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In association with The Christian Family Publication, Inc.
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Publisher: David Sparks, dsparksacf@aol.com Contributing Writers: Judy Woodward Bates Paul Berry John Croyle Alice Duckett Darrel Holcombe Zack Hudson
Kathy Mann Christen Perry Gwen Sisson David Sparks Nicole Anderson Sparks Justin Wade
Art Direction: Terry Schrimscher, Schrimscher Media & Marketing, LLC Cover Photo: Courtesy of Dave Ramsey Sales: Dawn Bell, dawnbellacf@yahoo.com Ralph Dryden Distribution: David Sparks Atlanta Christian Family is published monthly by Atlanta Christian Family, Inc., 19079 US Hwy 231, Pell City, AL 35125. The phone number is 205-8848187. The web site is www.atlantachristianfamily.com. Reproduction of any part of Atlanta Christian Family without permission of the publisher is prohibited. Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. Views expressed in Atlanta Christian Family do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by Atlanta Christian Family staff to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no respo sibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010 by Atlanta Christian Family, Inc. Unless otherwise noted, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Circulation & Distribution: Atlanta Christian Family is free and available at targeted, high-traffic locations throughout the Atlanta area. Copies are also available by subscription, $29 for one year. POSTMASTER: POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Atlanta Christian Family, 19079 US Hwy 231, Pell City, AL 35125.
December 2009 3
4 Atlanta Christian Family
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Contents Volume 5, Number 5
December 2009 6 Bringing Out the Winner The Best Holiday Season Ever 7 Are We There Yet? Alabama Mountain Getaways 8 Best Books Jumping Through Fire Brilliant Disguises 9 Music Notes Best Christmas Tunes 10 Bargainomics Holiday Savings
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10 Hassle Free Zone Think it Through 15 Cool Stuff with a Mighty Message Greatest Gifts for Christmas
12 Dave Ramsey breaks the bondage of debt. See page 12.
On The Cover 12 Dave Ramsey 7
Mountain Getaways
14 2 by Two
12 Kid’s Korner
9 Pet Travel Tips
Features
14 Youth News
17 Holiday Travel Tips
What God Wants for Christmas 15 Humor in Holy Places A Christmas Tragedy Becomes a Community Miracle 16 Church Leaders
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God Sees Us, Hears Us, and Acts On Your Behalf! 17 Kid’s Korner Holly, Cedar & Snowflakes
Next Issue NEW YEAR’S 2010 & MUCH MORE!
18 Money Matters U.S. Stock Markets: Soar or Crash? 19 Coloring Page 20 Calendar
21
20 Classifieds
December 2009 5
BRINGING OUT THE WINNER IN YOUR CHILD John Croyle Executive Director Big Oak Ranch, Author of Bringing Out the Winner in Your Child
The Best Holiday Season Ever This holiday season we hope you and your family have the best of Thanksgiving and Christmas blessings. We have been working on our Christmas wish lists at Big Oak Ranch for several weeks now. Just like you, we want to be fair and balanced in our “presents” giving. Having to say “NO” sometimes as a parent is even harder than showering your children with gifts. How about this year? What are your plans? When is too many equal to too much? The only way I know to answer this question is to simply ask God for His wisdom as you seek ways to make Christmas a joyous occasion of presents, love, home, food and family time. Sometimes the best presents don’t cost a dime but are investments of time with your children and/or grandchildren. Seek ways to draw these impressionable souls closer to yourself and obviously closer to the Lord by allowing them to see your focus; i.e., celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ and definitely loving your family. Let’s make this the best holiday and birthday celebration ever in your family. It is all in your state of mind. Sincerely, John — To learn more about the Big Oak Ranch, see Resources on page 22.
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Alabama Mountain Getaways his holiday’s, “Are We There Yet?” is a place full of rest, peaceful feelings, good shopping, and just all around warmth...Mentone, AL. Just a short drive from Georgia, Tennessee and many parts of Alabama, like Birmingham and Gadsden, Mentone is sure to bring rest for the soul and a little something for the entire family. You have a wide array of where to stay and what to do. Cozy bed & breakfasts, Inns, romantic cabins, family-sized chalets, RV parks and campgrounds. Our choice was a romantic getaway for two with Mentone Cabins. Cupid’s Crest, our 100 year old cabin, was located on the brow side and offered spectacular views all around. Inside was more than welcoming with the heat already warming things up and smooth jazz playing in the background, setting the stage for much needed rest. There are many sizes, price ranges, and locations around the area to choose from. Our cabin was fully equipped with everything you could need for the weekend, except food and clothes. There were many other extras also, such as a hot tub, swing, stainless steel appliances, fireplace, and even monogrammed bath towels. The effort they took to prepare a place for you to reconnect with God, your family and yourself is unparallel. Plan your stay now at www.MentoneCabins.com.
