Faith, Family, Furry, and Fire

Brad Zervas

Description

As an ecologist and defender of plants and animals, St. Francis blazed a trail that others have tried to follow for centuries.
Brad Zervas reveals something quite different from his previous literary efforts in Faith, Family, Furry, and Fire.
While his other books focus on practical ways to raise our boys and support our fathers, this work explores the Way of St. Francis and the belief that all living things deserve our consideration. When embraced, this idea could lead us to a more just and sustainable world order.
As an ecologist, defender of plants and animals, and as a man who turned away from material riches, St. Francis discovered that all living things exist in the dominion of his “Father.” He blazed a trail that others have tried to follow for centuries.
The author observes that while we have worked tirelessly to find ways to divide ourselves into specific groups with the intent of somehow elevating ourselves so that God sees us and not the other, it has always been the other that has been able to show us the depths and possibilities of kindness.
He concludes that faith, family, fire, and furry remain embedded in our lives—the four basic elements that knowingly and unknowingly comprise the very chemistry that shapes us—pilgrims each walking toward our last and final surrender.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Espiritual
• Trek
• St. Francis
• Spiritual
• Spirituality
• Religion
• Family
• Trekking
• Nature

Informations

• Publié par: LifeRich Publishing
• Date de parution: 18 septembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781489743732
• Langue: English

Extrait

Faith, Family, Furry, and Fire


A Message from The Way of St Francis




BRAD ZERVAS








Copyright © 2022 Brad Zervas.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

LifeRich Publishing is a registered trademark of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.



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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

bible scripture: NIV Study Bible, 1995 Zondervan Corporation

ISBN: 978-1-4897-4372-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4897-4371-8 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4897-4373-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022916156



LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 09/09/2022



It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
Francis of Assisi



For All Things Living



Contents
In The Beginning
Preparing for the Way
A Return
Let it Be
In Search of Economic Humanism
Into the Reveal
What Could Have Been – Thy Will Be Done

