Civic Virtue - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_virtue :  Civic virtue is the cultivation of habits of personal living that are claimed to be important for the success of the community. Civic virtue is also the dedication of citizens to the common welfare of their community even at the cost of their individual interests. The identification of the character traits that constitute civic virtue has been a major concern of political philosophy. The term civility refers to behavior between persons and groups that conforms to a social mode (that is, in accordance with the civil society), as itself being a foundational principle of society and law.



Civic virtues have historically been taught as a matter of chief concern in nations under republican forms of government, and societies with cities. When final decisions on public matters are made by a monarch, it is the monarch's virtues which influence those decisions. When a broader class of people become the decision-makers, it is then their virtues which characterize the types of decisions made. This form of decision-making is considered superior in determining what best protects the interests of the majority. Aristocratic oligarchies may also develop traditions of public lists of virtues they believe appropriate in the governing class, but these virtues differ significantly from those generally identified under the category of civic virtue, stressing martial courage over commercial honesty. Constitutions became important in defining the public virtue of republics and constitutional monarchies. The earliest forms of constitutional development can be seen in late medieval Germany (see Communalism before 1800) and in the Dutch and English revolts of the 16th and 17th centuries.



Civic virtue was very popular during the Enlightenment but it had changed dramatically. Parental authority began to wane. Freedom became popular. But people can only be free by containing their emotions in order to keep some space for others. Trying to keep proletarians out or putting them in a poor house was not done anymore. The focus was now on educating. Work was an important virtue during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, but the people who worked were treated with contempt by the non-working elite. The 18th century brought an end to this. The advancing rich merchants class emphasized the importance of work and contributing to society for all people including the elite. Science was popular. The government and the elites tried to change the world and humanity positively by expanding the bureaucracy. Leading thinkers thought that education and the breach of barriers would liberate everybody from stupidity and oppression. Civic conversations were held in societies and scientific journals.



Civic virtue also became a matter of public interest and discussion during the 18th century, in part because of the American Revolutionary War. An anecdote first published in 1906 has Benjamin Franklin answer a woman who asked him, "Well, Doctor, what have we got – a Republic or a Monarchy?" He responded: "A Republic, if you can keep it."  The current use for this quotation is to bolster with Franklin's authority the opinion that republics require the cultivation of specific political beliefs, interests, and habits among their citizens, and that if those habits are not cultivated, they are in danger of falling back into some sort of authoritarian rule, such as a monarchy.

J. Marcus Patton: Realtor with BHGRE Metro Brokers

"The greatest strength of human beings is our ability to overcome obstacles and determine our own fate. We are all born programmed to learn, but all too often are trained to comply with societal expectations that restrict our creative potential. We need education for the 21st century that unleashes our enthusiasm for learning, for expanding our vision, and for creating new possibilities in a rapidly-changing world."

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/j-marcus-patton/36/20a/17 

Realtor / Agent

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

July 2015 – Present (4 months)

• Consult with clients to reach their goals with the properties they are seeking to buy or sell.

• Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds and leases.

• Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.

Independent Sales Consultant

Physician Consulting, Inc.

November 2014 – Present (1 year)

• Connect physician's offices with pharmacogenetic testing services

Writer & Strategist

J. Marcus Patton, Independent Contractor

May 2010 – Present (5 years 6 months)
Stone Mountain, Georgia

• Research and writing on educational policy issues

• Public relations strategies for nonprofits

• Educational games

Social Studies Teacher

DeKalb County School District - Tucker High School

September 2013 – May 2014 (9 months)
Tucker, Georgia

• Taught United States History and Economics

Social Studies Teacher

Academe of the Oaks

January 2012 – May 2012 (5 months)
Decatur, Georgia

• Taught Civics, Economics, United States History, World History

Social Studies Teacher / Dept. Chair

City Schools of Decatur - Decatur High School

August 2000 – May 2010 (9 years 10 months)
Decatur, Georgia

• Social Studies Department Chair

– Led social studies department in implementation of new state performance standards

