Disqus - Friends of AnnInFL

Re: How American Politics Went Insane

David Searby — Sat, 13 Aug 2016 09:21:56 -0000

Very true that "Americans have been busy demonizing and disempowering political professionals and parties, which is like spending decades abusing and attacking your own immune system. Eventually, you will get sick."

One of the ways we can help fix our angry, broken political system is to use the power of comedy to advance political comity. Komodia (the Greek for “Comedy” at www.komodia.lol) is a new nonprofit that uses the power of comedy to 1) support constructive debate and 2) poke fun at those who harm our ability to have constructive debate. Komodia will help create the political climate where the best ideas prevail, regardless of ideological origin, by fostering greater support for positive politics and a respect for divergent views. Komodia will recreate the positive, nonpartisan spirit of the Rally for Sanity and/or Fear but with an enduring and targeted program that is strictly nonpartisan and not led by people seen as allied with one side or the other.

FYI Komodia is offering a $1000 prize for the best 1-2 minute video of two ideological opposites discussing politics in a funny way, poking fun at each other, but encouraging respect and listening to others while enjoying a coffee, a beer, or the drink of choice. #CrossDrinker

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 16, 2018

David Searby — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:26:35 -0000

It's very fitting that Marshall was able to soldier on in his fight against cancer to make it to one more Veteran's Day. Marshall's Dad was one of the "Greatest Generation," men and women who sacrificed much for a noble cause. Marshall himself lived every day of his life dedicated to others. He is an inspiration to us all. We need more leaders like Marshall: leaders who listen, empathize, encourage, uplift. Peace be with you Marshall.

If anyone finds out where Marshall is buried I would appreciate knowing as I'd like to visit my friend if I ever get the chance. I am sure Marshall would love a visit!

It's been posted many times before but here's the video of Marshall visiting his Dad's grave in Belgium. Marshall's story starts at the 19 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 16, 2018

David Searby — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 09:47:11 -0000

I called Forward Day by Day in Cincinnati and they are aware of Marshall's passing and are considering how to respond. I also messaged them and got this response: "David, thank you for letting us know about Marshall's passing. He was such an important part of our community, and his death will certainly be mourned. We will certainly post something to honor a great man. Thank you."

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 18, 2018

David Searby — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 08:25:59 -0000

Today's scripture Psalm 16:8 is translated here as "because he is at my right hand I shall not fall." Other translations say "I shall not be moved" or "I shall not be shaken."

Feeling the support of God is critical as we traverse life's ups and downs. But sometimes being moved, shaken, or falling is part of God's plans. Today's meditation from Father Richard Rohr quotes "On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old" by Parker Palmer and includes a passage on my favorite time of year: the fall.

"I’m a professional melancholic, and for years my delight in the autumn color show quickly morphed into sadness as I watched the beauty die. Focused on the browning of summer’s green growth, I allowed the prospect of death to eclipse all that’s life-giving about the fall and its sensuous delights.

Then I began to understand a simple fact: all the “falling” that’s going on out there is full of promise. Seeds are being planted and leaves are being composted as earth prepares for yet another uprising of green... as I’ve come to understand that life “composts” and “seeds” us as autumn does the earth, I’ve seen how possibility gets planted in us even in the hardest of times.

Looking back, I see how the job I lost pushed me to find work that was mine to do, how the “Road Closed” sign turned me toward terrain that I’m glad I traveled, how losses that felt irredeemable forced me to find new sources of meaning. In each of these experiences, it felt as though something was dying, and so it was. Yet deep down, amid all the falling, the seeds of new life were always being silently and lavishly sown. . . .

...In the visible world of nature, a great truth is concealed in plain sight. Diminishment and beauty, darkness and light, death and life are not opposites: they are held together in the paradox of the “hidden wholeness.” In a paradox, opposites do not negate each other—they cohabit and cocreate in mysterious unity at the heart of reality. Deeper still, they need each other for health, just as our well-being depends on breathing in and breathing out. . . ."

Enjoy the fall FDBD Brothers and Sister. 🍂🍁 Amen.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 18, 2018

David Searby — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 11:39:11 -0000

So true. Not everything happens for a reason. That's the kind of mentality that leads to believing in conspiracy theories. But we can seek reason and God's will in responding to everything that happens.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 19, 2018

David Searby — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 07:11:16 -0000

We are the body of Christ. As the eyes, ears, and hands and the entire body of Christ we reach out to heal the wounds of this world. More and more these wounds are not just of poverty, injustice and disease, but wounds of the spirit because we look or think differently. These wounds cause us not to love our neighbors as God loves us and as we should love ourselves.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 19, 2018

David Searby — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 07:13:00 -0000

Amen Jon. Often it's the combination of financial support and in-person contact that makes the greatest difference. When you see where your donations go, you can better assure your donations are used well. Your donations become part of the corporate outreach as the body of Christ.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 20, 2018

David Searby — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 06:21:23 -0000

...And because of that gift of love, we are able to love others... even those who don't "deserve" our love or love us back.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for November 21, 2018

David Searby — Wed, 21 Nov 2018 07:54:35 -0000

I often think my kids are ungrateful for all the blessings of their life. They seem overly stressed by life's little ups and downs and focused on the small stuff.

