July 2013 Metro Christian Living

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contents JULY 2013

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columns 8 The Way I See It Attitude

10 Living My Call Agriculture: A Universal God-Focused Vocation

12 Modern Motherhood Time Flies—Wish It Didn’t

14 Lagniappe Freedoms, Choke Vines, and America’s Hope

15 HomeWorks My Best Farewell Tips

16 Chewed Petunias Not Why? But Now What?

24 Single Still, Single Again

features

20

Blessed Is the One Who Loves Jesus and Is Flexible

Jack and Tammy Lane

26 Food For Thought Summer Freshness

Life and Ministry—It’s All the Same

29 Legal Advice

8

Why a Living Trust Rather Than Just a Will?

18

30 Healthy Living Fitness Fest

32 Watch Your Words Bruised on the Inside Verbal Abuse Scars

34 Sports Victories Bulldog Chaplain Builds Men

15

36 Let’s Talk It Over Think on These Things

in every issue

10

6 36 36 37 38 38

Editor’s Letter Rave Reviews What’s Going On Event Calendar Quips & Quotes Advertiser Index

Volume 8, Number 1 Publisher: MHS Publications, Inc., Member, M.I.P.A. Editor: Marilyn Tinnin marilyn@metrochristianliving.com Associate Editor: Suzanne Tanner Durfey Art Direction/Graphic Design Sandra K. Goff Sales Marilyn Tinnin, Kimberly Stephens, Suzanne Tanner Durfey Contributing Writers Lydia Bolen, Laurel Boyd, Cathy Haynie, William B. Howell, Amy Ingram, Robin O’Bryant, Rachel Claire Perkins, Tricia Raymond, Susan E. Richardson, Suzanne B. Russell, Stephen Shelt, Martin E. Willoughby, Jr., Robert Wilson Cover Photography Pound Photography Distribution Assistants Laura Kidder, Randy Fortenberry, Andrea Sabillion, Rachel Schulte, Jerri Strickland, Priscilla Sullivan, Bob Whatley, Amanda Weems

Metro Christian Living 573 Highway 51 North, Suite C Ridgeland, MS 39157 Phone 601-790-9076 • Fax 601-790-9078 www.metrochristianliving.com 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 2013 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.

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➺editor’s letter Light and Liberty—God Things “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,”(John 1:4-5).

F ❝

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here.

❞

– Patrick Henry

6 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

ourth of July. Independence Day. Declaration of Independence. God and Country. I have been sitting here a while googling them all and looking for

something fresh and inspirational. Sometimes it is more difficult than other times to be “fresh.” To be perfectly honest, on this eve of the celebration of America’s birth, it is just plain hard to extol the glorious future of America as we know it. Can’t believe I just wrote that as the first paragraph of greetings in the magazine you all read because of its upbeat message.

I confess that I do not have a poker face. I can remember a few zingers I tried to put past my mother in my teenage years. She was incredibly blind to many of my flaws, but she could always tell if I was not truthful. I never perfected the tone, the look, and the perfect mannerisms of innocence when I was guilty. That was probably God’s grace—if I had learned to lie well, who knows where I would be today?

If there is one thing I think we Believers agree about, however, it is that the Christian does not have the luxury of neatly separating his life into compartments—as though God can be assigned to certain categories and totally shut out of others. That can make for some uncomfortable encounters in a politically correct culture where nobody wants to be disliked or labeled something like “bigot,” “hatemonger,” or plain old “stupid.”

As much as we can celebrate the diversity that has built our nation—the mix of races, creeds, languages, customs—there was a common denominator among our founding fathers. They agreed on the importance of God’s blessings in establishing the foundation that would form this new nation, and they acknowledged their complete dependence on His providence to maintain the freedoms that we hold dear.

The above verse from John 1 kept coming to me today, and I began searching for an object lesson anecdote about light. (I am one of those grownups who used to love the children’s sermon because there were some Sundays I got more from that than from the real sermon.

DISCLAIMER: Such occurred in a previous church life, of which there have been several).

