BRANCHES April 2015

BRANCHES
BACK TO GOOD AGAIN
impact of Jesus' bodily resurrection
being the church
APRIL 2015 | southwood.org
photos from the women's retreat
and church family work day

SOUTHWOOD
contents
ABOUT THIS ISSUE
Winter’s not going away without a fight, is it? Yet new growth is here. The
blossoms on the trees are pushing through to reveal spring. God’s design in
our seasons reflects his master design for us. He will make things new. His
son died on the cross and was made new—He resurrected. This Easter we
celebrate that resurrection, and it makes for an ideal time to reflect on all that
is made new.
In this issue of BRANCHES we reflect on this idea. The goodness of God
is reflected in His design. It can be expressed in the beauty around us and
created by those with an eye for design. It can be seen in our fight to save our
earthly bodies and God’s grace to make us whole once again. And of course it
is seen in Jesus, as we celebrate His triumph over death.
There are other “new” things going on too. Read about new Sunday Seminar
classes and some pretty outstanding discussion topics. Continue praying for a
new Senior Pastor and the search committee as they “cast their net” looking
for candidates. Celebrate the new season that is upon us, reflecting often on
what will be as we are made new.
2 about this issue
3 pastors' note
REFLECT
4 being the church
How God designed it
6 back to good again
Impact of Jesus' bodily resurrection
RELATE
5 around the church
Photo montage
8 taking root & locally sourced
New Christian Education classes
10 session update
Plans for Southwood
11 all that is fair
Goodnight, box elder
Jonathan Barnette, Editor
BRANCHES
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jonathan Barnette
DESIGNER Phillip Lackey
CONTRIBUTORS
Will Spink
Sarah Niemitz
James Parker
Amanda Moyer
Curt Freudenberger
Niña Banta
David Clark
Josh Treen
PHOTOS
Jonathan Barnette
Sarah Niemitz
Jeremy McCoy
Winnie Winford
Brandi Edmonds
Laura Burger
Mary Ivy Cost
FEEDBACK!
We want to hear from you! Please send
your suggestions and comments to
branches@southwood.org
1000 CARL T. JONES DRIVE | HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35802
(256) 882-3085 | WWW.SOUTHWOOD.ORG
MELISSA PATTERSON Interim Administrative Director
ADULT MINISTRIES
SARAH NIEMITZ Director of Community Development/Assimilation
JAMES PARKER Chief Musician
WILL SPINK Associate Pastor/Shepherding
STUDENT MINISTRIES
KIM DELCHAMPS Administrative Assistant
NIÑA BANTA Director of Children
NANCY McCREIGHT Assistant Director /Children/Nursery
CHAD TOWNSLEY Associate Pastor/High-Life
WINNIE WINFORD Assistant Director/High-Life
MINISTRY SUPPORT
TERRI GOOD Accountant/Bookkeeper
JONATHAN BARNETTE Director of Communication
PHILLIP LACKEY Graphic Designer
JANICE CROWSON Director of Facilities/Finance
MIKE MARREN Facilities
ELIZABETH BUTZ Receptionist
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Easter
April 5
Telling God's Story Luncheon
April 12
Peru Fundraising—Babysitting
April 17
Peru Fundraising—Rosie's
April 27
2 APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG

PASTOR’S NOTE
Praying Like a Two-Year-Old
My two-year-old, Lily, is just learning to pray,
and it often sounds like this: “Thank you Mama,
Dada (how come Mom is always first?), Caitlyn,
Allie, Mama, Dada, Allie, Caitlyn (hey, at least
she loves her family!) … Help I obey (wow, is
that really what I pray for with her so much?) …
Jesus name, Amen (always the loudest word)!”
It will probably sound pretty much like that
again tomorrow. She’ll repeat the people and
things she knows to pray for. It won’t be what
one would consider eloquent or formal. She
likely won’t use any words longer than the
length of her sisters’ names.
But as her father, I love to hear her pray. And I
suspect her Heavenly Father does, too.
We’ve talked quite a bit about prayer around
Southwood lately – in sermons, on retreats, in
meetings. We’ve prayed quite a bit – in worship
services, on retreats, in small groups, in prayer
gatherings. * And now you want to write about
it again, Will?
