Russellings of the Spirit

God

  • Testing… Testing…

    Fall is many things. Fall is cooler weather. Fall is turning leaves.  Fall is back-to-school, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, football, turning leaves, wardrobe revision, Halloween, the end of mowing, and the roll-out of next year’s new auto models.  But most of… Continue reading

  • My Own NGH List

    Last night the newly-crowned, 15-year-old champion of the show, American Ninja Warrior gazed earnestly into the camera and assured me, “Hey! If you can dream it and work hard, you can do ANYTHING!” “REALLY?” I replied, reaching to my left for another handful… Continue reading

  • Thank you, Von Trapps

    Last week – in fact, one week ago today – I climbed a mountain.  Literally. The name of the mountain was Horsetooth Rock. One look at it will explain where the name came from. Horsetooth is not a huge, hulking… Continue reading

  • One Step at a Time

    Amid some stiffness, soreness, and a bit of fatigue, there is also some genuine satisfaction bubbling up in my spirit today. That is because yesterday, I managed to climb Horsetooth Rock… an iconic Fort Collins landmark.  At a mere 7500… Continue reading

  • Beloved Blades

    A couple of days ago, I wrote about the annoying frequency with which the words, “I’m sorry” have been featured in my daily vocabulary. I mean, there I am, navigating my day with a measure of ease and panache (in… Continue reading

  • Well, I declare!

    Despite instincts to the contrary, I regularly try to keep an open mind. Life has shown me again and again the hazards of latching – iron-fistedly – onto a particular thesis or paradigm. God seems to take great delight, in… Continue reading

  • A Question of Purpose

    Say hello to Rosie and Patrick. I am quite jealous of them. And no, not just because their days consist entirely of eating, sleeping, walking, and pooping… although that does seem like a pretty sweet gig. No, I am jealous… Continue reading

  • How Urgent?

    If you know me, you know that I walk fast. That is, I used to walk fast. That was before I became “The Brokeback Guy” in early May. You will also know that I drive fast. If you doubt my word, just… Continue reading

  • Silent Encouragement

    One ritual that must be observed as part of any visit to the town of Pacific City, Oregon is The Climb. That is, The Climb to the top of the giant sand dune at Cape Kiwanda (pictured here). I have done it several times… Continue reading

  • Particles of Wonder

    Last weekend Joan and I went to the mountains. It was glorious. It was majestic. It was beautiful. It was awe-inspiring. It was a breath-taking reminder of the splendor of God’s creation. It drove me to my knees in a… Continue reading