August 2012 Metro Christian Living

Best Recipes for Summer’s End

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contents AUGUST 2012

metro ®

columns 12 The Way I See It Hills to Climb

14 Modern Motherhood Classic

18 This is My Story Our Miracle Baby

20 Salt & Light The Lantern Medical Clinic is Shining its Light

24 Living My Call C’Paw’s—Southern Cuisine Meets Ministry

26 Outside In Someday: The Eighth Day

features

36 Let’s Talk it Over

28

Lynn Fitch

38 Education Connection

Called to Serve

40 Truly Wed

44

Be Satisfied Technology Used Wisely Famine and Feast

Special Feature

42 Let’s Get Real

Goodwill—It’s Not a Handout Agency

Able to Give to Others?

48 Legal Advice “Shortcut” Estate Planning is Often a Shortcut to Court

49 HomeWorks Tips for Your Trips

50 Our Daily Bread The Exchange

38 34

departments 16 Money Matters Get Savvy on Taxes

22 Healthy Living Preventing Minor Back Pain

42

34 Food For Thought Best Recipes for Summer’s End

45 Youth News Special Olympics

36

46 Fresh Finds Cool Picks for the Fall

51 A View From You Comments from our Website

52 Rave Reviews Books, Movies and Music

What’s Coming Next Month?

Tyrone Keys

➺

6 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

in every issue 8 53 54 54

Editor’s Letter Event Calendar Quips & Quotes Ad Directory

Volume 7, Number 2 Publisher: MHS Publications, Inc., Member, M.I.P.A. Editor: Marilyn Tinnin marilyn@metrochristianliving.com Administrative Assistant: Carol Rodgers carol@metrochristianliving.com Art Direction/Graphic Design Sandra K. Goff Graphic Production Assistant Kate Thomas Sales Marilyn Tinnin, Kimberly Stephens, Suzanne Tanner Contributing Writers: Betsy Smith Bailey, Lydia Bolen, Kimberly Grace Bowman, Shawn Dean, Tracie B. Dupuy, Cathy Haynie, William Howell, Carey Miller, Nancy New, Robin O’Bryant, Janie Pillow, Susan E. Richardson, Don Waller, Suzanne Williams, Martin Willoughby Distribution Assistants: Laura Kidder, Randy Fortenberry, Carol Rodgers, Andrea Sabillion, Rachel Schulte, Jerri Strickland, Priscilla Sullivan, Tim Waldon, Bob Whatley

Metro Christian Living is committed to encouraging individuals in their daily lives by presenting the faith stories of others and by 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 Metro Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by the Metro Christian Living staff to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2012 by Metro Christian Living, Inc. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Metro Christian Living is published monthly and is available at high traffic locations throughout the metropolitan area. Copies are also available by subscription, $29 for one year.

Single issues available for $3 an issue.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Metro Christian Living, 573 Highway 51 North, Suite C, Ridgeland, MS 39157, phone number 601-790-9076.

M I P A Mississippi Independent Publishers' Alliance

editor’s letter Passions, Callings, and Abundant Life

R

Whatever you do, ❝ work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.

❞

– Colossians 3:23

ick Warren’s 2002 best seller, The Purpose Driven Life, has been translated into 56 languages and has sold more than 30 million copies. Regardless of your opinion

on Saddleback Church or Pastor Rick’s theology, you have to agree that the wide appeal of the book says something about a deep human need and a heart’s desire to live our days on this earth with purpose and meaning. It is also clear that the search for the answer to “Why am I here?” is not peculiar to one class, one gender, or one age group...or even one religion.

I recently ran across an article on Christianity.com that told the story of Francis Schaeffer’s relentless quest to connect the dots between Biblical promises, the finished work of Christ in the lives of believers, and life in the present (i.e. the flesh). In case you don’t know, Schaeffer was an American Evangelical theologian, philosopher, and a Protestant minister who founded the renowned L’Abri community in Switzerland. Schaeffer stressed in all of his writings that the Christian life is about much more than conversion. Authentic Christian faith is a very relevant moment-by-moment reality that includes living in the here and now out of the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. That probably sounds very “wordy,” but it describes something that I just love to run across in the lives of some Believers—people who live large because they serve a very real and present God whose plans are so individualized that He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7) and has gifted us in unique ways to bring joy and blessing to ourselves, to others, and most of all, to God our Father. Those Believers exude a confidence in Him, in His sovereignty, and in His certain promise to work all things to good purpose in the lives of those who love Him and are “called” according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28). Do you think the “called according to His purpose” involves a Christian worldview where God, our Father is indeed writing the narrative, that we are each one unique and open to His plan for us?

Remember the line in Chariots of Fire when Eric Liddell says, “He made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” We are never more fully alive than when we are using the gifts God gave us, offering them back to Him as an act of worship, and so often experiencing the inexplicable joy of touching others with that God-given and God-honoring gift.

Lynn Fitch, Mississippi’s State Treasurer, exemplifies this sort of stewardship. Your humble editor, who does not do numbers in any shape, form, or fashion, is in complete awe of this gracious lady who chose a career path recognizing that God had given her a certain skill set and an unusual passion for public service, a courageous mettle of armor, and then opened what would seem an odd combination of doors to place her in the marketplace touching lives and unashamedly explaining herself by a commitment to God and to her family.

Keep reading. We have such an array of the “called” this month. In “Salt and Light” we feature the Lantern Medical Clinic in Pearl where gifted healthcare professionals donate their time to care for deserving, hard working, and uninsured families. This clinic provides spiritual resources along with medical care.

Do not miss “Living My Call” and read about a family who puts a whole new spin on the term “ministry.” God calls us all to different vocations, and Rita and Clayley Webster have been called to serve great food and pray over their customers. Read about C’Paw’s, and then, by all means, go sample their cuisine and be blessed!

Do not miss our special feature on Goodwill Industries that holds its annual fund-raiser during August and also celebrates the concept of voluntarism in our entire metro area. I am very partial to Goodwill Industries after serving six years on its board, and I am eager for every person who tends to become cynical over the ‘welfare’ mentality of today’s culture to read about Goodwill and see what a totally opposite approach they take to giving others a “leg up” rather than a “hand out.” Please read the article and then go to the internet and learn more. It is so easy to do something meaningful by helping Goodwill continue its work.

As always, MCL is a smorgasbord of information. It never ceases to amaze me how it all comes together and there is always a central theme even when we don’t start out with a lot of structure. In my old age with so many decades of just plain living, I realize with a fresh and authentic awareness the total cohesiveness of the Gospel. I love the fact that our God is Immanuel—God WITH us. He is indeed involved, aware, and simply THERE every day and in every way. Y

8 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Marilyn H. Tinnin, Publisher and Editor marilyn@metrochristianliving.com

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ij ij

Let Us In... em Out! We’ll Keep ‘

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➺the way i see it

by MARTIN E. WILLOUGHBY, JR.

HILLS TO CLIMB In a recent church service, one our members who was a retired secret service agent shared that he was accepting a position overseas with Samaritan’s Purse. He had moved to Jackson to be near his children and grandchildren, but he had a strong sense of call on his life to accept the new position that would utilize his unique talents, abilities, and training for God’s glory. While his new role would take him away from his family and potentially put him in harm’s way, he was faithful to go where he was called. He knew he had more hills to climb in his life.

My grandmother, who is turning 90 this year, has always tackled new hills. Having lost her husband in a tragic plane accident, she traveled extensively at mid-life and saw the world. In her seventies, she went to school to learn about computers, and in her late eighties learned how to use social media to keep up with long lost friends.

While her mobility is limited, she is tackling new challenges in life and is better at keeping up and encouraging people than anyone I know.

On her birthdays, she gets cards and letters from dozens of people from around the country that she has kept in contact with over the years.

I know numerous people who are spending their golden years mentoring people in the faith, leading bible studies at prison, or selflessly serving the homeless. I recently visited with a “retired” friend who helps widows take care of routine home repair. In reading Marilyn’s column in the 10 year anniversary issue, I was reminded of the courage it took for her to embark on this journey to build a great magazine. Think about what an impact she has had because she decided she still had hills to climb!

12 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

There is something odd about our youth worshipping culture in the way we view retirement and aging. We act as if the goal in life is to simply sock away some money and then enjoy “the good life.” The truth is that the “good life” is a mirage. Real joy comes in giving ourselves away in service to others utilizing our gifts and abilities.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul reminds us that, “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Unfortunately, my sore shoulder and aching knees are reminders to me that my body is getting older and slowly wasting away; however, I take great comfort in knowing that I am inwardly renewed every day. As followers of Christ, we have spiritual renewal that keeps us vital and alive! We have done nothing to deserve or earn this renewal, but it is strictly by the grace of God. I am encouraged by brothers and sisters in Christ who know that, “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” They have that positive attitude which comes from knowing that their ultimate destiny is secure and their desire is to be a good steward of their God-given talents and abilities during their time here on earth. They are not afraid to embark on new challenges, and they continually look for new ways to grow. As followers of Christ, let’s embrace the opportunities that may come our way, and let’s never decide that we are too old to find new hills to climb! Y Martin E. Willoughby, Jr. is Chief Operating Officer of Butler Snow Advisory Services, LLC located in Ridgeland. He and his wife Nicki have two children, Ally and Trey, and live in Madison.

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➺modern motherhood CLASSIC

by ROBIN O’BRYANT

ast week I said “Yes” to VBS and “No” to everything else. I didn’t cook, clean, do laundry, write, or now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I didn’t wash my hair either. It was a long week filled with lots of children, and I was exhausted. After

L

VBS one day, I took all three of my girls to grab a quick lunch in a local fast food chain. When I pulled into a parking spot instead of going through the drive—through Emma, my six-year-old, said, “Oh Momma!

We get to go in? Thank you!”

It’s a sad day when your kids think sitting inside a burger joint is fancy, but the truth of the matter was that I didn’t want to have to do anything when we got home other than put them all in the bed. I didn’t want to have to carry in bags full of food or throw wrappers away. I wanted to walk in the door, toss everybody in a different bed, and collapse.

Sadie, my three-year-old, grabbed a balloon twisted into the shape of a sword on her way out of the car. I knew it was only going to cause problems as she jabbed me in the face, but I was too exhausted to make her put in back in the car. We went inside and I ordered while the girls found a table, as Sadie continued to stab her sisters with her sword yelling, “ON YA!” with every jab. I smiled knowing she thought she was saying, “En garde!”

I carried our food to the table and Sadie lost interest in stabbing her sisters and began accosting strangers. She stabbed the manager in his rib cage as he walked by.

“ON YA!” She cried.

“You got me!” He grabbed his side and stumbled a few steps playing along with her.

A woman I didn’t know walked past our table and said, “Hi Aubrey!”

“Hi,” my seven-year-old said. “I know her from Avery’s church.”

When the woman passed our table the next time to fill her drink, Sadie got her in the back. “ON YA!” The woman played along as well, “Aaaagh! You got me!”

Coming back with her drink full, the lady was now prepared. As Sadie drew her “sword” the woman quickly grabbed it, and poked Sadie in the belly, “Got YA!” She exclaimed.

“She keeps yelling ‘ON YA!’ because she thinks she’s saying ‘En

garde!’” I told her, and we both laughed at the funny things kids say.

Emma, my middle daughter, guffawed along with us as if she understood the joke.

“Ha-ha. Classic.”

Emma muttered into her food.

I snorted a little.

“Momma, what does ‘classic’ mean?” Emma asked.

I choked a little Diet Coke out of my nose.

My brains were fried from VBS, the heat of being outside all day, and the exhaustion of peeling my own children off of me every time I passed them in the hall at church.

I sighed, “Emma, I don’t have any words left. I can’t think. I’ll tell you later.” I had no idea how to explain the word in the context in which she had properly used it. It made my brain hurt just to think about it.

“Oh, I can tell her what it means,” my seven-year-old chimed in.

I raised my eyebrows, “Go for it.”

“Well, Emma, it means… like—something that was around in the 19’s…is that right Momma?” Aubrey asked me.

“Yep. Pretty much.”

My seven-year-old has more energy and obviously more sense than I do.

