Russellings of the Spirit

God

  • A Cracked Shell

    Something seems to be leaking… and I can’t help but believe that’s a good thing. In fact, I hope you are starting to leak a little, too. When you and I first come into the world as babies, we have… Continue reading

  • Things I don’t have to do…

    “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Amos 5:24, NRSV In my life, there are a lot of things I HAVE to do. I have to help out around the house. I have to… Continue reading

  • The Magic Bullet

    Earlier today, I was busy in the kitchen, whipping up a new batch of my famous homemade granola. Before you get too excited about my domestic skills, it is literally one of four things I know how to make… and… Continue reading

  • Frozen People

    I knew it was coming, just as surely as the next episode of The Lone Ranger on Saturday morning TV. When I was a wee lad and we made the 415-mile trek to see my dad’s parents in St. Louis,… Continue reading

  • Right? Or Wrong?

    In my life, I’ve been wrong about a lot of things. In the sixth grade, I told Marsha Westbrook I was going to marry her. As this early 90s photo of me and my dad demonstrates, I once thought pleated… Continue reading

  • Best Foot Forward

    “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar…  you are familiar with all my ways.” Psalm 139:1-3, NRSV I had a nice backyard chat with Neighbor Dave… Continue reading

  • Final Exam

    Urgent: [ˈərjənt] Adjective. calling for immediate attention: PRESSING  Today I am thinking back to that time when urgency seemed to rule my life. It was a time when everything had to be done RIGHT NOW! Nothing could wait. It was a… Continue reading

  • CHANGE

    What moves the world? What kind of force does it take To cause even the tiniest shudder? And alter – even microscopically – the unflinching orbit Of lives? Of fates? Of destinies? Of kingdoms? Of stars? Is it great beauty?… Continue reading

  • The “Simple” Life

    “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) HGTV lies. Home repair and remodeling never happens with that kind… Continue reading

  • The Challenge of Vigilance

    “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42, NRSV It was just a quick little trip into the convenience store. We needed some ice for our trip back from the mountains. Just… Continue reading