Metro Christian Living January 2012

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JANUARY 2012

A NEW YEAR, AN OLD YOU Financial Basics for the New Year

2 JANUARY 2012 â?˜ Metro Christian Living

It’s Written in the Stars Hospitals make a lot of claims about what they can do. At Baptist, we let our HealthGrades 5-Star Ratings do the talking. And here’s what they say:

Superior Treatment And Results And Baptist has more 5-Star ratings than any hospital in Mississippi. Period. Want to learn more? Go online to www.mbhs.org/healthgrades 1225 North State Street Jackson, MS 39202 | 800.948.6262

Introducing A Second Choose Life License Tag

DO YOU LOVE LIFE?

By purchasing a Choose Life tag, you will be supporting 45 pregnancy resource centers across Mississippi. They meet physical, emotional, and medical needs of women by providing free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and compassionate, sound advice about pregnancy. Be one of the first 300 people to pre-order your tag! You don’t have to wait till your current tag expires. Go to Chooselifems.org. Click “Forms” in upper right corner. Click either the shopping cart or the donate icon in lower left corner. You can pay by check or by credit card. The tags will be sent to you after we pre-sell the first 300. Choose Life MS • 953 Hwy 51 Suite 2E • Madison, MS 39110 • Phone: 601-206-5816

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W W W.T I N N I N I M P O R T S .C O M

contents JANUARY 2012

metro ®

columns 11 The Way I See It Know Your Why

16 Think Tank A New Year—An Old You

19 HomeWorks Quick Fix

24 Modern Motherhood Deadbolt Required

26 Salt & Light Rollin’ in a Range Rover

28 Family Focus The Great Physician Knows Orthodontics

30 All In The Family

features

20 14

I Resolve to Stop Procrastinating... Next Year!

Mark Slyter

33 Let’s Talk It Over

Follower of Christ—Leader in Healthcare

Choose Life Special Feature

What Are You Full Of?

34 Legal Advice Resolution: This Year Do Something You’ve Not Done

35 Christian Commerce Corner A Bank with Community Service at Heart

32

departments 25 Money Matters Financial Basics for the New Year

27 Fresh Finds

27

New Start, New Year, New You

29 Food For Thought Winter White

25

32 Healthy Living On Resolving to Lose Weight

36 Rave Reviews Books, Movies and Music

in every issue

30 What’s Coming Next Month? Congressman Gregg Harper and wife Sidney tell their love story

➺

8 37 38 38

Editor’s Letter Event Calendar Quips & Quotes Ad Directory

Volume 6, Number 8 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, Shannon Collins Kimberly Stephens Contributing Writers: Nancy Lottridge Anderson, Lydia Bolen, Bryan Carter, Dr. Ken Cleveland, Shannon Collins, Dr. John L. Cox, Shawn Dean, Cathy Haynie, William Howell, Robin O’Bryant, Susan E. Richardson, Mike Traylor, Martin E. Willoughby, Jr., Andy Wimberly Cover Photo Stegall Imagery Distribution Assistants: Laura Blackledge, Kim Roberts, 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 2008 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

6 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

If you’re not moving like you used to,

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Daniel Dare, M.D.

Our orthopedic specialists won’t let aches or injuries hold you back. None of us is the well-oiled machine we used to be. Your shoulder aches when you do this. Your knee cries out in pain when you do that. Or maybe you have an injury that’s keeping you benched when you could be playing. The physicians at Central Mississippi Bone & Joint Specialists

Richard O’Keeffe Jr., M.D.

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➺editor’s letter Blank Pages and A New Year Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feed them. Are you not of more value than they?...Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:26, 34

F

Marilyn’s Latest BACKDOOR LESSONS 1. Be intentional. Life is too short not to be, 2. Be grateful. Find the joy in the moment. 3. Hold the world loosely—it’s all temporary. 4. Pray that God would teach you contentment in your trials.

5. If you love someone, tell them now.

8 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

or as long as I can remember I have loved a blank page…I used to write short stories. My elementary school teachers frequently assigned an original short story using the week’s spelling words. I could get very creative and completely disregard the word count. I fear I wrote a few novels instead! New years are like blank pages—except that we are not completely autonomous creators of the story that writes itself on our personal page. That thought would cause me great fear if I didn’t completely trust the God who is writing the story and attending me on life’s journey. Sure, we can make many a choice and live with the consequences, but there are so many unforeseen events that come to each of us each year—things altogether beyond our control. How we deal with the things we can’t control has a profound impact on our peace, joy, and quality of life. It occurs to me that if we spent as much time incorporating God’s specific instructions into our daily habits, we would cope with those unexpected challenges with less angst and more confidence in the future. You know the Greyhound bus corporation’s motto, “Leave the driving to us.” Life works better when we leave the steering wheel in God’s hands, too. Tim Tebow has been much in the news lately. The critics seem to take great delight in telling us all the reasons he is not a great quarterback. And yet, he keeps snatching victory from what appears to be a defeat in a come from behind finish. I love watching his grace under pressure.He does his part at giving his 100% best effort, does not lose his cool in the heat of the battle and leaves the results up to God. Does God care about football? Probably not per se, but He does care about excellence and effort and being faithful in the place He has called us. Baptist Health Systems’ CEO Mark Slyter seems to operate by Tim Tebow’s principles as well. Athletics and a strong family provided the training ground for his significant faith lessons, too. In the journey that followed his high school and college sports career, he discovered that the same commitment to preparation and excellence that served him well in the athletic arena brought God’s bountiful blessings in every other area. No matter what the nay-sayers say, God’s way always works best. If you are staring into 2012 and making your list of all the resolutions you intend to adopt, my suggestion is that you keep it simple. My mother’s favorite Bible verse is the best advice I know as we approach the coming year with its big blank page staring us in the face. “He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). A few years ago I gave a talk called “Backdoor Lessons,” and I have given it a gazillion times since then—so much that I feel embarrassed when I recognize someone in the audience who is there for a second time. I am sure they thought I had had a new revelation by now. I am working on it. So for whatever it is worth, you can call the following ideas “More Backdoor Lessons” and expect me to comment on them along our journey in 2012. Happy New Year! Y

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

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metrochristianliving.com â?˜ JANUARY 2012 9

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Apply at any Regions branch, call 1.888.in.a.snap or go to regions.com/loans today. © 2011 Regions Bank. Credit approval and other restrictions may apply. 30-minute responses apply to applications submitted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST. 30-minute decisions are not available for first lien mortgage products originated by Regions Mortgage. Professional rider. Do not attempt. The credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A.

10 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

➺

the way i see it by MARTIN E. WILLOUGHBY, JR. • Illustration by KATE THOMAS

Know Your WHY

My six year old son Trey is a world class question asker. He does not settle for surface level answers. He presses in and wants to know, “But why Daddy?” Trey is certainly not alone in this regard. Many young children have a natural curiosity. Their young minds are trying to figure things out and make sense of this world. I have observed how little we adults really ask these same type questions, particularly about the most important questions of life. If I called up some friends and asked them to meet on the steps of City Hall, they would certainly ask, “Why?” They would not want to waste an hour of their time unless they understood why. However, in contrast, we seem to live our lives without asking the really big “why” questions. Why are we here? What is our reason for living? Thinkers over the ages have struggled with these weighty questions. The famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy in his introspective book A Confession shared, “The essence of any religion lies solely in the answer to the question: why do I exist, and what is my relationship to the infinite universe that surrounds me?” Tolstoy, a devout Christian, struggled midlife with the meaningless of life apart from God. Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why, makes a compelling argument that great businesses and leaders understand and communicate their why and connect with people at a deep level. He uses the example of Apple® as a company that has connected with millions not just because it makes good products, but because of what it stands for. People connect with Apple’s spirit of innovation. Sinek also uses the example of Martin Luther King to demonstrate his point. In the early 1960’s, there were plenty of gifted orators and victims of discrimination in America. The reason thousands followed King

and he rose to such prominence was that he shared what he “believed” and people both black and white connected in their core with that belief. In John 1 (1-4) the familiar verse states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him, all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” It is truly incredible to think that God came to be with us in Jesus to show us the way. Living in the Deep South it is easy to become de-sensitized to the wonder of our faith. We can go through the motions each day with little thought about how truly world changing it is that God exists and that Christ came to offer us eternal salvation. I believe that God calls us into prayer so that we may fellowship with Him and step back and reflect on how truly great He is and how much we really need Him. Time at the feet of the Father helps us reset our perspectives and to remind us of our real “why” for living. We are here to bring glory to God with our lives. That is the “why” we start with. When we start to live for ourselves, the trains start to come off the tracks quickly. Each of us is called to be a part of God’s grand plan. We are here on earth for a season for a reason. As we begin 2012, may we understand with clarity our true “why” for living in Christ and may others see the love and grace of God overflowing in our daily lives.