But then I decided I don’t really need an anecdote because the concept of light is so simple and so beautiful and so inspirational all by itself. One of the most profound epiphanies I can recall are the many Christmas Eve candlelight services of which I have been part, when the church lights were completely shut off, and a single candle shared its flame with its neighbor who shared its new light with its neighbor and on and on until the entire sanctuary was filled with the soft but brilliant light of hundreds of candles. God seems to work in that same way— quietly, consistently, and very, very effectively. Sometimes, when we don’t think we see Him at all, He is working in amazing ways behind the scenes. One thing is for sure, nothing escapes His notice and nothing is beyond His power to change in an instant.

The vivid picture that will never cease to encourage me and will never fade from my memory is that image of a solitary little candle sharing its light with the darkness right there next to it, and then seeing that one little light multiply a hundred fold. The power of one in whose life the light of Christ shines will NOT be overcome by the negative messages, the darkness of the culture, or the seemingly omnipotent powers who oppose that light. We serve the One True God, and He has not gone on vacation. Neither has he abandoned us.

That fact is a reason to celebrate every day! Happy Fourth. Enjoy. Prepare to be inspired by the stories of regular people who are living extraordinary lives because they serve the One and Only True Light of the world. Y

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

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➺the way i see it

by MARTIN E. WILLOUGHBY, JR.

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exchange a regular greeting with him—like, “How is it going?”—his quick response is “SUPER FANTASTIC!” When you first meet him, you hear that somewhat skeptically. How could anyone always be doing that great? Life is just too hard. There are deadlines to meet, dirty diapers to change, illnesses, broken relationships to deal with—let’s be real!

However, it is not just a greeting for him, but an attitude for living. I can say that in every interaction I have ever had with him he has always remained positive in his outlook and genuine in his faith and caring for others. I later learned that the late Keith Harrell first influenced him. Harrell, who died way before his time from cancer in 2010, was a worldrenowned motivational speaker who always had a similar greeting of SUPER FANTASTIC! Harrell, who was a high school basketball standout with an imposing 6’ 7” frame, went to work out of college with IBM and became one of their top salespeople and trainers before embarking full time on his speaking and writing career. Harrell spoke to millions of people around the globe. I distinctly remember my wife, Nicki, returning from a conference where Harrell spoke, and she brought back his book, Attitude is Everything.

I was encouraged and inspired by the book and Harrell’s perspective on life. Harrell’s outlook was not a result of pop psychology or a new age feel good message—it was rooted in a deep faith and understanding of who we are as Christians in relation to a mighty and loving God. Best-selling Christian author Chuck Swindoll once said, “Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitudes toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I respond to it.” His words remind me of Stephen Covey who taught people to think about the choice we have between the stimuli in our lives and

our response. In Scripture, Paul gives us guidance as he writes from a prison cell. He wrote, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” (Philippians 1:27). Paul certainly had his share of troubles—beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and exiled to name a few.

However, in spite of all that he said, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:5).

Jesus modeled for us a life of peace and security in knowing who He was, why He was here, and where He was going. He maintained a perfect attitude even in the most trying circumstances because He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. As followers of Christ, we have the incredible gift of perspective. We can take the long view. Our life and troubles are just fleeting matters. We should keep eternity in mind. This does not mean that we won’t have weighty problems; it just means we have the Creator of the Universe as our Father, and we are his children. Whatever your problems may be today, I hope that you will have the peace and grace of God wash over you and have a SUPER FANTASTIC day! Y Martin E. Willoughby, Jr,. is Chief Operating Officer of Butler Snow Advisory Services, LLC located in Ridgeland. He and his wife, Nicki, have two children, Ally and Trey, and live in Madison.

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➺living my call

by STEPHEN SHELT

Agriculture: A Universal God-Focused Vocation As a young boy, I remember wanting to be like the apostle Paul. Not because of my great devotion, but because Paul weathered shipwrecks, beatings, snakebites, and countless escapes from death at the hands of his many detractors, all while traveling the known world. I craved adventure.

I grew up in Jackson, homeschooled by my mom, attending Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, and frequenting the Belhaven campus where my dad is still a professor. My longing for adventure led me to pursue the military. I applied to West Point, convinced working my way into the Army’s elite would provide me with the mental and physical challenge I wanted, and give me discipline I needed to achieve my ideals and escape a deep sense of inadequacy.

