Tag: neighbor

America, Citizenship, Culture, Ethics, Love, Politics, racism

Life After Elections

Gary Furr

Friends, I have voted. It is a precious opportunity we never miss. And tomorrow, I want you all to know that I will STILL be your neighbor and fellow countryman. I will still do all in my might for good. Vickie and I watched Henry Louis Gates’ series “Finding Your Roots” recently. In 2021 he did a show for singer and music producer Pharrell Williams. As he discovered the pain of his slavery past he was emotionally overwhelmed. Then he said something that knocked me over. “I love America. I just want America to love me back.” That was a … Continue reading Life After Elections

Death, Hope, Literature, Love, Memory, Poetry, Theology and Life, Writing5 Comments

Say Hello to Porky for Me…

Gary Furr

In 2001 I was invited to speak at my college, which fulfilled a dream from my college days.   It was, in fact, a “two-fer,” since I was a co-presenter with Dr. Milburn Price for the Ball Institute AND spoke in the chapel.  When I was a student, I heard speakers who impressed me mighty well—Dr. Frederick Sampson, a magnificent preacher who held us spellbound for 65 minutes one day, the great Grady Nutt, and others.  I imagined that I might someday, after graduate work, be important enough to come back and be one of those speakers.  Now it was at … Continue reading Say Hello to Porky for Me…

Christianity, Creativity, Culture, Ethics, Leadership, Love, Politics

The State of the Union–of Love and Truth

Gary Furr
Gary Furr

Love and truth belong together.  So why is it that they are so often found separated?  Moral life arises from the recognition of eternal truth, the acceptance of the reality of others in that same truth, and the sensitivity to feel the connection between them.  Puritan preacher Richard Baxter said love for one’s neighbor is akin to hunger and food connecting.  It makes possible a new and different conversation.

Truth and love cannot live divorced from one another.  Otherwise we are, in the former case, driven to principles rendered only as power, devoid of kindness and the graces and kindnesses of feeling for the other. Continue reading “The State of the Union–of Love and Truth”

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

Ethics, Hope, humanity, Jesus, Pilgrimage, Theology and Life2 Comments

Following Jesus From Israel to Rural Alabama

Gary Furr

The Day After Thunder It was truly a day beyond words in April of this year when record tornadoes tore through Alabama.  I put it on my facebook page this way: “It is the morning after a wall of thunder ripped across our lovely state.  Time to roll up our sleeves and see what we can do to help.” A lot of death and injury greeted us when we emerged–damaged homes, businesses gone—and we found the task of cleaning up absolutely daunting.  One family in my church found themselves in a neighborhood of felled trees, including a big one right … Continue reading Following Jesus From Israel to Rural Alabama