Russellings of the Spirit

God

  • Remembering

    “I’m sorry. I forgot.” If I had a shiny new quarter for every time I’ve uttered those words in my life, I would be a moderately well-off man.  And although I am getting up there in total birthdays, I can’t… Continue reading

  • Left-Handed

    I am left-handed. [I’m not really, but play along with me here. OK?] I was born this way.  Very early in life, my parents noticed my left-handedness and were ashamed. They believed it reflected poorly on their skills as parents. “Your… Continue reading

  • Why I Pray

    Back in the day, (to be perfectly honest, WAAAAY back in the day), the group Lovin’ Spoonful sang a song that asked the musical question, “Do you believe in magic?” If John Sebastian and his bandmates asked me that today, I would have to say, “NO.… Continue reading

  • Part II: The Question I Wanted to Ask the Imam

    In yesterday’s installment (which you can read here if you so desire), I talked about a Q&A session I had with a Turkish imam on a recent tour. If you read that post, you will also remember that I talked about the… 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

  • Not Enough

    It is always there. It never rests.  I try to ignore it. I try to muffle it. I try to shout over it. All to no avail. It is as persistent as a mosquito on a humid summer night. It… Continue reading

  • Scratching the Choir Itch

    There is something magical about singing. Especially when that singing is done in harmony with other people.  I am not musically intelligent enough to know how it all works, but when those people over there sing one note, the folks… Continue reading

  • A Rich, Rich Man

    It was one of those perfect, early autumn evenings. The air was still hot and clammy, but the rays of the sun were starting to slant toward the horizon. I was excited because tonight was the first game of the… Continue reading

  • Block Party Confessional

    Joan and I went to a block party last week. The party wasn’t technically on OUR block. But someone on that other, partying block was kind enough to invite us. It was a nice event featuring grilled goodies, a potluck… Continue reading

  • The Unseen Doorknob

    I watered our outdoor plants this morning… … and in so doing, got a first-hand taste of the meaning of futility. I say futility first because Joan and I are big fans of annuals. Second, because it is late August. In June… Continue reading