As we continue our pilgrimage through the Psalms, here is the video from the Night Owl Study (October 17, 2018). (see the link to the video below) Highlights of this week's study: One of 7 Penitential Psalms in the Psalter- but there is no mention of sin in the Psalm Discipline is thought of … Continue reading Learning to Pray in the School of the Psalms: Psalm 6
Author: Russell Smith
Learning to Pray in the School of the Psalms: Psalm 1
A few weeks ago, we started up a new weekly Bible Study on the Psalms. The idea is for us to use the Psalms to learn how to pray wisely and well. We'll work sequentially through the psalms, taking one a week. This is a long term project for us all to learn about prayer. … Continue reading Learning to Pray in the School of the Psalms: Psalm 1
Pray to Live Wisely And Well: Psalm 1
How do we live wisely and well? What is the good life? The fulfilling life? What is our best life? This is the domain of motivational speakers, of life coaches, of self-help gurus, and any number of peddlers of worldly wisdom. I don’t want to disparage these teachers. I think most of them mean … Continue reading Pray to Live Wisely And Well: Psalm 1
Please Visit My Side-blog
We've had a number of new visitors lately, and I'm grateful that you've been stopping by. Just as an FYI, I've started a side-blog. "What is a side-blog?" you ask. This is my main blog which features my original work. I spend time crafting these posts and working to make them interesting and relevant. However, … Continue reading Please Visit My Side-blog
National Day of Prayer – Prayer for Ministers and their Families
I was invited by the local organizers of the Cincinnati National Day of Prayer to offer a prayer for "Ministers and their Families" during this year's observation. Sadly, the event was rained out. Here is the prayer I prepared, offered now as an online prayer of the heart. National Day of Prayer 2018 For … Continue reading National Day of Prayer – Prayer for Ministers and their Families
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Story
Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2018 issue of the Covenant Courier, and has been modified slightly for a general audience. Storytelling is en vogue right now. You hear about it on the radio with NPR’s Storycorps and The Moth storytelling show. Business literature is awash with books helping you tell your … Continue reading Don’t Underestimate the Power of Your Story
The Dream and The Reality of Christian Unity
Note: This post was originally published in The Rivulet Collective on January 18, 2018, under the title "Can Christians Truly Be United?" Be sure to visit Rivulet and enjoy many of the other great stories they're publishing. The earnest-eyed man leaned toward me. “Jesus’ last prayer,” he said in a voice rippling with sincerity, … Continue reading The Dream and The Reality of Christian Unity
Jesus Redefines “Winning”
Everyone talks about “winning.” The motivational, self-help sphere is awash in books on how to “be a winner in life” You can have your choice of titles - here’s but a random sampling. Winning Every Day: The Game Plan for Success Extreme Winning: 12 Keys to Unlocking the Winner Within You Stop Whining, Start Winning … Continue reading Jesus Redefines “Winning”
Discover the Key to Spiritual Growth
Harried, exhausted, and trying to keep up. As I talk with people, this seems to be the pervasive feeling among so many in America today. With the increasing pressures of work, family, and life, who has time for contemplation and the spiritual life? Fortunately, Jesus summarized things for us. Every masterful teacher knows how to … Continue reading Discover the Key to Spiritual Growth
10,000 Pages in 2018
If you follow this blog, you know that I’m a reader. And you know that I challenge Christians to be readers. Christians should read because we are, after all, people of the Book. Our faith is transmitted to us in the most intriguing anthology ever compiled, brimming with epic sagas, heartfelt poetry, letters of … Continue reading 10,000 Pages in 2018
