2 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • April 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
Raising Teens is No Picnic Written by Mark Gregston with Guest Bruce Sallan.
“This article was written by a fellow named Bruce Sallan after he attended one of the seminars that I spoke at while in California a while back. Thought you would like to read his reflections on the seminar. Here it is: My wife dragged me to her church for an allday seminar called “Turbulence Ahead– Parenting Teens Through the Bumpy Years.” I went along, in support of her and in support of her recent “turbulence” with our oldest son, who is 16½ and a handful. But, my initial reaction was that
this was a long time to spend on a subject that I know pretty well. At the seminar, it was quickly evident that my knowledge on the subject could certainly use a refresher, if not a fullon course. Within minutes, I grabbed the pen that we were given and I began taking notes. I ran out of space and in no time, I filled up the supplied notes sections of the program brochure. The seminar was led and created by Mark Gregston, who is the host of “Parenting Today’s Teens,” a daily and weekend radio program heard nationally. He is the
founder of Heartlight, a residential counseling center for adolescents in crisis and the author of several books. His credentials could fill this column, plus he’s an engaging speaker with a good sense of humor and selfdeprecation vs. arrogance that some so-called experts display. As I see myself as a “layman expert,” I was appreciative of this approach and found the seminar enlightening. At first, I just jotted down some of his powerful and smart quotations such as: “The investment you make in your kids
today pays off with your grandchildren tomorrow.” “The AMA has increased the age of adolescence (from 19) to 23.” “Our response to situations changes with our understanding of them (re: teens)” “I think God may have once said: it was so much easier when there were just three billion down there.” And, one of my favorites which is totally in keeping with one of my own favorite columns, “Best Friend or Best Parent” (http://bit.ly/bestparent) was: See TRUST, page 15
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder and director of Heartlight, a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. He has been married to his wife, Jan, for 40 years, has two kids, and 4 grandkids. He lives in Longview, Texas with the Heartlight staff, 60 high school kids, 25 horses, his dog, Stitch, 2 llamas, and a prized donkey named Toy. His past involvement as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and living with over 2,700 teens, has prepared Mark to share his insights and wisdom about parenting pre-teens and adolescents. You can find out more about Heartlight at www.HeartlightMinistri es.org. You can also call Heartlight directly at (903) 668-2173. For more information and helpful resources for moms and dads, check out our Parenting Today’s Teens website at www.ParentingTodays Teens.org. It’s filled with ideas and tools to help you become a more effective parent. Here you will also find a station near you where you can listen to the Parenting Today’s Teens radio broadcast, or download the podcast of the most recent programs.
A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • April 2016 • www.albanyherald.com 3
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Bible Study Notes: Matthew 5: 43-48 COURTESY OF INTOTHYWORD.ORG
General Idea: Jesus once again challenges the Pharisees' misunderstanding of the law, and calls for a hard and necessary stand in response to evil, but doing so with goodness and kindness instead of a desire to get even. When our tendency is to respond back in kind, evil for evil, we will only escalate the situation. Thus, when we take this stand with kindness, we may turn an enemy into a friend. In addition, when we do this, we become superior to the enemy in virtue and standing with God. When we respond in the same way as we are harmed, we become as they are, heinous in His sight! Because we are children of God, we must always measure ourselves on what we say and do on the basis of who we are in Christ. We must mirror His precepts and character, not what others may say or what we desire. In so doing, we become perfect, as being complete in Him.
1. You shall love your neighbor: Jesus is challenging the teachers of the law, who have twisted what the law said and contorted it to their will and means. The Scribes and Pharisees would have lavish debates on defining a neighbor, to whom they could be kind, and to whom they could be mean. In so doing, their responsibility to do as God called was negated as they changed the rules and definitions of God's call, teaching false conclusions. Jesus saw this as heinous and evil. Jesus answers their question of, who is my neighbor, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:2937).
a. We are never to contort God's Word to fit our agenda! b. Nowhere in the OT does it say to hate your enemies (Ex. 23:4-5; Lev. 19:17-18; Prov. 25:21-22). i. The law taught that kindness was to be shown to your enemy (Ex. 23:4-5;
i. We are to love them in all the characters of love (1 Cor. 13: 4-8). Love is measured by what is costs us, not what we get from it! ii. We are to bless them; this is also a form of love that shows kindness and selfgiving from the teachings,
“You shall love your neighbor: Jesus is challenging the teachers of the law, who have twisted what the law said and contorted it to their will and means.” Prov. 25:21-22). ii. Some took Psalm 139:19-22 as an excuse; however, in context, the request is clearly for those who are wicked. Yes, there were times God called the Jews to attack to take their land, defend themselves, and wipe out sin. However, the focus is always on peace, love, and reconciliation. c. The Essenes (the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls) taught the piousness of hating those outside of God's will and covenant. And, the Greeks during Jesus times taught that we are to learn from our enemies, as did the classic book on warfare and tactics, The Art of War, by Suzi, written between 700 and 200 years before Christ. Yet, many taught then, as is taught today, to get your enemies back harder than they got you. d. Jesus calls us to do the opposite of your feelings and the ways of the world. He said to love them back instead of seeking revenge and payback (Luke 6:32-33). Then, Jesus continually warns us of persecution (Matt. 5:10-12; 10:16-32; 24:9-13).
