Humility
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A Mosque in Tennessee
I was talking with Jesus this morning,and he seemed a bit out of sorts–a touch cranky, even. "What's going on?"I asked. "Oh, it's those Baptists in Tennessee,the ones across from the new mosque.They are totally not getting it,not listening to… Continue reading
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The Self-Made Man
Ah,the myth of the self-made man(or woman). No such thing. However you define success(and there are many ways to do so),it's not something you achieve alone. If you believe you've "made it"because of your own dedication and hard work,your are… Continue reading
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It’s Easier
It's easier to say, "I'm superior,"than to say, "I'm afraid." Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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The Convention
Twenty-seven floors above Indianapolis:I stand at my hotel windowand soar, like a bird, over the river, across which grinds a long train of empty coal cars,over a vacant, blue-seated baseball stadium,over anonymous autos crawling the Interstate,past other tall hotels where, possibly,… 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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The Doors of the World
The doors of the world–the ones between cultures,between peoples,between neighbors…who can open these? Not the arrogant.Not those who enter uninvited.Not those with hands wet and slick with blood. To open the doors of the world,one first knocks,then listens,then serves,binds wounds,cradles… Continue reading
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John 16:12-13a, Part 2
Peter hauled him aside:"That thing you said,about there being so much more you could teach us–about God,about life…" "Each people, each timewill have its own learning," he responded,"its own slow steps in the kingdom. "I have talked to you of… Continue reading
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Woven Together
We may share joy;we most certainly sharethe warp and woofof sorrow. Our woundedness weaves us one. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Temporary Homeless Shelter
I live in a condo,with heat in the winter,and hot water (most of the time),and a comfortable bed (beginning to sag),but ultimatelyit's fate, luck, the grace of Godthat keeps me here. I don't deserve this,any more than the people in… Continue reading