Category Archives: Stories

Opening Doors, Dropping Keys, and Setting Prisoners Free

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

Sunday morning the new guy preaches again. He jokes and sings. He’s not afraid to say what’s true. He’s not afraid. He sees the stressed look on my face and winks. The man reminds me of Hafiz—the way he goes about humming and opening doors. I take a … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Stories | Tagged Daniel Ladinsky, Dropping Keys, Hafiz, Open Gate, poet, prisoners, Sufi, The Gift, Tym, unafraid | 2 Comments

Settling Accounts With My Fears

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I hang up the phone and bite my lip. Did I say too much? Push too hard? Why did she have to hang up so suddenly? I took a risk and challenged her perspective; now I fear the worst. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Stories | Tagged fears, hktang, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 139, Psalms for Praying, queue | 1 Comment

What Jesus Cares About

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

Walking home from the store I run into “Philip,” a guy in the neighbourhood who attends our church once in a while. He smiles and says hello, but frowns when I ask him how he’s doing. He tells me again … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Stories | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Blowies, dandelion, Ed Dahl, Grade 5, Mrs. Sidon, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 139, Psalms for Praying, Survive, What Jesus Cares About | 2 Comments

God, How Are You Loving Me in This?

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

Steep your life in God-reality. — Matthew 6:33 (The Message) Before I published last Friday’s post, I e-mailed Steve Imbach for permission to share his story about the sleepless night. In response he said, “If it were now I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged Amancay Maahs, cell phone, fortress, God's love, God-reality, Matthew 6:33, Psalm 62, rock, Rudolf Vlček, safe place, Steve Imbach, studiobaker | 2 Comments

Where Do You Want to Live?

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I have no doubt that God was speaking to me—in the incident with my cell phone, in conversations with friends, and in the scriptures I read. The message is clear: “You are precious to me. I will look after you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged Anthony Bloom, Beginning to Pray, Esther Hizsa, God's love, Jesus calms storm, Mark 4:35-41, where do you want to live? | 1 Comment

Hidden in the Cleft of the Rock

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

One Friday I misplaced my cell phone. I went back to Heidi’s place where I thought I had left it. I was about to go inside to find it when Fred said, “Look down.” My cell phone was in the gravel … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, cell phone, Esther Hizsa, Exodus 33, God's love, Isaiah 43:2, Portone Pallatin, Psalm 28:7, Psalm 62, Simon Varwell, Song of Songs | 3 Comments

It Takes a Dead Alternator to Raise a Village

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

My stomach felt queasy. How was this was going to work out? We were camping in Washington State when the alternator of our ’91 Mazda died. At least that’s what Fred suspected after he checked under the hood. “The kicker … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged alternator, car trouble, Christian, Esther Hizsa, God, Mazama, spiritual journey, village, Winthrop | 2 Comments

This Journey Begins

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

When we pray, God is usually silent. This makes relating to God awkward, to say the least. Books have been written over the centuries that tell us how to overcome this problem, but few show us. No matter how many … Continue reading →