Every 20 years or so, a game changing productivity book comes along that becomes the gold standard. This is it. The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll Consider for a moment the gold standard books of previous eras: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Published in 1934, this book was the … Continue reading Read This Game Changing Productivity Book: The Bullet Journal Method
Author: Russell Smith
Questions for a Pastor: How Do You Answer Stephen Hawking?
This question recently came in to the church Facebook Page (reprinted with permission of the questioner): There is a new book out by Stephen Hawking. Have not read it but the headline from it is that he says there is no God. I used to have solid faith, but it seems to be disintegrating. Reading … Continue reading Questions for a Pastor: How Do You Answer Stephen Hawking?
Learning to Pray in the School of the Psalms: Psalm 6
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
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”
Horizons of the Possible 