Yes … because in weeks or even days I find
myself slipping out of prayerful dependence
and back to self-sufficiency. Sometimes I
feel my prayers must sound a lot like Lily’s
… repetitive. Yeah, I’m a pastor, so I can
throw in “sovereign,” “providence,” and
“sanctification;” but really, it feels like the same
struggles, the same thanksgivings, the same
requests. I know God hasn’t forgotten what I
prayed about yesterday, so why stop and take
the time to pray again today? After all, today
seems both busy and manageable on my own
… I got this if I just keep going!
So if you’re anything like me, you need regular
reminders of the importance of prayer – for
yourself, for your church, for everything. My
Heavenly Father wants to hear my regular
(even repetitive) prayers. He tells me to keep
praying (see Luke 18). In fact, He tells me to
pray without ceasing – that lifestyle of prayer
that we talked about a few weeks ago.
God may not have forgotten what I prayed
about yesterday, but I may have forgotten my
need for him today. I may need to pray because
I may need to remember my position and my
power compared to his. I may need to pray
not to control God but to remind myself that
I’m not in control and that even that possibility
makes me uncomfortable.
So I need to pray because I need to feel like a
two-year-old again. I need to live in dependence
upon God like that. I need to remember that I
am weak but He is strong. And those realities
are true every moment of every day – whether I
feel the weight of them or not.
Lately Lily has been crying out at night quite a
bit. Sometimes she calls, “Dada! Dada!” I’m
sure my eyes sometimes roll as I roll out of bed,
but when she holds her arms up for me and
snuggles her head into my shoulder, I’m so
glad she has cried out for me – that she has felt
the need for comfort, protection, or whatever
else. And I feel that way, of course, because
I’m her father and I love her. I know what it’s
like to be afraid and need to be comforted. I’m
so glad she’s cried out whenever she felt the
need. I’m really glad I can help.
Some of the great reminders of the Easter
season are truths about the God to whom we
pray: He loves us enough to send his Son to
die for us; He knows what it’s like to suffer and
hurt like we do; He holds the power over sin,
death, the grave, and whatever else plagues
us. So He loves when we cry out to him. Join
me in crying out to him again … today … for
the same things … again … because we are
weak but He is strong.
*
If you want the encouragement of praying with
others, you can come at 8:30am or 10:00am on
Sundays. The Session has also designated the
second Tuesday of each month for prayer and
fasting in whatever way each person desires to
do so.
Will Spink
Associate Pastor
If you would like to contact
Will, use the following:
will.spink@southwood.org
@WillSpink

SOUTHWOOD
reflect
BEING THE CHURCH
What if one of the most powerful ways for a church to serve her
community was by being what God already designed her to be....
the Church?
You can drive around Huntsville and quickly find the neighborhoods
where needs are obvious and other neighborhoods where
the needs are not so obvious. But if you have been listening at
Southwood, you know we believe this: whether a yard has rusty,
broken bikes or perfectly manicured tulips, the people inside both
houses are image bearers of God, broken by sin and desperately
in need of a Savior. The simple, Sunday school answer is that the
people living in both neighborhoods need Jesus.
But what changes when someone “gets Jesus”? They have a new
identity as a child of God; they are no longer defined by their sin
or their obedience, their job or lack-thereof, their success or their
failures. They get a new heart—a heart that can love the things
their Heavenly Father loves and hate the things He hates. They
also become part of a new family, both visible and invisible, called
the Church. The Bible refers to the Church as Christ’s Bride and
as His Body—not his plural brides and bodies, but singular. This
“getting Jesus” means you also “get the family”—a body of
believers united in individual churches around the world that make
up one beautiful Body and Bride.
To say our neighbors need Jesus is to say that they need everything
listed above that comes only through a personal relationship with
their Savior. Sometimes the restoration Jesus brings into our lives
looks like a freedom from workaholism, and sometimes it looks
like a redeemed understanding of work and its important place
in our lives. The beautiful thing is that the same gospel speaks to
both identity issues at the same time—the ground at the foot of
the cross is truly level.
