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Tag Archives: inner darkness
“Through the wall of flame.”
As a frightened man in a burning boat has only one way to the rest of his life, we must move with courage through the wall of flame into the greater sea. — Mark Nepo, Book of Awakening, p 172 … Continue reading
Love abounds.
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
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“Bless these gifts.”
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
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“Romance, finance and self-importance.”
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
Becoming friends.*
It was my privilege to preach this sermon at the 172nd Convention of the Diocese of Florida at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville, Fl, on Jan. 30, 2015. Micah 6:6-8 Hebrews 12:1-2 Matthew 25:31-40 Psalm 15 O Lord, may only … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church planting, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, Justice, Matthew 25:31-46, mercy, new ministry, option for the poor, radical hospitality, recovery, renewal, street ministry, unity, vulnerability
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“I was sick and you visited me.”
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
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Expectations.
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
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The girl without hands.
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
A habit and a habit.
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
Into action.
This broken world needs people of prayer but it also needs people of action. My Third Order Franciscan friends have it right when they affirm a call to service that includes not just prayer and study but work. There is … Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, community, compassion, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, vulnerability
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