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But this is more than a moment to me…
I had a weird dream. A group was holding religious services in the chapel at the conference and retreat center where I used to work. They decorated the chapel with kitschy 70s disco decor as part of their worship. The entrance song began as the mirror ball turned and the colored lights danced around the dimly lit walls. Sounding like the Bee Gees, the choir changed the lyrics of their classic song, “More than a Woman”, to “More than a Moment”. In my dream, I thought how clever. To enter the space where God dwells, using a song to remind everyone that this is not just a point in time,…
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Not this way or that, but something much better
“I have two possible job offers,” a man sprung on me as we met for spiritual direction. “One has a longer commute. The other requires more travel. Both reduce the time I can pray and spend with my wife.” As his spiritual director, neither sounded appealing to me. After a deeper exploration, he saw the fear behind his urgent desire to switch jobs. His industry had certain expectations for career advancement, and he feared that if he didn’t jump ship, the technology would pass him by. In the end, he decided to stay put. Months later, God laid out a completely unexpected trajectory for his life and moved him to…
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A Word Only Found in the Desert
“The word of God came to John in the desert.” (Lk 3:1-6) These are words of great hope, not only for the people of John’s time but also for you and me. Just as the word of God came to John, the word of God can come to Scott. The Word of God can come to you. Advent is a season where we invite the word of God into our hearts. Why is it important to hear the Word of God? It is the only word that could make sense of the sorrow, oppression, helplessness, confusion, and pain. It’s the only word that can repair this broken world. Let’s learn…
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A lesson from the resurrection lily on the spiritual life
Dotting gardens and landscapes around Western North Carolina are resurrection lilies. They are so named because the leaves appear lush and green in February, resembling daffodils. Unlike daffodils and many other bulbs, the leaves of the resurrection lily die without blooming. It is not until September that a solitary shoot will emerge out of the barren ground and produce a spectacular bloom. Hence the name, ‘resurrection lily’. There are parallels between the life cycle of the resurrection lily and the cycle of consolations and desolations common in the spiritual life. The springtime comes. The leaves perk up filled with hope and promise after a long winter. But there is no…
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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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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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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 surprising invitation into some new waters
Sometimes God wants us to take the first step.
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It all started with a little pinch from God
Follow those breadcrumbs from God, and maybe you won't get 'the pinch'.
