Russellings of the Spirit

humility

  • The Apprentice

    I mowed my yard Saturday.  I know, right? Sound the trumpets and shoot the fireworks! That’s some exciting news right there!  Surprisingly, it was not really the act of mowing that is noteworthy here. It is instead my complete mastery of the… Continue reading

  • Which Messiah?

    I must confess… I am more than a little worried.  I am worried about the survival and well-being of this country, for starters. And it is not just the fact that we are currently governed by a group of people… Continue reading

  • Panning for Gold

    Here we are, in the thick of one of the most interesting – not to mention consequential – presidential election campaigns in this country’s history! The stakes are incredibly high. The campaign budgets for each candidate are even higher. And… Continue reading

  • Can We Learn?

    If you are a person of “a certain age,” you no doubt remember Pete Seeger’s big hit from 1955, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing. Where have all the flowers gone? Long… Continue reading

  • A Chat with Dad

    Today I am going to do something I have not done before. Since today is November 1, I have decided I am going to hold my own, small, very Anglo version of Día de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos, or… Continue reading

  • My Saints

    He was a slick-fielding, light hitting second baseman for the church softball team. He sold microscopes for the E. Leitz Company. Later, he heard a call that changed not only his life, but the lives of everyone in his family.… Continue reading

  • Going First

    Going first comes naturally to me. It all started when I volunteered to be the first of five children born to Lyn and George Brown, some [mumble, mumble] years ago. That meant I got to be the first guinea pig for them… Continue reading

  • Lord, in your mercy…

    … hear our prayer. Hear our prayer for humility in the face of chaos and confusion. Hear our prayer for justice, administered without regard for place or privilege. Hear our prayer for softened hearts and willing hands. Hear our prayer… 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

  • The Guatemalan Giggle of Grace

    In my life, moments of grace have come in many different forms. The compassionate word. The gentle glance. The understanding touch. The sweet smile. My heart will always reserve a special place for that day when grace came in the… Continue reading