I recall vividly hearing the message on the answering machine. I had been nominated to attend West Point. I was one of the select six thousand who would compete for twelve hundred coveted places in a West Point class.

I never responded to that message. I didn’t understand why at the time. It had seemed like everything I wanted for my life.

Yet God was already at work, pulling me in a different direction.

In 2006, as a sophomore at Belhaven, I attended a mission’s conference. With 22,000 people from 144 countries worshipping together, I gained a spectacular vision of some from every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered before the throne, praising God. My heart had been captured for missions.

Two years later, I spent three months in Uganda with Africa Inland Mission, and God continued the arduous process of attacking my pride and my desire for self-sufficiency. In a foreign culture, so many of the traits I prized in myself failed to translate, and I was again a child, learning the basics of how to live and communicate in a utterly different world. God was humbling me, teaching me to delight in seeing his strength made perfect in my weakness.

Uganda took hold of me, and even during those first three months, I was certain God 10 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

would lead me back, and indeed he did, giving me all the adventure I could wish for and more.

The door was opened, and in 2010, I returned to Mbarara, Uganda, to fill the unexpected role of “Agricultural Discipler.” With little previous experience and less than two months of training, I sought to communicate a vision of Kingdom stewardship through agriculture, rooted in Genesis 1, in which farmers could see themselves as caretakers of God’s world, understanding his design in nature and applying it to agriculture. Our goal was to provide the skills and understanding to help Ugandans emerge from poverty, but we had to begin by showing from God’s word the dignity of the creation mandate—the command to work and tend the garden while subduing and filling the whole earth.

For two years I lived and worked in Uganda, teaching, learning, struggling, and gradually coming to depend on God in a world where the unexpected was the norm and things rarely worked out as planned. Those years gave me a passion for God’s glory revealed in creation. I came to understand that we can either suppress or conceal creation’s message by abuse and mistreatment, or we can beautify it, pointing to God’s greatness while providing for His people.

In the long run, I hope to return overseas to share the gospel through a platform of sustainable, stewarding agriculture. At the present, I’m pursuing God’s call through a small business I’ve begun called Garden to Table. I plan and plant organic home vegetable gardens for people interested in the security of knowing where their food comes from and how it’s grown. I see this as an opportunity to engage in dialogue about how we can show the care for the creation God has entrusted us with, even in an urban context.

There is real change that must take place in how we relate to food in this country. In 1945, 50 percent of all vegetables consumed in the US were grown in a home garden. Today, food travels on average 1,800 miles to reach a dinner plate. Food is cheap, but it comes at the cost of freshness, nutrition, and harm to the environment. Christians must be at the forefront of questioning and transforming how we grow and consume food. Our bodies bear God’s image, and what we put into them must be guided by our Biblical theology.

The work that I do is physically and mentally demanding, but I do it with joy, knowing that this is what I was created to do. I daily get to see God’s character on display in his creation, and do what I can to make it even more visible to others. Y

Stephen Shelt is an avid gardener and aspiring farmer living in Jackson. Feel free to contact him for more information about Garden to Table at stephenshelt@gmail.com or call at 601.937.0342.

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➺modern motherhood

by ROBIN O’BRYANT

Time Flies—Wish It Didn’t

I

It’s happening so fast, I can hardly stand it. My kids, my babies, are growing up. There’s nothing I’ve wanted more in my life, than to gut punch the random strangers who looked me in the eye when my kids were really young and said things like, “These are precious moments. Hold on, it goes by so fast!”

Anger coursed through my entire body. Maybe the moment I’ve realized I’ve come to the grocery store to buy a month’s worth of groceries, made it to the check out line, then realized I have no form of payment, my nine-month-old is crying because she needs to eat, my two-year-old is begging to go to the potty—not because she actually needs to go, but because she is in what child psychologists refer to as the “I’m Gonna Tinkle in Every Potty in This Town” phase of potty training—and my four-year-old just shoplifted a pack of gum, and is slowly opening each piece and chewing it even slower. Just daring me, or the cashier, to call her a thief. Maybe, just MAYBE, random stranger, this was not our moment. Maybe you should have held your tongue. But as much as I hate to admit it—she was right.