In the Old Testament God designed the nation of Israel to
show the rest of the world His character and what it meant to
live in relationship with Him. They were designed to reflect His
goodness, mercy, and holiness to a surrounding world in such a
by Sarah Niemitz
way that when outsiders would encounter Israel they would know
more of God. The same is intended for the Church in the New
Testament. She is to be the reflection of her God and Savior so
that when outsiders encounter the Church they see His character
and experience His love.
The reason that God does not redeem individuals and just ask them
to reflect His glory individually is because God’s character cannot
be rightly reflected without a community of believers. God himself
exists in the Trinity, and He designed men and women in His image
to live in relationships. So while aspects of God’s character are
evident in the individual lives of believers, the picture is not complete
without a community of believers reflecting God’s love together as
we care for hurting members, share resources, worship corporately,
break bread, and “spur one another on to love and good works”
(Hebrews 10:24). We cannot fully experience or express God’s grace
unless we do so in the context of the Body of Christ.
This is why “being the Church” is actually a powerful ministry in
and of itself. The Church is designed to be a safe place for broken
people—a place where neediness is not a disqualification but rather
the only valid ticket for entry. She is designed to be a place where
believers celebrate the things God loves and mourn the things that
break God’s heart. By design she is to be a place where the world,
if they pressed their faces to the glass, would see the goodness,
joy, holiness, and grace of God reflected through the broken clay
pots inside.
In some ways I’m writing myself out of a job. Think about it; we
want programs that tell us how to love others in structured, orderly
ways. We crave systems to help us love people that are not “like us”
because it feels uncomfortable, but the gospel says that if we are
honest there really isn’t anyone who is not “like us.” We may look
different, vote differently, approach life differently, but in the end we
all need the same thing. So before we go running after programs,
we need to consider seriously what it means to love our community
by being what we already are—a church who welcomes sinners and
celebrates our Savior.
4 APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG
Come meet and hear from Aggie and Simon
Paech, founders of Aggie's Arts Ministry in
Uganda. Aggie and Simon will be staying as
guests in Southwood's White House through
April and May, so this will be a great chance to
welcome them and make them feel at home!

Women's Retreat
AROUND the CHURCH
Church Family Work Day
APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 5

Good
BACK TO
Again
How Jesus' Bodily
Resurrection Shapes
Our View of God's
Creation
by Will Spink
The creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and
obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know
that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of
childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who
have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. – Romans 8:21-23
“Good … Good … Good … Good … Good … Good … Very Good.”
Seven times in the first chapter of Genesis alone God looks at his
creation and calls it “good.” Plants and animals. Light and darkness.
Mankind himself and everything else God had made. Good.
But that perfect creation—just the way God had designed it—didn’t
stay that way for long. Sin enters, and the fall of man leads to a curse
over all of creation. Thorns and thistles, pain and grief, enter into
God’s good creation, and it’s no longer the way it’s supposed to be.
When struggling in the midst of this fallen and broken world in which
we still live, it is easy to feel that the goal of life is to escape such a
world into a spiritual realm. But God has something better in mind for
us and for the world He created. And Easter proves it.
When Jesus rises from the grave on Easter morning, everything
changes. There are many significant aspects of the resurrection,
and one of them is that it signifies and starts the restoration of all of
creation. The Bible teaches that Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t theoretical
or spiritual but rather bodily, in flesh and blood. And this matters
because it combats the dualism we can so easily feel that “matter”
is bad and “spirit” is good. It reminds us that Jesus’ goal wasn’t to
escape the material world and his human body but rather to see it
transformed and renewed.
The hope of the rest of Scripture is not that we will leave our bodies
and this world behind to go float on clouds with God; rather, the
promise is of the creation itself being freed from the curse and
redeemed alongside our very bodies (see Romans 8, printed
above). Jesus’ resurrection was only the beginning, the “firstfruits,”
of what God intends to do with his good creation gone bad. He
hasn’t given up on his world or the glorious plans He has for his
creation and his people.
And that is why we move into all areas of God’s creation to be a part
of God’s work of reversing the effects of the Fall and making our
world and ourselves what God created it and us to be. The comments
from Southwood members on the next page are just a few examples
of this reality that impacts how we approach all of life and what we do
every day. Amanda Moyer reflects on how Easter impacts our view of
art and beauty, Curt Freudenberger writes about practicing medicine
in light of the bodily resurrection, and Nina Banta shares about the
personal hope Jesus offers in the face of suffering and loss.
