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Faith&Family AUSTIN
May 2011
Kerri Brinkoeter Mom & Coach The Family Tree
Are There Nicks in the Bark?
Practical Parenting Just Say "No!"
Diet & Nutrition
How Much is Enough? Meet AF
F
at Georg etown's Nation al Day of Pray er on May
5!
STRENGTH FOR THE FAMILY, HOPE FOR THE CITY
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May 2011 9
Kerri Brinkoeter
The Secrets of Satisfied Living
Women's Basketball Coach, Southwestern University
15
Learn to Say NO!
The Family Tree
24
contents Faith
You
Happy Birthday King James
The Simple Act of Encouragement
9 Body Life: A Whole New Way of Living 37 Head to Heart: Finding God's Calling On Your Life 10 Spiritual Coffee 38 Diet & Nutrition: 11 Out There: 99.1 Church Water--The Most Important Nutrient 40 The Real Stuff: 12 Along the Way:
Fa mily
Parenting: 15 Practical That Two Letter Word--NO!
16 Journey for Two: Cloudy Days 17 A Few Good Men: The Power of a Blessing
34
Finding Freedom in Prison
Hints: 18 Helpful Celebrating Memorial Day
Life
29 Ladies Top 10: Summer Reads 30 Erin's Cooking: Summer Swap 31 Out & About: Blue Bell Trail 32 Spend Life Well:
Are You Cheating On Your Spouse?
33 Dave Says
38
The Most Important Nutrient www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
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41 The Real Me:
Lessons from Magoo
Special This Month
21 Studio Kitchen: The Value of Trust 24 The Family Tree 26 Cover Story: For the Love of Coaching 34 Freedom in Prison 35 Rappin' in Prison
Monthly Favorites
8 The Source Directory Einstein: 20 Young Are You a Solid, Liquid, or Gas?
22 Austin Community Calendar 28 Rave Reviews Words: 36 20 What Am I Doing With My Life? 42 City Scene
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Publisher 1633 Ministries 501 (c) (3) Info@1633ministries.com 512.584.6888
Editor Marcy Lytle Marcy@AustinFaithandFamily.com Art Director Abby Pound Abby@AustinFaithandFamily.com Advertising Sales Susan Stern| 512.584.6888 Susan@AustinFaithandFamily.com Miranda Bradley | 512.924.3911 Miranda@AustinFaithandFamily.com Contributing Writers Lee Eddins, Marcy Lytle, Al Jones, Tom Coker, Trent Peng, Kie Bowman, Ginny Hurley, Mark Trice, Dave Ramsey, Richard Landry, Joe Elliott, Mallory Hamling, Scottie Moore, John Pound, Erin Osborn, Georganne Schuch, David & Lynn Cherry, Vicki Lancaster, Amy Dillon, Gary Sinclair, Michele Zink Harris, Laura Bezden, Rik Morris, and Rachel McRae COVER PHOTO Mallory Hamling CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mallory Hamling Austin Faith and Family is committed to encouraging individuals in their daily lives by presenting the faith stories of others and providing information that will point every person, at every stage of life, to a deeper, authentic, personal and life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Views expressed in Austin Faith & Family do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by the Austin Faith & Family staff to ensure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information, nor the absences of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be, or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010 by 1633 Ministries 501 (c) (3). Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Austin Faith & Family PO Box 2496 Round Rock, TX 78680 512.584.6888 (P) 512.501.6760 (F) Austin Faith & Family is published monthly and is available at high traffic locations throughout the metropolitan area. Copies are also available by subscription, $35 for one year. Single issues available for $3 an issue.
Volume 2, Issue 12 Join our growing online community at www.facebook.com/austinfaithandfamily Austin FAITH & FAMILY
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Editor's Note
The Month of May
A
pril showers are “supposed” to bring May flowers, right? Mother’s Day is in May, as well as Memorial Day, and…school is ending! The month of May is chock full of events, celebrations, beauty, and reasons to smile here in our city. The same holds true for this edition of Austin Faith and Family.
Our cover story features an awesome mom, Kerri Brinkoeter, who’s also a coach at beautiful Southwestern University, and her story is an inspiring read. Moms, do you have trouble with filling your schedule too full? Read “Practical Parenting” and learn a forgotten two -letter word that could bring much needed rest to your life! And if you’re a mom in need of some encouragement, check out “The Family Tree,” where you’ll find out just how important the “bark” is to the health of the family unit! Our “Helpful Hints” column offers fun ways to celebrate Memorial Day with your kids, and if you’re looking for a great bedtime story for your children, check out “For the Heart and Mind of Your Young Einstein!” Be sure to follow the adventures and lessons with Little Albert as you read and enjoy. And why not head out on a beautiful trail that leads to some tasty, sweet goodness - just east of Austin? Check out “Out and About” for your next family road trip. Also, be sure pick up a summer read, after perusing our top ten faves in “Ladies Top Ten.” There’s something for everyone in this month’s issue! Even though the ground in Austin is thirsty for rain, there are plenty of reasons to rejoice in the month of May. Sprinkle a little goodness around by sharing God’s love through the stories in this issue, pray for those with whom you share, and you might soon be surprised at the rain that falls, watering the seeds planted by you! Enjoy… Editor, Austin Faith & Family marcy@austinfaithandfamily.com
Letters Dear Marcy, I have been a faithful reader of Austin Faith & Family for the past year and praise you and the contributing writers! The April edition had two articles which truly touched my heart. The “Easter, Combining the Sacred and the Secular” article, written by Dr. Al Jones, explaining the various origins of the Easter traditions was informative and educational. Bo Clearman’s article, “Divorced Dads, Remember Your Children” should be given to all parents when they walk in the courthouse to file for divorce. I would also like to share the news that Austin Faith & Family is provided in the lobbies at the Austin Regional Clinic, on Far West, where I am a nurse. I have witnessed patients reading and then taking the magazine home to learn more of God’s healing power. The magazine is also available at the Welcoming Center at Covenant United Methodist Church, for visitors and members to enjoy! May God continue to bless the writers, staff, publisher, advertisers, and all the readers of Austin Faith and Family! -Tonna M. www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
Hi Marcy I had never read (AFF) before and I must tell you that several of the articles were very inspiring to me. I am a recent cancer survivor and the feeling of hope, faith and family in your publication was hopeful and encouraging. Thank you for putting out something with such a strong and positive message. -Stacy B. Marcy, I just read my first edition -the April edition of AFF while sitting in the lobby of St David's North Austin Women's Center while waiting for my patient to deliver her baby. I am so encouraged by the rich content and the welcoming attitude in sharing the gospel truths. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband of 22 years, a father of 4 kids and have been in practice here in Austin as an Ob/Gyn for about 18 years. I serve at The Austin Stone Community Church. I am encouraged to see Austin Faith & Family readily available in the sitting areas of my hospital, as hospitals are places of great opportunity to celebrate the birth of a new baby, or to witness the healing, and experience the desperately needed comfort and peace that only the power of the Holy Spirit of the living Lord Jesus can provide. Thank you for your ministry, and may God continue to empower your efforts for His kingdom building here. Have a blessed Easter! -Devin G., MD
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-Community Services Capital Area Food Bank of Texas www.AustinFoodBank.org Hunger is Unacceptable
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churches
F A neighbor's independence depends on YOU! Round Rock................................................512.310.1060 Pflugerville.............................................512.538.1152 West Austin................................................512.472.6339 South Austin...............................................512.445.5552 NW/Cedar Park/Leander...................512.250.5021
-Baptist
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A
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Main Street Baptist Church 1001 South Main Street Georgetown, TX 78626 512.869-7854 www.msbchurch.com
Women's Studies: LoveWalk Young Women's Bible Study New Hope Community Church Fridays, 7pm lauren_cloud@yahoo.com
Hyde Park Baptist Church 3901 Speedway, 78751 www.hpbc.org
Lioness Arising Study by Lisa Bevere Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. 3/10 – 5/25 Childcare and workbooks available Alex Shimanek @ 512-699-8138
Solid Rock Baptist Church
F 608 Ralph Ablanedo Dr., 78748 512.410.7458 pastorsrbc@gmail.com
A Church for the Deaf and Hearing
bible studies
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New Hope Community Church 2330 Dry Creek Dr. Round Rock, TX 78681 512.255.0064 www.newhope-roundrock.org
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Men's Studies: First Baptist Church Round RockThursdays, 6am in the Fellowship Hall Call 512- 255-3454 Troy George Main Street Baptist GeorgetownThursdays, 6:30am in the Fellowship Hall Call 512- 869-7854 Einstein Brothers BaglesWednesdays, 6am at Braker & 183 Consumed Bible Study Tuesday 7-9 p.m. Come be a part of a Band of Brothers that are Building Men for Generations! Shoreline North Campus Children’s Bldg mr.asandoval@gmail.com
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General: The Alpha Course- Georgetown Sundays @ 6pm March 27-May 29 Main Street Baptist Fellowship Hall 512.869.7854 The Alpha Course- Leander Sundays @ 5:30pm March 27-May 29 606 Millcreek Dr., 78641 512.255.0064 The Alpha Course- Hutto Tuesdays @ 6pm March 27-May 29 1306 Creek Bend Cove, 78634 512.255.0064 The Alpha Course- Round Rock Wednesdays @ 6:30 March 27-May 29 2396 Clearwater Trail, 78664 512.255.0064
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Hope Street 512.236.1718
Transforming our city one life at a time...
Round Rock Area Serving Center 512.244.2431 www.ServingCenter.org
-Counseling Head to Heart Restoration Ministry 512.496.8938 www.HeadtoHeart.org Hope In Life Counseling 512.925.5110 in Georgetown www.HopeInLifeCounseling.com
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Colin's Hope 512.524.6737 www.ColinsHope.org
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Grace Academy 512.864.9500 www.GraceAcademy-GT.org
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Body Life Spiritual Coffee Out There Along the Way
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Body Life:
A Whole New Way of Living Finding the Secret of the Satisfied
M
ost of us feel the tension. Something just doesn’t fit. The lives that we live don’t ever quite match up to what we once expected or what we sense they should be. It’s not about stuff, material goods. Most of us have plenty. It’s not about activity, or opportunities. It’s not even about having enough people around us. Many are lonely right in the middle of the crowd. Some of our young people don’t even feel alive. What’s wrong? Surely this isn’t life as it was meant to be. People are willing to go to almost any end to feel like they are really living; they will try just about anything.
God has the answer. Of course He does! He is the one who made life in the first place. And His answer is a very simple one. He calls it His Kingdom. His Kingdom is very simply the place where He reigns as King. It is the King’s domain. Jesus came to proclaim the Gospel (good news) of the Kingdom and He encouraged people to repent – change the way they were thinking - about life (See last month’s article for more on that.) Then He made a remarkable promise to those who were worried about not getting what they needed in this life. He said, “If you seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, you will have everything that you need.” (Matt. 6:33) The Kingdom of God is amazing. It is bigger than our universe and has as many dimensions, and yet it can impact something as minute as the smallest atomic particle. It can be as grand as the Himalayas, and as powerful as the greatest bomb, and yet as subtle as the lightest puff of air. The Kingdom is remarkable and pervades everything it touches. God can do His Kingdom work in the womb on an unborn child and in the heart of the most hardened sinner. He can change the course of nations and can alter the route you take driving your car. His Kingdom is remarkable and the forces at work in it are fascinating. And He has a place for YOU in His Kingdom. He has a role
for you to play, and a work for you to do. He has relationships – people for you to embrace, for you to belong with - and He has places for you to go. His Kingdom runs concurrently with the lives we lead and usually occupies the same space. I like to call Kingdom living “a whole new way of living.” Kingdom living has its own values, priorities, callings, gifts and abilities, personality traits, principles, and leadership style. It is different than the rest of the world in many ways. At its core is a relationship with God Himself. He wants us to know Him as He really is, because that knowledge alone will bring a radical transformation. He is our first love and highest purpose. And He is perfect in every detail: His love is the greatest expression of love, His knowledge is true knowledge, and His wisdom is the highest wisdom. In His Kingdom we learn His way – a whole new way of living. If you want a short introduction to His way, you
should read Matthew, chapters 5-7, where He in essence says, “You have been taught in this way, but I will teach you My way.” In His Kingdom you will find a different kind of relationship with others. The current culture likes to present the church as radical and intolerant, but you will find the vast majority of His true followers to be full of love and grace. And His Kingdom offers many opportunities for your life to really count for something – not just for the short term - but for all of eternity! Are you looking for a whole new way of living? I urge you to seek to discover the “secret of the satisfied.” Seek first His Kingdom.
John Pound
Pastor, New Hope Community Church
Meet AFF's SALES REP! Susan Stern
Susan is Austin Faith & Family's advertising guru. Her expertise runs deep, with a degree in advertising from UT and 13 years of experience working at ad agencies and radio and TV stations in Dallas and Austin. In her current role at AFF, Susan feels blessed to be able to use her
www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
advertising experience to help faith and family friendly businesses reach a quality audience while supporting the Christ-centered mission of the magazine. She lives in East Austin with her husband Todd, daughter Salem, their yellow lab Bentley, and big orange cat Monty.
