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An ordinary dream demands a new interpretation
“What’s it like?” That’s a question Michele McCreary, a long-time acquaintance, asked me in a dream. She was talking to someone I used to work with before I retired. When our eyes met, she asked, “What’s it like?” I thought she was asking about my retirement, as many people had recently. I told her a few things I’m doing (including starting this non-profit, Font of Mercy). She walked away puzzled and disappointed. I was confused about her reaction. She was normally a joyful, encouraging presence. I write down the few dreams I remember in my journal to try to discover a deeper significance. When I did, I realized she wasn’t…
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“What happened to the sun?” asked the two year old
Last week, I was at Emerald Isle with my family. In addition to my delight in being with my children and grandchildren and their spouses and partners, I received a neat lesson on the spiritual life. I was holding one of my grandsons, J.B., who is two and a half. On the first evening, I pointed to the horizon and said, “Look, the sun is setting.” We gazed off the balcony, from which we had a view of the sunset, the sunrise, and the ocean in between. As he saw the sun disappear, there was some separation anxiety. When he said, “Good night, Sun,” it felt ominous, like a…
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Three reasons God places a stranger in your path
Occasionally, I experience what I call a ‘random ministerial encounter’. I think we’ve all had them. It’s when God places someone in your path, and you realize it’s not a coincidence (as nothing with God ever is). After these encounters, I wonder, “Why did God place this person in my path?” I’ve come up with three possibilities: (1) God wanted me to assist this person in some way, (2) God wanted me to learn some valuable lesson from this other person, or (3) God wanted an observer to learn something from the encounter. I had one such encounter in the check-out line at the Food Lion. I was behind…
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A new delight in icon gazing
I’ve been practicing something called ‘icon gazing’. In ancient times, it was called visio divina. Similar to lectio divina, which could mean ‘spiritual reading’, visio divina is ‘spiritual gazing’. The practice is basic. Select an icon that might be speaking to the circumstances of your life. Gaze at the image with the ‘eyes of your heart.’ (see Eph 1:18) Use your imagination and enter the scene in various ways. Attend to what you are feeling and follow your intuition. Ask yourself, “What is the Lord saying to me?” I call icon gazing the “see and be seen” way of praying. Years ago, my executive mentor told me I needed to go…
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When we cry out, “This is enough, Lord.”
When you find yourself in spiritual desolation and feel like saying, “This is enough, Lord,” there is one question to ask: Who’s voice am I listening to – is it the voice of the Good Angel, or someone else?
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A powerful lesson from a shy little girl
“Out of the mouths of babes…” goes the saying (PS 8:2). I might add out of their coloring markers too. My daughter Molly and I were both shy and introverted when she was four and I was forty. I would hold her close. Together, we would gaze upon the landscape of the uncertain world and draw strength from each other. Then came the betrayal. My brother came to visit with his family. I hadn’t seen him in decades. They stayed in my house. He had four children, so six new additions to the home were a lot for a shy little girl to handle. She tried to climb up on…
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The three most important items for a faith journey
Jesus sent the twelve on a journey (Mk 6:7-13). Jesus also sends us on a journey. It is a journey of faith, a journey of life, and a journey of mission. Let us join the twelve and learn what Jesus has to teach. It first was a journey of faith. This journey begins in Nazareth. The gospel says that Jesus could not perform any mighty deeds in their lives because of their lack of faith. It might be said that Jesus is unable to perform any mighty deeds in your life because of your lack faith. To improve their lack of faith, Jesus sent the twelve on a journey of…
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The best way to cross to the other side
Last weekend I discovered a unique treasure of North Carolina: The Flowering Bridge of Lake Lure. In 2013, a group of volunteers received approval from the state to convert a decommissioned old bridge into twelve themed, landscaped gardens. There are now 30 gardens with over 2,000 species of plants across the bridge and surrounding areas. As an added plus, the unique climate of the gorge extends the blooming seasons of many plants. It seemed like everything was in bloom. Along with the flowers, the view from the bridge is stunning. Upstream stands the majestic Chimney Rock. Downstream the water collects in Lake Lure, a deep blue gem in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As I toured the gardens…
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One Thing Contrary to the Kingdom of God: Control
When facing life's uncertainties, what can you do?
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A Way to Add Focus during Your Daily Examen
A daily Examen is a great technique to see God in the everyday. But what if you have trouble focusing?
