The 60-Second Sabbath

hope

  • Advent 2

    Ah, those pearly gates:when you stand in the scanner,hands forming a triangle over your head,St. Peter won't be checkingfor circumcision,a membership card,or any belief in particular,but signs of being-like-Christ:kindness,justice,and a heart so broken,there's room enough to drive a whole tuckload… Continue reading

  • A Headline for the World

    If, tomorrow morning,  you had the opportunityto put your one, best line of adviceon the front page of every  newspaper,or every website,across the globe,what would it be?If you could boil downto one two- to six-word headlinethe organzing concept of your… Continue reading

  • The Labyrinth

    I awaken in the centerof a vast, grassy labyrinth.I cannot see its outer rim,but the well-worn path leads outward,freshly trodden. The labyrinth of lovebeckons me. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.   Continue reading

  • I’ve Gotta Home in Gloryland

    My mother(clean and uprightin a white nightgownbleached whiter by chill florescent lights)is unable to recall my name,yet suddenly belts out"I've gotta home in Glorylandthat outshines the sun…"in a voice so clear and strong,it echoes down the green corridor,through the empty cafeteria,and… Continue reading

  • You and I

    You and Iare creating a worldwe will never see, a world of peoplewe will never meet–shaped by our choices,by our cruelty or compassion. Live today for their tomorrow. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.    Continue reading

  • The Next Rise

    "Over the next riselies the summit":This I tell myself daily. Yet after each rise,rises yet another,and after that,another. My legs falter.My will weakens.  Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.    Continue reading

  • Credo

    I do not believe in hell, nor in the efficacy of war. I believe greed destroys and fear creates monsters where none exist. I believe in humility, the resilience of the human heart, and the revelatory nature of our nightly… Continue reading

  • I Lay on My Back

    I lay on my back in bedand reach one arm upward,holding my hand open:"Take it," I whisper to God,"Just this once,grasp mine in yours;then I will be certain." My hand hangs suspended,waiting. It's easy to do this–try it some night–for… Continue reading

  • Job I

    So Job asked(quite reasonably),"What the hell?" And God answered(equally reasonably),"Who the hell are you to ask?" And in the impasseboth realizedthe equal needone of the other.  So go ahead and ask,"What the hell?" And don't be surprisedwhen God responds,"I don't… Continue reading

  • I Could Have Used You Today

    I could have used you today. I needed you:     a stillpoint,    a saner pivot,    a rock to cling to while the currents pushed and pulled,    someone to click download,    arms to cry in,    acceptance of the mess I am. I needed another perspective,    a… Continue reading