Russellings of the Spirit

hope

  • “We’re All In This Together!”

    Yes, we are. But in lots of ways, no, we absolutely are not. This morning on NPR I heard the story of Daniel Garcia of Houston, Texas. (https://www.npr.org/2020/07/18/892593769/texas-man-on-what-its-like-being-evicted-during-the-covid-19-pandemic). And it broke me. Garcia is 46 years old. He was laid… Continue reading

  • 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

  • It Certainly is Puzzling

    “… because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18, NRSV During this time of pandemic, jigsaw… Continue reading

  • The Right Hand of Hope

    “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”    Isaiah 41:10, NRSV In case you were not aware,… Continue reading

  • Helicopter Prayers

    “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”         – Psalm 28:7, NRSV She was tiny. So tiny the bed covers seemed to… Continue reading

  • An Innocent Man

    In 1984, a drug dealer was shot to death at a gas station in St. Louis, Missouri. The shooter was identified as a light-skinned African American male, 5’5” in height. Police immediately began looking for suspects. Even though Darryl Burton was… Continue reading

  • Someone to believe

    “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4, NRSV If you know the name George Catlett Marshall, you know him… Continue reading

  • Take Hope

    “But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” Romans 8:24, NRSV. Hope is a precious commodity these days. On some days, it can be harder to find than that ever-elusive toilet paper. We squint and look at the… Continue reading

  • Something from Nothing, Part 2

    (In yesterday’s installment, I recounted one of my most abysmal performances as a pastoral counselor. Troy, a congregant, had come to see me with an incredible mountain of problems including job loss, cancer, his wife’s infidelity, and parenting challenges, all… Continue reading

  • Something from Nothing, Part 1

    Over the course of my 20 years in professional ministry, I like to think I have offered some measure of comfort to people who have come to me seeking counsel in the midst of deep, personal crises. But I know… Continue reading