If you'd like to find out more about advertising your business in AFF, send Susan an email and she'll be glad to help you!
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may
Need a morning boost? How about a drink from the Word that's full of powerful energy for your day? . Take a daily sip with these short devotionals that you can read and swallow, as quick as you drink your morning coffee.
others as Jesus has loved you... God loves us dearly...show His love to Be kind to all and honor God – Proverbs 14:29 1 "Those 23 Treat be kind - 1 Peter 4:9 "Be hospitable who oppress the poor insult their Maker 14 others - John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son..."
but those who are kind to the needy honor him."
God 2 Please worthily of
- Colossians 1:10 "to walk the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, &increasing in the knowledge of God."
3
Forgive & love like God - Psalm 86:5 "O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help."
4
Make God proud - Ephesians 4:1 "I therefore...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."
to
one
another
without
grumbling."
Focus on today...that is all we have - Psalm God's word is useful daily - 2 Timothy 3:16 "All 15 Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable 24 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, for teaching, for reproof, for correction..."
all need alone time with 16 We Matthew 14:23 "...He went up
God on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there."
17
Hunger for God, His peace & His wisdom Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
forget God is 5 Never even when you don't
That we may get us a heart of wisdom."
all have something to give the world - Romans 25 We 12:6 "Having then gifts differing according to
the grace that is given to us, let us use them."
filled 26 Get - Romans
up before you head out 15:13"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope..."
is good - Psalm 19:8 "The statutes 27 God of the LORD are right, rejoicing
always with you... feel Him - Joshua 1:5b "I will not leave you nor forsake you."
the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes."
6 Do -1
it all for God and give it all to God Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
God proud...do it all for Him 28 Make Colossians 3:23 "And whatever you do, do
today - Matthew 5:16 "Even so let your light 7 Shine shine before men; that they may see your good
has plans for you - 2 Timothy 4:5 "But 29 God be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do
8 Use "In
will take us where we are but we must 30 God grow - 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and
it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."
the work of an evangelist; fulfill thy ministry."
works, & glorify your Father who is in heaven." words wisely - Proverbs 10:19 the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely."
9
Have a great Godly day focusing on Him who provides all - Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice."
10
Be a peacemaker - Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
God's peace is good - Philippians 4:7 "the peace - 2 Corinthians 9:6 "But this I say: He who 18 Give sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he 31 of God, which surpasses all understanding, will who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
word is powerful...follow it daily 19 God's Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and
Rich Landry www.twitter.com/CaptainEscape
11 with
Some days are tough but God is always us - 2 Timothy 2:3 "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
a person of action for God - Ecclesiastes 20 Be 11:4 "He that observeth the wind shall not sow;
NOTES:_____________________________
12
Look outward first - Philippians 2:3-4 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves..."
13
One simple goal that makes all the difference Philippians 1:27 "Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ..."
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active, sharper than any two-edged sword..."
and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."
___________________________________
21
Take God's word seriously...it helps - Proverbs 30:5 "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."
___________________________________
22
Let God live and shine in your life - Colossians 3:16 "Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise."
___________________________________
___________________________________ ___________________________________
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Out There
A
99.1 Church
t the recent 5K to stop child trafficking, Austin Faith & Family had a table set up next to a new friend I only met briefly. I was drawn to the table by a smile and an interesting name on the cards that were being handed out. 99.1. What was this? I picked up the card, took it home, and contacted the young man who was so friendly and welcoming to me, and all those who ran. Marcus Bell-Winston is Lead Pastor of 99.1 Church. He didn’t grow up in the church, but states that one of his mother’s friends invited his family to church back in January of 1995. Marcus was 12 years old and at that time really had no interest in church. “The only thing I was praying about after that service is that we would never have to go back again,” states Marcus. However, some of the youth invited Marcus and his brother back to play basketball, which they did. They kept going, and three months later were at a youth camp in East Texas, where on March 18, 1995, Marcus states, “The Lord regenerated my heart, granted me repentance, and I was soundly saved.” Three weeks later, Marcus states, “Things got really interesting,” when he had a dream where he saw himself preaching. When he woke up, he laughed out loud thinking, “You gotta be kidding me! There is no way I will ever be a pastor.” Five years later, at the age of 17, Marcus walked down the aisle of a church, up the steps, and preached his very first sermon. He says, “The rest is HIStory.”
Faith
intentional conversation, I asked about Mike’s church background. Mike said that he had grown up in church but admitted he didn’t know what salvation was. Over the course of the conversation, I had the chance to walk him through what the gospel is and is not. At the end, Mike asked, ‘How does a person get saved and how long does it take?’ (Acts 2:37) Then and there in the parking lot, I prayed with him, and Mike gave his heart to Jesus. Praise GOD!” Marcus states that there is nothing like seeing someone “who was once dead” come alive in Christ! The plan for 99.1 is to be planted in the Mueller Re-Development area of Austin in September of 2011. They need to find a location, need money for start-up costs, more core members, and they ask for prayer and support from anyone who would like to partner with this new church in Austin. Marcus shows up in our city at parks, at games, at restaurants, and who knows where he’ll be next…looking for that 1. Will it be you? Marcus Bell-Winston grew up in South Austin and graduated from Bowie High School, completing his Bachelors in Religion and Philosophy at Oklahoma Wesleyan University and then moved back to Austin,
TX. He is married to Sarah, and they have two dogs – Mufasa and Zarobi. You can find 99.1 Church on Facebook, or contact Marcus@991church.com. Marcy Lytle
So why does Marcus pastor? He answers like this, “Christ bought me with a price and my life is not my own.” (Ephesians 2:10). Marcus states that he loves God and loves people, and wants everyone “to be transformed by the power of Gospel so that they would in turn transfer it to others.” 99.1 Church was started from a burden of viewing the lost just like Jesus did that one lost sheep. “The Lord was calling me to leave the 99 (the four walls, place of comfort, safety, familiarity) and was pointing me to the 1,” Marcus states. Being a church plant, Marcus states there is no problem getting outside the four walls of the church because, “We don’t have any walls. We are able to engage our city, neighbors, friends, and family with the intention of not inviting them to a building but into a friendship and relationship with Jesus Christ.” He has been involved in prison ministry, low income housing outreach, serving with Church under the Bridge, Mobile Loaves & Fishes, soup kitchens, etc. He further states, “I believe we need to first be the church to our neighbors before we invite them to our churches. Not to mention it is pretty hard to fulfill Matt 28:1920 and Acts 1:8 if we never leave our buildings.” A few weeks ago, Marcus took his friend Mike to an Austin Toros basketball game and stopped in at Pluckers afterwards. Marcus states, “In www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
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Faith
Along the Way in print. That means that there is literally a Bible available for all six billion people alive on earth today. What is more, these staggering figures, concerning the voluminous number of Bibles sold each year do not include the electronic versions available via the Internet, computers and smart phones! How many Bibles are sold or distributed free electronically? It must be millions! As a pastor, I am frequently asked, "Which Bible do you recommend?" That sounds like an easy question and in some ways it is. Yet, the answer involves a history that, properly understood, would make an adventure story equivalent to a day in the life of Indiana Jones! Perhaps an understanding of the origins of the English Bible is a good place to begin. Christianity probably first traveled to Britain as early as A.D. 122 when the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of a defensive stonewall built across the country of England. No doubt some of his soldiers had become Christians while stationed in Rome or in some Greek city where Christianity had flourished in the 1st century. By A.D. 314, Christianity in Britain was strong enough to send Bishops from York, Lincoln and London to a Council of Churches wrestling with theological questions. The Bible in England, however, was first copied and distributed into Latin among British Christians. It would be the 8th century before portions of the New Testament were translated into "Old English." A major development came when a devoted Christian scholar with a love for Scripture decided it was time for his British countrymen to have the Bible in the common language of the
Happy Birthday King James
W
e live in a culture of choices. We like it that way. In fact, the choices have never been greater or have come at a more blinding pace. For instance, if you waited in a long line last year for the Apple iPad, how could you have known that it is already "old technology" now that iPad 2 has been released? The iPad is only one example of the flood of choices we are offered everyday. In 1611 an English Bible was released as a new translation for the English speaking world. The King James Version is a work of art in biblical translations that has served the church now for 400 years this year. If you go to a bookstore to purchase a Bible however, you will notice right away that the KJV is no longer your only option among a huge number of translations. As a matter of fact, the number of translations continues to grow.
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Part of the reason has to do with the Bible's international popularity. The entire Bible has been translated into about 450 languages with an additional 1000 languages and dialects of unique translations of the entire New Testament. The Gospel of Mark alone has been translated into over 2300 languages! While this range of translations accounts for only about half of the world’s languages and unique dialects, it does nevertheless, represent about 90% of the world's population. The American appetite for Scripture keeps the Bible at the top of the bestseller list every year because we spend $425 million annually on about 100 million new Bibles for ourselves, our churches and for missions. The best estimates suggest more than 7.5 billion Bibles have been printed, with the vast majority of them printed in the last 50 years, and are still
people. John Wycliffe, an Oxford scholar, and his followers, completed a translation of the Bible near the end of the 14tn century. His translation was from the Latin translations, rather than from the original biblical languages, but it had an important influence upon the Protestant Reformation doctrine of Biblical authority and personal study, a little more than a century later. Later, inspired by the reforms sweeping Europe, fueled by the writings and teaching of Martin Luther, another Oxford trained 16th century British scholar, William Tyndale, sensed the need for an English Bible translated directly from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek original languages. His work was outlawed from the start by Roman Catholic Church leaders, and when his English New Testament was finally printed and smuggled into England, Tyndale was declared to be a heretic, was arrested and sentenced to death. During the last year of his
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life, working from his bitterly cold prison cell, "in the white heat of potential martyrdom," Tyndale worked to finish the Old Testament into English from the Hebrew language. In 1536, in the city of Vilforde, Belgium, William Tyndale was burned at the stake. What was his crime? He translated the Bible into English. In spite of the fact that Tyndale himself died before he finished his Old Testament translation, his followers finished the work. The translation was confiscated everywhere it was discovered and burned in public bonfires. But the sight of the Church burning the Word of God in the English language did nothing to win the hearts of the British public. In time, the politics in England changed and when the changes came, copies of Tyndale's Bible were placed in every parish church in England. From the flames of the stake, William Tyndale had cried out one loud, last prayer, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes." While the King during Tyndale's time may not have benefited from that prayer, a King in the next century in London would make a lasting impact on the English language and he would have William Tyndale to thank. In 1611, a group of scholars working under orders from the King of England, completed and published a new English Bible from the original biblical languages. While based upon the original languages, the 47 Anglican scholars relied heavily upon Tyndale's use of English vocabulary, style and idioms. It is estimated that more than 80% of their New Testament was influenced by Tyndale and more than 75% of their Old Testament bore the marks of their reliance upon Tyndale's translation. When the new work was finished it was dedicated with these words to the King who authorized the translation, "To the most high and mighty prince, James." It has been 400 years since the appearance of the King James Version and while it has been one of the most popular translations ever produced, it is by no means the last word on Biblical translations in English. Translations exist to communicate the Word of God to the current generation in the language we understand. In addition, popular English translations like the New American Standard and The New International Version rely, not only upon changes in vocabulary and word usage, but upon the availability of more ancient Greek New Testament manuscripts, unavailable to the King James translators 400 years ago. As the English speaking world celebrates 2011 as the 400th anniversary of the beautiful King James Version, it is encouraging to remember that while translations rise and fall in popularity and current use, "The Word of the Lord stands forever." (1 Peter 1:25 NIV)
Dr. Kie Bowman
Pastor, Hyde Park Baptist Church
www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
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Fa mily
Practical Parenting Journey for Two A Few Good Men Helpful Hints
15 16 17 18
That Two-Letter Word: NO! Practical Parenting:
I
chronically over-commit. To everything. I always think there is one more thing I can fit in somewhere. This is complicated by my master ability to multi-task. Well, talent may not be the best description. Insane might be a better term. Multi-tasking is really a silly buzz word that didn't exist 40 years ago. Back then, mothers just called it running a household. What was the big deal about cooking dinner, helping with homework, and folding clothes at the same time? Didn't everyone do it? Now, our lives are complicated with a constant barrage of electronic media, extracurricular activities, Bible studies, and overtime. We've been sucked into a black hole of busy-ness from which there is no easy escape.