Classic. Y Robin O’Bryant is mother to three daughters, wife to one husband, and debut author of Ketchup Is A Vegetable And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves. She shares the drama and hilarity of motherhood in her syndicated family humor column, “Robin’s Chicks” and on her blog by the same name. (www.robinschicks.com)

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14 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

You Can Save Lives

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➺moneymatters

by TRACIE B. DUPUY, CPA

Get Savvy on Taxes If the thought of filing taxes makes your palms sweat, your eyes glaze over, and your heart beat like a drum, it’s time to take a closer look at your deductions. Everyone has to pay their fair share of taxes, but a little planning can save you from paying more than necessary.

Mortgage interest is one of the largest deductions on your tax return.

With interest rates currently low, it’s a good time to refinance; however, lower interest means a smaller deduction. If you do refinance and pay points or origination fees to the mortgage company, these can be deducted over the same number of years for which the loan is financed.

Some taxpayers may even qualify to deduct the mortgage insurance premiums they pay if their down payment is lower than twenty percent.

Property and Ad Valorem taxes are also a deduction. Most residential property taxes are paid from your escrow account through your mortgage company. It’s a good idea to check with your mortgage company to be sure the property taxes are paid before year end. The taxes are not deductible until they are actually paid to the tax collector, not when you pay your house note each month. Also, be sure to deduct your vehicle, boat, trailer, or any other type of tag (ad valorem tax) that you buy or renew during the year.

If you find that you end up owing state income tax with your return, then it is a good idea to increase your state withholdings through your employer. State taxes that are paid or withheld are deductible on your federal income tax return up to your tax liability. Since you are going to have to pay them anyway, you want to get the deduction as soon as possible.

Charitable contributions can also make a big dent against your taxes owed. Deuteronomy 15:10 says, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” The average taxpayer will save 30 cents in income taxes on every dollar donated to a charitable organization. That means if you donate $50 you are really out of pocket only $35. Although tax savings should not be your only motivator to give, it can make writing that check just a little easier.

Money is not the only way you can make a tax-saving donation. Clean out your attic and closets! Items you donate to a charitable organization

are also deductible at thrift store value. Just be sure to request a receipt and jot down a few notes on what was included in your donation. Also, keep up with mileage and other expenses you incur when performing charitable work, such as stamps for a church newsletter.

Taxpayers over the age of 70 1/2 who are required to draw money from their retirement can make a donation straight from the plan and receive a deduction for the contribution instead of paying tax on it. Also, if you have stocks that have increased in value, consider donating those directly to the charitable organization. The fair market value will be a deduction on your tax return, and you will save the taxes you would have incurred in a sale.

If your employer offers a “cafeteria plan” or “health savings plan,” consider putting your estimated medical expenses and daycare fees into it. Your employer will deduct this from your paycheck each pay period before calculating your tax withholdings. Since medical expenses on your tax return are only deductible for amounts over 7.5% of your income, this can save a significant amount, and you will see the money throughout the year. As you incur the expenses, the plan will reimburse you tax free. This can save you social security, Medicare, federal, and state taxes.

There are also deductions for adoption expenses, higher education tuition, as well as benefits for contributing to a child’s MPACT or MACS program through Mississippi. These are just a few things for you to keep in mind throughout the year. A little planning before year-end will make a big impact on your anxiety level on April 15th. If you have any questions, contact your Certified Public Accountant. Y Tracie B. Dupuy is a Certified Public Accountant at Grantham, Poole, Randall, Reitano, Arrington & Cunningham, PLLC, located in Ridgeland. Tracie and her husband, Jerry, live in Madison and have two children, Kade and Mattie. She may be contacted at tdupuy@granthampoole.com.

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➺this is my story

by SUZANNE WILLIAMS

Our Miracle Baby

have been married to my high school sweetheart for eleven years, and for seven of those years we have tried to have a baby.

I

Nothing worked. We were even told by our fertility doctor in Jackson that it would be VERY unlikely that we would ever get pregnant, either naturally or with IVF. We were told this news in February of 2010. My doctor suggested that I do acupuncture to help with my infertility. I began that in March of 2010. I can remember preparing for the acupuncture just crying and praying for God to give us a peace about our situation and for guidance as to what we should do—adoption or give a try at IVF despite being told that we were not good candidates. Or should we just let go of our hopes of having a baby? I just prayed for guidance. My husband and I just felt so completely lost. We are both Christians and know that God has a plan for us, but we were just having a hard time with His plan. We kept pushing along with life and really didn’t talk much about a baby. I was starting to feel better due to the acupuncture and not having my mind on getting pregnant all day every day.

In April, Randy, my husband, went out of town for work and called me one night so very excited. He had met a guy who had gone to Denver to the world’s best fertility clinic for IVF. He and his wife were told that they couldn’t have children, had tried IVF in their home state and it didn’t work, but it worked in Denver. My husband was so excited. I, however, was just feeling numb about all of it and tired of medicine. I listened, but kind of pushed that to

Randy, Suzanne, and miracle baby girl, Wright.

the side—the whole time still praying that God would give us a peace about our situation and direction as to what He would have us do.

At that point, we decided that we would look into adoption AND look into the fertility clinic in Denver. Randy came home one day from getting his hair cut. We have gone to the same stylist for 12 years. He said, “Tracy told me that she doesn’t want us to think that she is minding our business, but God has put it on her heart to tell us to start praying Hannah’s Prayer.” I am ashamed to admit, but neither of us

remembered Hannah’s Prayer. Randy told me that Tracy said it was 1 Samuel 1:10-11. We talked about that for a few more minutes and then I walked out to get the mail. I came back in and noticed a letter from my high school best friend—who does NOT know our hairstylist. I opened it up and could not believe what I saw!

It was a copy of her devotion—all about Hannah’s Prayer! She had written on the bottom that God had put it on her heart to tell us to pray Hannah’s Prayer! Well, guess what we started doing on that hot July day—PRAYING HANNAH’S PRAYER! We continued praying Hannah’s Prayer, looking into adoption, and more seriously looking into the Denver fertility clinic. Praying Hannah’s Prayer helped us to completely let go and give it to God and trust Him to lead us and get us through this. On August 18th, we had our initial consultation by phone with a doctor at the clinic in Denver. We made an appointment to fly out on September 24th to do tests for IVF. This was a BIG step—emotionally and financially. But, we were just trusting God to get us through.

On September 21st, I found out that I was pregnant! I was on NO fertility medication. This was NOT supposed to be able to happen.

One of our favorite songs is “What Faith Can Do” by the Christian group Kutless. We had gone through so many rough times, but we just let go and had faith that God was going to take care of us. Another song that I love is “Healer” because I DO believe that God is my healer. I have LOVED showing the doctors who my healer is! They are all amazed. Y

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The Lantern Medical Clinic

IS SHINING ITS LIGHT A

pproximately ten years ago, Jackson physician Dr. Holt Crews worked for a year in a Christian clinic in Belize, Central America. It was there he got the vision for a medical clinic that provided both physical and spiritual care of needy patients. He witnessed first—hand patients receiving this special kind of care and thought to himself, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have something like this in Jackson?” These thoughts rolled around in his mind for several years. In 2008, he began to seriously put things in motion to make this vision a reality. He formed a board in 2009 and purchased property in Pearl. The property was completely renovated and remodeled by volunteers. In August, 2010, the doors of the Lantern Medical Clinic opened.

The clinic began with about 20 internists and gynecologists volunteering their time in the evenings to provide free health care to qualifying patients. To qualify as a patient, one must be at or between the ages of 18-64. The person or spouse must be employed, and have no insurance. Additionally, the family income cannot exceed 2 1/2 times the federal poverty level. Patients at the clinic receive free medical care, and volunteers from local churches are there to provide for their spiritual needs as well. The clinic is not equipped for last minute emergencies such as broken bones. It is primarily for people with chronic and long-term care issues such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid problems, etc.

In February, 2011, the clinic added dental care to its services offered to patients. About 10 dentists currently volunteer at the clinic. Their goal is to double that number as soon as

possible. They are also in need of hygienists to volunteer their time for x-rays and cleanings. At this time there are only two paid staff positions.

Steve Morris works as the administrator, and there is a nurse manager on staff who oversees assistants responsible for labs and paperwork.

Baptist Hospital currently provides lab testing and radiology at no cost for the clinic’s patients.

Additionally, the clinic refers to about 12 specialists and two oral surgeons who will do surgeries for the patients at no cost.

The mission statement of the clinic is as follows: “Lantern Medical Clinic seeks to glorify Christ by sharing the Gospel while providing quality health care to those in need.” Their theme verse is found in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others so that they might see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

If you would like to volunteer at the clinic, please call: 601-939-9300. The Lantern needs more internists, gynecologists, dentists, and hygienists who will donate their time. They also need more specialists who will accept referrals—especially orthopedists, neurologists, GI specialists, endocrinologists, etc. Other needs include people to volunteer to work the front desk, clean the office, and do yard work.

There is also a need for more people to volunteer who are willing to share their faith or pray with patients as they wait for their medical care. Y Shannon Collins and her husband Terry are Brandon residents. They have three children and attend Grace Baptist Church.

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➺healthy living

by CAREY MILLER

When you give, people live Methodist Rehabilitation Center employee health nurse Susie Haseloff demonstrates proper workplace ergonomics.

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Eighty percent of adults will experience some type of back pain in their lives. That’s four out of every five people.

Minor, everyday back pain can be avoided, according to the experts at Methodist Pain and Spine Center in Flowood. They say the key is to maintain an active lifestyle and get regular exercise.

“The most common mistake we make is spending too long on the couch or in bed after a low back strain,” said Dr. Bruce Hirshman, a board-certified pain management physician at Methodist.

Long periods of inactivity followed by short bursts of strenuous activity are the surest way to precipitate back pain, according to Dr. Carmela Osborne, a board-certified physical and rehabilitation physician at Methodist.

“Take a patient who doesn’t do much normally, and then goes out and digs in their yard all day,” Osborne said. “That’s repetitive activity, for a long period of time, that they’re not used to doing.”

They also recommend learning some gentle, basic stretching exercises to perform before engaging in physical activity, and to

take frequent breaks during prolonged activity.

But what about those of us whose jobs require prolonged periods of inactivity every day while tethered to a computer screen or telephone?

The solution is proper ergonomics, Dr. Osborne says. Having a suitably designed office chair and maintaining good posture is key to combating workplace back pain. “At work, if a person spends all their time sitting in front of a computer, then they need to be at 90 degree angles,� Osborne said. “Their knees need to be at 90 degrees, their hips at 90 degrees, and their monitor needs to be looking straight on. And they need a good back support so that they’re not sitting in a slumped position, sitting or too high or too low.�

These are all suitable preventive measures.

But if you do experience mild pain, Methodist’s experts recommend rest, alternating hot and cold compresses, and a short course of over-the-counter antiinflammatory drugs (as long as they do not interact with their other prescription medications). Most pain will subside in a matter of days. But if pain persists for a period longer than a few days, they advise you to seek medical attention.

Left to right: Methodist Pain & Spine Center physicians Dr. Carmela Osborne, Dr. Bruce Hirshman and Dr. Leon Grigoryev.

For mild, everyday pain, Methodist Pain and Spine Center’s experts recommend seeing your family doctor for your needs.

Your doctor may recommend seeing one of Methodist’s experienced physical therapists for evaluation, treatment, and prevention of low back pain. “Therapists can assess posture, and body mechanics in general, to introduce

corrections,� said Dr. Leon Grigoryev, a board-certified physical and rehabilitation physician at Methodist. “For instance, many people do not sit right, or they slouch. They can address that. That’s what physical therapists do—strengthening, improving range of motion, fortifying endurance.�

If your pain does not respond to the above measures, if you develop a chronic condition or have pain resulting from disease or other disorders, the Pain and Spine Center’s trio of experts specialize in managing pain resulting from those conditions.

The Pain and Spine Center is equipped with many advanced technologies for pain management, such as low level laser light therapy, which “has been shown to be effective for chronic back pain and some other conditions,� according to Grigoryev. They also employ techniques such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, water aerobics, acupuncture therapy, and more. Y Carey Miller is Methodist Rehabilitation Center communications assistant. To find our more information about Methodist Pain and Spine Center, visit www.methodistonline.org or call 601-936-8801.

