The Sacred Braid

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Tag Archives: St. Francis

St. Francis — Receiver & Giver of Joy

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Daniel J. Miller
1
"Joy is the most undeniable sign of the presence of God." ~ Leon Bloy Beginning in the early 1980's, I began making regular jaunts to Weston, Vermont to spend time with the Benedictine Brothers at Weston Priory nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains. Read more [...]
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Delight, Joy, St. Francis, Tomie dePaola | 1 Reply

Four for St. Francis ~ October 4th

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Daniel J. Miller
1
Today is the Feast of the little poor man from Assisi who was a counter-sign in numerous ways to the dominant culture of his day and no less so for our time. Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces Read more [...]
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Music, Prayer, St. Francis | 1 Reply

A Poem for Sunday

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Daniel J. Miller
Reply
Golden Hill by Bridgette Guerzon Mills Wringing Out My Clothes Such love doesthe sky now pourthat whenever I stand in a field, I have to wring out the lightwhen I gethome. ~ Saint Francis of Assisi from Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Read more [...]
Posted in Poetry | Tagged Awe, Beholding, Being Susceptible, Contemplative Seeing, Love, Nature, St. Francis, Wonder | Leave a reply

TUESDAY WITH STORY – 10/16/18

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Daniel J. Miller
Reply

A few weeks ago we celebrated the feast of St. Francis so I thought I'd offer this famous tale about St. Francis and the wolf of Gubbio. I have enjoyed telling this story for years to children whose eyes grew big as I recounted the encounter between Read more [...]

Posted in Story | Tagged Peace-making, St. Francis, Wolf of Gubbio | Leave a reply

Life-Line

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Daniel J. Miller
1

Today's Life-Line is:

Such love does
the sky now pour,
that whenever I stand in a field,

I have to wring out the light
when I get
home.

~ St. Francis of Assisi Read more [...]

Posted in Saints | Tagged Love, St. Francis | 1 Reply

Reading Poetry as an Imaginal Act

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Daniel J. Miller
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~ 2010-2011 Theme: Poetry for the Sacred Journey ~
One of the most important books that I have read over the years is a thin book (127 pages) by scripture scholar Walter Brueggemann called The Prophetic Imagination.  A succinct, eloquent, and powerful Read more [...]

Posted in Poetry | Tagged Amazement, Frederick Buechner, Imagination, Laughter, Pathos, Rainer Maria Rilke, St. Francis | Leave a reply

Sample of Writings

  • What a Christian Looks Like
  • The Life of Sigh
  • The Song That Refuses to Sing
  • A Word to the Wise – Kindness
  • To Bless and Be Blessed
  • Listening to the Wind in the Wheat: A Meditation on the Eucharist
  • Being Human—Being Moved
  • In Gratitude for the Wild and Precious Life of Mary Oliver
  • TheGift Who Was Claire Wineland

Sayings of Brother Weeps

  • Brother Weeps Says Good Night
  • Brother Weeps and the Secretary of State
  • Brother Weeps and the Man in the Back
  • Brother Weeps on the Withness of God
  • Brother Weeps, the Hermit and His Dogs
  • Brother Weeps Speaks on Silence
  • Brother Weeps Drives Up a Hill
  • Brother Weeps and the Do-Si-Do

Recent Posts

  • We the People February 17, 2026
  • A Prayer of Martin Luther King, Jr. January 19, 2026
  • This is True December 22, 2025
  • Lectio Poetica No. 13 — We Will Be Known How? February 25, 2025
  • Shouldn’t Christians Try Christianity? February 10, 2025

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The Almond Tree

Programs


Interested in having Dan come to your community to teach, preach, or lead a retreat? Dan offers Parish Missions, as well as Presentations and Retreats, in a variety of formats .

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Spiritual Direction


Interested in Spiritual Direction? Dan is based on Whidbey Island north of Seattle, WA. He meets with people online and occasionally in person. He also is available to teach in spiritual guidance programs or to give talks about spiritual direction.

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The Human & the Holy


Interested in being part of a spiritual formation community? The Human & the Holy is an ecumenical community that comes together once a month to share simple ritual, contemplative silence, reverent dialogue, attentive listening, presentation, and spiritual practice.

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© Daniel J. Miller, 2013-2026. All Rights Reserved.
For more information contact Dan Miller.