Any mother will tell you that multi-tasking is an absolute necessity. If you can't effectively multi-task, then you will most likely end up with children who leave the house in some form of undress. Or in extreme cases, be undressed yourself. I heard of a mother who got all her kids dressed and in the car to go work out, only to get to the gym wearing crocs. Crocs are not an acceptable workout shoe. I start off every school year with the resolution to stay focused and relaxed. I do pretty well until around Thanksgiving; then the wheels on my wagon begin to wobble. By the time the New Year arrives, I'm in serious need of a front-end alignment. There isn't much relaxation
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in the holiday season anymore. Thankfully, January and February are typically a little slower paced. But by spring break, we're revving up for the end of the school year with recitals, exhibits, and cramming to finish our curriculum. Let's just say I'm sputtering by the end of May. I know I can get a witness out there.
also when things happen. If an activity is on multiple days of the week, then it's the only one we do or we don't do it at all. I don't like to be gone every day of the week, at least on a regular basis. So, I have to have one day a week with no activities. That becomes either my off day or the day on which I schedule extra things, like doctor appointments.
So, while multi-tasking has its good points, it can become a beastly master. To break the chains, learn to say no. Let's practice it. Take a deep breath. Make the “n” sound and finish with the long “o” sound. Nnnnooooo. Perfect! Now, when do you say no? How about when the scoutmaster asks you to organize, cater, and host the year-end party? No. Or when the next 26-week Bible study with the 500page companion workbook is announced at church? No. Are these things bad? NO! But they are activities which can cause more stress and commitment problems than they are worth, if your schedule is already filled to the max.
I strongly recommend you plan weekends with the family. Take a break with the kids. Turn off the phones and ignore emails and texts for at least a few hours while you go to the park, play games, put together a puzzle, or just relax. I know this is easier said than done. I am guilty of plowing through my weekends without a spare moment. But I'm not doing anyone a favor by overcommitting.
It's best to prevent over-commitment than to bail on people when things get too chaotic. We usually take a look at not only what we want to do but
Will my kids remember me working a lot? Maybe. Will they think we never did anything fun? I hope not. I try to include each of them individually in at least one thing I do each week. We often read together at night instead of watching the latest reality show, which is usually a little more reality than I want, anyway. We don't take fancy vacations, but we plan a weekend away every few months with friends or on our own. There are lots of free and nextto-free stuff to do if you think outside the box. Don't try to please everyone else. Break the cycle of over-commitment. Focus on your family and raising your kids. That will reap the most significant rewards.
Georganne Schuch
www.blog.coffeedogz.net
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Faith&Family 15 AUSTIN
Fa mily
Journey for Two
Cloudy Days Breaking through the shadow of unforgiveness
U
nforgiveness has a way of settling over a marriage like a perpetual cloud. It tints everything a darker hue. Colors turn to grey. Nothing grows. Life stagnates in the shade of unforgiveness. We need a little sunshine with the rain. We’ve got to get good at forgiving!
Little Grey Clouds Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone….” In every marriage there is stuff you “bear with,” like dirty socks left on the floor and toothpaste squeezed from the middle of the tube. That’s Forgiveness 101. When you share life with someone you will discover things that rub you the wrong way. I have a terrible habit of leaving my coffee mug in the technical booth on Sunday mornings. David likes to keep things nice and neat in there. He graciously bears with me. But little irritations can cause much bigger problems. Little things have a way of stacking up into big things if you don’t take the time to look at them. The rest of that
verse is an important reminder,“…forgive as the Lord forgave you.” When you take the time to remember how you have been forgiven, you find the grace to forgive others.
Big Black Thunderclouds Sometimes, things happen in a relationship that we can’t simply bear with, or put behind us. These are major things that have to be addressed - like broken trust and betrayal. Deep wounds need deep healing. This kind of forgiveness is work. Welcome to Advanced Studies in Forgiveness. With these kinds of clouds overhead, life can seem pretty dark. Choosing to forgive allows light to shine through. It’s one big choice we make to deal with our hearts followed by lots of little choices throughout the days, months and years that follow.
Chasing the Clouds Away Do you ever think you’ve forgiven, but then something happens to trigger those old
feelings of doubt and fear and you wonder, “Where did this come from?” Forgiveness is an event AND a process. In Matthew 18. Peter asked, “How many times do I have to forgive someone who has offended me? Up to seven times?” (Peter thought he was being generous.) Jesus answered, “No, not seven times, 70 times 7 (That’s 490 times!) That is a lot of forgiving! So if you feel like you’ve forgiven, then those old feelings pop up again – no condemnation – just choose to forgive, AGAIN. Every time we choose to forgive we experience a deeper level of healing.
Our Personal Storm There was a betrayal in our marriage. It was a pain we both responded to with the coolness of self-protection. Honestly, in that place, forgiveness feels like an enormous risk. Like, if I forgive you then I’m saying I’m okay with you. And I’m not okay. One thing we learned is that forgiveness is less about the person who hurt you, and more about you finding freedom from the pain. Unforgiveness keeps us stuck in the past. Forgiveness brings hope for the future! The choice to forgive opened the door to our healing, but it didn’t mean reconciliation. That only came over time, two years of counseling, and the fruit of change in our lives. Ultimately, forgiveness means trusting God with our broken lives and believing that He really is our Healer and Restorer. He is the Light that shines through and breaks up the dark clouds that would like to hover over our lives.
Try This: How would you define forgiveness? Letting go of ever having a better past? Moving forward with faith for the future? Write your own definition of forgiveness and share with each other. If you have experienced the pain of betrayal in your marriage, you are not alone. There is help and there is hope! We recommend www. affairrecovery.com Choose a season, perhaps spring, or your anniversary month, to schedule an annual heart check. Ask God to reveal any areas of resentment in your life. Choose to forgive!
David & Lynn Cherry
Staff, Shoreline Church
16 Faith&Family AUSTIN
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A Few Good Men
Fa mily
so-called friends who speak harm, abuse or discouragement into us. Some of you reading this article still long for a day when someone in your world will simply utter words about you that describe who you are and who you can be. It is especially important that these words come from parents. And dads, it’s vital that you commit to blessing your children on a regular basis. Moms tend to be more verbal and do this more naturally, but fathers have a tougher time expressing their thoughts even though they might think them. What do you see in your child that God could use in them in the future? It might even be something that irritates you now but could be turned into good down the road.
The Power of a Blessing I ’ll never forget the moment. I was sitting in a graduate counseling practicum near the end of my sabbatical year. I was just about to finish a second master’s degree (what was I thinking?) in a month or so. Leading our practicum was counselor, speaker, and author Dan Allender. Dan was known for his relentless challenging and probing of his student’s walls and schemes to protect themselves. While at times he seemed harsh, he was making sure that we honestly looked long and hard at ourselves before venturing into the lives of others. We would never see in them what we were unwilling to look at in ourselves.
However, during this session Dan related to us much differently. Since we were almost finished with our training, this class became more of a time of reflection. What had we learned about ourselves? What was God raising up in our souls that we’d left untouched in the past? I know He had done a serious work in me and I was going to be a much better person as a result.
even as I type these words, the lump I got in my throat and the tears that welled up in my eyes. Why? Because I thought I was going to be some big deal? No, hardly. I’m still not that. Rather, it was because someone saw worth and value in me and they spoke it. Yes, God is the ultimate source of anyone’s worth, but sometimes we need to hear it from a person with skin on. Years ago, Gary Smalley and John Trent wrote a powerful book called The Blessing that outlined how this practice started in the Old Testament during the time of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was customary for the father to give a blessing to each child, with the eldest getting a special blessing and look into the future. Remember how Jacob shrewdly stole his brother Esau’s birthright, and subsequent blessing, away? Remember Esau’s anguish later? Many of us have had our blessing stolen, so to speak, by insensitive parents, spouses or
Now let me provide some caution. Blessings aren’t mere flattery. Too many parents simply praise their child for everything as though they can do no wrong. That’s not what I’m talking about. A blessing is thought through, goes beyond mere actions, and speaks about character and purpose. A blessing uses rich words and language that reaches the soul and touches the heart. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” My hunch is that your spouse is longing for words like these. Your son or daughter is too. Your coworker, with whom you have labored months or years, probably would love a blessing as well, even though it won’t be on the same level as those you say to loved ones. Men, we need to lead the way on this. Start with something like, “One of the things that makes you unique and special is . . . .” and then go from there. You want to live a blessed life? Give some blessings away.
Gary Sinclair
Director of Pastoral Care Austin Christian Fellowship
So on that memorable day, Dan began to go around the room and tell us what potential and future he saw in each person as a result of observing us throughout the year. While even he knew this was a bit risky, he seemed to know that his words would be impacting. They were. When my turn came he said something like this. “Gary, I see you as a future leader of people. Not just for a few, but in much larger groups. You’re going to impact many for Christ and you’re going to lead them to do the same with others. I’m pretty confident you will do that in a big way.” Now let me be clear. Dan wasn’t trying to be a prophet. He said every word to each student humbly and without fanfare. But I remember, www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
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Faith&Family 17 AUSTIN
Fa mily
Helpful Hints
Celebrating Memorial Day
M
emorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the American military. For many people the holiday is about the kickoff of summer, shopping, and picnics. This year, in addition to the usual activities, take time as a family to honor those who gave their lives on behalf of our freedom. Here are some easy family activities that you can use as teachable moments with your children to celebrate Memorial Day. Celebrate with a parade! Many neighborhoods, communities and cities have Memorial Day parades. Check local listings, newspapers, and on-line community activities and find a parade near your home that your family can participate in. Dress up the family in red, white, and blue. Make “freedom hats” out of construction paper complete with stars and
18 Faith&Family AUSTIN
stripes. Decorate bicycles and wagons to make your own family float.
Visit a local memorial site, monument or cemetery. You can purchase inexpensive small American flags and you children can place them at the memorial or cemetery markers. You can also check with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for information regarding special ceremonies taking place in your area on behalf of the fallen. Watching a service of this type with children provides opportunities to teach them about the nation’s history and the important cost of freedom. Hang an American flag on your house. Recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Sing the Star Spangled Banner. Lead your family in prayer for the nation. These activities do not take a lot of time but can have lasting impact and meaning on your family.
Enjoy family patriotic craft activities. This can include drawing and coloring the American flag. Take the project a step further and write one line of the Pledge of Allegiance on each stripe of the flag. Decorate a paper towel tube with construction paper and stickers. Staple silver metallic paper shreds inside the tube, creating your own safe sparklers. Metallic paper shreds can be found in the party supply section of most craft stores. Create a red, white and blue wreath out of tissue paper, stickers, glitter and glue attached to poster board. Think creatively and involve the entire family. This Memorial Day honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom with special and meaningful family fun.
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Al Jones, Ph.D.
Head to Heart Ministries www.headtoheart.org
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Faith&Family 19 AUSTIN
MAY Student of the Month
For the Heart and Mind of Your Young Einstein
Are You a Solid, Liquid, or Gas?
O
ne Saturday afternoon Little Albert was steam cannot be contained within the pot. It just helping his mom in the kitchen. “Will you help floats around all over the place. me make some soup Albert?” asked his mom. Little Albert started thinking about some of the people he had met. “Sure. What do we need to do first?”
Liz Speasmaker Her name is Liz Speasmaker, and she recently wrote our “Moment of Obedience” article about a job that came to her when she simply obeyed that voice that told her to thank a cashier. Liz is currently ending her junior year at Round Rock High School, so she’s almost a senior! Liz states that she loves learning new things at school, and loves the fact that she can take classes that interest her. She still has the job (mentioned above), which takes up a lot of time, but when she’s not working she enjoys “hanging out” with her friends, making movies, reading, writing, and…she tutors in the mornings. She’s one busy student! And after graduation? She wants to get into the media industry. “I love everything media,” says Liz. We asked Liz how her faith helps her in school and she replied, “My faith has given me a strength that I never knew I could even fathom. My high school career has not been sunshine and roses, and without God by my side, I don’t even want to think where I’d be by now.” Liz has a hero, and it’s her brother. She shares, “Through everything our family has gone through, he has always stood with his head up high praising God for all our blessings. He encourages me to be my best, and sometimes I can even help him. He is my rock and my support in troubled times.”
“Let’s get some water boiling,” suggested Little “Hey mom, people are just like the different forms of water.” Albert’s mom. As the water began to boil, Little Albert filled a glass with ice water because he was thirsty. He looked at the ice floating in the water and then looked at the water in the boiling pot. Just then steam began to form and rise up from the water’s surface.
“How is that?” Albert’s mom asked.
