Xmas Edition: ‘Get Used to Different’ The Forgotten Disruption of Jesus Christ

“Get used to different”?

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I first heard it when watching The Chosen, the spectacular TV series on Jesus’ life.?

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In it Jesus invites Matthew to become one of his disciples against Peter’s wishes - who only saw Matthew as a tax collector currying favor for Roman rulers. ?

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At which point Jesus breaks it to Peter that things are going to be quite different than his followers expected - so get use to it.

As we celebrate his birthday, I don’t know of any credible archaeological scholar today who denies now that Jesus existed as a historical figure (far different than even 20 years ago) - set aside the two billion followers that he is the son of God. ?

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Although those who believe in the faith which by definition requires no final proof to show the head or heart, we struggle to accept the historic remnants of cities turned upside down, human rights crusades and a seismic shift in political landscapes from Roman rule to a wandering, counterculture sage championing the least with a woman we now know co-pastored with Jesus, called Mary Madeleine who paid for the ministry out of family wealth.?

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All recorded in the civilization’s timeline and show the forgotten radicalism of Jesus Christ.?

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Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie in The Chosen, hung out with outcasts like the woman with 5 previous husbands who tried to hide it from him until he lets her know he knows about the five and “the one whom you live with now is not a husband.”

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Jesus treated her with a magnetic dignity with no condemnation of judgement, other words would not have fit in well at CPAC.

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As far as political upheaval during that time, the archeologists show a big political change occurred that would be in magnitude of an AOCx100 being elected President.?

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That was Jesus, the scholars in archeology and theology now agree Christians today are not ready for that and neither were first century Christians like Peter.?

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We would rather have a tame, domesticate Jesus and keep him in Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.?

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That Jesus would not have moved the needle in civilization an inch.?

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Jesus Christ shook the world so hard - thank God the fallout left some facts to dig up and a loving, higher spirit to follow that teaches relationships over rules and mercy over mandates.?

In the dog house

This year we decided to give an end of year donation to the humane society but a check to the right place is a little work.?

Because we wanted to find the best humane society in the country - one so humane that it was changing a community of animals and people.?

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We did the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia in Gainesville was one that was making a difference. So we visited with high expectations and those were exceeded. ?

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A clean and safe environment, an in-house double staffed veterinary clinic that not only helped the in-house clientele but offered the same vet services to the Gainesville community at large. Their pricing is 40% discount compared to other clinics.

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A commercial laundry mat and the house rule is 7x7x7 - 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm it is not shut off.

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And then what did we find - a great leader Juan and a team who loves their work. ?

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They have a well appointed and technically competent conference center used by business organizations in the community. Nice touches beyond the fur in this place like the Meet and Greet Room where you can bring your dog to meet other dogs. Of the six people I met in the room, 4 were single, better than a swipe.?

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We agreed to match all their donations for their past fall funding drive and wound up in the dog house. ?

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Finally a piece of the pie.?

Be The Match

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A national bone marrow registry. Be The Match helps connect patients with blood cancers and other diseases with compatible bone marrow donors.

We just had a Delta pilot brought back from the brink because a random soldier in Arkansas randomly strode in line 5 years earlier.

American Persimmons

Around Xmas I always try to write about persimmons because I believe it is totally undervalued in the fruit asset class. ?

I have tried to carry a persimmon home, to share one fruit. I passed the tree running,?

a pursuit which allows no pockets, no bags. Needs no equipment. No team.

I was many miles away, and could not clench my fist.

I told myself to hold my hands like good men every time they choose not ?

to use their strength.? But a good persimmon?

is already halfway to ruin.? A ripe fruit falls,

wrinkled and dark. Too fragile to bear reaching the ground,?

it bursts. Too fragile to bear touch,? the skin of the fruit I gathered

skidded off. Pulp pushed past? my knuckles’ best intentions.?

Men can be considered good for what they don’t do. How small of a taken action could be a saving? grace then? I tried again, another day,

dropping a persimmon in the emptiness between my breasts.

Home, undressed,? there was only a sweaty smear?

no man could find sensuous. Some things are best

enjoyed alone. Some things can only be? enjoyed alone.?

And so, this morning, I eat right? on the roadside, picking grit from fruit’s soft insides.?

Across town, my husband sleeps.? Around the world, the hungry and sleepless. ?

Here, my fingers so sugared? I can’t suck them clean.

By Rose McLarney?

Cliff Notes

1. No expense was spared. The menu included blue point oyster cocktails, roast turkey with chestnut dressing, giblet gravy, cranberries, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, creamed peas, celery, olives, pickled walnuts, sweet pickles, fresh tomatoes on crisp lettuce, hot rolls with sweet butter, coffee, whipped cream, Roquefort cheese, pumpkin pie, plum pudding, brandy sauce, mints, and salted nuts. Another account noted that Tom Davenport raised the turkeys and the "gang" bought them. The dishes, linens, and silver were furnished by the women of Browns Park. Held at the Davenport ranch, the affair attracted some thirty-five people. Isom Dart presided in the kitchen, and the outlaws donned white aprons to serve dinner. A diary recalled that Butch Cassidy got flustered pouring coffee and retreated from the dining room. "The boys went into a huddle in the kitchen and instructed Butch in the formal art of filling cups at the table. This just shows how etiquette can put fear into a brave man's heart."