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Once you have decided on your place of rest and have arrived for your vacation, you will want to check out downtown Mentone! So many incredible places to shop for treasures. We got a handmade wooden Christmas tree made from a local artist out of the wood from the area that was strung with lights. It adorns our sitting porch and brings us much delight each day as we enter our home. Find ones like it and other great gift ideas at The Gourdie Shop. Check them out at www.Gourdies.com. Our favorite pottery place was Miracle Pottery. The story of Ms. Valinda Miracle is sure to warm your heart as you find a handmade treasure to take home. You can check out their website at www.MiraclePottery.com. Be sure to stay a while and maybe you can catch a glimpse of this brilliant artist at work creating one of
her many pieces. Also, if there is glaze you love but they don’t have a piece in that glaze, don’t worry, they can custom order and ship it to you! When it’s time to eat, you have quite a few options. The Mentone Springs Hotel takes it up a notch and serves custom made entrees prepared by a chef with a decent price tag. The smells inside were divine and the atmosphere very inviting. The Wildflower Cafe & Country Store serves a mostly organic menu, has a shop, and had live music to set the stage for more relaxing. It was our favorite choice. They were featured in Southern Living’s October 2009 issue. I enjoyed the Brunch Sampler and it was a delight for my taste buds with every bite! Be sure to stop by the Tourist Information Center and grab a coffee to take on your scenic mountain ride. The rest of our stay was spent taking in God’s creation. We visited DeSoto Falls and DeSoto State Park and enjoyed learning about the local history. If you are an outdoors person, DeSoto State Park is for you. There are bike trails, hiking, canoeing and so much more. Plan out your adventure at www.alaparks.com/desotoresort. Across the mountain is a natural wonder, Little River Canyon. You can go to one side of the canyon and walk down to the falls, or you can stay in your car and take the scenic drive on the other side of the canyon. There are plenty of places to pull off for photo ops or to take a hike down. You can also stay alongside the Canyon if you prefer the water view and ease of putting your kayak or canoe in from your door. Outside of the natural surroundings, you can visit the Hall of Fame for the country band, Alabama, as well as some of the members’ places of residence. No matter what the taste, Mentone has something for everyone. The best part is the short drive for a quick getaway. The prices are reasonable and there are many options of where to stay for all different preferences. Be sure to take the time to fall for Mentone and get some rest for your soul! — Nicole Anderson Sparks
December 2009 7
Best Books
Brilliant Disguises
Jumping Through Fires by David Nasser I have a deep admiration and respect for immigrants. As one who has traveled abroad and temporarily sensed the alienation and unfamiliarity which comes by being surrounded by a foreign culture, I can appreciate the bravery and inner strength it must require to leave everything behind and travel to another world. Show me a man who is trying to make a go of it in America, one who has left family, friends and cultural familiarity behind to build a life in an often intimidating society, and I’ll show you a man worthy of my esteem. The story of speaker, author and minister David Nasser is a case in point. In his new book, Jumping Through Fires (Baker Books, $17.99), David tells his story of growing up an Iranian exile in the United States. Fleeing Iran during the 1979 Revolution, the Nasser family moved to America, eventually ending up in the Birmingham area. As a young man, David saw the best and the worst of American culture. Jumping Through Fires is, however, more than just the story of the Nasser family’s escape and their subsequent life in America; it is the story of how, one by one, they also found a new life in God. As each came to a new understanding of God, one embedded in the person of Jesus, the Nasser family began to shed a rigid religious identity for one based on the grace and redemption found in the message of Christ.
William Thornton makes his fiction debut with “Brilliant Disguises,’ the story of a man who poses so well as a Christian that he fools everyone – everyone, that is, except for himself and the One he cannot escape from. In the process, he seemingly works miracles but cannot satisfy the hunger inside himself to find out who he really is. Cameron Leon is a newly-hired worker for the Forster Foundation, a world-wide charitable organization led by a reclusive billionaire. To get the job, Cameron has to join a church. However, Cameron, still mourning the death of his brother Peter, decides he will only pretend to “get saved.” In the process, he impersonates not only a Christian, but on occasion his brother. Cameron continues to receive tearful phone calls from Peter’s widow, Cecelia, who wants to hear her late husband’s voice. Cameron, a born mimic like his brother, flawlessly impersonates him but feels the need for a personal kind of cleansing. William “Bill” Thornton is a newspaper reporter with The Birmingham News and lives in Southside, Alabama. He is a Sunday School teacher and a deacon at Southside Baptist Church. The book is self-published through Xlibris, is carried by Ingram Distributors using the iPage database. Currently it is available at www.brilliantdisguises.com and will soon be available through Amazon and various bookstores. "
Jesus must have been attracted to the foreigner in Israel’s midst, even those held in contempt by His Jewish peers. The Samaritan woman Jesus met at a well was apparently singled out for special attention by our Lord. As I read Jumping Through Fires I thought of that Samaritan lady and the impact Jesus had on her village. According to John, they quickly realized what we often forget. Jesus is not just the Messiah of the Jews, nor is He just the Redeemer of cultured Europeans or Americans. Rather, the man who went out of His way to encounter a lowly Samaritan that day is the “one who is to come, the Savior of the World.” May God bless all the nations of the world. — Darrel Holcombe
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Music Notes Best Christmas Tunes ith Christmas right around the corner, many of us are wondering which CDs we need to dust off and get back out from last year. You could easily find yourself with quite a task to figure out just which ones to use or which ones to check out for the first time. So let’s take a look at some Christmas music, as well as some full Christmas CDs.