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. metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 11

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OPENING JANUARY 2 in Flowood at 3500 Lakeland Dr.

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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 the Vietnam era, or any other category protected by law, or decisions regarding advance directives. © 2011 Gentiva Health Services, Inc. MKT3144

metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 13

Choose Life Special by MARILYN TINNIN

K

eva Yurtkuran, of Ridgeland, was told it was going to be almost impossible for her to ever conceive a child. She had accepted that fact and began looking into international adoption.

But God had other plans, and three years ago at the age of 39, she gave birth to a very healthy little girl named Abigail. She and her husband Brent were ecstatic. If God had blessed them with this little miracle, would he allow Abigail to have a sibling? Because Keva’s age put her at an elevated risk for several birth defects, they decided that if she did not get pregnant within a year, they would attempt to adopt. They began to look into international adoption again. When Keva discovered soon after her forty-second birthday that she was pregnant, she says, “I just knew in my spirit that something was wrong.” Her fears were confirmed at the first sonogram. Her obstetrician sent her to a perinatologist, a doctor who specializes in high risk pregnancies and chromosomal abnormalities. Keva’s baby had a cystic hygroma Baby Zeke with his big sister Abigail on his neck. A hygroma is a type of fluid-filled tumor that grows as the baby is developing in the womb. It can be an anomaly that disappears, but 70% involve a genetic abnormality with a range of problems. She consented to have a prenatal chorionic villus sampling (cvs) which would identify the specific abnormality. The diagnosis was Down syndrome, and there was only a 20% chance due to the hygroma

Keva knew at that moment it was God who had intervened. She was overcome with God’s grace and knew at that time that He was present and in control. and Downs combination that the baby boy would survive the entire pregnancy. Keva, who was a Christian and considered herself quite pro-life, was devastated. Everywhere she turned, the news was bad. Advice from almost everyone was to go ahead and terminate the pregnancy now. Keva, who wanted to be brave, called on friends to pray over her, to pray for this baby and even to heal him. She claimed healing verses in scripture and believed God was going to heal him completely. When another sonogram at eighteen weeks revealed a hole in the center of the baby’s heart (AV canal defect), she was so angry at God and considered something she would never have thought she would consider—an abortion. Wouldn’t it be more loving, she rationalized, to just send him straight from her womb to the arms of God? 14

JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

So many thoughts went through her mind. She was consumed with absolute fear and confusion. Would it be okay to abort a baby that was not going to survive anyway? But…if he should, by some miracle, actually survive, could she handle the challenges of a special needs child? Would it be fair to her husband and her other child? She knew that an abortion could not be performed after 21 weeks, so she was quickly running out of time. A part of her wanted to fast forward beyond the twenty-first week so that the decision would be made for her, but another part of her believed that she absolutely could not deal with the special needs this child was to have. Keva had volunteered in a crisis pregnancy center years before. She knew a lot about abortion. “In my heart, I knew right is right and wrong is wrong, but I knew, too, that I could not raise this baby should he survive.” One of the friends Keva had confided in was Leslie, a special needs teacher. She had had several miscarriages and would never be able to carry a baby to term. Leslie pleaded with Keva not to abort her baby. Instead, she and her husband Steven wanted to adopt him. “We would love to be parents to your baby,” she insisted. Keva calls Leslie her “safety net.” She believed God was opening this door for whatever reason. The heart defect, however, if the baby survived, was going to require at least one major open heart surgery at three months of age and likely several more at a later time. The pediatric cardiologist would need to begin monitoring him even before birth. Because Keva had a good deal of family support in Atlanta, she decided to go there for the duration of her pregnancy. By this time she had been put on bed rest and needed to be in a place where she had fulltime help with her three year old. On the first visit to the pediatric cardiologist, she could tell by the questions the sonogram technician asked and by the amount of time this routine test was taking that something was not right. As she prepared herself for the next round of bad news, she was startled to hear from her doctor that there was no longer a hole in this baby’s heart. The heart was completely normal. The doctor pointed to the baby’s heart beating steadily and vigorously on the screen. It was clear in the earlier films that the defect was real. Defects like that, the doctor explained, do not heal themselves. The sonogram revealed that the hygroma had also disappeared. Keva knew at that moment it was God who had intervened. She was overcome with God’s grace and knew at that time that He was present and in control. Her heart was warming and continued to as the final weeks went by. Ezekiel (“Zeke”) is now four months old, and he has wrapped himself around the heartstrings of both his mom and his dad and his big sister Abigail. Ezekiel means “strength of God.” Though he has

Feature Down syndrome, Zeke, by his very life story, has already touched many with the sheer grace and power of God. He has overcome all developmental hurdles thus far and Keva is believing God will continue and finish the good work He has begun in this special baby’s life. Leslie, the friend who had offered to adopt Zeke, was so moved by Keva’s struggles, Zeke’s resilience, and God’s grace that she and her husband have committed through Reece’s Rainbow to adopting and are raising the funds to bring home an 18 month old little girl with Down syndrome who lives in an orphanage in Russia. Keva, who so feared her future with Zeke, has found a deep passion for special needs parents and children. Having a special needs child requires frequent visits to an array of specialists. She has been struck with an awareness of the severity of some of the challenges, the tremendous amount of time and money it takes to deal with those challenges, and the irony of the inspiration that this newly discovered phenomenon has been to her. Isaiah 55:9 makes it clear that God’s ways and God’s thoughts are not like ours…and Keva knows that in a very up-close and personal way. The bond she has with little Zeke is a profound picture of just how deep and high and wide is the Father’s love for His children. Y

The Physicians of Premier Medical Group of Mississippi Proudly Announce the Association of Heather C. Harasty, M.D. and

Michael S. Hogue, M.D. and the opening of

Premier Patient 1st Clinic Dr. Harasty is available by appointment in the practice of Internal Medicine. Dr. Hogue is available for same-day medical care at Premier Patient 1st Clinic.

ij Premier Medical Group of Mississippi Premier Patient 1st Clinic 501 Marshall Street – The Colonnades Jackson, Mississippi 39202

601-352-2273 Reece’s Rainbow is an international Down syndrome adoption ministry that does so much for special needs adoption advocacy. It helps in so many ways connecting families wanting to adopt with waiting children, giving a tax deductible outlet for people to donate towards a child’s grant fund and raises awareness about the fate of foreign Down syndrome and special needs orphans. (www. Reece’s Rainbow. org.) To read Leslie and Steven Thibeault’s story see Leslie’s blog http://tbofamilyjourney.blogspot.com

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➺think tank by ANDY WIMBERLY

A New Year, An Old You A STORY ABOUT OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

T

here is a road sign in a muddy Alaskan wilderness that says: “Be careful what rut you get in, you will be in it for the next 200 miles!” Do you sometimes feel like you

are in a rut and can’t get out? It’s that time of year again. We’re all excited and ready to face the New Year with a stack of New Year resolutions. We’re gonna be skinnier, happier, richer, and healthier. If you are like me this works pretty good until about February. Then the same ole Andy rears its ugly head and I look in the mirror only to see I’m not so skinny, any happier, my wallet is still kinda empty, and since I’ve had four oatmeal raisin cookies since lunch I’m not healthier either. Been there?—raise your hand! Being unhealthy, unhappy, not-so-skinny and broke is like being in that Alaskan rut. Not much fun, unless you enjoy being there; and some folks do. So if your rut is where you want to be and it brings contentment, joy and peace; then this article is not for you. But for the rest of us, hang in there for a few minutes. I need to be honest and confess something to you. I’ve been on approximately 65+ diets in my life and have lost nearly 2,000 pounds. Problem is I have gained 2,030 pounds. At this rate I will weigh nearly 500 pounds by the time my life expectancy chart says it’s time to go to heaven. But if you are not happy where you are there is good news, there is a way out. I changed some things in my life and haven’t been happier, more at peace and content with what I got and with what I don’t have. I haven’t quite solved the weight and diet issue just yet, so I am still a work in progress. Why do folks like me and you make resolutions and then fall off the wagon only a few weeks, days later? The following ideas are not all mine. Some pretty smart folks and friends of mine have come up with some simple ideas that might help. I hope so. • All progress starts with the truth – if you are stuck in a rut and don’t like it, the first thing you have to do is admit it and tell yourself the truth. Makes no sense in continuing to complain, blame or make excuses. Here is an exercise: Say to yourself, “I am in a (financial, fitness, career, relationship, etc.) rut and I don’t like it. • Clearly identify your goal – before you can get out of your rut,

it must be clearly defined. The problem is to always identify the problem. Too many people rush to solutions and as a result they end up solving the wrong problem. The result of this is you are still in your rut,or you are half in and half out, which might be worse. • Progress always requires change – Going to a new and/or different level requires changing your mind, changing the way you think, changing the way you do things, changing your habits. • You can’t change everything all at once – we are a sum of all of our HABITS. Most of what we do each day, we have been doing for so long that it becomes ingrained in us. We do it without even thinking about it. The time we get up in the morning, how much coffee we drink, the way we put on our socks, the route we drive to work, the oatmeal raisin cookies we eat right after lunch, the way we react with our customers, clients, fellow workers, the time each day we spend in the Bible, the time we spend alone, just doing nothing. Add all these habits up and that’s pretty much who we are and how we operate.

