Sabbath Born: Reflections of a Reluctant Prophet
Autor Britt Allen Skardaen Limba Engleză Paperback – 31 oct 2022 – vârsta ani
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Specificații
ISBN-13: 9781624911910
ISBN-10: 1624911919
Pagini: 152
Dimensiuni: 140 x 216 x 10 mm
Greutate: 0.18 kg
Ediția:First Edition, First Edition
Editura: Parkhurst Brothers Publishers Inc
Colecția Parkhurst Brothers Publishers Inc
ISBN-10: 1624911919
Pagini: 152
Dimensiuni: 140 x 216 x 10 mm
Greutate: 0.18 kg
Ediția:First Edition, First Edition
Editura: Parkhurst Brothers Publishers Inc
Colecția Parkhurst Brothers Publishers Inc
Notă biografică
Raised on a farm in Eastern Arkansas—the second of four boys—Britt Skarda was a Methodist minister for 33 years, serving churches in North Carolina and Arkansas. Frequently throughout those years, Skarda has served as the principal speaker for youth, college, and conference events, including a gathering of the bishops of the South-Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas and Duke Divinity School, Skarda has been married to his wife, Karen, for 48 years and is now father of three and grandfather of four.
Extras
Flying and Falling
Based on Genesis 9: 18-29
Dreams are those images, ideas, and emotions that occur during what is scientifically known as the REM—rapid eye movement—stage of sleep. All of us dream, though we remember very few of our dreams. Most of us accept the Freudian idea that dreams offer insight into our hidden desires and emotions. In other words, different dreams mean different things depending on our state of mind. For example, the dream of flying—soaring high above the earth—touching the stars—swooping and diving—symbolizes liberation from our worries by rising above the fray. The dream of flying is joy-filled.
The dream of falling, on the other hand, can be disturbing. Falling in real life is not something we choose to do, and yet it happens from time to time. When we fall, we feel embarrassed. We look around to see if anyone is watching. Dreams of falling symbolize anxiety and helplessness, of being pushed beyond our comfort zone.
And then there are those dreams that involve both flying and falling. In these dreams, we soar high above the clouds on eagles’ wings, but then we plummet to earth and crash. Dreams of flying and falling symbolize our fear of losing everything we’ve worked so hard to gain, a loss of control.
When I think of flying and falling, I think of addiction. Addiction, by definition, is a condition that occurs when someone abuses a substance like alcohol or drugs or engages excessively in an activity like gambling or sex. What seems pleasurable and harmless at first soon becomes chronic and compulsive. At some point, it interferes with the normal flow of life, including our relationships, careers, and even our physical health. If not treated, the addicted quickly move from flying high to falling and bottoming out.
We can become addicted to almost anything: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, pornography, food, retail therapy, even our cell phones! I hail from a long line of addictive personalities, those who are inclined to get hooked at the drop of a pin. My sainted grandmother, God rest her soul, had her addictions. No, she wasn’t addicted to alcohol or drugs. My grandmother’s cravings were more socially acceptable. She had an unnatural obsession with Vicks VapoRub®. She slathered it on anything and everything, including me, when I was a child. There was also her addiction to candy orange slices. She couldn’t get enough of them. Later in life, she became hooked on wheat germ. She was convinced it was the fountain of youth, and if she just ate enough, she would live forever.
Personally, I can’t be in the same room with dark chocolate. If I get my hands on it, I devour it. Yes, I know. Dark chocolate possesses certain health benefits for human beings, but not at the toxic levels I would consume—if all barriers were dropped!
Physicians and psychologists don’t completely agree on the source of our addictions. Is it physical? Is it the release of dopamine in the brain? Perhaps it’s emotional? Or maybe it’s some hidden personality trait? No one knows for sure. However, there is one thing we do know. We know that those who struggle with addiction, and in this nation, that’s approximately forty million people, don’t do it simply to experience a cheap thrill. Addiction has nothing to do with morality or strength of character.
As a pastor, I have found that those who struggle with addiction are often among the brightest, most sensitive, and most moral people I know. They just seem to have this proclivity for addiction in the same way I have my father’s receding hairline, or some have their mother’s Roman nose.
Unfortunately, the church hasn’t always viewed it this way. While we love to quote St. Augustine, who said, “the church is not a hotel for saints, but a hospital for sinners,” we often convey the opposite message. We put up such a respectful façade that it frightens away those who are even mildly flawed. They feel they must be perfect before the church will embrace them.
In his letter to the Romans (3:23) Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The truth is, we’re all broken, every last one of us. I’m broken. You’re broken. Some of us just hide it better than others.
What we have before us in this odd little story from Genesis is proof that we’re all in the same broken boat. We all stand in need of the same kind of redemption that comes from God and God alone.
