Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison
The story below comes from 2007 and appeared in a slightly less edited version in a previous blog. In 2007, I spent a week paddling and fishing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When living in Michigan, I was up in the UP almost every summer. This was before I switched to digital cameras and, sadly, have … Read more A Day (and part of a night) on the Fox River
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchDaniel 4September 12, 2021 At the beginning of worship In Proverbs, we’re told that pride comes before the fall. It’s a central theme in scripture. We’ve been looking at the opening stories in the book of Daniel. All these stories warn us about hubris or pride. Thinking that we’ve done everything … Read more Learning Humility
Chet Raymo, The Soul of the Night: An Astronomical Pilgrimage (1985, Cambridge, MA: Cowley, 1992), 209 pages, each chapter illustrated with a woodblock print. This may go down as the best book I’ve read all year. Raymo describes himself as a “pilgrim of darkness.” The journey and the night sky seem to provide him with joy. … Read more At Home in the Dark: two book reviews about night
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesSeptember 5, 2021Daniel 3 Introduction at beginning of worship We’re back in Daniel this week. We’ll be looking at the third chapter and story in Daniel, but one that doesn’t mention Daniel. Instead, his three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—take center stage. If you remember from my sermon two weeks ago, at … Read more Into and out of the furnace
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Presbyterian Churches Ezekiel 2:1-7August 29, 2021 At the beginning of worship John Knox, the reformer of the Scottish Church, from which came the Presbyterian Church, drew from the book of Ezekiel. His book title, The First Blast of the Trumpet, drew from the prophet.[1] Like Ezekiel, God gave Knox a message. He knew he must … Read more Called by God
In the past two months, I’ve read a dozen books, but haven’t published any reviews. While I don’t review every book, I am way behind. Part of my reason for such much reading comes from my two weeks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, when I had lots of time to immerse myself into books. Here’s … Read more Three Books: Baseball, Africa, and a Theologian
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry Churches August 22, 2021 Daniel 2 At the beginning of worship Today we’re continuing our look at Daniel. Daniel, as we will see, is like Joseph. If you go back to Genesis, you may remember Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams allowed him to gain favor in Pharoah’s household.[1] Daniel’s ability, through prayer … Read more God’s Wisdom vs. Human Wisdom
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesAugust 15, 2021Daniel 1:8-21 Introduction at the beginning of worship Last week we learned how Daniel and friends, the cream of the crop of the young men of Jerusalem, were taken to Babylon roughly 600 years before Christ. This was before the great exile that occurred in 587 BCE. These young … Read more Daniel’s God provides growth and strength
Jeff GarrisonMayberry and Bluemont ChurchesAugust 8, 2021Daniel 1:1-7 Introduction at the beginning of worship This Sunday I’m going to begin another series of sermons, this time through the Book of Daniel. This is an interesting and somewhat controversial book within what we call the “Old Testament.” While the Jewish Bible contains the same books as … Read more Introduction to Daniel
It was great to get away and it’s good now to be back home. Most of my time away was spent reading and relaxing. Daily, I would take long walks, enjoy coffee on the porch with a book and an eye out for freighters. In the evening, after returning from a walk I would do … Read more Reflections on my time away