examples, character of, and ways that Jesus acted to those who persecuted Him. iii. We are to pray for them, not about them. This means we do not pray that God gets them back, rather that He changes their hearts toward Him and His perfect Will. This was going further that the most pious OT saints did (2 Chron. 24:22; Psalm137: 7-9; Jer. 11:20; 15:15; 17:18: 18:23). iv. Proverbs 25:2122 tells us that when we overcome evil with good, it totally disorientates those who hurt us, sending them into chaos and confusion, until they are convicted or fall deeper into sin and death. This should give you a wake up call that this is the best revenge; let their own misdeeds haunt them, and let the perfect Judge deal with them! e. Most Jews did not consider Gentiles as neighbors, so they treated them with contempt, the opposite of OT precepts. They were not to be influenced by them or inter-marry with them, but they still had a responsibility to proclaim the
Word of God to the World (Gen. 12:1-3). 2. Sons of the Father means we are to demonstrate ourselves to be truly His children (Luke 6:35-36; Rom. 5:8,10; Eph. 4:31-5:2; 1 John 4:10-11)! 3. Tax collectors were considered the wickedest people, as they often were Jews preying upon other Jews, extorting money and land for foreign powers (in Jesus time the Romans), while keeping a good deal or most of it themselves. a. There is a fine line between building relationships with neighbors, while keeping ourselves pure and holy. b. We are called to stay away from pagans, from imitating their bad influences (Duet. 18:9; Jer. 10:2). 4. Perfect means complete or whole, lacking nothing, with the aspect of being merciful (Luke 6:36). a. This, in context, is calling us to fulfill verses 21-47 into our lives. This is a call to application and commitment. b. Be perfect is God's call for us to follow His character. It is seeking His standards, and not our own, as the Jewish leaders did. When we strive for His perfection, we will exhibit love and benevolent grace even to our enemies. Our Father shows kindness to evil and unthankful people! We may never live up to God's purity because of our sinful nature, but one day we will in eternity. Our goal is to continue to strive for perfection (Phil. 3:10-13). However, never use eternity as an excuse to do nothing in developing your character, because character is the one thing you earn and
Richard Joseph Krejcir is the Founder and Director of Into Thy Word Ministries, a missions and discipling ministry. He is the author of several books including Into Thy Word, A Field Guide to Healthy Relationships and NetWork. He is also a pastor, teacher, and speaker. He is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California (M.Div.) and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Practical Theology from London (Ph.D). He has garnered over 20 years of pastoral ministry experience, mostly in youth ministry, including serving as a Church Growth Consultant.
build that will go with you into heaven! c. The Bible elsewhere calls us to be holy as He is holy (Lev. 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:26). d. In classic Judaism and Greek philosophy, Ethics is the imitation and application of God's character. Perfection comes when we squeeze out all of our preconceived ideas, interests, See STUDY, page 5
LIFE HAPPENS. ARE YOU PREPARED? I’M YOUR AGENT FOR LIFE INSURANCE. Kenneth N. Nance Agent 110 Cordele Rd. Suite 5, Albany, Ga 31705-2478 Bus. 229-485-1385 Cell. 404-477-7233 kent@kentnanceismyagent.com www.Kentnanceismyagent.com
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Loving your Enemies
STUDY
Continued from page 4
wants, and desires, and yield ourselves over to Him, so that we are following His purpose, which is perfect, and not our own, which is flawed. To be God's servant allows Him to be glorified from your walk in Him. To rely on His plan, which is more creative, and has better options than we could ever conceive should be our goal. Questions: 1. Do you like to watch movies and TV shows that have a revenge premise to them, such as the Charles Bronson moves? If so, what would that movie be like, and would it be interesting, if the main character held to the precepts of this passage? 2. Why must we take a hard and necessary stand in responding to evil? How could you and society benefit from doing that?
3. Do you think the situation escalates when
we respond in kind, evil for evil? Why or why not? 4. Should we, as children of God, always measure what we say and do by who we are in Christ and from His precepts and character, not what others say or what we desire? If you agree, why is that so hard for most Christians? If you do not agree, what is your basis for faith and practice, and for the direction you are taking? 5. Who are your neighbors (Luke 10:2937)? How do you get along with your neighbors? 6. What do you think the motivations were of the teachers of the law who twisted and contorted what the law said to serve their own agenda? Why do some church leaders still do the same today? 7. Why does Jesus see the removal of responsibility as heinous and evil?
8. What happens when we to contort God's Word to fit our agenda? 9. Why would people say it is OK to hate your enemies? Where would they get this idea? 10. Did you know that the OT law also taught that kindness was to be shown to one's enemy? 11. How do you balance the equation that we are to be kind to our neighbors, yet not be doormats, suffering abuse and wrongful actions by them when, and if they occur? 12. The focus of peace, love, and reconciliation fulfills what role to this passage? What role would it fulfill to our personal life and the conflicts that may come? 13. What lessons could you learn from those who may be your 'enemies?' 14. How would these lessons improve your maturity, faith, and your relationship to God and others? 15. What are the characters of love that are missing from your relationships and communications with others? 16. How can you develop and apply those missing love and kindness characteristics to your relationships? 17. Jesus continually warns us of persecution, yet tells us to love those who hurt us. How do you put this into action in simple misunderstandings as well as life threatening persecutions? 18. Love is measured by what is costs us--not what we gain from it! How is this so in your life? If it is not, do you think you have ever
experienced true, real, and impacting love? 19. When we overcome evil with good, it totally disorientates those who hurt us and throws them into chaos and confusion, until they are either convicted, or they fall deeper into sin and death. How can this knowledge motivate you to allow their own misdeeds to haunt them, and let the perfect Judge deal with them? Would this satisfy your lust for revenge? Why or why not? 20. How can you use the precepts of this passage to inspire you to seek perfection? How will you seek His standards, not your own, or those of the pious frauds and hypocritical leaders that you may encounter (Phil. 3:10-13)?
