WWW.CONNECTED123.COM
SEPTEMBER 2014
INSIDE THIS EDITION: DRESS FOR SUCCESS LOCAL APPLE ORCHARDS TRAINING INFORMATION EFFECTIVE LISTENING SKILLS WHERE DOES YOUR CONFIDENCE LIE? ARE YOU IN THE BOAT OR ON THE WATER?
STAFF CONTRIBUTORS: CARL TOWNSEND MARY PALLADINO LYSA MEEKS SHANTAE BEVERLY DEAN PRUITT KATIE MCCAFFREY ANDREA LEWIS DESIGNER: ANDREA LEWIS EDITORS: KATIE MCCAFFREY DEAN PRUITT CONNECTED123.COM
Check out the NEW website!
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AGENT OF THE MONTH 4 OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE 6 NAVPRESS LIBRARY 8 FROM THE DESK OF CARL TOWNSEND 10 EFFECTIVE LISTENING SKILLS 12 DISCOURAGEMENT 18 CLIENT UPDATES 20 TRAINING INFORMATION 22 NOTES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 24 ARE YOU IN THE BOAT OR ON THE WATER? 26 ALONE WITH GOD 30 WHERE DOES YOUR CONFIDENCE LIE? 34 IN AWE OF THE TRINITY 42 CUSTOMER SERVICE 46 DRESS FOR SUCCESS 50 LYNCHBURG HAPPENINGS 54 LOCAL APPLE ORCHARDS 56 COMMUNITY MARKET 58 SEPTEMBER FACTS 60 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES 62 RECIPES & GAMES 64
Local Apple Orchards
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Discouragement
TRAINING INFORMATION: SOME BULLET POINTS
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Alone With God Where Does Your Confidence Lie?
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ISA’s Dhariana Gomez
How Many Years at ISA? 1 Year What Roles Have You Had at ISA? At ISA I function as a remote agent providing customer service and prayer support for different ministries. What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at ISA? Working at ISA is like being able to land in different parts of the world and seeing reality on the other end. I have enjoyed the diversity of all ministries and have been able to see “church” out of its box. Also, what most keeps me going is to know that one phone call can cause a before and after experience, whether it was through prayer or a product that can meet the spiritual need of the caller.
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Do You Have Any Stand Out Moments From Your Time Here? Yes, as a passionate soul winner for Jesus It was a great experience working for different projects such as the Billy Graham Crusade and The Son of God Movie. What Does Your Life Outside of ISA Look Like? Six years ago I came to know Jesus Christ as the absolute God in my life and ever since I have been passionate about knowing him and serving the ministry. Therefore, I have always desired to get involved in everything that has to do with the Lord. At the moment I teach a small Bible group, attend a Christian university, and serve at my church. I am also passionate about art, and in my spare time I dedicate time to art projects and art exposition. I enjoy personal time with family and friends in things such as movies, shopping, love to enjoy good food and much more.
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Month of : August Outbound Agent: SHARON MOORE Ani Revenue: SHANEQUA MATTHEWS Agent Revenue: ROSEMARY MENDOZA Fla. Ani Revenue: JESSIE PEREZ Fla. Agent Revenue: DHARIANA GOMEZ Agent of the Month: DHARIANA GOMEZ
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IS IN SEARCH OF:
STORIES PHOTOS PRAISES QUOTES V E R S E S P O E M S FROM
YOU EMAIL:ALEWIS@INSERVICEAMERICA.COM WITH YOUR ENTRIES TODAY!
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Introducing the new NavPress Library!
Located across from the desks of Shantae and Andrea. This collection of books has been organized into categories and by author. See the listing on the intranet. Find everything from novels to devotionals! Free to use and borrow the books for as long as needed. Simply write your name, book title & author, and dates that you take and return the book in the journal provided. Happy Reading!
From the Desk of
We will begin having our company staff meetings starting next week. Everyone will be required to come in for a meeting with myself, Lloyd and Leah. The purpose of these meetings is to review the pay rate orientation that we outlined in the last Stay Connected. Shantae will begin to schedule these meetings the first week of September and they will proceed for the month. Again, the goal is to award personal performance. We will be reviewing 3 areas of work performance: Performance • Meeting Performance goals • Revenue • Calls processed • Client complaints • Number of projects that you have been trained on Policy and Procedure • Attendance • Policy infraction • Procedure Infraction • Warnings Special Recognition • Awards I look forward to meeting with everyone.
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Carl Townsend
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EFFECTIVE LISTENING
SKILLS By Lloyd McWhorter
Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process. Listening is key to all effective communication, without the ability to listen effectively messages are easily misunderstood – communication breaks down and the message sender [the caller] can easily become frustrated or irritated. Good listening skills can lead to: better customer satisfaction, greater productivity with fewer mistakes, increased sharing of information that in turn can lead to more creative and innovative work. Most successful leaders credit their success to effective listening skills. Effective listening is a skill that underpins all positive human relationships. Spend time thinking about & developing your listening skills; they are the building blocks of success. Good listening skills also have benefits in our personal lives, including a greater number of friends and social networks, improved self-esteem and confidence, and even better health plus general well-being. 12  Stay Connected
Listening Isn’t the Same as Hearing Effective listening requires concentration and the use of your other senses - not just hearing the words spoken. Listening is not the same as hearing and in order to listen effectively you need to use more than just your ears.
Based on the research of: Adler, R., Rosenfeld, L. and Proctor, R. (2001) Interplay: the process of interpersonal communicating (8th edn), Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt.
Adults average 70% of their time engaged in some sort of communication, of this an average of 45% is spent listening compared to 30% speaking, 16% reading and 9% writing. (Adler, R. et al. 2001).