“Well, some people are really stiff and rigid like ice. They always think they’re right. They believe others who don’t see things exactly the way they do are always wrong. Other people are floating all over the Little Albert’s mom returned to the stove as he place like steam. They go wherever people tell them asked, “What happens when the water changes and believe whatever people say. They don’t have a from solid ice, to liquid water, and then to steam? home at all. Liquid water assumes the shape of its container. It has a home, but it flows within it.” Why does it look so different?” “Oh, Little Albert, you run along and research that “That is a pretty cool way to look at things Little Albert,” said mom. “How do you think God wants us one,” mom requested. “I’ll finish up the soup.” to be?” Little Albert went to his dad’s computer and began researching the different properties of solids, liquids, “I think God wants us to be like liquid water. I and gases. He quickly learned it was the amount of believe He wants us to be contained by His truth, heat applied to the water that determined whether but not be rigid about how people should live it out it was found in the form of solid ice, liquid water, or in their own lives.” steam, but what was really happening to it? “Wow, Little Albert, maybe this is why liquid water He read on and learned that when water is found gives life.” as solid ice the molecules are so tightly packed together they barely even jiggle. There is very In John 4:14 Jesus says, “…Indeed, the water I give little space between the water molecules and they him will become in him a spring of water welling up cannot move or slide past one another. This rigidity to eternal life.” makes ice a solid. When ice heats up, the molecules Michele Zink Harris begin to move and can slide past each other. This Author, God’s Spirit in the Heart of Every Child movement gives liquid water the ability to flow – it www.nextgenerationhearts.org is no longer rigid. If the water is heated further, the molecules start moving around really fast and the
Liz is a great thinker, an excellent writer, and an awesome young lady. When God speaks, she obeys, and cool things happen. She knows firsthand that God cares about every detail of her life. And that knowledge will take her through her senior year, and into a great career ahead of her. Marcy Lytle
20 Faith&Family AUSTIN
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The Value of Trust M
y kids were ribbing me recently…“When you say ’I’ll think about it’, it always means ‘No,’ Mom,” proclaimed my oldest. Then they gave a list of other phrases that mean “No,” according to them, including things like “We’ll see,” “I’ll have to talk to your dad about it,” on and on. I countered with, “I’ll think about it means maybe.” “Oh no, Mom, it means ‘No,’” they insisted. So I reminded them that the reason I do this is that if I say “Yes” it always means yes - not maybe, not no. “Yes” means yes and they can trust me to deliver what I promise. It’s astounding how important it is to keep your word once given. Parents would be amazed at how they can damage the respect their children have for them, by failing to keep their word. My kids know this about us and are quick to remind us, “Mom, you said you will…” And what’s great about this is that I can do the same with them! If I keep my word, then it is fair that I expect the same from them. They know that and they love the concept of “Keeping your word once given.” The fact is that unless we can trust and have confidence in those around us, we may be at risk. At our business, The Studio Kitchen, it is not uncommon for customers to ask our staff if
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they own the business. Several months after we first opened, a customer came in and asked our hostess “Are you the owner?” “No, I’m an employee,” she replied. “You mean the owners just leave you here to run the place?” was the incredulous reply from the customer. “They trust me,” She explained. And it’s true, we do. Trustworthiness is such a valuable commodity. People who break their word are not regarded well by others and often do not get a second chance. We’ve had such people work for us and they never make it. “The driver said he was going to be here at 7 am to pick up an order I needed urgently,” explained my chef. “He arrived at 8:30 am and now my whole day’s production is messed up…” she said, not happy. My husband sat him down and explained how he should not give his word lightly. Although he profusely apologized and said that he understood, he never mended his ways. When our chef said, “I can’t operate like this. I need someone to support me that I can trust!” we had to let the driver go.
towards them. I once met an employment counselor who said: “I always tell kids: ‘Just arrive to work on time.’ If they need to downsize, who do you think they will let go? The guy who came on time or the one that did not?” We can improve our community, and we need mutual trust to get us there. Let’s display it. Let’s demand it. Let’s build a better world with it.
I think it is important to just say to our children at school, and at home, “Be worthy of trust.” And then help our kids to fully understand and display that trust, while we display the same
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Laura Bezden The Studio Kitchen
Faith&Family 21 AUSTIN
Submit calendar entries to Marcy@AustinFaithandFamily.com by the 15th of the preceding month.
May 1 Lemonade Day Austin is a fun, free, event where kids get to make and keep the money that they earn while learning first-hand about business and entrepreneurship. See website for locations to pick up a free backpack filled with the resources needed to participate in Lemonade Day Austin.
May 3
National Day of Prayer - Texas State Capitol Event - Join Texans on the South Steps to pray. This is a National Day of Prayer Event - Free. 123pm. Ballet Austin’s Build-a-Ballet: Carnival of the Animals 12:00a to 1:00p at Austin Ventures Studio Theater, Austin, TX. Carnival of the Animals comes to life in an interactive format that draws on lots of great audience participation. Help build part of a ballet with the dancers in the production. See your new choreography performed in the ballet! ADRN's 3rd Annual "Light of Hope" Dinner & Silent Auction event at the Austin Country Club on from 6:30PM-8:30PM. Our guest speaker will be Justin & Kynada Boland, co-founders of Preparedness Peace. Register now!
May 4
Kids Hip Hop - 1:45p to 2:45p at Butler Community School, Austin, TX. This fun and funky class is for kids ages 8-12 who have little or no previous hip hop experience- kid-friendly class. Parents are welcome to join in. Taught by Kathryn Waggoner A great drop-in class - Offered twice a week. Start any time.
May 5
Georgetown’s 20th Annual National Day of Prayer Community Event. Special proclamation by Mayor Garver and performances by Soloist Kirsten Klein and the 9th Grade Glee Choir. 6:30-7:30pm. Georgetown High School Football Stadium.
May 6
National Public Gardens Day at The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 9am-5:30pm.
Arise & Be Healed! It will be an awesome night of praise and worship!! 7pm Nightly-Free Randy DeMain & Steve Siler True Life Fellowship 1600 E Old Settlers Dr. Round Rock TX 78664
May 7
Violet Crown Festival - 11:00a to 6:00p at 6701 Burnet Road Market, Austin, TX. Fest features arts and crafts vendors, family fun, live music, refreshments, and the 1 p.m. grand opening of the farmer’s market.
May 13
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert in the park in the pavilion in Anderson Mill West Park on El Salado Pkwy in Cedar Park at 7:30 pm. FREE. For all ages to enjoy.
May 14
Williamson County Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert in the park in Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock at 7:30pm. FREE. For all ages to enjoy. Spring Family Fun Days at Crowe’s Nest Farm - Visit the Farm animals and Texas Wildlife- $5 per person, Reservations a MUST: Call 512.272.4418 Spring K9 Karnival - 12 – 4pm - Hyde Park High School (Quarries Campus - Mopac/Braker) Enjoy the day while helping Austin Dog Rescue raise funds for their foster home and adoption program. Live music by "The Rhythm Dawgs," games for you and your dog, and much more. Entry into the Karnival is FREE. FASHION SHOW - Fabulous Fashion, Food, and Entertainment Benefiting the WWF Women without Fear Ministry of Austin Revival Center Church. Buy your ticket early for $5 or pay $6.00 at door. 7pm. Free Children's Theater: Thumbelina - 5:00p to 6:00p at Central Market Cafe, Austin, TX. Follow Thumbelina’s adventures in this new retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless story. This
Georgetown's 20th Annual
Don't Miss!
performance is FREE, interactive and fun for children of all ages.
May 19
Dr. Marta Katalenas is offering free newborn and prenatal class for new and expectant
parents - 6:00 pm
May 21
Spring Family Fun Days at Crowe’s Nest Farm - Visit the Farm animals and Texas Wildlife- $5 per person (age 3 & up, 2 yr. olds $2, children under 2 are free) Reservations a MUST: Call 512.272.4418, email crowes@io.com, or leave a post on our Facebook page. Here Comes Gosling! A New Play for Children - 11:00am and 2pm at Long Center for the Performing Arts - Based on the children's book illustrated by Keith Graves. Froggie and Rabbit prepare for the arrival of Gosling, a brand new baby. Froggie must learn to wait, something he simply cannot stand. But what happens when the awaited guest doesn't behave as expected?
May 22
Here Comes Gosling! A New Play for Children 2pm at Long Center for the Performing Arts- Based on the children's book illustrated by Keith Graves.
May 23
Deadline for registration for VBS at The Lakeway Church – PANDAMANIA – God is Wild About You! (VBS is June 6-10) www.lakewaychurch.org.
May 25
An Evening of Bluegrass at Covenant Presbyterian Church: 7:30 pm, Admission is free, but a reservation is required http://www.covenant.org/bluegrass
May 26
An Evening of Bluegrass at Covenant Presbyterian Church: 7:30 pm, Admission is free, but a reservation is required http://www.covenant.org/bluegrass
May 28
The ROCK Austin, 5800 Martin Luther King Blvd & 183, will host its first Arts & Crafts Bizarre 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
May 30 May 5, 2011, 6:30-7:30pm Georgetown High School Football Stadium 22 Faith&Family AUSTIN
Spring Family Fun Days at Crowe’s Nest Farm - Visit the Farm animals and Texas Wildlife- $5 per person (age 3 & up, 2 yr. olds $2, children under 2 are free) Reservations a MUST: Call 512.272.4418, email crowes@io.com, or leave a post on our Facebook page.
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Faith&Family 23 AUSTIN
T(Moms, h eYou're f the A Bark!) miL
T
his is NOT an article on genealogy, digging around to find your ancestors, and creating that kind of “family tree.” This is a real analogy of the family unit to a real tree. The trunk represents the family itself, with roots that dig deep, branches that shoot off in all directions, and leaves and fruit that come out in full bloom, in the right season. The bark of the tree is you – the mom – the one who provides protection and covering. The branches are the children, and they’re all bent in different directions in their own unique way. A healthy family tree bears fruit, puts on green leaves, and it is truly a thing of beauty.
So let’s start with the trunk. Psalm 1:1-3 says that a blessed man is like a tree planted by the water, yielding fruit in its season, with no withering leaves. The family trunk must have roots that can reach nearby water. Water comes in the form of the Word, and the Word comes in the form of hearing, and hearing comes in the form of the parents speaking and sharing. Even if you homeschool your children, or send them to private Christian schools, nothing substitutes for family devotions. Set a designated time with no interruptions and no excuses. Make it fun, keep it real, share your heart, and listen to the heart of your kids. Why not have at least one night a week where the family sits down and devotes time to worshiping Him and gleaning wisdom from the Word? It doesn’t have to be boring. Share the life you’re living and experiencing in Him, with your kids. Ask them for their concerns, and pray with them. Listen to music and worship. But beware – the phone will ring, one child may pick a fight, or dad might even doze off. Press through. It will soon become a time of blessing and not an hour of boredom.
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On to the bark. That’s you, Mom. Moms cover their family unit with prayer and care. If at all possible, stay home with your children. Maybe you can work from home to make extra cash. If you do have to work outside the home, don’t feel guilty - it doesn’t mean you don’t love your kids. Our culture depicts women on the television and in the movies that “have it all” with a big house, money to spend, time to relax and play, perfect children, and a romantic interest. However, being a mom in and of itself is a HIGH CALLING and has great rewards that are not materialistic, vain, or temporary. Ask God what he says about working at home, or away, and then ask Him for grace and provision. Be content with “less” and join support groups, plaster the truth about who you are on your refrigerator, and find your self-worth in HIM. You are blessed to be called “Mom.” Branches that bend in all directions. Have you ever noticed that what makes a tree beautiful and striking is the very nature of the branches that extend in all directions and fill up the top of the tree? How funny it would look if all branches were parallel and bent to the right. It is crucial to notice the “bend” in our children. Allow the bend, encourage the bend, and don’t try to snap it – or you just might break it! Notice outside forces that try to break your child’s natural bend and pray, fight for your children and who God made them to be, and then watch what happens. Why not start a journal for each child and write down gifts, talents, etc. that you see in your children? Pray over what you see, pray often, and pray in their rooms when they’re gone, or while they’re asleep. Write your kids encouraging notes and slip them in their lunches, under their pillow, or under their door at night, reminding them of who they are.
Pretty leaves and fruit. When spring arrives, leaves show up, and fruit grows. However, new growth is fragile and leaves blow easily in the wind. They are often susceptible to disease, the flowers and fruit all appear at different times, and sometimes a strong wind might knock them to the ground. When observing growth in our kids, we must cover them, not compare them. Comparing is not wise. Whether your best friend gives allowance, and you make your children earn their money, is not your standard of measure. If one of your children makes straight A’s with little effort, and your other child works hard for a C, praise them both. Make choices and speak words that promote growth in YOUR family.
What a beautiful tree. A mature family unit will have a thick trunk covered with bark, be rooted by a cool stream of water, be full of all sorts of branches, leaves, and blossoms, and will “catch the eye” of those who come near. It will be inviting to those who are hot to come sit a while in the shade it offers, and it will drop its fruit for those in need of refreshment. This is just a natural progression of a healthy family tree. So moms, what causes N-I-C-K-S in the bark of the tree? What makes some moms peel away, become brittle and hard, leaving their family unit vulnerable to attack from pests? N – Neglecting to honor your kids’ dad hurts your kids. Make sure your conversation is pure and pleasing to the little ears who hear literally everything you say with your mouth, even if you spell it! Neglecting to take care of your own spiritual walk with God and neglecting to take care of your physical body will also result in a stripped area of the trunk of your family tree.
