Tag Archives: healing

“Bless these gifts.”

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Over the past two or three days, I find myself needing to unfurl my clenched fist, to loosen my grip and let go. I find myself longing to integrate parts of myself and my journey that might seem incongruent or … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, Grace, peace | Tagged community, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, Moravian prayer, radical hospitality, reconciliation, recovery, spiritual growth, unity, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“Romance, finance and self-importance.”

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Ash Wednesday, church without walls, community, healing, hope, inner darkness, mercy, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“I was sick and you visited me.”

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Last night I had a troubling dream. This dream is not about Bishop Heather Cook of Maryland though the tragic, heart-breaking events that resulted quite appropriately in her arrest no doubt got my subconscious riled up. Be forewarned that this … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Uncategorized | Tagged Christianity, compassion, grace, healing, holy ground, hospitality, inner darkness, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, shame, vulnerability | 1 Comment

Expectations.

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Leave a comment

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

The heart of God.

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following sermon was preached this Thanksgiving Day at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. (Deuteronomy 8:7-18; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Luke 17:11-19) May we experience that Love which is no respecter of persons. In the name of God, Father, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, mercy, Thanksgiving, unity, vulnerability | 6 Comments

Seven chaplains.

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Twelve days ago, I had emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder, followed by a second surgery to remove a wayward stone that was wreaking havoc. Typically these procedures involve no more than a one-day stay, but I had a persistent … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace | Tagged compassion, grace, gratitude, healing, holy ground, hope, hospital chaplaincy, hospitality, vulnerability | 7 Comments

“Forgotten by us, but dear to you.”

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This day I find myself meditating on a prayer from a beautiful Litany for Compassion: “For all who are forgotten by us, but dear to you: We entreat you to hear us, good Lord.“* I think of the pain and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged community, compassion, grace, gratitude, grief, healing, holy ground, hope, radical hospitality, simple prayer, 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

Sabbath time.

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This weekend I carved out time I didn’t think I had. To spend time with dear friends, time breathing in salt air, eating fresh food and feeling the sand beneath my feet. It is an odd quirk of mine – … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, sabbath, simple prayer, vulnerability | Leave a comment