Russellings of the Spirit

Jesus Christ

  • 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

  • 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

  • A Way in the Wilderness…

    Fifty-two years ago today, an epic adventure took place. Footprints were placed on a new, unfamiliar landscape.  Eyes were opened. Discoveries were made… discoveries that were both earth-shaking and life-altering. Old barriers were broken down and we witnessed the dawn… Continue reading

  • Whatever happened to whistling?

    As I walked into the restroom at the Denver Convention Center the other day, I was whistling.  To my best recollection, the tune was Phil Collins’ I Can’t Dance… the most recent song playing on my car’s radio when I parked… Continue reading

  • What’s At the Heart

    I love Hud. True confession time: at first, I did NOT love Hud. At all. Hud (or Uncle Hud) is the name Kansas City Royals fans have given to Rex Hudler – the  guy who does play-by-play of Royals games on… Continue reading

  • The Day After

    I went to the football game on that Friday night in October. Going to the game was an important ritual in the town where I grew up. In fact, in the 1960s in the midwestern U.S., it was an act… Continue reading

  • Blades of Grass

    I was supposed to go to my 50th high school class reunion last year. Instead, all members of the Hilliard (Ohio) High School class of 1970 spent our reunion year cowering inside hermetically sealed isolation suits, trying our best to avoid… Continue reading

  • In Praise of Slow

    Normally, I am a pretty fast guy. I walk fast. I drive fast (much to Joan’s great displeasure). I eat fast and drink fast. I cook fast, I wash the dishes fast, and I make my bed fast. I even… Continue reading