The 60-Second Sabbath

Growth

  • Good Dough

    Like a good doughdestined to become fragrant, hot bread,dripping with melted butter and sweet honey,I, too, occasionally need to be punched down,deflated,returned to an earlier state,and left in a warm, quiet placeto rise again. Like a good dough,I, too, relish a… Continue reading

  • Prayer for Lent

    Lead us, O God,from the beautiful,to the good,to the true. Lead us, O God,from what catches the eye and the breath,to what quickens the heart and the conscience,to what cradles the soul and the spirit. Lead us, O God,ever deeperinto… Continue reading

  • Old Shoes

    Every dayyou put on your shoes.You put them on yesterday,and you put them on today,and you will put them on tomorrow. And then one morning,you realize they need to be replaced;they are old and worn and no longer serve you,these… Continue reading

  • Sophia, Once Again

    "Sweetie," she said,"these things aren't happening to you,they're happening for you.There's a big difference." My blank lookmust have communicated my confusion. She patted me on the knee."You just sit with thatwhile I get us some tea." Text and image © 2014… Continue reading

  • Growing

    What a mess the world is in,filled with sorrow, death and sin,so much suffering, greed and hate,wrathful nature, cruel fate.Why would God allow it so? "Even God has room to grow." Text and image © 2014 by Dirk deVries. All… 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

  • Self-Compassion

    I recommenda lot less self-critiqueand much more self-compassion. We're far too quick to bash ourselves–or feel like crap when others bash us–but seldom respondby honestly acknowledgingthat these things hurt,and what we really needis understanding and comfort. "Yes, that hurt.What she… Continue reading

  • Living Halfly

    Whether in a community of faith,a circle of friendsor a partnership with one,we all need a safe space    to be authentic,    to speak our truth,    to reveal our emotions. Until this happens,we live halfly. When this happens–when… Continue reading

  • Forgiveness

    Want to reduce stress?    lower blood pressure?    release anger?    relieve depression?Want to feel more optimistic?    hopeful?    compassionate?    physically energized? All will be yoursif you forgive. You're the one who suffersif you do not. We… Continue reading

  • Confrontation

    He ranted.I listened.Something clicked:     He feels these feelings.    He believes these beliefs.    He thinks these thoughts.    They are his, not mine.    That is him, over there.    Over there seethes anger, drama, ego.  … Continue reading