just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world. I beg of you, do not walk by without pausing to attend to this rather ridiculous performance. It could mean something. It could mean everything. It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote: You must change your life. from Devotions by Mary … Continued

17 While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan.Joshua 3:17, NRSV “Deep River” is an African-American spiritual whose words are simple. They speak of home, of … Continued

Yesterday I walked to the end of my driveway to find. . . a phone book. A phone book was a staple of my youth. You absolutely needed one of these things in the 80’s. Contained in-between the covers were the phone numbers for your neighbors, a listing of all the mechanics in your community, … Continued

In Psalm 86:12, David says “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever” (NRSV).  As we worship this Sunday, June 21, 2020, much of the music in Greystone’s online service was selected to help us do as David did, to glorify the name … Continued

Summer Break. We made it? The anxiety of remote learning for this middle school family has finally released its grip. Gone (at least for a little while) are the weekly assignments; we no longer have to remember the 2,036 internet login codes for different learning platforms; our schedules are not dictated by a complicated and … Continued

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23, NRSV Thomas O. Chisholm (1866-1960) penned more than 1200 poems, including the hymns “Living for Jesus” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” The latter was written in 1923 while Chisholm, … Continued

The familiar hymn, “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” was written as a poem in 1830 by Ray Palmer (1808-1887) when he was in New York City.  Palmer had completed college at Yale University, was teaching at a ladies school in New York, and was preparing for theological studies and ministerial ordination.  Palmer, who was … Continued

Don’t let me fall As a stone falls upon the hard ground. And don’t let my hands become dry As the twigs of a tree When the wind beats down the last leaves. And when the storm raises dust from the earth With anger and howling, Don’t let me become the last fly Trembling terrified … Continued

A pilgrim is a faithful person who is on a journey. The destination changes through time and circumstance and culture, but a pilgrim is on the move. Historically, when Christian pilgrims would travel to Jerusalem they would carry the Psalms with them. One of the Psalms that was used quite often is Psalm 84. Blessed … Continued

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians that we “should give thanks in all circumstances”. I have had to remind myself lately that there are things to be thankful for, even in a pandemic.I remember clearly when COVID-19 became real to me and I realized that it would impact the way I minister. It was just a few … Continued