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Youthful flair of The Graystones takes Internet by storm

Can a group of musically-talented 12-year-olds hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, who covers classic hits in a living room full of amps with a whole lot of heart, really be considered a throwback? Absolutely, when it comes the phenomenon called The Graystones, a kid-powered rock band which has taken social media platforms by storm. Blending rock, pop and blues influences, the middle-school rockers have brought a fresh energy to beloved songs while crafting a sound that’s entirely their own. Their videos are racking up millions of hits and legendary artists are even taking ...

Have we forgotten how to be one nation?

Since when did we become such a divided nation? When did words of hate begin rolling off our tongues more naturally than words of love and acceptance? Lately, it feels like everywhere I go, whether it’s a coffee shop, grocery store, a community event, or just scrolling through social media, I hear people expressing the same thing: they’re tired. Tired of the negativity. Tired of the arguing. Tired of feeling like we’ve lost something important along the way. It doesn’t matter who you are, rich or poor, black or white, young or old, urban or rural, we’re all feeling the weight ...

We should embrace some type of covenant theology

Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant – II Samuel 23:5 Last week we mentioned a few of the covenants that God made with man. One that we didn’t mention was the Davidic covenant in II Samuel 23:5. The new covenant that Jesus introduced in Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, and Luke 22:20, will extend into the time of the new heavens and the new earth. Any rational person who reads the Bible will be confronted with the fact that God dealt with His creation through covenants. So I must confess that I am a believer in some type of covenant theology. I suppose I would be close to the ...

Finding beauty in a broken world in Alaska

This August, my wife and I enjoyed a much-anticipated trip to Alaska for our 40th anniversary. As we sailed from Seattle, we saw Mount Rainier from our cruise ship balcony. Like many things of beauty, though, there were challenges. Weather prevented us from sailing around the Endicott Glacier. In Juneau we went to Tongass National Park and saw the stunning views of the Mendenhall Glacier and hiked in the refreshing coolness of the rain forest. The next day, it was closed because of flooding, a symbol of life filled with beauty and splendor, countered by disappointments, frustrations, and ...

Fall trout: A second chance on the water

As October becomes reality, many Pennsylvania sportsmen will be focused on hunting. Archery season has opened statewide. Pheasants, rabbits and bears are close behind. Not to mention a host of furbearers that will also join the schedule before Halloween arrives. But this doesn’t mean that fishing is over. Some of the best trout fishing of the year is still ahead, thanks to the fall and winter stockings. On Oct. 1, The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission kicked off the fall and winter trout stocking program. Over 116,500 adult trout will be stocked in 118 waterways throughout the ...

Outer Banks bring winds, waves, legends

(Editor’s note: This column is the second part of a two-part series) While the sights, history, and legends of the Outer Banks left me in awe, it was the people who call this place home and the lessons they unknowingly taught me that left the deepest impression. On our first day in Buxton, I asked the hotel clerk what there was to do in the area, the things I shouldn’t miss. Her answer stunned me. “Nothing,” she said matter-of-factly. I stood there in surprised silence unsure how to respond. I had two full pages of attractions I’d researched before our trip, yet here was ...