Jamey's Newsletter: Sunday, June 11, 2023
If you are an adult on a playground filled with children, it doesn't take long to hear, "That's not fair" being thrown around. It could be one child gets picked for a game while another is left out, or one child assists a friend on the monkey bars and then refuses to return the favor. Fairness seems embedded in us from an early age, regardless of the situation.
Where did this notion that the world ought to be fair come from? Why do we act as though there should be a balance of fairness built into the universe?
If we are honest, there is within us a pull toward things beyond ourselves that give meaning and purpose to existence.
In his book Broken Signposts, New Testament scholar NT Wright names the longings as justice, spirituality, relationships, freedom, beauty, truth, power, and love.
Wright argues that the Christian faith gives a compelling vision for making sense of these longings, why they seem out of reach, and how Jesus fully helps us live into them.
As Christians, we believe the longing for things to be made right comes from being made in the image of God. God cares very much about this world and how we live in it.
NT Wright says, "Part of the hope the Christian faith offers is the knowledge that God will not allow injustice to be the last word."
In the Bible, when God called Moses to lead the people out of slavery and into the Promised Land, part of the intent was to end the Israelites' suffering and injustice. God says, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egpyt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings" (Exodus 3:7).
God continues to hear the cries of those facing injustice.
If we fast forward to the New Testament, we see Jesus introducing his ministry in a synagogue by quoting from Isaiah 61: The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Isaiah 61: 1 - 2).
Good news to the oppressed. Bind up the brokenhearted. Set free those in chains and release prisoners. Justice is central to Jesus' ministry.
Acting justly is how we are called to live our Christian life.
Part of what it means to love our neighbor is to do what is right on behalf of our neighbor. If my actions harm someone else, intentionally or unintentionally, then I am not living out the way of Jesus in the world.
Together, what if we took everything in the world that makes us cry out, "It is not fair," and made it our prayer focus to the point where we began to persist in such a way that we lived in a way that truly reflected a deep love of neighbor and cares for the poor and stands for those who have been mistreated?
We discuss more in the podcast below. Enjoy this part one of Together, What If.
Jamey
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Let's Talk About Justice - Part One
(Together, What If is a conversation between Michelle Alexander, Ginnie Highsmith, and Jamey Prickett from Gainesville First UMC, Gainesville, Georgia)
Click Here to subscribe to our Youtube channel.
Scripture References: Exodus 3: 7 - 10; Amos 5: 21 - 24; Luke 4: 14 - 30; Luke 18: 1 - 8
Weekly Prayer:
Holy God, We feel the ache of a broken world and recognize our contribution to the brokenness. We have allowed good relationships to be broken. We have become distant from you and our neighbor. We have refused to hear your voice in the cries of the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, and the broken.
And yet, it is from those voices you cry out to us today.
Please give us the faith to pursue that living, breathing justice that transforms persons and sets to make the world right. Amen.
Meme of the Week
Dad Jokes
Where do sheep go on vacation? To the Baa-hamas!
Why should you never blame a dolphin for doing anything wrong? Because they never do it on porpoise!
Wisdom Nugget: Don’t compare your inside to someone else’s outside.
A Question to Consider (conversation starters): Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
Photo Taken By Me
Articles worth reading, videos worth watching, and/or podcasts worth listening to
North Hall graduate Reese Olson continues to hold his own on the mound for Detroit Tigers
On the street: WDUN gets input on ‘Sculpt the Square’ naming contest
Why Are American Homes So Big?
The ‘Uniquely Southern Storytelling’ of Charles Portis
USF professor resurfaces after living underwater for 100 days
Breaking Down the Barriers: G&G’s Guide to the Georgia Coast
Why Southerners Love To Salt Their Watermelon
Youtube: Grace, Justice, & Mercy: An Evening with Bryan Stevenson & Rev. Tim Keller
What’s Cookin’?
Ham Delights (click to see recipe)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A lot can come of a few extra meals. For our foster families, having a prepared meal delivered means less stress and more focus on a child in need.
On Thursday, July 27, the Foster Care Ministry at Gainesville First is hosting a Back-to-School Bash for Hall County foster families. Along with providing back-to-school supplies, we would like to offer frozen casseroles for families in the area.
What if you got your children and grandchildren, borrowed neighbor children, and put together casseroles while explaining who they are for and offering a prayer for foster children in our community?
Get family and friends together and host a casserole-making party!
Here is what we are asking:
1. Bring a ready-made casserole to be put in the church freezer
2. Pray for foster children and families in our community.
Email Misty Leach at mleach@gfumc.com to let her know you are doing a casserole and if you have any questions.
Happening at Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Sunday, June 25 / 4pm / Sanctuary / Free admission
The Chancel Choir and Believers Concert Band combine to present a stirring tribute to our country’s cultural heritage and freedom. Program highlights include renditions of well-known patriotic songs and a tribute to first responders and those who have served in our nation’s Armed Forces. Childcare available by reservation.
Things to Do in North Georgia
Food Truck Fridays are rockin’ all summer long!
On the third Friday of every month in the spring and summer, come enjoy the sunset from Lake Lanier Olympic Park’s Northeast Georgia Health System Plaza with friends and neighbors! Food Truck Fridays include live music, food trucks, beer & wine tents, and retail vendors. Entry to the plaza and concert is free and open to the public!
2023 Event Dates
April 21st: The Band Loula
May 19th: Six Foot Ramblers
June 16th: Dave Anderson & Ivan Duke Band
August 18th: The Murphs
Click Here for more info.
Weekly Blessing and/or Quotes
"Memories of our lives, of our works, and our deeds will continue in others."
- Rosa Parks
I would love to have your feedback. Do you have a meme, dad joke, question to ponder, or wisdom nugget worth sharing? Have you come across an interesting article, podcast, or video that you found meaningful? Is there a quote or blessing that you are currently holding onto? If so, please share it. Let’s make this a community space where we connect with one another.
If you find encouragement in this newsletter, I would love for you to take the opportunity to share it with others. Thank you for reading.