-
Join 1,128 other followers
Blogroll
Tag Archives: recovery
The garden of my heart.
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
Growth hog.
On a short walk in the woods, my friend Nancee expanded my vocabulary when she called me this: Growth hog. It made me laugh, even snort a little, and otherwise delighted me. I love this term. It speaks to that … Continue reading
Posted in Episcopal church, Grace, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, grace, holy ground, hope, recovery, spiritual growth
3 Comments
The gift of the shadow of death.
This morning I saw my friend Abe for the first time in weeks. He looked bright-eyed and well-tended. As we spoke, I noticed a body brace peeking out from his windbreaker and asked him what had happened. “I got beaten … Continue reading
The desire to please.
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
To begin again.
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
Spring cleaning.
“Writing is not so much building a building as it is clearing out a space.” -C. C. These words were spoken by a striking young woman named C.C., when I asked if any in our gathering had experience with journaling. … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized
Tagged 12 Steps, 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, grace, healing, holy ground, hope, mercy, recovery, vulnerability
4 Comments
“I am thirsty.”
This reflection was offered this afternoon as part of a series of reflections on The Last Seven Words of Christ at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, faith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, church without walls, community, healing, holy ground, hope, inner darkness, mercy, radical hospitality, recovery, street ministry, vulnerability
2 Comments
The holy “no.”
As we journey this last week toward Christmas, we celebrate the young girl Mary, who without respect to personal cost, said “yes” to the invitation to become the mother of Jesus. “Let it be with me according to your word … Continue reading
Posted in faith, peace, Uncategorized
Tagged Advent, Christianity, healing, holy ground, hope, recovery, simple prayer, spiritual growth
3 Comments
Without walls.
Below is a sermon I was privileged to share at St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL, on Thanksgiving Day. I share it here because it helps describe and capture the spirit of new urban ministry as we strive to “build a … Continue reading
Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Interfaith, Ministry, peace, Recovery, unity
Tagged 12-step spirituality, Christianity, community, holy ground, homelessness, mercy, option for the poor, recovery, street ministry
6 Comments
A program of action.
Last Thursday afternoon, the folks who planned to show up for a devotional time at a local shelter didn’t. That is not particularly unusual. My job is to show up, I remind myself, and then to adjust accordingly. So, after … Continue reading