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Don’t Give in to
NEGATIVITY COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 There are many ways in which we can fall into negative patterns of thought or behavior. We all make mistakes, but when we do, we should try to look at them as learning opportunities. We all occasionally say or do thoughtless things that hurt our friends or families, but when we do, we should consider it an opportunity to ask for forgiveness, and our relationship might be deepened thereby. We should all pay closer attention to what we say and do throughout the day. How much of it is knee jerk negativity? And, not just what we say to others, but how much of our internal dialogue is filled with negativity? How often do we berate ourselves for minor mistakes or omissions? We should try to be more like the coach who builds up her athletes with a pep talk or the teacher who convinces his students that they can work out a difficult problem. The important question for the track athlete is not whether you won the race but whether you did your best. Studies show that there are very few times when negativity helps us; it is almost always better to be an optimist than a pessimist. So, do what you can to throw the negativity overboard and to have a more positive attitude. Life is good and getting better, and even when it's not so good you can still choose to make the best of it. – Christopher Simon
COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION
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PROGRAM PURPOSE The Just, Love, Cooper, Coleman (JLCC) mentoring program is a program that mentors young men in Albany & Southwest Georgia. We relentlessly help young men embrace every aspect of Manhood. Our program begins every fiscal year with many new goals and aspirations and we involve each member and each parent in every material aspect of our goals. The JLCC mentoring program has numerous character building initiatives like fundraising, charity, tutorial programs, retreats, and community volunteer work to name a few that each member is required to perform. Each member is also mandated to exhibit leadership qualities that include respect, unselfishness, and teamwork. Parental involvement is mandatory and it assists the program in its efforts such as college tours, tutorial programs, attending athletic events, and purchasing school supplies to name a few. The Eta Omicron chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated is a 501(c)3 (non Profit) organization. All of the funds from fundraisers and Business Sponsorships will be used on the young men that are a part of the program. ADMISSION & JOINING PROCESS During the months of August thru December yearly potential program members and parents are allowed to participate in the activities the JLCC mentoring program undertakes. During this time frame both the parents and their son(s) can determine whether or not the JLCC mentoring program is a good fit for them. During the month of December of each year those who have been participating with the program and are still interested become full members of the program. As of the following January our program starts the new fiscal year and each new member and their parents are required to participate, fundraise, and be an integral part of every aspect of the program. Interested parents and potential members are welcomed to contact the committee chairperson using the contact information below. Sincerely, Ricky D. Jackson, Committee Chairperson (229) 436-3084 – Office (229) 296-8433 - Cell ricky@rickydinsuresme.com – Email facebook.com/ RICKYDJACKSONINSURANCEAGENCYLLC
8 A (SCNI) SOUTHERN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER PRODUCT • SWGA PRAISE • April 2016 • www.albanyherald.com
ALBANY First Bethesda Baptist Church 7108 Newton Rd (229) 435-2921 New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church 209 N. Monroe Street (229) 888-4777 Greater Grace Church of God in Christ 205 S Westover Blvd (229) 439-7047 St. Teresa’s Catholic Church 421 Edgewood Lane www.stteresaschurch.org (229) 439-2302 St. Paul Episcopal Church 212 N Jefferson St (229) 436-0196 www.stpaulsalbany.org
Second Mt. Zion Baptist Church 1010 Old Pretoria Road (229) 439-0334 www.secondmtzion.com First Free Will Baptist Church 420 Westover Blvd (229) 436-4021 www.ffwbcalbany.org Shiloh Baptist Church 325 Whitney Ave (229) 435-8413
611 6th Ave
(229) 759-2030 leesburgchurchofchrist.org
Lee Albany Community SDA Church 381 Fussell Rd (229) 436-3631 First Baptist Church Leesburg 135 Main St (229) 759-6576 firstbaptistleesburg.org
Calvary Baptist Church 1211 13th Ave calvarybaptistchurchofalban yga.org
Leesburg United Methodist Church 117 Starksville Ave N (229) 759-2096 umcleesburg.com
Emanuel Seventh-Day Adventist 1534 E Broad Ave (229) 439-1352
Greenbriar Church 1344 US 19 (229) 446-4642 greenbriarchurch.net
Albany Seventh Day Adventist Church
Leesburg Church of Christ 106 Callaway St
Philema Road Baptist Church 114 Stocks Dairy Rd (229) 435-3135 New Hope Baptist Church 1209 Graves Springs Rd (229) 439-9997 newhopebaptist.net Greater United Pleasant Green 1512 Philema Rd S (229) 438-8062 Albany Community SDA Church 381 Fussell Rd (229) 436-3631 Friendship Baptist Church 564A Highway 195N Desoto, GA (229) 874-6610
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AMERICUS
www.fbcamericus.org
Americus Seventh Day Adventist 1850 S Lee St (229) 924-5129
Faith Baptist Church 947 Felder st (229) 924-5890
Life Point Church 384 GA HWY 30 W Central Baptist Church 190 Upper River Rd (229) 924-4092 cbcamericus.org Cornerstone Church 245 Southland Rd (229) 924-7409 Restoration Church of Americus 1213 Douglas Cir (229) 931-6244 restorationchurchamericus.c om First United Methodist Church 200 S Lee St (229) 924-3169 fumcamericus.com First Presbyterian Church 125 S Jackson St (229) 924-2162 americuspresbyterian.org St. Mary’s Catholic Church 332 S Lee St (229) 924-3495 First Baptist Church Americus 221 South Lee St (229) 924-9035
Union Tabernacle Baptist Church 900 Adderton St (229) 924-0421 Americus Pentecostal Church 820 Magnolia St (229) 928-3178 TIFTON Northside Baptist Church 4605 Murray Ave (229) 382-6855 nbctifton.org St Anne’s Episcopal Church 2411 Central Ave (229) 382-7505 stannestifton.com Our Divine Saviour Catholic 1205 Love Ave (229) 382-4600 odsparish.org Journey Church 304 20th St W (229) 238-3749 New River Church 17 Old Brookfield Rd (229) 386-2693 newriverbaptist.org Carpenter Road Church of God
