February 18, 2026

February 18, 2026

by | Feb 18, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps/pkLet Go of the Ordinary – reflections from Rev Brian Blount“Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the reign of God” (Luke 14:15). For the person who makes this proclamation, “anyone” is more expansive than he knows. He is thinking about people like himself— the well-positioned and well-to-do who invite peers to their parties.  Persons self-important enough that when they enter they seek the highest seat so that they can be appropriately recognized. This is ordinary social behavior. This is why the householder in Jesus’ parable starts out by inviting people like himself. He, too, does the ordinary.  And all is well. Until his people decline his fabulous invitation in order to tend to their mundane affairs.Humiliated, the householder repents of his ordinariness and leans into the extraordinary. He does not invite another lateral group of socialites, or those the next level down on the social ladder. Instead, he extends his welcome to those who have nothing. He declares his intent to share his feast and his company with those whom life has broken: “the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame.” The paupers who have been banished from proper community will inherit the bounty that the high and mighty reject.The reign of God is like that! It redefines the meaning of communal belonging. Ordinarily, the host of a banquet invites and serves the very people who have no need of the banquet’s bounty. The extraordinary people who hope to emulate God’s transcendent love invite into their company not just those who have, but those who need. They make the broken ones socially whole and physically welcome.The season of Lent reminds us that God has extended such an extraordinary welcome. To us. In Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God, holy beyond all human standing, invited us, in all of our brokenness, into the community of divine presence. Not because we earned a place, but because God created space. Lent offers us the opportunity to remove all the distractions and focus on the invitation. We are the broken. God is the householder. Jesus is the invitation. All we have to do is say “yes.”Reflect:How are you responding to God’s invitation this Lent?BlessingsPS and PK
February 18, 2026

February 11, 2026

by | Feb 13, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps/pk

We are just days until another start to Lent.Lent was originally a season for new converts to learn and prepare for their baptism on Easter. During that time, they would study what was central to Christianity. As we crafted this series, we studied what was central to Jesus’ life and ministry: radical welcome, love for neighbor, care for the vulnerable, nourishment for the hungry, nonviolence in the face of injustice. At the heart of Jesus’ teachings, we find liberation, love, mercy, and grace—all of which are meant to be very good news for us all.Jesus’ words are easily distorted and sanitized in our modern world. Following Jesus leads to a richer, more expansive life, but it’s not necessarily comfortable. Jesus’ ministry can be described as “radical” which comes from the Latin word “radicalis,” meaning “root” or “ground.” Therefore, the good news should bring us back to our roots. Emulating Jesus and embodying his teachings should ground us in who God created us to be. Can we be “good news” people in a world too often burdened by bad news?This Lent, let us remember that the good news really is good news. It is joyful—like fine wine saved for celebration. It grows like a mustard seed and smells like perfume poured from an alabaster jar. It tastes like bread passed endlessly through a hungry crowd. It sounds like laughter and feels like mercy. The good news is alive in the world.Kristen and I hope this upcoming Lenten focus will provide fertile ground for conversation and worship, rooting our hearts and lives in the expansive goodness of God. This Lent, may the teachings of Jesus lead us forward. May the good news inspire us to take action in a world desperate to hear, see, and taste what is good.Lord, lead us this Lent and tell me something good! Amen
Blessings,
PS and PK
February 18, 2026

February 4, 2026

by | Feb 4, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from psJesus starts this upcoming weekend’s Gospel with this line:     “You are the salt of the earth.”

Now, living in Western New York, we have opinions about salt.  We put salt on our roads.   We put salt on our fries.  We put it on our movie popcorn.  Some of us probably put salt on things that already have enough salt.
Salt is everywhere. And most of the time, we don’t think about it—until it’s missing.

Ever had fries with no salt?  They’re not fries. They’re sadness.  Ever have movie popcorn without salt?  Said no one ever!!  Ever tried hitting the roads in winter before they were salted?  Terrifying.

That’s kind of Jesus’ point. Salt isn’t flashy. It doesn’t announce itself.  But when it’s gone, everything is off. Flavorless. Flat. Even dangerous.

Jesus says to the people listening that day…and this day, that salt? – it’s YOU.  Not someone else.Not just pastors.  Not the church choir or band.  Not the Council.  You

You.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough pressure, Jesus keeps going:  “You are the light of the world.”

Okay Jesus—salt and light? That feels like a lot for a cold winter’s day!

But they are both already in you.  Part of you.

In Jesus’ time, salt wasn’t just seasoning. It preserved food. It kept things from spoiling. It slowed down decay.
Which is interesting—because Jesus doesn’t say,   “You are the sugar of the earth.”  Or, “You are the sprinkles of the world.”  You are not a sweet additive.  You’re a preserving change agent.

Salt changes things.   Salt preserves things.  Light changes things.    Light lessens darkness.  And neither one exists for itself.  Salt doesn’t say, “Look at me, I’m salt!”  Light doesn’t say, “Wow, I’m so bright.”
They exist for the sake of others.

Jesus is talking about a faith that actually does something.   Not loud faith.  Not perfect faith. Not Instagram-filler faith.  Just… day-to-day, regular, everyday, useful faith.

