Monthly Archives: August 2012

Desert Training (Devotional)

Phyllis Nissila I sometimes imagine how it must have been for the shepherd Moses in the desert where he fled after killing the Egyptian, where he spent forty years before leading his people out of slavery into the Promised Land. … Continue reading

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On “Safe Meals” and Friendship

Phyllis Nissila My friend “Lily” is seeing an eating disorder specialist. Lily continues to process through the residual effects of sexual molestation that occurred over a period of time when she was a very young child. She’s done everything she … Continue reading

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Trails (Devotional)

Phyllis Nissila We step over rocks and twigs littering a weedy section of an old trail near Highway 86 in Eastern Oregon. A couple of dented tin markers rattling in a sudden hot gust indicate that this is, in fact, … Continue reading

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Water, Spirit, Grace (Devotional)

Phyllis Nissila I once heard it said that the last thing a fish knows is water. It flips and rolls in its liquid universe unaware of its dependence on sea, lake, or river until it surfaces to a world of … Continue reading

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Epiphany (Devotional)

Phyllis Nissila Somewhere in North Dakota a young girl stands in her driveway watching as our train traces the long curve west around her land.   From my window seat I watch her turn and walk, slowly, toward a brown … Continue reading

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Dear Reader (Devotional)

Phyllis Nissila Poets occasionally write to and about their readers while revealing themes close to the heart. Here are a few of my favorite poems of this type. Take a look. “First, I would have her be beautiful,” pens Ted … Continue reading

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