Me, Being Honest
I attend a unique church, certainly unique for southeast Texas. Calder Baptist , is not associated with the Southern Baptist Convention churches. I hesitate to call it Baptist because of the connotation most people have with “Baptist.” We are affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.* We have women as pastors and leaders. We are accepting of all who choose to come. We are allowed, even encouraged, to ask hard questions. And we don’t all agree with each other’s answers. That’s okay at our church.
Today our pastor, Dr. Jim Fuller, presented a message he called, “Living Between Samaria and Galilee.” Luke 17:11-19 You may recall the story of the ten men with leprosy. Can you imagine how surprised the disciples were when it was the Samaritan, one of the people they hated, who came back to think Jesus for his healing?
Living between Samaria and Galilee is sometimes a wide barrier. When in truth they were right next to each other. Who is your Samaritan? We all have at least one. It’s easy to be a “Christian” until it gets personal, until it gets messy, or until you’re asked to love the unlovable.
Calder supported the Triangle Aids Network when other churches wouldn’t touch it. Aids reminds me a lot of leprosy. Circumstances called for compassion. Calder people answered. Our congregation may be small in number but the depth of love is great.
At Calder we don’t all think alike, vote alike or translate scripture alike. Jesus’ rule was simple enough for us. Love one another.
Who are the ‘Samaritans’ in your life?
* The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is a Christian network of individuals and churches working together to spread the hope of Christ. Our diverse community includes partners all over the globe, and our fellowship supports a wide range of missions and ministries that give people meaningful opportunities to put their faith into action.
She died shortly afterwards.
St. Damien served the people in Hawaii who had leprosy.
I hold a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. I was an educator in regular and special education for twenty years, finishing my professional career as a Braille teacher. I am a Certified Professional Coach with Fowler International Academy.I married Sam after raising three children as a single mother.
In 2007 I founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a nonprofit association whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, & Empowered. I serve as the Director of the Educational Support Program for Single Mothers with Bridges of Hope, a nonprofit in Beaumont Texas.
My stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines.My book, Living Learning Lovingis available for purchase on Amazonor Barnes & Noble online.
