Religion

  • Visual Parable

    Here on the plazain Old Town Albuquerque,many chairs of varying huesgather around a single, sunny table. I get it,thank you. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Those Who Live

    Those who live from egocreate a God of ego,who, like them,counts, measures, judges, moralizes, critiques, condemns. Those who live from spiritknow the God whom Jesus knew,    live in and with God,    live in and with others,    live… Continue reading

  • On the Illusion of an Angry God

    Jesus tells us,"Love unconditionally."    Why would we imagine God does not? Jesus tells us,"Forgive seventy times seven."    Why would we imagine God does not? Jesus tells us,"Love your enemies."    Why would we imagine God does not? I… Continue reading

  • Embrace!

    Observe how widethe arms of Godopen. Look again:we areGod's arms! Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Trust Life

    My parents raised meto distrust life.Despite their religious grounding–or perhaps because of it–life loomed, imperiously sinister.      "The world's a horrible place,    and we are horrible people." Enough. I shall trust life.I shall affirm and embracethe peace and loveat… Continue reading

  • How We Live

    Your perceptionscreatethe world you experience. Perceive the worldas evil, threatening and cruel,and you will live in a worldof danger, fear, suspicion and defensiveness. Perceive the worldas welcoming, generous and sustainingand you will live in a worldof creativity, compassion, joy and… Continue reading

  • The One

    If God exists,and God is All in All,then nothing that existsis not God. All faithsare expression of this One God,and all existwithin the wholenessof this All-EncompassingOne. Whatever differences we perceive(and we do perceive differences)–they will one day be seenas they… Continue reading

  • Sermon in the Park, Part 1

    "That whole eye-for-an-eye,    tooth-for-a-tooth thing?That's crap–    always has been.It never was a part of the plan." He speaks,    as he loves to do,to friends and supporters    gathered at the parkon a warm summer evening    close… Continue reading

  • Divergence

    In the center of the village    seven dusty paths diverge. An old woman lives    in a cottage that stands    just to the East.She watches and listens    as each traveler    begins the journey.Old as the sea,    wise as the mountains,    beautiful as songbirds at sunrise,she watches and listens.… Continue reading

  • Homecoming

    My dear brotherstands in the kitchenwith his brand new brideand her three beautiful children,faces the horrid awkwardnessof my fatherwho is rooted in the hallway beyond,where he appears to be glued to the floor,stuck in a morass of religious allegiancedespite the… Continue reading