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The Holy Man on the Bluff
Brené Brown gives this advice about facing difficult situations: Don’t shrink. Don’t puff up. Stand your holy ground. Here’s a story that illustrates all three, and might be helpful if you sense some…
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A Spirit-led entry into the heart of the other
Something weird happened to me Sunday morning. I was preaching at the 8:00 AM in Spanish. Right in the middle of the homily the Holy Spirit shook me awake. The gospel I used…
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The Good News in the Little Apocalypse
We are living in the end times. Jesus describes what’s going to happen, and his description is terrifying! Where can we find the Good News in this 'little apocalypse?
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A not-so-unusual day with the people God prefers
I just finished reading Dilexi Te (“I have loved you”). It is Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural exhortation. He thoughtfully and beautifully emphasized the Church’s urgent need to engage the poor and marginalized. In various ways,…
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How do I know this is God’s plan?
“Are you sure this is what God wants you to do?” my wife asked. At the time she asked, I had serious doubts. I had committed to teaching for a year in…
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How to enter the silence needed to hear God
Sunday was a beautiful Fall day. I sat outside to pray in solitude and silence. I gazed upon the trees around the lake, soaked up the beauty of the blue sky, and felt…
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A Simple Meditation to See Christ in the Moment
I once led a retreat for Airport Chaplains titled “Mastering the Ministry of the Moment”. The premise was that God constantly places people in our path for a reason. Too many momentary encounters…
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An interesting pairing: cannon balls and church bells
I recently visited two historic sites near Charleston, SC. One was Fort Moultrie. The other, Stella Maris Catholic Church. They stand adjacent to each other on the shore of Sullivan’s Island. Fort Moultrie…
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What’s spiritual “food insecurity” and how to avoid it?
Sunday, I participated in Catawba County’s Hunger Walk through the quaint little downtown area of Newton, NC. Three local charities provide food for the hungry: Ashure Ministries, The Corner Table, and the Hickory…
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Five ways to grow in hope
"How long, O LORD? I cry for help but you do not listen!" The first two chapters of the Prophet Habakkuk go from the pits of despair to the heights of hope. They…
