Tag: faith

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 …

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An Advent Prayer

Gary Furr

A prayer offered in 1993, my first year at a new pastorate, as part of a lovely service of lessons and carols led by Mrs. Marlene Taylor and the choir. Beloved in Christ, Advent invites our hearts and imaginations to            bring us again to the angels’ song, To lead us to sleepy Bethlehem where we behold again           the wonder of the Babe, lying in a manger. Therefore let us re-enter the Holy Scriptures and trace again           the trail of God’s loving purposes           that leads from God’s own eternal creative and loving heart           through our first … Continue reading An Advent Prayer

Christmas, The Incarnation

Stories of Christmas

Gary Furr

I am partial to storytelling and storytellers, since I am one. But in no place more than the birth story of Jesus does this reality hit home.  The more rational types are always trying to turn Christianity into a series of propositions which only succeeds in rendering the most thrilling narrative ever to grace a mind into propositions and abstractions that could be used as sleep aids. No, when God set out to save humanity in the Christian telling, it was in stories. The smallest elements of a story. There’s a subject. There is a verb. And you have a … Continue reading Stories of Christmas

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Lament for a Friend

Gary Furr

Fifteen years ago. On Easter weekend, I realized that I lost one of my best friends fifteen years ago. Like all losses, it alternates from being like yesterday to feeling like an eternity. He died, far too soon, at age 60 of a recurrence of a deadly cancer. Brilliant thinker, courageous pastor, unflinching leader. Philip Wise was a mentor, and encouraged my ministry for more than twenty years. He debated a future Pope, spoke out for racial justice and was a great preacher and teacher. On this anniversary, I want to share this remembrance, written in the midst of his … Continue reading Lament for a Friend

Culture, Gospel music, Hymns, hymns, Modern Life1 Comment

Poplar Tent Memories: album release

Gary Furr

I have updated and re-released an album I put together with some friends ten years ago, POPLAR TENT MEMORIES. The name of the album comes from the road where I lived after I was born, Poplar Tent Road, in Concord, NC.  There was no Interstate 85 roaring through, moonshiners lived down the road and my grandpa and grandma were two houses away. I attended Poplar Grove Baptist Church before I could walk. My Grandpa Price led the music, and I have memories of the singing from pre-age five. Poplar Tent Memories is sixteen songs from the 2011 album and some … Continue reading Poplar Tent Memories: album release