Category: Christianity

Christianity, Ethics, Suffering8 Comments

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

Gary Furr

While we were away for Thanksgiving with our two daughters who live in New York, our middle daughter, Erin, called with the drastic news that her 13 1/2 year old white lab, whom she named Hannah Marie Furr-Yeager (any other dogs with hyphenated names?), passed away from kidney failure.  Her husband just called her, , “Good Girl”.   She got Hannah as a pup when Erin was 19 years old.  Erin wrote on facebook, “She was the “mascot” of our entire group of friends in our 20’s. She has been with me through college, roommates, first job, first love, heart break, … Continue reading Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

Christianity, Ethics, Hope, humanity, Jesus, Love, Ministry, Pilgrimage, Suffering, Thanksgiving, Theology and Life

When Nothing Else Can Help, Love Builds a House

Gary Furr

One of the most-read blog pieces on here was one I did on the Hardy family of Williams, Alabama called, “Following Jesus from Israel to Rural Alabama.”  As a follow up to that, I am happy to report that last Sunday evening, the Hardy family received the keys to their new home in a dedication ceremony led by Pastor Mike Oliver. Times of crisis can certainly reveal our failings and weaknesses.  But it is also true that crisis reveals character and new possibilities.  one of God’s most mysterious works is bringing communion and healing from our disasters.  Such times can … Continue reading When Nothing Else Can Help, Love Builds a House

Christianity, Hope, Love, Prayer, Spiritual disciplines, Spirituality, Stewardship, Thanksgiving

Thirty Days to Thanksgiving

Gary Furr

Last Wednesday night I shared “thirty practices you can try in the next thirty days.” It was a reflection on Philippans 4:8-9:  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”  In this time of so much turmoil and uncertainty, … Continue reading Thirty Days to Thanksgiving

Art, Christianity, Culture, Music1 Comment

Art, Worship and All That Jazz: Inspirations from a Jazz Legend

Gary Furr

I’ve met two people in the past ten years who made me believe the bass was the most wonderful instrument in the world.  Got to know Dave Pomeroy when he played here a several years back with the put together acoustic jazz group with Rob Ickes (of Blue Highway) on dobro and Andy Leftwich, fiddle and mandolin player from Kentucky Thunder (Ricky Skaggs). The other man is a legend I met a few months ago when a member took us to a little jazz dinner theater here.  A group was playing called the Sonny Harris Trio—drums, piano and bass.  The … Continue reading Art, Worship and All That Jazz: Inspirations from a Jazz Legend

Christianity, Music, Pilgrimage2 Comments

I Am a Flatpickin’ Pilgrim

Gary Furr

Pilgrim’s Progress is one of my favorite spiritual writings to come from the Baptist and Puritan stream.  The longer title of the original The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come written by John Bunyan first appeared in 1678.   It was written by Bunyan while locked in jail for violating the Conventicle Act, in which the state forbid anyone but officially licensed Anglican priests from holding religious services. I have been to that jail where Bunyan was, been to his grave in London, and visited the town where he lived as an early Baptist.  It is … Continue reading I Am a Flatpickin’ Pilgrim