– Maintained communication and coordination among social studies instructors

– Managed departmental budget

– Consulted and coordinated with administration and other departments

• Advanced Placement United States History, Civics, World History teacher

– Designed and taught courses for all levels of student ability, including ESS and ESOL

– Integrated community service and civic involvement into all courses

• Teacher-Coach for Decatur High School Mock Trial team

– DeKalb Regional Champions 2002-2010 / State Semifinalists 2006, 2008, & 2009

• Planner and coordinator for annual student-run musical performances

• Advisor to National Honor Society chapter devoted to community service projects

• Mentor for student political activist club involved in community education on

political and cultural issues

Multi-­discipline Teacher – CrossRoads Drop‐Out Prevention Program

City Schools of Decatur - Decatur High School

August 1998 – July 2000 (2 years)
Decatur, Georgia

• Promoted at-risk students’ achievement through individualized attention and accountability
• Engaged in community outreach to involve communities with school

Middle School Teacher - Social Studies and Exploratory classes

The Galloway School

August 1994 – June 1996 (1 year 11 months)
Atlanta, Georgia

• Designed several unique courses, ranging from art to law to public speaking

Volunteer Experience & Causes

Causes J. Marcus cares about:

• Arts and Culture
• 
  
• Children
• 
  
• Civil Rights and Social Action
• 
  
• Economic Empowerment
• 
  
• Education
• 
  
• Human Rights

IMMACULATE CONJECTURE: "OH WE'RE NOT THAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN!"

Saint Mark
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

781 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1205

404.873.2636
facsimile: 404.873.2639

office@stmarkumc.org
WWW.stmarkumc .org

July 1,2015

To James Avery,

Acting on behalf of the congregation as represented by Administrative Council of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, we, the Board of Trustees, hereby notify James Avery that his presence on the property of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta Georgia 30308;  bounded by Peachtree Street, Fifth Street, and Juniper Street, shall constitute a criminal trespass from the time of the delivery of this notice forward.

E.C. LaRocca-Pitts
Senior Pastor, representing the Board of Trustees

Loving
Accepting
Serving

***

Behind me is partly visible a sign that reads:

IMMACULATE

"Oh we're not that kind of Christian!"

EJACULATION

And this sign is only one out of many I display in my front yard.

Legally, according to DeKalb County code ordinances, I'm only allowed displaying up to four signs at a time;  signs which can be no larger than six square feet each.

Lately I've been getting away with more.

And I'm not one hundred percent sure...why?

But I'm able a few reasonable...conjectures?

I enjoy reading them like TAROTS CARDS. They never tell me the same story with each reshuffling. They help me to see perspectives I would not have realized otherwise; express (insert) myself where I would not have been able otherwise. I guess you could say, with a little visual aid getting me started, I'm learning how to use the right side of my brain more and more; becoming more spiritually aware, although, left side of my brain very much so still objectively in control.

And I'm also becoming more and more convinced there is no such thing as a God who interferes; nothing more than misinterpretations/misunderstandings just to how powerful our brain as an organ can be when it comes to surviving life.

I'm coming to understand this as our grossly under appreciated "SIXTH SENSE" which most Eastern cultures already incorporate into their understanding of human nature. This sixth sense is the "MIND MEDIA"; how our brains interprets on a subconscious level the combined total of all information and experiences collected (indoctrinated) through the use of our other five, comparatively rather ordinary, senses.

And I can think of no better way of trying to explain this "SIXTH MIND MEDIA SENSE" than by quoting JESUS form the BIBLE:

"I CAN OF MY OWN SELF DO NOTHING

:

as I hear, I judge

:

AND MY JUDGEMENT IS JUST; NOT BECAUSE I SEEK MY OWN WILL, BUT THE WILL OF THY FATHER WHO HAS SENT ME."

