Overheard at Booth 3: American Rage

No human demonstrates uncontrolled rage like an American who has been mildly inconvenienced.

Overheard at Table 2: Emigrammia from a Founding Uncle

Nothing is more dangerous to the Pursuit of Life and Liberty than the denial of full and inalienable rights to all our fellow citizens.

                - Joseph Armitage

 

Overheard at Table 3: Notes for Deacon

NOTES for Deacon

Romans 12:4-8

1Corinthians 12:4-11

Colossians 3:23

Overheard at Table 2: Deacon - Sermon Notes

Sunday Morning Sermon Notes

I Thessalonians Chapter 2

Jeremiah 23 - wood blech hammer [sp??]

2nd Ministry Journey

Trade route  - in three weeks Paul established a church and then was run out of town in the middle of the night.

Psalm 119:97-98

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

wrote one year after he had left Thessalonica

...

2 Corinthians 9:7

Acts 20:35

Overheard at Table 1: Harry Potter and the Censors

 

Heard something today about Harry Potter ... a pro-LGBTQ speaker stating that anybody who has Harry Potter items in their social media bio, or references to Harry Potter in their work or lives, may need to rethink their position, as their support of Harry Potter may be painful to the community because of the creator, JK Rowling.

JK Rowling has, as we all know, in recent years, become quite a controversial figure for her anti-LGBTQ views.

However, for me, personally, Harry Potter represents a period in my life in which I read those books as bedtimes stories to my grade-school son, and it was one of the best memories that I have of him, as his mom & I divorced when he was very young, and he rejected me as a teenager.

So, when I think of Harry Potter, all I have in my heart is a tender memory of my first born son, who will probably never speak to me again in this life.

Now, I understand my personal pain does not measure to the trauma and rejection that this community has suffered; however, I do take umbrage at the subtle censorship by the speaker in the beginning paragraph of this missive: Short version - throw out Harry Potter because it hurts LGBTQ people.

Again, I reiterate my theory that, to be a healthy literate public, we must learn to separate the art from the artist.  Whatever views Rowling has should be immaterial to her creation, which has now a life of its own independent of her.   Harry Potter should be enjoyed by all - and by that, I mean ALL people, regardless of orientation.  Because, while I will never proclaim the Potter books as particularly good writing, per se, the characters are lovable and relatable, and the story is a wonderful underdog tale, and a surmounting of all odd so that good will prevail, and the ultimate message that Love truly does conquer all.

I am truly sorry that Rowling's comments are hurtful to a large segment of the human race - but I will stand firm that, for me personally, Harry Potter is truly all that I have left of my only-begotten son ... and I have made it my ground to stand against all forms of literary censorship, regardless of the source or their rationale.

 

Overheard at Booth 2: Darker Than Now

"Current events, man, world's on fire and it doesn't look like it's gonna get any better."

"Just look at current events like I do, like a giant comedy routine"

"Yeah but nothing's funny!"

"It is if you don't give a shit how it all turns out."

"That's pretty dark, dude."

"No darker than current events."

"Fair point."

 

Overheard at Table 1: The Universe Has a Plan

Everyone saying that the "Universe has a plan" is really talking about God.

But saying "The Universe" is something that every one KNOWS to be true, and yet still imbue it with a sense that somehow we are loved, cared for, thought about, and special.

But the people who imbue the Universe with these qualities have been cowed by a world that doesn't want them to talk about God, and so they move these needed qualities onto the created (universe) and off the Creator (God).

Full culpability for this, however, must not be given to the world, or the non-believers, but upon Christians themselves, who have either abused the name of Christ for their own selfish ends, or through their complacency have not presented their testimony sufficiently to demonstrate that God is the One who loves you, cares for you, thinks about you, and holds you so very, very special.