We said goodbye to Belinda    on Tuesday evening.An amazing vet and friend–Dr. H.–    came to the house.Outside, a cold wind and steady rain    (a weeping sky);indoors, candles and warmth,    soft music…and love. Dr. H., all compassion… Continue reading

Help me disentangle    my selfish self        from my selfless self. Help me disentangle    my old self        from my transforming self. Help me disentangle    my masked self        from my authentic self. Help… Continue reading

I fall asleep,    and slip down my own private rabbit hole,past the rainbow rabbit    with his Mickey pocket watch,past the blue queen    with her pursed lips,the army of worn playing cards    deadheading the bleached roses of… Continue reading

Stop banging on the door–    such a racket you make! You shove with your shoulder–    it doesn't yield. You rattle and twist the knob–    it refuses to open. What do you imagine waits on the other side? … Continue reading

"How dare you speak for God?"    she demanded. How dare you not?    I replied. Text and image © 2022 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.Visit PhotosByDirk.com for fine-art photography.Visit The60SecondSabbath.com, where spirit and image merge. Have you ordered your copy of Contemplative… Continue reading

An excellent day    is one in which Iopen my heart,    speak kind words,offer presence, hope, encouragement,    leave my ego behind,pet a passing dog,    see just one thing in naturethat makes me pause and whisper, "Wow." What's… Continue reading

On most Sunday mornings    I teach "Sunday School."My denomination–    the Episcopal Church–generally refers to it    as "Christian Education."The idea's the same. I share this task    with a wonderful woman named Merrie.(Are you reading this, Merrie?   … Continue reading

Psalm 64  opens with a curious request:     Here my voice, O God,        when I complain… The psalmist then does indeed complain,    about how poorly he's treated,    about the evil done by his enemies. And so, following the… Continue reading

The fact that you long for Awakening    is a sure sign that Awakening shall find you. The fact that you long for Presence    is a sure sign that Presence shall find you. The fact that you long for… Continue reading

Why beg and bargain,    push and shove,        wheedle and whine,            compete and cajole,                grouse and grub,when you could–right now!–    step through the open… Continue reading