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The biggest debate in Christmas music is new Christmas songs versus traditional Christmas songs. What I have found is that a combination of the two actually makes sense for most people. “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” are great songs; there is no replacing them. However, I also cannot imagine Christmas music in 2009 without “Gloria” by Mercy Me, “This Baby” by Steven Curtis Chapman or “He Made A Way In A Manger” by Candy Pearson Shelton. So, I think in this day and age it is just a matter of finding the right mix of new and traditional Christmas songs. If you were limited to three Christmas albums to listen to this year, I would have to say go with Steven Curtis Chapman’s Christmas is All in the Heart, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra’s Timeless Christmas, and of course Mercy Me’s The Christmas Sessions. Let’s take a quick look at all three. Steven Curtis Chapman’s Christmas album Christmas is All in the Heart combines newer and older Christmas songs in such an amazing way. He has a remarkable, down-home way of singing these songs, and provides the listener with a laid-back way of enjoying 12 Christmas tracks. The acoustic guitar is clearly present in most of the songs on this CD. I would say the highlight on the album is “This Baby.” This song describes the early days of Jesus and how He went through many of the same things as little babies do still today – only this baby had come to change the world. What a message and what an honest look at what Christmas is all about. Denver and the Mile High Orchestra’s CD Timeless Christmas is probably the most fun Christmas album I have heard. For the most part it is upbeat and exciting. Their version of “Joy to the World” is incredible. They are one of the few groups that can take a song that you have heard performed 1,000 times by probably 50 different artists and make it special. They have a horn-driven sound that sets them apart from much of the Christmas music that you normally hear. MercyMe also has a pretty fantastic collection of 12 songs inside The Christmas Sessions. This has all of the qualities of a great album: skillful songwriting, strong vocals and fabulous instrumentation. This CD, like the other two, has a combination of new Christmas songs and traditional Christmas songs. “Joseph’s Lullaby,” one of the new tunes, is sung from the viewpoint of Joseph. It is such a touching song and is written from a perspective that most of us do not think about. MercyMe always comes through with great albums, and this one is no different. — Justin Wade
December 2009 9
HASSLE FREE ZONE,
Tips to Low Maintenance Living Think it Through Holiday Savings Easy, No-Bake Haystack Candy This simple and inexpensive recipe lets you whip up goodies that look and taste like they came from a gourmet candy shop! Perfect for gift giving and holiday get-togethers, you’ll have your guests thinking you're a spectacular cook – when you haven't even done any baking. All you need is: 1 lb. bag of chocolate chips 1 lb. bag of peanut butter (or butterscotch) chips 12 oz. of skinless peanuts (not raw) 5 to 6 oz. package or can of chow mein noodles Put the chips in the top of a double boiler (if you don't have a double boiler, put the chips in a smaller saucepan and set it inside a larger one). Put water in the lower (bigger) boiler/saucepan and heat to steaming hot but not boiling. When the chips have melted, stir in the nuts and noodles. Drop mixture by teaspoonful onto waxed paper. Refrigerate to cool.
Winter Styles for Less This winter’s top fashions for women seem to focus on shoulders and sleeves, mostly designs with shoulders that project outward in almost a point. Metallics, brocade and sequins are in, plus vests dubbed as “sleeveless coats.” Leather is big and animal prints are making a major comeback. Don’t break the bank keeping up with all these styles. Anything making a comeback can likely be found in a thrift, consignment or vintage specialty shop.
Trivia Games for the Holidays Everyone will enjoy this one. Round up some index cards or slips of paper and pens and you're all set. Give each family member and friend at your gathering five or 10 cards or slips of paper. Ask each person to write down facts about himself – one fact per card – that few or no one else might know, such as “My favorite vegetable is broccoli.” Collect all the cards and then begin reading out the answers, letting everyone guess who each clue relates to. You can play this a number of ways, like dividing into two teams and keeping score. However you do it, your family and friends will become better acquainted and have a great time in the process. Celebrate the Savior. Make sure Christ is what your Christmas is all about! — Judy Woodward Bates, “The Bargainomics Lady” Columnist Judy Woodward Bates is an author, speaker and TV personality. To schedule an appearance, learn more money-saving tips or order her new book, visit www.Bargainomics.com.
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The first step to set up a file system is the most important – thinking it through. But that’s also the step most likely to be skipped over. It’s typical to bypass the planning phase and put no time into thinking about how a file system should work. But just like a building, if a file system is put together without spending time on the design, it will collapse. It’s easy to see why this step receives no attention. First of all, there’s the time factor. You know you’ve got to do something about your filing, it’s driving you crazy, so you figure you’ll just dive right in and get it knocked out. Face it: if you had plenty of time, you wouldn’t have gotten so far behind on your filing to start with. Secondly, it might just be you don’t have a clue what to do. When a file system is simple, say everything is filed by last name or by an invoice number, then it’s easy to understand how to do your filing. The volume of overdue filing that has piled up may overwhelm you, but you still know exactly what needs to be done. However, not all filing is so straightforward, and it’s often difficult to file something so that you’ll be able to find it again. With these types of documents, it’s absolutely imperative to have a well thought out plan. A complex filing plan can be difficult to visualize and develop, yet it’s not unusual to see a new, inexperienced employee facing the task. It can be daunting to figure out how to file a wide variety of documents that require a sophisticated system of categories and sub-categories. If a file system has been managed year after year by a constant turnover of green employees, the results are likely to be disastrous. For best results, invest some time up front by thinking it through. Want more hints on filing and office organization? Subscribe to “Filing, Office Organization, and Time Management” to receive bimonthly hints and tips via e-mail. It’s absolutely free with no obligation, your e-mail address remains confidential and you can opt out at any time. Go to http://mrmservicesonline.com/contact.php and request your free tips today. — Kathy Mann, CRM Kathy Mann is certified in records management by the ICRM® Board of Regents, and is the owner of Mann's Records Management Services, LLC, a records management consulting firm that specializes in bringing order out of chaos. Her mission is to leave clients feeling confident they can locate what they need exactly when they need it, because “if you can't find it, then you don't have it.”