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The 10 Principles of Listening
A good listener will listen not only to what is being said, but also to what is left unsaid or only partially said. 1. Stop Talking Don’t talk, listen. When somebody else is talking listen to what they are saying, do not interrupt, talk over them or finish their sentences for them. Stop, just listen. When the other person has finished talking you may need to clarify to ensure you have received their message accurately. 2. Prepare Yourself to Listen Relax. Focus on the speaker. Put other things out of mind. The human mind is easily distracted by other thoughts – what’s for lunch, what time do I need to leave to catch my train, is it going to rain – try to focus on the subject and concentrate on the messages that are being communicated. Proverbs 2:2 Making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding. 3. Put the Speaker at Ease Help the speaker to feel free to speak. Remember their needs and concerns. Nod or use other gestures or words to encourage them to continue. Maintain eye contact but don’t stare – show you are listening and understanding what is being said. 4. Remove Distractions Focus on what is being said: don’t doodle, shuffle papers, look out the window, pick your fingernails or similar. Avoid unnecessary interruptions. These behaviours disrupt the listening process and send messages to the speaker that you are bored or distracted. 5. Empathise Try to understand the other person’s point of view. Look at issues from their perspective. Let go of preconceived ideas. By having an open mind we can more fully empathize with the speaker. If the speaker says something that you disagree with then wait and construct an argument to counter what is said but keep an open mind to the views and opinions of others.
“The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. ” - Rachel Naomi Remen
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Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” In other words, effective listening requires our sincere focus, a receptive attitude and the humility to make the message from another person, more important than our ego or self-interest; or as Stephen R. Covey said in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People … “Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood”. 6. Be Patient A pause, even a long pause, does not necessarily mean that the speaker has finished. Be patient and let the speaker continue in their own time, sometimes it takes time to formulate what to say and how to say it. Never interrupt or finish a sentence for someone. Proverbs 18:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame”. 7. Avoid Personal Prejudice Try to be impartial. Don’t become irritated and don’t let the person’s habits or mannerisms distract you from what they are really saying. Everybody has a different way of speaking - some people are for example more nervous or shy than others, some have regional accents or make excessive arm movements, some people like to pace whilst talking - others like to sit still. Focus on what is being said and try to ignore styles of delivery. 8. Listen to the Tone* Volume and tone both add to what someone is saying. A good speaker will use both volume and tone to their advantage to keep an audience attentive; everybody will use pitch, tone and volume of voice in certain situations – let these help you to understand the emphasis of what is being said. This is especially important when communicating through the telephone. 9. Listen for Ideas – Not Just Words* You need to get the whole picture, not just isolated bits and pieces. Maybe one of the most difficult aspects of listening is the ability to link together pieces of information to reveal the ideas of others. With proper concentration, letting go of distractions, and focus this becomes easier. This is especially important when communicating through the telephone. 10. Wait and Watch for Non-Verbal Communication Gestures, facial expressions, and eye-movements can all be important. We don’t just listen with our ears but also with our eyes – watch and pick up the additional information being transmitted via non-verbal communication. connected123.com 15
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Discouragement by Carl Townsend
I went to a store recently and was not helped for over 15 minutes. After a person finally came back to help, I was told that they could not help me and that the person that I needed to speak to was not in. It was such a frustrating experience. I asked if I could have the person’s name and the agent said that they were sorry but they could not give me a name. They were not sure. I give this local company a lot of business and they acted like they didn’t care about my business. If someone falls and gets hurt, you normally run over and ask ‘Are you Ok’? ‘Do I need to take you to the hospital?’ ‘Are you hurt?’ When we hurt someone emotionally, we often just walk away and never offer assistance. This is the way customer service works, we often act like the person’s problem is irrelevant. About 40% of the people that call in to ISA are repeat customers. Yet often we don’t always help them like they were hurting. When people call in for help they should never be left to fend for themselves. We are representing an organization that has just offered that person customer service on TV or radio. They were told to call to get help. How discouraging it would be if we were not there to help! Remember you’re the key to our company’s success!
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CLIENT UPDATES by Lysa Meeks Turning Point: The radio series in September for Turning Point will be “When Your World Falls Apart”. You will no doubt be talking to people who are hurting. The ministry has asked that we brush up on this information
CRISIS/EMERGENCY CALL Agent Responsibility • In the event of Suicide, Victim of Abuse, Crime, or Trauma: • If agent receives a call regarding any of the above crisis type calls attempt to get a manager on the line with you as soon as possible as you try to get the following information. Remain calm. A calm demeanor can relax the situation and the caller. • Use the following script as much as possible: “We would love to pray for you and to send you some material to encourage you*. Would you please give me your name?” (Obtain member contact info first). *If customer accepts material to be sent: We want to know the address of the caller for any emergency services that might be needed and the ministry will need as much information as possible (NOT for fundraising purposes). “ ___NAME _, do you have a Pastor, a local church or friend you can call for help”? 18 Stay Connected
Key Points To Remember: • Note we must make every effort to capture as much information from the caller as possible: NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS, along with any details caller may want to share about their current situation. • Please pray for the caller, make sure that you make every effort to calm them down • Suicide calls: encourage them to call the help line 1-800-SUICIDE (800)784-2433 for support and resources • Ask if we need to call for help (911) for additional help • NOTE: If the caller does not want to be put on hold or if you are concerned that the caller may hang up, keep the caller on the line and get a Supervisor immediately. • If a suicide is imminent, transfer caller to 1-800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433) 24/7/365 after gaining their contact information. • If the individual wants an alternative you can encourage them to call: • 911; their pastor, doctor or local hospital. • New Life Clinic@ 1-800-639-5433 7am-1am Mon – Fri 12p-4p Sat 10a–2p Sun • Focus on the Family@ 1-800-232-6459 8am-10pm Mon – Fri Remember to keep your calls 4 minutes and below. connected123.com 19
JMM Updates: You are only to use the F10 screen IF: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Your caller is placing an ISA website order Caller needs to be added to mailing list Caller needs to be removed from mailing list Your caller has an updated mailing address. NEW address on the F6 screen and the OLD address on the F10 screen
These are the ONLY reasons you should use the F10 screen. If you have an issue that is not listed above, then either give them the customer service number OR you can do an action form. • PARTNERSHIP: Anything that pertains to partnership MUST BE DONE ON AN ACTION FORM • Ensure that when you are doing an ISA website order that your have: 1. Written your PRODUCT NAME-TYPE OF PRODUCT20 Stay Connected
PRICE of each product on the F10 screen 2. That you have added the $4 S&H fee onto the total amount of products 3. That you have gone to the F9 screen and selected ISA WEBSITE and added the TOTAL amount, this includes the $4 S&H fee 4. And that you have gathered information • If a caller is ordering a donation item from the website YOU DO NOT add the $4 S&H fee because this is a DONATION item. • Try and keep calls 5 minutes and below. • Customer service issues: you should GIVE your caller the customer service number NOT transfer • JMM has a prayer line number, if you have a caller requesting prayer then refer them to the prayer line, we do not take prayer requests for JMM • If you have any questions PLEASE PLEASE ask before you take a call for any client.
