Category: Blessing

Alabama, Blessing1 Comment

The Difference One Life Makes

Gary Furr

Recently, I was asked to give remarks at a retirement dinner for Frances Ford of Perry County, an extraordinary person whose passion to rebuild healthcare in Perry County has inspired thousands of people from around the nation who came to help. In 2016, Frances was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. Permit me to quote that article: Citing her faith in God and the influence of her parents, Ford said she is guided by the principles of “giving back, helping others, and [showing] the love of Christ”. Throughout her career, Ford has followed a deep calling to make … Continue reading The Difference One Life Makes

Blessing7 Comments

Blessing for an Anniversary

Gary Furr

Now that I am retired, I am still busy, but not consecutively. I bounce from one “one-time” event to another–a funeral, a wedding or two, a concert here and there, and writing. That along with the avalanche of priorities for caring for two parents and family priorities. My joke is, “I do lots of things, but not two in a row.” My other is that now I mostly do “leavings, cleavings and (when I fill in for a preacher) relievings.” Relationships abide past the end of work, and recently we were invited to celebrate a sixtieth anniversary of two dear … Continue reading Blessing for an Anniversary

Blessing, Disappointment, Hope, humanity, Theology and Life3 Comments

Reframing to Blessings

Gary Furr

When I first began to preach as a pastor it was in small churches in Central Texas. They were mostly blue collar and working folks, farmers, retired people who had moved out from the city, an assortment of people who end up in a church together by virtue of geography. As I was just beginning my ministry, I desperately read books about how to preach and how to be an administrator and how to do all of this and that. But I particularly remember one preaching book that encouraged me to try to turn my main point into a positive … Continue reading Reframing to Blessings