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➺living my call

by MARILYN TINNIN

C’PAW’S

Southern Cuisine Meets Ministry he big white house at the end of the lane right off Hwy 468 and Greenfield Road between Pearl and Brandon looks like something out of Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes. There is

T

something special, a “sense of place,” I suppose, that you can almost feel even before you step inside. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, at C’Paw’s disappoints.

Rita and Clayley Webster had a roundabout journey on their way to being restaurateurs. After a rocky period in their marriage, a struggle with alcoholism, and the loss of a high position in the corporate world, Clayley came to know Christ in a very real way. The transformation of Clayley, the restoration of the Webster’s marriage, and a new enthusiasm and deep heart’s desire to serve Christ were all keys to the giant leap of faith that became C’Paw’s.

The original location on Highway 49 opened in 1999, and it didn’t take long for word to spread that the cuisine was divine. But neither did it take long for the word to get out that these warm and wonderful people offered more than scrumptious steaks, mouth-watering ribs, and homemade bread pudding. The plaques and Bible verses displayed on the walls proclaim their faith, and Clayley and Rita are not one bit shy about 24 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

praying over their customers, who regularly share their joys and sorrows over a plate of outstanding food. C’Paw’s quickly became a combo of ministry and menu! Customers may walk in as strangers, but they leave as friends.

Rita considers it all “joy” when customers take them into their confidence and share their burdens and cares.

Rita and Clayley never hesitate to ask God for healings, for interventions in desperate family situations, or direction in someone’s uncertain decisions. Over the years, they have shared in utter delight as customers return to report many answered prayers.

This family-owned shop has a menu of homemade recipes you won’t find anywhere else—except maybe at your Grandma’s back in the 1950’s. The steaks are hand cut and prepared to your preference by C’Paw (Clayley) himself. Salad dressings, french fries, twice baked potatoes, barbecue of every description, and made-from-scratch desserts will all remind you of the way we “used to cook in the good ole days.” Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, and other times by appointment, it is well worth the short drive. It is the perfect destination for supper clubs or church socials. C’Paw’s can certainly accommodate a crowd.

There are rooms available for events like corporate dinners and wedding receptions.

They can provide everything including the wedding cakes and the flowers. Daughter Pam takes on a wedding reception as though it is her own. Again—this is ministry along with a menu! See www.cpawswebsterhouse.net for menu and more. Y

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➺outside in

by SHAWN DEAN

Someday: The Eighth Day

onday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday…you see…there is no Someday.” That quote was on the back of a tee shirt in a hiking shop at Neal’s Gap where worn hiking boots dangle from the branches of decorated trees. For our thirteenth anniversary, Laura Beth and I traveled to

“M

North Georgia and hiked Blood Mountain, a portion of the AT (that’s Appalachian Trail to the non-novice like me).

The AT is a different world, a bubble within a bubble. ZZ Top— looking mountain men, radical hikers, weekend hikers, “beware of bears signs,” old Cherokee and Creek Indian stories and hideouts, beautiful views, more bear signs, trails and waterfalls with names, all tell the story of the AT. It extends from Georgia to Maine. A lot of people live for it. Some have died trying it. And, in the words of Jim

Someday…it’s the day when you’ve had enough of being you and you want to be like Christ.

Morrison, “People are strange...when you’re a stranger.” We’re all a little strange. I love that about humanity.

When I go places, I can’t figure out if I’m going and doing to avoid life or if I’m trying to enhance it. Either way, I’m still left with selfabsorbed me, which is a problem, and that was evident on the ride back home when I lost my temper in an argument over something trivial with my wife, who soon after asked me to pull the car over somewhere between hillbilly cabins and a creek named after a peace pipe-smokin’ Indian.

26 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Sometimes I just get tired of being me; wishing I didn’t have to be me sometimes. While contemplating what it is about me that’s so messed up, this word “Someday” kept inviting me to entertain it. My thoughts led me to a conversation that I had with a friend who had backslidden and was in a bad spot. He didn’t know where to begin or if his self-manufactured destruction was beyond repair. One of the things that came out of that divine appointment was that he committed, that day, to change. Not Monday or Someday, that day.

Someday is that day. It’s the eighth day, the day with no day other than today. It can be any day as long as it’s today. It’s the day when things change. It’s the day when you’ve had enough of being you and you want to be like Christ.

For my friend, Someday was the day that he re-dedicated himself to Christ, repented with weeping, put Christ at the head of his business affairs, make Him the center of worship at his house, start praying earnestly, confess sin to his wife, ask forgiveness from his kids, put down the bottle and pick up the Bible, set his sights on the face of Jesus. It’s the day he got back on the road that he had wandered off sometime before.

In this season for me, Someday asks me when. When are you going to: start ministering to your wife like you do lost men; stop being so defensive; learn when to shut up; pray for real; stop being so selfabsorbed; be more like Christ and less like you; have intimacy with Him. Someday, the eighth day, wants to be today. Today, He says, is the day of salvation. Today, Someday, is the day for change. It’s the day your loved ones praise God on account of the answered prayers for you, the ones for which they cried, “I believe that someday he’ll change.” Y Shawn Dean is Regional Sales Manager for Airflo Sales, Inc., located in Ridgeland, MS. He and his wife Laura Beth have three children, Isabelle, Ann Mabry and Mary Frances and live in Madison.

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28 AUGUST 2012 â?&#x2DC; Metro Christian Living

Lynn Fitch CALLED TO SERVE I

n a culture where the term “public servant” conjures up a few cynical thoughts for many citizens, Lynn Fitch is a breath of fresh air. Two words continually ran across my mind as we talked…and talked…and like women do, we talked some more.

Spunk: courage or spirit; quality of mind showing enthusiasm, boldness, energy, courage, determination and motivation.

Calling: a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.

Mississippi’s State Treasurer understands both of those words. The very pretty 51-year-old mother of three has been a trailblazer her entire life. With a “cheerleader” personality and an exceptionally sharp intellect, her skill set is evident to everyone. She has never been one to shy away from a challenge, and she never considered her gender to be a reason to restrict her career choices. She also doesn’t remember a time when she did not have a drive toward public service and a sense of stewardship and gratitude to God for the blessings that have been hers.

Bill Fitch, Lynn’s 79-year-old-dad, was her first hero and mentor.

Lynn, the oldest of two daughters, became a “daddy’s girl” early on. Bill owned a small consumer finance business in Holly Springs, and from the time she was in high school all the way through college and law school, Lynn worked a little here and there for him. She calls that exposure “beneficial” because she learned a great deal about financial accountability, lending, and good stewardship. She gained true “hands on” experience learning what it was really like to run a small business, meet a payroll, and what fiscally responsibility involved. She admits that numbers always came easily for her, that she really likes them, and that her dad was thoroughly modern in believing that his little girl could accomplish anything she set her mind to.

Choosing Her Career Path It was in her seventh grade year that she served as a page in the Mississippi legislature. “That is what really got me going,” Lynn says. She was fascinated with the entire process—introduction of bills, debates, votes. “I liked being involved. I really liked seeing how things are put together. I think that experience pushed me in the direction I chose.”

Lynn certainly wasted no time getting started. She went back to Marshall Academy and promptly got involved in student government serving as both Vice President and then President of the Student Council. When she graduated in 1978 at the tender age of 17, she headed off to Ole Miss where she put herself on the fast track and received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in two and a half years. Why on earth? Well, in typical Lynn Fitch-style, she was eager to embrace her next challenge—law school.

As one of the youngest first year students and as part of a minority of female students, Lynn did have a keen sense of how very huge this particular pursuit was going to be. At Orientation that first week, as all of the aspiring beginners listened to the usual welcome and warning speeches by faculty and administration, they were told to look around the room and realize that many who sat there on that beginning day would not weather the rigors and demands of law school. Only a percentage would still be there on the day the diplomas were awarded.

Lynn recalls a very “sobering thought” to imagine the possibility of failure. “All of us go through a certain ebb and flow in our relationship with the Lord, but it was in law school that I learned to rely on Him in a way I had not previously.” Not that she was intimidated by the demands or afraid that she lacked whatever-it-took to pass, but she was aware of needing Him—all of Him—in a profound way.

She jumped into the challenge wholeheartedly, was elected treasurer

metrochristianliving.com ❘ AUGUST 2012 29

Lynn Fitch Lynn was forever answering, “No, Governor Gandy. It’s not the right time.”

But Lynn was taking notes, paying attention, and studying everything about Evelyn Gandy— Church: First United Methodist mostly her sincere belief that everyone is Church, Madison supposed to “give back” in some capacity. Such a thought greatly resonated with Lynn because it Favorite Author: John Grisham was a principle she had learned in childhood. “…because he was a legislator when I Giving back, she explains, might mean being was Ways and Means Counsel. When involved in your church and/or your community. you spend your workdays staring at But the key thing is you get involved with people numbers and work-related reading, I because you want to give. It’s a lesson Lynn Fitch like to escape with fiction. Novels and had already learned, but under Evelyn Gandy’s mysteries are my favorites!” wing, she inscribed it on her heart and soul in a Toughest Part of Treasurer’s Job: deeper way and actively looked for ways to live “…Running a big financial institution it out.

Pioneering Women with a lot of moving parts. The toughest As Lynn says, “Governor Gandy was just in the Legal Profession thing is getting my arms around all the always there taking the ‘you-can’t-do-that’ kind As a young female lawyer in 1984, Lynn Fitch’s different facets of this office.” of attitude out of the discussions.” One of the career role model was former Lieutenant Governor most significant results of her leadership was the Evelyn Gandy. “When I graduated and was Best Part of Treasurer’s Job: “We formation of the Women in the Profession admitted to the bar association,” says Lynn, “you are making an impact—we are actually committee. Lynn Fitch was the first chair of that could round up all the female lawyers in the state touching people’s lives. Whether it’s committee which is 20 years strong today. It was and seat us at two tables.” It was becoming more college savings, the MPACT program,, a goal of the original “Gandy Group” as they common to find women in what had previously some kind of economic development, called themselves, to encourage each other been an all male institution. Lynn and her female we are making a difference.” toward running for elective office. There were colleagues were eager to be a part of the Mississippi very few women in any sort of elective offices Bar Association, to contribute their time and talents anywhere in the state in those days. to the organization. It was through volunteering for different committees The most significant accomplishment of the committee has been the that Lynn’s path collided with Evelyn Gandy’s.

Evelyn Gandy Lecture Series which brings in speakers in different areas Ms. Gandy, who, at that time, was the only female who had been of expertise who address issues of particular interest to female attorneys. elected to statewide office, made a conscious effort to mentor the young The official objectives of this unique committee are: attorneys. Lynn calls her a “gracious lady who believed in everyone.” She To assess the current status of women in the legal profession wanted to see women succeed, and she was constantly encouraging the and to identify career paths of women attorneys and their younger women to consider running for office. On more than one goals; to identify barriers that prevent women attorneys from occasion, she looked Lynn in the eye and asked, “Are you ready to run for full participation in the work, the responsibilities and the something?” of the law school her first year, and graduated a semester early. Do the math. She completed her undergraduate degree and her law degree in a period of five years. At 23, she went to work as a Special Assistant Attorney General with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office representing the State Bond Commission, Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Finance and Administration, and Office of the State Treasurer.

Lynn Fitch was officially “launched” in her career as a public servant.

30 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

rewards of the profession; to assess quality of life issues in the profession which affect both male and female attorneys; to identify unique problems encountered by women attorneys in pursuing their professional careers; to make recommendations to The Mississippi Bar for action to address the problems the Committee identifies.

Lynn’s work ethic and professionalism earned her the respect and the attention of other elected officials. She was appointed to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security as Deputy Executive Director. She served stints with the Mississippi Department of Economic Development, Counsel for the MS House of Representatives, and during her brief time in private practice, worked as a bond lawyer with a focus on general and municipal bonds. When Governor Barbour asked her to serve as Executive Director of the Mississippi State Personnel Board in 2009, she probably had more knowledge of state agencies, tax dollars, and state finances than anyone who held an elective office!

She had logged 25 years in different positions in government, but she had never put her name out there for elective office. When it became apparent that the office of State Treasurer was going to be up for grabs in the 2011 election, people began to encourage Lynn to go for it. She says, “It was never a plotted strategy to get to this office. I just always wanted to be in public service and the appointed positions gave me that opportunity.”