40 Carpenter Rd N (229) 382-4880 crdcog.com First Presbyterian Church 217 Park Ave N (229) 382-6730 firstpresbyteriantifton.com Beulah Hill Baptist Church 321 Tifton-Eldorado Rd (229) 472-1505
lifespringcc.net Lakeside Assembly of God 146 Washington St (229) 985-5424 lakesideassembly.org Friendship Alliance Church 835 26th Ave (229) 985-4908 friendshipalliancemoultrie.com
New Life Presbyterian Church 3500 Fulwood Rd (229) 382-7238 newlifetifton.org
Moultrie First Church or Nazarene 410 12th Ave SE (229) 873-6265 www.moultriefirst.org
MOULTRIE
Calvary Baptist Church 830 26th Ave SE (229) 985-3237 www.calvarybcmoultrie.com
First Seventh Day Adventist 1400 Magnolia St (229) 228-4040
VALDOSTA
First Baptist Church 400 S Main St (229) 985-2103 firstmoultrie.org
CrossPointe Church 110 Northside Dr (229) 242-7702 crosspointechurch.cc
Heritage Church 844 GA 33 (229) 891-3421 heritagelife.org
Southland Church 2206 E Hill Ave (229) 245-8188 southlandchurch.net
Trinity Church 201 12th Ave SE (229) 985-3660 trinityofmoultrie.org
New Covenant Church 3531 Bemiss Rd (229) 247-7777 nccvaldosta.org
Lifespring Community Church 2010 GA 133 (229) 985-2233
Christ Episcopal Church 1521 N Patterson St (229) 242-5115 christchurchvaldosta.org
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The Things You Need to Know Before You Go Ministry Preparation – Part I Beloved, leader I know Father has called you to a great work. Also, I know He is sending you. At the same time, there are some practical as well as spiritual things you need to know before you go. Wait! Do not go yet, until you read this to ensure you are prepared for effective, glorious ministry. The Ultimate Preparation The first thing you need to do before you go is pray and ask, “God do you want me to go to this ministry engagement?” So many ministers make the assumption of “just going” without asking Yahweh (God) this question. If He does not have an assignment for you, then you should not go. Just because you are invited it does not mean He has an assignment for you. Once you hear Him say, “Go,” then the work begins. The most important thing to do to prepare is to, pray, study, pray, and study some more. I challenge you to resist the temptation to rip and run to every workshop and neglect prayer. He just might change the message as you mount the pulpit, which is why staying in the Word and staying prayerful is the ultimate preparation. This is not the time to primp, fuss, and give all your attention to your flesh or anyone else’s. I strongly suggest you set aside no less than two hours in prayer for yourself and no less than two hours for the actual engagement and the people who will be in attendance. I want to make sure you go with the presence and glorious results. In sum, be sure to hear Him tell you to go, and then stay prayerful.
Consider the Traveling Method You will need to prayerfully determine how you will travel. Will you travel by plane, car, or train? Once you decide, secure tickets. If driving, the car must go to the mechanic for an overall inspection. Additionally, the car will need washing and cleaning on the inside too. Please do not go with your whole life in the back seat. If flying, will a limo or someone else take and pick you up from the airport? If you are working a job or are self-employed, I encourage you take at least one day off the day before traveling to pack, regroup, and get yourself in the frame of mind you need to be in, in order to travel for ministry. Considering the traveling method ensures you have more than enough time to secure train or plane tickets as well as the time to appropriately service your vehicle if driving to the event. What will you Wear? I strongly suggest praying about what He would have you wear to minister. Every priestly assignment has heaven’s tailored-made garments (Exodus 31:10). Once you have this answer, does it need to be custom made or purchased? Then, do so. If it something you already possess, is it clean or does it need to go to the cleaners? Also, the common expression of when in Rome do as the Romans do is appropriate here. Over, under dressing, or failing to understand the cultural norms of a location or a ministry can influence how or even if the message will be received. The goal is to not have your clothes be a distraction to
God’s word. What you wear is important when you are the one delivering the message. Money While many in the Kingdom do not like to talk about money, it is one of the most talked about subjects in the Bible. Indeed, it is mentioned over 125 times. Let’s talk about how money influences whether you go and how many ministry engagements you can accept. For example, how much money will this trip cost? When considering costs, it is important that you do not neglect to consider costs for handouts, manuals, or any other items pertaining to the delivery of the message. Can you easily withdraw the money from the bank? If not, what is His divine strategy in terms of paying for this engagement? I want to be very clear here that I am not talking about taking out loans or racking up credit card debt. A financed or debt-laden ministry is not the way to glorify God. Many ministers are enslaved by debt simply because they independently rely on the limitations of their finances. In other words, they accept invitations they could not afford and, they did not gain a financial strategy or plan from God. Therefore, they charged it! It is easier for one to pull out the credit card and charge it instead of seeking God’s
plan. In order to be trusted with the riches of the Kingdom, it is important to be a good steward and to not rush ahead of God by whipping out the credit card over and over again. Let us pray for an increase in the fruit of self control and learn to wait on God’s provision. I recently heard a quote that is most appropriate here. “If it is God’s will, then it is His bill.” – Marshawn Evans Summarizing, a proper view and use of money is a consideration for every man and woman of God. He or she must weigh how much cash is accessible for ministry, set a reasonable budget, exert wisdom in using credit cards, and learn the importance of being a good steward of the money God provides. In next month’s issue, Part II will teach you more about the practical knowledge that is necessary for you to gain prior to going to a ministerial engagement.
