Daily Devotional

The Wizard of Oz is about a journey. Dorothy, at home with her family and friends, is taken away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz.  Dorothy is forced to make a long journey to Oz.  Along the way, she makes new friends and takes a long and dangerous journey with the hopes of returning home… because “there’s no place like home.”  When Dorothy arrives back home, she realizes that her friends had been with her all along.

Our life is a long journey home. We begin in heaven. While on Earth, we know we are children of God, and as God’s children we know heaven is our eternal home. The 23rd Psalm is a scripture about the dangerous journey of life. The writer of this beautiful Psalm acknowledges the long and challenging journey that is our lives.  At times we travel through green pastures and rest by still waters. Other times, we travel through the darkest valleys…

In 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton: An American Musical debuted on Broadway. It is a cutting-edge musical that combined hip hop and classical Broadway music and dance. From the moment it began on Broadway, it has been both a critical and popular success. It won a record-setting 11 Tony Awards in 2016. It has played around the world and continues today on Broadway. It is one of the most successful shows in Broadway history.

The original cast of Hamilton helped to bring this work to life. Telling the history of Alexander Hamilton and the powerful story of the start of our country was a challenge. Their amazing talent and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s exceptional imagination and writing skills helped to tell this story in a modern, amazing way.

Leslie Odom Jr. was part of the original cast. He played Aaron Burr, the founding father who shot Alexander Hamilton in a dual. For his work on stage bringing the character of Aaron Burr to life, Leslie Odom Jr. won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical.  Along with the rest of the original cast, Leslie Odom Jr. has gone on from Hamilton to have great success on stage and in Television and the Movies. Leslie is now a published author with the release of his first book Failing Up: How to take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning.

Like so many, success did not come easily for Leslie Odom Jr…

The neighborhood milkman is something we don’t talk about these days. That career is something that belongs to history. There are still many wonderful people who deliver food and groceries, but not like the neighborhood milkman. Now, if you have something delivered, it comes from Uber, Amazon, or any of the other online ordering platforms. However, Mick Tutton has still been delivering milk to doorsteps in the neighborhood of St. Michaels, just north of London. He has been a constant for the people in St. Michaels. He is known as ‘Mick the Milk’ and the people of his community count on him and love his daily, cheerful deliveries.

Recently, Mick announced that he was retiring from his position after 47 years on the job. Mick made his decision because his 20-year-old milk truck had broken down and was beyond repair…

In the musical Six, Jane Seymour sings an incredibly moving and emotional song called “Heart of Stone” that depicts her deep love for King Henry, while also revealing her insecurities and struggles in their marriage.  The lyrics of the chorus say “You can build me up, you can tear me down, you can try but I’m unbreakable. You can do your best, but I’ll stand the test, you’ll find that I’m unshakeable.” These are the words of someone who is devoted, but also internally strong and knows her purpose through any uncertainty. This is the type of resolve I wish I had for God constantly: completely devoted, and yet no matter what life throws in my direction, I am truly unshakeable in my purpose and my calling. What I would not give to be unwavering in my faith and to be madly in love with God no matter my circumstance. Right now, I am about a month away from welcoming our new little girl into our family…

I love the St. Luke’s on Broadway sermon series. It is one of the most exciting and fun times of the year. it is a worship service that is uplifting. The music is thrilling. The sermons always have a powerful story and challenge. St. Luke’s on Broadway is truly a joyful time.

In part, I love the St. Luke’s on Broadway sermon series because I love music and the theatre. The first time I remember hearing music from a Broadway show was when I was in elementary school. My first introduction to this wonderful music was the Music Man, starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I saw it on T.V. I eventually recorded it on VHS and watched it over and over. I can’t remember how many times I watched this classic musical. As I grew older…

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be a healing for your flesh
    and a refreshment for your body.

As we begin our summer sermon series: “St. Luke’s on Broadway,” I sense a growing excitement among us. I love the anticipation: How will Dr. Long bring the gospel message alive each week through a musical? What incredible music will we hear and sing?  What Broadway star will be singing?  Who can I invite to share the beauty of summer worship at St. Luke’s?

As I watched Mamma Mia, the movie offers powerful storytelling, with all the emotions one would expect. Throughout, I found myself saying: “Oh, that will preach!”  The message that spoke to me was the message of unconditional love.  Throughout we are reminded that love knows no bounds.  From the bonds between family members to the friendships formed, this musical reminds us of the power of love to heal, forgive, and reconcile…

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.” – Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Every day we are being influenced by our surroundings. There are messages all around us that influence how we think and how we behave.  TV, radio, newspapers, social media, blogs, and watercooler talk are just a few examples of the influences that are present and influencing our judgements and beliefs. 

This is not a new phenomenon. Although technology did not exist several thousand years ago, people still shared stories that influenced those around them…

My family recently spent some vacation time on the beach. The weather was beautiful. We enjoyed the white sandy shores and the crashing waves. Our daughters created sand castles, swam in the ocean, got stung by a jellyfish, and we spent time looking for sea shells. It was a beautiful time away and a wonderful experience enjoying some of God’s great creation.

Each time my daughters found a shell that they thought was a keeper, they would bring it over to my wife and myself. The shells came in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some were beautiful, complete shells, while many of the shells my daughters found were broken. They were only pieces of shells. That did not matter to them…