Aubrey, Emma, and Sadie are eight, seven, and four-years-old, respectively, at this point and I can’t believe their infancies and toddlerhoods are over. Since I’m not reading this out loud to you, you should know that statement was more of an “I can’t believe we made it!!! We survived! We are all here! We beat SIDS and the croup, and potty training! And HOLY COW, we have all of our teeth and we can talk!! We use WORDS! Real words!!! To say what we need! Instead of crying and/or screaming! Thank you, Lord Jesus! It’s over!”

That’s not to say that I don’t miss holding a squishy, powderysmelling baby on my lap—I do. I just don’t miss it at 1:00 a.m., 3:37 a.m., 4:57 a.m., 6:02 a.m., and 7:34 a.m., at all.

You know what people don’t tell you about raising kids? It gets better.

Sure the baby stuff is fun. But right now, my girls can play pretend for hours. Not only are they entertained, but so am I. I get to eavesdrop and hear their personalities emerging in their role-play.

Aubrey acts as scriptwriter and director. Emma and Sadie regularly revolt. They play together for hours in our Mississippi yard—digging holes in the dirt, building fairy houses, or chasing our dog. I always have an eye on them, but it’s not the same as it used to be—that constant panic of impending death or dismemberment. The “OH NO!

Get that out of your mouth! Spit it out! No! Money doesn’t go in your mouth!” days are gone.

But, blissfully—and unknowingly—they are still babies. No way I can toss Aubrey on my hip like I used to, and Emma’s legs are almost as long as mine. I call Sadie, “Emma,” more than I call her by her own name because she’s growing so fast she constantly looks like her older sister.

But they are innocent and sweet. Their language is young and I can’t bring myself to tell Aubrey that when she says “Mmmm-hmmm. TALK about it!” that the expression is actually, “TELL me about it!” And I can never correct Emma when she says “pinger,” instead of “finger.”

‘Cause, these are precious moments and they’ll be gone before we know it.

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

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➺lagniappe

by TRICIA RAYMOND

Freedoms, Choke Vines, and America’s Hope

O

Of late, I’ve spent more time than I care to admit digging a choke vine out of my garden. For those of you who

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aren’t familiar with the curse of a choke vine, its modus operandi is to sneak into your bedding plants as an innocuous-looking weed. It starts tiny and leafy and looks like something you could simply pluck from the ground and forget about. To the uninitiated, it may even appear attractive. At any rate, it doesn’t look like the monster it becomes when it is not eradicated early on.

It’s been quite a chore getting rid of it. It’s grown into, underneath, and over a jasmine vine that serves as both the foundation and the focal point for a swing that provides a cool place for me to sit and enjoy life. It has recently topped my beautiful jasmine. Now, it’s an ever-present reminder that it intends to cover the jasmine completely, ultimately choking the life out of it.

I really shouldn’t complain. I first noticed it last summer and had intended to deal with it then. But, one thing after another kept getting in my way. The kids came for a visit. The weather was too hot. I lost my shovel. I had a garage sale. In all honesty, I welcomed these distractions. They were convenient excuses that allowed me to avoid what I knew was unavoidable—days and days of hard work digging it up from the roots. For it is only by digging up the roots that I can be assured of its complete and utter demise.

It hasn’t disappointed. As a matter of fact, my forays into digging up the choke vine have morphed into fantasy battles with a giant dragon, the stuff Medieval tales are made of. I leave the comfort of my air conditioned family room, slathered in a thick mixture of sun block and insect repellent. I arm myself with shovels, clippers, and a bottle of water. My cell phone is secured in my pocket as I venture into my backyard vine-jungle—if a rescue becomes necessary, I will need it to guide my deliverers.

It’s hot, sweaty, back breaking work that eats away hours and hours of my time. Time that can be put to better use. But, if I want to rescue my jasmine, it is work I must do. It is for the prize of the jasmine that I dare not allow the choke vine to win.

As worrisome as my garden’s choke vine is, there is a choke vine covering our nation that is a million times more worrisome to me. It goes by many names: atheism, secularism, humanism, freedom from religion. It continues to grow into, underneath, and over our schools, our City Halls, and most recently, our military.