~(John 5:30)~

This is nothing more than pure human psychology each and everyone of us repeat the same thousands and thousands times over and over everyday on a collective unconsciousness level automatically without consciously thinking about it. It's basically our brains knowing where our feet are at all times without the need constantly thinking about them before taking another step. If we didn't have this part of our brains automatically making these assumptions for us, we would get no where; nothing done.

But Jesus just happened to have had one flaw I (we) do not share with him; he was perfect!

Too perfect..?  Nor Omniscient..!

Had he thought it through more, he should have said,
 "as I sense"  not  "as I hear."

Then...
followed up with,
 "I judge."

WE CAN OF OUR OWN SELF DO NOTHING

:

AS WE SENSE, WE JUDGE

:

AND OUR JUDGEMENT IS JUST; 

NOT BECAUSE WE SEEK THE WILL OF OUR OWN, BUT THE WILL OF THY COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIENCNOUS WHICH PRECEEDS US.

 And I can only suppose even this day and age, still, it would take someone with a physical handicap such as mine, which is an hearing impairment from birth, to fully appreciated the significant of the "SIXTH  MIND MEDIA SENSE"; but himself able understanding this only after many many years of having privileges and surpluses here and there, denied others, allowing him to be reasonable objective without having to conform to society out of necessity surviving.

Also equally important is the fact of having been raised by two parents, one a medical doctor and the other a nurse until becoming a full time housewife,  both reasonably objective themselves in their approach to life as well;  me, their youngest of three, eventually becoming a veterinarian.

If we were Christians at all, we were Christians only by default; the company we keep.

 And the the medicine professions, I've surprisingly learned the hard way are not the same either. Being a veterinarian...IS...much closer to that of being the pastor of a protestant church. I'm not able finding much comparison with that of a Priest. One's faith, the same as with animals and pets owned by man no matter how convinced themselves these pets are extended family members, come with a price limit. And this is not the same as believing in God the same as one truly believing in God and  fearing nothing else.

 But we have to start somewhere with our language. And the bottom line assumption I have made is that the word "GOD" is nothing more than and abstract symbol made up of three individual abstract symbols each having a long, as well as interesting,  history within themselves as to how they came to be the shapes we recognized them today. These histories we will never be able reclaiming one hundred percent; therefore the conjectures infinitesimal.

Long ago this word "GOD", although important in the beginnings as a catalyst to starting conversations as to our origins, should have been rendered obsolete.

John 12:32

 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

King James Version 

And this is what I truly believed a man known to us as Jesus of Nazareth tried to do.

QUALITY OF  A GOOD LEADER IS ONE ABLE DISAPPOINTING HIS OWN PEOPLE AT A RATE THEY CAN ABSORB.

And he has failed.

JESUS HAD HIS MINUTE! TIME TO LET SOMEONE ELSE A TRY!  NO SUCH THING AS HATE BEING THE SHORT END OF THE SAME STICK (LOOP) IT MUST SHARE WITH LOVE!

Just think of it as negative theology.

The tragic story of Oliver Sacks’s celibacy - The Washington Post

The tragic story of Oliver Sacks’s celibacy - The Washington Post: When Oliver Sacks was 18, he faced a prospect most young people dread: a belated talk about the birds and the bees with his dad.





“You don’t seem to have many girlfriends,” Sacks wrote his father said in his memoir, “On the Move,” released earlier this year. “Don’t you like girls? … Perhaps you prefer boys?”




 
Sacks didn’t try to hide.




 
“Yes I do – but it’s just a feeling – I have never ‘done’ anything,” Sacks told his father.





He pleaded with his father not to tell his mother – but his father did. The news did not go over well — to say the least.



“You are an abomination,” she said. “I wish you had never been born.”

