Category: Story

Story

Hard Times

Gary Furr

Sermon 3 was originally presented on Sunday, November 8, 2009, at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham. The title of this message is “Hard Times,” based on the biblical story of the Prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. That text is found in the book of 1 Kings 17:8-16. Hard times, hard times. Hard times are when we find out what’s in us. I’ve been using a little musical text, so I’ll use this one today. It’s from Stephen Foster, who wrote all those good old Southern songs, even though he only came to the South one time. He … Continue reading Hard Times

Bible, Blues, Family, Grief, Music, Narrative, Parenting, Story

Holding On

Gary Furr

Sermon four was part of the series “Feeling the Blues,” originally presented on Sunday, November 15, 2009, at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. The title of this message is “Holding On,” and it’s based on the biblical story of Hannah that you can find in the book of First Samuel, chapter one, verses 4 through 20. Infertility and Hope Now, this is not a text about how to have babies if you haven’t. The whole struggle of infertility for so many people is a… is a hidden one. It is painful, and it’s not really the focus of this story. In … Continue reading Holding On

Aging, ancestors, Bible, Blues, Grief, Music, Sickness and Health, spirituality, Story, Suffering

Deathbed Blues

Gary Furr

Sermon 5 was originally the conclusion of “Feeling the Blues,” presented on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The title of this message is “The Deathbed Blues.” It’s based on the biblical story of King David and found in the book of 2nd Samuel, chapter 23, verses 1 through 7. And so we come to the end of this series of sermons on the blues and the church, the blues and the Christian life, the blues and the gospel. Two things that we might have been forgiven for thinking had very little to do … Continue reading Deathbed Blues

Story

When Nobody Knows Your Name

Gary Furr

Well, I was walking around as a suburban kid in Dayton, Ohio in the early 70s singing this song, if you can imagine. Motherless children have a hard time when their mother is gone. Motherless children have it so hard when their mother is gone. Motherless children have a very hard time. All that weeping, all that crying. Motherless children have it so hard when their mother is gone. Oh, people say that a sister will do when the mother is gone. People say that a sister will do when the mother is gone. Oh, people say that a sister … Continue reading When Nobody Knows Your Name

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“Religion and the First Amendment” May 3 appearance

Gary Furr

For friends in Ft. Payne, Collinsville, and nearby, I will be speaking in Collinsville, Alabama on Sunday, May 3 at 2:30 pm at the invitation of the Collinsville Historical Association. Collinsville, nestled between Sand Mountain to the west and Lookout Mountain to the northeast, is a small town with a long and interesting history. I will be speaking on “Religion, the First Amendment, and the Shape We’re In,” as part of the Decoration Day Observance at the historic Collinsville Cemetery. All are welcome. It will be outdoors, but the weather is predicted to be favorable. Continue reading “Religion and the First Amendment” May 3 appearance