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Cool Stuff with a
Mighty Message For the Football Fan Select from three Limited Edition Print/Poems featuring the artwork of nationally acclaimed artist Daniel A. Moore. These limited edition framed units include poems written by former Alabama player and permanent team captain Todd Bates. These are specially priced at just $125 each for Regular Edition and $195 each for Artist’s Proofs. The outside dimensions of this ready-tohang frame measure 25” x 19”. Shown is “The Goal Line Stand” but also available are Moore’s most recent works of “The Blackout” and “The Blowout” – each accompanied by different poems with the same title. These will make the perfect Christmas gift for any Alabama fan on your holiday shopping list. Also, Moore is currently at work on his latest oil painting, “Maximum Block.” This painting documents Alabama’s historic, last-second field-goal block that sealed its win over Tennessee on Oct. 24. “Maximum Block,” as the artist puts it, is his portrayal of “… the maximum defensive effort given, by the maximum number of players on the field, in order to preserve a win of maximum importance.” To order these must-have items and view many other sports-related gift ideas for someone special, visit www.newlifeart.com. You can also order Moore’s work by calling New Life Art, toll-free, at 1-800-735-2787.
Tool Time After years of work in the corporate world and endless soul-searching, Lisa Knoppe-Reed believed she found her purpose in life and created a new business venture, Art For A Cause. She paints colorful flowers on tools and then donates a portion of the revenue to charities. A portion of CuteTools! are prepared by special education children at various schools. The children inventory the tools, sand, prime and even participate in quality control. Art For A Cause is a company with a mission to make a difference in our world through art. Visit www.artforacause.com to find a retailer near you.
Drawing Attention Sometimes the inspiration behind a piece of art is as important as the art itself. Out of a desire to find a fun and inviting way to have Scripture around the house, “Show Offs Art” developed products to “show off ” the things that are important…faith and family. The print
Greatest Gifts for Christmas “John 3:16 Heart and Globe” was inspired by a 12 year-old Tennessee girl with a disability. Madison painted a picture of a heart as a gift for her dad. She colored a big circle over the heart, to stand for the globe, and how big God’s heart is for the whole world. Wrapped canvas, plaques and note cards in various designs are available at www.showoffsart.com.
Wearing the Word For the princess in your life, Righteous Wear Clothing offers the perfect shirt design, “Of course I’m a Princess. And my Father is the King of Kings!” Righteous Wear started to share a positive message of God’s love. Stuart Campbell and Darryl Wiley create messages that inspire and make people think. Campbell says, “The message on all of our items is Holy Spirit inspired.” Righteous Wear offers t-shirts in a variety of sizes and colors as well as tote bags and other items. Everything can be viewed and purchased at www.righteouswearclothing.com.
Tree Treasures For more than 30 years, the sweet faces of Precious Moments porcelain figurines have brought smiles to many people. These collectibles cater to practically every occasion: birthdays, graduations and holidays. This Christmas, give your loved ones an adorable Precious Moments tree ornament that can be treasured for years to come. The “Born the King of Angels” tree ornament (3 ½”H, $27.50) heralds the birth of Jesus Christ. This bisque porcelain ornament showcases Mary and Joseph in gold-trimmed robes and Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. Another gift option is the “May Your Faith Light the Way” tree ornament (3”H, $22.50). A smiling girl holds out a lit candle, symbolizing the truth that even when the path is dark, God still lights the way. An additional special feature of this ornament is the year 2009 painted on her scarf. Both ornaments, as well as many other Christmas gift ideas, are available online at www.preciousmoments.com. You can also find Precious Moments products at selected gift and card retailers.
December 2009 11
Dave Ramsey
is on a mission to
BREAK THE CHAINS OF PAIN
hainsofbondage,chainsofpain,chainsofslaverytoyourfinances. NationalradiotalkshowhostandfinancialcounselorDave Ramseybelieveschainsareonlygoodwhentheyareusedtopull yououtofthemudandthemuck.
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And he knows a little bit about mud and all the cleaning up you have to do afterward. It was almost 20 years ago when a 28-year-old Ramsey lost his $4 million real estate fortune as the banking industry made big changes in the late 80s in real estate lending. With loans and lines of credit keeping him in bondage, the bank called all his loans — at the same time. Ramsey lost his business and over the course of two-to-three years, truly learned the meaning of the chains of bondage and pain.