How to break old habits and start some new ones: Starting tomorrow morning, try and change just ONE HABIT and do that for 21 straight days. One simple easy habit. Take a different route to work. Spend 5 minutes reading the Bible. Sit in a room by yourself and be still. Eat only two oatmeal raisin cookies instead of four. The single most important rule Only pick one simple, easy habit and change the way you do it for 21 days and see what happens. Then pick another habit and do that for 21 days, then another, then another. After a few months you are a new and different person on the verge of really enjoying what you should have been all along. Y Wimberly & Associates are financial advisors and executive coach. They use the Discovery Process for people and businesses in transition, to provide a platform for clearer thinking. Hilliary@thediscoveryprocess.com

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homeworks by CATHY HAYNIE

Quick

FIX!

In December when things were a little crazy (or a lot) I picked out several recipes that could be assembled quickly for the freezer and prepared with little effort on serving day. My youngest daughter did all of the measuring and placing ingredients in the zip lock bags (squeeze bag to mix—no bowls required!) I came behind her adding the meat. Take a look through your recipes and see which ones might fit the bill for this sort of cooking. It was simple, fast, and very helpful...a great quick fix!

Roast Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Peppers 2 to 2.5 1 1 1

pound Chuck roast 16-ounce jar of sliced Pepperoncini peppers, with liquid package of Italian dressing mix, such as Good Seasons package of Au Jus mix, such as McCormicks (save for serving day) 1 package of Hoagie buns (save for serving day)

Place first three ingredients in zip lock bag, label, and freeze. On serving day, place the contents in a crock-pot and cook for 8 to 10 hours on low. Remove from the pot and shred meat, discarding fat. Prepare the Au Jus according to package. Layer beef and peppers on Hoagie rolls and use Aus Jus for dipping. Goes well with Apple Slaw: 1 bag of slaw tossed lightly with Marzetti slaw dressing and 1 chopped apple.

Honey Garlic Chicken 4 to 6 3 1 1/2 1/2 1/3

boneless, skinless chicken breasts teaspoons minced garlic teaspoon basil cup soy sauce cup ketchup cup honey

Place ingredients in zip lock bag, label, and freeze. On serving day, place the contents in a crock-pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Goes well with potatoes and green beans.

Apple Marinated Pork Chops 6 1 1 1/2 1 1

pork chops (about 6 oz each) teaspoon basil cup apple juice cup soy sauce teaspoon dry mustard teaspoon minced garlic

Place ingredients in zip lock bag, label, and freeze. On serving day, grill about four minutes on each side. Goes well with apple sauce and broccoli salad.

Chicken Teriyaki 4 to 6 2 1 2/3 1 1/4 1/4

boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) tablespoons sugar teaspoon minced garlic cup soy sauce tablespoon Canola oil cup white cooking wine teaspoon ground ginger

Place ingredients in zip lock bag, label, and freeze. On serving day, grill about 4 minutes on each side till no pink remains. Goes well with rice and grilled vegetables, such as sliced squash, zucchini, and onions grilled in foil packets.

Brown Sugar Chicken 4 to 6 1 2/3 3 2 1 1/4

boneless, skinless chicken breasts cup brown sugar cup vinegar teaspoons minced garlic tablespoons soy sauce teaspoon black pepper cup Sprite, save for serving day

Place all ingredients except for Sprite in zip lock bag, label, and freeze. On serving day, place the contents in a crock-pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Goes well with creamed corn, peas, and crescent rolls. 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.

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metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 19

MARK SLY

Follower of Christ— ark Slyter, the 43 year old President of Baptist Medical Center and CEO of Baptist Health Systems, learned early on that whatever the task, his job is to prepare and to leave the outcome in the capable hands of God. Such a modus operandi has served

M

I realize how God just leads you on a path. God put me with the right people who were very supportive and who gave me a chance, There is really no doubt who is guiding my life."

20 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

him well and has resulted in a notable and unusual mix of humility and confidence. He credits his mother with a great understanding of child psychology. She raised her four children to be leaders by consistently telling them how well they did everything! Mark jokes that she was basically “brainwashing” them, but actually this was her way of encouraging them to maximize the gifts God had given them. He adds in a self-deprecating way that his father was a great balance. His mother may have believed her offspring were close to perfect, but it was Ray, his dad, who provided a healthy dose of downto-earth reality. There was always room for improvement and one never sat back and rested on his laurels—or believed he or she was quite as wonderful as their mom said! Mark came to Baptist in 2009 as COO and took over as CEO in September, 2011, with the retirement of Kurt Metzner. He arrived with an impressive resume and much experience under his belt for one so young. His first hospital administrator position literally fell in his lap at the age of 26 when he was asked to serve on an interim basis while doing a fellowship at a five hospital system in Greenville, South Carolina. He carried out that temporary job so well that the CEO came to him after six months and suggested he just accept it as permanent! “That was kind of the launching ground that got me on a quick start with my career,” he says. “I was just very blessed because when I think about it over time, I realize how God just leads you on a path,” he says. “God put me with the right people who were very supportive and who gave me a chance. There is really no doubt who is guiding my life.” However, hospital administration was not on Mark’s radar when he chose a college major. He majored in Exercise Science with an eye toward medical school, but when he had the opportunity to do an internship in the early 1990’s with a hospital administrator in Topeka, he stumbled into a field for which he discovered great passion and gifts. As part of his school project, he was one member of a collaborative team whose assignment was to formulate a healthcare reform plan. This was

YTER

—Leader in Healthcare 1993 during the Clinton administration and the first attempt at reform through “Hillary-care.” Mark found himself quite caught up in the debate. The administrator who had become something of a mentor for Mark suggested to him that he look into hospital administration instead of medical school. Even though he had already taken the MCAT, had been accepted and was poised to enter his first year, he took to heart that suggestion. He discovered a lot to like about the healthcare administration program at the University of Kansas. And as they say, the rest is history.

Mark won the Kansas high school wrestling championship in his senior year.

Beginnings

church doors opened, the Slyter family was there. Augusta, Kansas, is a small All American town— But Ray and Hazel lived their faith day in and today’s population 9000—about twenty miles east of day out before their children. “Cradle Christian” is a Wichita. The third of four children born to Ray and pretty applicable description of Mark, who says he Hazel Slyter, Mark had an older brother and sister came to know Jesus Christ at a young age and Mark was a defensive linebacker at the and a younger sister. Church and school were the never doubted his dependence or need. University of Kansas. backbone of the community and the Slyter family In high school, Mark played saxophone in band, had prominent roles in both. was voted “Best Legs” and participated in every sport. With his Ray Slyter taught woodworking and coached football in the local characteristic excellence, a hallmark of the Slyter family, he won the middle school. He passed both of those skills to his son who is also Kansas high school wrestling championship in his senior year. Football, quite a craftsman. Hazel Slyter, the quintessential mom, was a math, however, was his first love and he went on to play Division One computer science and home economics teacher as well as the pianist at football at the University of Kansas. the local Baptist Church. The Slyter children, therefore, spent the Mark says he learned much about depending on God during his majority of their formative years at either school or church! If the high school athletic competitions. It was after he won the wrestling

metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 21

Marriage Lisa Hennings Slyter, an LSU graduate and Baton Rouge native, received her post-graduate degree in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine. Her passion is children, and she worked in the Jacksonville schools with special needs children for ten years. Pretty, outgoing, and a sports enthusiast like Mark, Lisa was involved in another relationship when the two met through a mutual friend soon after Mark moved to Jacksonville. Six months later they met a second time through another mutual friend. This time Lisa was unattached, and the two began to see each other often. Besides their love for sports, they share a love for travel. In fact, it was during a scuba diving trip in the Bahamas that Mark pulled a ring from his swimming trunks and popped the will-you –marry- me question! A camera crew from their cruise ship caught it all on tape, and every passenger on the cruise got to watch the footage that evening at dinner. They married in 2007 and European honeymoon included time in have since added Catherine Paris (age 3) and Emma (age 15 Lisa and Mark delight in their roles as parents to Emma and Catherine.

