Br. Mark 
Writings of Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO, a monk of Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers Georgia. Br. Mark is formerly Prior and is currently guestmaster for the Monastery, His writings relate to those he works with in his ministry, particularly the elderly and dying.
When life feels cold and dark and I am naked and shivering within
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you: Psalm 56:3 Sometimes I feel fear. It is when I become strongly aware of the suffering that goes on around me. On how common it is to have sick friends, people I love who are dying and my own aging as well. It is as… Read More ›
Aridity in our walk with God
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. (Hosea 2:14) The soul is made for the ‘Living Water’, that which allows our souls to flourish and grow. Yet the desert is also a reality that dwells within each of us. A place of… Read More ›
A figure from the far past, Dr. Miller
When I entered the community in 1971, a lot of the monks would talk to me about Dr. Miller. He used to be a doctor who had a very good relationship with the Monastery and would take care of the needs of the monks. I am not sure how it worked, how often he came… Read More ›
Why Jesus told us not to judge
When talking to people who do share deeply I am beginning to understand why Jesus told us not to judge. While behaviors can be harmful to others, it is easy to understand why they are done even if the morality behind them is still wrong if their history is understood. We can judge actions and… Read More ›
Birds and things
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (Matthew 10:29) Everyone once in awhile people will ask me what my favorite bird is. I have always been partial to crows. When young I wanted to have one for a pet, but… Read More ›
No Kidding
The other night I saw on the web that a study was conducted on whether human beings were ‘dangerous’. It turned out after possibly years of study that we are actually dangerous and not only that but murderous as well. As I was reading this I felt some incredulity. What a waste of time and… Read More ›
Love makes us all children
We are all a ‘thou’ in God’s eyes, we are God’s ’thou’ and the Eternal is ours. This relationship is often hidden, yet I have slowly come to the realization, or perhaps I am at the beginning of this, that God is closer to us than our own soul revealed as love, keeping us each… Read More ›
Baubles
Every once in awhile, one of my friends will ask me why I am so obsessed with death, time and the overall fragility of life. I am always surprised by that question, since I am not sure ‘being obsessed’ is the right adjective to use. I am pretty much an average person and I would… Read More ›
Will we manifest
(written several years ago) When I was young, many years ago, though it seems like yesterday; I thought I was in control, centered, strong and together. I don’t know how I thought this, it seems amazing that I could have been so callow, yet I was young after all. As the years pile up, so… Read More ›
The first step
O will of the Omnipotent God, You are my delight, You are my joy. Whatever the hand of my Lord holds out to me I will accept with gladness, submission and love. (Sr. Faustina’s diary 1004)For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 We can be blinded by immediate satisfaction. We… Read More ›