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y tRee Stick a CD in the car and worship while you drive. Leave that pile of clothes at night and soak in a hot tub of water. Yes, you need “date night” and it’s worth it to trade with another couple or pay a sitter. I – Isolating yourself, due to lies that your mind believes, strips away the covering of your tree. You are beautiful and the “apple of His eye,” and don’t you forget it. Isolating yourself due to hurts is unwise. Forgive others. Keep on loving; because He loves them. Isolating yourself due to lack of knowledge creates a nick. If you don’t know how to handle your child that is bent in four directions, ask. There are plenty of “older moms” full of wisdom. C – Comparing your body, your homes, your husbands, and even your children causes a huge tear in the bark – one that is hard to repair. Depression, discontent, disgust, and disappointment settle in when we compare these things. If your best friend gets a brand new house and you’re stuck in the same old one, give thanks. Giving thanks cheers up the darkest day. If you still have a few extra pounds you need to shed, pray and ask God to help you either be content with who you are, or lose the weight with his help – but never because you want to look “better” than your friend. And remember your children were not created to compete with other children for your love and acceptance. K – Kissing fantasy makes you think like this, “What if I had a more romantic husband?”“What if I could just travel and get away from it all?” This only leads down the road of discontent, which is a road with no outlet. Kissing the world is spending time watching soaps, reading magazines, and listening to others…and then
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finding our worth and value in what we see, read, and hear….instead of what He sees and says. And finally, kissing death – wishing we could end it all because we’re unappreciated, tired and weary, and unloved, is obviously dangerous, but often prevalent among many moms. Matthew 13:31 in essence says this – You want the blessings from heaven? Take the seeds (your children) and plant them. (This requires work, water, and good old Sonshine). Even the smallest, most insignificant seeds, given the right soil and being planted by the water, will yield much fruit when the season comes for new growth, the leaves will be green, and whatever happens – that healthy tree will prosper. Write that one down, moms. Happy Mother’s Day. Marcy Lytle
C oach K erri B rinkoeter
For the Love of Coaching and the Thrill of the Game
“P
articipating in sports is a microcosm for life. Through basketball/sports, we learn about life! We learn how to work hard to achieve the desired outcome, we learn conflict resolution, how to get along with all types of people, how to deal with loss, how to graciously deal with success, how to deal with pride, rejection, victory, defeat, selfishness and greed.” The above is a quote from Kerri Brinkoeter, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. And how did this woman, full of energy, insight, and wisdom, begin her journey to being head coach at a prestigious university? She actually attended this same university as an undergraduate, became Assistant Coach at Texas A&M Kingsville, on to Head Coach at Blinn in Brenham, and then to Southwestern in 2002. She was Head Coach for the women’s basketball team for three years and then took a hiatus from coaching, to take care of her babies (14 months apart!). In 2005, she became Athletic Director at Grace Academy; and since last year, Kerri has been back at Southwestern in her current position. Kerri states, “It is interesting how I decided to be a basketball coach.” After graduate school at Auburn, Kerri and her husband wanted to “get back to Texas.” Kerri’s college basketball coach was working a summer camp with the coach at Texas A&M Kingsville. TAMUK was looking for an assistant and Kerri’s college coach recommended her for the job. Kerri interviewed in Kingsville, and started work two weeks later! We asked Kerri about her coaching position, and just what it is that she enjoys so much. She answered, “The best thing about coaching is the relationships that develop with the players. I love getting to know the young women that decide to play for me. I want to know about their families, their troubles, their concerns, their joys.” She states these young women are “students first, then athletes.” She also loves practice, and states, “Watching players work hard to develop new skills is thrilling for me as a coach.” Of course, coaching is hard work, and Kerri knows well that everyone cannot be pleased all the time. 26 Faith&Family AUSTIN
There are often challenges and huge obstacles. “As a coach, I am always under a microscope. I am always being analyzed & sometimes, picked apart. I have to have VERY thick skin and I have to be consistent in the way I treat players, handle discipline issues, and how I handle success & failure.” Kerri also states that Division III basketball is misunderstood. “Division III athletes are playing sports because they love to play, not because they are receiving an athletic scholarship to play. The young women that play for me are very smart and driven, goal oriented, and they will go on to have great careers after college athletics.” Coaching requires hard work and stamina, much like playing on the court. Kerri Brinkoeter states that when she got her first head coaching job at Blinn College, she was only 24 years of age. “I was so close in age to the team that it was important for me to be the authority figure and not waver in my decisions. I had to gain their respect with consistent performance & decisions.” Another hardship she encountered was just this year when her mother-in-law passed quickly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “We received the diagnosis during the first week of basketball practice. I spent my days teaching class, running back & forth to the hospital, coaching at practice, picking up the kids from school, doing my best to support my husband and going back to the hospital.” Kerri gives credit to her friends and her direct supervisors at Southwestern. “Their gracious support was a welcome gift during this difficult time. There were many days when I was overcome with emotion and I knew I could only lean on my faith to pull me through. Stepping on the basketball court and coaching my team was a respite for me during one of the hardest times of my life. I knew my team needed me…new coach, new season, expectations were at stake. Knowing that my mother-in-law was not in any more pain, and that she was in a better place, really brought me peace.” If you love a great victory story about sports (and who doesn’t?), Kerri shares her story below: “This season at Southwestern was one of great victories. The team was coming off 5 losing seasons in a row and it was my job to infuse some new energy into the program. The team set goals at the beginning of the season. They wanted to start the year at 4-0 and win at least 15 games this year. Win 15 games? They had only won 16 games in the last 2 previous seasons combined. How were we going to win 15 games? Well, the year started off great! We actually did begin 5-0, beating our biggest rival, Trinity University at home. We went back to revise the goals and the team wanted to get 10 wins in 2010. How were we going to do this? We only had 11 games in 2010! Blowing away all expectations, we did go 10-1 in 2010! The Pirates were ready to begin the New Year with continued success. We did hit a few bumps in the road, but we ended the season 17-10, the best school record in years! We also had a season of firsts for the Women’s Basketball program at Southwestern:
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• • • •
• • •
Two players received Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week Awards 3rd seed in the SCAC Women’s Basketball Tournament. The first SU Women’s Basketball team to advance to the semifinals of the SCAC tournament. Four players named to the All-Conference Team: 2nd team – Shae Seagraves & Anna Fareed. Honorable Mention – Staley Mullins & Chelsea Leeder Senior Shae Seagraves is the first SU Women’s Basketball player to be named to the SCAC All Tournament Team Chelsea Leeder is the first SU Basketball player to be named Newcomer of the Year in the SCAC First 17 win season in over a decade
Kerri states that her job definitely throws “curve balls,” but her faith helps her stay grounded. With all of the adult problems her players face (death of a friend, divorcing parents, accidents, etc.) Kerri hopes that these young women see her as a coach that really cares about them as people. “My belief system and my faith definitely resonate as I try to give comfort and direction. Some of my players are of a different faith than me or they do not really have a faith. Even though we are different, I hope they develop a trust in me and feel comfortable sharing with me and seeking direction. What a blessing to be around young women on a daily basis!”
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“We deal with all kinds of life issues off the court, but when we step between the rectangle lines of the basketball court, we are all about getting better and working hard.” Kerri starts each practice with a “Thought for the Day.” And at the end of practice, they either give positive comments to each other, or confess individual weaknesses and strengths. She states, “I can recall one time this season when I forgot to have our session as I stated announcements and plans for the week. The team ASKED if they could compliment their teammates! I knew the team was “getting it” when they longed to praise one another. WOW!” For Kerri Brinkoeter personally, she has a few sayings of her own that keep her motivated and enthused. One quote by Eleanor Roosevelt states, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” And Kerri also shared this fact, “The only place where success comes before work is the dictionary!” And finally, from the Bible comes her strength: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24. “This verse means a great deal to me because as a Christian woman, it is important to understand and realize that I am to coach in such a way to win the prize. Of course I have compassion, but I am commanded to do my job to become the best. Mediocrity is not acceptable. Working hard and working smart are imperative.”
Being Mom, Head Coach and Wife, Kerri states that juggling everything is sometimes a challenge. “I have to be extremely organized to get everything done; lunches made, kids to their activities, practice planned, game film watched, prepare for class, call recruits, have player meetings & find time to cook dinner!” Many times she feels stretched, when time is limited, but she states that she is intentional in spending time together as a family, and works to give them undivided attention. “I do my best to incorporate my family into my work life and they LOVE spending time in the gym with mommy and the team. I enjoy balancing the “struggles” of family life and work. I know my children love watching the team and they enjoy that mommy coaches basketball!” Many people involved in sports have a hero who influenced them, perhaps a late, great athlete who won many awards. However, Kerri’s heroes are her parents. “My parents were always there for my older brother and me. Not only were they present physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well. My parents sacrificed greatly to send me to Southwestern University. They gave up luxuries like vacations & new cars. My mom even went back to work fulltime when I was in high school so mom & dad could prepare to have two children in college.” She states her parents drove over six total hours on weeknights to attend her basketball games. Their sacrifices, according to Kerri, allowed her to have an exciting, amazing college experience. Now as a parent herself, she fully appreciates their sacrifice, devotion and unconditional love.
Coaching also involves motivating players, day after day, practice after practice and game after game. “Enthusiasm and loving the job we do, is essential to success,” states Kerri.
Parents who have young athletes should encourage them to work hard at the sport they love, but to be a kid, as well, according to Coach Kerri. Kerri states that if college athletics are in your kids’ future, there will be “intentional steps that must be taken” for your child to be recognized and for you to find the “right fit” for you and your family. She further encourages parents to help their kids find a school they love “as if they were not playing athletics.” Even though connecting with a coach and team is critical, Kerri asks this question, “If they have a career ending injury, would they still enjoy being at this university?” She says the answer must be “Yes!”