Even so, she looked back at her “checkered” resume, considered how doors had opened almost randomly for her over the years, and saw the clear hand of God in allowing her the opportunities that had come her way. “I looked at my skill set, looked at the job of treasurer, thought it was a great fit, and prayed for God to please show me if this is what I should do.”

Lynn loved participating in the 2012 Dixie National Rodeo. She was one of the few state officials who preferred to ride a horse than to ride in a carriage!

Taking the Leap Right next to praying for God’s direction was polling her three children on their thoughts. “I sat down with my children, had a family meeting and we talked about what it would take for all of our family to be involved. It had to be unanimous because if someone did not want to participate, I just wasn’t going to do it. I wasn’t going to risk my family,” Lynn says. Mom’s public service was something that was a natural part of life for Mackenzie, Marye Will and John Tucker. They had really never known her not to be involved, and they were rather proud of her.

They had been included in so much of her service that Lynn and the three of them always considered her profession to be a real “bonus” for them all. Their childhood and adolescence had been something of a living Civics lesson. She had juggled her mother role with amazing finesse. There was a “team effort” supportive mentality in their household from the very beginning. But the thought of a campaign added a whole new dimension to the equation.

A campaign puts the entire family under scrutiny. It is demanding physically and emotionally. Lynn was totally at peace with whatever her children wanted. She had already lived her dream of public service with or without an election. Her life was about making an impact—at home and in the world—and she had tasted a little of what that meant. She was content.

Everyone (Mackenzie, Marye Will, and John Tucker) gave their blessing and enthusiastically signed on to campaign for Mom.

The State Treasurer’s entire office participated in the Governor’s Cup Race this spring.

Two women who are superstar achievers: Condoleezza Rice and Lynn Fitch.

Lynn’s cheering section always includes her children, Marye Will, John Tucker, and Mackenzie.

metrochristianliving.com ❘ AUGUST 2012 31

Was that her confirmation that God was in this? Almost. A day or two later she opened a new devotional book that 17-year-old Marye Will had given her. The first entry began with these words, “This is the year you will do something out of your comfort zone. Be prepared for a big event.”

Prophetic? Maybe. At any rate, there was no turning back.

And so began the campaign—a primary, a run-off and then the general election and Lynn Fitch emerged victorious. Sherri Hilton, who served as Lynn’s Communications Director and today fills the post of Director of External Affairs in the state treasurer’s office, says she was constantly amazed at Lynn’s energy and upbeat attitude. Sherri was behind the scenes 24/7 and she speaks of many long days, lots of very long drives, speeches, speeches, smiling, shaking hands, more speeches, and more long drives. The “spunk” factor never dimmed.

Lynn seemed to have an endless amount of energy and a committed drive that never flagged.

She began every speech explaining why she was running for Treasurer stating without apology that it was a “faith and family” issue for her. Most of the time, Mackenzie, Marye Will, and John Tucker were right there with their mom. “You can’t serve well unless you have those two priorities in your life. Those would be my priorities no matter what.” Again and again people would come shake her hand after a speech and say, “Thank you for saying that.”

When Lynn took her oath of office on January 12, 2012, she was the second woman to hold the office of Mississippi State Treasurer—the first being her mentor Evelyn Gandy. With her children and her father, her first mentor, beside her…well, it couldn’t get any better than this.

And Off to Work Six months into this new position, the enthusiasm has not waned. Her work ethic, for which she has been noted, has not slacked either. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). That verse doesn’t mention the “spunk” word, but I think the verse and the noun are pretty synonymous of Lynn Fitch.

Everywhere she has worked in an executive position, she has gotten the staff together, talked about interests, causes, pet projects and then let the staff choose what projects they would like to work on together.

Lynn is a master of energizing her “team,” and she operates professionally in that mode in the same way she operates in her family. It is amazing what can be accomplished when everyone is working together for a common goal. One of her favorite team building concepts involves community service. “I just feel like serving is an opportunity for people to grow, to learn more about themselves, and to be so rewarded by the sense of giving to help someone else.” She adds that she has seen individuals who came to work on a common project through one of her office efforts suddenly become a “habitual” community volunteer because there is a level of bonding and of getting outside yourself that is just plain good for the soul.

32 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Everywhere she has worked in an executive position, she has gotten the staff together, talked about interests, causes, pet projects and then let the staff choose what projects they would like to work on together. It’s not a mandatory thing, but once even the reluctant participants give it a try, they, more often than not, want to volunteer again and again.

Different offices in which Lynn has instigated this practice have done everything from “Toys for Tots,” to “Stewpot,” to “The Governor’s Cup,” to “Habitat for Humanity.” Whole families show up to help, and the camaraderie that carries over into the office creates a very positive synergy.

In the area of policy, Lynn hit the ground running. The Unclaimed Property Division of the state treasury is the repository for unclaimed assets from forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, security deposits, utility refunds, estates, escrow accounts, and lost refunds. So far, the treasurer’s office has returned more than three million dollars to individuals through a very simple online search program where citizens can search for their names. There is no red tape that makes it hard.

Another of her potential pet projects, and one she calls a “cornerstone for our educational process,” involves a Financial Literacy course for 10th and 11th graders in public schools. It was the education she received early on by working in her father’s consumer finance business that taught her invaluable financial basics. She took that education for granted realizing years later how few of her peers had the slightest inkling of what financial literacy involved. What is insurance? What is a mortgage? How do you pay your bills? Why is all of this important?

To Lynn, it is part of creating an educated work force that will only enhance the effort of enticing new industry to Mississippi. Financially literate employees tend to be good stewards in a job and in a community.

There are several states where Financial Literacy, a half-semester course, is required for high school graduation. Several schools in Mississippi are providing it now, but she feels like it will have a huge impact on future economic development if every school teaches it. In the long run, financially literate citizens will have a great positive effect financially on their state.

And the “Spunk” Gene is Hereditary Mackenzie, Marye Will, and John Tucker continue to encourage their mom. Mackenzie, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes at age 14, is a fourth grade teacher at Madison Ridgeland Academy. She and her husband Drew Burns are expecting their first child. Mackenzie delights in being the “go-to” person at MRA for any student or teacher or coach who has a question about diabetes.

Marye Will is a senior at MRA this year and may have a touch of her mother’s ambition. She is the secretary of the MRA student council. She is a cheerleader and plays soccer.

John Tucker is a ninth grader who loves any sport that involves a ball.

When Lynn was asked to throw the first pitch at a Braves game this spring, he was very concerned and assumed the responsibility of being sure she did not embarrass him. To ensure that she executed the pitch correctly, he spent days practicing with her. His mom did not disappoint.

She mastered the full out stretch pitch and succeeded in throwing it straight to the catcher.

According to Lynn, it has been her God-given ability to organize and multi-task, along with God’s amazing grace that has enabled her and her children to live what could have been a chaotic life—but really wasn’t chaotic at all. “We get organized for the week. We keep a big calendar that tells us who’s going where and what ballgames are happening and all the logistics of getting there on time. They understand that I have responsibilities, and I think it has been a positive thing that they see me in a working position making an impact,” Lynn says.

She has managed to attend almost every sporting event, but on those rare occasions she has to miss one, there are always numerous texts back and forth sending love, thoughts, and prayers.

The fact that their mother has made it important to participate in community has been an easy-to-adopt value for all three of them.

Including them so often in her volunteer efforts has given them all a certain independent spirit as well as a generous desire to give back in the same way Mom does.

For Lynn Fitch, public service really is a “calling.” She laughs that the kitchen is not her strong suit and confesses that she has a great secret. “I have learned to buy with the best of them. The trick is to bring your own dishes and let the caterer put the food in them!” (This is a girl after my own heart).

In earnest and with her characteristic spunk and a good measure of wisdom she speaks about women, traditional roles, and the culture of today. I think God gives us the opportunity to learn and to be skilled and we should give those skills back in some form or fashion. I think women need to participate (in elective positions) because we bring so much to the table. As mothers and as women we have a whole different perspective. We understand multi-tasking. We understand juggling. We understand emotions. It’s not all black and white. And women in authoritative positions can really garner up teams. That’s what you really want in the workplace. You want to have great teams. I think women are good at that. We know how to rally the troops. We get our team involved; we make them feel empowered; and they make an impact. That’s extremely important to me in whatever position I’m in. I want everyone I work with to be successful in their job.”

Reminds me of something the apostle Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4). Y

metrochristianliving.com ❘ AUGUST 2012 33

➺food for thought

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”

by LYDIA BOLEN

– John 4:34

Best Recipes for Summer’s End

T

he month of August signals a time to celebrate the end of summer’s bounty. Fall is around the corner, but you can still enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables. I love going to the Farmer’s Market and getting one last bushel of Lady peas or peaches or blackberries.

One fun recipe my own children enjoyed was Fruit Pizza. Gather some seasonal fruit and let your children create designs with the fruit on the Fruit Pizza.

FRUIT PIZZA (This is a very old recipe given to me by a sweet lady in Inverness, Mississippi.)

CRUST

1

Roll (16.5) refrigerated sugar Cookie dough

SPREAD

1 1/3 1

8-ounce cream cheese, softened cup powdered sugar teaspoon vanilla

TOPPING

Assorted seasonal fruit GLAZE (optional)

1 2/3 3/4

tablespoon cornstarch cups sugar cup orange juice

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a pizza pan with cooking spray. In pan, break up cookie dough. Press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust.

Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely—about 30 minutes.

In mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust. Arrange fruit in creative designs over the cream cheese.

Mix together cornstarch, sugar, and orange juice to make the glaze. Spoon desired amount over fruit. Refrigerate until chilled. Cut into wedges or squares. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 12 servings.

34 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

My fresh basil is bountiful this month. Just think of the many recipes using this wonderfully fragrant herb! My daughter shared this recipe for Fresh Basil Pesto. It is a staple at our house as long as the basil keeps growing.

Why not try a different side dish and experiment with some Fried Green Tomatoes? A good use for unripened-end-of-harvest tomatoes!

FRESH BASIL PESTO

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

6 cloves garlic, toasted 4 cups fresh sweet basil leaves, rinsed and stems removed 1 cup olive oil 1/2 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted 1/2 cup fresh, grated Parmesan Cheese Salt and pepper to taste Place garlic cloves (in skins) in a small, heated skillet. Toss in skillet a few minutes until a few black spots emerge. Transfer to a plate to cool, and immediately place pine nuts in hot skillet. Lower the heat setting for toasting the pine nuts. Continue tossing until lightly toasted and transfer to plate. Remove garlic skins when cool enough to touch.

Grate the parmesan cheese.

Process all ingredients, except the olive oil in food processor. Gradually add the olive oil.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve as an appetizer with toasted Baguette bread slices or atop fresh pasta as a main dish.

3 medium, firm, green tomatoes Salt to taste 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning 1/4 cup peanut oil or other vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk Cut unpeeled tomatoes into one-half inch slices. Sprinkle with salt. Let tomato slices stand for five minutes.

Place flour and Cajun Seasoning in a shallow bowl.

Place buttermilk in a separate bowl.

Heat peanut oil in skillet on medium heat.

Dip each tomato slice in the flourseasoning mix, then the buttermilk, and back again to the flour-seasoning mix.

Fry half of the tomato slices at a time, for 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until brown. Put cooked tomatoes on paper towels to drain.

Serve as a side dish with a little Tabasco or a good Remoulade sauce.

Serves 4. Y

Remember to make memories through the kitchen—“the heartbeat of the home.”

E-mail me at lbbolen@gmail for any questions.

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Helping Seniors Make Lifestyle Changes.

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36 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

BE SATISFIED

It seems that finding satisfaction becomes more elusive with each passing year. Uncertainty is everywhere: the economy, the government, health care, our job, the stock market, and even the weather.

In fact, this dilemma has seeped into our marriages and families causing stress from not knowing what the future holds. The more technology advances the more isolated we become—creating cyber relationships or pseudo friendships that do away with face-toface conversations. People are more likely to air their dirty laundry on Facebook than to share with a close intimate friend who cares about them and understands their struggle.

The Rolling Stones said it well with the song “I can’t get no…satisfaction”. The reason we can’t is because our Designer hardwired us to only find satisfaction on His terms.