months) to their family. When the offer came in 2009 to take the COO position at Baptist Health Systems in Jackson, they jumped at the chance to get closer to Lisa’s family in Baton Rouge. It has been a good move for the family and a good move for Baptist. Just as Mark’s perception of God’s leading the way took him first to his profession, then to Lisa, he recognizes God’s hand in bringing them to Mississippi. “He shows us every day that He brought us here and we are blessed to be here,” he says.

championship that it dawned on him that the outcome had been completely a “God thing,” and that outcomes were always in God’s hands. His job was to prepare to the very best of his ability and to be ready to give the task his all. “That taught me something,” he says. “That helped me have the confidence when I was moving to South Carolina for the fellowship.” Even though he was hardly a world traveler at the time and had spent his entire life close to Augusta, he Being CEO embraced the adventure of moving from The demands for the CEO of a Kansas to South Carolina where he had no healthcare organization the size of Baptist connections or friends…or a cheerleader are massive, and only someone who is like his mother! He knew God was guiding truly called and gifted for the task could his steps and saying, “Trust me.” approach it the way Mark does. When he was offered the position of Baptist Health Systems is the umbrella administrator after being there only five which includes not only the hospital months, Mark says it was as though God Baptist Medical Center, but 18 other was saying to him, “See. I’m proving to you hospitals around the state, two Wedding day on Carillon Beach, Florida in 2007 that I brought you here.” Healthplexes in Clinton and Jackson, 15 Greenville, South Carolina, was home specialty clinics, five primary care clinics, the Baptist Health to Mark for eight years. The tenacity and work ethic that his parents had Foundation, the MS Hospital for Restorative Care, and Baptist Adult instilled in him provided the foundation for success. He was eventually Day Services. There are approximately 450 physicians on staff, and asked to serve as administrator of a second hospital in that system. when there is a problem or a complaint, Mark will get a call. Still single and open to adventure, Mark was approached in 2001 about Dr. Charles O’Mara, vascular surgeon who practices with Baptist a hospital system in Jacksonville, Florida that needed a vice president of Cardiovascular Associates, praises Mark’s leadership and his approach operations. He decided to give it a try, and once again he marvels at God’s to healthcare administration. “He’s a good problem solver. He knows way of saying, “See. I’m proving to you I brought you here.” how to listen and is great at assimilating the information and making This time it was the unexpected blessing of meeting his future wife Lisa. 22 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

French Camp Academy— serving young people and families for the glory of God

European honeymoon included Italy.

his decision based on all the facts,” Dr. O’Mara says. “He also hit the ground off and running from the first day. He has had a lot on his plate from the beginning.” Dr. O’Mara adds, “He also has a commitment to the Christian faithbased mission of Baptist Medical Center and that is just as important as everything else he brings to the job.” Bill Eubank, chairman of Baptist Health Systems Board of Trustees agrees. “Mark’s obvious leadership skills are enhanced by his core Christian values that have been evident from the first time I met him. He has a passion for healthcare, but it is a passion that is grounded in the recognition of who the Great Physician is and the need to rely upon His wisdom and guidance. Mark wants Baptist to be the best in delivering quality care and delivering it in the context of being “followers in faith.” In addition, he shares a burden from helping those within our One of many shared interests is scuba diving. community that are unable to help themselves. His constant encouragement to the employees and staff to go the second and third mile in caring for the patients entrusted to them is a real inspiration to me personally. Mark is a believer who believes that this Christian healing ministry can make a difference in two worlds…and he lives it.” Mark admits that he intentionally strives for balance in his approach to his personal life and his career demands. “Overall, my style is focused on wanting the best for the organization and every individual associated with it. That takes focus and that takes every now and then getting into the details. We’re an organization that is guided by faith in Christ and so when you have an organization you’re working with that’s so alive with the values of who you are it just makes it so much easier to deliver, to manage and it is a much more rewarding environment to work in.” Lisa reiterates her husband’s ability to balance…or maybe juggle with such precision his many roles. His days are often long, and most of them start early and end late, but his energy level is constant and he is a master at focus and giving his full attention to work at work and home at home. He manages to get in his daily fitness work-outs, guard his family time on weekends, and thoroughly enjoy the company of Lisa and their “two giggly little girls” who get so excited when Daddy comes home. Y

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➺modern motherhood by ROBIN O’BRYANT

Deadbolt Required ince my oldest child was born seven years ago, I have been a mother. If you aren’t a parent, you are thinking, “Duh. Way to speak the obvious. Of course you’ve been a mother since you had your first child‌ that’s how that works.â€? But if you are a parent, you just nodded your head and muttered, “Exactly.â€? Once you become a parent you are never truly alone unless you have a deadbolt on every room in your house. And for the better part of seven years, I have not been alone. Someone is constantly touching me, talking to me or wanting something from me. I realize this is all part of the deal but sometimes Mommy needs a little mental health break. I like to call that little break, bath time. There have been plenty of times over the last seven years that I’ve bathed my infant/toddler/child in the tub with me then passed her off to my husband for pajamas. But one of my favorite hobbies is sitting in a bathtub until my toes are all wrinkly. There is nothing I like better than to sit in water so hot it scalds my skin and read. Sometimes it’s the only thing separating me from one of those fancy white jackets. You know the ones with all the belts, that make you hug yourself? But here’s the thing none of the parenting books tell you about having kids: bathing quickly becomes a spectator sport. Recently my husband was out of town on business for three nights which meant I had to manage homework, dinner, baths and bedtime for all three kids by myself. (Hats off to single parents everywhere. Seriously, y’all are heroes and deserve medals.) By Friday when he came home from work I was exhausted. My disposal broke while he was gone. It hates me and breaks every time he leaves the city limits. My two-year-old had a potty accident in my best friend’s lap and simultaneously filled my shoe. I completely forgot about preschool orientation until it was too late to get a sitter. None of these things were the end of the world and I realized they were “first worldâ€? problems, but nonetheless Momma was worn slap out. As soon as we finished dinner I headed to the tub and made a fatal mistake—I forgot to deadbolt the door. Which meant that approximately 60 seconds after I got in the bath, all four members of my family assembled beside the tub to gawk, stare and throw peanuts at me. “Get out,â€? I said. “But Momma‌â€? my three daughters said in unison like something out of a horror film. “Get. Out.â€?

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“I just‌â€? my husband said. “GET. OUT.â€? My husband and two of my daughters left the room while the third, who shall remain nameless, stripped to her birthday suit and stood staring at me. “Honey,â€? I explained with patience I didn’t feel, “Sometimes Mommy just needs some privacy. Like right now. I want to take a bath by myself. What are you doing? Why did you take your clothes off?â€? “I want to take a bath.â€? She explained calmly. The “Duh!â€? was implied. “You can’t take a bath right now. I’M taking a bath.â€? “Oh, I’ll just wait. I want to take one by myself, anyway.â€? “Really? Me too,â€? I said. The “Duhâ€? was implied. “Go play. You can come back when I’m done.â€? As parents, it’s important for our mental health and the health of our families that we unplug and recharge. The Bible says God will bring lead us beside still waters‌ and I’m telling you, if you want to stay there for more than 60 seconds you’re going to need a deadbolt. 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,â€? available November 2011. She shares the drama and hilarity of motherhood in her syndicated family humor column, “Robin’s Chicksâ€? and on her blog by the same name. (www.robinschicks.com)

