trust
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Advent 12
"You're pregnant," says Gabriel,forcing Mary–unsuspecting teenager–to plunge deeper than ever before(we would assume)soulward for some placeto ground this unfathomable annuciation. Today, what say the angels to youthat turns you inwardto drag out unimagined resourceshidden deep in your own battered soul?… Continue reading
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Safe in God’s Arms
At the end of childhoodI would have told youthat the heart of Christianity–the "Good News," if you will–was that I belonged to Godno matter what. I really wasn't worriedabout Jesus's having died for sin,since it really didn't matter to me–I… Continue reading
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Midlife Wedding Day
We shall spend our lives together.I feel rather more certain of this at 58,than I could have at 25 or 40. We shall be together when one of us dies–not a morbid thought, but comforting:either I will hold you,or you me,and one… Continue reading
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The Labyrinth
I awaken in the centerof a vast, grassy labyrinth.I cannot see its outer rim,but the well-worn path leads outward,freshly trodden. The labyrinth of lovebeckons me. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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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
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Scenic Turnout
"Nice view," we say–snap two quick pics–back in the car,eyes wide for the next DQ. Stop. Turn around and drive back. Get out of the car and stand thereuntil you feel yourself sink into the landscape. What's written for you in… Continue reading
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Only the Heroes
I am your soul,and this is what I require: silence to expand;stillness to recall;solitude to connect and confront. You are wise to be afraid;who wants to discover their true selves? Only the bravest among us.Only the prophets and poets.Only the… Continue reading
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Imagination
Within each of usa piece of the Divine burnsthat many–including in the church–would like to reduce to ashes;I speak of the imagination. Let us grace it with a capital "I":"Imagination." Here is God untamed, unscripted,unfettered, untethered–God allowed to be God,no… Continue reading
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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
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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