You are the front line of ISA and the clients we serve. I thank you for all your hard work and dedication you do on all the accounts. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!
- Lysa Meeks
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TRAINING INFORMATION: SOME BULLET POINTS by Lysa Meeks
• Remember to read emails every day, at the start of your shift, during your shift, and at the end of your shift. • Follow your scripts, this is so very important as you are always being monitored and there are test calls from clients. • SPELL VERIFY-This is important as well-words like "Blake' and "Lake" sound alike. Spell verifying information will reduce the error rate for yourself. • asks.
Always do your upsells, donations, and partnership
• Answer your calls with a smile on your face, remember that you have the ability to turn a caller’s attitude around just by your smile and your tone on your calls • DEAD AIR-There should be little to no dead air on your calls. Engage in a short conversation or recap what you are doing for your caller while you are searching. DEAD AIR sets a base for your caller to be unsure of you and the line they are calling • IMPACT, URGENCY, and ACTION words are a wonderful way of catching your caller’s attention and will reduce the amount of paralanguage you use on your calls. • If you have to place your caller on hold, use the HOLD button on your in contact, not the MUTE button or the hold button on your phone. 22 Stay Connected
• In-between calls, review your broadcast schedules so you are aware of current offers. Also reviewing ministries websites, allows you to be knowledgeable for your callers. • You MUST use your first and last name on EVERY CALL you take. • Remember to use your 3 name closing at the end of your call, a good example of that would be, recap the order, give the total, and the shipping time frame, and ask your caller if there is anything else you can assist them with. Once your caller has responded then proceed into your 3 name closing -> Thank you Mrs. Mouse for reaching out to us here at Name of the ministry my name is your first and last name it has been my pleasure assisting you and you have a blessed day.
• Remember Customer service is not a choice, instead it is a responsibility.
• If you have a questions about a client or any update that has been sent please ask your BA before you get a call. • Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on your calls, pray at the start of your shift. • Gain control of your calls by using your callers name as often as possible. • Ensure that you are listening to your caller and have that pen and paper located beside you so you can note any key words that they say to you. This avoids your caller having to repeat their self • If you have to do an action form ALWAYS state WHY you are doing an action form. This helps whoever is getting that action form to be able to resolve the issue. •
Customer service is simple: SERVE YOUR CUSTOMER connected123.com 23
Notes Acco from your u Jane nt Execut ive: White
Jewish V oi in Septe ce has added six m m the Holoc ber. They will b ore lines beginn ea in a donation ust Survivors. T iring messages g a h f donation or these calls. T ere will be 3 leve bout ls he o “Miracle f any amount t first level is for of he of Israel” a , second DVD and caller will receiv le e and Lam vel is $100 for th Book “is Peace Po the s e b or more, Statue” and th DVD, Book and sible” et th “ beautifu ey will receive th hird level for $5 Lion l Large S 00 e DVD, th hofar. e Book a nd a
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ake m e s a : Ple edule r e d n remi dcast sch WF has g n i ind the broa mers. L it is F h t Wor ou read for custo e title so st e v o L m t y orders dca a a a s o h r t e b h e sur placing s with t ead the ffer is o r e when l messag that you t product when a s c sever mportant the corre are time more than t e i t very ule so tha Also, ther there are rative tha t e n sched selected. unts whe It is imp nsure tha . e being ffer disco g offered edule to h o they lume bein adcast sc rmation. o o one v ead the br g the info you r re selectin you a
es m u l o hen ov W w t . e d d e offer roduct co tion this ke F W a p nth L a special ct inform please ma d o m This ere was the corre eas. So dures an r e th and n’t key in many a g the proc n we do s delays i e followin iven. r e caus hat you a ave been g t sure ses that h s proce connected123.com 25
Are You in the Boat or On the Water? by Dean Pruitt
When I was a child, I was blessed with the opportunity to be able to go off-shore fishing on a few occasions. Going off-shore fishing can produce some of the most amazing experiences, both good and bad. The best memories will always be of the fish that got away, but as you can imagine, it always seems to be in our human nature to remember the bad memories just a little bit more. Growing up in South Florida I was quite accustomed to the water, but nothing seems to fully prepare you for that “rough day at sea”. Yes, I am talking about the one that no amount of Dramamine can fix. You know the one that will leave a permanent dent in your chest from leaning over the gunnel of the boat, affixed in something that resembles the fetal position. And let’s not forget the fun that everyone else is having cracking jokes on you while you are in total misery. Now that you have gotten the picture, let me reassure you… it all ended well. You see, the wise old Captain of that boat, in all of his many years at sea had obviously seen his fair share of human torsos hanging over the side of his boat. He gave me the same advice that he gave everyone else before who had to deal with this kind of agony, but he presented it to me in the form of this question, “Are you in the boat or on the water?”
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In my current state of mind, the question went right over my head, so he rephrased, “You need to stop depending on the boat”. Still confused he said, “Focus out on the horizon and let your legs move with the water underneath your feet”. Pointing out this one simple fact allowed me to recuperate immediately and it allowed me to end up having one of the best days fishing on probably the worst seas I have ever been on. Lately I’ve done a lot of thinking on that wise old Captain’s original question, “Are You in the Boat or On the Water? The reason I think of it so often now is because of the story that is found in Matthew 14. Right after Jesus feeds the five thousand, he does something even more astonishing; He walks on water! Not only that, but He commands an ordinary human, with one word, to do the same. The New King James Version of God’s Word recounts it like this; 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him,
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“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” When I read this story for the first time, I had more than an idea of what it felt like to be one of those disciples on that boat; being tossed about by the waves, salty wind blasting in your face, with a dark ominous sky all around you. Many of them were experienced fisherman, and probably thought, “This is it…We are going to die!” And THEN, they see what appears to be a ghost walking on the water towards them! Certainly they must have realized that it was Jesus when He said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid”, but yet only one of the twelve responded. One ordinary man named Peter who was willing to realize that walking on water towards his Lord was safer than being in that boat. With only one word he is commanded him to “Come.” His eyes fixed on his Savior he is now walking on top of the water, with his eyes off of the Savior he sinks. Confidence in what he knew about Jesus he calls out to his Lord, and with no hesitation Jesus is there reaching out to Peter, pulling him back up on top of the water. Returning to the boat, the rage of the sea is calmed and Peter is asked, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
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Today the Word of God is still inerrant and infallible, and it still says to us all in Isaiah 41, 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. 13 For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. So the question is yours… “Are You in the Boat or On the water?”