money matters by NANCY LOTTRIDGE ANDERSON

Financial Basics for the New Year t’s hangover time.We’ve eaten too much, spent too much, indulged too much. While real damage has been done, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a little discipline and sacrifice. Gather all the credit card statements. List total debt on each, interest charged, and minimum payment. Let the total sink in, but don’t let it get you depressed. Now is the time for action, not hiding under the covers. Develop a plan of attack that will get rid of those balances in short order. If you wreaked havoc only during the past Christmas season, you should be able to get a handle on this within 3-6 months. If this is the result of years’ worth of destruction, prepare to spend a few tough years getting rid of the debt. Sacrifice comes when you look closely at your household budget to find a few extra dollars per month to apply to those accounts. Pay the minimum on each card, with the exception of one. For that one card, start socking down extra until the balance goes to zero. Start by paying off the smaller balances first. It will give you the boost you need to tackle the tough ones. Then start plowing in on the larger cards, concentrating on the highest interest card. Attack one card at a time, until the list shrinks. Find a simple way to reward yourself for reaching each goal. This could be stars on your refrigerator, or a family celebration with each passing card. As long as you don’t have to spend money to get that reward, the sky’s the limit. Resolve to close accounts as they are cleared out. In the end, you only need to have one credit card per family. All the rest just get you into trouble. And your credit cards are not the only areas to address at the beginning of the new year. Take a look at your 401(k). It’s been a rough few years for retirement accounts. Now is the time to ratchet up your contributions. Increase your contribution by 1% each quarter during 2012. You won’t notice the slight difference in your paycheck, and you’ll be amazed at the increase in your 401(k). If you’re clueless about choosing funds in the plan, get some help. It’s worth it to pay an expert to take a look at your plan one time a year. If that isn’t an option, just choose one fund—a lifecycle, or target retirement fund. These are designed to fit your risk-return profile based on your age. I call them the no-brainer funds. Finally, work on building up your emergency cash fund. If you don’t have anything in that savings account, aim low. Build up to $1000. Ultimately, you need a few months of expenses set aside in a good savings account. While the economy has seen gradual improvements, you never know when the next shoe will fall. Be prepared. Forget about 2011. It’s done and in the books. It’s a new year and a new day. Y

I

Nancy Lottridge Anderson, Ph.D., CFA, is President of New Perspectives, Inc., in Ridgeland, 601-991-3158. She is also an Assistant Professor of Finance at Mississippi College. Her e-mail address is nanderson@newper.com, and her website is www.newper.com.

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➺salt & light by SHAWN DEAN

Rollin’ in a Range Rover RECOGNIZING YOUR MISSION FIELD

“H

is name is Ed,” she said. Ed, short for eating disorder, is the name this unclean spirit gave itself. She’s a rich man’s daughter. She called him other things, but rich wasn’t one of them. She was raised in suburbia; went to a private school; graduated from college with honors. There’s a man. Rather, he’s a boy in a man’s body. Playing Xbox is no way to plan for retirement. He’s forty-something with a roommate…his dog. His neighborhood has good covenants and a brick, arched, flower filled entrance. His house and car are paid for. He’s on his dad’s payroll, yet, remains unemployed. He’s sober…for now. His neighbors think he’s gay…he’s not.

Getting through to a poor man is no different than getting through to a rich man. We all have the same depth of depravity and need.

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There’s a man that attends church regularly and has for twenty years. He gives substantially. Not ten percent mind you…but substantially. Contemporary Christian music repulses him. Pornography doesn’t. He hates loud preachers, but he loves cold beer. He likes hiring good Christian men, but rarely tells the whole truth. He’s been happily married for thirty five years, but treats her like the idiot she is behind closed doors. Everybody knows his name….except for his granddaughter. You’ll see her at the Kroger buying fat free turkey, cases of bottled water and Michelob Ultra. You’ll see the forty-something at the Texaco where he buys his cigarettes, reds in the box. You can find Daddy Warbucks on Sunday afternoon….at the office. You’ll remember them from your youth group growing up; they memorized more scripture than you did. Africa is a fine place to go dig a well. The guy in the Range Rover is a fine place to start a ministry. You want some revelation? It’s not new, but here’s some: Depravity has no bias. Affluence is not the father of righteousness. Search the scriptures and see that we are vessels and cups made to be filled with material of sorts. (Matthew 23:28) Inside both the beautifully crafted and shapely cup, and the one left abandoned to the gutter, something rests.

There’s no pattern on the outside of the cup that identifies what it contains or classifies it to contain a matter more precious than the other. What’s in it only God knows. A bottle of 1811 Chateau d Yquem will get you drunk, but so will a bottle of Red Rooster. Don’t ask me how I know about Red Rooster. A man can steal from your car or rob you with a ponzi scheme. There is a matter that complicates things further for the rich man. That’s his riches. Better yet, it’s his ability to satisfy his flesh continuously with the things within his reach. Entertainment without break is a great way to drift to damnation. However, entertainment’s not the issue. The problem with the rich young ruler in Luke 18 wasn’t his wealth. Jesus saw through the exterior of the cup and knew where the young ruler’s faith lay. Wealth was a vehicle he trusted and loved. His Range Rover didn’t’ keep him from Jesus; his depraved heart did that. The one thing that Christ wants above all is our whole heart. Wealth happens to be an exceptional litmus test defining the condition of our heart. It’s an opportunity to express love for whatever it is we love. If it’s removed, we will still love the same things we love. We just lose a resource for expression. I remember a conversation I had in college with some friends. The fact that I can remember a conversation in college is a miracle to begin with. Anyway, Christ wasn’t the center of conversation then, but this time He was. A girl from a wealthy family said something along these lines, “What need do I have of Jesus? I’m provided for.” Anyway, what need do I have of Jesus?” Getting through to a poor man is no different that getting through to a rich man. We all have the same depth of depravity and need. The same fountain feeds us all. The cure to what ails is the same: a revelation of Jesus. So, pick a car…any car, and pray for the person inside it; minister if you get a chance. It’s better than assuming he doesn’t need it. He may even love you for it. I picked a Range Rover. You? 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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metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 27

➺family focus by SHANNON COLLINS

The Great Physician Knows

ORTHODONTICS! couple of years ago, I took my oldest daughter to the dentist for a check-up. The dental assistant performed X-rays and cleaned her teeth. At the end of the appointment, the dentist spoke with me about her teeth and the conclusions of the tests. The X-rays showed that one of her teeth was lodged in the roof of her mouth. The tooth was slanted at a severe angle and only visible through the X-ray. The dentist presented me with the bad news that it would require surgery to attach a small chain to that tooth. Over an extended period of time, the tooth would slowly be pulled down into place into the space where it belonged in line with her other teeth. Well, the good news at that point was that I didn’t freak out! I had heard of this type of procedure because my friend’s daughter had experienced the same problem. They had already been through all of this, so I just accepted the fact we were headed in the same direction. Before leaving the office, the dentist referred us to an orthodontist to prepare for braces. He told us that the orthodontist would evaluate and determine when the best time was to have the surgery. A few weeks later, we went to see the orthodontist. He reviewed the X-rays and concurred with everything our dentist had told us. The bottom line was that surgery was to come. We went ahead and scheduled putting the braces on her teeth as well. The office visit went as we expected. In October, 2009, my daughter got her braces and started the process of going in every six weeks for check-ups to change the wires and make the necessary adjustments. We always knew that the surgery was looming somewhere in the future. Then, in June of this year, she came out of the back of the office after her check-up with a very strange look on her face. She said, “Mama, I don’t have to have that surgery on that tooth anymore.” I said, “What? What do you mean?” She said, “Dr.—just told me that by the next time I come into his office, that tooth will be through the gum and starting to come into place where it belongs.” My next response was, “Are you kidding me?”

A

28 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

We just stood there in shock! We truly couldn’t believe it! For almost two years we had been certain that the tooth was going to require surgery. Then, in this one moment, we hear the tooth is in the right place about to come in correctly! I looked at my daughter and said, “That is so awesome! We had no idea what was going on in the roof of your mouth!!” In that moment God spoke to my heart. Basically He said, “You have no idea what I am capable of doing for you.” Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory… “ The Bible also says in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Our God is at work! He is moving and changing things. He is powerful! Even when we can’t see what is going on, He can. Even when we think we have a clear view, we can be so wrong. Even when we have expert opinions, we are reminded again that only God can truly predict what is ahead. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” How many times do we just accept we are heading in a certain direction without asking Him if he has other plans? I am also reminded of Luke 1:37 where the angel says, “For nothing is impossible with God.” In this situation with my daughter’s tooth, I witnessed again first hand that something that looked improbable, even impossible, God worked out! Now, I think it is important to note that things don’t always fall into place. The situation sometimes does require surgery. However, the lesson I learned is that God is at work even when I can’t see what is happening. Also, He is sovereign God who is in control and can handle things however He wishes. Finally, we may have plans, but God can always break through and surprise us. Y Shannon Collins and her husband Terry are Brandon residents. They have three children and attend Grace Baptist Church.

