I’ve been having a great time finishing my syllabus for a course exploring the Theology of Spiritual Formation which I will be guiding this summer. This is not a course in the practice or practices of formation but is a
This morning at around 7:00 AM my dear friend Chad died, leaving behind his wife Renee and their two sons Colin (7) and Aidan (3). My heart is broken. Chad was a beautiful man. So tender hearted, kind, and generous.
First off let me say that I am well aware of the health risks associated with smoking. If you feel you must send me links to the Surgeon General’s smoking warnings you are welcome to do so, but please note,
The Vancouver film festival is underway; and since Lynette’s brother (Bevan Klassen) had his latest short film screening in the festival we drove up and spent some time with him and Frank Zappia (who has acted in a number of Bevan’s
I have never really resonated with either of the categories of extrovert and introvert. Most often the terms are used to help people own those facets of their beings which energize or drain them in an effort to better understand
For some time Lynette has had an altar in her creative space at home. The altar serves as a prompt to prayer, and is littered with holy objects from her journey: photos of people, poetry, journals, prayer beads, etc. Though
The other day my son (four years old) made a disturbing confession. He boldly declared, (and I paraphrase), “I have two Gods. One tells me to do good, and one tells me to do bad.” Apparently some Marcionite has been
On behalf of emergent, Chris Seay sent out a link to a beautiful, powerful, and quite emotional video (made by Travis Reed) offering a glimpse into the story of the loss of so many this week in the aftermath of
Yesterday morning Lynette, Pascal and I went to hear a friend who was guest preaching in Queen Anne; on the way home we stopped at Dick’s Drive-In. Dick’s is one of Seattle’s sacred venues; a classic burger joint. We ordered four
90 year old Brother Roger – spiritual father to countless Christ-followers throughout the world and the founder and Abbott of the Taizé Community – was killed during evening prayers yesterday, Tuesday August 16th, 2005 and he died immediately (read more). May the Peace of Christ
Well, Lynette, Pascal, and I have returned from a week with Lynette’s family at her parents cabin on Ditch Lake, in Southern Manitoba. Certainly a much needed break. Wonderful conversations, great food and sitting around campfires; not to mention sneaking
“Procrastination” is just one of the words to describe my way of being lately. I have been searching for distractions from those things which I must do. Among my distractions this week: I built a wall nook to house DVDs
Not long ago I found a very tired looking Chalice for auction on eBay. I submitted my bid and won the auction. It was unusable; tarnished and corroded. I went to work cleaning it and after several hours of scrubbing
If you haven’t already done so, I highly recommend you invest a few moments looking some of the thousands of postcards posted on this site. Part of the reason I love it so much is that it reminds me that
Lynette, Pascal and I are going camping. This will be the first time in years that I will be camping for more than one night. I’ve always said that, for me, “roughing it” is thin towels as a hotel. I
“How seldom is it that the soul keeps itself silent enough for God to speak.” William Buckhouse & James Janson Spiritual Direction is a process through which we become more deeply attuned to our relationship with the Divine. Through conversation with
“To listen a soul into disclosure and discovery is the greatest service one human being can do for another.” Quaker Saying The Celts called it anam cara or soul friend, these days “Life Coaching” has resonance with the practice, yet
Full name:Dwight Jason Friesen. Born in Canada March 3, 1969 to Ben CS and Roselle Friesen. Middle of three kids, older sister (Michelle) younger brother (Dallas). Raised (for the most part) in Brandon, Manitoba. Met Lynette at age 5. Met
“The imagination plays a great role in the spiritual development of the soul.” St. John of the Cross Do you wish to form an intentional relationship with a person who could provide mentoring, companionship, and gentle guidance for you as you
One temptation concerning spirituality involves separating it from the “rest” of one’s life, relegating it only to religious, or mystical experiences. Christian spiritual direction takes a much humbler stance regarding the life of faith. To be in a relationship with
Lynette, Pascal and I invite you to spend a weekend with them our home. Spend time talking and sharing lives, discussing relational ministry and relational church-planting. And spend time with their Christ-commons (Quest). Connecting weekends are a great retreat and stimulus
Happy birthday to my bestman (in every sense of that word) – my dad. Ben CS Friesen When I Grow Up by dwight friesen When I grow up and get to be a writer I’m going to write a
In a class this spring a couple of students drew some interesting “hugging connections” between Schnarch and Volf. In David Schnarch’s Passionate Marriage he encourages hug therapy, which he sums up as “hugging till relaxed”. Schnarch describes hugging till relaxed
The other day my friend Deb told me about an IM conversation that she had with me – or at least so she thought she had with me. As it turned out, she had stumbled across another Dwight Friesen, (who
On this day, the birthday of my life partner. I want offer a poem that makes me think of her every time I read, hear or even think of it. Its by the brilliant poet Billy Collins… whose work I
Paul Ricœur — “the philosopher whose writings on hermeneutics were the cornerstone of an ambitious rethinking of the relationship between the humanities and the social sciences . . .” died today at the age of 92. Read more here and
Leading a couple of lunch forums at the Nashville, emergent event this year. And organizing the evening memorial in honor of Dr. Stanley J. Grenz. Peace, dwight