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Alone With God by Katie McCaffrey
For several years of my early adulthood, I was quite ill. I found myself at home and separated from my friends more often than I would like. However, in this alone time I had many hours to spend alone with God. Those months and years, I grew closer to God than ever before. God continued to bring to my mind the ultimate parallel between human relationships, and a relationship with him. I kept coming back to God’s amazing love for us. If you will, take a trip with me for a minute…
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After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!” “Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.” He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.” Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants and his son Isaac. He had split wood for the burnt offering. He set out for the place God had directed him. On the third day he looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham told his two young servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac his son to carry. He carried the flint and the knife. The two of them went off together. Isaac said to Abraham his father, “Father?” “Yes, my son.” “We have flint and wood, but where’s the sheep for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.” And they kept on walking together. They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son. Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes, I’m listening.” “Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.” Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It). That’s where we get the saying, “On the mountain of God, he sees to it.” The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: “I swear—God’s sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I’ll bless you—oh, how I’ll bless you! And I’ll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! like sand on the beaches! And your descendants will defeat their enemies. All nations on Earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.” (Gen 2:1-18, The Message) connected123.com 31
In the passage with Abraham and Isaac God gives us a picture of himself as our father, an Abba Daddy who longs to guide us, to father us and to be there for us in times of trouble and in times of joy. Abraham is shown as the picture of that father who desires to see his child grow up and follow God. Life can only be experienced at the fullest when you are walking hand in hand with God. Life is painful, life is hard, life is crazy, full of blessings, full of moments of precious joy. Yet, when God asks Abraham to do what seems impossible, take his son, whom he dearly loves, up on a mountain and offer him as a sacrifice to God, Abraham obeys. His willingness to obey is a beautiful thing, a wonderful, yet painful thing. And Isaacs’s willingness to let his father kill him as a sacrifice to the Lord is such a beautiful thing. When we fully put our trust in our heavenly father, trusting him to bring about what is good and right and best in our lives the result is beautiful. As I wrote this I found myself feeling inadequate, feeling that my words were choppy and not flowing, or making sense. A friend helped me come to the realization that maybe my problem was that I was only focusing on what was pretty and beautiful in this life. Forgetting that the reality of life is that much of it is not beautiful. “But what you are going through, isn’t pretty, only God’s grace is. You can’t make pain a beautiful feeling, only the result of it.” His words are so true. The difficult times that I have gone through are not at all beautiful. I spent my days and nights in pain without an answer to what was causing the pain or a means of relief. It caused me to be cut off from society and the life that I previously had. That is NOT a beautiful thing. However, God’s magnificent grace in the midst of my situation was completely and utterly beautiful. He was working and moving in the midst of chaos. 32 Stay Connected
May I paint you a word picture? Think of a construction zone, a decrepit old house that is set to be torn down to make way for a new beautiful manor. The tearing down of that house and the things that need to happen in order to rebuild are not easy tasks. It will require chain saws and wrecking balls; they will level the ground and take away the trash to a dumpster. The rebuilding of that same construction site takes hard work and perseverance. Bricks need to be laid, a foundation set in stone. The skeleton of the building needs to be put in place before the beautiful things like paint and landscaping can be added. The result of this toiling labor is a masterpiece. Think of that as your life. God needs to tear away what is old and not working in order to make you his masterpiece. That work requires a breaking of you, and I can say from experience that that is not any fun, nor is it beautiful. Yet the finished product is absolutely breathtaking. God revels in that masterpiece that he made. He loves to see you become what he planned for you to be and he delights in you. If this point has not yet been nailed down hard enough, let me leave you with one final example. “What Christ went through on the cross would have been one of the most visually repugnant things ever witnessed by man, yet it brought salvation to the world, and that part is beautiful.” Of course, I can’t take credit for that example, it belongs entirely to my wise friend. Sometimes it takes seeing things through new and fresh eyes to completely grasp a concept.
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By Andrea Lewis
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Where Does Your Confidence Lie? By Andrea Lewis
Confidence is a funny thing. One minute we can feel unstoppable; the next, unable to stand. This rise and fall occurs based on where we’ve placed our assurance and thinking towards the future regarding ourselves; our beliefs about what we are capable of. Essentially, our confidence. But let’s think about this… should this up and down happen? The answer lies in where we’ve placed our confidence. So, where have you placed yours? There are many sources that we often turn to regarding this. We frequently judge our strength by the results of our own abilities. When we succeed, we are proud of what we’ve accomplished and are filled with a sense of self-confidence that lifts us above our circumstances. When we fail, we fall to the bottom of the floor – below the floor – and wonder if we can ever be strong again. We also have the habit of placing our confidence in another person. It could be a parent or other family member, a friend, teacher or coach. If that person in our lives that we’ve placed our confidence in approves of us or is complementary towards us regarding our abilities, we soar in our selfconfidence and our self-esteem seems strong. But if that person rejects us, or for any reason disappoints us or speaks harshly towards us, we are devastated, not knowing who we can turn to for comfort. Perhaps we’ve placed our source of confidence in celebrities or certain objects. We compare ourselves to those we consider successful or satisfied and meter our own confidence based on connected123.com 35
whether we can compare well to them. We see ads that tell us that if we look a certain way or behave in a specific fashion that we will find confidence and happiness.