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

Winter White

January is a fresh start month. I enjoy

envisioning new beginnings, and trying out different recipes. I thought it would be fun to present to our readers all “winter white dishes”. Cauliflower is a member of the cabbage family and has fantastic health benefits. It is a true white vegetable. Try this recipe of mashed cauliflower with feta cheese. It will be a delicious side dish to accompany any meal.

MASHED CAULIFLOWER WITH CHEESE AND DILL (Adapted from KalynsKitchen.com) 1 large head cauliflower (4-5 cups cauliflower flowerets) 1 tablespoon butter 3 tablespoons finely chopped dill (can purchase at the grocery) 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons half and half or milk 1/2 cup grated cheese (can use low-fat mexican four cheese blend) 1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese Salt and pepper to taste Wash cauliflower and remove core, then cut and break into small flowerets. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt, and boil cauliflower until it is soft, about 20 minutes. Pour cauliflower into a colander and let it drain well for about 5 minutes. (Don’t rush this draining step). When cauliflower is well drained, pour back into cooking pot and add butter, lemon juice, and chopped dill. Mash with potato masher until ingredients are well mixed. Add half and half and both cheeses and mash again. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot. Makes 4-6 servings.

My family love white bean chili. This has health benefits as well with all the beans and chicken as the protein. Chili is a perfect weeknight dish on a cold winter evening! Top off the meal with a pan of cornbread muffins. One of my favorite desserts is Panna Cotta. This is a traditional and easy Italian custard. Serve cold with any assortment of fresh, seasonal berries.

WHITE BEAN CHILI 1 pound dried Northern beans or 3 (16-ounce) cans 2 medium white onions, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 cups diced cooked chicken 5 cups chicken broth 2 (4 one-half ounce) cans green chilies; drained, and chopped 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 tablespoon chili powder 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (optional) 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional) Cook beans according to package directions if using dried beans. Saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Combine beans, onion mixture,chicken, and next 9 ingredients in a 5-quart stockpot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour. Add additional seasonings to taste. Serve with grated Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Best prepared a day in advance. Serves 8.

PANNA COTTA 1/3 cup skim milk 1 (25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin 2 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup white sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract Pour milk into a small bowl, and stir in the gelatin powder. Set aside. In a saucepan, stir together the heavy cream and sugar, and set over medium heat. Bring to a full boil, watching carefully. Pour the gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and pour into six individual ramekin dishes. Cool the ramekins uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight before serving. Top with fresh berries. This dessert keeps well for several days in the refrigerator. Serves 6 Y

Remember to make memories through the kitchen...”the heartbeat of the home”. You can go to my blog at www.lydiasapron.blogspot.com for more recipes. Email me at lbbolen@gmail.com for any questions. metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 29

➺all in the family

by DR JOHN L. COX • Photo by KATE THOMAS

I Resolve to Stop Procrastinating...

NEXT YEAR! ersonally, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Not because of some sophisticated psychological reason, it’s just that I never keep them. It’s called “admitting

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defeat.” Fitness centers make zillions every year offering cheap cheap memberships right after Christmas. But think with me now...if everyone who applied for a membership actually attended the fitness center for the rest of the year, the line waiting for the Elliptical would file out into the parking lot. The Work Out joints are banking on one of the most fundamental of human traits: Even though all of us think we CAN and we SHOULD....None of us “Just Do It.” (Except for that fit couple on the Bowflex ads, “I’m 45, and in the best shape of my life.” I hate that guy.) Anyway, all of us live as if our willpower is just coiled and waiting within us, ready for some good reason to be called out and...behold...we would lose weight, get fit, balance our budget and read our bibles...at last. Well, I don’t know where you got your willpower, but where I got mine, it didn’t come very disciplined. As Christians, we consider ourselves fallen, incomplete, sinful and in need of help. And last I checked, buckaroos, your willpower was just as fallen as the rest of you! That’s why Willpower is often NO HELP. Because it’s just as lazy, self righteous and excuse-finding as you are. So how should we go about fixing unpleasant parts of our lives? Well, I find that humans, though pretty lousy at “changing,” can be pretty good at “growing.” There is a difference you know. Heart growth is more like living in a greenhouse than going to a body shop. We would all love to drop our messy lives off at Billy Bob’s Body Shop of the 30 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

If you want to grow, you need to do it NOT ALONE. The Bible calls this fellowship and we find it with small groups, wise mentors and pastors, mature prayer groups, and (need I say it?) good counselors. Soul, pay our deductible, and drive around in a rental Neon until the work is done. People often think therapists are supposed to do that kind of thing. Unfortunately, God hasn’t made us like that. Believe me, if he had, I would have figured it out by now, written the book and I’d be on Oprah this afternoon instead of writing this article at a coffee shop. Real growth in our lives is more like the growth of plants. When a plant is sick what do we do? (And don’t say throw it away and get

another one...I know your type.) When a plant is sick we give it things it needs. We check and find out how much water it’s getting; maybe too much sun or not enough; maybe fertilizer. There is a great parable in Luke 13 in which a landowner has a fig tree that isn’t bearing any fruit. (Sound like anyone you know?) He wants to cut it down, but the vinekeeper intervenes, begs him not to destroy it and offers an alternative: “Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if

it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.� This is our model for real transformation. God has created us to need very specific things in order to grow. If we get those things, good things happen. And if we don’t get those things...well...good things DON’T HAPPEN (this isn’t that complicated). So if plants need water, fertilizer and sunlight, what do growing people need? The first thing we need is HELP....and we need it from other people. I think the term “Self Help� is an oxymoron, like “Tight Slacks� and “Temporary Tax Increase.� And besides, do you honestly want YOU to be the person you look to for help? How much great advice has YOU given you so far? So we should start by finding sane, truth-telling people to help us; people who can keep our confidentiality; people who will be loving, but honest with us. Find these people and start telling them the truth about you. In order to grow, the screwed up parts of us need to be known by God and someone else. If all you do is read books or pray alone, you will wonder when the happiness ship set sail and why it left without you. If you want to grow, you need to do it NOT ALONE. The Bible calls this fellowship and we find it with small groups, wise mentors and pastors, mature prayer groups, and (need I say it?) good counselors. Secondly, we need these loving strong people to give us some important things. Sometimes that means fun things like Love and Forgiveness. But other times it means challenging things like Limits and the Truth. If all your friends do is emote with you about “personal meaning� and “unconditional acceptance�....get new friends! We need Love AND Limits. Wounded, humble people need love and gentleness to restore them to a strong place. Nasty, angry, controlling types often need us to “Truth� them in a big way, with words and sometimes with consequences. If you are anything like me, you need a mixture of both. These two pieces are the simple recipe for growth: Grace and Truth, Love and Limits, Mary and Martha. When we live in Relationships, and receive Love and Truth over Time...we get better. Make your next Resolution NOT a commitment to DO BETTER. Instead, Resolve to get yourself into the kind of relationships that will give you what you need to grow. That is a resolution that you CAN keep. Y Dr John L. Cox is a clinical psychologist in practice here in Jackson. He works with adults, marriages and children. You can contact him at 601-352-7398. Visit the webpage for Dr. Cox’s upcoming book at www.thebigpictureparent.com

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➺healthy living by KEN CLEVELAND, MD