Karen M. Pina is the founder of Gifts Ordained by Direction. Her exclusive approach for leaders develops the character necessary to rise to greatness in business and ministry. She has written three books and created over 100 ministry, business, and personal development resources that quench leaders’ thirst and hunger for spiritual meat and marketplace wisdom. Karen has been a guest on several television and radio programs that challenged leaders to move to the next level of significance in every area of their lives. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and a Master’s of Education (M.Ed). in Higher Education Leadership and Administration. Karen will defend and obtain and a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (Ph.D.) in 2016. Her education and gift of wisdom has served her well as she has coached, consulted, and trained doctors, directors, entrepreneurs, visionaries, IT professionals, bishops, apostles, executives, coaches, prophets, teachers, pastors, and a vast array of leaders to greatness. To learn more about the books, resources, and Karen go to www.godscoach.com
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Celebrating Excellence and Courage On June 18, 2016, more than 300 youth in foster care from throughout the state of Georgia will gather in Atlanta, Georgia. This will be the 24th annual Celebration of Excellence, honoring the educational achievements of some of our most vulnerable youth. These brave young men and women have graduated from high schools, technical colleges and universities. In spite of being abused and neglected by their families, and growing up in foster homes and group homes, they have fought the odds and earned their diplomas. The celebration was originally started by a group of young lawyers/child advocates. In talking to some of the youth they represented in court, they began to realize that graduation was a particularly difficult time for youth in foster care. If you think back to your own graduation from high school, it was such a joyous occasion. There you were in your cap and gown, surrounded by your friends and walking across the stage to a chorus of cheers from your family. It is this last part that is the most disheartening for many youth in foster care. They have grown up and developed away from their families. For many reasons, their families could not or would not care for them. So, in spite of the
great achievements, the void of family or the presence of family that did not support them makes high school and college graduation bitter sweet. The opportunity to come together with other youth who have walked in your shoes, faced the same hurdles and dared to clear them makes the Celebration of Excellence a pivotal rites of passage. In addition to
motivational speakers, marquee entertainment and testimonies from the graduates themselves, organizations, foundations, and individuals donate gift bags and scholarships. Youth in foster care who are sophomores and juniors attend the event, as well as two days of workshops to inspire them to graduate and continue their educational endeavors at the next level. During this year’s event, Albany State University, Darton College and Albany Technical College will be present to conduct workshops with the high school students and to celebrate the achievements of the graduates. With a continuum of educational offerings in Albany, the support network created by this community for students in foster care presents tremendous opportunities. Nationally, studies indicate that only 7% to 13% of youth in foster care enroll in college. Only 2% obtain Bachelor’s or advance degrees, compared to
24% of adults in the general population. While the state of Georgia covers the cost of attending college, there are so many expenses and needs that are not covered. Our students in Albany, who self-disclose will get priority for work study. The universities are currently working on establishing a dormitory option that will remain open during breaks and during the summer, to assist those students who have nowhere to go. Raising more scholarship money to assist these students will ensure that they not only get to college, but that they graduate. The month of May is National Foster Care Month. Consider taking up a special collection during one of your services. Form a village with a group of friends and write a check. Encourage youth groups to do lemonade stands, garage sales or other fundraising activities to help other young people who are fortunate to have stable and loving families. Donations can be sent to the Celebration of Excellence at Celebration of Excellence c\o Gift for a Child, Inc., 10945 State Bridge Road, Suite 401-274, Alpharetta, GA 30022. Or you can make your donations here in Southwest, Georgia to Albany State University, Darton College or Albany Technical College and note foster care students in the memo. 1
http://www.casey.org/supporting-success/
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Part 1 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH EMERGED FROM RELIGIOUS FERVOR OF 19TH CENTURY Elizabeth Lechleitner
By the 19th Century, most established churches were preaching that the Second Coming was more myth than reality—and more human than divine. Religious leaders taught that a metaphorical “second coming” symbolized the rise of a new God-fearing, socially responsible generation. But the Millerites’ belief in a literal Second Coming—along with new understandings of prophecy, the seventh-day Sabbath and the state of the dead—would prove pivotal. These core doctrines would anchor the early Advent movement amid a climate of religious turmoil. The U.S. Northeast in the early 19th Century was a hotbed of revival. The so-called Second Great Awakening ignited movements such as the Shakers, early Mormons, the forerunners of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Millerites and a host of eccentric offshoots. In fact, upstate New York was dubbed the “burned-over district,” referring to the fact that evangelists had exhausted the region’s supply of unconverted people. In this climate, the Millerites weathered the Great Disappointment, when the group expectantly, but futilely, waited for Christ’s return. With what Adventist historian George Knight calls the “mathematical certainty of their faith” dashed, many Millerites deserted the movement. Those who remained were split over the significance of October 22. Some claimed the date was altogether bogus. Others maintained Christ had returned, but only in a spiritual, illusory sense. A final group—the future leaders of early Seventh-day Adventists—were convinced the date was right, but the event was wrong. Reinvigorated by this possibility, they regrouped and returned to Scripture, determined to discover the truth. What they concluded is that instead of returning to Earth on October 22, Jesus had begun the last phase of his atoning ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. A young Methodist woman named Ellen Harmon (later White) lent prophetic credibility to this interpretation. Her December 1844 vision of a “straight and narrow path” to heaven confirmed that prophecy had indeed been fulfilled on October 22 and galvanized what would be the denomination’s central focus on Christ.