We’ve been told that if we buy certain products, we will feel confidant or beautiful and be able to face anything with it in our possession. But we are never satisfied because that “special” celebrity or product constantly changes. Every month there is a new something that causes us to doubt whether we’re still on top. In fear of being on the bottom, we sell ourselves to fit the image of the world. But these products will always fail, because they are fallible and man-made. And those we look to as rulers for our own personal happiness themselves eventually reveal that they are seeking to be filled with something more. Every day we see their rise on a global stage, and then often see their fall afterwards which causes us to simply pick the next celebrity, continuing the vicious cycle. All of these sources of identity and confidence are broken and destined for unhappiness. Sure, they may all temporarily relieve our hurts and make us feel that we 36 Stay Connected
are happy for a while. But the honest truth is that it won’t last long. We ourselves will never be good enough to be happy long-term in our own strength, we will often fail during our lives. Others will not always be encouraging or supportive; they are human as well and will often say things that hurt us. Celebrities may appear perfect, but they are human beings just like the rest of us with their own troubles. Objects can’t uplift a human spirit, it is simply an invention of humanity that will eventually breakdown or become outmoded by the next best thing. This rise and fall of a dissatisfied soul is a human convention that God never designed or intended. We struggle with being confident because we have misplaced the source of our satisfaction. Confidence is intimately tied to our personal identity. When we lose self-confidence, we often lose our sense of identity and ultimately our purpose. This begs the ultimate question: Where should we place our source of identity and confidence if everything above that the world holds as the standard is fallible and prone to instability? The answer rests in the fact that God, the One and Only Creator of the Universe, created each of us specifically in mind before conception, uniquely formed us in the womb before birth, and loved us unconditionally before we even knew what love meant. Not only this, but two-thousand years ago Jesus connected123.com 37
Christ bore all the sins of humanity (including yours and mine) so that those who believe in Him would never suffer the righteous wrath of God. As Christians, our Heavenly Father sees us as His beautiful children clothed in perfect white because of Christ’s sacrifice. There is no amount of perfection we could possibly add to our already perfected soul that is in union with the Holy Spirit! Why do we try to boost our confidence artificially when in fact we have already achieved the only kind of success that can carry us through every difficulty? What are additional accolades when Abba Father is already proud to call us His children? What more could a child ask for than to know they are accepted, loved, cherished, approved of, and held in high esteem by their father? God Himself has told us that we are His children: Romans 8:14-17: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons [or daughters] of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – … If then, we are heirs with Christ as the Bible says, wouldn’t this also mean that when God said of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” that God is also pleased with us? So why do we still fret about our confidence? We’ve allowed sin to cloud our thinking and we’ve placed human emotions onto God--Who is Deity and 38 Stay Connected
beyond our simple emotions. We place our own thoughts into God’s mouth where they do not belong. The devil loves it when we tell ourselves something God never said. Sure, it feels terrible when we mess up, and we disappoint ourselves or others by our actions or thoughts of sin. But belittling ourselves with other thoughts defeats the purpose of why Christ died. No amount of beating ourselves up over a matter can change the fact that we did or didn’t do something. Only Christ’s atoning and cleansing blood can wash away whatever guilt, remorse, disappointment, dejection, or sorrow we may be feeling when we let ourselves down and lose our self-confidence. Whatever actions or words we pummel at ourselves when we mess up is in fact in itself an act of sin itself! It does feel terrible when we fall, but that’s one of the many reasons Christ came to save us. He knew it was impossible to be good in our flesh alone. Look at this: Romans 8:1-11, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of
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the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.” The next question we should ask ourselves is, Is God really our source of identity? Think hard and deeply about this. I’m not asking simply, is Christ your Savior, or are you a child of God. But have you allowed your relationship to your Heavenly Father reach the point that you know you are forever loved, and nothing you do will change that? Feelings of insecurity have no place in our lives if we’ve
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truly reconciled in our hearts Who’s we belong to and by Whom we are loved. Our dependence on our human abilities has no bearing on anything if this is true. Today we are encouraged to “believe in ourselves” and “find our inner strength.” But little time will reveal that this is an impossible attainment to maintain. Not only should we not be looking “inside ourselves” to find our source of identity and confidence, but we should also not be looking to other fallen human beings to find our confidence. So often when someone else lets us down or ridicules us, we feel rejected or hurt, and sometimes we interject that God has rejected us as well, but when we are in Christ, we are chained forever to Him, and that bond cannot be broken. We must never convince ourselves (or should I say, allow satan to convince us) of the falsehood that somehow we can make ourselves feel complete in the flesh or through another person we will find complete happiness. When we rest and abide in the fact that we belong to Christ, then the ups and downs of life around us won’t destroy us or devastate us to the core. This doesn’t mean we won’t experience pain, difficulties, hardships, rejections, or disappointments in life. This will happen, we live in a fallen world after all. In the same passage above in Romans 8:17 the passage concludes with, “And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.” It’s promised that we will suffer in this life, but it is also promises that as heirs with Christ, we will be uplifted and glorified with Him in eternity. What more could we ask for than to know that we are secure and confident in Christ? With Him as our source of identity and strength we are able to overcome whatever God allows to come our way. We can accomplish more than we think we are capable of with Christ as our rock and foundation. So the next time you start to feel down, or sense that your confidence is draining… think about where, or in Whom your confidence lies…. And remember Whose you are, and how much your Abba Father loves and admires you.
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In Awe of the Trinity
By Aaron Christoper Lewis
Over the past weeks I have repeatedly read John 17. As with other readers of this passage, I am amazed at the design and choosing of the disciples by God, then the giving of them to Christ, only then to have them entrusted back over to God the Father. I am amazed by how Christ prays for the disciples, the level of concern, attention and love he shows for them in his words. I am humbled that Christ in his words extends his prayer past His disciples in vs 21 to include all those that will believe. This passage above anything shows the level of love and intentionality God has for His chosen.
