Tony Russell

  • Stop Trying to Hold on when The Universe is Screaming, Let Go!

    As I ran today the sleet and snow were peppering my face reminding me I should have gone with a ball cap instead of the beanie. As I often do I listen to an audio book, podcast, or one of my favorite teachers. Today I was listening to an incredible message by Andy Stanley, and […]

    Tony Russell

  • The Pain of Divorce & The Agony of Dating

    It was January of 2017 and I had loaded up my car with some of my belongings. I sat there for a moment looking up at the lights on in my home that I would never live in again. There would be no more daily good morning kisses and wakes up. No more sitting on […]

    Tony Russell

  • Do You Feel Broken?

    I was speaking to a beautiful and strong friend last night who has recently gone trough a difficult breakup. She loved him dearly and he told her that he loved her as well, and yet one day he walked away. And she said three words to me with a deep sadness in her voice. As […]

    Tony Russell

  • Finding Peace and Hope in The Pain: Better Days Coming

    It was the beginning of winter in Westport, Washington, and I was sitting (along with a date) in my car on the beach. The wind was literally making the car sway back and forth as the rain pounded the roof. I was just about to start the car and go find a warm pub when […]

    Tony Russell

  • Is that God Speaking or is it Just Hormones, Gas, or Wishful Thinking?

    I was sitting in my office at The Bridge Community Church many years ago, and in walks a young man with a big question. He was old enough to have a “real job” but young enough to wear clothes that made him appear homeless! It was a question many Christians ask and that is, “What […]

    Tony Russell

  • What Part Does God Play in Your Pain?

    It was a typical Sunday morning in our church in Fort Worth, Texas. I was standing in front of the congregation dressed in my blue jeans and T-shirt with a tie dye cross on it. I was trying to be one of the cool pastors. You know, the ones who hang out at coffee shops, […]

    Tony Russell

  • Dating After Divorce: Hurting People…Hurt People

    It was the winter of 2017 and I was about to have my first real date since 1999. I was dressed in my Lucky brand jeans, V-neck tee, and wearing my Chucks! If I’d owned a Corvette then I would’ve been the poster child for a midlife crisis! I was standing just inside this cool […]

    Tony Russell

  • Shave My What?

    The title got ya didn’t it? Well stay with me and I’ll explain, but let me remind you that almost 24 hours prior to this moment I had sent up a prayer of desperation, “God, I can’t take anymore, I need your help.” And there I was in the same spot when I looked down […]

    Tony Russell

  • How I Went from Pastor to Fitz in The Morning

    I was standing outside of Evergreen Ford in Issaquah, Washington in January of 2017. It was dark as I shivered and looked up at the snow and rain streaking in front of the huge lights, and uttered a simple prayer. It was one of those heart felt prayers of desperation. A Hail Mary if you […]

    Tony Russell

  • Where is God when Shit Happens?

    In my last blog post I told you about my father’s response to the question, “Why do you believe in God?” Despite his father being brutally murdered in 1969, my father said that he simply believed in God, because of all that He had done in his life. And before I humbly help you navigate […]

    Tony Russell