Death, ugliness, and other bad things are being conquered and
restored to the life, beauty, and goodness of God’s glorious design.
One day, Easter promises, all will be back to good again.

eflect
SOUTHWOOD
Amanda Moyer
As we embark in the year 2015, it is evident
that creative industries and creative
culture is on the rise. It makes us wonder
how does God feel about art and creativity? How do
artistic workers who are Christians best use their gifts for
His kingdom work?
We can look at the Scriptures to see how important art,
artists, creativity, and beauty are to our Lord. In Exodus 35,
the Lord chose Bezalel to “engage in all kinds of artistic
craftsmanship.” 1 Kings chapter 7 speaks of the temple
with all its beautiful artistry and attention to detail. We can
read about the “pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet
yarn around the hem of the (priest’s) robe” in Exodus 28:33.
All throughout Scripture, it is evident that artistic creativity
and aesthetics are important to God.
In my life, I am struck daily by the fragile balance of trying
to fulfill the roles of wife, mom, and artist. I am constantly
reminded of God’s magnificent creativity and beauty which
surrounds us here on earth. Author Elaine Scarry writes that
“beauty creates community through the joy of praise.”
Whether we are standing in a gallery or on a mountain top,
the praise of beauty should unite us together and point
us towards Christ. We must encourage artists, especially
those who are believers, to continue in the pursuit towards
creating good, true art because the Ultimate Creator cares.
Curt Freudenberger
My surgical practice treats degenerative conditions
of the spine. Typical conversations with patients
question “why me?” and "why now?”. Often the
explanation is simple: the body breaks down. Easter resurrection is
perhaps the ultimate antithesis to degenerative change.
When I reflect on the resurrection of Christ or His healing ministry
while on earth, everything points to His lordship and our need for
salvation. Health care cannot address this need but merely provides
a glimpse of the healing of Jesus. Physicians simply try to manipulate
the body into a better position for healing or resistance of disease.
Christ's resurrection was not only a healing of the abuse but a
returning to a glorified state. Interestingly, He retained select
wounds from his crucifixion as though a requisite badge. If no holes
in hands, then no redemption for us.
As we grow in Christ, we come to accept our eternality, meaning
that our life extends beyond death. Health care is only for this
side of eternity. That is, my current employment will not extend
into heaven. Sickness and mortality are temporal conditions that
sideline and cloud our thinking. Christ's ministry and resurrection
hurdles beyond these roadblocks to something greater
The healing performed by Christ or in the name of Christ always
has a reference point: His lordship over creation, His ability to undo
death and sickness, and our ultimate need for salvation.
Niña Banta
Watching a loved one, taken over by the disease
of ALS, or any terminal disease for that matter, is
one of the most painful experiences. I honestly don't wish it upon
anyone. ALS slowly paralyzes the body, leaving one trapped and
completely dependent upon another until their lungs give out.
There is no cure, no effective medicine, only trying to make one as
comfortable as possible as they endure it. For my mother, it was
a very painful disease, leaving her muscular nerve endings raw
and exposed, slowly dying without energy from the brain to feed
them. Constant pain.
While still able to control her electric power chair, she wheeled
into the kitchen one morning as I was cooking. She was still not
feeling any relief from the pain medication, and it had been over
a month of no sleep. I remember my mother sharing with me, with
tears streaming down her face, how she had prayed, "My God,
have mercy on your daughter, have mercy." And He did. Within
the next couple of weeks, her symptoms plummeted and her Lord
took her swiftly home.
Several people have come to me saying how they had prayed for
healing, feeling discouraged that God did not answer their prayers.
But don't you see? God did answer your prayers. He did heal my
Mom. She is no longer trapped in a crippled and decaying body.
She can move her fingers and hold a loved one's hand again. She
can walk, run, dance again. She can swallow again and enjoy the
most amazing food that God has created. She can speak again
and converse with all her favorite saints. She can sing and raise her
hands in worship again. She is no longer in constant pain. God has
healed her.