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Reading over this passage I have become struck with something new. Christ’s words in this passage reveals how little I understand about the Trinity, how it functions and how it relates to man. The complexity of one member of the Trinity, giving the chosen to another, only then to have that member of the Trinity entrust and turn the chosen back over to the original giver is baffling to my human mind. A united yet separate God sharing with Himself back and forth not only for a divinely ordained plan but also to bring glory to all elements of Himself is astonishing to me. The harmony, simplicity and complexity in this transition of ownership between the Father and Son is beautiful and humbling to my naturally depraved and partially sanctified mind. While others may become frustrated by a complex Trinitarian God, I am humbled and rejoice in the knowledge that our complex God is sufficient to be our God. Nothing is lacking in His unified and distinctively separate nature, He is all we can want and all that we need beyond our understanding of our actual needs. John 17 The High Priestly Prayer When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, 2 since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. 4 I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your Own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. 6 “I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. 8 For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 All mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but 1
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they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 22 The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are One, 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent Me. 26 I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” connected123.com 45
Customer Service
cus·tom·er serv·ice
noun The process of ensuring customer satisfaction with a product or service.
Today JMM caller Ms B Gyimah Complimented Steven Rogers for a job Well Done! “Steven was very good...extremely friendly & a huge help” “Thank you all for having such great Customer Service” Well Done Steven!
Barbara K. of Augusta, GA complimented Precious (Sky) McIntosh for being “EXTREMELY HELPFUL” and “TAKING GREAT CARE OF HER” AND INCREASED HER GIFT FROM $2,000 TO $3,000 WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH HER!!!!
Rashaunda Massenburg received a hugh COMPLIMENT!!!!! on TDJ call today. Ms Karen Massey was very pleased with her smiling face over the phone and her knowledge if the items. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Weekend Warrior Get extra hours by working the weekend!
Fin
Who doesn’t like a bump in pay?
rs F e e e d
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Find a new employee for ISA and get $25 for each of the first three months they’re employed!
Daily Checklist Have you done the following today? Check E-Mail Read Current Updates Study Current Broadcast Schedules connected123.com 49
Dress For Success Be Stylish & Professional by Katie McCaffrey
Dressing as a professional woman doesn’t mean that you forego stylish options. I find that I’m definitely more productive, confident, and happier at work when I’ve taken the time to put together a stylish and professional outfit for my work-day.
Here are some options to help you as you are dressing your best to perform your best:
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1. Alison, Executive Director of CASA, is wearing a birds egg blue top with matching jewelry. She looks bright and sunny while still being professional and modest. The color of blue is perfect against her pale skin and blonde hair.
2. I paired this button up top with suiting pants and a bow tie for my very own take on men’s wear. The outfit is quirky and unique but not too “costumy”. Don’t let the men have all of the fun with ties. Steal your husband’s tie or bowtie and play around with your very own version of the “power suit”.
2.
3.
3. My take on “glamping” was a cotton blouse and waxed cotton pants. The pants are fitted without being too tight and it’s a great look for “Casual Friday”.
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4. LaShonda’s outfit is professional and still easy to move around in. Her layered look will insure that she stays warm and comfortable at the office without sacrificing style. Her animal print flats mean that she can run around in style all day without having painful feet.
4.
5.
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5. Tweed pants are a fun twist on traditional office wear. They remind me of vintage England and bring a little pep to my step. Wearing pants or skirts that are a bold color on the bottom will accentuate your hips so pair it with a dark top to provide a more slender silhouette.
6.
6. Fun patterned skirts in silky fabric are girly and soft while still being office appropriate. (Reminder – keep the length at or below the knee.) Mixing patterns is a fun way to show your sense of style. Just remember that one pattern needs to be bolder than the other so that they don’t compete.
7.
7. Long sleeve silk tops paired with a skirt are a perfect way to mix it up. Who says silk is just for going out? Trade in the skirt for a pair of dark jeans for casual day and you can easily go from work to a nice dinner out on the town. Use your jewelry to show your sense of style. Jewelry can easily be changed out and can completely transform an outfit. connected123.com 53
Lynchburg Happenings
Grandparents Day at the Museum Sun. Sep. 07, 10am-5pm Grandparents and grandchildren visiting the museum will be half-priced admission, and the grandchildren will receive a special gift. The Museum of the ConfederacyAppomattox 159 Horseshoe Rd. Appomattox VA 434-352-5791 Presbyterian Cemetery Guided Tours Sun. Sep. 07, 1pm-2pm The historic Presbyterian Cemetery located adjacent to the Diamond Hill district on Grace Street will be offering guided tours starting on Sunday, June 1 at 1pm. The charge is $5.00 for persons over the age of 12. The tour lasts approximately one hour. Tours will be conducted the first Sunday of every month through October. Presbyterian Cemetery, Grace Street Lynchburg VA 434-845-0551 get!downtown Fri. Sep. 12, 6pm-9pm get!downtown is an outdoor festival in which Downtown Lynchburg celebrates the return of college students. This is also a great event for families and a great way to get to know more about the wonderful businesses and organizations located in Downtown Lynchburg. Enjoy six (6) blocks of performances, vendors, crafters, arti-