St Mark UMC Interactions Class: Gay Pride Weekend October 10th, 2015

Saint Mark
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

781 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1205

404.873.2636
facsimile: 404.873.2639

office@stmarkumc.org
WWW.stmarkumc .org

July 1,2015

To James Avery,

Acting on behalf of the congregation as represented by Administrative Council of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, we, the Board of Trustees, hereby notify James Avery that his presence on the property of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta Georgia 30308;  bounded by Peachtree Street, Fifth Street, and Juniper Street, shall constitute a criminal trespass from the time of the delivery of this notice forward.

E.C. LaRocca-Pitts
Senior Pastor, representing the Board of Trustees

Loving
Accepting
Serving

***

Minus Flesh Equals Water and Spirits
:
Christ/Anit-Christ
:
Trinity's Time Warp Dance

My guerrilla art interpretation of John 3: 1-15.

The nine victims in a circle around the duck pond(bucket list) represents the nine victims of Raleigh S.C. church shooting that could just as easily have been nine homosexual and/or "FAG" enablers of St. Mark United Methodist Church downtown Atlanta.

Absolutely refuse letting this church, roughly 80% gay men with a sprinkling of lesbians play this Hagar and Ishmael game with me.

"Water water everywhere and all the boards did shrink.
Water water everywhere nor one drop to drink."

Rev. Dr. Beth, the senior pastor of this church, just loves reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes which only a skeptic should love.

And anything having to do with "wind".

She's about to learn The Ancient Mariner is also another good reading of how some peripatetic winds might work.

And of course, there will be a tidal surge ahead of those  having winds the force of gales.

I AM THE IMMORTAL JELLYFISH!!!

LOL

"LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!  
If I hear God is "LOVE!" one more time,
I'm going to scream!"

 I was only being sarcastic, when commenting, about going home and coming back with a water pistol as I left worship service early one morning.

And to make this story even more ironic, I said this to a black female officer hired as extra security for St. Mark UMC in response to the recent SCROTUS ruling in favor of same sex marriage.  Even more ironic, although 80% of St. Mark's congregation is made up of LGBT members, they are still not allowed officiating  same sex weddings per Book of Discipline; Methodist Polity .

LOL

"God is just a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh."
~Voltaire~

I have all kinds of "living words" in the "flesh" along with our Jesus of Nazareth; my multitudes.

"Not using these words, Rev. Dr. Beth practically told me to go "Fuck myself!"
~(Simply Jim:  Hearing Impaired)~

"Oh I didn't need to hear that."
~(Don Clarke:  Music and Fine Arts Committee)~

"I'm sorry!  But I'm going to have to give St. Mark a bad review."
~(Simply Jim:  Mature Methodist Crackhead)~

"Why are you so negative?"
~(Don Clarke: Gerontologist)~

"NEGATIVE THEOLOGY!  Ever heard of this?
It's  just a different way of saying the same thing!
'I have spoken to you of earthly  things and yet you do not believe.  How then will you believe if I speak to you of heavenly things?'"
~(Simply Jim:  One Pearl, Total Pig, Anti-Christ)~

"Sounds like you are preaching to me;  I don't listen to people who preach to me."
~(Don Clarke:  Hosea 6:9 Joke)~

"Obviously not...HERE...either!"
~(Simply Jim:  Methodist?Fag the Political?Catalyse)~

Members of St. Mark UMC  definitely need broadening their reading materials; perspectives.

LOL

Tactical Experts Destroy the NRA’s Heroic Gunslinger Fantasy | The Nation

Tactical Experts Destroy the NRA’s Heroic Gunslinger Fantasy | The Nation: Wayne LaPierre, the head of the National Rifle Association (NRA), has famously claimed that “the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.”








Much of today’s opposition to stronger gun safety regulations rests on the gun lobby’s Hobbesian vision of self-sufficient, heavily-armed citizens standing up to vicious thugs. This Die Hard argument is constantly parroted by politicians and conservative pundits. But the statistical reality is that for every justifiable homicide in the United States—for every lethal shooting in defense of life or property—guns are used to commit 34 murders and 78 suicides, and are the cause of two accidental deaths, according to an analysis of FBI data by The Washington Post.



