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Author Archives: Mother Beth Tjoflat
What was lost is now found.
Yesterday I had an amazing morning, walking around for a spell to get a sense of the streets and make some new friends. I had some friendly encounters, including a rather deep conversation with a very faithful man who, in … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, congregational development, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery
Tagged Christianity, church planting, community, holy ground, hope, mercy, new ministry, street ministry, vulnerability
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Between jobs.
We get so used to the way we expect things to look that we often are unable to see how they actually are. At times, we get so used to how we expect God to behave that we are unable … Continue reading
Unbreakable.
Recently a stranger from another continent tweeted me, troubled by something someone had told him: that the Bible says to not eat pork (and some other statement I can’t remember now). I responded that the Bible is chockfull of all … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, unity
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, hope, Julian of Norwich, mercy, recovery, spiritual growth
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Stand tall.
Today is the first in a series of Women’s Spiritual Journaling gatherings at a local shelter. For me, this represents an exciting, new ministry – and also vulnerability. To show up and report for duty, as I have been taught. … Continue reading
Letting go of barriers
When I was a little girl, I remember learning about barriers, most clearly by walking into them. I remember going to McCrory’s downtown when I was tiny and causing a stir when I tried to drink from a particular water … Continue reading
“Live what you express.”
This quote comes from a sermon by St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.[1] Sounds a lot like an expression commonly heard in 12 step communities: You can’t just talk the talk and expect to get anywhere – you’ve got to walk … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery
Tagged community, holy ground, hope, praise, recovery, simple prayer, St. Augustine
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The way home.
This afternoon, we have a little down time on our pilgrimage. A number of folks have headed out to various walking destinations in Jerusalem. I have opted to spend some quiet time in my ‘cell.’ In part, this is due … Continue reading
Sheer silence.
Today we visited the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Before we arrived here, though, we went to Caesarea Maritima, and revisited scripture from Deuteronomy and from Acts. We considered what it means to be called to vocation and noted … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, vulnerability
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Sustained in the desert.
Today we visited a handful of holy sites, the first of which was Jacob’s well, which is housed in a Greek Orthodox monastery and church. The eldest priest there is a gifted iconographer who has spent the past 3 or … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace
Tagged Christianity, Isaiah, living water, Nablus, ravens, Samaritan woman
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Bare necessities.
St. Jerome spent more than 30 years translating Holy Scripture into the Vulgate (Latin) so that the word of God could be accessible to ordinary folk. This is a photo of the gate leading down to the small cell where … Continue reading
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