Tag Archives: grace

From expectation to wonder.

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This year I have approached the holidays by deciding to take pleasure in small things. By moving from a place of expectation to a place of wonder. We talk a lot at Church Without Walls about how, while there is … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Silenced by love.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night during our Church Without Walls Advent bible study, we reviewed the scripture for the third week of Advent. As we read from Zephaniah, we noticed a marked difference between translations. One stated that God will renew us in … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, love | Tagged Advent, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, renewal, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“Who are we?”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This sermon was preached this morning at Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville, FL Christ the King Sunday 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 93; Rev 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Today we are invited to be boisterous and jubilant as we celebrate Christ the … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, baptism, Christ the King, church without walls, community, compassion, Ecclesia, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, spiritual growth, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Made holy.

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

At Church Without Walls, we often end the service with a blessing attributed to St. Clare. It includes the words: “Your Creator loves you, made you holy…” What does it mean to be loved, to be made holy? And how … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, renewal, simple prayer, St. Clare of Assisi, St. Francis of Assisi, street ministry, vulnerability | 3 Comments

A Third Way.

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

My tendency is often to sort things out, deciding what fits where, as I attempt to order my own life and seek to make sense of the world around me. I know I am not alone in this endeavor. I … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Hurry not.

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past week I was reminded that rushing is not necessary. It is not life-giving. It is not healthy. On Maui, no one seems to be in a hurry, even folks going through the motions and routine of day-to-day life. … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged 12-step spirituality, grace, gratitude, holy ground, hope, Maui, mercy, renewal, simple prayer, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Resting in grace.

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

I am blessed to be staying in Kula, a tiny town nestled 3500 feet up, on the island of Maui. For me, this time away represents a much-needed and long overdue respite — a time to reflect on what has … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, Maui, mercy, simple prayer | 2 Comments

Open hands.

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night I dreamt I was travelling somewhere – with my former roommate Lisa and our friend Ashley and possibly one other soul or two. We arrived at our initial destination by what means I know not. A plane? A … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, Grace, Recovery | Tagged community, compassion, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, recovery, vulnerability | Leave a comment

Communion happens.

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night my dear friend Ian, who a couple of weeks ago staged a production of Godspell to benefit Church Without Walls, shared a wonderful story with me: This week he was downtown with several Godspell cast members as they … Continue reading →

Posted in faith | Tagged church without walls, Communion, community, compassion, friendship, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, mercy, spiritual growth, vulnerability, welcome | Leave a comment

Close moments.

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

It has become a spiritual practice for me to reflect upon my life experience and to identify “close moments with Christ” – those times when I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of day-to-day living. Today … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, peace | Tagged church without walls, community, compassion, grace, gratitude, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, option for the poor, street ministry, unity, vulnerability | 2 Comments