Russellings of the Spirit

Jesus Christ

  • It’s All Hard

    A local remodeling contractor came over to our house on Saturday. My sweet, visionary wife has this notion of flipping the locations of our current kitchen and dining room so that each of them would end up in the space… Continue reading

  • Visions of Love

    “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  John 15:13, NRSV HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Welcome to the day set aside on the calendar to celebrate one of history’s epic distortions of reality. I give you Exhibit… Continue reading

  • Being a parent…

    I’ve been an acrobat. But I have never done more juggling, flipping, and contorting than I have as a parent. I’ve been an artist. But I have never helped create anything more beautiful than my children. I’ve been heartbroken. But… Continue reading

  • Glorious Grind

    “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”            1 Corinthians 10:31, NRSV The other night we had some people over for dinner. Joan decided a big spinach salad would be the perfect accompaniment for… Continue reading

  • What a Wonderful World Wide Web

    I am not sure anything else even comes close. The World Wide Web should be considered – hands down – the most important innovation of the last fifty years. Without it, how could I instantly know the current temperature of… Continue reading

  • Soul Winter

    Yep. Just poked my head out the window and confirmed something I’ve suspected for about a month now. IT’S WINTER! (Unless, of course, you happen to live in the southern hemisphere). And by the looks of things, it plans to… Continue reading

  • Love Out Loud

    A year or so ago, I got fed up. Squared. First I was fed up with the escalating rancor and divisiveness in nearly every segment of American society. Yes, ill will seems to center primarily in the political realm, but… Continue reading

  • Who Do You Love?

    “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”       -Jesus (of Nazareth), as quoted in Luke’s gospel; chapter 6, verse 32 This might not shock you to learn but… Continue reading

  • Too Long Coming

    It is good to see the United Methodist Church finally “grow a pair,” as they say, and take an unequivocal stand on the side of justice and inclusion. It is just sad that it took them so long to do… Continue reading

  • Back to the Grind

    All I can say today is a loud, “Whew!” Another Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year/Hannaukah/Kwaanza/Festivus season has come and gone and has successfully wrung me out like a wet dishrag. And just to make things extra merry and bright, this year Joan and… Continue reading