Hey gang it’s Monday. I hope you all had a great weekend. Now we get back to the grind. Let’s do this. Have a great day. Grace and peace!
Tag Archives: People
Chattanooga Area Pastor’s new book shines light on bullying in the church | Times Free Press
Bullying is a form of intimidation often identified with school rooms, locker rooms and internet chat rooms. But the church? The refuge where we are admonished to love one another as Jesus loves us?
Source: Soddy pastor’s new book shines light on bullying in the church | Times Free Press
I have been in the church for the vast majority of my life and the church is supposed to be a haven and a sanctuary for people. Places of worship are to be places of love, understanding and safety. From my own experiences its not always the case.
Bullying is a thing people deal with in the world and even the church. There are a lot of reasons why it happens. None of us is perfect so that is why we turn to a higher power to help us be the best we can be. I, myself have been bullied in church and even in the church related college I graduated from.
This article from my hometown newspaper tells the story of why bullying happens. Its more complex than just someone picking a fight. Houses of worship can be wonderful places of community and connection but in many places there is dysfunction just like an any family.
Watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on NBC | NBC Olympics
NBC Olympics presents coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad from Maracana Stadium on Friday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC (in the United States, check local listings).
Watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on NBC | NBC Olympics
Tonight the Rio Olympics officially start in Rio. Athletes from around the world will gather to compete for gold, silver and bronze. It’s always an exciting time to see these games with ancient roots. May the athletes and others gathering and be safe from harm and that peace will be the theme of the events.
My Blog Is Me
tonyburgess1969.net is my spot on the web, my official blog of record, my domain (yep I paid for it). No matter what goes on over at Facebook or Twitter this will always be where I will share what is on my heart and in my head without limit. Here I can be less filtered and a little more daring if you will. It is important to be genuine and real. Bloggers are special and we all have a connection with one another through our common interest. Of course I will remain courteous, kind and always silly. Here I am the star of my own blog.
This is a digital extension of who I am. What you see here is what I am like in person. I am grateful to each of you from far and wide who are following me, reading and commenting my posts. As I read on another blog a blog without readers isn’t a fun place to be. WordPress has provided us an awesome platform for expression and connection. So when you come here you will see my blog is me.
A Ramble on Unity, Or Lack Thereof
The notion of Unity is a noble one. Bringing people together for a common cause is great but in reality it’s like herding cats. I live in the United States and really its just 50 states who choose to be together under one flag. The same can be said for the United Kingdom. But when you look closer there are differences in culture and customs that make them very different.
Of course politically there is the whole liberal vs. conservative vs. other to deal with and there is little unity to be had there. Even in factions you have sub factions and other smaller groups that fight for their own agenda. In marriage its a union of two people who love each other and it’s probably as close to a good union as you will find. Yet there are couples who go through trauma and setbacks that find strength in turmoil. However they can be easily torn apart.
A united front happens when there are situations that bring people together like what happened on 9/11/2001 for a little while. WW I and II brought my country together in so many ways. People were self-sacrificing, involved and called upon to fill in the gaps while men and women were overseas fighting to win.
At this moment I don’t think my country is united, its way to divided. Too many issues have polarized us, made us suspicious, made us become very tribal and sometimes primal. Our politics has torn friendships and families apart, like during our civil war days. I am finding that some folks want separation, segregation and isolation while others want to be in community and to be challenged.
One day there will be unity and maybe a little utopia too. It will be a day that will hopefully be a time of peace, tranquility and free of conflict. My faith is that day will come sooner rather than later. I am hoping it might happen by our own choice than at the hands of someone or something out of our control.
Tunes Tuesday – Disney’s Frozen “Let It Go”
Sometimes we have to let stuff go. In order to go on in life we have to put things aside and behind us to have a better life. This treasure from the movie “Frozen” helps put things in perspective.
