courage
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Jihad
A beautiful Muslim womanjust told mewhat the word jihad means. Jihad is the call for each of usto struggle with our personal shortcomings(and we have many)and the shortcomings of our communities(and we have many). What are we lacking? Compassion? … Continue reading
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
On a scale of 0ne to ten,his pain hovers at eight. "Why complain." It's not a question;it's a statement. Even his partner can forgethis love's daily struggle for normalcy. The only logical option?Carry on. Self-pity denies life,and life is what… Continue reading
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The Spirits
The spirits assemble–the spirits of wholeness, joy and beauty,the spirits of unity, wonder and courage–and, in a circle of unbroken power and healing,their common prayersflow like streams–cool, clear, inexorablethrough the heart of humanity. We can not but be cleansed. Text… Continue reading
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Fear
Emerson advises us:"Always dowhat you are afraid to do." Make a list–perhaps just five items long–of those thingsyou fear the most to do because the risk is to great, the potential ridicule too painful, the possible loss deadly. This week,do one of them: … Continue reading
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The Lives of the Saints
I shrink.I shrink.I am an acorn, a match head, the point of a pin. Such monstrous courage, otherworldly focus, passionate commitment. I am reading the lives of the saints,how to be both simultaneously and fullyhuman,andan angel of creation, wisdom, humility, light, reconciliation, boldness unto death. Text and image ©… Continue reading
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Valentine’s Day, 2012
For all of youwaiting (afraid?) to say,"I love you"to someone: You're running out of time. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Taking Risks
When they ask me,"Can you do this or that?or such 'n such?"Yes has become my default response,even when the taskis untried and foreign. I learn as I go. Without risk, I stay right here. And if I fail,then,at the very least,I find… Continue reading
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The Light that Comes from Us
This evening,let's sit in silence as the sun sets,leave off the lamps,let the room be lit,only by the light that comes from us. As our eyes adjust,we'll discover our glowis bright enough to find our wayacross the room,down the hall,to… Continue reading
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Advent 16
Every Christmasthe angel Gabrielreturns to earthbringing a revelatory visionto another of earth's wanderers.As with Mary,he hopes for brave surrender,for another holy "Yes." What if this Christmashe chooses you?From what fearful depthwill you answer?And how? Text and image © 2011 by Dirk… Continue reading
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Advent 10
"Open your eyes," Jesus says,which means that some of uschoose blindness. "Join the company of the open hearts,the unafraid, the welcoming!" Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading