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Tag Archives: 12-step spirituality
May hatreds cease.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, grief, healing, mercy, reconciliation, renewal, shame, unity, vulnerability
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“Through the wall of flame.”
As a frightened man in a burning boat has only one way to the rest of his life, we must move with courage through the wall of flame into the greater sea. — Mark Nepo, Book of Awakening, p 172 … Continue reading
Love abounds.
Last week I experienced disappointment and failure in a fairly public way. I also experienced a mind-blowing, heart-expanding outpouring of love and encouragement from friends, colleagues and loved ones. Once again, I am reminded that, without risk and messiness, I … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, faith, Grace
Tagged 12-step spirituality, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, street ministry, vulnerability
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A third way.
Recently I was in a conversation with a friend, who expressed that he vacillates between two different ways of relating to me: blunt assertiveness or drawing back with a very passive stance. I understand where he is coming from. But … Continue reading
Posted in faith, Grace
Tagged 12-step spirituality, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, renewal, spiritual growth, vulnerability
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“Romance, finance and self-importance.”
Just this morning I heard a friend make the observation that “romance, finance and self-importance” are the three areas that are most likely to get him off-track. These distractions — trying to find love, scrambling for money or seeking an … Continue reading
Becoming friends.*
It was my privilege to preach this sermon at the 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Florida at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville, Fl, on Jan. 30, 2015. Micah 6:6-8 Hebrews 12:1-2 Matthew 25:31-40 Psalm 15 O Lord, may only … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, Justice, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, new ministry, option for the poor, radical hospitality, recovery, renewal, street ministry, unity, vulnerability
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Expectations.
Time and again, we have been warned to avoid having expectations. Our 12-step friends often caution us: “An expectation is a resentment waiting to happen.” The wisdom in this is indisputable. When I shift from dreaming dreams and making plans … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized
Tagged 12-step spirituality, compassion, Epiphany, grace, healing, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, integration, mercy, recovery, spiritual growth, vulnerability
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The girl without hands.
Lately I have been thinking about this fairy tale, which I encountered years ago. In the past, it helped me in the “in-between times,” when the realization that old ways of being and doing no longer served me. Our 12-step … Continue reading
A habit and a habit.
The image that has stayed with me the most powerfully today came when I glanced over towards a new brother (a Benedictine monk) who had come to Church Without Walls for the first time. He was standing in his all-black … Continue reading
“Lord, save me!”
Peter has left the boat – he has stepped out on faith to go to Jesus. But then, halfway there, he begins to sink even as the waves begin to rise. He is powerless to do anything about it. He … Continue reading