Category Archives: faith

Resilience is something we do.

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

At a clergy retreat earlier this week, we focused on the topic of clergy wellness.  The approach was holistic.  We discussed wellness as it pertains to our physical, spiritual, emotional and social lives.  In his closing homily, our Bishop related … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, small group ministry, St. Clare of Assisi, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Only everything.

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Folks in Alcoholics Anonymous often give prospective members the following reassurance: We will only ask you to change this one thing — EVERYTHING.  Them thar are fightin’ words.  A person would have to be pretty desperate to stick around to … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, small group ministry, St. Clare of Assisi | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Enlighten the darkness

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

These words can roll off the tongue with relative ease when we are speaking of the darkness “over there.”  Someone needs to take a look at that person, group or institution over there and cast a light on what exactly … Continue reading →

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Addendum to “grudgual” post

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning, while reading Alan Paton’s “Instrument of Thy Peace,” I ran across the following prayer, which is a fitting response to yesterday’s post… Thank you, Holy Spirit! “Lord, make me willing to be used by you.  May my knowledge … Continue reading →

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Grudgual: slow, incremental spiritual growth, initially resisted.

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This morning a friend characterized his spiritual experience as being of the “grudgual” variety.  It took a very long time – and some pretty desperate circumstances – for him to get comfortable with the possibility of a loving, all-powerful, creative … Continue reading →

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