Tag Archives: 12 Steps

The girl without hands.

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, peace | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Justice, mercy, street ministry, vulnerability | 6 Comments

A habit and a habit.

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, shame, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Fields of wheat.

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This Sunday we will hear again the parable of the wheat and weeds (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43). It is one of the gospel messages that can be disconcerting, even disturbing. At the end of the age, none of us wants to … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, 7th Step, Christianity, compassion, grace, hope, inner darkness, parable of wheat and weeds, recovery, vulnerability | Leave a comment

The garden of my heart.

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In tomorrow’s Gospel lesson, Jesus tells the parable of the sower. Hearing this parable used to make me uncomfortable. I worried that my soil was too rocky or shallow, that the good news would die or be snatched away. Looking … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Matthew 13, recovery, resentment, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Fully alive.

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was offered this morning at San Jose Episcopal Church where I was blessed to preach and celebrate. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8; 1 Cor 3:1-9; Matt 5:21-37) “Fully alive.” A few weeks ago I had an opportunity to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, radical hospitality, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Fresh perspective.

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This week I am blessed to be able to attend a CREDO conference for Episcopal clergy. We have already done a heap of pre-work, taking stock of physical, spiritual, emotional, vocational and financial health. (That’s some pretty comprehensive inventory-taking.) As … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, CREDO, hope, reflection | Leave a comment

Banishing loneliness.

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Lately I have been struggling with various forms of media, and more specifically with the amount of time I spend scanning online news, and social media feeds. Fortunately I think I am too old to “get” Twitter though I do … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, faith, Grace, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, church without walls, community, grace, healing, hope, inner darkness, mercy, social media, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Be truthful.

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Be gentle. Be truthful. Be courageous. -Gandhi (by way of my friend Walter) Note: A “Google” search for this quote shows it most commonly written as “Be truthful, gentle and fearless.” However, Walter’s rendering (and his timing in sharing it) … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, grace, healing, hope, inner darkness, spiritual growth, unity, vulnerability | 4 Comments

Spring cleaning.

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Writing is not so much building a building as it is clearing out a space.” -C. C. These words were spoken by a striking young woman named C.C., when I asked if any in our gathering had experience with journaling. … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, recovery, vulnerability | 4 Comments

In our midst.

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church plant, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, street ministry | Leave a comment