The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These three were the sons of Noah, and from these, the whole earth was peopled. Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
Noah’s resume in the early chapters of Genesis reads like that of a saint—he was upright, blameless, the best of the best, the crème de la crème. Sadly, however, the world had become so evil and broken that God decided to send a flood to destroy every living creature on the planet—save for Noah, his family, and a cluster of living creatures housed on a floating ark. God chose this remnant to represent a new beginning for the world.
After the rains ended and the floodwaters began to subside, a dove was sent out from the ark. The dove didn’t return. The boat eventually landed on solid ground. Noah, his family, and all the living creatures aboard then disembarked. A rainbow appeared in the sky, and everyone lived happily forever after. Well, not quite. What I love and admire most about God is this: God could’ve ended the story here. God could’ve kept it all nice and pretty, but God didn’t. Instead, God chose to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
As the late Paul Harvey would say, “Here’s the rest of the story,” compliments of God. After Noah left the boat, he planted a vineyard, harvested the grapes, made a batch of wine, became drunk, found himself naked and passed out in his tent. Noah crashed and burned. So, this is God’s crème de la creme? Of course, this didn’t happen overnight. Years passed while Noah planted that vineyard, tended the vines as they matured, waited years for it to bear fruit, years before he could harvest the grapes, years for the grapes to ferment and become wine, and years to feed his addiction.
But patience is not the most important lesson of this story. What is most important here is not what Noah did, but rather what his sons did—how they responded to their father’s addiction. While Ham ridicules his dad by gawking at his embarrassing situation and laughing at him, Shem and Japheth choose to guard their father’s dignity. They cover his nakedness. They care for him and nurture him back to wholeness. They help Noah learn to fly again.
Shem and Japheth demonstrated our mission, both yours and mine. Seeking wholeness is the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. We are called to nurture back to wholeness all those who struggle with trials, temptations, and addictions.
Did you know that addiction is the most untreated mental health condition in America today? Only one out of every ten persons with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs receives any treatment at all. What if we could break this terrible cycle? What if the church could be open and honest? What if we told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God? What if we could become vulnerable and practice the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or any of the other twelve-step ministries?
Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Maybe if we actually practiced what Jesus preached, more people would learn to fly, and fewer would fall flat on their faces.
Based on Genesis 9: 18-29
Dreams are those images, ideas, and emotions that occur during what is scientifically known as the REM—rapid eye movement—stage of sleep. All of us dream, though we remember very few of our dreams. Most of us accept the Freudian idea that dreams offer insight into our hidden desires and emotions. In other words, different dreams mean different things depending on our state of mind. For example, the dream of flying—soaring high above the earth—touching the stars—swooping and diving—symbolizes liberation from our worries by rising above the fray. The dream of flying is joy-filled.
The dream of falling, on the other hand, can be disturbing. Falling in real life is not something we choose to do, and yet it happens from time to time. When we fall, we feel embarrassed. We look around to see if anyone is watching. Dreams of falling symbolize anxiety and helplessness, of being pushed beyond our comfort zone.
And then there are those dreams that involve both flying and falling. In these dreams, we soar high above the clouds on eagles’ wings, but then we plummet to earth and crash. Dreams of flying and falling symbolize our fear of losing everything we’ve worked so hard to gain, a loss of control.
When I think of flying and falling, I think of addiction. Addiction, by definition, is a condition that occurs when someone abuses a substance like alcohol or drugs or engages excessively in an activity like gambling or sex. What seems pleasurable and harmless at first soon becomes chronic and compulsive. At some point, it interferes with the normal flow of life, including our relationships, careers, and even our physical health. If not treated, the addicted quickly move from flying high to falling and bottoming out.
We can become addicted to almost anything: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling, pornography, food, retail therapy, even our cell phones! I hail from a long line of addictive personalities, those who are inclined to get hooked at the drop of a pin. My sainted grandmother, God rest her soul, had her addictions. No, she wasn’t addicted to alcohol or drugs. My grandmother’s cravings were more socially acceptable. She had an unnatural obsession with Vicks VapoRub®. She slathered it on anything and everything, including me, when I was a child. There was also her addiction to candy orange slices. She couldn’t get enough of them. Later in life, she became hooked on wheat germ. She was convinced it was the fountain of youth, and if she just ate enough, she would live forever.
Personally, I can’t be in the same room with dark chocolate. If I get my hands on it, I devour it. Yes, I know. Dark chocolate possesses certain health benefits for human beings, but not at the toxic levels I would consume—if all barriers were dropped!
Physicians and psychologists don’t completely agree on the source of our addictions. Is it physical? Is it the release of dopamine in the brain? Perhaps it’s emotional? Or maybe it’s some hidden personality trait? No one knows for sure. However, there is one thing we do know. We know that those who struggle with addiction, and in this nation, that’s approximately forty million people, don’t do it simply to experience a cheap thrill. Addiction has nothing to do with morality or strength of character.
