Tag: faith

Disabled, Disease, Institutions, Jesus

In His Right Mind  

Gary Furr

Reading the Bible Amid the Culture Wars  A lot of questions could preoccupy us as we think about reading scripture. The whole idea of demons and devils is unsettling, disturbing.  But we can get sidetracked onto a lot of other questions.  We could ask the scientific question, “Are demons real and how would they go into pigs?  Or were the pigs disturbed by the commotion?”  We could ask a psychological question, “Is this just a description of mental illness?” which is our own modern preoccupation.  Or the moral question, “Hey, what about the destruction of that property?  Someone owned those … Continue reading In His Right Mind  

America, Bible, Christianity, Culture, Ethics, fear, Jesus, Love, Parables, Parables, Politics, Poverty, Race, racism, Selfishness, Story

Jesus, the Samaritan Woman, and Toxic History

Gary Furr

Reading the Bible Amid the Culture Wars When we come to the gospels, we meet a nearly nonstop array of the crossing of barriers. Jesus eats with sinners (as defined by the culture as much as the Law itself). He touches the “unclean” (defined by the pious) and welcomes them back into the people of God. Tax collectors join the disciple band along with Zealots. Women are recognized and sinners forgiven. Regarding consideration of cross-cultural relationships, it is a problem of where to begin. The welcome of the outcast, the stranger, the sick and the downtrodden is a feature of … Continue reading Jesus, the Samaritan Woman, and Toxic History

Story

How Will We Be Remembered?

Gary Furr

Since retirement, I have shifted from leading a wonderful congregation in suburban Birmingham, Alabama to working with partner organizations to provide food pantries in schools and communities, buy beds for children who slept on pallets, or shared a bed with a sibling, fund programs that deliver food, and build up people in vulnerable communities with great ideas. Our organization, the Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers and Children, also works to find and support maternal and child health. The struggle to feed your family and pay for health care are among the most challenging in the state, but certainly not limited … Continue reading How Will We Be Remembered?

Story

Squanto’s Kindness

Gary Furr

How can you not like the story of the Pilgrims?  They came to America to find freedom, we remember.  Religious freedom.  They were Puritan “separatists,” believing that the True Church must separate itself from the corruptions of the world, in particular the Anglican church and its state-supported status as an established church.  They were known as “non-conformists,” as in non-conformity with the state and with the book of Common Prayer as its guide.  As in, “Hey, one of us needs to watch for the sheriff.”  First they went to Holland, where there was greater religious freedom.  Amsterdam was a bit … Continue reading Squanto’s Kindness

America, Christian Nationalism, Christianity, Citizenship, Culture, Ethics, Hope, hope, Humor, Jesus, Justice, Leadership, Love, Politics, Politics, reconciliation1 Comment

Chaplain of the Day

Gary Furr

When I was a pastor in South Georgia, our congregation had a member by the name of Senator Jimmy Hodge Timmons. He went by “Hodge” around the church, and he was our state senator  in the legislature and I think during his time he worked hard to be a friend of the community an effective representative. One year while I was there, Hodge came to me and invited me to be the Chaplain of the day for the Georgia Senate. This was an honorary event when you would come and offer a devotional and prayer for the elected representatives. It’s … Continue reading Chaplain of the Day