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Recreation, Outdoors and Religion

2026-08-31T21:34:10-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Rhythm of the Path

Last updated on: August 31, 2026 at 9:34 pm By Rob Giannamore

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The Art of Backpacking It was several years in the making, but two weekends ago, I finally took a small group from my private counseling practice backpacking. We had two clients, my boss, and a second staff member accompanying me on a roughly 26-mile backpacking trip at Oil Creek State Park. Wilderness therapy was all the rage back in the day and is still popular through programs like Outward Bound. However, many of these programs have used questionable and, at... Read more

2026-08-23T16:11:27-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

God’s Work in Creation and in History

Last updated on: August 23, 2026 at 4:11 pm By Rob Giannamore

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Miller’s Station UMC| August 23, 2026| Anchor Verse – Psalm 136 One of my daily practices is to read and pray the news. You know what I never get to see especially in a time of curated algorithmic material – good news. And I often wonder, Is it all bad news? In a world consumed by melancholy and bad news, Psalm 136 directs us to words and postures of praise for what God has done and is doing in... Read more

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2026-08-16T15:00:28-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Good and Pleasant: Practicing Unity on the Pilgrim Way

Last updated on: August 16, 2026 at 3:00 pm By Rob Giannamore

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A Pilgrim Psalm – Anchor Verse Psalm 133 This morning, we continue our exploration of praying the psalms, and we arrive at Psalm 133. Often called a “Pilgrim Psalm,” Benedict Janecko observes that this psalm celebrates family life and community. Psalm 133 belongs to the Songs of Ascents, the collection sung by God’s people as they made their way up to Jerusalem for worship. This is a song for corporate worship. It is not simply a private prayer about getting... Read more

2026-08-10T12:33:53-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Life – A Challenge Worth Living

Last updated on: August 10, 2026 at 12:33 pm By Rob Giannamore

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Life is More than Work I great up watching both of my grandfathers specifically and many other elder men strive for and eventually reach the moment when after 30-40 years of continuous work, they retired. For many, these “golden years” were a holy idol that they strived for, often giving countless hours to a job that they may or may not have actually liked. For some, it was their whole identity and for some, their physical health greatly declined after... Read more

2026-08-02T13:20:38-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Psalms: Heartbeat of Life and Worship

Last updated on: August 2, 2026 at 1:20 pm By Rob Giannamore

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Miller’s Station UMC| August 2, 2026| Anchor Verse – Psalm 17: 1-7,15 The title of today’s sermon is taken from a 1995 book written by Benedict Janecko, OSB and was the source material for a first retreat I went on as a Benedictine Oblate at St. Vincent’s Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. I will be reflecting on this book over the next couple of weeks. The opening lines from the Discipleship ministries where I often start my discernment for the direction... Read more

2026-07-28T10:13:46-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Wisdom of the Uncarved Block

Last updated on: July 28, 2026 at 10:13 am By Rob Giannamore

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The “uncarved block” (or Pu, as it’s called in Chinese philosophy) is a core concept in Taoism, particularly emphasized in the Tao Te Ching by Laozi. It symbolizes a state of pure being—untouched by external influence, judgment, or artificial shaping. Much like a block of wood that hasn’t been carved into anything specific, it holds limitless potential. In Taoist thought, the uncarved block is ideal. It represents naturalness, innocence, and freedom from the complexities of ego and desire. By remaining... Read more

2026-07-28T13:47:50-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

More Than a Conqueror

Last updated on: July 28, 2026 at 1:47 pm By Rob Giannamore

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Miller’s Station UMC| July 26, 2026 | Anchor Verse: Romans 8: 26-39 In March, I preached a sermon entitled “The King Who Refused a War Horse”. Here, on Palm Sunday, I was reflecting on how Jesus broke the mold and shows us that conquering does not need to happen by power alone. In humility, Jesus makes a different statement: “I come in peace, I come in humility, I come to serve.” Jesus is not just fulfilling prophecy—he is redefining what... Read more

2026-07-20T10:34:21-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A God Who Stays

Last updated on: July 20, 2026 at 10:34 am By Rob Giannamore

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Miller Station UMC | July 19, 2026| Anchor Verse: Genesis 28:10-22 Jacob’s surprising encounter with God in Bethel leads to reflection about where we as individuals meet God unexpectantly on life’s journey. I want to open this message with the question, “Where have you experienced God in a place or season you did not expect?” For me it was my second Master’s degree. After nineteen previous years of schooling, I did okay, but not spectacular. Imagine my surprise when after... Read more

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2026-07-18T11:28:23-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Section Hike #3 – New Jersey

Last updated on: July 18, 2026 at 11:28 am By Rob Giannamore

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It was 24 years in the making, but this week, my wife and I after raising four beautiful children, were able for the first time go on vacation without the kids. Now, when I say vacation, I am not talking about lazing about on the beach, that is something that our family likes to do (not me really), I am talking about the kind of fun one has when they are backpacking in the backcountry. For my full week of... Read more

2026-07-06T09:42:48-04:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When AI Becomes a Spiritual Shortcut

Last updated on: July 6, 2026 at 9:42 am By Rob Giannamore

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AI can assist spiritual practice, but it cannot replace spiritual presence, obedience, community, patience, or direct encounter with God. Used unwisely, it may train believers to seek instant spiritual clarity rather than the slower formation that faith often requires. When I was researching for the philosophy class I teach, I found a long-lost memory that I had forgotten: that Socrates, known for not writing his own work and relying on students such as Xenophon and Plato for records, attacked writing... Read more

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