It is because of Christ's resurrection at Easter that we have hope.
Hope of the life thereafter, hope for eternity. It is because of what
Christ has done that we can face death, grief, and loss. He doesn't
promise it will be easy. However, He does promise that He will walk
with us and never leave us. We have hope in the resurrection of the
body because of Christ.
APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 7

TAKING ROOT:
The Apostles, Broken Churches and the Glory of God
by David Clark
“So, this is not good at all…” I thought to myself, staring
out of my study window for a while, not inclined to look
back down at the Bible sitting open on my desk.
I was in the middle of a theological debate, and I had run
up against a brick wall. How could I make this guy see
that he was wrong? He kept on saying things that I didn’t
agree with AT ALL. (If you are, like me, prone to thinking
and talking about theology, maybe you have been in a
situation like this.)
The reason that I couldn’t make a dent in this guy’s theology
probably had something to do with the fact that he was
dead. The reason I was feeling so alarmed: his name was
something like “St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.”
I poured myself some coffee and stood up. I sipped
thoughtfully as I leaned against the casing of the window
and looked out at the view of the mountains to the east.
What do you do when you believe deeply that the Bible
is the infallible, inerrant, and sufficient word of God, and
you find something there that just seems like it has to
be wrong?
Have a panic attack, obviously, but after that, then what?
By now you, my astute reader, probably have words like
“heretic” or at least “disturbed” going through your mind,
and I will grant you both, while also telling you that this
particular scene took place several years ago. You may also
be wondering what it is I was wrestling with.
It all started when I was doing an intense investigation of
the New Testament epistles back in 2006. I had gotten
hung up on Paul saying that all he had to offer was the
gospel, grace, and the blood of Jesus. But, I could clearly
see that he talked about a lot of things, like church
discipline, sex, leadership, sin, parenting, anger, peace,
joy, righteousness, and slavery, just to name a few of the
topics he talked about right off the top of my head. This seemed like a
direct contradiction to me.
After that morning, sipping coffee and feeling disconcerted, I dug back
into the epistles to try and study my way out of my confusion.
I didn’t know my world was about to change completely.
As I continued to study the Epistles, I started getting the idea that the
life, death and resurrection of Jesus was the main topic and the most
relevant topic in any discussion about anything.
The list of the consequences of the slow resolution of this argument
I had with St. Paul and the other epistle writers is long, sometimes
painful, and often funny, to me, at least. (For one thing, I ended up
becoming a Christian. Yep. Not making that up.) And the list continues
to grow as I continue to explore the ramifications of something that
happened 2,000 years ago: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus,
and how and why that is the most important bit of information in every
situation (see my tree drawing below for an illustration).
If you have ever wondered how the Gospel
could possibly be the most practical and
most relevant bit of information in any
situation, I would love to explore
together the meaning of the
Cross of Christ on our daily
lives through the lens of six
epistles, and continue to
grow together as we look
at how the Gospel began
taking root in the lives of
Christians in the young New
Testament churches.
If that sounds interesting, or
alarming, or confusing, then
come enjoy some fellowship
and teaching starting in April.
The Gospel
NEW CLASSES BEGIN APRIL 12
Taking Root: The Apostles, Broken Churches and the Glory of God
Locally Sourced: An Incarnational Approach to Life
Our Situation
8 APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG

LOCALLY SOURCED:
An Incarnational Approach to Life
by Josh Treen
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray
to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. –
Jeremiah 29:7
“What if we’ve gotten this thing all wrong?” This has been the thought
rattling around in my head now for several years. By “we” I mean me
specifically and the church generally (at least the church the way that I’ve
experienced) and “this thing” that is Christianity. I don’t mean the 5 Solas
part; I’m great with that. And I don’t mean the gathering together of the
saints in corporate worship or even the catechisms, sacraments, liturgy, etc.
But what if I’ve missed the point entirely?
Let me back up. I’ve been in churches my whole life—I can remember the
layout of my first church in Lithonia, GA, better than I remember the houses
we lived in while attending there. My church resume? Small group leader,
deacon, elder, sound guy, musician, finance chair, committee member,
facilitator, and now Sunday Seminar Teacher.
