristine copies of Ann Voskamp’s devotional, One Thousand … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Stories | Tagged A Daisy Day in May, Ann Voskamp, Brent M., Burnaby, Dayspring, Floral Themed Gift Wrap, gratitude, Josh, let go and let God, Matthew 6:30-33, One Thousand Gifts, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby | 1 Comment

Fire!

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“There’s a fire. A woman’s screaming for help,” my husband said and ran out the door. I followed Fred across the lawn to the townhouse building next to ours. Smoke billowed out the front door of an upstairs unit. Someone was calling … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged bcfiretrucks, Burnaby, carving of Jesus, Child Rescued from Townhouse Fire in Burnaby, Ephesians 2:10, fire, Fred Hizsa, hero, Joe Crawford, spiritual director, Steve Imbach, Thomas Green, Vancouver | 11 Comments

On This Mountain

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Last week I talked about deadlines closing in on me. One of them was SoulStream’s Living from the Heart course. It would be my first time co-facilitating a six-day intensive in spiritual formation, and I wanted to prepare well for it. Shortly before I … Continue reading →