Acknowledgements



In The Beginning

N ever have I had to work so hard on a title and rest assured, I am still not sure if this will help to capture my efforts and consolidate much of what has concerned me over the past several months. Earlier possible titles included a trinity of considerations that I had hoped would quell the growing sense of dread that seemed to usher in each new day. “Faith, Family and Firearms” became a leading contender. Frankly, it haunted me with a sense of dread and melancholy. When we consider yet more mass shootings it is no wonder why I drifted towards such a deeply felt lament. I am generally quite optimistic as a person and much of my earlier work, I believe, reflects this. In the end, though, it was my faith and the ensuing furry and fire that have defined me as a man…a definition that has yet to be fully illustrated and one that will not be until my last days or perhaps in the afterlife should I be blessed as such. And just how will all this be shaped and formatted into a 21 st century expression? Only the Lord knows what we each leave behind and craft along the way. This is yet another new beginning – an attempt to celebrate our best and a willingness to embrace the shadows of darkness that always seem to be presenting themselves at the next fork in the road. The title arrived at, will I hope, be made clear as this narrative unfolds.
For those familiar with much of my previous work, this might seem overly simplistic. As we each advance in age it becomes hopefully clearer and clearer that which matters most. Faith is both singular and plural. In its plurality it has represented some of our most base instincts. As individuals shielded from the perceived light of day (darkness can often reveal the truth), we can escape the need to vilify, subjugate and elevate ourselves to positions of exaltation. When we join a group, we run the risk of losing ourselves and drifting towards our worst intentions. There is nothing very profound here. It is a simple axiom. Rather than lend a hand to the one scaling the latter behind us, we might very well choose to step on the very hand that is clinging for a faith yet realized while we dispense yet another brand of furry. I will make little effort here to try and define these very human propensities.
Yes, I do believe that our history is riddled with broken dreams and the search for the afterlife. Distilling this as such remains at the center of the world’s great religions – religions that have often rendered far much more harm than their acolytes could or would have ever imagined – a willful distain for the goodness that exists in each one of us and in all things living – a condition we seem unable to escape.
Like most works of non-fiction, I will run the risk of confusing what I have come to believe is the truth from the very truth itself. It is a common phenomenon among writers of my ilk and one that I readily accept and one that I hope my readers will forgive me for. It is grand folly that we all engage in from time-to-time. I am not sure where this will lead me. I have always been prone to the improvisational – a rather syncopated beat that might have me turn left when I would have preferred to turn right. My influences have been many and from almost every imaginable human endeavor. These have been detailed throughout my career and in previous writings that I hope bring a small measure of definition to the life that I have lived.
Like most sentimental men of my age, I hope to leave a legacy that our five grandsons can draw from. Our two children are now approaching their own new dawns of wonder and facing the same questions that have imperiled so many of us when seeking answers to our dilemmas. It truly is exactly what they say…the more things change the more they remain the same. I was speaking to a dear friend of mine yesterday and we laughed and lamented that it is what it is – a reframe that we seem to repeat with greater and greater regularity as we advance in age. We committed ourselves to finding another bridge.
What could have been should have been. If might is right than right is might. Yesterday’s regret is tomorrow’s delight. Admittedly, these are entirely sophomoric but did supply a bit of comic relief. Our journey here I hope is grounded in some measure of humor and reflection. It is not quite dawn here yet in the Lowcounrty of South Carolina and like most days, I await what the light may bring hoping that my faith might carry me through the furry knowing full well that there will always be a fire to attend to.
At the advent of any specific publication and one that has a targeted audience as much of my previous work has enjoyed, one does pause and consider the weight of what has been proposed – the scale and scope of said observations; the possible segregating of ideas into a perceived myopia and exercise in self-interest; and finally, an expressed interest that very well could be entirely void of reason – outcomes I surly hope to avoid.
There will be minefields throughout and opportunities to lose a thought, sever a belief and suffer the consequences of a period of deconstruction – a literary term I have tried to avoid at most turns during my life but one that does engender some fear and uncertainty – a fear and uncertainly that I have tried to meet with an expression of faith that often yields to weakness. I, like many men my age, can point to heights scaled and to precipitous falls. Somehow, I have managed to rise, awaken, and fall yet again and again. It has become a familiar pattern and one I have shared with countless others.
Having arrived at the most rudimentary title I could have possibly devised, I am now committed to illustrating the faith, family, furry and fire that have defined us, arrested us and liberated us throughout the course of human history. I am no different from my brothers and sisters here and elsewhere. While we have worked tirelessly to find ways to divide ourselves into specific groups with the intent of somehow elevating ourselves so that God sees us and not the “other”, it has always been the “other” that has been able to show us the depths and possibilities of our kindness and our capacity to share in the bounty of what history’s prophets have continued to promise. Clearly, we have not listened. Clearly, our declared best intentions remain fallow and rooted in greed. Clearly, the magnitude of our suffering seems bondless.
Much of how this writing will be framed will suggest that we are suffering from humanity’s worse case of absolution. You see, what we might think will absolve us will simply serve to drive us further and further into an abyss that defies the very premise of what some might declare as the world’s great religions. Like most of my previous writings, this is offered in real time. It is the only way I have been able to shape my thoughts and construct an abstract and vision that I certainly hope has some merit – merit that I hope will resonate with some and even compel others to reject my positions as represented and to offer other positions that might help to lift us up and to find that “amazing grace” that a wretch like me continues to cling to.
My previous literary efforts have been accompanied by endorsements and introductory comments from many of my professional colleagues…successful and accomplished individuals who have supported my work and distinguished themselves as worthy opponents to the divisions we are suffering so acutely from. Surely, I have considered just who I might ask to endorse this effort. Happily, I had a long list to review. I have been blessed to have met many men and women in my life who stand steadfast in the face of what can only be described as our collective dilemma to house the homeless, to feed the