Michael Smith is such a common name. Indeed, there might be a dozen or more Michael Smiths in McAlester alone. The commonality of such a name betrays the specificity of an upcoming execution. You see, the Michael Smith that resides on death row at Oklahoma State Penitentiary (OSP) is scheduled to be executed next week, April 4. For well over a year, I’ve served as Smith’s spiritual advisor. Daily, we’ve talked about the specific struggles that he faces. Of course,... Read more
HOLY WEEK GIFT FREE SHORT BOOK OF REFLECTIONS> Execution Echoes Reflections on the Seven Last Words of Christ Jeff Hood Echoes. I’ve heard them. I’ve felt them. I’ve known them. I’ve lived them. I’ve cried them. I’ve walked them. I’ve seen them. The Seven Last Words of Christ “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” -Luke 23:34 “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” -Luke 23:43 “Woman, Behold your Son…Behold... Read more
The Last Words of Christ from the Execution Chamber (1) “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” -Luke 23:34 Meetings about murder are strange. Each time I accompany one of my guys to their execution, I am required to attend a training session. The gathering usually consists of multiple officials explaining to me the process and asking if I have any questions. Of course, this is a moment for technical questions about how the execution... Read more
Bart Johnson, Prisoner on Alabama’s Death Row The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, Death Row Spiritual Advisor The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And... Read more
Bart Johnson, Prisoner on Alabama’s Death Row The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, Death Row Spiritual Advisor The Parable of the Sower That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some... Read more
The Good Samaritan & Prodigal Son: Parables from Death Row: Jeff Hood & Bart Johnson The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, Death Row Spiritual Advisor Bart Johnson, Prisoner on Alabama’s Death Row The Good Samaritan In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the... Read more
*Kenny Smith was the first person in the world executed by nitrogen hypoxia. My name is Deanna Smith and I am writing in regards to the discussion of adding nitrogen hypoxia to the list of approved methods of execution. I am one of the first-hand witnesses who attended Alabama’s execution of Kenny Smith in January. Having witnessed this event, I am compelled to ask you to reconsider. What I saw not what was presented to us... Read more
March 1, 2024 Injustice in Oklahoma: A Pending Execution & The Intellectual Disabilities of Michael Smith On April 4, 2024, Michael Smith is scheduled to be executed. Over the past year and a half, I have had the pleasure to serve as Smith’s spiritual advisor. There are a variety of reasons and factors that contribute to my advocacy that his life be spared. The chief of which is that he has become someone I have... Read more
Yesterday (February 25), a United States Airman named Aaron Bushnell posted the following message about the plight of the Palestinian people, “Many of us like to ask ourselves, ‘What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?’ The answer is, you’re doing it. Right now.” The post included a link to a livestream on Twitch. Not long thereafter,... Read more
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree on Death Row: Jeff Hood & Bart Johnson Bart Johnson, Prisoner on Alabama’s Death Row The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, Death Row Spiritual Advisor Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on... Read more
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