Category: fear

America, Culture, Faith, fear, Hope, hope, Politics, social media, spirituality, Story3 Comments

Faith is Courage in Spite of …

Gary Furr

A friend who has devoted her adult life to global poverty texted me this week. Discouragement, confusion, chaos is everywhere. A sense of paranoia and ruthless cruelty has settled in our capital, and now the enemies of America are apparently other Americans. I sent these words to her amid the distress and I share them with you if you need them. ———————————————————————————— There’s a famous story that Robert Bly tells about Carl Jung who, whenever a friend reported enthusiastically, ‘I have just been promoted!’ Jung would say, ‘I’m very sorry to hear that; but if we all stick together, I … Continue reading Faith is Courage in Spite of …

9-11, Citizenship, Culture, fear, Grief, history, Hope, humanity, Justice, Politics, Selfishness, September 11, Suffering, Terrorism4 Comments

Remembering 9/11

Gary Furr

The Watchers Gary Allison Furr. September 11, 2020 I wasn’t on a plane, or a family member receiving frantic calls, I was not one of the air traffic controllers or military leaders Or an advisor to the President. I wasn’t at the Pentegon that day Or even a taxi driver or cop on duty in New York that day. I sometimes wished to have been more useful as the Towers fell, Reaching out to help someone else or at least console them. I was a witness like the rest, but I was where I’ve been since then, Watching on television, … Continue reading Remembering 9/11

Bible, Covid-19, Evangelicalism, Faith, fear, God, Jesus, pandemic, Sickness and Health, Theology, Theology and Life, Vaccines3 Comments

Faith and Vaccines

Gary Furr

This week I remembered a conversation I had with a woman many years ago. I had gone to teach a series on the family at a friend’s church in another state. She came up to me after the presentation and asked to talk with me. Of course, I said. “What’s on your mind?” I asked. “Well, I feel like such a failure in my faith. I suffer from depression. It was affecting my marriage, my children, and most of all, my faith in God.” “Why did you feel it made you a failure?” I inquired. “I’ve tried everything. I prayed … Continue reading Faith and Vaccines

Covid-19, Ethics, fear, pandemic, Politics, Sickness and Health4 Comments

When You Aren’t Sure

Gary Furr

I got the Phizer vaccine. Both shots. Felt a little bad half of one day after the second shot and since then–nada. Truth is, the shingles shot walloped me a lot harder. But then shingles aren’t so great. I have talked to a lot of people who are unsettled about getting the shot in Alabama. They had a lot of different reasons. So I decided to write down a list. If I were worried or had questions about getting the vaccine, here is where I would go to settle my mind. Here is where I would avoid looking for answers … Continue reading When You Aren’t Sure

Advent, Christianity, Christmas, Dr. Gary Furr & Friends, Faith, fear, folk music, Gary Furr music, God, Gospel music, Hope, Hymns, hymns, Jesus, Music, Narrative, spirituality, Story, Theology1 Comment

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Gary Furr

I confess, I have now been part of a ukelele flash mob, back when mobbing was not a public health crisis. But enough of that. Every year, the curmudgeons, musicians all, who inhabit the couch and chairs at Fretted Instruments of Homewood, contribute tracks for a Christmas CD that is given away. This is one I did a few years ago–ukelele, mandolin, dobro and guitar played by yours truly. Oh, and banjo, just for good measure. Merry Christmas! “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was penned by Edmund Sears. Sears was a divinity graduate of Harvard and became a Unitarian … Continue reading It Came Upon a Midnight Clear