William Miller
Adventist historian David Trim is struck by the Millerites’ ability to transcend a “spectacularly wrong” initial message. While he says it’s true that apocalyptic movements often surprisingly keep some of their followers even when their ideas are “patently disproved,” these “aren’t the sort of people who go on to found a very successful church. That Adventists did so—it’s
not proof that God is on your side, but it is proof that you have intelligent, rational leaders.” Perhaps more telling is the Adventist Church’s belief that God was orchestrating events, Trim says. “I think early Adventists had a strong calling from the Holy Spirit. It’s terribly old-fashioned, but I believe our church was called into being at that time for a purpose,” he says. They also demonstrated a keen desire for biblical truth, he says. “This is what sustains them when all of the other ex-Millerites are going down either eccentric routes or just very mainstream and cautious routes,” Trim says. For early Advent believers, so-called “present truth” was dynamic. And indeed, as the few hundred Sabbatarian Adventists of the 1840s grew to 3,000 by 1863 when the Seventh-day Adventist Church was officially established, their doctrinal understanding underwent no less striking changes. Early on, pioneers such as James White were fervent in their call to “come out of Babylon.” At first, this was a message to leave organized religion and return to gospel simplicity. This doesn’t surprise religious historians, who have observed that every few generations, people feel compelled to go back to the fundamentals of their faith. Indeed, this trend fueled the Second Great Awakening. But what is striking, Trim says, is the reversal White pulls as the movement expanded. By 1859, James had come to believe that the call to “come out of Babylon” actually meant to leave disorganization and accept church structure. “This of course plays very nicely on the fact that Babylon ultimately comes from Babel—or confusion—and White says the call to come out of Babylon is actually to leave all this chaotic and incredibly exciting and fervent religious current and come into something a little more organized. So what it means to ‘come out of Babylon’ completely gets turned on its head and subverted,” Trim says. But as they moved toward church structure, early Adventists didn’t lose their initial zeal. Rather, they were able to carve out a balance between the radicalism that pervaded much of the religious expression in the mid-1800s and the conservatism that would follow. It’s an equilibrium the Adventist Church still maintains today, Trim says, and it finds its roots in the longstanding tension between spirit and order, dating back to the early medieval church.
Millerite Camp Meeting The early Adventist Church emerged from a climate of religious revival in the Northeastern United States. Camp meetings, such as this Millerite gathering, were a hallmark of the Second Great Awakening. [photos courtesy Office of Archives, Statistics and Research] “You have to have the spirit because order becomes staid and ossified and hierarchical, but you have to have the order because the spirit becomes chaotic and self-destructive,” he says. Adventist Church pioneer Ellen White was crucial in preserving this balance. Through her prophetic gift, Trim says White was ideally situated to temper inevitable squabbles between early Adventist leaders such as her husband, James, Joseph Bates, Uriah Smith, John Nevins Andrews, George Butler and others. All of them were “incredibly high-powered, driven individuals,” personalities necessary to propel a localized movement into a global church, he says. While some students of church history might find tension between core leaders “disconcerting,” Trim says the early Advent movement is unique in that it stayed united in a climate where most religious groups tended to splinter off, following a charismatic leader, or dissolve altogether. Despite disagreement, Adventists ultimately rallied behind biblical truth achieved through prayer and Bible study or revealed through prophecy. “These men are wholly persuaded that [Ellen White] is God’s messenger. If she says, ‘I have been shown this,’ they accept it even if they don’t initially like it,” Trim says. “They’re very quick to debate, and they do so in very straight-up terms, but they’re also very quick to forgive and they don’t hold grudges,” Trim says. “They have an openness that would serve us well to copy.” Modern Seventh-day Adventists might find early Adventist pioneers peculiar. Some didn’t believe in the Trinity or the personhood of the Holy Spirit, and thought Christ was a created being. Many observed Sabbath from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday, regardless of actual sunset times. They also had no qualms over eating unclean meats. All this, however, would change in the coming decades. What today’s Adventists likely would recognize in their forbearers is conviction. In the Sabbath, Second Coming, Sanctuary and other fundamental beliefs, early Adventists believed they had discovered what Trim calls a “key” to unlocking the entirety of biblical truth. “They realize that these doctrines are all saying the same thing about God, they’re all pointing in the same direction, and so early Adventists feel compelled to stand by them. “This concern for truth is inspiring,” he says.
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When Baptist preacher William Miller said Jesus was coming back on October 22, 1844, many Americans weren’t just surprised that he had set a date. The notion that Christ was literally returning was in itself a radical idea.