As a pastor, I have found that those who struggle with addiction are often among the brightest, most sensitive, and most moral people I know. They just seem to have this proclivity for addiction in the same way I have my father’s receding hairline, or some have their mother’s Roman nose.
Unfortunately, the church hasn’t always viewed it this way. While we love to quote St. Augustine, who said, “the church is not a hotel for saints, but a hospital for sinners,” we often convey the opposite message. We put up such a respectful façade that it frightens away those who are even mildly flawed. They feel they must be perfect before the church will embrace them.
In his letter to the Romans (3:23) Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The truth is, we’re all broken, every last one of us. I’m broken. You’re broken. Some of us just hide it better than others.
What we have before us in this odd little story from Genesis is proof that we’re all in the same broken boat. We all stand in need of the same kind of redemption that comes from God and God alone.
The sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. These three were the sons of Noah, and from these, the whole earth was peopled. Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. He drank some of the wine and became drunk, and he lay uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
Noah’s resume in the early chapters of Genesis reads like that of a saint—he was upright, blameless, the best of the best, the crème de la crème. Sadly, however, the world had become so evil and broken that God decided to send a flood to destroy every living creature on the planet—save for Noah, his family, and a cluster of living creatures housed on a floating ark. God chose this remnant to represent a new beginning for the world.
After the rains ended and the floodwaters began to subside, a dove was sent out from the ark. The dove didn’t return. The boat eventually landed on solid ground. Noah, his family, and all the living creatures aboard then disembarked. A rainbow appeared in the sky, and everyone lived happily forever after. Well, not quite. What I love and admire most about God is this: God could’ve ended the story here. God could’ve kept it all nice and pretty, but God didn’t. Instead, God chose to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
As the late Paul Harvey would say, “Here’s the rest of the story,” compliments of God. After Noah left the boat, he planted a vineyard, harvested the grapes, made a batch of wine, became drunk, found himself naked and passed out in his tent. Noah crashed and burned. So, this is God’s crème de la creme? Of course, this didn’t happen overnight. Years passed while Noah planted that vineyard, tended the vines as they matured, waited years for it to bear fruit, years before he could harvest the grapes, years for the grapes to ferment and become wine, and years to feed his addiction.
But patience is not the most important lesson of this story. What is most important here is not what Noah did, but rather what his sons did—how they responded to their father’s addiction. While Ham ridicules his dad by gawking at his embarrassing situation and laughing at him, Shem and Japheth choose to guard their father’s dignity. They cover his nakedness. They care for him and nurture him back to wholeness. They help Noah learn to fly again.
Shem and Japheth demonstrated our mission, both yours and mine. Seeking wholeness is the mission of the church of Jesus Christ. We are called to nurture back to wholeness all those who struggle with trials, temptations, and addictions.
Did you know that addiction is the most untreated mental health condition in America today? Only one out of every ten persons with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs receives any treatment at all. What if we could break this terrible cycle? What if the church could be open and honest? What if we told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God? What if we could become vulnerable and practice the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or any of the other twelve-step ministries?
Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Maybe if we actually practiced what Jesus preached, more people would learn to fly, and fewer would fall flat on their faces.
Textul de pe ultima copertă
"Sabbath Born is an inspiring collection of scripture based personal stories and is a reservoir for bible studies and book clubs. This is Britt Skarda's first book and I hope it won't be his last."
—James L. "Skip" Rutherford III, Dean Emeritus University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
“Britt Skarda has given us a wonderful testimonial to the power of a life lived in response to God’s summons. This is a memoir of Britt’s extensive ministry, yet also it’s a book about a God who delights in calling people to God’s service, even when they're reluctant!”
—Will Willimon, author of Accidental Preacher: A Memoir, and United Methodist Bishop, retired.
“Thriving on the love of God with a great generosity of spirit is the theme of Skarda’s heartwarming essays. He conveys the wisdom that comes from viewing each day as a gift to grow our spiritual nature so we blossom as ambassadors of God’s love.”
—Regina V. Cates, creator of Romancing Your Soul, and author of the bestselling book Lead with Your Heart, Creating a Life of Love Compassion and Purpose
“A gifted communicator, whether from the pulpit or on the page, Rev. Britt Skarda’s wisdom, insight, and compassion are welcome salves in our troubled world. As faithful members of his congregation for many years, my wife Donna and I have drawn strength and encouragement from Rev. Skarda’s example, and comfort from his prayer. This book will be a beacon for anyone who seeks to walk with Christ.”
—Thomas “Mack” McLarty, Chairman, The McLarty Companies
“In the midst of our troubled world, whispers of hope are sorely needed. Sabbath Born, Reflections of a Reluctant Prophet is a comforting lullaby that captures the heart with it’s down home storytelling. For those of us who have become uncomfortable at times with the Christian label, Britt Skarda’s musings of his personal faith journey woos us back into the fold.”