In other words, the very institutions that serve as both the foundation and the focal point of America’s future as a free nation.

Left unchecked, it will choke the life out of liberty. For it is from God that liberty exists in the heart of man. Erase God from the American culture, choke out the voice of Christianity, and you erase liberty from the life of every American.

Of late, the choke vine has become an especially daunting enemy to our “first freedom,” the freedom of religion. If left unchecked, it will destroy our children’s right to their pursuit of happiness, their chance to freely discover God’s destiny for their individual lives and to live out that destiny in the form of new businesses, new inventions, and new ideas.

Thankfully, more and more Churches are engaging in the fight to kill the choke vine. And they are finding their way to one another.

Through such efforts as the Black Robed Regiment, Call2Fall, the Awakening, and others, like-minded Christian leaders are connecting, learning, and organizing. They’re encouraging one another, praying for one another, and coming up with new ideas about how to reach the culture.

Unlike the choke vine in my garden, this vine can only be extinguished through a united Christian voice that applies Scriptural principles to today’s mind-boggling moral issues.

Historically, that voice has come from the pulpit.

In fact, the idea of America was born from sermons preached about individual accountability before God. The Church’s influence prevailed in American culture until the 1960s. Since then, it has been diminished and the results are foreboding indeed.

But, the new contingent of pastors and Church leaders forming today is formidable.

They understand that in order to kill this choke vine, it will be hard, back-breaking work. But, it is work they are willing to do. It is work we all must do. It is for the blessing of freedom that we dare not let the choke vine win. Y

Tricia Raymond is a speaker and author whose presentations focus on faith, freedom, and the special role that women play in God’s Kingdom. She is also the Founder of www.LibertyAloud.com, an online advocacy site that focuses on defending religious freedom. Tricia is available for booking through Creative Partners Speakers Bureau 601.454.6503

➺

homeworks

by CATHY HAYNIE

My Best Farewell Tips It was well over 10 years ago when I met Marilyn Tinnin on the telephone. We became fast friends in the span of minutes just talking. It would be months before we actually met. That phone call began a journey of writing about organization—a topic I so enjoy. I like to think about it, plan it, and yes, even write about it, but actually doing it is the challenge for all of us! After all these years in our quest together to live more orderly lives, I will say farewell. Thank you for welcoming me and this column into your thoughts and into your home as you have looked for ideas and motivation along the way. I encourage you to press on—an orderly life is worth living! It frees you up to do the things you have to do and the things you enjoy doing. A less cluttered mind and a less cluttered house are truly helpful in accomplishing our life’s purposes. I often remind myself that when I know what my family is having for dinner, it is easier to take a meal to someone else. So, as I sign off, I will leave you with an overview of 10+ years worth of writing. It really comes down to just a few thoughts.

Top Five Tips for Getting Organized Establish target areas. If you know the one or two or three areas that bother you most, you can work on those areas until you find a system that is right for you. Once you have one area under control, you can add another target area. When we just consider ourselves unorganized, or a lost cause, nothing changes.

But when we say, “My closet is unorganized,” or “I don’t have enough time to cook dinner,” then we can get to work.

1.

The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas. Ask your friends, your family, and read articles and books on your particular target areas. You will find inspiration and simple ideas that can be difference makers.

2.

You’ve never lost your laundry detergent. You always put it back in the same spot and you keep it at its point of use.

(See how organized you are!) This principle will take you far in organizing.

3.

Set up a system you like and live in it.

When our organizational system is attractive to us, something we like, the chances are better that we will maintain it. Whether it’s nice coat hangers, colorful files, or a clean car, once you find that moment of satisfaction, then you will be more diligent to keep it.

4.

Let yourself off the hook. Organization is a means to an end—it is not the end.

Organization can help us in life, but when the quest for it begins to get in the way of life itself, it is time to let up. When you walk through the door at the end of the day and begin greeting your family with, “Who made this mess?” instead of, “Hello” then you know.

You know it has become an idol of sorts. You see, when you stand before Jesus, he won’t be interested in the last time you cleaned your oven or changed your sheets. Organization helps us do the most import things, but it isn’t the most important thing.