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“Losing everything was crushing, emotionally and financially,” states Ramsey. “I came to know Christ before the bankruptcy, but afterwards, we were waving the white flag, saying 'I really do surrender all!' The song had a whole new meaning for us.” Ramsey was not raised in a Christian home, but came to know Christ as his Savior when a sales motivational speaker he admired mentioned a spiritual element to the sales process. All of the prayers and the tears from his “good little Baptist” wife, Sharon, did not have the same influence for Christ as this speaker whom he admired. Ramsey says the speaker had a lot of credibility with him and really made an impact. He was 24 years old and the young family began looking for a church. They found Christ Church in Nashville and got under the leadership of some very supportive and devoted pastors, who helped teach Ramsey from a Biblical standpoint. Ramsey says it was very important for him to understand as much as possible, par-
ticularly about “this tithing thing.” But it was during the total money melt down that Ramsey made the heart change to never be in bondage to money again. He wanted to learn how to do it right and never go back to living scared. He wanted to stop mud-riding his way though his finances. The muddier they got, the closer the Ramseys came to God. They leaned on Him and God threw them a chain to help walk them out. Ramsey began to learn “God's and Grandma's” way of handling money. With a determination to make real, lasting changes in his own life, he also developed a passion and compassion for others going through the same mud hole. While working a zillion hours a week to “keep the wolf away,” Ramsey wrote a book on the things he learned called Financial Peace, and began counseling people going through financial stress. Almost 20 years later, Ramsey's new book, The Total
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Money Makeover is on the New York Times Bestseller list. Over three million people listen to his live radio broadcast, The Dave Ramsey Show, and this fall he began a TV show that airs every weekday on the Fox Business Network. Dave and Sharon have three children who love the Lord and are excellent students. Denise and Rachel are at the University of Tennessee, and their son, Daniel, is in high school. They go to the lake to water ski at every opportuThe Dave Ramsey Show can be heard nity, attend University of Tennessee daily in the Gadsden area on WGST football games and hold season tickets 640 AM. to the Predators hockey games. They love to snow ski and enjoy one another as a family. Sharon is a full-time mom and participates in volunteer work with their church and within the community. Ramsey says that during all of the ups and downs, Sharon has been a rock. “She is the perfect example of a Proverbs 31woman,” Ramsey replies fondly. “She is not an up front, on the stage type of person, but around our organization, she is a rock.” In view of all the Ramseys have gone through, it is amazing to see what God can do through a bad situation with people who will “Surrender All.” But did he expect all of this as he was beginning his business 20 years ago? “God plants a seed in your life and there's a hope and dream,” Ramsey explains. “It has been an amazing ride.” — Gwen Sisson
December 2009 13
Youth News 9 Pet Travel Tips Preparing for holiday travel with your pet? Here are nine tips to make the holiday more joyful for you both.
© Linqong | Dreamstime.com
1. Your pet should exercise before the flight. Taking your pet for a quick jog or walk will help calm your pet before the flight so that they will sleep easier and be more comfortable. 2. Pets should be fed a few hours before departure. You don’t want your pet to go hungry but you also do not want them to get an upset stomach. 3. Make sure your pet is comfortable! In the winter months, make sure a blanket is available to cover your pet. It’s a long flight for them too! Not only will a blanket keep them warm, but comfortable. 4. Purchase the appropriate travel kennel or pet carrier far in advance. Your pet will usually travel with greater ease if they have established a “nesting” type relationship with their carrier at home prior to the flight. Have your pet “try out” the carrier prior to the flight, so they feel an attachment to it beforehand. 5. Clip your pet’s toenails before any flight. This reduces the chance of them getting hooked on the carrier door or other openings. 6. Contact the appropriate embassy far in advance of your trip to learn about quarantine or health requirements. 7. Make sure your animal has a sturdy collar with two identification tags. One tag is for the animal’s home information and the other includes the destination information. 8. Always carry a current health certificate from your veterinarian, dated within seven to 10 days of departure. 9. Make sure to give your pet plenty of love before and after the flight. — Tips provided by EL AL Airlines
What God Wants for Christmas Toys, toys, Santa and more toys. For many kids, that pretty much sums up their expectations of Christmas. The holidays become a bit more complicated for parents: Christmas parties, church activities, cooking, hosting, decorating, travel, buying gifts, etc. In all the hubbub of the season we sometimes forget to think about our gift to the One who matters most. So what does God want for Christmas anyway? There is a neat product out there that will answer this important question! “What God Wants for Christmas” ($17.99, available at LifeWay Christian Stores) is a devotion/advent/nativity set that you can use with your kids during Christmastime. That probably sounds a bit odd, but it’s quite easy to use and is a good learning tool for your family. The set comes with seven gift boxes, a nativity display and a small instruction/devotional book. You set the nativity up on the first day and read day one’s devotion to your children about Gabriel bringing the good news from God. The child then opens the first little present and inside is a Gabriel figure to place in the nativity. After the sixth day, the child’s nativity will be filled. You’ll find Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a shepherd and a wise man. On the seventh day your child is finally able to see just what God wants for Christmas. Instead of a seventh figure inside this last box, there is a small mirror that reflects back at your child. You see, all God ever wanted was you! We started using “What God Wants for Christmas” with my 4-year-old daughter Beth last year and she loved it. Her two favorite boxes were the Baby Jesus and the mirror box. The booklet also includes tips to create your own experience with the set. It contains suggestions, such as hiding the gifts for the kids to find, having them act out the parts when you read them and other fun ideas. Also included are the steps to salvation that you can go through with your child if they have questions during the week. I love the “What God Wants for Christmas” set. It really does put things into perspective – not only for the kids but for parents too. I’ve sold out of this set at my LifeWay store every year, so you may want to pick one up early. I may be getting another one this year; my daughter wore the last one out by playing with it so much. — Zack Hudson, LifeWay Christian Stores
14 Atlanta Christian Family
