Russellings of the Spirit

faith

  • Busted Truster

    Who do you trust? Stop for a minute and really mull that question over. Because trust is the glue that holds our world together.  For example, I trust that the funny-looking green piece of paper in my wallet can be… Continue reading

  • The Gift of Candles

    They say… you know, the all-knowing, all-seeing THEY… that timing is everything.  As is usually the case, they have indulged in a wee bit of literary hyperbole to make a point. The point that TIMING is a really, really important thing. Comedians, trapeze artists,… Continue reading

  • Practicing Peace

    [Trigger warning: today’s blog post deals with death. You might want to give it a pass if that topic unsettles you. No judgment here.] I do some volunteer work here in Fort Collins, Colorado with the local hospice organization. (Did you… Continue reading

  • Part I: What I Actually Asked the Imam

    Earlier this month, Joan and I were on a tour. We were in Turkey with a group of 24 other travelers spending 14 days touring that amazing place with the Rick Steves organization. Our incredible guide was the Istanbul born-and-raised… Continue reading

  • Happy Anniversary, Sweetie

    Earlier this week, we celebrated an anniversary. It was the third anniversary of Joan joyfully and triumphantly ringing the brass bell that marked the end of her chemotherapy and the beginning of her remission from cancer. It has been a… Continue reading

  • Winter Wonderland

    It finally snowed here in Fort Collins.  The falling right now is the first snow this season… and the latest first snow in the town’s history.  And so naturally, as Patrick the dog and I set out on our morning walk –… Continue reading

  • A Way in the Wilderness…

    Fifty-two years ago today, an epic adventure took place. Footprints were placed on a new, unfamiliar landscape.  Eyes were opened. Discoveries were made… discoveries that were both earth-shaking and life-altering. Old barriers were broken down and we witnessed the dawn… Continue reading

  • Maybe God is… *

    Maybe God is.  Period. Full stop. This might seem like an odd concession to doubt for one who publicly calls himself as a believer. [And yes, I do most definitely call myself a believer.] Yet despite the strength of that belief… Continue reading

  • Broken Limbs

    They are everywhere you look here in Fort Collins… a truly heartbreaking sight. Twenty-three inches of snow by itself might have done the trick. But twenty-three inches of heavy, wet snowwas definitely the coup de grace. I’m talking about broken tree limbs.… Continue reading

  • Thank you, Chris and Charlie

    Today I want to use this space to say “Thank you” to all the people in my life who ever tried to teach me anything. Lord knows this note is – in some cases – 50 or more years overdue.… Continue reading