The 60-Second Sabbath

Spirituality

  • Jacob

    What if Jacob,sleeping that night in the desert,running in desperation from his deceit and dishonor,had slept with a pistolstashed beneath his stony pillow? What if,suddenly attacked by the angel(or God or whatever–it's left deliciously vague),Jacob had pulled out his gunand… Continue reading

  • Try Getting Lost

    Searching for a spiritual discipline?Try getting lost:visit a strange city,leave your baggage at your hotel and start walking.Drift left, veer right,turn toward what distracts you.Nod at people you pass;imagine their lives–as rich and confusing as your own.Say, "Hey, pup!" to curious… Continue reading

  • Namaste

    "Namaste":this simple Sanskrit greetingboth opened and closed our yoga class.I was told it meant,"The divine in mewelcomes the divine in you,"a sentiment I experienced then and honor now. In the years since,I've discerned there are many ways of understanding "Namaste,"just… Continue reading

  • Grieving and Receiving

    Grieving, believing, receiving. Or maybe not:perhaps it's grieving, receiving, believing. Or possibly it's simply this:grieving and receiving. Shall the believing be optional? Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading

  • The Point

    It's the kneading of the dough,not the bread;the taking of the pictures,not the photos in the frames;the working out,not the body buff and toned. It's the life lived in love,not the silver ticket to heaven. Text, image and audio ©… Continue reading

  • Must Be the Wind

    Adam suddenly announced:"I don't believe in you." Bewildered, God looked around."But I'm right here!That's like saying you don't believe in your hand…or this chair…or sunshine!" "Body parts, furniture and weatherdemand nothing of me;you do.Therefore I choose not to believe." [Cue… Continue reading

  • After One Martini

    After one martiniand half their order of crostini,he confessed:"When it comes to Godand matters of faith,I have many doubts." She put down her glass."Sweetie, that's very good." "Good?" he asked. "Well, yes.Doubts are empty spaces waiting to be filled,like holes… Continue reading

  • The Bigger the Doubter

    The bigger the doubter,the harder (and farther)the fall into faith. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading

  • Perfection

    After month upon month in ICUmy sister reached perfectionand said,"Enough."The word came from a puffy, pale face,beneath what had been a crown of thick, cascading hair,but was now only scattered brown tufts. "Be ye perfect,"Jesus had said to her.Hers was… Continue reading

  • I Lay on My Back

    I lay on my back in bedand reach one arm upward,holding my hand open:"Take it," I whisper to God,"Just this once,grasp mine in yours;then I will be certain." My hand hangs suspended,waiting. It's easy to do this–try it some night–for… Continue reading