This week, put your useful faith into action for change.  You don’t have to change the whole world this week.
Just show up where you already are.  Add flavor where things feel bland.  Bring light where things feel heavy.
Live your faith in ways that actually help someone.

Because whether you realize it or not— You are already salt.  You are already light.
And God is using you—right now—more than you know.

Lord, put my salt and light into action.  Amen

Still in One Peace
ps.  
February 18, 2026

January 28, 2026

by | Jan 28, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from ps


I’m working remotely this week from Silver Bay YMCA and Conference Center in Silver Bay, NY.  Got here Sunday before the 15″ of snow.



Some of you might know the camp on the north end of Lake George as the site of the Lutheran Week at Silver Bay which many in the Lutheran tribe have been gathering at over the summer for many years.  Beautiful in the summer.  Maybe even more beautiful in the winter.  

Michelle came with me this year.  We get our workout done in the morning.  Then I work on Lenten planning, meetings with Pastor Kristen and staff, sermon planning, and time to write.  Before dinner, we hit some cross country ski time and then add a night snow shoe with the head lamps.  It’s a lot of added outdoor stuff.  So I had to let go of a few things: like watching the stupid Patriots win, other random sports events, checking Facebook and keeping up to speed on the news cycle.  

It’s not to run away from it.  It’s to get a break from it.  A break to rebuild.  

The Spiritual Life Center here (a retreat center where pastors/church workers can come and stay for free for respite) has a great little library filled with books to read if you choose.  This one caught my eye:


 
To be clear, I’m not planning on reading it (it has waaaaay too many words and not enough pictures and diagrams).  I just love the title and picture.  I especially love the depth and width of the roots.  

In order for the leafs to get to the top of the tree, beautify the landscape, provide the oxygen and shade the surroundings, the roots must be healthy, wide and deep.  

Coming to Silver Bay and working from here once a year builds up my roots.  Shutting off social media to take a break builds my roots.  Disengaging from the painful news cycle builds my roots.  And yes, not letting my emotional stability be influenced by who wins a football game builds my roots.  (Although, I’m sure if the Bills ever won the SB, that would build my roots too!   What’d ya say God?)

In order for us to maintain/rebuild our spiritual and emotional health, we have to give time, space and energy to those roots.  Jesus modeled it and encouraged it.  In Matthew 5, Jesus reminded so many who were run down, cast off and root-less because of the culture, that they were blessed.  He was trying to build their roots in the depth and width of his love.  

I drove 5 hours in a snowstorm.  You might not have to go that far though.  It may be in the quiet of your home, God’s creation around you or even space at St. Paul’s.  (Which ALL of you are welcome to sit in the sanctuary at St. Paul’s at any time, beyond Sundays, if you just need some space for the rebuild.  And right now it also acts as cryotherapy being about 57 degrees!  Bring a prayer shawl this week).  

This week, may you give yourself time to “transform your inner life” by stepping away from the things that are breaking you down and allowing God to rebuild your roots!  

Lord, help me find the space, make the time and create room by letting go, so that you can rebuild my roots.  Amen

Still in One Peace
ps.  
February 18, 2026

January 21, 2026

by | Jan 21, 2026 | PS from PS

ps from psI’ve never been much of a fisherman.  And I don’t go often,  But when I do fish, it takes time, usually something good happens but it’s different every time.  

This might surprise some frequent flyer readers to hear, but I’m fairly impatient.  If I don’t have a “fish on” in the first 15 minutes, I usually start questioning where I’m fishing, the depth, the conditions, the lure or worm.  Most times, I move the boat, cast in a different area or move up or down the river to try something different.  In the midst of the frustrations, it’s important to remind myself that, no matter the results, I’m still relaxing, hanging with friends/family and connecting to creation.  No matter how many 4″ sunfish I hook, it’s always great to feel yourself land one and reel it in.  Then you toss them back in the water and wish them luck with the rest of their day.

“Come follow me and I will teach you to fish for people.” – Jesus, to the first disciples in Matthew 4.

These were real fisherman Jesus was inviting!  Toss a big net sort of guys that could bring in a big haul. And now they were going to fish for people??  That was a big ask.  Probably a scary step. I wonder if there experiences with people were also time consuming, with good things occasionally happening and different all the time?

Well I guess I don’t have to wonder, because it’s written all through the gospels and the book of Acts.  Fishing for people was hard, needed patience, hard work to see the good times sometimes and brought all kinds of different responses.  

Did I say was or is??!!

It was then and is now.  We read story and story in Scriptures of having to feed the hungry, deal with abuse of power, stand with those who were broken, speak up for those cast aside and even kick off the dust when people didn’t listen.

Same as today.  And maybe needed even more than ever before.

I hope this week whether you are a fisherman, lawyer, teacher, retired, in school, drive for Uber, or anyone else just minding your own business, I hope you’ll fish in this world.  For people.  With the same love, grace, forgiveness and direction that Jesus used on his lure for you.  His love for you.  

It may not be fast or easy.  It may need multiple interactions and spots on the river.  It may need patience and direction from God.  But the people in your sea…your lake…your river… are worth it.  Worth the love.  Worth the grace.  Worth the compassion.  

And as you fish, may you sense that bite when it all comes together through the Holy Spirit and hear “fish on!”!

Lord, help me to be patient and continue fishing.  Amen

Still in One Peace
ps.