The wisest man who ever lived wrote a book called Ecclesiastes in which he pursued life exhaustively seeking satisfaction under the sun while leaving out significant pieces: God, heaven, and eternity. He tenaciously pursued wisdom, wealth, pleasure, prominence, power and position, and came to the conclusion that all was vanity, meaningless—a chasing after the wind. We might be well served to follow his advice that “satisfaction” outside of God’s plan and purpose for our lives is futile.

So what is the answer? Jesus said that I have come that you may have life and have to the full or abundantly! John 10:10. Are you experiencing life abundantly?

Solomon concluded his treaties by saying: Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Oswald Chambers said “the remarkable thing

about fearing God, is that, when you fear God, you fear nothing else; whereas, if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”

The psalmist described such a man in Psalm 112 and 128.

The ability to enjoy life comes from within.

It is a matter of character and not circumstances. Satisfaction comes from knowing your future is secure in Jesus Christ who has removed our sins and made us right

The ability to enjoy life comes from within. It is a matter of character and not of circumstances. with God, and no matter what God permits to come into your life you can be confident that He will see you through it! See Romans 8:28.

Take advice from the wisest man who ever lived “accept life as gift from God and use it to bring Him glory and honor.” Oh, yeah—”Be satisfied”. Y Don Waller lives in Jackson and is married with three children. He is a marriage & family therapist at Summit Counseling. Credentials: MS, NCC, LPC

Deception of Magic

By JOEL BOURIAQUE Have you ever asked yourself, what are our young people reading today? Are they learning about Jesus? Is His Word penetrating their souls?

Deception of Magic is a unique Christian Fantasy that combines scripture with a humorous, actionpacked fantasy world. Evangelical theology in this fantasy, aimed at youth and adults, discusses such topics as salvation, prayer, forgiveness, divorce, and of course, magic. Theology is presented using Bible verses from the KJV and NIV Bible through character interaction and action sequences.

Join the adventure as God’s wrath rains down on this rebellious Kingdom, which was originally founded on God’s Word. Javin and his friends must fight for their very lives as their kingdom crumbles around them.

Along the way, they discover many truths about God, including salvation, forgiveness, and the powerful work of the Son of God on the Cross.

YOU CAN BUY FROM: Amazon.com Berean Christian Bookstores at berean.com christianbooksbibles.com

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➺education connection

by DR. NANCY NEW BOYLL

Technology Used Wisely ften as adults we fail to realize, technology has come to represent a large portion of our lives. Many adults grew up in a time of land-line telephones, encyclopedias, post-marked letters and libraries. Access to information required a degree of effort and investment of time. Today, access to information is nearly instantaneous with PDAs, cell phones, and tablets PCs. When it comes to using technology, as adults our skills have been acquired with a sometimes steep curve in learning to effectively reap its benefits. Herein lies the issue for parents as educators of our children; with great power comes great responsibility. Recently I met with Randy Douglas, technology coordinator and educator with New Learning Resources Online, to discuss these topics as it relates to our own expanding presence in the online educational services area. He shared a most interesting perspective.

Randy notes that a quick stop at nearly any location on your daily route will provide a reminder that technology and internet connectivity are ever-present and to a larger degree ever-expanding. An even larger reminder is the cell-phone or PDA that provides us constant reminders that the world is that much smaller with the constant buzz or ring of emails, phone calls and text messages. Family, friends, news, and a seemingly endless supply of useful and possibly useless information are literally only a button push away.

Given the instantaneous access to the internet and its wealth of resources, parents and educators must be mindful of how and why young learners access the internet. Some research exists that supports the use of internet and technology as a means of engaging students in diverse learning methods that would be difficult to accomplish in a paperdriven or textbook-based environment. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the danger of misinformation that exists on the internet; not to mention the pitfalls of adult or other malicious content.

Technology upgrades and technology inclusion seem abundant in today’s educational environment thanks to initiatives and increased funding. In some cases, the technology may not be “cutting edge” but it serves its purpose by providing adequate resources for students.

What happens when the learner leaves the

O

38 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

school environment where learning and access is guided? We know that most learners have access to communication technologies outside of the classrooms, the greater concern as a parent is how that access is being used. This issue, termed the “digital divide,” for consumer of technology has become less about the access to and availability of technology resources and more about the means for which it is being used. For parents, this translates into

channeling how their children take advantage of available technology into meaningful experiences.

Recent studies present a concerning view of the digital divide. Getting “connected” is no longer the problem. Meaningful use of that connectivity is. The emerging research shows that many young adults and teens are accessing the internet exclusively through their smart phone (cell phone) or other personal devices such as tablets. While most will agree connectivity and access to information is a good thing, the question for parents becomes how meaningful may we consider social networking and texting in the construct of meaningful use?

Of course, phones allow our learners to “like” the Facebook status of a friend or upload a new profile picture. The troubling fact is that, while handy, smart phones are not yet a suitable replacement for the technology that success in most postsecondary endeavors requires. Young adults who access the Web only through their phones may one day find it difficult to attend an online lecture, complete a job application, or prepare intelligent correspondence for the eyes of potential employers. When able, we must stress the balance of casual use and meaningful use to prepare our young learners to make the leap across the digital divide.

In conclusion, Mr. Douglas feels as educators and parents, creating opportunities is what we do. We have all made inner pledges to nudge or, if necessary, push, our learners in the direction of success. We shed sweat and tears—hopefully no blood—in an effort to offer a hand up to our learners rather than a handout. We are all well aware that technology plays a significant role in the education of our learners. Technology can serve as a vehicle for curriculum delivery, an integral method of correspondence, and a seemingly limitless source of information. As we educators and parents work to propel our learners to grasp the process of mitosis, apply the quadratic equation, or properly format a résumé, let’s also foster an appreciation for larger screens, full keypads, and a mouse. The future success of our learners requires it.

I want to thank Mr. Douglas for sharing his insight on developing technology and its beneficial use. As a parent and educator, I agree we must ensure that our children are most effectively using the great advantages of technology. In closing, I would like to encourage parents and educators to be mindful of appropriate use while carefully encouraging the balance between educational and personal use. Y Dr. Nancy Boyll is the Executive Director of New Summit School Services and the Mississippi Community Education Center. For more information on New Summit School’s services, call us at (601) 982-7827, or visit our website at www.newsummitschool.com.

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➺trulywed

by BETSY SMITH BAILEY

Famine and Feast Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)– Proverbs 3:5-6 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV) – Philippians 4:7 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (KJV) – Psalm 118:8 he verses above have been the ones I have gone back to constantly over the last six months as I have transitioned into marriage and my new territory as a medical device sales rep. For those wondering how marriage is going, everything is great. There were a few minor things I had to learn the hard way. Like, you can’t put the crockpot on the eye of the stove to warm it or it will catch on fire and burn your house down. My sweet hubby doesn’t expect me to be Super Wife, work nine hour days, come home, cook a meal and have his clothes folded and ironed and put away while I Tilex the house from top to bottom—and that’s a good thing, so I don’t put pressure on myself to do that.

Jason has had his learning curve, too. He has learned that if I call him to tell him I got out of the O.R. a little early, went to the grocery store, and I am cooking a meal and he says he will be home at six, he should not show up at seven and ask if I want to go meet some friends for dinner down the road. He may get meatballs thrown in his face or I may tie the noodles around his neck.

So, we are good there. As you know, I lived in Alabama since 1997, ran a pretty successful territory in Alabama throughout those years and had some really solid relationships with both docs and patients. My

T

40 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

device is implanted in patients and much like a pacemaker, it has to be programmed and maintained. Therefore, not only am I in the operating room, but I was constantly working with patients to make their quality of life better. Needless to say I was busy.

Then I got to Olive Branch, headed out in my new territory and one by one—doors were slammed in my face. Everyone used my competitor and they wouldn’t even see me. I had no offices where I could just bebop back to see the doc; I had no nurse friends; and no one even asked how I was, if I had a dog, or mentioned that they liked my haircut. (You know those things we ask people or tell people to make their day.) Not only that, but someone I had worked with for the previous four years was saying hurtful things to my former co-workers about me. I was not in a good place and I began to doubt if I had done the right thing by moving to Misissippi. I started to blame my sweet husband and tell him he should have taken the Alabama Bar Exam because I did not like it here.

At all. Maybe I thought I might need to look for a new job because I was sure I was never going to get my foot in the door with these new docs. Or maybe I needed to just quit working and be a mom. I would go through an eight-hour day, and the only person who talked to me was my sweet boss, only because I called him to complain about how hard this territory

was. I didn’t even have a friend who would go get her nails done with me just so I could complain about how much I hated it here. I was constantly getting lost in Memphis and had people tell me I was in the “wrong part of town,” and my bad attitude had me thinking “Cool. Maybe someone will kidnap me.” LOL. JK. Sorta.

Basically, God knocked to me knees. One of my dear friends who has the gift of being brutally honest had me do a check up from the neck up. I honestly think she was just sick of my blowing up her phone every day, all day, telling her how much I wanted to move back to Birmingham. So, she just had to set a sista straight. She said “Betsy, do you think you maybe put too much stock in your job, your friendships, the wedding planning, and now God is trying to show you that He is all you need. Not even that, but Jesus giving you those talents was why you were successful in Alabama, and you can’t be successful in your new territory without Him anyway.”

Actually, wonders never cease because I listened to her. I remembered how several peeps in the Bible experienced droughts, but that as long as they continued to focus on the Lord and realize He was all they needed, they began to drink again; all of their needs (not wants) were met, and He followed through on the “restored soul” as mentioned in Psalm 23.

I said, “Carrie, you are exactly right. His plan is perfect and I should not be doubting it. He has me here for a reason.” As soon as I got off the phone, I began to really pray for God’s will to be done in my life. I prayed that He would open doors and close doors that needed to be shut and that He would prepare the way for this territory and I knew I couldn’t do it without Him. Within a few weeks, I had a nurse tell me she liked my shirt.

One sent me a text saying to have a good weekend. I got invited to a wedding shower; the phone started ringing with docs wanting to use my product in their cases, and people talked to me and asked how I was.

Yippeee! Currently my business has blown up and I could have the biggest year in my career. I became close with one of Jason’s friend’s wives and in

a short time she has become like my best friend. We do a lot together and I can tell her anything. I didn’t do ANY of the above. Jesus did.

During this same time frame when I was questioning continuing my role as a device rep, I was told I was going to have fertility issues and needed surgery. I had that done. Also I was going to need meds. I picked up the meds on a Friday, shoved them in the drawer and was just waiting for the right time to take them. But I wasn’t feeling well. I started thinking I was Vitamin D deficient or my liver was sick because I was incredibly tired, gaining some weight, and kind of (well Jason would disagree and say not KIND of but VERY) hormonal. On the morning of June 25th, the anniversary of Jason asking me to be his wife, I sat in my doctor’s office, and she told me I wasn’t losing my mind because there was something going on. I was expecting a baby. How could that be in the midst of my fertility issues? Duh...Jesus... (The fertility meds still sit in the drawer. Never opened.)

God has really blessed me over the last few weeks and answered many prayers. I asked him to shut doors and open doors, and I was going to relinquish control. All of the doors—whether to open or close—were strictly His to choose. And He did. He OPENED lots of doors. Doors with work, doors with friends, doors with having a family…pretty much Ephesians 3:23 kind of stuff—the beyond all that we ask or think or imagine. So, if you are in a drought, or feel like you are walking through a famine and you aren’t getting the THINGS YOU WANT- make sure you are seeking the things God wants for your life and at the time He wants it. If you aren’t in a famine, but experiencing a FEAST, make sure you thank him and remember how you got there. Y Betsy Bailey is employed by Boston Scientific-Neuromodulation as a medical device representative. She lives in Olive Branch with her husband Jason and their three amazing dogs: Miles, Scout, and Sozo.

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➺let’s get real

by JANIE PILLOW

ABLE TO GIVE TO OTHERS? Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First, so You Won’t Blow Up! ll of us have run into people who never seem to care about anyone but himself or herself.

Nothing matters except what matters to them. People like this often come to see me

A

for family therapy because it is so difficult for them to relate and have good friends and strong relationships in their families. Yet, as strange as it may sound, when I meet with Christian clients whose families and friends complain that they are selfish, demanding or self-centered, the problem is often just the opposite of what everyone thinks. These “selfish people are often self-less.” They are constantly looking for something they never received growing up, a sense of self. Their search seems to others that they are taking it from them.

