Previews of coming attractions: my new book, Geneva Two, will be available later this summer/fall. Read on to find out how to get a free advance copy of the book. To whet your appetite, here is the opening statement: To be clear, Geneva Two does not exist. It is a fiction, a mental exercise, a utopia … Continue reading Find Out How To Get A Free Copy Of My New Book
Author: Russell Smith
Covenant-First Window Devotional #1 – The Moses Window
On Mondays through the summer, I will be running a series of devotionals based on the stained glass windows at Covenant-First Presbyterian. These devotionals originally ran in the Covenant Courier newsletter, and we are editing them for re-issue as a devotional later this summer. All the photos are by our member, nature photographer Jerry Fritsch. We … Continue reading Covenant-First Window Devotional #1 – The Moses Window
Tardis Theology #5: In Which The Doctor Confronts His Greatest Enemy – Himself
Every great fictional hero has an iconic villain, a villain that they are most identified with in the public imagination. A villain that the audience loves to hate. Sherlock Holmes has Moriarty; King Arthur has Mordred; Batman has the Joker. And the Doctor has the Daleks. Ever since the early days of Doctor Who, the … Continue reading Tardis Theology #5: In Which The Doctor Confronts His Greatest Enemy – Himself
Have We Been Wrong In How We Think About Calling?
Originally published in the May 2014 issue of the Covenant Courier. I have a calling. You have a calling. We all have a calling. It’s such a funny little word “calling.” In the church, we think of it mainly as the idea that someone is supposed to pursue churchy kind of work as a paid … Continue reading Have We Been Wrong In How We Think About Calling?
The National Day of Prayer 2014
Today is the National Day of Prayer. Christians are gathering all across the country to pray for their communities. Here in Cincinnati, we offer a noontime service on the steps of the county courthouse. I was invited to offer the invocation at the start of the service. Below is the text of that invocation: Lord, we call … Continue reading The National Day of Prayer 2014
Which Of These Photos Should I Include In My Exhibit?
Covenant-First Presbyterian is putting on an art show, and I'm planning to exhibit some printed works from the Horizons of the Possible Instagram Project. So I'm asking for your help. I've selected some of the highest rated photos from the @possiblehorizon Instagram account (as well as one or two of my favorites). In the poll … Continue reading Which Of These Photos Should I Include In My Exhibit?
Tardis Theology #4: In Which The Doctor Discovers That The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil, Even In Aliens.
Question: does a story about flatulent baby-faced aliens plotting Phantom Menace-style to destroy the Earth really merit two episodes? Whatever your answer, I’m afraid the two-episode story only gets one Tardis Theology reflection. Most of the first episode is simply setup of the convoluted scheme of the villainous Slitheen to infiltrate the upper echelons of … Continue reading Tardis Theology #4: In Which The Doctor Discovers That The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil, Even In Aliens.
Are You Tired Of Being Cynical? Here’s 4 Ideas To Help You Be Different.
My generation didn’t invent cynicism. We just own it as our posture toward the world. We became fluent in irony, exploring all its nuances. We re-made media into a layer cake of self-referential pop culture jokes. We diluted our rage into detached snarking from the sidelines. We invented the mumblecore film genre, fixating brooding introspective … Continue reading Are You Tired Of Being Cynical? Here’s 4 Ideas To Help You Be Different.
Tardis Theology #3: In Which Charles Dickens Questions The Value Of His Life’s Work
What could be better than a Christmas ghost story by Charles Dickens? How about a Christmas alien invasion story featuring Charles Dickens, in which the master of melodrama himself helps the Doctor thwart an extraterrestrial horde’s plan to conquer the Earth? Yes, it’s an absurd premise. Absurdity, after all, is part of the fun of … Continue reading Tardis Theology #3: In Which Charles Dickens Questions The Value Of His Life’s Work
When Your Life Is Turned Upside Down, Find Hope In Celebrating Holy Week (Not Just Easter)
Things didn’t turn out the way Peter expected. I suspect that he envisioned a quick victory. While it’s likely he expected tense moments, Peter certainly expected God to act powerfully before things became their darkest. The Palm Sunday crowds with their shouts of “Hosanna” seemed to confirm Peter’s confidence. On Maundy Thursday, I imagine the … Continue reading When Your Life Is Turned Upside Down, Find Hope In Celebrating Holy Week (Not Just Easter)
Horizons of the Possible 