Humility
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Advent 6
Light breaks through. For ancient Romethe empire represented light–light for the world–the light of the emperor,the light of god. And along come Matthew, Luke, John–all making the radical (dangerous!) claimthat this new one, this baby, this neonateis the actual light of the world–not… Continue reading
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Time Came Rushing
Time just came rushing, pushing through the condo,self-important, indispensable,slamming me,without apology,against the hallway wall,on his way to something that mattered–what the hell?"No time!" he said, breathless,"So much to do!" I, meanwhile,feeling bruised and discarded,steadied myself and realized,with a shock,that time–hurried,… Continue reading
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About Nothing
I offer upa relevant quotefrom Oscar Wilde,especially as we approachanother election year: "I like talking about nothing.It's the one thingI know something about." Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Transformational Exchange
I propose a new business–a worldwide franchise–where, at any time,you stop in to tradeyour ideologyfor dialogue. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Prayer
Creator of the universe,I humbly seekyour presenceand your peace. Amen. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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We’re All Immigrants
It's easy to forgetwe're all immigrantswithout any claimto this space or time,wayfarers,both strange and poor. It's easy to forget we're being hostedby a gracious Innkeeper,who endlessly overlooksour unwillingness to clear the table,the clothes we leave on the floor,the lack of… Continue reading
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Getting It
If the disciples didn't get it(and most of the time they did not),is it any surprise we don't either? Let's give ourselves a break,not giving up on the journey,but walking side by sidewith ever increasing humility and patience. Text and… Continue reading
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“Am I Wise?” You Ask
"Am I wise?" you ask. If you talk too long or loudly, likely not.If you have more answers than questions, likely not.If you seek illumination from without, likely not.If you dance self-consciously and without abandon… or not at all, likely not.If you arrive… Continue reading
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Nuns File In
Nuns file intwo-by-two,palpable peace in black after whiteafter black after white…They reach the altarand bow to the Christ of the cross,then,each turning toward her partner,bow once more–this timeto the Christ within. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights… Continue reading
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Amazing Grace 2
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,that saved a wretch like me…" These words, by English poet John Newton, cause some people to cringe when they sing them; who wants to refer to themselves as a "wretch"? Modern hymnals even change… Continue reading