Category: Ethics

Culture, Economics, Ethics, Justice, Poverty2 Comments

Bad Moon Rising–or, “Am I One of the 99%?”

Gary Furr

I don’t understand the debates going on about wealth and taxes.  People aren’t asking THE question–am I one of the 1% and why not?  If you want a seriously disturbing thought about this, listen to the NPR story yesterday by Tim Dickinson.  If you want an unseriously disturbing thought, stay with me. I don’twant to be one of the 99%, because even in the Bible, the only 99 mentioned is sheep left in the sheepfold.  And, as we know, all we like sheep have gone astray.  I want to be a 1% if they get all the good stuff.  But … Continue reading Bad Moon Rising–or, “Am I One of the 99%?”

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

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

Art, Competition, Music, Perfectionism, Writing2 Comments

10 Qualities of a pERFECTionits

Gary Furr

1.  Perfectionists cannot stand it when something is not completed.  For example, when a person… 2.  There is a rigidity about things always having to be a certain way or else they become very upset.  Things cannot be out of order, altered from their usual place, etc. 4.  If you’re going to do your best, you can’t always worry about pleasing everyone else (“You know you shouldn’t be writing this blog.  I told you to major in something else in college.  You’re an idiot.  Nobody cares what you think.)  Pay no attention to that voice in my head… 3.  Practice … Continue reading 10 Qualities of a pERFECTionits

Culture, Ethics, Hope, Leadership, Politics, Theology, Theology and Life2 Comments

The Other Two Sides of the Coin

Gary Furr

Do you remember the old television show, “Newhart?”   It lives only on reruns now.  Bob Newhart and actress Mary Frann played an author and his wife who owned an inn in a weird little rural Vermont town. Among the strange characters who inhabited the town were three goony looking brothers, only one of whom ever spoke, named Larry.  Larry introduces the group the same way every time they make an appearance: “Hi, I’m Larry; this is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl.” It’s crazy.  How can there be three brothers with two names?  Life tends to … Continue reading The Other Two Sides of the Coin