Tag Archives: hope

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

Love abounds.

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | 1 Comment

A third way.

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

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 | Leave a comment

“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