The 60-Second Sabbath

fear

  • Lent

    It is Lent.It is timeto make spacefor the Holy. It is Lent.Let us fastfrom our fearsand our worries. Text and image © 2014 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • How to Build Hell

    Erect lots of barriers.Shut people out.Convince ourselves it's us vs. them.Imagine we are under attack.Inflame our mutual paranoia.Entertain no viewpoint but our own. Hey,not quite the kingdom Jesus imagined for us,but our fearful superioritywill just have to substitute. Text and… Continue reading

  • Fear Not

    The angel appeared."Fear not," he said. "You always say that," I said."Whenever you pop in,you always start with,'Fear not.'What's up with that?" He sighed."Because no one listenswhen they're afraid–not to spouses, neighbors, friends,family members, store clerks–they just don't listen.It's so… Continue reading

  • How We Live

    Your perceptionscreatethe world you experience. Perceive the worldas evil, threatening and cruel,and you will live in a worldof danger, fear, suspicion and defensiveness. Perceive the worldas welcoming, generous and sustainingand you will live in a worldof creativity, compassion, joy and… Continue reading

  • Conditioning

    I, the tiger,lean and sinewy,pace my cage–    ten steps to the east,    ten steps south,    ten steps west,    pause,    ten steps north… Then one day,the cage is gone–    no more bars,    no more… Continue reading

  • Sermon in the Park, Part 2

    The homeless guys,with their parked shopping cartsand scraggly, gray beards,nod as he speaks. "You can cling to the cross,with its dried blood and splinters,or you can come dancing with me." I feel safestwith my face pressed against rough wood,cheeks bleeding.When… Continue reading

  • That Which Remains Buried

    I live withthe nagging feelingthat there remainsburied within me(not far from the surface–like a hastily interred body,in a dollar-store grave)something I thoughtwas dead,that wants–nay, needs–to come out,not to resurrect,but to be given a proper burial. Whatever the identityof this corpse,it's… Continue reading

  • Turning Rocks

    I am slowly(so slowly)learning that… My fear of what liesunder the rock is far more debilitating than what actually liesunder the rock. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.   Continue reading

  • Surrendering

    I refuse to surrenderto a god I fear. I choose to surrender(most willingly)to a God I love. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • In the Forest

    You are lost in a forest.The undergrowth blocks you.Trees lean in.Light fades.Unidentified noises circle. What dangers waitin the creeping darkness?  You know, don't you?You've always feared    your erratic behaviors    your in-crowding thoughts,    your disquieting longings,    your… Continue reading