Those interviewed for this article agreed that the key distinction isn’t between “good guys” and “bad guys,” because intentions are less important than the rigorous—and continuous—training that it takes to effectively handle firearms in high-stress situations.



“The notion that you have a seal of approval just because you’re not a criminal—that you walk into a gun store and you’re ready for game-day—is ridiculous,” says Chipman.



David Chipman notes that even police officers are told that if they encounter a crime in progress while off-duty, “maybe the best thing to do at that time is not to take lethal action but instead try to be the best witness you can be.”



Not pulling a weapon is often the wisest course of action in active-shooter situations. While a number of conservatives declared that Oregon’s Umpqua Community College, the scene of a mass shooting last week, was a gun-free zone, the truth is that several concealed carry holders were present, and they wisely decided to leave their guns holstered. Veteran John Parker later explained to MSNBC, “We could have opened ourselves up to be potential targets ourselves, and not knowing where SWAT was… if we had our guns ready to shoot, they could think that we were bad guys.”



Blair co-authored a study for the FBI that looked at 185 mass shooting events over a 13-year period. It found that while around one-in-five were stopped by civilians before police arrived, in only one case was it done by a typical “good guy with a gun” (professionals—an off-duty cop and an armed security guard—used their guns to stop two others). In most cases Blair and his colleague studied, civilians ended a rampage by tackling the assailant.              None of this has prevented the gun manufacturers’ lobby from insisting that more guns make a society safer. And many Americans have come to believe it. According to the Pew Research Center, the share of gun owners who cite “protection” as “the main reason they own a gun” almost doubled between 1999 and 2013, from 26 percent to 48 percent.              But a large body of empirical evidence finds the opposite to be true. Last year, epidemiologists at the University of California, San Francisco, conducted an extensive analysis of data from 16 previous peer-reviewed studies, and found that having access to a firearm makes a person almost twice as likely to become the victim of a homicide and three times more likely to commit suicide.



“Despite what we see on TV, the presence of a firearm is a greater risk, especially in the hands of an untrained person,” says David Chipman, the former ATF agent. “Someone can always say, ‘If your mother is being raped by 5 people, wouldn’t you want her to have a gun?’ Well, OK, if you put it that way, I’d say yes, but that’s not a likely scenario. The question is: If you see someone running out of a gas station with a gun in their hand, do you want an untrained person jumping out and opening fire. For me, the answer is clearly ‘no.’”

Congregational Care — Glenn Memorial UMC

Congregational Care — Glenn Memorial UMC:

Glenn has a cooperative agreement with Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. The Care and Counseling Center of Georgia is independent of Glenn Memorial Church, but the church has assistance funds available for persons seeking counseling. Persons seeking professional counseling may contact the Care and Counseling Center directly and apply for Glenn Memorial Assistance Funds. Based on a sliding scale, the funds reduce the per visit fee for eligible persons to an amount between $10 and $50.

The Care and Counseling Center staff includes Pastoral Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and a Clinical Psychologist (PhD). Medical staffing is provided through a contract relationship with a Psychiatrist (MD).

Care and Counseling Center of Georgia
1814 Clairmont Road
Decatur, GA 30033
404.636.1457
cccgeorgia.org

POLITICS AND TOXIC AMBITION: Mark 9:30-37 :GEOPOLITICUS CHILD

Mark 9:30-37

King James Version

(KJV)

 
30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:30-37

***

(Notes to myself.)  

If all men are pigs, why is Jesus such a ladies man?

Geopoliticus Child - The sickness in Jonah's Whale.

Sermon at St. Marks by Rev. Dr. Beth - Politics and Toxic Ambition.

Cain in the United States.