When all else fails, repeat step one.

5.

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It has been a wonderful journey with you, and I wish you the best in all of your target areas.

Happy organizing! Y

Cathy Haynie and her husband, Jack, have three children and live in Madison.

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➺chewed petunias

by SUSAN E. RICHARDSON

Not Why? But Now What?

“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told,” (Habakkuk 1:5).

“W

hy?” is one of the most fundamental questions we humans have. Children go through the infamous “why?” stage when they ask why about everything. As we grow older, we continue to ask “why?” And when we run headfirst into pain we can’t understand, our natural reaction is to ask God why.

Sometimes “why?” is a good question. Usually when challenges come we know what caused them even if we don’t know why God allowed the situation. But sometimes we don’t know where our pain came from. If that’s the case, we have a difficult time understanding and resolving the problems. We must ask why until we see the pattern that leads to issues, then work to resolve them.

Asking “why?” about the circumstances causing the suffering is more common. When I was living with peer abuse, I tried to stand up for myself a few times. One day I yelled at the group persecuting me, “Why don’t you just leave me alone? I haven’t done anything to you!”

“Why should we?” one of them responded. “We’re having a good time.”

Their response sent a clear message to me: what you feel doesn’t matter; we’re the only ones who matter. The answer to “why?” was painfully personal. Over and over the messages repeated. Who you are is laughable. What you wear is bizarre. What you do is stupid. What you know is ridiculously overblown. What you feel is unimportant.

From adults came other messages. You aren’t worth rescuing. You shouldn’t hurt because of what’s happening. You did something to deserve this. You should ignore it.

This type of why goes back to fallen and imperfect humans, whether those who found pleasure in my pain or those who were well intentioned, but still hurt instead of helped. That pushes the why right back to God. I had to work with my pain a long time before I begin to understand that the real question isn’t, “Why, God?” We respond that way naturally, trying to understand what’s happening, but it isn’t productive. The real question is, “Now what, God?” After a while I began thinking of the process as “learning through”

the issues. We would all prefer a quick answer. Walking through the journey and developing understanding piece by piece takes longer.

However, learning through provides deeper comprehension and lasts longer than quick answers do.

Answering “now what?” is a matter of one small piece at a time. Or as Granny Max puts it in Stephanie Grace Whitson’s book Secrets on the Wind, “Do the next thing.”

The “next thing” is usually quite small. In the context of the book, cooking dinner or washing the dishes might be the next thing. We can do the same thing on our journey. Maybe we don’t need to cook dinner, but do whatever small piece of the process we can see.

Eventually, doing the next thing will answer the larger question of “now what?” Piece by piece, the Lord will put next things in front of you until you see His answer.

In the early stages of my journey, I had friends tell me similar things, especially related to this Scripture from Habakkuk. They reassured me from their own journeys that the Lord would do incredible things. They told me I’d be amazed at the work He had planned. Even though I didn’t believe them, I chose to trust them enough to keep moving ahead without knowing just how all the pieces would come together.

When we’re wrestling with God over the hard questions, we often don’t feel trustful or confident. Getting beyond the why stage does help, but does not finish the job. In the end, we must keep moving forward as the Lord guides. Piece by piece He works until He has brought healing to what was pain and despair. The Lord has amazing plans for us.

Father, grant us the courage to walk through this part of the journey. Help us to trust You with the small pieces even when we don’t understand the bigger questions. Strengthen us to step forward in faith without knowing where the walk will lead. Y (*To get started with the full chewed petunias story, please visit www.chewedpetunias.com. You’ll find the story plus other material that may help you along the way.)

Susan E. Richardson has a passion for meeting people’s needs through the written word. You can reach her by email at Susan@chewedpetunias.com or check either of her two websites: www.chewedpetunias.com or www.nextlevelcritiques.com 16 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

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➺let’s talk it over

by LAUREL BOYD

Think on These Things “…Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things,” (Philippians 4:8).

Ah, the lazy days of summer. July is the perfect month—there are still picnics and BBQs to attend, vacations to take, and pools to swim in.

In all the laziness of summer (and any other time as well), it is important to give your brain some lazy or downtime too. Does this seem contrary to what you’ve been taught?