Other people can develop a major complex.

They think that being a Christian means total self-denial until there is nothing left of their sense of self. A mother comes to me in tears, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. After a couple of hours I find myself so impatient, shouting at them and punishing them for every little thing

42 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

they do wrong.” A wife complains, “When my husband comes home from work, all he does is to sit there and to yell at the kids and me for interrupting his television shows.” Teenagers look at me and say, “My parents don’t care about how hard things are for me. They only criticize me and tell me how I embarrass them.”

More often than not, these mothers, fathers, and parents are the nicest people you’d ever want to meet. They serve their churches; they help their neighbors; they are generous to strangers. So, what’s the problem? Are they hypocrites? Sometimes. Many of us learned well from our own parents how to look good in public and to be very different at home. As one husband put it to me, “My home is the one place I want to be myself. Don’t ask me to be considerate of others there too.” When this is the problem, it’s a hard habit to break, but we must always remember that nothing disturbed Jesus more than hypocrisy. (We have all heard our moms being so sweet on the phone, but the minute she puts it down she seems to turn into Cruella DeVil.)

But more often than not, hypocrisy isn’t the problem. Sincere Christians often seem selfcentered to their families and friends because they give and give of themselves to others, until they simply have nothing more to give. Often these are people in the helping profession, like therapists, ministers, social workers or doctors.

Others are so emptied by always trying to put the needs of their children, their parents or their spouses before their own, that they become desperate for a little affirmation for themselves, a modicum of generosity shown their way, a bit of respect from others. I call these people “emotionally bankrupt.” Years ago, it was called “burn out”.

Here’s a principle that I have always found to be true. You can only give to others what you have received. It isn’t difficult to understand this idea. You can’t be generous with your money, if you have no money. You can’t give time when you have no time left. These things are obvious.

Well, the same is true on an emotional level.

You can’t give yourself to others, if you have nothing to give. It is like the stewardess is

always telling us, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Put your own oxygen mask on before attempting to help someone next to you.â&#x20AC;?

Followers of Christ know that Jesus himself is the perfect example of loving others.

Remember how the apostle Paul put it? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesusâ&#x20AC;Ś he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a crossâ&#x20AC;? (Philippians 2:8). Without a doubt, Jesus is the perfect model of giving to others. But

When we draw near to God, He will pour out His blessings on us so that we may give blessings to others. unfortunately, we often wrongly believe that this means Jesus was a person who gave and gave without limits. We idealize him as if he were an endless reservoir of selfless, sacrificial service to others. But this simply was not the case.

When Jesus ministered in the region of Galilee, crowds often gathered around him demanding that he heal their sick. Jesus did heal

many of those who came to him, but we often forget that on a number of occasions when the crowds overwhelmed him, Jesus got in a boat and sailed away. He regularly retreated from his ministry for times of rest with his disciples and times of communion with God to find strength to carry on. Yes, Jesus gave of himself like no one has ever given, but in his human nature even Jesus could not give what he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to give.

In this light, listen carefully to how the apostle Paul applied Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; example to you and me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of othersâ&#x20AC;?

(Philippians 2:4). Yes, we are to look â&#x20AC;&#x153;to the interests of others.â&#x20AC;? What sincere Christian doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe this? But did you see the other side of the equation? Paul did not suggest for a moment that we should ignore our own needs.

Instead, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;look not only to your own interests.â&#x20AC;? He knew that Jesus had paid attention to his own needs in order to give to others and that we must do the same.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the bottom line. Except in very unusual circumstances, if you want to become more loving to others, someone must love you.

If you want to be kind, you must receive kindness. If you hope to be more generous, then someone must be generous to you. Do you

want to be a mother who is able to be more patient with her children? Do you want to be a husband who has enough energy to pay attention to his family when he comes home in the evening? Do you want to be parents who are able to help your wayward teenage child?

You must receive in order to give.

And from whom should we receive these resources for giving ourselves to others? First and foremost, we must receive them from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spirit. This means that we must clear out enough time in our schedules for prayer and meditation on Scripture. When we draw near to God, he will pour out his blessings on us so that we may give blessings to others. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that we must also receive strength from other people. All of us need to have friends, resources, and loved ones who show us love, who are kind, generous, and patient with us.

Only as we receive these gifts will we be able to give to others. Y Janie Pillow is in private practice at Janie Pillow Counseling 601-853-4788.

She is also Co-founder of Third Millennium Ministries and has served since its inception as Chairman of the Board. (See www.ThirdMill.Org. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seminary Education for the World for Free.â&#x20AC;?)

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Gray Wiggers, President of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi

Goodwill It’s Not a Handout Agency

oodwill Industries began in 1902 as an urban outreach ministry of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston, Massachusetts. Reverend Edgar J. Helms and his volunteers collected used household goods and clothing from wealthier sections of the city and trained and hired the handicapped or disabled to mend or repair the goods.

The products were then redistributed to those who had restored them as well as to others in need. This inauspicious beginning was the foundation of what has become an international non-profit organization that does so much more than give new purpose to discarded goods.

Goodwill is about people. Goodwill’s genius is that it provides employment, self-respect, vocational skills, training, and occupational experience to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. The jobs created by a Goodwill organization fosters a stronger community by providing services and support to individuals who want to work but who have encountered challenges in obtaining employment through conventional methods. In a very real sense, Goodwill builds character and independence in so many who, otherwise, would not have jobs.

Gray Wiggers is President of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi. He graciously gives us a brief education on the uniqueness of this organization.

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MCL: Where are our local Goodwill stores located?

Gray: Goodwill of Central Mississippi has five stores. Centre Park Store, 863 Centre Street, Ridgeland; Fifty One Place Store, 637 Highway 51, Ridgeland; Metro Center Store #2 Twelve Oaks Circle, Jackson; Pearl Plaza Store, 426 North Biederman Road, Pearl, and Goodwill Plaza, 2305 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS.

the-job training for retail sales clerks, cashiering, stocking, inventory management, and store management. We also train for commercial vehicle operators, fork lift operators, life skills, résumé’ writing, and certain other vocational skills. In addition, we have scholarship funds for our employees for vocational schools, community colleges and other higher educational needs. We also offer a General Education Diploma course taught by volunteers, as well as financial literacy classes.

MCL: What kinds of donations help Goodwill most?

Are there any donation policies an interested donor should be aware of?

MCL: Do Goodwill employees move out into the workforce eventually?

Gray: Goodwill prefers “gently used” apparel for all life stages. We also accept certain hard goods and other items that can be resold. Since we do not repair anything, donated goods need to be able to be resold as is.

MCL: Explain briefly what Goodwill does with the donated items.

Gray: Our Goodwill mission is to make jobs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Since our mission is about training and employment, all items are sold through the retail stores, if an item does not sell in a certain period of time, the item is put into the Goodwill Outlet store where they are sold by the pound. If they are not sold then, the items are cut up into cleaning rags or sold to a salvage broker to be resold through international means.

MCL: Since Goodwill is primarily about people, tell us some of the services and training opportunities Goodwill provides.

Gray: Goodwill offers to our disabled and disadvantaged persons, on44 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Gray: Yes, we have some of our employees who have gone on to work as employers in the market and outside of Mississippi.

MCL: What is GIVS? Gray: These letters represent the Goodwill Industries Volunteer Services, an auxiliary whose mission is to augment the mission of Goodwill. This organization spans a 54-year history. It is not just the money they raise for certain capital needs for us, this group provides birthday celebrations, home cooked Thanksgiving and Christmas lunches (with Santa), voluntary devotional meeting time, the annual Art Show for persons with disabilities, and all are done without credit to anyone. It is truly a pleasure to work with inspired people who enjoy just helping others.

MCL: What is the Volunteer Salute Dinner?

Gray: The annual Salute Dinner is produced by our GIVS volunteers to recognize extraordinary volunteerism in the marketplace. The ten honorees are usually community leaders who are recognized for their role in real servant leadership to improve the lives of others. The event will be held at the Country Club of Jackson on the evening of August 16. Y

youthnews

by KIMBERLY GRACE BOWMAN

SPECIAL OLYMPICS I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 n a society where most people are only concerned about themselves and their own well-being, it is easy to lose sight of those who are more vulnerable and who are often seen as inferior. But when their courage is harnessed by those who see their potential, it is amazing what they can accomplish!

One such person saw the potential of those with intellectual disabilities. Beginning in her home in 1962, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, with the help of her husband Sargent, began a day camp during the summer called Camp Shriver. This came about as a result of her heart, which went out to all those who didn’t receive love and care, but instead kept on struggling to find their place in society. She longed to see those who were treated wrongly due to their disabilities thrive and accomplish great things. She wanted to see these children do things that others deemed impossible. Eventually, the realization occurred that people with intellectual disabilities could do more than what was once thought.

But the vision would grow from there!

With an idea for a national competition for people with disabilities from physical education teacher Anne McGlone Burke in 1968, the very first Ben Rodgers competition—called the First International Special Olympic Games—was born and was conducted at Soldier Field in Chicago. Between the United States and Canada, over 1,000 athletes competed in the events of track and field and also aquatics.

In the same year, during the July games, Shriver made the announcement that the Special Olympics foundation was formed. Mississippi was a part of the charter program that was initiated in 1968. At the University of Southern Mississippi, the first events were held in the form of track and field sports with around 150 athletes competing.

The official sports of the Mississippi Special Olympics include alpine skiing, aquatics, track and field, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, canoeing, croquet, equestrian, figure skating, floor hockey, golf, gymnastics, horseshoes, power lifting, roller skating, sailing, snowshoeing, soccer, softball, table tennis, tennis, and volleyball.

Although Mrs. Shriver passed away in 2009, her legacy is still here in the form of the ongoing mission of the Special Olympics foundation, both in the U.S. and around the world, which is to help all those with special needs—both children and adults—have access to consistent training and competition via Olympic-style sports. By being able to train and compete, both the children and adults in these

I

programs are able to build themselves up mentally and physically.

They are able to express themselves, enjoy the companionship, experience the “team-spirit,” discover things they didn’t realize they could do, and give them the well-needed courage they need in their everyday lives.

Heather Boytes is a great example of how one can be given the courage to do great things. Heather, who is now 25-years old, started competing with the Special Olympics at age eight. Though the condition she has makes her appear much younger than her current age, she explains that “it’s not a big deal.” Her beautiful smile displays a girl who is passionate about what she does. When she competed, she played in the sports of swimming, bowling, roller skating, and bocce.

She has also won medals in swimming and bocce. Last year, Heather traveled to Arizona where she trained to be an international spokesperson for the Special Olympics, and hopes to speak in public forums on the importance of the Special Olympics to so many with special needs.

Heather is thankful and passionate for the Special Olympics. In Heather’s words, it means a whole lot to see the athletes compete and receive their medals. She continues to speak and educate many about the organization that has meant so much to her in her life.

Another participant of the Mississippi Special Olympics, Ben Rodgers, hasn’t let his disabilities get in the way of his Heather Boytes success. At twenty-four years old, Ben has competed in bowling, track and field, and softball and has even gone on to compete in the bowling competitions of last year’s Special Olympics World Games in Greece— winning two gold medals and a sixth-place ribbon. While overcoming his disabilities of hearing, speech, intellectual, and attention deficit disorder, Ben has been given opportunities through the Mississippi Special Olympics to meet new people, travel to places around the world, and experience the power of being able to work with others.

Upcoming Mississippi Special Olympics events include the USA Southeast Regional Sailing Regatta in Biloxi on August 8-11; the state equestrian competition in Gulfport on November 16 and 17; and the 2012 Special Olympics State Fall Games on October 19-21 at the Camp Shelby training site in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

For more information about the Mississippi Special Olympics, call 601-856-7748 or visit their website at www.specialolympicsms.org.

Y

Kimberly Grace Bowman resides in Florence, Mississippi, and is a junior in high school through A Beka Academy homeschooling.