But then I realize that they are simply channeling my own anxieties and my own inability to be constantly in awe with the blessings of this life, including these amazing kids. My kids often show too little appreciation for the blessings of life in part because their Dad doesn't show sufficient appreciation for his wonderful children and life in general. If we want generous and grateful kids, we have to avoid being spoiled adults.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 09:18:53 -0000

Jesus mourns for us now in the wake of the horror in ChristChurch. Christ's mother hen wing stretches across all people, Christians and non-Christians alike. It's so important to move away from divisive, hate and fear-laden terms like "invasion" when we confront complex problems like immigration and refugees.

It's also important to recognize how our theology impacts our ability to be a part of Christ's mother hen wing of protection to the weak, scorned and vulnerable. Many Christians, like C. S. Lewis, believe salvation is through Christ but also that Christ can save non-Christians. Other Christians believe that only those who profess a personal faith in Jesus Christ can be saved, and there is some Biblical support for that view. Some of those Christians who profess such an exclusivist few of salvation like Dr. Tim Keller are indeed filled with Christ's love for all of humanity.

But the mental and spiritual gymnastics to love and respect someone you are convinced is going to Hell requires a gold-medal performance that is far beyond most Christians. We often fall on our faces and fail to love. We fail to help Christ extend his mother wing. The fact of the matter is the collective impact of exclusivist salvation theology helps reinforce the kind of mentality that condones harm against non-Christians. https://uploads.disquscdn.c...

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 10:27:12 -0000

I have said in the past in this forum that one day I would like to sell T-shirts parodying the Special Forces motto: “Love ‘Em All. Let God sort ‘em out!”

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 10:27:36 -0000

Give all the profits to Forward Movement!

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 10:30:10 -0000

Me too! But I also believe that some paths are better and safer than others in order to reach the top and the big surprise is that Jesus is waiting for us all at the top! 😎

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 10:33:43 -0000

Sail on Captain My Captain! ⚓️⛵️

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 14:13:56 -0000

You too my FDBD friend 🙏

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 14:15:16 -0000

Blessings to you Emeline! Hope all is well in the lovely Bahamas!

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 17, 2019

David Searby — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 15:21:57 -0000

Exactly John. There are too many Christians who forget one of those two biggies!

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 18, 2019

David Searby — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 07:26:38 -0000

Who am I working beside in the harvest? Good people. But that group needs to grow and focus more and more on loving God and loving our non-Christian neighbors—me included. Today Father Richard Rohr says we focus too much on ourselves and not on God and others. We are afraid of getting burned by touching the fire of union with God. As a result, "Everyone ends up in a muddled middle, where “the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity,” as poet William Butler Yeats put it.

The passionate are those who use the Bible to exclude, who fail to love their neighbor. The passionate are the social justice warriors who are more fired by anger and resentment than love.
https://cac.org/the-contain...

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 18, 2019

David Searby — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 07:48:47 -0000

Amen Jon. We sink or swim together in spirit 😇

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 18, 2019

David Searby — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:06:00 -0000

Blessings Susan 🙏

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 18, 2019

David Searby — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:53:01 -0000

Dan many of us are torn like you. It's hard to publicly share the Gospel without feeling like you are imposing. It's a delicate dance. But sometimes to get others to dance you just have to start the music and start moving a little, hoping the beat will get them to start tapping their feet...

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 18, 2019

David Searby — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 14:03:35 -0000

Matthew: I fully agree with your view that a proper reading of the Bible and the entire Gospel means that non-believers can be saved. I have started a Facebook page Mighty to Save @GodCanSaveAll which leans towards an inclusivist view of salvation such as yours. However, for many evangelicals it's cut and dried. There are too many Biblical passages they point to (erroneously in my opinion) that they say justify an exclusivist view of salvation. But to broaden the coalition, I can acknowledge such Christians as my soul mates in salvation as long as their exclusivist theology doesn't lead them to hate and despise non-believers. Such a man is Tim Keller, a true giant of the faith and one of the most successful Christian apologists of recent times. Ironically one of his two theological mentors is CS Lewis, who clearly thought like you and me! The key is finding areas of common ground, and to me the REAL common ground is loving God and loving your fellow man. And there are a few people with wacky theology who are doing a great job at both!

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 18, 2019

David Searby — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:20:59 -0000

All we need is a little theological humility. I want to sell T shirts one day that spoof the Special Forces Motto: "Love 'Em All. Let God Sort 'Em Out."

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 19, 2019

David Searby — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:12:01 -0000

I'm sure your Dad was "well-pleased" with his son Mike.

Re: The Forward Day by Day Meditation for March 19, 2019

David Searby — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:14:58 -0000

Yes, we can have three fathers. I've had all three and the non-paternal fathers have had such an important role. We can even have three mothers in a church that recognizes that God is both masculine and feminine and that has women priests!