In conversing with Head Coach Kerri Brinkoeter, I could hear in her voice the authority, the enthusiasm, the compassion, and the determination all wrapped up in the sound of her words. She was concerned at the time of our interview about an ill friend. At the same time, she was doing her best to answer my questions, and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be on our cover. If I had a child considering a university where she could thrive, on and off the court, I would certainly head up the road a few miles to one of the most beautiful campuses in Texas, to meet Kerri Brinkoeter. Read her quote at the beginning of this article again. She lives what she speaks, and that is why she’s Head Coach of a great women’s basketball team in our own community. Marcy Lytle
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Faith&Family 27 AUSTIN
SOARING as EAGLES by Leif Hetland
Leif Hetland has a series of books written on his study of the eagle and how it compares to God’s intention for the Christian life. Soaring as Eagles is the first book describing this king of the air. The eagle is found in scripture 32 times portraying incredible strength, beauty, majesty, fearlessness, and freedom. God’s intention for Christians to live in heavenly places with Him, to soar above the storms of life, and to overcome and conquer, is evident when seen through this magnificent bird. How they soar with the currents of the wind and do not even have to flap their wings when they catch a current of wind is compared to the Christian’s ability to connect with Holy Spirit and fly. Ministering in places that are dangerous for anyone, especially a Christian, Leif Hetland has amazed the Body of Christ by mightily going where no one dares to go. Stories of crowds, salvations, healings, and outbreaks of deliverance abound where Leif Hetland ministers. His understanding of God’s love and forgiveness flows from his heart. Nations are truly coming to hear about this loving Savior. Norwegian by birth, Leif’s writing includes his own very precious accent, making the reading personal and interesting. My favorite section is the one on the molting process and the painful but triumphant picture of the aging eagle as it renews and restores itself, becoming actually better and stronger than before. Easily soaring above life’s difficulties, once the eagle catches the current, is how I want to live. Ginny Hurley
Leaving
by Karen Kingsbury This is the first novel in the Bailey Flanigan Series. LifeWay Christian Stores has it on sale for only $11.24! The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City. Bailey is determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive. In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan. Love, loneliness, big opportunities, and even bigger decisions highlight the first book in the new Bailey Flanigan series that features members of the popular Baxter family and finally completes the Bailey Flanigan/ Cody Coleman story. Rachel McRae
28 Faith&Family AUSTIN
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Life
Ladies Top 10 Erin's Cooking Out & About Spend Life Well Dave Says
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Ladies Top 10:
Summer Reads
I
BY MARCY LYTLE
t’s time for another list of good books to enjoy! Summer is just around the corner, and hopefully you can find time by the pool, under a shade tree, or while waiting on the kids at their lessons, to start (and finish!) a good summer read. From the list below, we hope you can find one (or several!) books that will encourage you, entertain you, offer you hope, or just provoke you to think…
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt
Though short and easy to read, I would not call this book "enjoyable." But it will convict your socks off and cause you to rethink your priorities. Filled with true life testimonies, it will give you a new vision of the role and possibilities for you and your family and your church in God's Kingdom. This little book is rocking individuals and churches across America. -Yvonne Huneycutt
Tea with Hezbollah
by Ted Dekker and Carl Medearis Ted Dekker was convinced by his good friend, Carl Medearis, to travel through the Middle East. Ted and Carl are there to ask the question to Muslims and themselves about the teaching of Jesus to love your enemies. It is a true account of their travels, full of adventure and insight. Ted Dekker pulls this off with some mystery woven in. -Vicki Lancaster
Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
An eye-opening book about America's "national eating disorder." This book is engaging and even poetic from beginning to end. One section is completely devoted to explaining the corn farming industry and how it is hurting us and the animals we eat. Another section is devoted to a farmer who diligently farms according to the natural order that God created. -Debra Wing Gomez
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You Were Born for This By Bruce Wilkinson
Have you found yourself wishing for more miracles in your life, and in the lives of those around you? “What if God wanted you to experience them on a regular basis?” is a question that’s answered in this book. It’s full of practical ways to change your lifestyle, expecting God to show up in your everyday lives. -Marcy Lytle
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
This book is Ann's own story of tragedy, loss, and grief and how she allows God to transform it into grace and gratitude. Her writing invites you into the ordinary moments of her day where she finds God's presence. It's one of the most beautifully written, vulnerable, and spiritually profound books I've read in a long time. -April Hammans Karli
66 Love Letters
By Dr. Larry Crabb This book is written in a conversational style between the author and God. The author then pens what God says to him about each book of the Bible. I love this book because it depicts the big picture of how God loves – which is very different from the way we love. It has changed my life. -Kamrin Wolfe
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
This is one of those powerful books draws me to its pages over and over again, and once again I find myself not being able to put it down. Redeeming Love is a western version of Hosea, and its riveting picture of a love that will not let you go opens up a whole new understanding of God’s passion for His children. -Debra Brown
Repenting of Religion: Turning from Judgment to the Love of God by Gregory A. Boyd
I wouldn’t call this light reading, but this book will take you back to the garden, to the simplicity of God’s original intent for us to know and experience his extravagant love. We, in turn, are vehicles of that love to all those around us. Boyd exposes judgment in a new light for me. His insight on The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil brought me new freedom and a surprising new love for others. A great thinking book. -Mary Ann Pound
The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children By Stormie Omartian
I think this is a book that I will always continue to flip through and review because it is so full of truth and direction. The bottom line is that being a parent never stops. As our children become adults, we can't "fix" them, but we need to constantly be reminded that God can change them through our prayers. -Rayeanne O’Brien
The Good and Beautiful God By James Bryan Smith
This is the perfect interactive book study for your ladies group. The philosophy is that "how we each feel about God represents who we truly are." Each chapter is followed by a "soul training," where the reader, for a period of one week, practices a way to live in the Kingdom. This includes slowing down, creating margins in life, sleeping a lot for a period of a day, and studying the beauty of the outdoors, all with the intention of getting each of us out of the fast lane of life so we can hear God. -Mary Dean
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Faith&Family 29 AUSTIN
Life
I
Erin's Cooking
Summer Swap
don’t know about you readers, but for me? Summer is coming just in time! Well, summer according to Texas. I love the new selection of in-season ingredients and newly discovered tried & true recipes that have been neglected through the winter season. One of my most favorite things to do is get together with my friends at a potluck, especially to usher in a new season of change - trading secrets, swapping recipes, and laughing our way into a food coma. I am a part of a small group at my church, and that is exactly what we do every week. A little girl talk and food-sharing does the body good. These recipes came to me as a result of spending some purposeful fellowship time with friends. Life as an intern comes at the cost of laying down my own schedule and agenda, replacing with one that I don’t have much control over. I have learned to value the free time I do have, apart from the internship, and steward it carefully. Both of these recipes are family recipes from two friends with whom I don’t have the pleasure of spending much down time. Considering the circumstances of a time crunch, I’d say these were very successful points of meeting. Give a little, get a little. Neither of these recipes are a product of a precise science. Most family recipes aren’t. Think of it more as a method. Measurements are approximate, leaving plenty of room for creativity. When it comes to cooking, no one is meant to live in a plain old recipe box. Maybe your taste buds prefer raspberries to blackberries, or spinach pesto to basil pesto. I have never been introduced to such a thing as spinach pesto, but I’m sure it exists somewhere. If not, now you have the idea. That one’s for free! I recently had the opportunity to attend a conference with the interns, at which a certain preacher spoke into our lives about the vision God gives each of us. For a while now, I have wondered what I am to do with this passion I have for food and the ministry. Surely there is a way to combine the two into a perfect fit for me. Here is what I know: Without food to eat there is no way to sustain life. Without the ministry there is no message of the life of Christ. Need I say more? Revelation is just a matter of swapping ignorance for knowledge. It’s a new season for you and me. Carpe diem!
Erin Osborn
Cooking Enthusiast
Bre’s Blackberry Cobbler 3 Cups Blackberries 1 – 1 ½ Cups Sugar 2 ¼ Cups Flour 1 teaspoon Salt 1 Cup Crisco Shortening 6 Tablespoons Ice Water 1 Stick of butter Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine berries and Sugar in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, combine flour and salt. Add Crisco and cut it into flour with a pastry blender (or fork if one is not available.) Mix until dough looks crumbly. Add ice water to flour mixture a little at a time until dough forms a ball. Be careful not to over work dough, as it will become tough. Sprinkle flour onto counter top and roll out dough with a rolling pin. Cut dough into thick strips with a knife or pizza cutter. Grease bottom of baking dish with butter. Starting with berries, begin to layer berries with strips of dough and pats of butter (like you would lasagna.) Repeat until all ingredients are used. Bake for 30- 45 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Julie’s Garden Pesto Pasta Fresh Basil leaves- as many as will fill a food processor 2 or 3 Garlic cloves, peeled ¼ to ½ cup Olive oil Handful or more of Toasted Pine Nuts ½ Cup fresh shredded Parmesan Sea Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste Fresh lemon zest Directions: Blend Basil and garlic together in food processor. While blending; stream in the olive oil. Pesto should be somewhat loose, but not swimming in oil. Mix in Pine nuts, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Mix with Bow Tie pasta and shredded Rotisserie chicken that has been pulled off the bone and skinned. Side Note: This recipe is very flexible. Experiment with different ratios of ingredients to get the flavor you prefer. 30 Faith&Family AUSTIN
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Life
Blue Bell Trail
Out & About
W
hy not follow me to Blue Bell country, Brenham, Texas?
Until one of my daughters attended a basketball camp at Blinn Junior College, I had never been to Brenham, Texas. Even then, I did not realize how many fun and unusual things there are to see and do, in and around this area of Texas. Brenham is only about 1 ½ hours from Austin and it’s a pretty drive in the spring with many flowers and lush, green countryside. Our first stop should be everyone’s favorite, Blue Bell Ice Creamery. (Well, at least I personally do not know anyone who does not love Blue Bell). It is a treat for kids and adults alike to tour the creamery. They do an excellent job of taking you back to where it all started, up through the present. The tour guides are fun, knowledgeable and seem to enjoy their job, as well as everyone else I came across who works for Blue Bell. (They should be happy as they can eat as much ice cream as they want for free!) On the tour, we are able to watch the entire ice cream making process from above the actual factory where they package and make the ice cream. At the end of the tour there is FREE ICE CREAM! The area is very pretty in the spring
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and of course it is a great place to cool off from the Texas heat! If you start off the day with an early tour, then there will be plenty of time in the day left to visit another attraction in the area such as the Southern Flyer Diner for lunch! The diner is located at the Brenham airport and is has been voted “Best of the Best” several years in a row by pilots for the homemade hamburgers, French fries and buns! They are a throw-back from the 50’s diner, complete with waitresses in poodle skirts, juke boxes, and homemade Blue Bell milkshakes!
If you enjoy shopping, there are numerous quaint shops in Brenham and in many of the small cities around this area, such as Roundtop and Winedale. If history is your thing, then you must visit the birthplace of Texas at Washington-on-the-Brazos where the Texas independence from Mexico was drafted and signed. Close by is Barrington Farms which is a working farm, 1800’s style. One place I would like to visit is The Monastery of St. Care where they breed miniature horses. Families are allowed to pet them and visit the peaceful working ranch run by the Poor Clare nuns. They are open Tuesday – Saturday 1:30-4 pm. If you want to make a weekend of it there are numerous bed and breakfasts in the area and camping at Lake Sommerville. I hope you will head out to Brenham this spring and enjoy some of the activities and food offered up in this beautiful area of Texas!
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Vicki Lancaster
Faith&Family 31 AUSTIN
Life
Spend Life Well
Are You Cheating On Your Spouse?
Don't let financial infidelity wreck your marriage.
A
re you and your spouse financially faithful to one another? We instinctively want to believe that we (and our spouses) are. However, according to a recent study by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) 1 out of every 3 couples who have combined their finances have lied about or kept secret some of their financial details. The infidelities reported included such things as hiding cash, minor purchases and bills. A smaller percentage reported secret bank accounts and hiding major purchases.
as “a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; something intended or serving to convey a false impression.” And yes, the excuse, “But he/she never asked,” would be considered misleading as well. As Christians, we are told in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
God clearly expects us to be truthful. From John 8:32 we know that the truth will set us free. To be free is to not be enslaved by sin. Being financially faithful is not restricting, but rather freeing. Consider having an open dialog with your spouse about what things you mutually agree upon as healthy financial boundaries. For example, you might agree that any expenses under $40 do not need to be discussed (Assuming, of course, that the purchase meets all other ethical and moral All of this may leave you either feeling a little guidelines.) However, anything above that should guilty or ready to throw some accusations at your be discussed prior to the purchase. spouse. But wait. Before you “confess” the $4 coffee you purchased this morning or worse, or Another good habit to get into, especially if accuse your spouse of hidden bank accounts, let’s only one person is handling all the finances, is ask ourselves a few questions to help gauge what to sit down once a month together to pay bills, look at bank balances, budget, and so forth. Or our infidelities might look like. at a minimum, discuss them briefly each month • Do you hide cash for “an emergency,” but not and make sure the other person is fully aware of accounts, bills, and spending habits. During these tell your spouse? • Do you buy lunch for all your friends without conversations, be sure to show mercy to one telling your spouse (while also getting on your another when one openly and honestly admits to spending when they shouldn’t have or falling spouse for eating out themselves)? • Do you pay the bills so you can hide purchases short in some way. from your spouse? • Do you split purchases up onto to several Communication is the key to any healthy credit cards or pay part credit and part cash to marriage relationship and that applies to your family's finances as well. A great source of disguise the purchase amount? • Do you make up an excuse to have a separate conflict and the top reason cited in many divorce cases revolves around arguments about money. account that you keep the balance a secret? • Did you apply for a loan or credit card without Financial deception can destroy a marriage. So if you or your spouse has financial infidelities that telling your spouse? create more than a slight disagreement, consider Bottom line, do you mislead your spouse about the seeking professional help to preserve your money you have or the money you spend? If we marriage. It will be well worth the expense. look up the word lie in the dictionary, it is defined Financial infidelity can come in many forms, with some of the smallest infractions having bigger meaning than we might want to admit. Why? We know from 1 Samuel 16:7, when Samuel is told by the Lord to go anoint the next king of Israel, that the Lord does not look at the outward appearance, but “the Lord looks at the heart.” He looks at our heart and knows our intentions.
32 Faith&Family AUSTIN
Being financially faithful allows you and your spouse the freedom to trust one another and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Ecclesiastes 4:910 reminds us that, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Be sure to help each other succeed.
Mark Trice
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Dear Graduate by Charles R. Swindoll
This gift book contains 30 “letters” to graduates on subjects such as commitment, godliness, courage, principles, integrity, and more.
LifeWay Exclusive!