***

James 3:13-4:3

King James Version 

(KJV)

¹³ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

¹⁶ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

4 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

² Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

³ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

James 4:7-8

King James Version 

(KJV)

4 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 

² Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 

³ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 

⁴ Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

⁵ Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 

⁶ But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

⁹ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 

¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 

¹¹ Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 

¹² There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 

¹³ Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 

¹⁴ Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

¹⁵ For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 

¹⁶ But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 

¹⁷ Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Double-mindedness - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-mindedness:  Can the effectiveness of a minister, journalist, professor, be quantified? How does anyone really know when something said had a great effect for good or for evil? Kierkegaard believed in the power of the single individual but didn't leave out others since no individual is stronger than himself. All individuals "create in the innermost being temptations of glory and temptations of fear and temptations of despondency, of pride and of defiance and of sensuality greater than those we meet in the external world, and this is the very reason we struggle with ourselves." The struggle is a good struggle as long as the "task" is maintained in its proper place. Not to know what a minister is, but to become and be a minister, not to know what a journalist is, but to become and be a journalist, not to know what a professor is, but to become and be a professor, etc. He didn't want to intrude in another's growth in the direction of religion because, Christianly speaking, "The difficulty is not to understand what Christianity is but to become and be a Christian." The task isn't to know what the good is or the beauty or the true but to become the good, the beauty and the true God meant you to become. He wrote this in 1846:

There is nothing, no ‘thus and so,’ that can unconditionally be said to demonstrate unconditionally the presence of love or to demonstrate unconditionally its absence. Truly, love is to be known by its fruit, but still it does not follow from this that you are to take it upon yourself to be the expert knower. Søren Kierkegaard, Works of Love 1847, Hong pp. 14–15

 

Pride and cowardliness



Søren Kierkegaard wrote his Four Upbuilding Discourses on August 31, 1844. One of them was named Against Cowardliness and he used the Bible verse from 2 Timothy 1.17 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. He says, "we creep before we learn to walk, and to want to fly is always precarious." Many people, Christians included, make great resolutions and then just imagine that they will come about by the help of God, but "striving" is needed if one wants to try to do a "good" thing, called "the highest good" by philosophers. Kierkegaard asks about the lowest thing a person can do, isn't that a highest good for that single individual?





Christianity presents a goal which Kierkegaard calls an eternal happiness and Christ called "Paradise". Jesus said, "Verily I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." or it might be "Verily I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise." (Luke 23.43) to the thief on the cross. The goal was very close for the thief but might not be so close for the single individual who wants to be a Christian. Kierkegaard asks why the Christian should not set a few intermediate goals that can be accomplished before the eternal happiness arrives. One does not have to start with saving the world. Kierkegaard suggested exploring the relationship between pride and cowardliness to see if one of these two passions is keeping you from reaching intermediate goals. He has advice for goal setters. Stop talking and start! Don't worry so much about the outcome. Set a goal for yourself and try to reach it. It's alright if you fail because you can start again immediately. If you need help, ask someone. But this goal should be something in particular, something concrete, so that your passions can be aroused. If Christianity is the task then it's a task that lasts a lifetime.

Health risks for ministry in the United States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clergy:  In recent years,[when?] studies[which?] have suggested that American clergy in certain Protestant, Evangelical and Jewish traditions are more at risk than the general population of obesity, hypertension and depression. Their life expectancies have fallen in recent years and in the last decade[which?] their use of antidepressants has risen. Public-health experts[which?] conducting the research caution that there is no simple explanation for the initial findings of their ongoing studies. A likely explanation is a lack of time off from the job, driven perhaps by a sense of duty to both God and humanity to answer every call for help from anybody, coupled with being inundated by such requests, made possible in part because of modern technology.[original research?] Several religious bodies in the United States (Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist and Lutheran) have implemented measures to address the issue, through wellness campaigns, for example - but also by simply ensuring that clergy take more time off. It is unclear whether similar symptoms affect American Muslim clerics, though an anecdotal comment by one American imam suggested that leaders of mosques may also share these problems.[31]





One exception to the findings of these studies is the case of American Roman Catholic priests, who are required by canon law to take a spiritual retreat each year, and four weeks of vacation. Sociological studies at the University of Chicago have confirmed this exception; the studies also took the results of several earlier studies into consideration and included Roman Catholic priests nationwide.[32] It remains unclear whether American clergy in other religious traditions experience the same symptoms, or whether clergy outside the United States are similarly affected.