On Resolving to LOSE Weight “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3 (NIV) It’s a New Year, and time for making New Years Resolutions. One of the most common of these of course is the resolution to lose weight—something many of us have resolved to do many times, but with varying degrees of success. Such a resolution is surely in keeping with God’s desire for all of us to be healthy and maintain a healthy degree of self-control, and I believe the Psalm above perfectly encapsulates this divine desire. The verse makes use of common Biblical analogy, comparing God’s people to a faithful flock of sheep—and what do sheep in pastures do but...graze? To me, the verse speaks to God’s desire for all of us to eat in peace and good health. Of course, I’m also a former bariatric surgeon and now a physician who specializes in weight loss. So forgive me if interpret that verse a bit more narrowly than some would. As a physician, I’ve been helping people lose weight in one way or another for more than 10 years. As surgeon, I performed many “Gastric Bypasses,” “Lap-Bands” and other surgical procedures. Now as the founding physician of Remedy Weight Loss Clinics, I take a more proactive approach to helping my patients resolve to “enjoy safe pasture” and lose weight. Resolving to do so takes just that: resolve. New Years Resolutions have become cliché and are usually forgotten by Groundhog Day because we’ve all seem to have forgotten what the word resolve really means. It means to be decisive, to solve a problem with unwavering determination. It means to change. If one of your resolutions this year is to lose weight, recognize that diet, exercise and healthy living aren’t temporary measures. They must become part of your everyday life. Also recognize that “losing weight” is an open-ended goal and thus doomed to failure. You’ll find a goal easier to realize if you put yourself on a path to a clear, measurable result, such as losing 10 pounds or dropping a single dress size. Remember, you can always set another goal when the first one is reached. It may also be helpful to weigh less often. Weighing every day distorts our perception of progress. Incremental results smaller than a pound or so may seem invisible day-to-day, but a 3-to-4 pound loss over the course of two weeks is sure to give you confidence and strengthen your resolve—if you’ve truly resolved to make a change. And what kind of changes should I make, you may ask? I can only go into so much detail in a short article, but here are a few tips:

• EAT SMALLER PORTIONS. A good rule of thumb is to stop eating before you feel full. When eating out, give half of your meal back to the waiter for a to-go box for lunch the next day. • LIMIT CARBOHYDRATES. Proteins will keep your body more satisfied until your next meal. • DON’T SKIP MEALS. Doing so tricks your body into entering “starvation mode” and storing excess energy in the form of fat. • PLAN AHEAD. Avoid unhealthy snacks and “diet breakers” by making sure you have healthy choices available in the event of a hunger pang. • EXERCISE. But don’t overdue it! A 30-minute walk 3-to-4 times a week is enough for most people—and it won’t leave your body starving for calories. In closing, allow me to expand on God’s words of wisdom in Psalm 37:3: Trust in the Lord and do good—for yourself and those around you. Maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself and those who depend on you. Dwell in the land and enjoy a safe, healthy diet that nourishes the body as well as the soul, and doesn’t diminish your ability to live a long, fruitful life. Y A native of Northeast Jackson, Dr. Ken Cleveland is a former surgeon and founder of Remedy Weight Loss Clinics. He and his wife, Dr. Nikki Cleveland, attend Northminster Baptist Church. If you have questions for him about weight loss or related issues, contact him by following @drkcleveland on Twitter.

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Have you ever heard someone say, “You are full of yourself?” That statement is usually a put down of someone who might have a large ego. But the truth is that we all are full of something. Some people are full of fear. This emotion paralyzes them from making decisions or enjoying life because of an unknown future that is beyond their control. Bitterness, lack of forgiveness, and anger are also emotions we can be full of that prevent us from living life to the fullest. While these negative emotions take away from life, there are positive attributes or traits we can be full of that lead to a fulfilling and rewarding life. John 1:17 states, “Jesus was full of grace and truth.” Think about this statement. What might it look like to be full of grace? Often we think about grace just as something God gives to us to bring about our salvation. But God’s grace goes far beyond just the initial grace that brings us into God’s family. As a Christ follower I wonder what it would it look like to be full of grace as Christ was? What if grace was a gift we not only received but also gave to ourselves and others the way God has given it to us? If we were full of grace would that change our motives, attitudes, and actions? Would other people notice? If we were to give grace to ourselves and others, what would that really look like? What is grace anyway? We say grace before a meal. Elvis owned a home named Graceland. Many of us know that we are saved by grace.

Webster’s Dictionary defines grace as “divine favor, unmerited divine assistance or approval.” Wow, if these definitions are true and we have God’s approval, assistance, and favor, how might we live and respond to God and others if grace was more than just a word on a page but was something we really trusted and believed? In other words, what if Amazing Grace was not just something we sing, but also something we live out and give out? Can we as followers of Christ be full of grace just like Jesus was so that it overflows out of us to others? Peter knew about grace and he gave us some encouraging words to follow. In 2 Peter 3:18 he wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” On your journey with God make sure you pick up and open the free gift God gave you labeled GRACE. This gift will empower all who receive it and grow in it. This gift will allow us to experience confidence, peace, favor, and approval of our Lord Jesus Christ. His divine power will not only save us, it will sustain us as we walk in it. God has freely given us this gift so that we as Christ followers can freely give grace to others as well. Y

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Mike is a Marriage and Family Therapist at Summit Counseling and can be reached at 601-949-1949 or mtraylor@fbcj.org metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 33

➺legal advice by WILLIAM B. HOWELL

RESOLUTION: This Year Do Something You’ve Not Done

H

ere we are at the beginning of a brand new year. We have an abundance of opportunity that has never been used before. We will have the balance of winter, spring, summer, fall, and then winter again. We will each have a birthday and be another year older. And they say that with aging comes wisdom. But, I want to tell you, you don’t have to be “old” to be wise. Let me explain. Think for a moment: Who are the most precious persons to you? Probably your family. Think about what is the most valuable asset to you. You would probably want that asset to help your family if you were not here to enjoy it, wouldn’t you? Then you need to craft for yourself a way to allow that to happen. It is not that difficult, and the dividends it pays are enormous. Wouldn’t a wise person want to make sure this is all taken care of? Sure. But most of us don’t feel any real pressure to get it done. We have a lot of other things that take our time and attention. And besides, there will be plenty of time to get it done “later”. The fact is that none of us, you nor I, is guaranteed the rest of the year, or even tomorrow. That is not an attempt to be dramatic, just a

statement of fact. And it is the factor of the unknown and the many concerns it generates that causes anxiety for us all. To the extent we can, we should minimize that fear of the unknown for those we care about (including ourselves) by making clear the statement of our goals and objectives, and putting in place a plan that will allow our family, our loved ones, to be taken care of even if we are not here to see to it ourselves. If you really care (and I am sure that you do), show them; do something, don’t just leave it all to chance. Don’t make it difficult for them because you were unwilling to give just a little effort to make it so much easier for them, your loved ones. For example, if something terrible befell you, let’s say you had a stroke today, how would your assets be managed? By whom? Under what written authority would they operate? Would they have to go to court? Or, have you made arrangements to give your family the proper authority without having to resort to lawyers and the court system? And who would make your medical decisions if you were unable to do so for yourself? How would they act on your behalf? Again, under what authority in writing would they have the ability to

act for you? And would they have access to your medical information, so that they could make good and informed decisions where you were concerned? Do you have a HIPAA authorization to allow your family members to have access to your private medical information, so that they can discuss things with your physician? All of these things should be addressed by all of us. There is no need to leave it all up to chance. There is no need to just “hope it won’t happen to me.” Optimism is a wonderful thing. And I hope for all of us that we have a happy, healthy, safe, and enjoyable 2012. But just in case it doesn’t work out that way, let’s make sure that our families have the tools and the documents necessary so that they could continue in the manner that we would want for them regardless of what may befall you or me. Good planning takes very little effort and only a little time, but it sure provides incredible returns for those whom we care so much about. Get some good advice, and get your planning done in this New Year. You will be glad you did, and your family will thank you for it. Maybe not immediately, but one day they will know the value of what you have so lovingly done. 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 34 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

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A Bank with Community Service at Heart