$9.99
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Dear Dave, I had a wreck seven months ago. As a result, I lost my job and have been drawing unemployment for the last five months. I was making $1,200 a month in retail management before this happened, but I’m getting just as much with unemployment, even though I can work again. I have a small daughter, and my wife doesn’t work right now. Should I continue taking unemployment so I can stay home and help with our daughter? Tim Dear Tim, Absolutely not! You need to get a job right now. You could make more than you did at your old job or taking unemployment by delivering pizzas full-time. I know you probably wouldn’t have benefits running pizza, but how about the benefit of working for a living and making some money? You need to get off your tail right now and find something to do – maybe even two or three things to do – until you find a job that pays well. And I don’t think I’d go back into the kind of management you were in before, because even working that gig you guys were barely getting by. It’s sweet that you’re there with your baby, but it’s seriously time for you to get a real job. Take classes and further your education, or get into another line of work. You’ve got some serious responsibilities, and it’s time to be a man and take care of things! —Dave
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Dear Dave, I own a small company, and lots of times I feel like I’m devoting too much time to the business and not spending enough time with my family day to day. How do you find Dear Dave, a balance between home and work? Pat I’m one of five sisters, and our parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary is just around the corner. My two oldest sisters made plans Dear Pat, You know, I get asked this question a lot. for a party without consulting the rest of us. Truth be told, the idea of everything being in Now, they want everyone to chip in $1,000 balance on a daily basis is a myth. No one can to help pay for things. I’m trying hard to get perfectly juggle all that life has to offer—the out of debt, and I just don’t have that kind spiritual, emotional, financial, home, work, and of money right now. How can I be fair about physical—every single day. It’s just not possible. this? Anonymous Still, you need to make sure you strive for balance over the scope of time. Dear Anonymous, I started running a few years ago, and I’m out of A $5,000 party is pretty big stuff. Since you balance if I’m training for a marathon, because weren’t asked about this ahead of time, and I spend more time training. The same is true had no say in anything, fair would be for you not with work. There are times when you have to to pay a dime! That kind of planning without work hard, and occasionally this can bleed consulting the people involved and helping pay over into other things. I think the answer lies in for the event is way out of line. really being into whatever you’re doing. Listen and participate in conversations with your Don’t let your big sisters lay a guilt trip on you, kids instead of watching television. Take your either. This has nothing to do with how much spouse out on dates, and turn off the cell phone. you love your parents. It has everything to do When you’re with your family you should really with communication and consideration, or in be with them. Then, when you have to work, this case, a lack of these things on their part. chances are they won’t be mad at you. Just let them know, in a firm but loving way, Honestly, we waste so much time and then we what your situation is right now. Tell them you’d complain that we’re out of balance. Ebb and be happy to chip in what you can, but it won’t flow takes place in every aspect of our lives. So, be anything close to $1,000. And tell them next I think we should all stop wasting the time we time to check with their little sisters before hatching up an expensive plan like this! have! —Dave —Dave
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Faith&Family 33 AUSTIN
Freedom in Prison G
od’s plan is for all of us to be free. His desire is to see us financially free, free from fear, free from sickness and pain, free from addiction, free from psychological and emotional bondage, and also free from prison. Is there really much difference? When we are prisoners, we are prisoners. I recently had the privilege to go as a “freshman” with the Bill Glass Prison Ministry into the Oklahoma City County Jail. This jail, located in downtown Oklahoma City, is 13 stories tall. It houses approximately 1,300 inmates, of which about 300 are women. The Bill Glass Ministry has learned that a great way to minister the Gospel is to go in with professional athletes such as pro football players, pro wrestlers, jugglers, professional singers, etc., to grab the prisoners’ attention. These professionals give their testimony and then “team mates,” as they call us, share the gospel at tables - face to face with the inmates. We had about 10 professionals, 120 male team mates, and about 30 female team mates. The jail in Oklahoma City is divided into four pods per floor with about 15 cells per pod. There
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were three inmates in each cell. My group went into pod 4B and later 10B. When we went into 4B it was about 9:00 a.m. and I was nervous, mainly because I didn’t know what to expect. In each pod there were about 10 stainless steel tables with four little round stainless steel seats connected to each table. So my first chance to share the Gospel was with three inmates, while I noticed that about six other tables had inmates, but no team mates to share with them. The first meeting was positive - but I believe I only planted seeds. The second time was after lunch, and I was not a rookie anymore. We had a very dynamic speaker. This man was about 70 years old and came in wearing an Air Force Academy football jersey. His testimony was riveting. He shared that he had played football in high school and was good enough to get a scholarship to the Air Force Academy. After graduation he became a helicopter rescue pilot in Viet Nam. He flew 13,000 hours and went on hundreds of missions, and received a medal for saving lives under fire. While describing his military experience he pulled off the football jersey and put on a military jacket adorned with the medals. While in the military, he became addicted to alcohol and pornography. When he came home a “hero,” he was full of himself and soon got a divorce. However, before he got a divorce, he had a fight with his spouse and was thrown in jail for assault. While out on probation, he got arrested again with a firearm in his possession, which is a felony so he went to prison. The speaker then took off the military uniform and put on an orange shirt, like most of the people in the room were wearing. He now had everyone’s attention.
The next thing our speaker shared was that he was presented the Gospel in prison and was radically saved. He talked about the change in his life; and as he spoke, he took off the orange shirt and put on a white robe. He explained how for the first time he tasted freedom - even there in prison. Well, as you can imagine, something supernatural happened. The Holy Spirit came into the room, preparing hearts, and I knew it. I just looked at all the men sitting at other tables and I invited them to come over and hear what I had to say. I told them that God loved each one of them and he knew them each by name. I told them that they were made with a purpose in mind and it did not include staying in the Oklahoma City County jail. Next, I read the Word of God from a small pamphlet. At the bottom of the paper, there was a place for the prisoners to sign and write in the day they were saved. I asked those who wanted to surrender to Jesus, to repeat a prayer with me – and 14 men gave their heart to Jesus Christ! It was glorious! I have the names of these men, and I am praying for them daily. I know a few of their stories, but what I know is sketchy. Some day in heaven we will have a lot more time to get to know each other. We were told later that about 225 men and women were saved at this event, and I believe they also got their freedom - freedom from prison - freedom from unseen chains.
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Rik Morris
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Rappin' in
Prison
I
Calling Inmates Together
t started almost 30 years ago at the Texarkana Federal Prison Camp, in the spring of 1981, where Ron Brigmon was asked to teach a Sunday School class, by Chaplain Al Worthley. What began as an audible voice from a man of God then became the “call of God” on his life; and two years later, Ron was joined by his wife Katie and their children. He says, “I quickly learned that ‘two are better than one,’ as it says in Ecclesiastes 4:9.” Ron and his family ministered at that Federal Prison Camp every Sunday for 11 years, at which time Ron went on staff with Prison Fellowship Ministries as the South Central Texas Area Director. Seven years later, due to his desire to be in the prisons more than in the office, he restarted the 501c(3) nonprofit of Ron Brigmon Ministries. There are often obstacles when ministering to prisoners, as well as great joy. Sometimes services are canceled because of a unit lockdown. The biggest disappointment comes when they see an inmate return to being an inmate, after being released. “That breaks our heart. However, we just welcome them back and hope they get it right the next time,” states Ron. He recalls one service at Burnet’s Halbert Unit where half the unit showed up for services and “Rappin’ Ron” began ministering. Rappin’ Ron is now Ron’s nickname, because he uses rap to cause inmates to come together. And when a 65-year old male white rapper speaks – prisoners listen! This rappin’ “bait” lures the prisoners in to receive the gospel, and Ron states, “Any time the Word goes forth, it goes forth with power, and lives are changed.” There are seven prisons within a 50-mile radius of Austin, as well as the Travis & Williamson County jails, and Ron states they visit all of
them on a regular basis. They also sometimes minister in Gatesville, or out of state. He says there are usually officers at the services, watching over things, but they never have any real issues. “The inmates are not forced to attend church, it’s their choice. There are gangs that occasionally come to church to pass along some information to members from another dorm. They’ll try to whisper to each other a lot. If that gets disruptive we invite them to go back to their dorm. That doesn’t happen very often,” states Ron. While at the prisons, Ron and Katie minister in different ways and forms, depending on where they are. Sometimes they minister in a gym, and in a couple of units there is actually a chapel, or a classroom, for services. Volunteers often go with them and have skits for the inmates to perform. And sometimes Ron just plays his music, and he and Katie share the Word. Jail visits can be done one-on-one on a phone, looking through a glass or across the table. Ron states, “However ministry is carried out, we thank God for the opportunity and for the open doors.” Ron states that they get letters from inmates, thanking them for their ministry. He says, “We have a file cabinet full of letters.” Below are a couple of examples: Dear Mr. & Mrs. Brigmon: I have been incarcerated for 14+ years now and I love the services. I have to say that your service here yesterday at the Terrace Unit was so good that the Holy Spirit made me cry and I don’t cry too often. You could feel God’s Spirit through both of you. I loved how it was filled with scripture!! It
was so good I wrote home about it. Please, please come again soon! L.H. Hello: Hey I'm doing so great in the Lord. He is truly blessing me in a mighty way. I've got a great church home and we are very tight knit. I'm in school and doing well. I don’t even think about going back to my old life style. God has done a mighty work in me. I pray that He will continue to move me along in the ministry. I want to do what the Lord has called me to do. I thank God every day for people like you. B.C. Ron quotes Hosea 4:6 which reads, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” and Ron states that they take this knowledge to people who “desperately need it, hoping they will yet see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Many people work in companies that sell, produce, or service a product, and Ron says, “Our product in this ministry is a changed human life.” Ron states that they’ve never kept up with the number of prisoners they’ve ministered to; however, so many go back home and impact their families and communities. The Brigmons have written five small books that they hand out in person, and have distributed over 15,000 so far. “We sometimes wonder how different our lives would have been if he (Chaplain Worthley) had not asked us. Human lives have been changed and we have seen living monuments of God’s glory and grace because of his invitation,” states Ron. For more information about this prison ministry, visit www.ronbrigmon.com. Marcy Lytle
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Faith&Family 35 AUSTIN
What Am I .Doing With My Life? 20 Words:
L
et me start by sharing the most unromantic story ever. I was 22 and out of college while my onagain/off-again girlfriend was still attending Texas State. It was a brutal break up with her my senior year that drove me into the arms of Christ, but by then the damage was done. She hated me. That is, until God convicted her heart and she miraculously decided to forgive me after years of dealing with my lying and unfaithfulness. And so we became friends again. I loved her like a best friend, but marriage? No way. I wasn’t getting married.
So there we were, rediscovering that it is in fact impossible to just be friends with the opposite sex when you’re attracted to them. This time around; however, we had the Spirit of Christ inside us convicting us every time we crossed a boundary. So the ultimatum was thrown out there: “We either get married or we can’t be friends anymore.” This time, I knew she was serious. So what was I to do? I was not ready to commit the next 60 years of my life to one girl! What if she’s not the one? I mean I did kinda have feelings for Sandra Bullock at the time too. One night the hammer came down while we were eating at Chili’s and she asked me once again, “So are you gonna marry me or what?” To which she received my usual response as I tried to plea for another decade to mull it over. We sensed the end was near, so we did what most couples do when faced with a heavy situation – we went to a movie and tried not to think about it. The only thing I didn’t account for was the God factor.
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When the creator of the universe wants to speak something to you, you can’t run from it. And on this night, He spoke directly to me about my future through Keanu Reeves and The Matrix. In a scene where Keanu’s character Neo is forced to make a decision on whether to repeat the same patterns of his life or take a risk and follow a girl (Trinity) on an adventure that hinted toward his destiny, he makes a split second decision and goes all in, on this new adventure. It was as if God was shining a light on my future and destiny. It was like I caught a glimpse of what my life would be like with and without Mona. I sensed a destiny God was calling me into that would only be fulfilled with her by my side. On the way back to Mona’s dorm room, with
the impending verdict on our future looming,
I blurted out these words that will always be dear to her heart “Alright, %*!# it. Let’s just get married.” It wasn’t rehearsed, it wasn’t romantic; it was just the raw, passionate reaction of a young man pressing through fears and doubt to be obedient to God. We were married three months later. The odds were not in our favor, but Jesus was, and 12 incredible years later I clearly see why he wanted us yoked together. We make an awesome team.
Now back to you for a moment. You are the reason I wrote this article. Maybe you are at a crossroads in your life; maybe you feel aimless and need some direction. Perhaps folks have even asked you lately where you see your life going. I suppose my point in sharing the most unromantic proposal story ever is that it reminds me how hearing and following
God’s voice trumps any and all plans that we make for ourselves, every time. We must take risks like the one my wife took in agreeing to marry a recovering pagan who lied, cheated, and stole her heart multiple times. Had Mona had her way, she would still be throwing darts at a picture of my face somewhere (she actually did that when we broke up). Instead, she was submissive to God’s voice telling her to forgive me.
Where are you going with your life? If the decisions you are making are without counsel from heaven, you are setting yourself up for failure. I am sure we have all made what we felt were good decisions without consulting God. The problem is that we are creatures of habit and as we grow, used to making decisions without Jesus in the center of them, we eventually find ourselves near retirement asking the same questions we were asking in our early 20’s. Is this where I wanted my life to go? Is this the great plan God had for me to pursue? My point this month is simple. Everything in life hinges on our relationship with Jesus Christ. Without him there is no purpose to anything in this world. The best advice is, in this case, the most obvious. If you are confused on the direction your life is taking or what you should do next, spend a season going back to the basics of pursuing God through prayer, scripture, and acts of service. It’s often in the emptying of ourselves to God and others that we discover who He truly created us to be.
Joe Elliot Youth & Young Adult Minister Northwest Fellowship 20 Words has a dual meaning--it speaks to an audience in their 20s while highlighting 20 words that send a message.
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You
Head to Heart:
Head to Heart Diet & Nutrition The Real Stuff The Real Me
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Finding God's Calling On Your Life H
determines how he reacts to people, places and things. Temperament pinpoints our perception of ourselves and the people who love us. It is also a determining factor in how well we handle the stresses and pressures of life." God combines our temperament with our emotional and physical makeup, our spiritual maturity, and our unique gifts, to fulfill the calling that He has on our life.
ave you ever asked yourself, "What is my purpose?" or "Do I even have a purpose?" If you are like most people, you have probably contemplated these questions. The sad reality is that many people go through life and never find the answer. They find life very unfulfilling and are constantly searching for their place in this world. When we live a life without purpose, we are left wandering through our days without direction or worth.
