All Abram received was a call to “go”Look it up, Genesis 12:1.God didn’t give him much more than that in the way of instruction. Just go. But God made promises to Abram.One of those promises dealt with the whole church: the promise that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Both Peter (in Acts … Continue reading God Calls Us To Be A Blessing
Author: Russell Smith
4 Great Niche Museums For the End of Summer
Yes, I’m that dad.The one who drags his long-suffering wife and children to every historical marker, battlefield, and museum he can find. Our vacation trips are invariably lengthened by my “enforced educational opportunities.” It’s my way of passing on my own distinctive style of geekery. They’ll thank me someday, really.With that in mind, I’m recommending a … Continue reading 4 Great Niche Museums For the End of Summer
YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (part 2)
Contrast the void of hedonism with the headiness of accomplishment. Qohelet gives accomplishment three times the attention as hedonism. “I undertook great projects…” he says, and then catalogs what he has done: building, planting, accumulating, creating culture. Qohelet proficiently executes the cultural mandate of Genesis 1: 28 “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and … Continue reading YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (part 2)
YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 (Part 1, v 1-3)
YOLO. It stands for “You Only Live Once.” It was a motto for the millennial and younger generations, though now it has become passé through overuse. If you’re over 40 and have not heard YOLO, think “carpe diem” – seize the day. YOLO had its brief moment in the sun in late 2011 and early … Continue reading YOLO: A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 2:1-9 (Part 1, v 1-3)
God Doesn’t Call You to Prosper … God Calls You to Build
The wealth and prosperity gospel says that God wants you to prosper. But the Bible tells us something different. The Bible tells us to build. God gave an initial charge to humanity: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of … Continue reading God Doesn’t Call You to Prosper … God Calls You to Build
The Pastor as “Curator of Inspiration”
I’m playing around with a way of framing the work of a pastor – perhaps you’d be willing to help me out? I suggest that a part of the role of the pastor is to serve as a “curator of inspiration” Let’s break it down – starting with inspiration. First, there is the theological sense … Continue reading The Pastor as “Curator of Inspiration”
Stay Creative – Take Care Of Your Brain
You’re creative. You’re active and working on many different projects. What is your greatest resource?Your time? Your collection of inspirational stuff? Your network of connections?How about your brain?That little three-pound organ sucks up one fifth of your body’s oxygen. It devours a quarter of your body’s blood sugar. More importantly, when it functions well, the brain … Continue reading Stay Creative – Take Care Of Your Brain
Missional Made Real: My Friend Eric at ArtWorks
I made it a point to walk by the five-story-high scaffolding. One of our congregation members, Eric, sat on the first level, taking his lunch with the rest of the team of artists. Behind them, a flock of gigantic birds had begun to emerge on the brick wall. Eric and his team are part of … Continue reading Missional Made Real: My Friend Eric at ArtWorks
6 Ways of Understanding Missional
For your enjoyment, my latest Haiku Deck on 6 ways of understanding Missional. Missional is the buzziest of buzzwords in American Christianity. This is my way of cutting through the theological jargon and programmatic hype. Hope it helps. Soli Deo Gloria Russell
Move from Criticism to Creativity
Is it really all that fun to be a critic? Anton Ego says “yes”Ego is one of the villains of Pixar’s Ratatouille. You know the film – it’s the story of a kitchen rodent who has an uncanny gift for culinary achievement. It’s about a rat who is a chef. Among the many challenges our furry … Continue reading Move from Criticism to Creativity
Horizons of the Possible 