love

  • John 13:23

    Why does Johnrefer to"the disciple whom Jesus loved"and not name him/her? John employs a literary device:by leaving that disciple unnamed,that disciple becomes me;that disciple becomes you. I…you…recline on Jesus' breast,cheek to chest,feeling his warmth,the rise and fall of his breath.… Continue reading

  • Dreaming

    At night they come to me–my sister or my father,my mother or her mother–mutually recognizingthat they have diedand that we have,for whatever reason,been given a few more minutes together. Sometimes,I ask questions,because I need to know,to understandmyself. Sometimesit is enough… Continue reading

  • New Year’s Day

    On this, the eighth day of Christmas,I remind us of what author Taylor Caldwell said:     This is the message of Christmas:    We are never alone. May you know this deeply, trulyin the final days of the season. Text and… Continue reading

  • Gifts

    I might bemoanthe babe-obscuring frenzyof the mall at Christmastime:     The perfect gift!    The ultimate gift!    The gift they really want! Gift craving,    gift hawking,gift buying,    gift wrapping,gift giving,    gift returning… I feel gift pressure;I suffer from gift… Continue reading

  • Original Revelation

    Perhaps the Big Bangwas God's way of saying, "Ta da!Here I am!"God struts onto the stage of Eternity for the first time:    the Divine Debut,    the Cosmic Coming Out. Applause! Applause!Rise and throw roses!Cue the trumpets, confetti and high-kicking angels!… 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

  • Gift

    You can give me    no greater giftthan helping me seek    my own truth. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. 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

  • God’s Lap

    Oh, to curl in God's lapthe way my cat curls in mine,to feel a strong hand steadying my side,to feel breath rise and falldeeper, slower than mine. Oh, to trust so completely.Oh, to so melt. And when God gets up to… Continue reading

  • The Point

    Jesus never asked anyoneto be orthodox,but he repeatedly asked everyoneto serve, help and heal.  Why our obsessionwith creed and confessionwhen Jesus, our brother,says, "Love one another"? Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading