scottstrissel

[scottstrissel]

After Midnight

When you drifted off to sleep the other nightI was wide awake. I heard the deep melody of your breathing and I was jealous. My heart was still racing still clanging aroundtrying to catch my thoughtsas they drove flatout foot on the gas pedal. so many what-ifs and careening plotlines filledthe spaces between my ears I can still hear your quiet snoreswishing I could join you there. but it was not…

[scottstrissel]

Calling Out To God - A devotional.

Calling Out To God – A devotional.

“…The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him…” Psalm 145:18-20 (NIV) A few years ago I had the tremendous opportunity to serve on an emergency disaster team that went to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island and killed nearly…

[scottstrissel]

Hatred of Waiting (a Psalm/Poem)

Hatred of Waiting (a Psalm/Poem)

I keep my foot on the accelerator peddle. I am impatient. I am anxious. I am agitated. I want my prayers answered. Not an hour from nowor a day from nowor a month from nownow. I want to go fast My heart is racingI am out of the starting blockswithout much thoughtonly with the notion to move.I want to go fast. But it is hard to go fastwhen you are brokentorn and tattered. Limping isn’t the…

[scottstrissel]

"The Phone Call"

“The Phone Call”

Conversations with my “Grampa”. My grandfather called me the other day. Me at the gas station, getting ready to tackle a busy day at work, my mind on many, many things. Whenever my phone rings and I see his name on the caller ID, I answer the call no matter what. Now in his nineties, he still checks in and still has so much love to share with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. “GranStan”…

[scottstrissel]

Dear Christians, If Church is your foundation then you NEED to rebuild!

Dear Christians, If Church is your foundation then you NEED to rebuild!

“Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” -Billy Sunday Being a member of a church is not enough. Carrying a bible and wearing “church clothes” isn’t enough either. Saying all of the right prayers and calling out a timely “amen” isn’t enough either. We can look the part.We can act the part. But if there is no difference in your…

[scottstrissel]

A Used Book (A Poem).

A Used Book (A Poem).

I prefer used bookspages yellowed with agestains of coffeesmelling of baked breadcrumbs embedded into the glueof bindingsOn this pagetears fellhearts were brokena reader’s trust woven in two.Another pagedog-eared and highlightedwisdom shared and eaten and brought to lifewith flesh and bonetendon and sinew These pages smell like homeancient in the way that parchment can bethe only fragrance…

[scottstrissel]

The Gift More Expensive Than I Deserve...

The Gift More Expensive Than I Deserve…

“…What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Psalm 8:4.Do you know that about God’s love? Most of you would answer, “why, yes of course I do!” But, what if I asked you, “do you personally know God’s love?” Does that change the dynamics of this conversation? I mean, do we really, truly, deeply know that God loves us? What if I asked you, “Do you know and…

[scottstrissel]

What are YOU advertising? (A pondering on “Christian” living)

[scottstrissel]

Worry and the Seconds it Adds...(A Meditation)

Worry and the Seconds it Adds…(A Meditation)

This past Sunday, the message that was preached was meant for me. It is cliche I know, but nonetheless, that passage in Matthew chapter 6 when Jesus talks about worry was like an arrow striking its mark. And I was the intended target. The Pastor could not have known. No one else around me, save for my wife, would know. But I have been worrying as of late… So much so that the worry has boiled over…

[scottstrissel]

In The Glow of Autumn (when we fell)

In The Glow of Autumn (when we fell)

“Love fiercely, and expect that few will do the same in return…“ This thought ran through my head… tandem or inspiration? Maybe both? all the while, the sunlight hit your golden hair all aglow and resplendent at the peak of sunset on that cold October eve. My heart leapt as nature itself seemed to call out that exception, that ‘few’ kindred hearts… I, transfixed, tried to close my mouth like some…

[scottstrissel]

A Student of Grace (a pondering of forgiveness and enemies)

A Student of Grace (a pondering of forgiveness and enemies)

I am still a student of grace. My Father in Heaven still has much to teach me. I confess that there are times when it is easier to not forgive, to clench my teeth real tight, my face all flushed in anger and the world is filtered through the red that I see in my eyes. I am still a student of grace. Far too often I await the wrongs others will do to me. It is almost a sick celebration of the “

[scottstrissel]

5 Opportunities for the Post-Pandemic Church

5 Opportunities for the Post-Pandemic Church

We are still in the throws of COVID-19 and obviously we all are hoping and praying for it to end very, very soon! Little did we know in 2019 that 2020 would be such a chaotic year filled with terms like “unprecedented” and “the new normal”…

The Church Unless you have been living under a rock recently (you know there are some who are) you would know that church has taken to streaming their…

[scottstrissel]

I Am A Child Of God…(Devotional Pondering) "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

[scottstrissel]

The Post Pandemic Church...

The Post Pandemic Church…

As with any pandemic or sickness people have been affected, and some have died. I in no way wish to cheapen that and I believe we have lived through a very challenging time. At the same time the scripture verse that keeps coming back to me over and over again is, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans…

[scottstrissel]

Hello from Selma (pt.2)

Hello from Selma (pt.2)

It has been a while since I have written or updated. Sorry. A lot has kept me from writing. A lot has happened in the office and out of the office too. Life in Central Alabama is interesting. This is a new life for me. A new experience. A new place to call home. Our kids are adjusting and coping with a new normal that includes limited connection with possible new friends because of this…

[scottstrissel]

At The Funeral.

I did not know his name. I had been invited, just a guest at the funeral. The family, losing a child at such a young age… Some were angry Some beside themselves drowning in grief. Photos hung on a pin-up board thinly lined… a life that had just begun it hung there to declare injustice, the cavern of sorrow and the hollowed out eyes of a mother and father: destroyed, ruined, wrecked.

I sat on the…

[scottstrissel]

Pentecost - A Sincere Fire...

Pentecost – A Sincere Fire…

I love researching the origins of things. One of my favorite docu-shows is ‘Mysteries At The Museum’ where they tell stories and uncover some mysterious tale from long ago that I never knew existed. I think my love for television shows like this has to do with knowledge and better understanding the world around me. There is this hunger for understanding who I am as a human being and that of this…