The 60-Second Sabbath

Religion

  • At the Gates

    Finally,standing at the pearly gates–well, actually more like brushed nickel–I see God approaching from the other side,carrying a branding iron. "Next,"says Peter,not even looking up from his iPad spreadsheet. I'm next,but I look around;maybe I should let the lady behind… Continue reading

  • Credo

    Sleep in the dark awarenessof God as God is–unknowable, waiting, ready. Here we find faith.    Here we lose self.        Here we become love. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Falling

    This feeling of falling through life–does everyone experience this? And when I near the bottom,will there be arms strong enoughto catch me? Will there be Someonewho wants to? Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • God Said to Me

    From out of the cloud, God said to me,"I do not love the one you were.I do not love the one you are.I love the one you long to be." Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights… Continue reading

  • What I Am Not

    I am not these e-mails.I am not these phone calls.I am not the pages I edit.I am not these thoughts.I am not these desires.I am not these dreams. I am the spaciousness beyond. I will live and breathe and have… Continue reading

  • Looking for Truth

    Religion is,at heart,the story of grace. Whatever codes, creeds, morality, doctrinewe've piled on top of that story–it's all peripheral,optional,not central,not foundational,only created to assuageour insecurity. And if, by chance,these trappings slow you downon the upward climb to compassion,it's time to… Continue reading

  • The Legacy

    "My dear, young man,"she began,gazing earnestly over her half-glasses,her heart aching for him,"the birthright is yours,yours to claim,yours to own.Even now the circle crumbles;once dissolved,all support ends." He sat in confusion:birthright? circle? support?Turning and turning his ball cap in his… Continue reading

  • The Path

    So you,too,tread the pathto the sacred?Share with me your observations. I feel like a memberof a secret society,where identifying fellow-travelerstakes great sensitivityand the practical skillsof silence and patience,until the light of another–unexpectedly–touches me. And…? I anticipate (and find) joywhile being… Continue reading

  • Stained Glass

    The sanctuaryhas never glowedwith such cool beauty. The restored rainbow of western windowsburns with unnatural intensity,set ablaze by the setting sun. Fans swirl chill airover and around us.Awe is worship,is wonder. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All… Continue reading

  • Our Strength

    The U.S.was not founded on Christianitybut on religious pluralism:George Washington,Thomas Jefferson,Ben Franklin–all made this clearin their words and actions. Our strength lies in our diversity. You can bathe in the watersof religious pluralismand grow stronger and wiser,or you can wallow… Continue reading