Contact her at kimberlygraceb@gmail.com.

metrochristianliving.com ❘ AUGUST 2012 45

➺fresh finds Cool Picks for the Fall

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4 | TRADITION’S CHILDRENS BOUTIQUE Baby briefcase $29.95

5 | PLATO’S CLOSET Colored skinny jeans $14 and up Pre fall purses starting at $15

2 46 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

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metrochristianliving.com â?&#x2DC; AUGUST 2012 47

➺legal advice

by WILLIAM B. HOWELL

“Shortcut” Estate Planning is Often a Shortcut to Court If you have a “simple” Will as your only estate plan, you should realize that a Will only becomes effective after you are dead and after the Will has been submitted to the probate process in Chancery Court. What about protection for you and for your family if you should become incapacitated during life?

Many people have put in place a durable power of attorney giving someone they choose broad powers to act during life when they cannot.

Sounds good, but there are potential drawbacks. The power of attorney may not be honored when the time comes to use it. Or the act that needs to be done is not specifically permitted in the power of attorney. Just saying that your power of attorney agent “can do anything I could do if I were present” may well not be either accepted or satisfactory. Many times the courts have held that in order to do some act using a power of attorney, the power of attorney must specifically grant that authority. Also, the laws in Mississippi do not mandate that a power of attorney has to be honored. Some financial institutions have a policy that “we don’t honor powers of attorney”, and you will most often not learn that until it is time to use the power of attorney because the principal has become disabled and you cannot get another document signed; so then what do you do?

The alternative under those circumstances is to go to Chancery Court for a conservatorship. This process is sometimes called “living probate” since it takes place in the same court and has many of the same requirements as the probate that follows death. There are expenses and delays in both these court matters. So, most people want to avoid them. But how? A properly drawn Living Trust prepared by an attorney licensed in Mississippi and familiar with our laws is a solution for most people. Unfortunately, many people only want a “simple” estate plan, so they do not manage to have a Living Trust. You

know what those people get, don’t you? They have a “simple” plan (or no written plan at all, more likely) and their family gets to deal with the court and all the complications after death or disability.

Many people own their property as “joint tenants with rights of survivorship”. That means when the first joint tenant dies, the survivor automatically owns the asset without any court or lawyers. Sounds good, but what happens when the second one passes away? You have not eliminated probate, just delayed it. As you can see, this is only planning for death. What if the spouse does not pass away, but is incapacitated? No help there. And you may have given the survivor sufficient assets to create a death tax problem. This type ownership is often found between spouses. If you want to own property jointly with a spouse and still have the lifetime protection and no probate, and without creating an additional tax problem, then use a Living Trust.

Many people have put a child on their bank account, completely unaware that under Mississippi law there is a presumption that you intended to create a survivorship account, meaning that when you die that child gets your whole account, regardless of what your Will says. To get around this problem they sometimes then put all the children as co-owners on that account. The result is that now all creditors of all children have a right against the bank account. There are better ways to avoid probate that do not expose your assets in this way.

Get some good advice from a legal professional familiar with the complex area of estate planning and asset protection. Just like brain surgery, this is not a “do-it-yourself” undertaking. Good estate planning will likely be one of the best investments you will ever make. And you will sleep better. Y

You have worked hard for it.

WHY THROW IT AWAY? We are all living longer. But we are not all going to be in good health, or aware of our families, or both. Then what happens? Someone has to take over. The question is: Will this be someone you chose? And will it be outside of court or in court? The same with the distribution of your assets after you pass away: In court or out of court? The choice is yours. What about protecting your assets from lawsuits, or a child’s inheritance from a divorce? And will most of your hard-earned savings go to the nursing home? Or have you planned? Here are a few ideas for you to consider:

Living Trust – Allows the person you choose to take over for you in the event of your incapacity, without any court involvement. At your death the person you have chosen makes the distribution of your assets the way you have instructed in your Living Trust, and to do so promptly, inexpensively and privately, without going through probate in the court.

Asset Protection – Lawsuits are filed every day. If you get sued, are your assets protected? They can be, and probably should be. Also, the divorce rate has never been higher than it is today. Will your child’s divorce cause them to lose half of what you leave them after you are gone? Not if you plan now. The level of protection (or not) is up to you.

Nursing Home Planning – Don’t qualify for long term care insurance, or can’t fit it in your budget? You don’t have to spend everything that you have in order to become eligible for nursing home benefits. There are legal and ethical ways for you to save well over half of your assets in most cases, even if you are already in the nursing home.

Hear Mr. Howell on the radio

Tuesdays 8:35 am WJNT NewsTalk 1180 48 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

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homeworks

by CATHY HAYNIE

TIPS for your TRIPS

If the end of summertime means traveling for your busy family, then you, with thousands more, might be on the road to chaos. Traveling can truly be a

fun, memorable experience—or for many of us—just memorable! A little organization can pack some of the fun back into your trip as summer comes to an end.

• First things first. Don’t over expect the vacation. You plan this special week months in advance and therefore expect it to change your life (or at least your summer). Put vacations into perspective: trips cannot offer restoration, yet challenges and disappointments will likely arise. (Someone might get sick; the accommodations could be a let down, and you may actually return needing a vacation from the vacation)!

Ironically, keeping your expectations in check will actually help make this “the best trip ever.”

• Keep travel lists. Make your next vacation list your last.

What to pack for the beach will likely be the same next time. What to take camping, on a business trip, or to visit Grandmother, will likely consist of the same basic things every time. So make those lists and keep them (in a computer file or personal organizer).

You can always revise or update as you pack from them again and again.

• Pack smart. Packing in one color scheme for each traveler cuts down on accessories. Leave behind what is available at your destination, which might include a hair dryer, iron, baby crib, or just shampoo. Always keeping a toiletry travel bag packed and ready to go makes for one less thing to pack before a trip. Finally, if stopping for one night to break up your trip, pack just one bag for everyone.

• Pack in advance. When you pack at the last possible minute, it is typical to pack way too much (but of course still forget something).

Try placing clothes directly into the suitcase as you fold laundry the week of a trip. Keep a list of what is packed for each person, and wear what remains in the closet until the trip.

• Plan in-route entertainment for children. Books on tape, new coloring books and colored pencils (car friendly—they don’t melt, require tops, or leave ink spots), and even some dollar store “surprises.” On long trips, try making binders for your children. Include pencil pouch, coloring or game pages, and blank paper. Simplified maps for their reference are also great. They will help with the “are we there yet?” questions, especially if easy-to-find landmarks are noted.

• Freeze the milk and bread. Take a minute to put milk and bread and other perishables that will spoil into the freezer. Set them out when you return.

• Monitor behavior. Try this idea for trip souvenir motivation:

give each child a zip-top bag with their name on it and one-dollar bills inside. Explain the rules, “Every time you whine or argue, you pay a dollar. When we get there, what’s left is yours to spend, but it’s all you get.” Then, stick to it. You may find yourself making the same bargain for the trip home. (Ten dollars for a peaceful trip is a bargain!)

• Souvenirs—do you usually return with even more on the trip home? You might start children collecting patches or stickers from their destinations. Patches can be sewn on to travel bags or large pillows. You can make trip books with postcards.

Choose a small item that would likely be available at any destination.

Create some order for your next trip by giving some thought to your packing, traveling, and return.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves. Romans 15:5 Y Cathy Haynie and her husband, Jack, have three children and live in Madison. Cathy is the Headmaster of Christ Covenant School in Ridgeland. She occasionally speaks to women’s groups on Honoring God in the Home and Balancing Work and Home.

Contact her at chaynie@ccs.ms. metrochristianliving.com ❘ AUGUST 2012 49

➺our daily bread

by MARY HUGHES

The Exchange – A New Place to Discover Real 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old is gone, the new is here. It was this verse and the verses surrounding it that birthed the name for a brand new church plant in Pearl. The Exchange. The vision? To see people exchange their old life for new life in Christ and live out their purpose. According to lead pastor, Bryant May, the call to plant a new church came in the fall of 2010.

“Church planting was never something I would have imagined myself doing. It was a foreign concept to me at the time. But just like every time God calls you to do something, you can only fight it for so long, and God always wins.”

After surrendering to this call, the pastor and his wife believed they were probably headed to Idaho to plant potatoes and plant a church. They shortly discovered, however, that God was calling them only 12 minutes west, from Flowood to Pearl, Mississippi.

The main question people ask when first hearing about this new church is why plant another church in this area?

It was the same question asked by those who first received the call to start the church. Research reveals that church planting is the number one way to reach lost people far from God. An estimated 70% of our community is un-churched—meaning they are not currently a part of a church or have never been a part of a church. “We asked ourselves, how many more people are not walking in a daily life-giving relationship with Jesus?” says May. “The question then became, not why plant another church but why NOT plant another church?”

The team of people God called to help lay the groundwork for The Exchange grew from two people to over 35 people over the course of a year. This team has been meeting, praying, planning, and serving in the city during that time. From serving at Gateway Thrift Store in Pearl, to 50 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

doing landscape work around the city, to serving breakfast at schools for teachers during state testing week, The Exchange is about not just being in the city, but being for the city. “One of our core values is about exchanging selfishness for serving,” said May, “even though we may not always feel like it. 2 Corinthians 5:15 says that Christ died for all so we would no longer live only for ourselves, but for Him.” On August 4th, The Exchange will host a free family day at Pearl City Park for the entire area. Children’s pastor, Jeremy Molck, said, “Family day is a way for us to get out into the community and meet families. We want The Exchange to be a safe place for families to grow spiritually, because we know there’s no greater target for the Devil than our families.”

With support from several organizations and churches, including The Launch Network and Pinelake Church, The Exchange will begin weekly public gatherings on August 12th in the Kidz Rock building (next to Logan’s) in Pearl, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The Exchange seeks to be a church that celebrates Jesus through music, teaching, small group gatherings known as LIFEgroups, serving, and doing life together. It’s mission can be summed up in the short phrase, “Get Life. Give Life.” As a church body, The Exchange wants to help people not only find life in Christ, but become life-giving to those around them.

To find out more information about The Exchange or to support The Exchange financially, visit www.theexchange.cc or email info@theexchange.cc. Y Mary Hughes is an aerobics instructor at both Baptist Healthplex and First Baptist Jackson’s Christian Life Center. She is also a personal trainer. She and her husband have two daughters.

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a view from you

Comments this month from our websiteâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;www.metrochristianliving.com

On Main Street in Madison

At the Reservoir on Grants Ferry

601-853-8911

601-992-9925

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy Happy Birthday!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mississippi Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum

R R R

â&#x20AC;&#x153;PUPPY LOVEâ&#x20AC;?

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beautiful Marilyn...Congratulations...â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Marsha Moody Goodwin

Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Loved reading this, Marilyn! Great story!!!!!

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sandra Crosthwait

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marilyn, Loved the article and do appreciate your not mentioning that your friend JB asked you if you had lost your mind. Has it really been (just) 10 years since we sat in a booth at Amerigo and you told me your plan? I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve both lived a lifetime since then. Congratulations on a job very well done! Love you, Judyâ&#x20AC;?

R

Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x192;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2021; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x192;Â&#x203A; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2026;Â? Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2039;Â?Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2022; Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2019;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Ǥ Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?

Ǥ Ǥ ÇŻ Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D; Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; 1.800.844.3254

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Judy Rayner Bruce

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just a perfect tribute to the anniversary. Praise God! And by the way, who is the thirty year old in that pic!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kelley Walton Fenelon

R R R

Â&#x201E;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x2013; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D; Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x203A; Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2020;ÇŤ

Art with a Christian Message

by Marilyn Russell

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wear your faith and witness to America. Let me never be ashamed.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Congrats on 10 years Marilyn!!! Great job!â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Congratulations!!!â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cappie McLean

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Other t-shirts and prints available at russellartforhim.com Phone: (985) 839-4030 â&#x20AC;˘ Email: russellartforhim@gmail.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The extended Whitwer family sends congrats to the big 10-year anniversary! We are proud of you, Saint Marilyn.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Carol Sue Colley Whitwer

R â&#x20AC;&#x153;Congrats MCL!!! It was a joy to be a part of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;familyâ&#x20AC;? for a few years.

