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Full of Days

Full of Days

Full of Days: On Retirement and Deserts I’ve always liked my feet. I thought they were quite pretty, at least as feet go. But a few months ago, after a long hike in the mountainous desert, I took off my shoes and socks and someone else’s feet emerged. Far from pretty, they looked like a…
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Praying the Psalms

Praying the Psalms

Praying the Psalms O Lord, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief. Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise…
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For Everything There is a Season

For Everything There is a Season

For Everything There is a Season For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to…
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A Constant Squeeze on the Heart

A Constant Squeeze on the Heart

A Constant Squeeze on the Heart In her 2018 book, The Magnanimous Heart, the Buddhist teacher Narayan Helen Liebenson writes about the transitory nature of life and the spiritual challenge it brings. The conditions of our particular lives- our jobs, homes, relationships, the bodies we inhabit-are always changing, and with change comes loss. We know…
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Writing From the Center: The Noble Truths of Writing

Writing From the Center: The Noble Truths of Writing

Writing From the Center The Noble Truths About Writing At the end of January, ten writers attended our annual “Just Write” retreat. This weekend event provides time to sit in a quiet space and write – or think about writing. We gathered around the “Four Noble Truths of Writing” created by writer and Buddhist priest,…
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A Reflection on the Holy Trinity

A Reflection on the Holy Trinity

A REFLECTION ON THE HOLY TRINITY Exodus 34:4-9      John 3:16-18    2 Corinthians 13:11-13 The third chapter of John’s Gospel John proclaims that the Father loves the world and sent His Son to share eternal life with all who believe. The God, we contemplate today is present in, with and for us. The…
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2020 Vision

2020 Vision

2020 Vision Christ is the light that allows people to see things in their fullness.   The precise and intended effect of such a light is to see Christ everywhere else.  In fact, that is my only definition of a true Christian.  A mature Christian sees Christ in everything and everyone else.   ~Richard Rohr, The Universal…
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Engaged Listening

Engaged Listening

Engaged Listening as a first step toward addressing racism As we live through a time of pandemic and protest, I revisited the Rule of Benedict to read  what wisdom Benedict might speak into these tumultuous days. I found guidance right at the outset of the Prologue: Listen. Listen is the first word of the Rule…
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Waste Not, Want Not

Waste Not, Want Not

Waste Not, Want Not Waste not, want not was a mantra ever present in my childhood, passed down from grandparents that formed a way of life. How often those words have come to mind as I read the newspaper and watch the daily news. Stories of farmers tilling under mature crops and dumping thousands of…
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Easter is a Season (Not a Day)

Easter is a Season (Not a Day)

Easter is a Season (Not a Day) A Strange Easter The First Sunday of Easter was strange this year. Like many people, I sat in front of a computer screen to participate in  communal worship. Trying to celebrate the Resurrection without physically gathering in community just didn’t feel like Easter. Many friends and acquaintances said…
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