Tag Archives: community

Forever reliant on God.

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

When my dear friend Kim saw this photo of one of God’s more colorful creatures, she shared this acronym with me: “FROG: forever reliant on God.” What does it mean to be forever reliant on God? As this “introvert-intuitive-feeler” comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, simple prayer, spiritual growth | 2 Comments

It’s autumn somewhere.

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

We are officially in the fall season, though with recent days in the 90s it has been hard to recognize. Dawn is coming later, which is always a good sign things are turning. And Wednesday morning should see temperatures in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, unity | Tagged baptism, Christianity, church planting, community, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, new ministry, option for the poor, radical hospitality, simple prayer, street ministry | 4 Comments

Even if we fail.

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Some years ago, I did a little stand up comedy. My entire act hinged on the premise that we humans do not enjoy criticism. “Anyone else here grow up with critical parents?” was my opener. The crowd laughed. Because most … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged Christianity, community, hope, mercy, radical hospitality, shame | 2 Comments

Silence is not always a virtue.

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last week the Rev. Benedict Groeschel was criticized for making a statement that some victims of child sexual abuse were responsible for causing the abuse, that these youngsters were the “seducers” and that first-time pedophiles do not deserve to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Ministry, peace, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged community, courage, holy ground, mercy, radical hospitality, spiritual growth, vulnerability, welcome | Leave a comment

Seeing, feeding, reweaving a life.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

God is constantly at work in our lives though this is not always apparent. But as we look back often it is possible to see a pattern and rhythm that suggests Life and Love at work. I have been visiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, community, grace, holy ground, homelessness, inner darkness, mercy | Leave a comment

A taste of shalom.

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

God showed up again today. I was early for a new devotional gathering and watched for the women who said they would be joining me. None of them came. I couldn’t help but notice three women huddled around a nearby … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, faith, peace, small group ministry, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church planting, community, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, simple prayer, street ministry | 6 Comments

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Originally posted on walkingwithclare:
“Go forth without fear, for he that created you has sanctified you, has always protected you, and loves you like a mother.” – St. Clare of Assisi This evening as news reports roll out about starvation in…

Posted in Christianity, faith, Ministry, St. Clare of Assisi, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, community, hope, mercy, option for the poor, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi | 1 Comment

What was lost is now found.

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | 4 Comments

Between jobs.

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, faith, Interfaith, Ministry, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, option for the poor, recovery | Leave a comment

Unbreakable.

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Leave a comment