See, Christianity to me had always been about two things: getting into
heaven and learning to be more like Jesus until I get there.
And, to learn to be more like Jesus, I would need to be
exposed to tons of Jesus stuff (see above list). In
the process, maybe the church I attended
would have a neat enough program and/
or concert and I could invite a non-
Christian friend and then we could
pull the bait and switch and have
an altar call and BOOM!—onthe-spot
conversion. But, what
if I’d gotten it wrong?
What if my conversion wasn’t
actually all about me getting
into Heaven? What if it wasn’t
all about my own personal
holiness? What if the whole
point is that God is creating a
Kingdom here and now and he
actually wants “on earth as it is in
heaven”? What if WE, as his body, are supposed to be a
tangible reminder to this world that God became incarnate
and dwelt among those who were lost?
If I truly believe our theology, then the price for my sin has
been paid in full. So, that means all the time that I would’ve
had to spend preparing sacrifices and staying ceremonially
clean has been given back to me. And if my reputation and
salvation is based on Jesus' righteousness alone, then that
means I’m free to venture out into a dirty world to find those
who are just like me. So that’s what my family and I have been
trying to do, and along the way God has started bringing
friends into my family who do not know him or have had a
bad experience with church and Christians or just don’t want
anything to do with religion. My kids have become friends with
their kids, and I’ve had some of the deepest fellowship and
most loving relationships with people who don’t claim Christ.
I’ve also found some resources written by people who think
this way—that living as a Christian is actually incarnating into
our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces and recreational
activities. To show our friends a life that is better, not just holier,
and to be Christ to a world that desperately needs some sort
of hope. Because people wanted to be around Jesus—bad
people, sinful people, sick people—it stands to reason that
being a Christian means these are the same people who
should want to be around us.
I’ll be teaching a 6-week seminar starting in April that
examines what living an incarnational lifestyle can look like
and outlines the ways that Jesus engaged the world. We'll also
be discussing some of the ways that my family (and maybe
yours, too!) has or can deliberately put these into practice.
We’ll see that incarnation gives you the reputation needed to
have conversations. These conversations can eventually lead
to discussion regarding people confronting their own sin and
undergoing transformation by the working of the Holy Spirit.
If this sounds interesting to you, please come join me!
Ramifications
Illustration by David Clark
Intrigued by what you're reading? David Clark and Josh Treen will be
leading two new adult Christian Education classes that begin Sunday, April
12, at 9:00am and last for 6 weeks. Join us for one of these exciting classes!
APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 9

SOUTHWOOD
relate
SESSION UPDATE
During the final weekend of February, the elders and deacons
gathered at Desoto State Park for a two-day retreat. On this
retreat, your officers spent time in fellowship, worship, study,
prayer and conversation. Coming out of this time, the church
officers continue to be united as a group and encouraged about
the interim season. As we have said many times since then, we are
also increasingly aware of our need to be prayerfully dependent
upon God for his provision and direction.
Two primary topics of discussion were the many strengths of
Southwood’s ministry and the challenges we face currently as a
church. The officers ask you to join us in thanking God for all
he has given us as a church to rejoice over, including rich and
vibrant worship and an engaged congregation who continues to
feel called to love and serve Huntsville. The officers also ask that
you pray for Southwood as we face some of the challenges that
come along with a Senior Pastor search, a continued need for
tithe income and a desire to pursue fervently connectivity as a
congregation as well as service within our community.
The Session and Diaconate have also been working alongside
the Search Committee to address the preparatory work of
our search for the next Senior Pastor. We are thankful and
encouraged by the faithful work that the Search Committee has
already done. We are happy to have come alongside them to
give direction regarding the profile of our next Senior Pastor as
well as supporting the composition of Insights—the document
that describes our church and the search process for potential
candidates.
There is much to be thankful for and excited about as God’s
people at Southwood. Particularly as we approach Easter and
our other special services this week, join us in celebrating the
amazing news of our risen Savior!
10 APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG
The Peru Youth Mission Team is hosting a babysitting night on Friday, April 17, from 6-8pm to help
raise funds for their trip this summer. Please consider bringing your children ages 3 through
6th grade. Questions and sign-ups can be handled in the Guest Center or by e-mailing
Winnie Winford at winnie.winford@southwood.org.
