Rev. Dr. Jeff Garrison
Recently I have posted memoir pieces of my years in seminary: Professor von Waldow: the German Tank Commander Dean Mauser and his secretary The Great Seminary Hoax of 1986 I took the school year 1988-89 off in order to be a student pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Virginia City, Nevada. Over the years since, … Read more Matt, Virginia City, 1988
Jeff GarrisonBluemont & Mayberry ChurchesAugust 14, 2022Luke 9:28-36 At the beginning of worship: What do you think of doubt? Do you think of it as the opposite of faith? Can doubt be a means God uses to draw us closer and help us trust more? I recently read a book based on the later position. … Read more Listen to Jesus
Two weeks ago, in a sermon, I told about the “duck parties” held at seminary. Today, I am posting a story about some nonsense that occurred during my first term at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Other recent posts include memories of Professor von Waldow and Dean Mauser and his secretary. Good memories. My only experience in … Read more The Great Seminary Hoax of 1986
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesAugust 7, 2022Luke 9:18-28 At the beginning of worship What are the two natures of Christ? From the early church, the belief has been held that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures: Divine and Human. Or God and Man. It’s a mystery how they go together, but it explains … Read more Professing Jesus as the Messiah
Below I am reposting something I wrote in early May 2011, upon learning the death of Osama Bin Laden. At the time, I posted it on Facebook and in a church newsletter. Facebook discontinued showing posted “notes,” so I am posting it here. After the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, Bin Laden’s successor this week in … Read more The garden, summer projects, & the killing of al Qaeda
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesJuly 31, 2022Luke 9:10-17 At the beginning of worship: Do any of you know what miracle is found in all four of the gospels? Let me give you a hint, it has to do with food. Meals are important in Scripture. It’s with a meal the Jewish people recall the Exodus … Read more God can multiply our efforts
In 2017, I spent a week in a Christian community on Iona, an island in the Scottish Inner-Hebrides. This is a description of my journey to the Island. It’s an all day trip from Edinburgh, where I’d stayed with friends. I had hope to lead a group to Iona afterwards, but the next summer, the … Read more Heading to Iona
Jeff GarrisonBluemont and Mayberry ChurchesJuly 24, 2022Luke 9:1-9 At the beginning of worship: Have you ever thought of yourself as a “Little Jesus?” What if I suggest that’s what we are to be? As a part of Christ’s church, we become Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. We carry on his mission of love and … Read more Building Relationships
Today, I’m just trying to catch up on some books I’ve read over the past few weeks… If one doesn’t interest you, you can skip it and move on to the others. Andy Stanley, Not in It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides Sidelines the Church Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2022), 231 pages. This is a book … Read more Catching Up on my Reading
Jeff Garrison Bluemont and Mayberry Churches Luke 8:40-56 July 17, 2022 At the beginning of worship The most important part of having a relationship with Jesus is the potential to restore life. Jesus provides us a reason to live. Jesus wants us to live abundantly. Jesus wants us to follow his lead and show compassion. Restoring life isn’t … Read more Do you have faith or are you just a spectator?