Late nights birth early mornings. Though he preferred to sleep, he had to get up. The job demanded it. Quickly drinking a cup of coffee, he raced out the door. Each step felt tougher than it had the day before. Popping the trunk, he loaded all his gear into the car. It took multiple turns before the car would start. On the horizon, thin grey skies looked ominous. The weather was as cold as his heart had become. Even though... Read more
The Narrative of David Hosier: A Claim of Innocence *This edited narrative is the product of a conversation between David Hosier and his spiritual advisor, The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood. Hosier desired to produce this narrative so that people could clearly hear his side of the story during the clemency process and as a potential execution date approaches on June 11. I was introduced to Angie Gilpin by a friend that I used to work... Read more
Pending Execution: Commentary from the Book of Jonah David Hosier is scheduled to be executed on June 11, 2024. The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood serves as David Hosier’s spiritual advisor. Jonah 1 God’s word often comes to us in iterations we don’t expect. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, a place that he would have never thought that God was telling him to go. “Why would I go to Nineveh?!?!?” Sometimes... Read more
Pending Execution: Commentary on The Book of Jonah (David Hosier and Jeff Hood / 1 of 4) David Hosier is scheduled to be executed on June 11, 2024. The Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood is Hosier’s spiritual advisor. This is a commentary on The Book of Jonah they’re constructing together. Jonah 1. God’s word often comes to us in iterations we don’t expect. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, a place where he... Read more
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
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