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Humor in HOLY Places A Christmas Tragedy Becomes a Community Miracle Scott, my middle son, has always loved horses. He even loves horses enough to read about them. Being a reluctant reader as a teenager, his showing an interest in reading anything thrilled his English teacher mother. Earning a few bucks sacking groceries at the local supermarket, Scott earned and saved enough to buy a horse. Johnny, a family friend and a horse owner himself, took Scott under his wing, teaching him to ride and to care for horses. When Scott was ready to make his big purchase, Johnny helped him find one that would fit Scott’s budget - a beautiful blazed-face western pleasure horse, named Blaze. Living in a small Alabama town and having a dad who was the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Scott was known and loved throughout Red Bay. His dad and I were forever being told how polite and helpful Scott was to customers at the Piggly Wiggly. Therefore, he had no problem in finding a place to pasture his horse. Dr. Dempsey, one of the local physicians, was a member of our church. He told Scott he could keep his horse in his pasture. Scott soon found the large pasture to be a mixed blessing. Every day Scott would go down to the pasture put out hay and feed. Blaze would look longingly at the feed but wouldn’t come near until Scott gave up on catching him; only then would Blaze come for the feed. The horse and boy did this dance for days. Each day Blaze came a little closer. One day Scott kept the feed in the bucket, sat down on a log, and waited for the horse to build enough trust in him to come for the feed. Scott knew that wasn’t the time to reach out and grab the horse. Over time he let the trust build. Scott began by holding some sweet feed in his hand and letting Blaze come and get it. Finally the day came when he could rub Blaze’s face and ease his hand in position to get hold of the halter and hook the rope into the O-ring. He tried to get a bridle on him to no avail. After struggling for over an hour, both Scott and Blaze were frustrated. Scott had built a make-shift pen, so once caught, Blaze would no longer have full range of the pasture until the boy had accomplished his task. It was time for Scott to leave for choir practice when he, shoulders slumped with disappointment, came to the house that Sunday afternoon. “What’s wrong? You still couldn’t catch Blaze?” I questioned. “I caught him alright, but I couldn’t get the halter on him.” Scott even struggled to fight back some tears. I realized something was more important than his going to choir practice that afternoon. “Would you like for me to go down to the pasture to see if I can help you?” His eyes brightened. “I’m not sure it will do any good, but we could give it a try.” Dressed in my Sunday clothes and my hair tied in a scarf to keep off the sprinkle of rain, I was able to hold down Blaze’s head so Scott could put the bit in the horse’s mouth and bridle him. “Now that you’ve accomplished that feat, why don’t you go for a short ride? You can come to church just for the worship service tonight.” I knew my son needed that, this day, more than he did choir.
That was the last time I ever had to aid Scott with that task. He became adept in handling Blaze. The two were almost inseparable for the next few weeks. With Christmas approaching, his dad and I had knew what to buy Scott for Christmas - a new saddle, chaps, and essential tack. He had been using some old borrowed tack. As was our custom, we opened gifts at our house on Christmas Eve night so we could make the hundred-mile trip to the grandparents’ houses to spend holiday time with them. I had never before seen Scott so excited about his Christmas gifts. Although he couldn’t go riding that night, he tried on his chaps, sat on his saddle, and rubbed every piece of tack. We spent Christmas night at my parents’. The next day was Sunday. My husband drove back to Red Bay for the morning service. As soon as he arrived at church, Dr. Dempsey was waiting for him, and in his most serious tone said, “Brother Steve, I’m afraid I have some bad news for Scott; we had an unusual storm last night here – snow, thunder, and lightening all mixed together. I went to the pasture to check on the cattle and discovered Scott’s horse had been struck by lightning. It was just a freak thing.” Shannon, our youngest son, had traveled with Steve. Normally, Scott and Shannon showed normal sibling rivalry, but not that day. Shannon had recently purchased himself a horse, although he was quite as interested in horsemanship as was Scott. The thought of Scott’s impending sadness refreshed the deep-seated brotherly camaraderie in Shannon. Shannon told his dad, “I wish it had been my horse instead of Scott’s.” Shannon’s warm-hearted reaction was only one in a series that followed, some coming from unexpected sources. A boy and a horse brought out the best in the entire community and softened a few hard hearts. After Steve and Shannon returned and broke the news, condolences started flowing in from various concerns. Many others called after hearing the news, but one surprised us all. Dr. Rose, a young Catholic doctor who came to Red Bay, Alabama, from California and was thought, by some, to be abrupt and cynical, called. First, he got our approval for his proposition, asked to speak to Scott. In an uncharacteristic gentle manner, he told Scott he had heard about Blaze. “I was wondering if you might do me a favor. I have three horses here in a pasture and have little time to ride any of them. Blonco really needs to be ridden more than I have time for. If I bring him down to Dempsey’s pasture, could you could ride him for me several times a week?” Of course that didn’t replace Blaze, but the thought of his new saddle and tack not going to waste perked the boy up. Romans 8:28 teaches, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This had never been played out so evidently as when this boy and his horse brought a community together for a common good. Scott, now forty-six-year-old, still loves horses and owns several.
December 2009 15
Church Leaders God Sees Us, Hears Us, and Acts On Your Behalf! “Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them.” – Exodus 3:7-8a God strictly observes and considers the matters of Hhis people and HE WILL INTERVENE. Scripture is clear on this point: “And be sure of this, Christ says, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” We are elsewhere encouraged not to fear our circumstance because God has also said, “will not leave you or forsake youNever will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5Duet. 31:6). What aan absolute joy to know that God in Christ will beis moment by moment with you on earth right this very minute aand will be with youus even as you we leave this earth. , he will carry us gently into glory! You Here God is said to do three thingscan be assured of God’s concern for you. In this passage Exodus 3, God is said to do three things, first.: First, : God notices your sorrows. “I have surely seen the affliction of my people.” What sweet, sweet comfort in distress to know that God notices sees our sorrows. What is interesting to note, is that neither the children of Israel or Moses were in public protest to their respective conditions.: inIn fact, scripture says that when Moses arrived in Midian and met with Jethro that he was “content” to” to dwell with the man. Often times after we have endured struggle in any given circumstance for any length of time we, like Moses, are grow “content” to dwell with things as they are. Settled, In fact, wwe are no longer discomforted by our sufferings, but regard as healthy, see our diseased circumstances as healthy. . Once we tire of Tired of waiting on God to respond favorably, we become content to retire our hope forof change and forfeit our deliverance..
