Tag Archives: spiritual direction

Silently Blooming

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

It’s this time of year, when the nights are long and the days cold and rainy, that I begin to accompany people through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Daily Life. These retreatants embark on a nine-month journey with Christ, asking … Continue reading →

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A Prayer for When You’re in the Middle of the Story

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. –Isaiah  41:13 (NIV) God, you promised to help me, your right hand guiding, with a cautious squeeze or a confident tug. … Continue reading →

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A Little More Freedom, Trust and Grace

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I loved the idea that, despite my misguided actions, God saw my intent and looked upon me with kindness. But it didn’t take me long to realize that it was God who brought those actions to my attention in the … Continue reading →

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Hidden Buckets

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Imagine how refreshing the air would be in a community of open, caring honesty, without that hidden bucket of hurts fermenting under the kitchen sink. —Steve Garnaas-Holmes Recently I read these words and saw my hurt fermenting in a particular … Continue reading →

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Living Out of Our Stories: Part 2

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

You either walk inside your own story and own it or stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness. –Brené Brown I don’t have to do anything to find a story from my past that has me hustling. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Saved

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

O Sapientia I cannot think unless I have been thought, Nor can I speak unless I have been spoken. I cannot teach except as I am taught, Or break the bread except as I am broken. O Mind behind the … Continue reading →

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Live the Question

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

The most striking image I had during my eight-day retreat came when I prayed with the Nativity. After the Holy Child was born, Joseph delivered the placenta. He held this once vital organ in his hands and didn’t know what … Continue reading →

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Sin, Hell and Roller Derby

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“I’d like you to pray with #50 in the Spiritual Exercises: the sin of the angels,” my director instructed on the third day of my eight-day retreat. He also assigned three more prayer periods focussing on sin and hell, mine … Continue reading →

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Come Away

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

On July 6, I woke up oh darn early, packed my breakfast and lunch and kissed Fred goodbye. I took Gracie (my bike) onto the Skytrain then bus to Horseshoe Bay. At 7:40 am, I clicked into her pedals and … Continue reading →

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The Surprise in the Story

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“What’s the surprise in the story?” That’s the question I’ve learned to ask when I read the parables of Jesus. Darrell Johnson, who taught preaching when I was a student at Regent College, explained that “parable” means something thrown alongside … Continue reading →

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