Russellings of the Spirit

privilege

  • I Totally Missed It

    Here it is, the first day of March. Which means, I missed it completely. What I mean is, I missed the chance to say anything in this space during the month of February about the fact that it was Black History… Continue reading

  • To Be Free

    During most years, the topic of freedom is something we trot out once a year… like our Christmas ornaments and tax returns. When the calendar hits early July, we religiously unfurl the red-white-and-blue bunting, light M-80s and Black Cats and… Continue reading

  • Child of Privilege

    I remember the interview very well, even though it happened more than 30 years ago. It was an excellent job and I really wanted it. I had some of the necessary qualifications, but certainly not all. And yet, at the… Continue reading

  • I Can’t Know

    By my not-totally-rigorous estimate, I have officiated at close to 100 funerals during my career as a pastor. This total was boosted significantly by one memorable week in 2014 when there were three. Every one of these formal church services… 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

  • Unreasonable

    She was such a sweet lady. Petite. Probably in her late 70s. Pretty pink knit hat and matching sweater. Cheerful, smiling disposition. I’ll call her Gladys. And the way she phrased her request as just as sweet as she was.… Continue reading

  • Escapee

    AUTHOR’S NOTE: I do not begrudge anyone a vacation in a Caribbean nation. In fact, I just returned from one myself. But then yesterday, as we were fleeing Puerto Rico just barely ahead of Tropical Storm Dorian, this dialogue began… Continue reading

  • “Am I Safe Here?”

    “Am I safe here?” Think back; how many times have you asked yourself that question… today? … in the past week? … in the past month? Can you even remember the last time you asked this question? If you are… Continue reading

  • You Belong

    Three doors down from the house I grew up in lived a family named the Thompsons. There was Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Thompson (that was back in the time when kids didn’t know adults’ first names) and their three sons. If… Continue reading