that God knows them and their methods and HE WILL INTERVENE! “Avenge not yourselves, scripture says, but rather hold your peace - for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord!” God is concerned to avenge those who perpetrate harshness towards you! And finally, God promises to come down and deliver us from our enemies. Let your hearts and minds find comfort in God’s words,this story knowing that our God, the master of the universe, is zealous to deliver his children from injustice.: He will come down and deliver you! In Christ, did not God come down to deliver his people? Is not this the source of our rest, the seat of our peace that God will come down to deliver us from all evil! Let us rejoice in this truth. Cory Ruth is the author of numerous articles, a respected teacher, and a committed philanthropist. You are invited to email your feedback to coryruth@yahoo.com — David Sparks
Second, God hears your cry. Notice scripture: ’and the children of Israel sighed by reason of their bondage, and they cried.’ Sighing is an expression of exhaustion. Notice that Tthe cries were not going out publicly nor were the cries going before Pharaoh. Rather, God heard the tearless cries of Israel. Scripture says ‘their pleas for deliverance rose up to God and he heard their cries’. Be encouraged by this comforting promise from Godreality – that GodGod is capable of perceivingnotices your secret sorrows and he hears your sighs for relief. Bbecause he is capable of irs reading your heart, he understands you even when you lack words to express the depth of your suffering. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our sufferings and fearsweaknesses. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Our Savior longs for us to cry out to Him. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17). plain. Next, God has seen the tyranny of your persecutors: scripture say in verse nine that God has seen the oppression of his people. Be sure of this thing:
16 Atlanta Christian Family
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Special Feature Holiday Travel Tips It’s that time of year again! The holidays are upon us…ready or not. Many families spend more time traveling in November and December than they do the rest of the year. Here are a few of our most useful and practical tips for those of you who will be taking family vacations, road trips to visit friends and family, mission trips, or any other type of travel:
Road Trips Create a “Family Travel Box” with your family using a plastic tote and paint pens. Let your children decorate the container, and then fill it with small books, magazines, maps, travel games, pens, crayons, etc. Don’t forget to add practical items, such as baby wipes, paper towels and a small first aid kit. Road trips are great opportunities to spend quality family time together! Turn off the DVD player and Nintendo DS and play the travel games that you enjoyed as a child. I was pleasantly surprised on our last family trip when our teenagers had such a good time playing the “ABC” game and counting animals.
Packing for Flights The holidays are the busiest travel months for airports and airlines. This can attribute to flight delays, lost luggage and other unexpected occurrences. Make sure to pack a carry-on bag with any medications, travel size toiletries (in zip-lock bags), a change of clothes and a few snacks. This will come in handy during unexpected delays and layovers. Pack a few of every family member’s clothing items in each suitcase. This way, if one piece of luggage is
Holly, Cedar & Snowflakes Hello Kids. Welcome to the magic of December. I hope your Christmas will be special and meaningful. December always makes me think of holly, cedar and snowflakes. I want to share a story that tells why… You remember the song, “Over the meadow and through the hills to Grandmother’s house we go”? Well, when I was growing up, I lived in town, so it was a treat to drive out in the country in December to visit at my Grandmother’s house. We caught up on the news, talked about the approaching Christmas season and my grandmother served us homemade biscuits with jam. Then my sister, Daddy, and I walked over Grandpa’s country property to find and cut holly with its stickery leaves and red berries and fragrant cedar to use in holiday decorating at home. Mama would be waiting for us when we returned with our baskets and brown grocery sacks filled with the cuttings. She had several containers ready for us to arrange the greenery and berries in. We also put boughs across the mantle over the fireplace in the living room. Then we made a decoration for the front door using a Styrofoam base which we stuck full of holly and fragrant cedar with a large red bow attached at the top. Next we moved to the dining room. When we finished with it, we thought the long table looked elegant and festive with a large crystal bowl of holly and bright red berries as the centerpiece flanked with red candles on each side. My sister and I would stand back, gaze at our handiwork, and look around with satisfied grins on our faces. We watched for an approving nod from Mama, and she always gave it. She told us our table arrangement was beautiful!
lost, no one will be completely without clothes until the suitcase arrives to your destination. Always purchase travel insurance, especially for international trips! Trip insurance covers lost luggage, trip delays and cancellations, as well as medical coverage in other countries. Most people are not aware that their health insurance will not cover them outside of the United States. Most importantly, when traveling during the holiday months, be flexible. There are some things that we just have no control over: traffic, flight delays, weather or even the person who sits next to you on the plane. However, we do have control over our attitudes. So make the most of the time that you spend with your family this season, whether it be in a car, an airport or an airplane. Make great travel memories, be safe and enjoy the holiday season! — Christen Perry Christen Perry is a Travel Consultant and the owner of Classic Travel Connection, specializing in Group and Family Travel, Honeymoons, Cruises and Disney Vacations. Call 205-823-5333, e-mail christen@classictravelconnection.com or visit www.classictravelconnection.com.
