The 60-Second Sabbath

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  • Smoke

    We live our livesforging identities;thenin clouds of inevitably certain–yet oddly unexpected–smoke,watch all turn to ash. Our eyes widen in surprise. And God wonders,"Have we paid no attentionat all?" Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Tired

    He speaks of tiredness–the weariness of the one long oppressed,whose limits have been reached,ready to snap,left with one resource–retaliation. He speaks of tiredness–the weariness of one so tightly rightthat any lapse of strengthis to admit incorrectness and failed idealism–implosion.  He speaks… Continue reading

  • My Grandmother

    When asked to do something,my grandmother (clever woman) would often answer,"I would, but I have a bone in my leg."For years I fell for this."Did you know Gramma has a bone in her leg?"I would ask my mother. Now, however,I've… Continue reading

  • Rest, My Love

    Rest, my love.The clouds that now confound your spiritwill drift on by midnight,and the moon's cool light shall soothe  you. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading

  • At MacDonald’s

    As I eat a cheeseburger and friesat my local MacDonald's,an employee works on all fours,equipped with a bucket, two ragsand a folded piece of cardboard to protect her knees. Like me, she's in midlife.And I, as I slowly chew my… Continue reading

  • Advent 2

    Ah, those pearly gates:when you stand in the scanner,hands forming a triangle over your head,St. Peter won't be checkingfor circumcision,a membership card,or any belief in particular,but signs of being-like-Christ:kindness,justice,and a heart so broken,there's room enough to drive a whole tuckload… Continue reading

  • I AM

    I AM He.I AM She.I AM It.I AM All. We are He.We are She.We are It.We are All. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.    Continue reading

  • Sabbath

    We all need Sabbath:recovery, reconnection, reconstruction.Our vocations inflate like balloonsnear to bursting.Our avocationsevolve into obligations.Social media demandsinstant responsiveness.We are not built for this. Stop. For a day,  or two hours, or just 15 minutes…for God's sake,for your sake,for the sake… Continue reading

  • The Normal Trajectory of Maturity

    The normal trajectory of maturitymoves us from ego and pride of intellectto gentle yielding to the opinions and judgments of others. I'm moving slowly along that trajectory,but embarrassed by how often my imperiousness blocks my forward journey. Arrogance.Moral superiority. I am so… Continue reading

  • Peculiar Blindness

    When God repairs our visionwe're stuck with peculiar blindness:all those things with which we try to define ourselves–even faith–become invisible;we only see what matters. What is left? Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading