authenticity
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Pridefest 2
More feathers,more sequins,more flash,more flesh,more lack of inhibition,more slapped-together floats,more straight bystanders (with their kids)than ever before. What are we celebrating?And really, other than celebrating,does there need to be a point? Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All… Continue reading
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Pridefest 1
Had I exitedthe straight jacketof faux-straightnessin my early 20s,two questions arise: Would I be alive?(That was pre-AIDS.) And would I have had the gutsto ride nearly naked on a floatwhile Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive"blasted to a cheerful, cheering crowd? Let's… Continue reading
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Spirituality and Religion
Maybe you're one of the manywho claim to be spiritual,but not religious. I get that:you believe in something or someonebeyond yourself,but you don't see the needfor definitions and creeds,and you certainly can't stand the hypocrisy, exclusion and crueltyfoisted on the… Continue reading
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On the True Nature of Church
Every now and then,I take a picturethat seems to need no commentary. Here is one–a bumper sticker I saw recently in my neighborhood. Why does this speak to me?My response is,"Yes, that's it exactly…" Text and image © 2012 by… Continue reading
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The Life of the Cat
My cats never pretendto be something they are not:when they want affection,they seek affection;when they want solitude,they seek solitude;when they want food,they ask for food;when they want warmth,they find warmth;when they want sleep,they sleep. But we humans…how complicated we make… Continue reading
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Are You Free?
What qualities of your motherhave you absorbed into your personality?And have you done so by choice? What values of your fatherhave you incorporated into your worldview?And have you done so by choice? What teachings of your childhood faithhave you blended… Continue reading
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Come to Me
Come to me;kick off your shoes. Come to me;let slip the mask.Breath.Smile only if you want to.Cry when needed.Speak your mind. Come to me;regroup;hide. Come into peace. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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The Convention of Jesuses
I elbow through the crowd–so many Jesuses gathered from time,each designed to meet the needof a particular people, place, prejudice, pain… Look over there–pawing over the desserts–Republican Jesus,Democrat Jesus,socialist Jesus,and liberation Jesus,all trying to decide–cheesecake or chocolate mousse? And vigorously… Continue reading
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God Will Not Ask Me
God will not ask me, “Why were you not Jesus?” Continue reading
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Your One Life
You have established your one life;have you secured itor skewered it? This midwinter warmup,this promising breeze(a premature escapee of spring)urges:"Cut loose!Cut yourself loose!" Whose voice is this, really?If the voice of God, hoist anchor.If your soul, pull up the stakes.If… Continue reading