Another roundup of the daily Twitter feature: Lunchtime Music Break. Tune in each weekday at noon to see an inspiring and encouraging musical selection to send you off to lunch with a little happiness. (Sorry I'm a little late posting this - had a really busy weekend!) Monday: "In My Father's House" by Eric Bibb … Continue reading Weekend Music Mix, July 15, 2017
Author: Russell Smith
In The Shadow Of A Great Cathedral, I Learned That Ordinary, Daily Life Has Great Dignity (A Footsteps Friday Post)
This post is part of a series reflecting on my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Pilgrimage was a guided experience called “The Footsteps of Jesus” - every Friday, I’ll be posting a “Footsteps Friday” reflection (see index here). I look forward to your sharing your thoughts and comments. The Basilica of the Annunciation in … Continue reading In The Shadow Of A Great Cathedral, I Learned That Ordinary, Daily Life Has Great Dignity (A Footsteps Friday Post)
You Can Focus Your Faith On What You Get Or On Who You’re With. Choose Wisely.
Mary, one of our Covenant-First Presbyterian congregation members, was telling me about volunteering to help children develop reading skills. She shared with me her incredulity when one of the children she worked with asked, “What do I get if I do my reading lesson?” The question reveals something about human nature - we always have … Continue reading You Can Focus Your Faith On What You Get Or On Who You’re With. Choose Wisely.
What I Learned From The Time I Didn’t Pray
Our church secretary, Bonnie, knocked on the doorframe and poked her head into my office: “Pastor, I just wanted to let you know that there’s a woman in the sanctuary. She said she just got diagnosed with skin cancer, and she needed someplace to come and pray.” “Does she want to speak with me?” I … Continue reading What I Learned From The Time I Didn’t Pray
Weekend Music Mix, July 8, 2017
Music has power to inspire, to move, to lift up our spirits, and to encourage us to aspire to higher things. I often use songs as illustrations in my sermons, and I frequently share them on my Twitter feed. This past Wednesday, I started a new feature on Twitter: the Lunchtime Music Break, where I … Continue reading Weekend Music Mix, July 8, 2017
When Your Identity Is Attacked: Lessons From The Judean Desert
This post is part of a series reflecting on my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Pilgrimage was a guided experience called “The Footsteps of Jesus” - every Friday, I’ll be posting a “Footsteps Friday” reflection (see index here). I look forward to your sharing your thoughts and comments. The desert is the place of … Continue reading When Your Identity Is Attacked: Lessons From The Judean Desert
“Be Still” – The Practice That Helps You Overcome Distraction
“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” Blaise Pascal Do you struggle with distractibility? I know I sure do. The human brain is constantly flitting from one thing to the next. We’re bombarded by stimuli; every day, we receive thousands of messages from people clamoring for our … Continue reading “Be Still” – The Practice That Helps You Overcome Distraction
Discovering The Power Of Faith Beside The Jordan River (a Footsteps Friday reflection)
This post is part of a series reflecting on my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Pilgrimage was a guided experience called “The Footsteps of Jesus” - every Friday, I’ll be posting a “Footsteps Friday” reflection (see index here). I look forward to your sharing your thoughts and comments. On Pilgrimage, you trace steps that … Continue reading Discovering The Power Of Faith Beside The Jordan River (a Footsteps Friday reflection)
Christians Should Read Great Fiction – Here Are 8 Books For Your July 4 Weekend
Christians should read fiction. Not only that, they should read great fiction. The Christian who reads great fiction will find a rich source of instruction in the spiritual life - perhaps even more instruction than can be found in devotional literature. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by a family that cherished reading. From … Continue reading Christians Should Read Great Fiction – Here Are 8 Books For Your July 4 Weekend
Do You Realize Who You Are?
Our problems can be banished, and we can be open to new possibilities, if we can get in our head who we really are. I see it every day: people burdened under the weight of a false identity. the man who had been told by his father that he was useless. the girl who suffered … Continue reading Do You Realize Who You Are?
Horizons of the Possible 