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Use what you have, no matter how small By Deborah Redding
If you’re anything like me and many others I’m sure you’ve either been at a place, or possibly are at a place right now in your life, where you don’t think what you have or who you are is enough to get you where you ultimately want to be, where you dream of being. Why is this the case? Perhaps you believe that your current resources, or lack of resources in many instances, prevent you from reaching your goals and living a happy and fulfilling life. You may believe that those that reach great heights and accomplish amazing things come equipped with something you don’t have. We all have different backgrounds, different experiences and points of view. These are the things that we can throw in our arsenal of tools and use as resources to pull from each day. You don’t have to have what everyone else has. What you have and who you are is enough. I recall when my Grandmother passed away, going through her home and cleaning out some of her things. This was a difficult time for me. I loved this woman more than anything. I had not known a life without her, and now I was faced with so much grief and uncertainty. I looked around her home, reluctant to touch anything, yet everything inside of me wanted to touch it all. To just wrap myself into every smell, every image and stay there forever. As I walked to the back, towards her bedroom I could see her clothes and makeup laying there waiting for her return, at that moment it hit me that she would not be returning. Her notebooks from her church meeting minutes were stacked across a shelf in her closet, as I reached to grab them in hopes of reading a funny joke, or to see a doodle as she lost attention during the half day long service. I came across a pay stub from early on in her teaching career; it was printed in the 1980’s. I glanced down at it and was about to put it back until I took another look and down at the bottom in the corner the pay stub showed her annual salary for that year at $17,000. I immediately broke into tears. From my time as a kid up until I was an adult I played in that house, bathe
there, slept there, cleaned there, snooped around in there and not once had I ever seen a paystub. I had been in her home millions of times throughout my life, and had never come across that paystub. My grandmother lived in that house for close to 30 years, that house had undergone 2 fires and several remodels and somehow that pay stub managed its way tucked deep into the pages of that book. It still blows my mind. Somehow she made it work; she made it work to care for 6 children and 5 grandchildren. She made it work so that she could support her local community and to be an upstanding citizen. She made it work as she drove to another city every day to educate children, many of whom acknowledge they would not be where they are today if it wasn’t for her. I will never forget that feeling I felt when I saw her paystub. Education was her passion and she wouldn’t have chosen to do anything else. It was her calling, it was her purpose. It brought energy and life to her; in turn she was able to bring that energy and life to her family. The thing is you couldn’t tell me that my Grandmother didn’t make millions, not because we had a lot, but because she gave a lot. She gave a lot of who she was; she brought it to the table. She taught me that you can take a $17,000 salary and build a life that transcends your physical existence. I don’t know the details of all she sacrificed to provide for us, but I do know what her sacrifice provided us. She embedded love and commitment in my bones. She song joy and laughter in my ears. I can still hear her voice. What I was looking for when I opened that notebook was to touch her handwriting, to lay my hand across that page and follow every loop in her cursive writing so that I could be close to her, who she was, what she did, what she stood for and I got that and more than I could have expected. In Loving Memory Hannah Hudson “Granny” For more daily inspiration you can follow me on Instagram at JourneyofaSoul and visit my blog at www.journeyofasoul.wordpress.com.
Dr. Michael Catt Senior Pastor Sherwood Baptist Church 2201 Whispering Pines Rd. Albany, GA 31707
Where were you born and raised? On the Gulf Coast of Mississippi Tell us about your family. I have a wife, Terri and two adult daughters. How long have you been a pastor? I've been in the ministry since 1974, I've served as pastor of two churches and have been a Senior Pastor since 1986 What is the most challenging aspect of your position? Balancing time between family and ministry. What is the most gratifying aspect? Seeing changed lives. Do you have any advice for someone who feels called to the ministry? The ministry is not a profession, it is a calling. Some confuse being in the ministry with speaking on a platform. That is the smallest part of ministry. It is investing in people; studying and serving others. Leave us with a meaningful message or scripture. 2 Corinthians 4:5, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond servant."
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FORGIVENESS RELEASES US FROM PAIN This is the first article in a series of the benefits of forgiveness. Forgiveness pays rich dividends indeed; it is a blessing to all who embrace it. It is our friend because God has made it so, and one of its many benefits is the effect it has on our wounded emotions. We live in an imperfect world that exposes us to a lot of hurt. It is amazing how our emotions can easily descend from the heights of joy to a state of depression by the act of one sole person. When we are offended, we say we are hurt. We use the words offense and hurt interchangeably. The word hurt comes from an old French verb, hurter, which means to strike or to inflict. When we are offended, it feels to us like our emotions have been struck and wounded. Sometimes, the offense seems to break our hearts. We have been struck by an emotional blow. This is because an offense inflicts pain on our emotions. And if we refuse to forgive the offense or the offender, the wound remains open, fresh and unhealed.
(1 Samuel 22:8). These words depict someone entrenched in a great deal of inner pain and turmoil. The king of one of the most powerful nations of his day was begging his officials to identify with his pain. The inner turmoil was more that he could bear. Being unforgiving will have its toll on its victim, no matter who they are. Many of us are carrying so much hurt in our hearts; we harbor pain that has grown in size and in depth over the years. We wear the open wound of a friend’s betrayal, of a mother who was
offense. Healing in this way is possible because it is the offense that makes us feel pain, and once it is released, the pain automatically leaves with it. To put it another way: when we are offended, our emotions are struck with a blow; yet when we forgive the offender, our emotions are healed. The hurt no longer has a hold on our emotions. The hold has been broken! Forgiveness is like a balm that travels to the deepest part of our heart to soothe the inner pain, and forgiveness becomes its own reward. A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones (Proverbs 17:22). When we choose to obey God, we enjoy the benefits of forgiveness, one of which is joy. Sometimes we ask, “How can I forgive my friend who hurt me so much?” or “How can I forgive my husband after all he did to me?” We must remember that forgiveness brings healing. Forgive in order to heal the pain. In conclusion, emotional healing and forgiveness are intertwined. Forgiveness is God’s tool in healing those who have been wounded. Arise from among the slain, and live and breathe again through the power of forgiveness.
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13)
Being unforgiving brings emotional pain After being offended, we often do not want to forgive; for us, it is of the utmost importance to hold on to the emotional pain. Saul, the first king of Israel, was a casualty of an unforgiving heart. He could not forgive David, whom he perceived as a rival to his throne. He was so absorbed with this thought that he became an emotional wreck. He threw himself a pity party because he was “beat up.” After making so many futile attempts to kill David, he told his servants, That all of you have conspired against me, and [there is] none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and [there is] none of you that is sorry for me
not there for us, of a boss who passed us over for a promotion, of a sibling who is always on our case. So many open wounds that have been cemented under the rubble of other events. Sometimes, we forget the offense, but the wound that has not bounded up and healed still gnaws at our hearts. Sometimes, we get used to it. At other times, we learn to manage it. Sometimes, we do not even know they are there or how they got there in the first place. Our life is no longer as optimal as the Creator originally designed it to be. No amount of success can eradicate the unabated inner turmoil that threatens us daily. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken (Proverbs 15:13). Forgiveness heals our pain The way we can get rid of the hurt, as unlikely or illogical as it may seem, is to release the offender from the
Forgiveness Prayer Lord, I forgive those who have hurt me. Lord, help me to release them. In this way, I not only follow your commandment, but also receive my healing. Help me to see the various patches of pain that I have carried for so long and grant me the grace to forgive and be free in Jesus’ name. Thank you Lord. Discussion 1. Discuss a few moments when you held on to emotional pain. How did you let go? 2. What did you take away from the story about Saul and David?