Rev. Kelly Gissendaner's Death Sentence

Cook: The life, death and resurrection of Kelly Gissendaner | Times Free Press: In 1998, Kelly Gissendaner was convicted of plotting the murder of her husband. The state of Georgia sentenced her to death.

Monday evening, as the sun sets over Georgia, the state plans to execute Gissendaner.

When the state kills her, it will be executing a redeemed and beloved daughter of God.

"She is a totally transformed person," said Dr. Jenny McBride. 

McBride, who graduated from Baylor School in 1995, is a leading theologian, activist and author and the current Regents Chair of Ethics at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. In 2010, as part of a program created by seminaries and universities near Atlanta, she also taught theology courses to female inmates in Georgia. 

"I was teaching her through the bars," McBride said.

There, Gissendaner fell in love with God. She signed up for 13 different courses. She became pen-pal friends with German theologian Jurgen Moltmann. She was a shipwrecked woman finally finding land.

"I have learned to place my hope in the God I now know, the God whose plans and promises are made known to me in the whole story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus," she said during her graduation speech.

As part of her death row ministry, McBride wanted to celebrate the Eucharist with Gissendaner. The prison forbade outside bread, juice or wine.

So McBride brought quarters for the vending machine. Death row then became a holy space, as prisoner and theologian celebrated a Eucharist of Cheetos, diet Coke and cheeseburgers.

"There in that burger and Coke, Jesus made himself immediate to us," McBride writes in her forthcoming book.

That is the Gospel message: Christ found in the dirtiest and dimmest of places, as the least of these encounter a God whose love falls on the just and unjust, on the Saul who once killed Christians, and the Gissendaner who once helped kill her husband.

Both become putty in the arms of God.

Both become the message of God to the world. 

"We can see in Kelly Gissendaner a truly redeemed person," one minister told Gissendaner's attorneys.

Days ago, Gissendaner's attorneys presented her plea for mercy to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. It is 54 pages of praise from dozens of guards, wardens, inmates, educators and ministers.

Gissendaner listens, whispers, prays, heals, cries, counsels, teaches and ministers to other inmates. She shares food with inmates who have none. She talks to troubled youth.

By refusing to grant clemency and mercy to Gissendaner, the state of Georgia has revealed its death penalty system for what it is -- a machine of bloodlust, so blind it cannot recognize the transformation before it. Killing Gissendaner is exactly what the Roman Empire would have done. 

"Jesus quite literally was a convicted criminal and a victim of the death penalty," McBride said. "And he remains in solidarity with all other victims of state violence."

Gissendaner's execution was originally scheduled for last week. Georgia postponed it because of snowstorms, the way you would a birthday party or a Braves game.

Yet Georgia refuses to postpone her execution because of mercy.

***

Theologian

Jurgen Moltmann, Kelly Gissendaner and Dr. Jenny McBride 

during 

Gissendaner's graduation 

from the 

Candler School of Theology's Certificate of Theological Studies 

in 

2011.

***

A rainbow outside the prison 

as Kelly Gissendaner is set to be executed the night 

of 

September 29, 2015.

I swear!  This woman looks an awful lot like Jennifer;   the homeless woman

who participates with downtown Atlanta's St. Mark UMC  "Faith Seekers" Sunday Bible Study Class?  I was seriously considering, and haven't completely ruled this thought out, asking her to marry me just to keep my home (which I own 100% equity) out of the hands of my Arkansan family.  I absolutely do not want them getting anything from me.