Dine at Rosie's Mexican Restaurant (south Parkway) to support
the Peru Mission Team! Join us on the evening of Monday,
April 27 for a percentage of your total check to go
towards our fundraising goals. Chips and salsa
and Peru missions—a great combination!

elate
SOUTHWOOD
ALL THAT
IS FAIR
GOODNIGHT,
BOX
ELDER
James Parker
I'm not too familiar with L.J. Booth, but I heard this song performed by David
Wilcox in Knoxville, Tennessee. It must have been 17 or 18 years ago, but this song
has stayed in my memory. It talks about an invasive shrub called a box elder that
has been taking over L.J.'s yard. He knows he has to dig it out to save the rest of
his garden, but the thought of it makes him feel a little sad because he thinks it's a
beautiful plant. So he writes this song about the box elder. It's a very simple song
that turns into quite a profound meditation. Below I've included the introductory
monologue given by David Wilcox when he performed this song. It's helpful!
I'm going to play you an L.J. Booth song. L.J. lives around northern Wisconsin.
It's way rural. Scandinavia, Wisconsin is the name of the town. And all of his
songs are filled with these wonderful, real characters from his town. Like in this
song, he talks to the guy from the county agriculture, who's the one to ask about
anything, you know 'what to plant next to what' and 'what are the native plants'.
So he comes to him with a question about this tree. It's in his yard.
People have said, "That's a box elder, you've gotta cut that down!" and he thinks,
"Well, it's a living thing... Why?"
So they explain to him, "It's the kind of thing that spreads. The roots spread
underground and it comes up everywhere. If it really gets going in your yard, you
just can't get rid of it."
He thinks, "Well I don't know maybe I'll ask my friend." So he asks his friend who
works for the county agriculture and he says, "L.J., I GOT ONE WORD TO SAY
FOR BOX ELDER... ANNIHILATE!"
"Ok. Tomorrow. It's late. It's a beautiful warm night. We'll fire up the chainsaw
tomorrow."
And it's just a simple song. Oh, except for the bridge when it becomes a song
about Jesus from the point of view of Pilate. How does he do that?? I don't
know! It's the miracle of an L.J. Booth song a simple song suddenly gets HUGE!
It's like the inside of the trunk is bigger than the outside. It's miraculous!
Isn't that the truth!... The inside of the trunk is bigger than the outside. It certainly
is true for the incarnation of Jesus. And it is true of his Resurrection. The power
and glory it displays is too big even for our imaginations. It's the inside of the trunk
and this world is the outside. But in all our failures to give Easter the recognition
it deserves, and in all our attempts to work against the truth that Easter holds, the
resurrection of Jesus and his good news always find a way to bubble to the surface.
Just like the box elder. It can't be stopped! It is a force of nature. And the hope
of the resurrection will always be knocking down our doors. I hope that your Easter
and Holy Week is a rich time of meditation on the power of this special day!
GOODNIGHT, BOX ELDER
The federal express man was down on the driveway
Out of his step van
Cursing your name
It wasn't the first time
You changed his side mirror
Into a mirrorless frame
And though I know you are guilty of nothing
Except for a strong will to live in the light
You throw your seed on the wind like a thistle
Good night, Box Elder, good night
I sat down in town
At the bar full of elbows
And a man from the county told me that time & again....
When you try to cut one, like the heads of the Hydra
They grow back in a power of ten
And though I know you are guilty of nothing
Except for a strong will to live in the light
You throw your seed on the wind like a thistle
Good night, Box Elder, good night
And that man told me
That from your tree
They formed the cross on Calvary
When the people cried, "crucify"
And Pilate washed his hands
A cloud of blue smoke will rise in the morning
The engine will sputter
And the chain... it will spin
But here at my window, tonight it is quiet
Except for your leaves in the wind
And though I know you are guilty of nothing
Except for a strong will to grow in the light
You throw your seed on the wind like a thistle
Good night, Box Elder, good night
Easter, in your garden
Easter everywhere
APRIL 2015 | SOUTHWOOD.ORG 11

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