—Randy Eddy-McCain, Senior/Founding Pastor, Open Door Community Church, Sherwood AR and author of And God Save Judy Garland, A Gay Christian’s Journey
—James L. "Skip" Rutherford III, Dean Emeritus University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
“Britt Skarda has given us a wonderful testimonial to the power of a life lived in response to God’s summons. This is a memoir of Britt’s extensive ministry, yet also it’s a book about a God who delights in calling people to God’s service, even when they're reluctant!”
—Will Willimon, author of Accidental Preacher: A Memoir, and United Methodist Bishop, retired.
“Thriving on the love of God with a great generosity of spirit is the theme of Skarda’s heartwarming essays. He conveys the wisdom that comes from viewing each day as a gift to grow our spiritual nature so we blossom as ambassadors of God’s love.”
—Regina V. Cates, creator of Romancing Your Soul, and author of the bestselling book Lead with Your Heart, Creating a Life of Love Compassion and Purpose
“A gifted communicator, whether from the pulpit or on the page, Rev. Britt Skarda’s wisdom, insight, and compassion are welcome salves in our troubled world. As faithful members of his congregation for many years, my wife Donna and I have drawn strength and encouragement from Rev. Skarda’s example, and comfort from his prayer. This book will be a beacon for anyone who seeks to walk with Christ.”
—Thomas “Mack” McLarty, Chairman, The McLarty Companies
“In the midst of our troubled world, whispers of hope are sorely needed. Sabbath Born, Reflections of a Reluctant Prophet is a comforting lullaby that captures the heart with it’s down home storytelling. For those of us who have become uncomfortable at times with the Christian label, Britt Skarda’s musings of his personal faith journey woos us back into the fold.”
—Randy Eddy-McCain, Senior/Founding Pastor, Open Door Community Church, Sherwood AR and author of And God Save Judy Garland, A Gay Christian’s Journey
Cuprins
Prologue: The Birth of Reluctance
Chapter One: Fair of Face
Shouting Stones
Last is First
An Empty Chair
Chapter Two: Full of Grace
How To Bury A Dog
A God of Disappointment
Discover Your Birthright
Chapter Three Full of Woe
Blackball
Making God a Monster
Lo, I Am With You Always
Chapter Four: Far to Go
How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?
Hunger
“Without Borders”
Chapter Five: Loving and Giving
Margie the Priest
You Made My Day!
Let Go of Fear
Chapter 6: Works Hard for a Living
Flying and Falling
The Distracted Life
A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Chapter 7: Bonnie and Blithe, Good and Gay
Live Your Hallelujah!
From Me to We
Game of Catch
Epilogue: The Curse Reversed
Chapter One: Fair of Face
Shouting Stones
Last is First
An Empty Chair
Chapter Two: Full of Grace
How To Bury A Dog
A God of Disappointment
Discover Your Birthright
Chapter Three Full of Woe
Blackball
Making God a Monster
Lo, I Am With You Always
Chapter Four: Far to Go
How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?
Hunger
“Without Borders”
Chapter Five: Loving and Giving
Margie the Priest
You Made My Day!
Let Go of Fear
Chapter 6: Works Hard for a Living
Flying and Falling
The Distracted Life
A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Chapter 7: Bonnie and Blithe, Good and Gay
Live Your Hallelujah!
From Me to We
Game of Catch
Epilogue: The Curse Reversed
Recenzii
"Sabbath Born is an inspiring collection of scripture based personal stories and is a reservoir for bible studies and book clubs. This is Britt Skarda's first book and I hope it won't be his last."
“Britt Skarda has given us a wonderful testimonial to the power of a life lived in response to God’s summons. This is a memoir of Britt’s extensive ministry, yet also it’s a book about a God who delights in calling people to God’s service, even when they're reluctant!”
“Thriving on the love of God with a great generosity of spirit is the theme of Skarda’s heartwarming essays. He conveys the wisdom that comes from viewing each day as a gift to grow our spiritual nature so we blossom as ambassadors of God’s love.”
“A gifted communicator, whether from the pulpit or on the page, Rev. Britt Skarda’s wisdom, insight, and compassion are welcome salves in our troubled world. As faithful members of his congregation for many years, my wife Donna and I have drawn strength and encouragement from Rev. Skarda’s example, and comfort from his prayer. This book will be a beacon for anyone who seeks to walk with Christ.”
“In the midst of our troubled world, whispers of hope are sorely needed. Sabbath Born, Reflections of a Reluctant Prophet is a comforting lullaby that captures the heart with it’s down home storytelling. For those of us who have become uncomfortable at times with the Christian label, Britt Skarda’s musings of his personal faith journey woos us back into the fold.”