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sans, local cuisine, all with live music and much more. Downtown Lynchburg Main Street Lynchburg VA 434-847-1811 Course in Perennial Division Sat. Sep. 13, 9am-12pm Come join us on Saturday, September 13, 2014, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon, to help divide some of the many perennials on the grounds here at OCC. Get up close and personal with some of these time-honored classics as we discuss root structure, division, soil preparation, and how to know when to divide. Bring your own shovel and some grocery bags. Leave the morning with three perennials of your choice from the ones we divided that morning. Cost $15. Pre-registration required. Sorry, limited to 25 people. To register, please contact the Cemetery Center: (434) 8471465 or occ@gravegarden.org 42nd Annual Lynchburg Art Festival Sat. Sep. 13, 10am-4pm The Lynchburg Art Club will hold its 42nd Annual Lynchburg Art Festival on the grounds of E.C. Glass High School with Judge Ann Phodes and student Judge Geral Butler. Great family fun with over 100 artist. FREE Rain Date: Sept. 14 at 10am-4pm
For even more events and information visit: www.discoverlynchburg.org/events www.lynchburgliving.com/calendar-of-events
THIRD Annual Pierce Street Harlem Renaissance Festival Sun. Sep. 14, 2pm-7pm THIRD Annual Pierce Street Harlem Renaissance Festival. Theme: “Soulful Sunday” & Unveiling of two Virginia Historic Highway Markers Amelia Pride and Camp Davis. Gospel Music and the “FIVE MINUTE SERMON” COMPETITION. SIGN UP TODAY! All are invited to attend and participate! Marker dedication will be held on Pierce Street between Twelfth and Fourteenth Streets. Festival will be held behind the “Old Store” at 1301 Pierce St. Admission: $1.00 donation 30Live Music, Soul Food, Children’s Games and Craft Vendors Gospel groups, Vendors and Volunteers needed! www.annespencermuseum.com/events.php Sergio Cariello’s Opening Exhibition and Artist Reception Thur. Sept. 18, 6pm-8:30pm Join us for a solo exhibition by the artist of superheroes such as Hulk, Captain America, Daredevil, Iron Man, Wolverine, and others! The opening exhibition and artist reception opens Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm and is free and open to the public. The exhibition will be open through November 8, 2014. Liberty University’s Art Gallery, 434-5927629
Smithsonian Museum Day Live! Sat. Sep. 27, 10am-5pm Poplar Forest admission is FREE when you present your Smithsonian Day ticket. Go to http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ museumday/ to find and print your ticket. Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest 1542 Bateman Road Forest VA 24551 Beast Feast at Thomas Road Baptist Church Sat. Sep. 27, 4:15-8:45 This is one of the largest Wild Game Dinner still serving multiple wild harvested meats. Included at Beast Feast are more than 10 seminars by Outdoor Experts. As always the highlight of the event is, the “Feast” of venison burgers, fish, whole wildhog BBQ, and more while having the privilege to listen to guest speaker Hank Parker Fishing Legend, 2 Time B.A.S.S. Champion, Host of Hank Parker 3-D on the Outdoor Channel and Hank Parker Outdoor Magazine. Hank will share many of his experiences about how to be successful in fishing and life. This event is FREE but you must pre-register to attend. www.beastfeast.net
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Local Apple Orchards
Local Apple Orchards!
!
Pick Your Own! and ! Market Ready!
Pick Your Own & Market Ready ! ! September is Ripe for the Pickin’ September is!
by Maryangela Palladino
Ripe for the Pickin’
Time is ripe to grab your family and friends and head to the one of the many local apple orchards. Spend a beautiful Saturday picking apples or enjoying a fun-Þlled apple festival. !
!
There is nothing as sweet as picking a fresh apple, right from the tree, still warm from the sun, … and taking a big, crisp, juicy bite.!
Saunder Brother’s Orchard: We have expanded our farm market
kitchen to provide you with snacks and baked goods to enjoy. All baked goods are made with our products. We offer local cheeses, butter, coffee, jams, jellies, & chutneys, plus we have 15 ßavors of home-made, handdipped ice cream. ! 2717 Tye Brook Hwy (Hwy 56), Piney River, VA 22964, (434) 277-5455!
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Morris Orchards: Apples’n Cider donuts on weekends in October.
Tame farm animals to watch. Hay creations in fall with Halloween decorations. Apple butter making Þrst and last Saturday in October. ! 109 Tobacco Row Lane, Monroe, VA 24574 (434)929-2401!
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Gross Orchard Apple Valley: A family-owned and operated orchard which has been in business since before the turn of the century. The orchard is located at the foot of the beautiful Peaks of Otter.! 6817 Wheats Valley Road, Bedford, VA 24523 (540)586-2436!
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Johnson’s Orchards: Johnson’s Orchards is a family owned and
operated farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 200 + acres have over 200 varieties of apples planted.! 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford, VA 24523 (540)586-3707!
!
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Common Central Virginia Apple Varietals ! available at most local apple orchards
Apple
Eating!
Availablity
Jonathan
Moderately Tart. Eat fresh or bake
Late August
Gala!
Sweet. Best to eat fresh.
Early Sept
Golden Delicious Sweet & Mellow. Eat fresh or bake
Early Sept
Red Delicious!
Sweet & Juicy. Eat fresh or bake!
Early Sept
Grimes Golden!
Moderately Tart. Eat fresh or bake
Mid Sept
Stayman!
Firm. Mildly tart. Eat raw or bake.
Late Sept
Winesap!
Firm; tart. Best for cooking.!
Late Sept
Rome!
Firm; slightly tart. Best for cooking.
Early Oct
Fuji!
Sweet; crisp. All purpose apple.
Mid-Oct
Granny Smith!
Tart & crisp. All purpose apple.!
Mid-Oct
Arkansas Black
Hard & crunchy; semi-tart. All purpose.
Late Oct
Pippin! !
Tart & crisp. All purpose apple.!
Late Oct
Pink Lady
Tart & crisp. Long shelf life; all-purpose.
Early Nov
Tips for Storing and Handling Apples! Apples stay crisp and fresh for weeks if kept cold and moist. For best results, store them in a vegetable crisper or plas<c bag in your refrigerator. Kept at room temperature, apples ripen 10 <mes faster than when kept in cold storage. Before storing, remove any apples that are bruised and use them immediately. Do not store apples near strong odors, as the odors may affect the taste of the apples. connected123.com 57
Community Market Another great place to pick up local apples plus so much more! The Lynchburg Community Market offers the best of locally produced fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, baked goods, and specialty items. Farmers sell their products on Wednesdays and Saturdays year-‐round. Located inside the Market, there are ar@san shops, four locally-‐owned restaurants, and a european bakery and cheese shop that also operates year-‐round. The Lynchburg Community Market is once again able to offer double-‐dollar tokens for SNAP beneficiaries. This means that for every $10 you spend at the Market, you will receive $20 of tokens to spend on fresh, locally produced food. The tokens can be spent at the Market Tuesday-‐Saturday from 7 am -‐ 2 pm
!!