But the sign Jennifer is holding,

"WE ARE PRAYING FOR JAMES MILLS," 

had me curious as to who was this person...

 JAMES  MILL? 

Board Member James W. Mills, of Hall County, was appointed to the Board by Governor Nathan Deal. He was sworn in November 14, 2011. Mr. Mills is the Vice Chairman of the Board and will serve in this position through June 30, 2016. 

The former State Representative served nineteen years in the legislature representing the 25th district. Mr. Mills served as Secretary of the Rules Committee and was a member of the Appropriations, Banks and Banking, and the Ways and Means committees. He also served previously as Chairman of the Banks and Banking Committee.

Mr. Mills currently serves on the Board of Community Supervision. The board has regulatory oversight of the Department of Community Supervision which is responsible for the supervision of felony offenders on probation and parole.

During his legislative service, Mr. Mills has sponsored or helped pass notable and important legislation. His amendment placed “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the Georgia state flag. Mr. Mills passed “proof of citizenship when registering to vote” legislation and he shepherded through the House the bill calling for driver’s license tests to be given in English. He also helped pass the Georgia Mortgage Fraud law allowing district attorneys to prosecute mortgage fraud. Mr. Mills also passed the “Option of Adoption” legislation, the first-of-its-kind in the nation.

Mr. Mills was named Christian Coalition Legislator of the Year in 2001. In 2007, he was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Georgia Retail Association and he received the “Outstanding American Award.” The same year he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of the “Pro-Life Hero” award from the Georgia Right to Life organization and in 2007 was named the Pro-Life Hero Legislator by the Justice Foundation.

Mr. Mills is a successful businessman, who owns and operates mini storage warehouse businesses and was invited to the White House on two occasions as recognition for his tax cutting efforts as a state legislator. Three times he has been named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Who’s Who in Finance.

Mr. Mills graduated from Mercer University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree. In 1990, he received a master’s from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (N.O.B.T.S).

Mr. Mills is involved in many youth community activities and he’s led numerous overseas mission trips through his local church.

Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles

***

I agree that the sentence should have been at least the same as the one received by Greg Owen; the actual killer of Doug Gissendaner.

I find it especially disturbing that the parents of Doug Gissendaner are not being supportive of their granddaughter's wishes that her mother's sentence be reduced to life in prison without possibility for parole; when considering, their granddaughter will now suffer the lost of  both parents longer than Doug Gissendaner's parents the lost of a son.

Otherwise,

"FRY, BABY, FRY!"

NO WAY WAS I WANTING ANOTHER MINISTER GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER!

 

"Murder By Numbers"

Once that you've decided on a killing,
First you make a stone of your heart.
And if you find that your hands are still willing,
Then you can turn a murder into art.

There really isn't any need for bloodshed,
You just do it with a little more finesse.
If you can slip a tablet into someone's coffee,
Then it avoids an awful lot of mess.

It's murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your ABC.
Murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your ABC.

Now if you have a taste for this experience
And you're flushed with your very first success,
Then you must try a twosome or a threesome
And you'll find your conscience bothers you much less

Because murder is like anything you take to
It's a habit-forming need for more and more.
You can bump off every member of your family
And anybody else you find a bore

Because it's murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your ABC
Murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your ABC.

Now you can join the ranks of the illustrious
In history's great dark hall of fame.
All our greatest killers were industrious
At least the ones that we all know by name.

But you can reach the top of your profession
If you become the leader of the land,
For murder is the sport of the elected,
And you don't need to lift a finger of your hand

Because it's murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your ABC.
Murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your A, B, C, D, E,..........

Son's a son until he gets him a wife;

Daughter's a daughter all her life.

Because it's murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your ABC.
Murder by numbers, 1, 2, 3,
It's as easy to learn as your A, B, C, D, E,..........