Miss you all!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Christi Brown Steckel

We believe that every moment matters. Maybe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why so many families believe in us when it comes to choosing a hospice provider. For more information or to receive our free DVD, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hospice and Your Loved One,â&#x20AC;? call 601-983-3193. gentiva.com/hospice 106 Riverview Drive / Flowood, MS 39232

phone 601-983-3193 / fax 601-983-3194 Gentiva accepts patients for care regardless of age, race, color national origin, religion, sex, disability, being a qualified disabled veteran, being a qualified disabled veteran of MKT3144 the Vietnam era, or any other category protected by law, or decisions regarding advance directives. Š 2011 Gentiva Health Services, Inc.

metrochristianliving.com â?&#x2DC; AUGUST 2012 51

➺rave reviews BOOK

The Girl’s Still Got It

Altars

by Mary Elizabeth Smith

Reviewed by Susan E. Richardson

For many, August means back to Bible study. Liz Curtis Higgs releases her newest study, The Girl’s Still Got It, a verse-by-verse look at the book of Ruth, just in time. Higgs uses her well-known conversational style, humor, and scholarship to invite readers into Ruth’s world for a fresh understanding of redemption.

Ruth’s story begins to look different from what we heard in children’s Sunday School.

Ruth is surprisingly bold rather than meek and docile. Naomi becomes more complex as she struggles with bitterness. Ruth’s choice to leave her people and the gods of Moab and embrace the God of Israel reflects strong faith, which she demonstrates through her love and support of Naomi.

The heart of the story, though, is redemption. Here Boaz shines as he responds graciously to Ruth. His actions toward Ruth, and Ruth’s toward Naomi, both reflect the Hebrew hesed, often translated as “loving-kindness” or “mercy.”

Higgs draws the line from Boaz to Jesus, not merely because Boaz and Ruth became part of the line of Christ, but because Boaz showed redemption in action. In Boaz we see God’s hesed demonstrated, foreshadowing how Jesus would show the ultimate in hesed on the cross.

Like the popular Bad Girls series, readers may use The Girl’s Still Got It for individual or group study. The two-hour DVD, available separately, shows Liz teaching the highlights of each chapter, and would be a good group opener.

The book contains both discussion questions and a study guide to complete the material.

Susan E. Richardson is a writer, critique reader, and former Christian retailer with a passion for meeting people’s needs through the written word.

You can reach her through her website www.nextlevelcritiques.com.

52 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Jackson resident Mary Elizabeth Smith recently published a beautiful and truly unique book that is a collection of thoughtful quotes, artistic appreciation, and beginning-to-end inspiration. Filled with photographs of church altars she has both helped create and admired in other places through the years, the book is arranged according to the Christian calendar. Any flower committee or altar guild member, take note! You will gain inspiration to last a lifetime!

Mary Elizabeth shares her personal philosophy that the church altar, as a visual aspect of the worship experience, should provide something of an “aha” moment when worshipper enters the sanctuary and is immediately drawn to the Creator God who is present.

In her own words, “My dream for this book is that it becomes an invitation to come to a place where you can slow down and hear the whispers of truth in your life. Altars is my offering to you, a place to be with God, a place to meet and be met on your own spiritual journey.”

Available at Lemuria and through altarsbook.com

events calendar WHAT’S GOING ON

August 11

August 25-26

Christ United Methodist Church will play host to Girls of Grace “Can’t-Miss Event for Teen Girls!” - a high energy event for teen girls that will feature live music, speakers, and the opportunity to discover who they are in Christ.

Featured speakers will be Amber Lehman, Annie Downs, Chris Wheeler and many more.

Door open at 8:00 a.m., with the first event beginning at 9:00 a.m. For ticket information call 1-888-483-0018.

Artisans throughout the state will be selling their wares at the Mississippi Craft Show located at the Mississippi Trademart on the Fairgrounds.

Admission is $5 and all proceeds will go to benefit Madison Ark, a no-kill shelter for animals. Dogs will be on site for adoption! For more information call 601-790-0654.

PEARL September 1

26th

Eastside Son Run. Sponsored by Eastside Baptist Church in Pearl.

5K run and walk and 1 mile Fun Run. Contact Julie Carter at 601 573 7651.

August 14

CLARKSDALE

The Jackson Choral Society celebrates its 52nd year of artistic service to the metro area.

Come sing with us! First rehearsal for new season is at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 5000 Old Canton Road in Jackson from 7:00 p.m. till 9 p.m. There are two concerts a year. $50 for both semesters and $35 for only one. See www.jacksonchoralsociety.org or contact Executive Director Andrea Coleman at 601-927-9604 for more information.

August 10-12 Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, celebrating Mississippi’s musical heritage, will be held in Clarksdale’s downtown area. Enjoy entertainment by local and nationally known blues and gospel artists, while enjoying the historic town on Sunflower. For more information go to www.sunflowerfest.org.

GREENWOOD August 11 August 17-18 Little Feet Children’s Consignment is opening at First Baptist Church Jackson’s Christian Life Center with all proceeds going to support missions.

This first sale the money will be going to But God Ministries and their work building a sustainable community in Haiti. For additional information and store hours go to www.littlefeetconsignment.org.

The 5th Annual Bikes, Blues & Bayous Cycling Event is coming to town and this year’s event is sure to be the largest cycling event in Mississippi. No matter what the skill level, there is something for everyone. Enjoy the best of Southern hospitality while experiencing the beautiful Mississippi Delta. For additional information go to www.bikesbluesbayous.com

EXPLORERS BIBLE STUDY Christ United Methodist Church plays host to The Explorers Bible Study every Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. The Bible study, which began in 1978 at Galloway Methodist Church, is currently studying the book of Mark using material written by Marni McKenzie from Batesville, Mississippi. Morning lessons begin with a devotional and then separate into small groups. After small group discussions, the entire group gathers again for either a lecture or video.

The new study begins September 5 and does not require a preregistration. Cost is $30 for the workbook. For additional information contact Becky Howell 601-924-1373 or Martha Holt 601-956-1052

Stop SMA Golf Classic at Lake Caroline Stop SMA, a central Mississippi nonprofit organization, is holding its third annual Golf Classic on October 22 at Lake Caroline Golf Club a private, 18-hole championship golf course located inside Mississippi’s premier lake community.

Stop SMA was established in 2009

by Jeff and Dee Horton of Brandon after the couple’s daughter Evie was diagnosed with SMA in 2008. SMA is a genetic disease that weakens the muscles, making it difficult or, in most cases, impossible for a person with the disease to move. SMA gets worse over time and is often fatal due to related respiratory and pulmonary complications. SMA is the number one genetic killer of children under two. One in 40 people carry the gene that causes SMA and one in 6,000 babies are born with the disease.

SMA can affect people of all races and genders.

“We saw a need to educate the public and the medical community of this deadly disease and to raise money for ongoing research for finding a treatment for SMA,” said Horton, who also serves as president of the organization. Stop SMA works hard to accelerate research by hosting events promoting the cause, thus gaining community support and research funding. The organization’s biggest event is held in August, which is SMA Awareness month in Mississippi. This year the Laugh Away SMA event provided entertainment by two nationally known comedians, Henry Cho and Jon Reep. The organization would like to invite the community to their October 22nd Golf Classic. Uou can help Stop SMA by gathering a team or becoming a sponsor.

To learn more about SMA, Laugh Away SMA and the Stop SMA Golf Classic, log onto www.stopsma.org.

metrochristianliving.com ❘ AUGUST 2012 53

AUGUST 2012

JACKSON

➺quips & quotes

ADVERTISING INDEX ADVERTISER

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Cut out the scriptures and quotes and place them around your home for daily encouragement!

✂

Jesus answered,“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

“A child is likely to see God as a Good Father if he can see God in his father.”

– Author unknown

– Matthew 4:4 NIV

“The absolute truth that life is not to be driven by what makes us happy, but what brings God glory.”

I remain confident of this” I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

– Author unknown

- Psalm 27:13

“This is not about a brilliant career move. It is not about security. It is not about success or failure or anything else the ego wants for us. It is not about choosing among several attractive options. This is about the Spirit of God setting us on our feet and telling us “This is your to do.”

– Allander

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. “Whoever gossips And what does the LORD require of you? to you will gossip of you.”

To act justly and to love mercy – Author unknown and to walk humbly[a] with your God. – Micah 6:8

“Happiness is like manna; it is to be gathered in grains, and enjoyed every day. It will not keep; it cannot be accumulated; nor have we got to go out of ourselves or into remote places to gather it, since it is rained down from Heaven, at our very doors.”

“I have never been hurt by what I have not said.”

- Calvin Coolidge

– Tyron Edwards

NORTH STATE ANIMAL & BIRD HOSPITAL 5208 North State Street • Jackson, MS 39206

601-982-8261 Dr. Adrian Whittington Dr. Jeb Cade Dr. Melissa McLendon OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Sunday: Boarding only 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Boarding & Grooming Services Available

54 AUGUST 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

“For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 8:11

PAGE

Apple Annie’s ...........................................................51 Anjou Restaurant ......................................................37 Baptist Health Systems .........................................2,11 Belhaven University.....................................................3 Bless this Food Catering ..........................................41 Brooks Ministry Insurance ........................................21 Callaway’s Yard & Garden ........................................19 Christ Covenant ........................................................27 Clean Water of Malawi.............................................15 College Savings Mississippi .....................................10 Covenant Caregivers ................................................39 Creative Impressions.................................................39 Dr. Charles McMasters .............................................18 Energy Insulation, Inc................................................43 Environment Masters................................................11 Eye Care Professionals .............................................15 Eye Group of MS ......................................................16 First Presbyterian Day School ..................................35 Gentiva Hospice........................................................51 Goodwill.......................................................................4 Grantham Poole Certified Public Accountants ......25 Greenwood Convention Bureau..............................37 Highland Village........................................................37 Jackson Academy .......................................................2 Jackson Heart............................................................25 Jackson Prep .............................................................22 Joel Bouriaque..........................................................37 L.D. O’Mire Financial Services .................................51 Lace Bridal Boutique ................................................20 Lifeway Christian Stores ...........................................25 M&F Bank..................................................................52 Madison Ridgeland Academy..................................35 Methodist Rehabilitation Center .............................17 Mission Mississippi....................................................27 Mississippi Blood Services, Inc. ...............................21 Mississippi Children’s Home Services......................13 Mississippi Air Express..............................................41 Mississippi Investment Management......................33 New Learning Resources School District ................35 North State Animal Hospital....................................54 Novella Boutique & Salon........................................39 O! How Cute.............................................................14 Palmer Home ............................................................21 Pennington & Trim Alarm Services, Inc...................10 Plato’s Closet.............................................................43 Rx Remedies Compounding & Wellness Pharmacy................................................56 Remedy True Health.................................................19 River Oaks Healthy System ........................................5 Russell Art for Him....................................................51 Senior Transitions of MS...........................................36 Sitters, LLC ................................................................20 Smiles by Design.......................................................35 Southern Farm Bureau .............................................25 Star 93.5.....................................................................55 St. Dominics.................................................................9 Stegall Imagery .........................................................55 Summit Counseling...................................................36 Sunnybrook Estates ..................................................39 Tinnin Imports..............................................................7 Tradition Children’s Resale & Boutique...................39 Trustmark...................................................................13 Two Men And A Truck..............................................27 Venable Glass............................................................39 Veritas School, The ...................................................43 Viking Cooking School .............................................17 William B. Howell......................................................48 Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home..........................22 Yazoo Convention Bureau........................................21 Ye Old Lamp Design & Shades ...............................27 For more information on our advertisers visit www.metrochristianliving.com

metrochristianliving.com â?&#x2DC; AUGUST 2012 55

Introducing Central Mississippi’s Newest Compounding and Wellness Pharmacy

Anna Claire Heindl, PharmD, Compounding Specialist; Tommy Spell, PharmD, Pharmacist in Charge; Beth Donnell, PharmD, Hormone Specialist

Compounding, Wellness and Retail Pharmacy Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy • Testosterone Replacement Therapy Hormone Testing • Veterinary Compounding • Diabetes Testing Supplies Comprehensive Medication Review • Personal Refill Reminders to Ensure Adherence Same or Next-Day Home Delivery

500 HIGHWAY 51 NORTH, SUITE Q • RIDGELAND, MS 39157

Monday - Friday 9 AM - 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM - 1 PM Telephone 601.981.0070 or 800.826.1197 • Facsimile 601.981.4513 or 800.729.0617 Located in Trace Station Shopping Center between Fleet Feet Sports and Great Harvest Bread Company