Kotton Patch St Louis
In the 1970s, Clarence Jordan (founder of Koinonia Farm) wrote a modern translation of Matthew and John. Jesus is a poor white boy from Valdosta, GA who travels around talking to the local farmers and berating the elders of First Church.For example, Matthew 9 - 'Jesus took note of their faith, and said to the paralyzed man, 'Perk up, my boy. Your sins are being forgiven.' Then some of the churchmen said, 'This bird is talking heresy!' I'm a fan of Eugene Peterson's modern vernacular translation, In the 1970s, Clarence Jordan (founder of Koinonia Farm) wrote a modern translation of Matthew and John. Jesus is a poor white boy from Valdosta, GA who travels around talking to the local farmers and berating the elders of First Church.For example, Matthew 9 - 'Jesus took note of their faith, and said to the paralyzed man, 'Perk up, my boy. Your sins are being forgiven.'
Then some of the churchmen said, 'This bird is talking heresy!' I'm a fan of Eugene Peterson's modern vernacular translation, but if someone tried to make a culturally situated translation of the Bible for 2014, I would find it eye-rollingly hokey and ridiculous. But Jordan totally pulls it off.
His translation comes off charming, delightful, and very surprisingly relevant. Jordan identifies a lot of interesting (and accurate!) parallels between the first century Middle East and 1970s Georgia. His translation of the Sermon on the Mount was particularly convicting. ('They who are deeply concerned are God's people, for they will see their ideas become reality.They who have an unsatisfied appetite for the right are God's people, for they will be given plenty to chew on.' ) Jordan makes you deeply feel the call for justice inherent in these texts and humanizes Jesus' world in a clarifying way.A really fresh, accessible, and thoughtful modern Bible translation - even 44 years later.
I can't do better than to quote a few verses from the bible which calls Joseph the father of Jesus 'Joe Davidson.' 'When Jesus was born in Gainesville, Georgia during the time that Herod was governor, some scholars from the Orient came to Atlanta and inquired, 'Where is the one who was born to be governor of Georgia?
We saw his star in the Orient, and we came to honor him.' This news put Governor Herod and all his cronies in a tizzy.
So he called a meeting of the big time preachers and I can't do better than to quote a few verses from the bible which calls Joseph the father of Jesus 'Joe Davidson.' 'When Jesus was born in Gainesville, Georgia during the time that Herod was governor, some scholars from the Orient came to Atlanta and inquired, 'Where is the one who was born to be governor of Georgia? We saw his star in the Orient, and we came to honor him.' This news put Governor Herod and all his cronies in a tizzy. So he called a meeting of the big time preachers and politicians, and asked if they had any idea where the Leader was to be born. In Gainesville, Georgia,' the replied, 'because there's a bible prophecy which says:And you Gainesville, in the state of Georgia,Are by no means the least in the Georgia delegation;From you will come a governor,Who will wisely guide my chosen people.' I've been reading this aloud for the fam, and it's quite striking.
It walks a fascinating line between profundity and disrespect, but once you get the feel for Jordan's project, it's fascinating. He forces the listener out of established grooves of hearing. Clarence Jordan's own heroic mercy work stands behind this and all his texts. Back in the 30s, he determined to follow Jesus' commands and live life 'without concern for the consequences.' For him, this meant establishing an integrated I've been reading this aloud for the fam, and it's quite striking.
It walks a fascinating line between profundity and disrespect, but once you get the feel for Jordan's project, it's fascinating. He forces the listener out of established grooves of hearing. Clarence Jordan's own heroic mercy work stands behind this and all his texts. Back in the 30s, he determined to follow Jesus' commands and live life 'without concern for the consequences.' For him, this meant establishing an integrated Christian community, Koinonia Farm (still running), dedicated to living the way of the cross.
Of course, doing that in Georgia before the civil rights era invited severe persecutions, just as Jesus promised. Charming adaptation of the Gospels of Matthew & John with a unique twist: it's a re-telling of the story as if the whole thing had taken place in present-time rural Georgia. Therefore, places like Bethlehem become Gainesville, Nazareth is Valdosta, and Jerusalem, of course, becomes Atlanta. The spirit is very close to the originals, yet set in a framework that makes it very accessible and amusing. The characters in the Gospels take on personae that ring familiar, yet are also based on the Charming adaptation of the Gospels of Matthew & John with a unique twist: it's a re-telling of the story as if the whole thing had taken place in present-time rural Georgia. Therefore, places like Bethlehem become Gainesville, Nazareth is Valdosta, and Jerusalem, of course, becomes Atlanta.
The spirit is very close to the originals, yet set in a framework that makes it very accessible and amusing. The characters in the Gospels take on personae that ring familiar, yet are also based on the originals: Peter is still stubborn, John is still a big talker, etc. This book was adapted into a wonderful stage musical with all of the songs written by Harry Chapin; it was his last major work. This is a lovely light read, and Mr. Jordan has published a few more like it. What impresses me most here is that even as he rendered biblical passages into South Georgia vernacular, Clarence Jordan didn't sacrifice the poetry of those verses - something several modern translations have failed to accomplish.
Consider his version of 'The Lord's Prayer':'Father of us, O Spiritual One,Your Name be truly honored.Your Movement spread, your will prevailThrough earth, as through the heavens.Grant us sustaining bread each day.Forgive our debts as we forgiveThe debts of all who What impresses me most here is that even as he rendered biblical passages into South Georgia vernacular, Clarence Jordan didn't sacrifice the poetry of those verses - something several modern translations have failed to accomplish. Consider his version of 'The Lord's Prayer':'Father of us, O Spiritual One,Your Name be truly honored.Your Movement spread, your will prevailThrough earth, as through the heavens.Grant us sustaining bread each day.Forgive our debts as we forgiveThe debts of all who cannot pay.And from confusion keep us clear;Deliver us from evil's sway.'
We have stayed in high-rises and hated the elevator wait. This walk was actually shorter than some at condos,even though it was across the street.
We could see the water from the porch and we were on the beach in just a few minutes. No need to bring chairs unless you have your favorite.
Also wonderful to have the best beach towels and plenty of kitchen supplies which eliminates packing that box of detergents, soaps, garbage bags etc. Most importantly in the place was beautiful and clean. It was our first time to SGI and we really liked it! This was our first visit to St. George Island, and we were truly blessed to find what for us was the perfect place to stay!
Cotton Patch is new, very clean, and charmingly appointed. We found everything we needed there - even a blender to make our breakfast smoothies! The deck, though modest insize, is just right for enjoying the gulf breeze with your beverage of choice, and the walk to the beach close enough that you don’t mind running back for items you may have forgotten.
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Best of all, we were able to bring our Golden Retriever, Sam, with us. I was glad we had brought most of the food we needed, because there are not a lot of restaurant choices on the island. But, we knew that ahead of time, and the quiet, laid back beach experience there was worth the trade-off for us.
Kotton Patch St Louis 2017
We had such a nice stay, can’t wait to go back!