Dr. Tai Ikomi is the author of the bestseller, His Beauty for My Ashes, an account of the grace of God in her life when she lost her husband and three children to a drunk driver. She has written over 30 books. A conference speaker, she speaks on her testimony of God’s grace all over the world. She conducts seminars on the Names of God and Forgiveness. Dr. Ikomi is the founder of Forgiveness Discipleship, the art of training in forgiveness. She lives in Dallas, TX. tai.ikomi@yahoo.com 3. Have you ever held on to a grudge for a long period of time? What were the consequences? 4. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in this chapter?
LIFE HAPPENS. ARE YOU PREPARED? I’M YOUR AGENT FOR LIFE INSURANCE. Wanda Heath Agent 110 Cordele Rd. Suite 5, Albany, Ga 31705-2478 Bus. 229-485-1385 Cell. 229-344-1898 Wanda.Heath.fi2h@statefarm.com www.Kentnanceismyagent.com
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TRUST
Continued from page 2 “They (teens) don’t need a peerant; they need a parent.” After the seminar, I went up to Mark and asked permission to do a column inspired by the day’s learning. He graciously said, “Yes” with no conditions. I’ve subsequently gotten his blessing. This was one of those situations where my wife and I were either constantly jabbing each other with one of those “SEE” jabs or giving each other glaring looks that said, “That’s you!” I had the great opportunity, inadvertently set up by Mark, to make a funny comment about my wife’s Canadian citizenship to which she whacked me on the head with the brochure, to the delight and laughter of everyone. But, this was not a light event. The subjects and the stakes are real and difficult. It will be impossible to detail all that we learned, but I will attempt to sum up the salient points that get parents off-track with raising their teens, in spite of our best intentions. Below are some of the suggestions imparted to us (my comments are in the parentheses): We get sidetracked by things that are unimportant (example – worrying too much about the music our kids listen to, which Mark feels is totally unimportant and makes no difference in the long run). Our goal as parents is not to control our teens but to give them control (what a great notion and how valuable it would be if we gave them control vs. coddled and spoiled them!). When our teens mess up, we tend to approach it in a very negative manner when, instead, it should be of the “I’m here to help” vein wherein we might have a chance to be heard by them.
Conflict is a precursor to change (this was one in which I got whacked by my wife but his point is true. We often don’t want to confront our teens; we just hope the problem is really no big deal or will just go away. That’s wrong!). Understand that your (parents) best thinking has got you in the situation you find yourself in (so he was suggesting we have to radically alter our thinking and behavior if we want substantive change with our teens). Be intentional about your parenting: give them control of their lives, require responsibility from them, establish rules and consequences, and convey a message that you owe them nothing but want to give them everything. Give them a message of hope: “There is nothing you can do to make me love you more; there is nothing you can do to make me love you less” (I might quibble with this one since I do think that there are some things that could affect a parent’s love). As you can see from the above, and as I emphasize, these bullet points are just the tip of the iceberg of the wisdom shared by Mark Gregston. If you’re struggling with your teens, consider utilizing some of his many resources. No, Mark hasn’t paid me nor am I looking for a job with him. In fact, his only income comes just from his residential program for troubled adolescents. All of his other efforts are donated, from his writings and seminars to his radio show. He’s in it for the good he’s doing. And, I did secure his permission to write this column and his approval of it. You can find Mark and his various resources with any Google search, but start here: www.parentingtodaysteens.org.” Bruce captured the essence of the seminar very well. Thanks, Bruce!
Apostle Izell Williams, Jr. Senior Pastor New Direction Christian Church Ministries, Inc. 1109 Centennial Avenue Albany, GA
(229) 432-2306
Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Lee County. Tell us about your family? I am the oldest of the late Izell and Ruth Williams. I have three sisters. They are Aldine, Mamie and Leavon. I am married to my high school sweetheart ---Theresa Walker. We have been married for 33 years. We have two children--Quentin(Sheena) and Olivia. I have four adorable grandchildren— Langston, Keldon, A.J. and Kamya . How long have you been a pastor? I have been a pastor for about 22 years. What is the most challenging aspect of your position? My most challenging aspect is making sure people are cared for during a time of lost. There are times that no time is the same. I must be flexible and ready at all times to meet the needs of my flock and the needs of others. What is the most gratifying aspect? The most gratifying aspect is seeing people lives being changed from worst to better. I have so many testimonies of how just speaking the Word of God into the lives of people have changed their
lives and their situation. Many can truly say that they are running in a new direction and how the teaching have helped and enhanced their lives and families. Do you have advice for someone who feels call to the ministry? When a person comes to me stating that he/she has been called to the ministry, these are my words of advice: • Please be fully persuaded in your own mind. • You must know what you are giving out. • Please get some training. • You must make sure that you live what you preach and never lose your respect. Leave us with a meaningful message or scripture. SHIFT! “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” III John 1:2 When you make up your mind, you can move to your next position in life. Your soul is your will, mind, emotions, and conscious. So, if you are born-again and your mind is made up, you can experience love, joy, power, healing, and prosperity. All you need to do is have a well made up mind. So, shift.
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