Many people grow up in a home where they have been abandoned or rejected by their parents. Often times, children grow up feeling worthless because they were never able to live up to their parent's expectations of perfection. Many have suffered from physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse and believe that they have done something to deserve it. Inevitably, these wounds of rejection create a fear of rejection and often self rejection, leaving one feeling alone and without worth. As a Licensed Pastoral Counselor, I have worked with many adults who know these truths all too well. These adults struggle to see their value because they fail to see that they have a unique, God given purpose. Other’s, including myself, grow up in relatively healthy homes yet still struggle with finding their purpose. When I was a teenager, God called me into the ministry of counseling. Although I loved the Lord, I felt this calling must be a mistake. I chose my own way and decided on the business world to make money. I focused on my own desires rather than God's purpose. Despite my best efforts, God would never bless my business endeavors. After I closed my business, we had a tragedy occur in our family that forced me to seek God harder than I ever had. Nearly twenty years after the fact, He graciously and gently reminded me of the calling He had put on my life as a teenager. Matthew 11:29-30 says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Have you ever wondered why Jesus spoke about His "yoke?" Jesus grew up learning the art of carpentry and yokes were the primary product He crafted. Jesus would carefully measure and create each yoke to fit each ox so that they would be as effective and efficient in their work as possible. Just as Jesus created these yokes for oxen, He has also formed us to be the most effective and efficient for His purpose. We were specifically designed for the unique purpose He has planned for us. When Jesus says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," the word "easy" doesn't translate to the opposite of hard, but rather "well-fitting." What this scripture tells us is that Jesus' calling on our life is well-fitting because He designed us specifically for this purpose.
In our counseling practice we often have counselees complete a temperament assessment to help them better understand who God has created them to be. We combine this knowledge with allowing God to heal the wounds of the past. This process, known as Temperament Therapy, brings people closer in their relationship with Christ and helps remove the obstacles that keep them from hearing God's purpose for their life. God is always speaking to us, but we are not always in a place to hear Him. To hear Him, we must truly seek Him through prayer, dive into His word, and turn every aspect of our life over to Him. By being obedient to our calling, we bring glory to God and allow Him to complete His purpose in us.
Tom Coker
Head to Heart Ministry www.headtoheart.org
When we were created, God breathed into each of us a unique temperament, while we were still in our mother's womb. According to Richard Arno, Ph.D., author of Temperament Theory, "Temperament is the inborn part of man that
Meet AFF's SALES REP! Miranda Bradley is the author of Blessed Are the Jesus Chicks (Smyth & Helwys), a practical guide for the working Christian mom. She also owns BCreative, a communications consulting
Miranda Bradley www.AustinFaithandFamily.com
firm focused on marketing for nonprofits and small businesses. She lives in Georgetown with her husband and two (stinky but sweet) boys.
If you'd like to find out more about advertising your business in AFF, send Miranda an email and she'll be glad to help you!
miranda@austinfaithandfamily.com
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Faith&Family 37 AUSTIN
You
water. Diet & Nutrition
The Most Important Nutrient
I
f I were to ask you which nutrient or vitamin is the most crucial to the human body on the market today, what would you say? Vitamin C? Yes, it is very important in connective tissue health, such as your blood vessel wall and your gum. Calcium? Yes, essential in bone building, and actually needed as a neurotransmitter as well. Omega 3 oil? It is essential in its antiinflammatory effects, and brain/hormone building. I am sure everyone has his or her favorite vitamin or nutrient, but none of them compare to this one thing. So what is it? WATER. I cannot even being to express how this vital nutrient has been neglected by the general public. In Texas, we worry about how little it rains and how rainwater is crucial for our yard and plants, but physically, we are giving ourselves a drought. Remember, close to ¾ of our body is made of water! Water is implicated in conditions that we often will not associate with water deficiency, such as high blood pressure (If you don’t have enough fluid in the blood to circulate, doesn’t the heart have to pump harder?), headache, muscle cramps and spasms, fatigue, hunger (yes, with some dehydration cases you want to get the water content from food), or with chronic cases, it can affect mood and sleep. Most of the conditions are mineral dependent: people with insufficient water intake are simply depriving themselves of the vital minerals supplied by water. Let’s not forget the obvious conditions of dehydration either: kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Have I emphasized how water is important in maintaining your health?
Why are we deficient in water intake in this modern age? The answer lies in our lifestyle. We spend much time being busy at work, and often forget to drink water. People who work outdoors often lose water without properly replenishing it. Most importantly, we too often replace water with soft drinks, iced teas, alcohol, and coffee, instead of drinking pure water. Not to mention that most of those beverages mentioned above are diuretics and drain precious water and minerals out of the body. Now, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with coffee, according to my humble opinion. However, it promotes urination and water loss. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, if you drink a cup of coffee, make sure to replenish yourself with two glasses of water. We have determined that water is important; now we need to focus on the quality of water. Drinking straight out of the tap is not recommended. Even though tap water is safer due to our more advanced sanitation system, it does contain inorganic minerals, such as chlorine and fluorine, which competes with iodine in making thyroid hormones. Also, there are now significant amounts of pharmaceuticals in the water supply, due to their long half-life. It is a good idea; therefore, to install home water filtration systems such as a reverse osmosis (RO) system to remove the impurities and chemicals that are harmful to our body or to get bottled mineral water. So how much is enough? I have seen experts suggest ½ - 1 gallon per day, regardless of weight, and activity level. Some say drink before you get thirsty, to avoid dehydration, while others say the opposite. The most common recommendation is 6-8 glasses of water, and that is a good general guideline. Dr. Oz said it best: when you urinate, it should be light yellow. If it is always clear, you might have taken too much water. If the urine looks amber/orange, it means you don’t drink enough water (unless you just took some supplements, which will darken the color of the urine). Of course, if you eat beets, don’t be surprised to see dark-colored or even red urine the next day. So drink up, drink more if you are drinking coffee and alcohol, choose good water sources, and bring a water bottle to work. These will all help prevent chronic dehydration and improve your health.
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I want to leave you with a final thought. Nowadays people are obsessed with antiaging, with products like hormones, creams, and nutritional supplements becoming hot sale items. But one major characteristic of aging is the inability to hold water in the body. You lose water content in the discs in your spine, and you start to shrink; also, your skin is unable to retain water and becomes dried and wrinkled. There are many factors and nutrients involved with the aging process, but shouldn’t we consider sufficient water intake as the foundation, an absolute necessity, in the prevention of aging?
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Dr. Trent Peng
Chiropractor & Nutritionist
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Faith&Family 39 AUSTIN
You
The Real Stuff
The Simple Act of Encouragement
B
about to enter the “promised land.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? But God knew that the real battle was just ahead. Amorites, Hittites and all of the other “ites” were waiting to steal, kill and destroy God’s promises to His children. God tells Moses to “Charge Joshua,” and “encourage him, and strengthen him…” This action to “encourage” was not just a “pep talk.” To encourage means to “fasten upon… strengthen to become even stronger… fortify.” Moses poured into Joshua’s heart and spirit the encouragement to persevere. When was the last time you poured encouragement out to fortify someone?
ased upon recent radio topics I have covered, I desire to write about a particular subject that is often underestimated. The subject I want to encourage you about is “encouragement” itself.
On “Amy Dillon Live” (on The Word 98.5 and 99.3) I covered a touchy subject - church hurts and spiritual wounding. I was “encouraged” in my spirit to shed light in a dark area and bring believers, and non-believers alike, out on the other side, in victory. Isn’t it ironic that the place Christ intended us to come and be encouraged is the place where many are discouraged? I also had the honor of interviewing an amazing woman, Dr. Domonique Randall, who founded The Shape of Behavior - an ABA certified clinic for special needs children. On interview day, Dr. Randall brought along a beautiful mother of three, two of whom have autism. As we spoke about how the program, I asked, “What can a church friend or neighbor do to help you in your journey as you tirelessly raise these special children?” Her response was, “Encouragement.” Of course she asked for prayer, but words of encouragement she said were the most effective things anyone could offer her. I asked about those awkward moments in the
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middle of the grocery store when one child is having a meltdown, and again she said, “Words of encouragement would be great at that moment.” “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle,” wrote Plato. The writer of Proverbs states, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.” (Proverbs 14) In Deuteronomy, the children of Israel had finished 40 years in the wilderness and were
Hebrews 10 says “Stimulate one another to love and good deeds” and “Encourage one another.” Everyone is fighting a battle. Encourage and fortify them. Pour words of strength into their hearts and spirits. This type of encouragement is more than just a passing “Be blessed!” or “Good to see you!” Instead, offer a sincere encouragement that is ongoing and knows the life of the one being encouraged.
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The Real Me
Someone really will adore your disgusting habits.
O
ne of my good friends jokes that Magoo (my blind and deaf 12-yearold adopted Pekingese) is devoid of all forms of brain function. I can't really argue. He "barks" at trees for five minutes straight while somewhat threatening men eerily walk by me. He has been known to walk directly into walls/ telephone poles/electrical boxes. He stares off into space for hours at a time. Literally. But this little bucket of handicaps has taught me a few important lessons.
committing to this little booger. I actually had to take a friend with me who is fantastic at making rash decisions. I wish I had that skill. I sit and think about every single outcome of the hypothetical situation
Everyone gets second chances. Before I adopted Magoo, he was on the street, and before that, I'm presuming a home. We all venture from the homes we know and love. Sometimes we stray in search of adventure, to distance ourselves from the past, or just because we are wanderers. Whatever the reason, we always find a new home, new love, new life.
We must let love in. I fought myself over whether to get another dog for approximately a year before finally
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Y ou
at hand, and ultimately end up deciding that whatever it is I want is most likely irresponsible, and therefore I should not do it. Well, Magoo, I’m glad you were so irresistible at the shelter that I couldn't help but make a rash decision and let you into my heart. Sometimes we aren't ready for it [love]. We aren't being responsible. Yet, it doesn't matter. Love is love, and it yearns to be a part of our lives.
Every morning when I grab Magoo from his bed (because he doesn't hear me... I have to stomp really heavily near his bed so as not to throw him into cardiac arrest by simply picking him up from a slumber) he gets so excited that he starts sneezing. Yes, sneezing. And I’m not talking cute little puppy sneezes. No, no, I am talking, "Oh gosh, grab a towel to clean the walls,” and “I may have just gotten snot in my eyes” sneezes. But I love him. It’s okay. This isn't to say that all things disgusting should be embraced, but there is a little room for grace - and I think it just adds a little charm - when we're honest about our grossness. I think each of these somewhat simple lessons can shed a bit of light on our faith as well. There are going to be times when we find ourselves taking a detour from the path God has for us, or when our behavior is gross. Fortunately, God adopts us each time we turn and look back at Him. So Magoo, thanks for making my life sillier, and God, thanks for Your grace.
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Mallory Hamling
Faith&Family 41 AUSTIN
cityscene
W.A.I.T. Wisdom Acquired In Time
Hannah Thoms was awarded the Austin Faith & Family Student of the Month Award at Grace Academy this April.
It seems that we are a society that is constantly looking for how things can be done quickly. We have moved from rotary style home telephones, to cellphones with touch screens, believing we can stay connected to love ones at a moment’s notice. Most kitchens come standard with not only a conventional oven, but a microwave as well, which allows us to prepare meals in a matter of minutes rather than hours. And don’t even think about showing a young person a typewriter. I can hear it now: “Where’s the delete button? What is correction fluid?”
Austin Faith & Family was at the Philips, Craig & Dean concert at Promiseland Theater on March 25th, meeting readers and enjoying some great worship!
A successful inventor often makes hundreds of attempts before the invention actually works. She or he learns patience and stamina during the process. Throughout one’s personal progression, we should be aware that not all slowdowns lead to downfalls. Instead, maybe it is during the unhurried times we acquire a little bit of wisdom. Isaiah 40:31 states, “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” -Scottie Moore
Filmmakers Academy Students Win Festival! Filmmakers Academy is committed to fulfilling the Great Commission of spreading the good news of God’s salvation for all people. They communicate this through film, combining acting, stories, photography skills, special effects, and music to create and convey the message of His love. http:// filmmakersacademy.com/ Just recently, Team Epicosity won the two highest awards at a youth film festival in Bryan, Texas, when they presented their film Obsession. This film not only won the Audience Choice Award (chose by an audience of over 100 attendees), but also the Best of Festival Award (including a cash prize!) These kids made a film for good, and were unafraid to share their message. Austin Faith & Family congratulates Justine, Elena, Christina, William, John, and Jonathan! 42 Faith&Family AUSTIN
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