It is COLD here at the OLD farmhouse where Robert and I are staying for a few weeks.
When I woke up this morn, the temp was 21 with a Real Feel of 14.
Oh my goodness!
This is Savannah, NOT Alaska.
Back off, Winter!
When I looked out the screen door (Doesn’t that sound country-ish?), I saw her, standing resolutely, albeit shivering in the cold. A young, perhaps teen, Southern Magnolia tree.
I just felt so sorry for her. Until she said, a bit loudly I thought for early morning, “Don’t pity me, sir. I’m fine, more than fine. I’m a Steel Magnolia.”
And then I realized that she wasn’t shivering at all — she was dancing.
I asked if I could film her. She sighed, but I could tell she was game. She gave me her permission.
Even with her youth, she looked so at ease, at one with her world. Confident of her place, her space, her bearing.
And even though I’m old enough to be her grandfather (if I were a tree), I felt like I should ask her something.
But, finally, I didn’t. I just stood there watching, warmed and encouraged by her presence.
As I have mentioned in recent posts, Robert and I are staying at an old country farmhouse in rural South Georgia, while our apartment in Savannah is being renovated.
One of the “problems with benefits” here has been the lack of Internet and Wi-Fi, as well as poor Cellular Service.
But it has actually been refreshing not to look at all of the Harrowing Headlines in the news every day.
We’re at the Huddle House for breakfast right now, so I checked my email, etc. and saw this:
roughdraftatlanta.com
Are we living in the United States of America or Nazi Germany?
Can we no longer protest against that which we deem un-American and cruel?
May God bless the true United States of America and silence the voices of our increasingly terroristic current evil administration.
As I was having my coffee this morn. I checked my email and read the weekly Saturday message from our pastor at Asbury Memorial Church here in Savannah.
In it, Pastor Billy wrote about fellow church member, friend and Savannahian Anne Allen Westbrook.
“I know that many of us continue to be stunned by things happening in a world that seems to be turned upside down. The killing of 37 year old mother of three, Renee Cole Good, is the latest act of violence and devaluing of human life that has overtaken our country. I appreciate the words Anne Allen Westbrook, put on Instagram. Anne Allen is an Asbury member and a Georgia State Representative. I am grateful for her leadership.”
While our Downtown Savannah place is undergoing a much-needed kitchen and living room renovation, HR and I will be staying “out in the country” in an old farmhouse that belonged to the grandparents of a good friend of ours.
From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.
An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.
If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:
Fugelsang remembers: “I was raised to believe that the opposite of faith is not doubt, as doubt is an essential part of any real faith journey.”
“The opposite of faith iscertainity.” Separation of church and hate. p. 53.
I love Fugelsang’s brief declaration of truth, which reminds me of Shakespeare’s also-famous and truthful line: “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
Absolute Certainty can get us in all kinds of trouble!
Fugelsang continues: “Extremists of all faiths (or none) are raised in, and live with, supreme and absolute certainty. They don’t think they’re better than you; they know for a fact that God thinks they’re better than you.” p. 53
“Life’s pretty simple for the authoritarian Christian. Since most of their opinions happen to also be God’s opinions— and they believe that they’re the folks who get to speak for God—they generally feel divinely obliged to control whatever part of society they see fit. Y’ know, for God.”
“And if you’re one of the anointed who speaks for the Almighty, eventually you’re liable to believe that anyone who opposes you is, logically, on the side of Satan. And God’s true people are never going to sit down and negotiate things like school curriculum, women’s rights, or marriage equality with Lucifer. People who’ve been conditioned to think you’re on the side of the devil aren’t permitted to meet you halfway.” p. 54
Ouch!
May we all be willing to meet each other halfway this Holiday Season — and beyond.
Last night at the Jepsen Center for the Arts lighting of the Christmas tree here in Savannah. 
From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s “Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.
An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.
If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:
Today: Another part of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5:3-12) commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes”
Author John Fugelsang writes: “And get a load of these BEATITUDES.
Jesus opens the Sermon with a series of blessings that represent his foundational teachings and core values. Each line begins with the word ‘blessed,’ which can also be translated as ‘happy,’ ‘fortunate,’ or even ‘lucky.’
Jesus pronounces his blessings upon specific groups of people. He focuses on the poor and marginalized; he praises nonviolence and peace-making, radical love, mercy, and inclusion; and he pretty much takes down the status quo.” Separation of Church and Hate p. 25
1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
3. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fugelsang jokes: “Imagine the hecklers: ‘Meh, I didn’t trudge all the way up Mount of Beatitudes just to hear some virtue signaling from Woke Jesus.’” p. 25
“The Beatitudes are Jesus’s own guide for ethical conduct in Christian life.” p. 25
May we all be Harmonious and “Beatitude-ish Peacemakers” this Holiday Season — and beyond.
A few of my Photos of Peace:
Inside the Mighty Eighth Museum Chapel, Savannah GAPeacefully Playing
NealEnJoy 