Category Archives: Stories

Beauty Stares Me in the Face

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Every time I look in the mirror, I’m reminded that I don’t look very beautiful. Ouch. Did I say that out loud? Beauty is a sore subject with me, yet over the past few years, God has awakened me to its glory. … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged 1 Samuel 16, Be Beautiful, Beauty, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace, Ben Grey, brokenness, contemplative response, daisies, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, John O'Donohue, Peter Miller, self-image, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, world | 11 Comments

Questioned by a Strawflower

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Five tight buds, glossy purple lollipops, greeted me as I passed them on my way to morning prayers. Many flowers that I recognized were blooming at Twin Creeks Lodge–iris, geraniums, petunias, pansies, and daisies–but I had never seen buds like these before. … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Stories | Tagged Bracteantha Magenta, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Fleming's Nurseries, Jeff Imbach, Living from the Heart, Lodge at Twin Creeks, Matthew 11:29-30, Opening to God, rhythms of grace, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, spiritual formation, straw flower | 4 Comments

The Other Voice in My Head

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m doing it wrong. The voice in my head didn’t mince words. What “it” referred to wasn’t something innocuous like following a recipe; it was my whole spiritual life. Sometimes I’m so confident. I write confidently; I live confidently. Other times … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged confidence, Crystal, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Isaiah 55:8, negative self-talk, Seed Cracked Open, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wrong Way | 239 Comments

Life in the Slow Lane

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After eight slow days on the “mountain” with God, I wanted to maintain a more leisurely pace back in the valley of the shadow of life. I took a hard look at my calendar and wondered how I was going to do everything without rushing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Ephesians 3:14-21, Esther Hizsa, J. Philip Newell, Ken Slade, prayer retreat, Snail's Pace, Sounds of the Eternal, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

Measuring Up

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

This boy reminds me of our grandson. In the fall, we took our grandchildren to an indoor pool with two water slides. Fred accompanied the seven-year-old cousins up, up, up the stairs to the top of the slides, only to find out … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Measuring Up, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, water slide, woodleywonderworks | 3 Comments

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 →