anks are not commonly thought of in terms of community service. In fact, with all of the drama on Wall Street, the bailouts and the reported huge profits by large banks, the uneducated impression of any bank is often negative. However, there are some banks that have kept their sense about them. And, it is paying off for the customer as well as for the banks. In 1890, Merchants and Farmers Bank was established right here in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Pictured are Jeff Lacey, President and Now called M & F Bank, Chief Banking Officer (Left), and Hugh this local establishment Potts, Jr., CEO and Chairman of the Board has kept its roots. Today, (Right). their customers are charging for debit cards like some of spreading the word. M & the other banks.” F Bank is one of those Recently M & F Bank announced rare banks that go beyond that they are planning to close six of expectations for its their 41 branches. While they are customers. It is not just In this photo is one of M & F reducing the number of branches by Bank’s newer branches located the passage of scripture six, it is not because they have to in Ridgeland, Mississippi on that appears on their downsize. M & F Bank is closing Lake Harbour Drive. website that clues in specific branches, especially those that customers. are redundant, in order to reduce operating Even through tough times such as the expenses and free up capital to be used in other housing crisis, M & F Bank has maintained a areas. President and Chief Banking Officer Jeff connection with their customers and has been Lacey explains, “Our strategy is to remain local known as a true community bank that is able to without placing a branch at every corner. Overmake decisions at the branch level. They have building branches is a waste of money and that helped instill good financial habits with students cost must be passed on to the customer. By through their Adopt-A-School program which reducing redundant branches, we are able to highlights the importance of saving at a young use those funds to upgrade existing branches, age and they offer free educational seminars concentrate our talent, and improve our back within the community for first time home office systems to better service our customers. buyers and small businesses seeking additional Being local in the smartest way possible is financing through SBA. They even offer 30 always our leading goal.” minute, commitment and paperwork free, While M & F Bank has to work with many assessments for business owners who are regulations just like any other bank, they considering taking out a commercial loan. concentrate on how to make things easier for Banks that stay close to communities by the customer. Hugh Potts, Jr., CEO and taking action, are rare. Ironically, recently M & Chairman of the Board, sums it up by saying F Bank became known for not taking action “Customer centric service emanating from a when it came to the heated issue of charging for servant’s heart makes a huge difference. Even in debit cards. While some banks committed to a highly regulated industry, simplifying business imposing automatic monthly charges just for can be done. At M & F, personal and pleasant carrying the bank’s debit card, M & F Bank service is part of our daily commitment.” committed to keeping their monthly charges In a time where banks are not often looked just where they were -- at zero. Since then, in on in a positive light, it is good to see a bank so response to public outcry, some banks have committed to its customers and its community reconsidered and decided not to charge through action. Y customers a monthly fee. However, many customer opinions have already been solidified. Bryan Carter is a Mississippi based According to their Vice President of Marketing, author of marketing, business, and Darren Milner, “Our customers are quick to let education articles and a contributing us know how they feel. They definitely let us columnist for Metro Christian Living. know that they were pleased with us for not

B

metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 35

➺rave reviews BOOKS

Trusting God Ronaldo Pearl Bracelets

Reviewed by Susan E. Richardson

“Trust me.” Those two words can be a prelude to disaster or the beginning of a deeper relationship. We’ve all had relationships where someone has deeply wounded us by breaking our trust, and hopefully some in which our trust has been secure. Trust is not optional to our life of faith in God, but our experiences with people can create a barrier. In Trusting God, authors Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland invite readers to trust Him more deeply. The journey into trust covers twelve weeks of daily devotionals. The subtitle “A Girlfriends in God Faith Adventure” gives a clue to the book’s setup. “Time for Reflection” at the end of each week provides questions for response and space for journaling. Though designed for groups, an individual can also use the book. Each week builds on the previous one to bring the reader from basic questions about trust to a deeper understanding of what trusting God means. Devotions begin with Scripture and end with prayer. Each the author speaks to the reader as one friend to another, sharing a piece of her own life in addition to Scriptural guidance. Trusting God is easy to read with a pleasant conversational tone yet provides excellent insight. Women looking for a new devotional study would do well to consider this title. Reading alone will be enriching, but sharing with trusted friends adds an extra dimension. Join Sharon Jaynes, Gwen Smith, and Mary Southerland on the path to trusting God more fully. Y 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.

James: Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore Reviewed by Marilyn Tinnin

Beth Moore fans will not be disappointed in this, her latest release, that comes with an eight lesson video and, as usual, a workbook! That’s what I love about Beth Moore studies. She gets you into the word with a depth few studies can match. The time she spends giving you the background on the author James brings your understanding and insight to a whole new level. I almost feel like James is a friend of mine! I’ll be starting with my Bible Study in mid-January as we go through the videos, but I couldn’t resist buying my book and reading ahead! I am only half way through, but it is one of the most practical books I have read lately. As Beth says, “If you want to put real feet to your faith, this is the book for you.” There is application after application and a message that is as alive and relevant in 2012 as it was in the first century! Available at Lifeway $14.95

36 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

events calendar

January 20-21

JACKSON January 7

Mississippi Blues Marathon and Half Marathon, a USA Track and Field certified event, is coming to Jackson welcoming runners throughout the region. Put your running shoes or cheer for the runners as they wind throughout the Fondern District and Downtown Jackson. For more information, visit www.msbluesmarathon.com

Belhaven Vocal Arts students and Dr. Christopher Shelf present two one act plays— Little Red Riding Hood and The Toy Shop. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with complimentary admission.

25th Annual Candlelight Prayer Vigil for the Unborn. Saturday, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., First Floor Rotunda (inside) the State Capitol Building located on High St., Jackson

January 23

The Old Capitol Museum will play host to our seventh president, Andrew Jackson, portrayed by local historian Bill Patrick. Enjoy an overview of his life and presidency plus a special performance by mezzo-soprano Lester Senter Wilson. For tickets, contact 601-5766809.

The Silent No More Awareness Campaign will be gathering at 12:00 p.m. at the Mississippi Capitol Building for the purpose of allowing men and women the opportunity to share personal testimonies of how their lives have been affected by abortion. For more information, please contact Silent No More Awareness Campaign at www.silentnomoreawareness.org or Amy Martin at amy.martin@me.com

The Mississippi Museum of Art hosts Look and Learn with Hoot, a hands-on art event

Mission Mississippi’s Governor’s Prayer Luncheon will be at the Jackson Convention Complex starting at 11:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be Hank Thomas, a participant of the 1961 “Freedom Rides” For ticket information call 601-353-6477.

January 21

January 19

January 20

January 27

January 28-February 19 The Dixie National Rodeo, located at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, is coming to town boasting the largest livestock show east of the Mississippi River. The three-week event host a horse and Junior Livestock show, a Western Festival, parade and much more. For more information, call 601-961-4000. Y

Metro Christian Living has a new website (You are going to LOVE it) MetroChristianLiving.com Find us on Facebook! Real life stories from real life people who live and move in a world like yours. That is what Metro Christian Living Magazine is all about. metrochristianliving.com ❘ JANUARY 2012 37

JANUARY 2012

and story time for 4-5 year olds and their parents. For more information, call 601-9601515.

➺quips & quotes

ADVERTISING INDEX

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

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“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”

“Habit is overcome by habit”. – Thomas Kempis

– James 1:19

“Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.”

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”

– Bill Vaughan

“The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion.”

– Benjamin Franklin

“The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists.” – Francis Bacon

– Arnold Glasow

“When was the last time you thanked the Lord for not showing you the future? I’m convinced that one of the best things God does for us is to—keep us from knowing what will happen beyond today. Just think of all the stuff you didn’t have to worry about just because you never knew it was coming your way.” – Charles Swindoll

“In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

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

38 JANUARY 2012 ❘ Metro Christian Living

ADVERTISER PAGE Apple Annie’s ................................................36 Baptist Health Systems ....................................3 Belhaven University........................................24 Callaway’s Yard & Garden................................9 CMMC ..............................................................7 Christ Covenant .............................................15 Choose Life ......................................................4 Creative Expressions......................................28 East Lakeland OBGyn ......................................9 Energy Insulation............................................31 Eye Care Professionals...................................40 Eye Group of MS ...........................................18 First Presbyterian Men’s Rally........................10 FPDS...............................................................18 French Camp Academy .................................23 Gentiva Hospice.............................................13 Grantham Poole.............................................18 Heiden & Garland ..........................................19 Highland Village .............................................23 Jackson Academy ............................................2 Jackson Heart.................................................12 Jackson Prep ..................................................12 M&F Bank.......................................................35 Maine’s Best Keep Secret..............................25 Mars & Steel...................................................32 Metro Christian Living .............................16, 37 New Summit School ......................................16 North State Animal Hospital .........................38 O’Mire Financial.............................................25 Pennington & Trim Alarm ................................2 Persnickety .....................................................11 Plato’s Closet..................................................26 Premier Medical Group .................................15 Prime Care Nursing........................................32 Reformed Theological Seminary ...................31 Regions...........................................................10 Remedy Weight Loss .....................................13 Senior Transitions ...........................................15 Sitters..............................................................28 Skinny’s ...........................................................12 Southern Farm Bureau...................................12 Star 93.5 .........................................................39 Stegall Imagery ..............................................39 Summit Counseling........................................33 Sunnybrook Estates .......................................26 Tinnin Imports ..................................................5 Venable Glass.................................................33 Veritas School.................................................31 Wellspring Wealth Group ..............................31 William Howell ...............................................34 Written in Stone.............................................36 Wright Ferguson ............................................18 For more information on our advertisers visit www.metrochristianliving.com

metrochristianliving.com â?˜ JANUARY 2012 39

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