Our next project would be cutting delicate snowflakes out of white paper. The more intricate the design, the better we liked it. Sometimes we would add silver or gold glitter to make the snowflakes sparkly. Then we would attach them to strings or ribbon and hang them in the windows of the living room. We saved some to hang on the Christmas tree. Our intricate snowflakes added a special touch to the tree’s elegance. This December why not plan a family project called “the hanging of the greens”? First, go together and cut your greenery in the country or woods. Then decorate with the holly, cedar and pine in your living room, dining room or den. Next design and cut paper snowflakes to add to your windows and Christmas tree. It’s fun, and you can be imaginative. Spending this special time with your family creating decorations with real forest greenery, then designing snowflakes and hanging them will make your holiday preparations meaningful. Finish your “hanging of the greens” celebration by serving hot chocolate with marshmallows or popping popcorn for all. P.S. Did you know that the “hanging of the greens” was a tradition practiced all over England by families in their homes and churches to usher in the Christmas season. Early English settlers brought the custom with them to America.
— Alice Duckett isit her website at www.Shadowpurr-r-rPress.com.
December 2009 17
Money Matters
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U.S. Stock Markets: Soar or Crash? The stock markets in the U.S. have had a terrific run-up since March of this year. Some of the extreme Bulls say the market will continue to go up and never come back to this level again. Some of the extreme Bears say the market will crash and go to even lower lows than we had in March. Most people are in the middle saying, “I don’t know” but are asking what they should do if either of the extremes should happen. My opinion is that one of the two extremes will happen and there is a strong case for both. The case for the markets to go down is very reasonable. We have the highest unemployment since 1982 and it is still growing. The consumer (unsecured) debt-level of the American household is at an unsustainable level. People must cut back their spending to survive, resulting in lower business and retail sales and more people out of work. The federal, state and local governments will be raising taxes to pay for the current year 2 trillion dollar deficit. This tactic will take more money out of public hands causing further family budget cutbacks. The downward spiral continues until they classify the economy as being in a depression. The case for the markets to go up is also very reasonable. The government is printing and spending money like they will never have any negative consequences in order to keep the economy from collapsing. The world does not have that same confidence in the U.S. government. They hold trillions of our currency and are beginning to believe this may not be a good idea. The increased money supply makes the U.S. currency they hold worth less each day and they are now trying to get rid of it which causes inflation here in commodities like food and oil. This “dumping” causes a sharp drop in the value of the dollar and will result in hyperinflation and possibly even the collapse of our currency and economy. The worst of all worlds is that both could happen resulting in an inflationary depression and possibly the collapse of our currency, economy and country. The biggest question is, “What should one do to protect themselves no matter what happens?” The common suggestions are to own and take possession of gold and silver bullion, invest internationally, minimize risk by following Ecclesiastes 11:2-6, and finally, don’t fear by following Ecclesiastes 11:8. God’s instructions are always the best. Maybe you should use a like-minded advisor so you can discuss these issues openly. The Covenant Group offers a free initial consultation so you can determine if our services are for you. We desire to be equally yoked with our clients. Call us at 205-985-7710. — Paul Berry
Faith At Work
Send us an example of Christian love at work in our community (400 words or less).
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Music Notes
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Potluck
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Cool Stuff With a Mighty Message
Send us an idea of an inspirational gift or product. (400 words or less).
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Eating Out Do you have a favorite local restaurant you would like to see featured? What about a restaurant owner who actively lives out his/her faith?
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dsparksacf@aol.com 18 Anniston/Gadsden Christian Family
December 2009 18
Atlanta Christian Family
December 2005 19
January 2010 CALENDAR December 5 Christian Directed Singles, 9:30 – 12:30 Volunteer helping at Norcross Cooperative Ministries at 2275 Mitchell Road followed by an optional lunch in Norcross. NCM is an ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing emergency assistance to families in the City of Norcross and surrounding areas. Volunteer and / or contribute a gift for the Christmas "Toy Wish List", anything from baby dolls, toy trucks, to food gift cards. Call Sally at 770-449-1211 ext. 156 to carpool from CTK church. December 6 Christ the King Christmas Concert (free), 3:30 PM, Christian Directed Singles optional dinner at a nearby restaurant afterwards. Instruments playing Christmas carols and refreshments in the Atrium starts at 3:30. Carols, songs, and instrumental music featuring all of Christ the King's musical ensembles and audience
participation singing. The Chancel Choir will present the cantata “The Winter Rose” which tells the story of Christ’s coming— the night that changed the world. RSVP helpful, especially for dinner. For information contact Sally 770-449-1211 ext. 156 December 13 Perimeter Church Free Christmas Concert., 6:30 PM, Christian Directed Singles , Primeter Church at 9500 Medlock Bridge Rd. Duluth,. A concert with orchestra & drama presentation on the narrative. Meet at CTK parking lot at 5:30 p.m. to carpool to Perimeter Church arriving in time get good seats. Contact Sally 770-449-1211 ext. 156 . Please RSVP by Dec 9 to reserve free ticket.
for tickets were due in Oct . Ask about cancellations/extra tickets. Contact Carol at 770-449-1211 ext. 156, December 20 Messiah Sing-Along. 2:15 PM , Roswell United Methodist Church . Christian Directed Singles meet to carpool from Christ-The King, optional dinner after. Join in singing Part One of the Messiah, concluding with the Hallelujah Chorus. Presented by The Michael O'Neal Singers with accompaniment by The Riverside Chamber Players and organist Tom Alderman. Bring your score, or purchase one that day. Come and make a joyful noise!. Contact Carol at 770-449-1211 ext. 156.
December 19 Dinner theater “It’s a Wonderful Life, 6 PM , Christian Directed Singles meet at First Baptist of Atlanta. $18 tickets Money
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December 2009