The 60-Second Sabbath

strength

  • 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

  • The Burning Bush

    I am the burning bush,engulfed in flame,but not consumed. I am the burning bush,scorched by cruel circumstance,but not destroyed. I am the burning bush,charred by soul-lost longing,but not devoured. I am the burning bush,beckoning in the desert sun,God's voice, unheeded.… Continue reading

  • Something to Be Said

    There is somethingto be saidfor standingon your own two feet. There is moreto be saidfor kneelingon your own two knees. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • On to Celebration

    Now is the time for celebration–yes, we have experienced loss,but we are not diminished. We have joined unsteady handsand pulled each other through. If not stronger, we are wiser,having found life in death,hope in sadness,God in one another. Yes,now it… Continue reading

  • Flotsam

    Dis-identifyfrom your thoughts.You are not the things you think. Thoughts are your mind at work–    often obsessed,    often distracted,    often distressed,    often wrong. Your thoughts are not you;they are games your mind playsto amuse itself. Let… Continue reading

  • That Which Is Next

    That which is next for youlurks around the corner,ready to pounce.You can hide, resist, fight–but it sill comes:illness, unemployment, conflict, loneliness. Or you could say,"That which is next–I'm ready to greet you.We will be companions.I may not best you,but I… Continue reading

  • Job 3

    Many years laterin an unexpected moment of divine candor(seated at the fire,sharing a glass of ruby port),God opened up to Job: "What I really wantedwas for you to yell,'Enough!Enough taking! Enough destroying!Enough pain! Enough loss!'I wanted you to be more… Continue reading

  • All Anger Comes from Fear

    A long time ago, someone I trust and love said to me "All anger comes from fear." That made me angry. Or rather, my response to what she said was to feel angry and defensive: "But my anger is justified.… Continue reading