Hours Community Market Tues-Sat, 7am - 2pm
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Farmers Market Wed, 10am - 2pm; Sat, 7am - 2pm 1219 Main Street • Lynchburg, Virginia 24504 Tel: (434) 455-4485 Fax: (434) 847-1552 58 Stay Connected
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About September Did You Know... 1. The birthstone for September is the sapphire. 2. The birth flower for September is the morning glory. 3. At least six films have had the title ‘September’, which is more than any other month. 4. On September 1, 1939, World War II began in Europe because the German troops invaded Poland. 5. Shakespeare did not mention September in any of his plays. 6. In 1752 in Britain, September had only 19 days as we changed from Julian to Gregorian calendar. 7. The last day of September in any year always falls on a different day of the week from the last day of any other month. 8. “My favourite poem is the one that starts ‘Thirty days hath September’ because it actually tells you something” (Groucho Marx). 9. September is the ninth month and the only month with the same number of letters in its name in English as the number of the month.
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September Eleventh by Roger Robicheau We shall never forget that grave day Nor the lives which were taken away So closely we stood, so much to bear September Eleventh stays so clear Forever changed, our will must endure Keeping freedom strong within our shore The bridge of time holds so much to view Some visions hold heartache, all too true Those faced with great loss, so understand The ultimate cost of our free land God help each one as they meet each day Your prayers could send your love their way Remember the brave who march for all Completely committed to meet each call As each year passes before our eyes Our way must sustain, no compromise Emotions do make us what we are September Eleventh – Stays Never Far ©2003Roger J. Robicheau
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Happy Birthday! Alisha Carroll 9/26/88 Jane White 9/14/66 Leah Townsend 9/03/58 Andreanna Martin 9/12/85 Katrina Fleshman 9/29/80 Shantia Hunt 9/13/94 Meredyth A. Mason 9/22/92 Lysa Meeks 9/05/86 Renee Fleming 9/15/93 LaTayna Anderson 9/02/77 Carl Townsend 9/07/57 Veronica L. Nowlin 9/12/71 Dhariana Gomez 9/09/84 Jessie Perez 9/11/92 62â&#x20AC;&#x192; Stay Connected
Congratulations! Employee Anniversaries
Kim Mayhew 9/06/07 Deshea Rose 9/17/13 Merys Garcia 9/27/13 Jeannine Campana 9/27/13 Joseph Garcia 9/27/13 Mercedes Mendoza 9/23/13 Johanna Vasquez 9/27/13 John Copons 9/27/13 connected123.comâ&#x20AC;&#x192;63
Slow-Cooker Barbecue Brisket Ingredients 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons chipotle chile powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 clove garlic, minced Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 1/2 to 5 pounds point-cut beef brisket, trimmed (fat cap intact) 1 1/4 cups ketchup 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Potato salad and cornbread, for serving (optional)
Directions Combine the brown sugar, chile powder, cumin, celery salt, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Rub all over the brisket, then transfer to a 5-to6-quart slow cooker. Combine 3/4 cup ketchup, the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in another small bowl. Pour over the brisket along with 3/4 cup water. Cover and cook on low, 8 hours. Remove the brisket to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, skim off the excess fat from the sauce; stir in the remaining 1/2 cup ketchup. Reserve one-third of the brisket (about 12 ounces) and 1 cup of the brisket sauce for Southwestern Brisket Hash. Slice the remaining brisket and divide among plates. Top with some of the sauce and serve with potato salad and cornbread. Per serving: Calories 453; Fat 12 g (Saturated 5 g); Cholesterol 115 mg; Sodium 676 mg; Carbohydrate 16 g; Fiber 0 g; Protein 67 g Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/slow-cooker-barbecuebrisket.html 64â&#x20AC;&#x192; Stay Connected
Jewish Apple Cake! One of the best fall cakes you will ever taste. Here’s the best part; it gets better as it sits in the fridge! Ingredients: 4 Medium Apples 4 Tsp. Sugar 2 Tsp. Cinnamon 3 Cups Flour 2 tsp. Backing Powder
1/4 Tsp. Salt 4 Eggs 2 Cups Sugar 1 Cup Vegetable Oil 1/2 Cup Orange Juice 1 tsp. Vanilla
Directions Preheat oven 350° F. Beat eggs until thick.Beat in sugar and oil. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to egg mixture alternating with orange juice. Add vanilla. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan 1/4 of mixture. Arrange layer of apple, cinnamon and sugar. Repeat 2 times, finishing with batter. Bake for 60 minutes.
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September Crossword
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ACROSS 4 Monday through Friday 5 Worker holiday 6 Holiday month 7 Outside lunch 11 Profession 14 Do with a tent 15 Branch of production 16 Workers 17 Cookout DOWN 1 Autumn 2 Saturday and Sunday 3 Travel 6 Kids go after Labor Day 8 Cooked over fire 9 Amount earned 10 Special day off 12 Laborers 13 Holiday day of week
September Wordsearch
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Prayer Requests As always keep ISA, our families and our clients in your prayers. Shantae Beverly
Healing for her son
Pastor Michael Slaughter
Healing & Kidney Donor Match
Joe Vaughan Joe Vaughan’s wife
Comfort for him and family
Anthony Slaughter
Full recovery for 1st Lady
Melvina Lovelace & Kim Davis
Prayer for Peace & Unity
Zikkie Payne’s tal w/ pneumonia
Father Colby Payne – in hospi-
Zikkie Payne
Strength & Healing
Sonya Christian
prayer for healthy delivery of
Healing & Strength
Baby Nola JOAN TWEEDY HEALING JEANNINE CAMPANA PROVISION RACHEL CHARLAP PROVISION THEA BOSTON HEALING
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JOSEPH GARCIA
TRAVELING MERCY
SHERITA GREGORY HEALING LAMEKA DEBIASE HEALING LATAYNA ANDERSON HEALING CYNINTAE HARRIS HEALING SHARAYA MITCHELL’S SON
HEALING
DIANNE THOMPSON
HEALING
KATHRYN MCCANNA Husband - healing from pain and increased mobility, increased energy, and for the bladder cancer to not return Mother - healing from blood stream infection, supernatural healing of breast/bone cancer, protection from falling Father - deliverance/healing from severe muscle disease - currently cannot swallow / has feeding tube Son and family in Georgia - new job, financial blessings, health and protection for grandchildren, and God’s guidance in where to live Son in Lynchburg - wisdom, guidance, peace Me - a sound mind, wisdom, strength KING JESUS INTL
UPCOMING CAP COFERENCE
TD JAKES MINISTRIES UPCOMING WOMEN THOU ART LOOSE CONFERENCE
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