Tag Archives: inner darkness

To be despised.

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Sometimes laws are used to push people aside, to get rid of people we don’t like. To make them go away.” At Bible study this morning one of our friends from the street made this observation as we reflected on … Continue reading →

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

Becoming friends.

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This past Wednesday morning was one of our coldest yet this year. It was drizzly and the wind blew right through the patio area outside Clara White Mission, where we host a weekly Morning Prayer and coffee fellowship. “Good morning,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Ministry | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, compassion, grace, gratitude, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, street ministry | Leave a comment

The light shines.

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following is a sermon preached at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. First Sunday after Christmas St. John’s Cathedral, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 Judges 6:36-40; Ps. 147:13-21; Gal 3:23-25; 4:4-7; John 1:1-18 May I speak in the name of God, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, option for the poor, vulnerability | 2 Comments

Finding family.

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

This afternoon I had a challenging phone conversation with a woman I met at a shelter several months ago. She has struggled to find stability, moving from shelter to street to couch-surfing and back again. She has done many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, mercy, simple prayer, street ministry, vulnerability | Leave a comment

“hungry feeding hungry”

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

The following is a sermon preached on Thanksgiving morning 2013 at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. (Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Ps 100; Phil 4:4-9; John 6:25-25) May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized, unity | Tagged Christianity, church plant, community, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, hospitality, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, reconciliation, renewal | Leave a comment

Love and company.

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

“Love and company,” said Bear, “are the adornments that change everything.” These are the words from a beloved dog, as imagined or otherwise interpreted by poet Mary Oliver (Dog Songs, p 13). A simple statement — endearing and enduring — … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery, unity | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, radical hospitality, street ministry, welcome | Leave a comment

Marvelously made.

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Some weeks ago, a colleague suggested that I read Psalm 139 every day for a while. “How long,” I asked (not meaning to imitate the psalmist). “Read it until you believe that God cares about the details of your life. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, faith, Grace, peace, Recovery | Tagged holy ground, hope, inner darkness, inner growth, mercy, prayer walk, renewal | 6 Comments

Banishing loneliness.

Posted on July 7, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Lately I have been struggling with various forms of media, and more specifically with the amount of time I spend scanning online news, and social media feeds. Fortunately I think I am too old to “get” Twitter though I do … Continue reading →

Posted in 12-step spirituality, faith, Grace, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 Steps, church without walls, community, grace, healing, hope, inner darkness, mercy, social media, vulnerability | 2 Comments

The desire to please.

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

Each time I facilitate a spiritual journaling workshop for women, it is different. Some women repeat the workshop, but there are always new folks coming in so that the group dynamic is never the same. There have been as few as … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Grace, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, Recovery | Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, grace, grief, healing, holy ground, homelessness, hope, inner darkness, journal writing, mercy, recovery, spiritual growth, vulnerability | Leave a comment

To begin again.

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Mother Beth Tjoflat

In my back yard, there are four sago palms that the previous owner for some reason planted together in a very tight space. Periodically the heavy fronds must be cut back at the base. It is not possible to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged grace, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, recovery, renewal, simple prayer, spiritual growth | Leave a comment