There is a huge market today for games to help sharpen our brains, and even keep Alzheimer’s away—and they are great, so let me explain. Our brains are our information processors. As we go about our day we have various experiences—some good, some bad, and most neutral. Sometimes with either good or bad ones, we have a need to give words to these experiences, which in turn integrates them through the brain and helps your brain with the processing of that experience. This is a concept you probably have already realized.

When something good happens to you, you have a desire to share that—so you call a friend, or text a family member, or post it on Facebook. The opposite is true as well. When we have a bad experience we have a need to be understood and validated in that. This is one of our most basic needs in life and one distinction that make us human.

Sometimes in this day and age of continual media, we shut out the opportunity for our minds to actually process the various experiences we have had. Think about it.

Anytime you are looking at a screen of any kind—computer, iPad, phone, DS, Wii, TV, the list really is endless—whatever is on the screen is dictating what you will think about.

This is fine, good, and very often necessary.

But can we get to the point where we are actually not leaving our brain with enough time to process?

This question came to me a few months ago when I jumped in the car to drive my 8year-old son to basketball practice. He flopped in the seat and turned on his DS to keep him entertained for the 15-minute drive. I asked him to shut it off and just enjoy looking out the window—knowing that because his brain would not being specifically focused on something, it would process his day for him

and kind of highlight to him what needed put to words. Sure enough, after approximately three minutes of silence I heard, “Mom, do you think I’m too short because someone at school today said…” Nothing earth shattering, but his mind was processing his day and that is what came up as needing to be put in words.

That conversation would not have happened if he were playing his DS on the way to basketball practice.

This is true for anyone, not just kids. We need lazy time where our brains are not being told what to think about, but are allowed to just process. Amazingly, God made our brains with this built in system that it knows what still needs processed and will go there if given the chance.

I am well aware that often people use other things on purpose to dictate what they think about so their mind does NOT have to process certain things. Some experiences are extremely painful and uncomfortable and can even flood us emotionally. Unfortunately, since our brains were built to process, the vice needed to distract our minds over time will have to get stronger and stronger. Sometimes people use alcohol, drugs, or a number of unhealthy coping mechanisms to distract them from the thoughts in their minds. If that is the case, it can be very helpful to talk to a pastor or professional counselor trained in helping you process through issues in a safe environment. Y Laurel Boyd, L.M.F.T.A., is a therapist at Summit Counseling of First Baptist Church Jackson. She specializes in couples, families, teens, and drug and alcohol issues. To contact her, please call 601.949.1949 or email her at lboyd@fbcj.org.

metrochristianliving.com â?˜ JULY 2013 19

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Jack and Tammy Lane Life and Ministry—It’s All the Same

I

It takes some flexibility to be a chaplain for the Mississippi Braves. As part of the Baseball Chapel

international ministry that impacts approximately 3,000 players, coaches, managers, trainers, office staff, other team personnel, and umpires in the major and minor leagues, flexibility is key for a chaplain. If the goal is to impact others with the message of Jesus Christ, then a chaplain just can’t get bent out of shape waiting to take the platform in between batting practice, warm ups, and everything else that happens before the first pitch crosses the plate.

The service begins when it begins—and that would be when the coach says so. Among Jack Lane’s many attributes is a certain laidback, go-with-the-flow personality that does not get ruffled as he waits to get in three worship services within a 35-minute period, pre-game on Sunday afternoons. He can be very very patient because it is not HIS agenda he is promoting—it is definitely God’s.

By the time Jack gets to the ballpark on Sundays, he has already put in a pretty full day at First Baptist Church in Jackson, where he and wife Tammy, along with two other couples, team teach the “twenties” class of young professionals. It’s an easy transition from the Sunday school room to the Braves’ chapel. Same age group, similar struggles—just a different venue to reach out. If ever there was a pair who shares a common call, it is this couple that has been ministering to this age group their entire married lives.

Although Jack wears the title “chaplain,” Tammy is frequently right there being a friend and encourager to wives or girlfriends who have come to a new city away from all things familiar to support their player. Tammy is always looking to connect people and make them feel at home, and as she puts it, “I do whatever I need to do, and it’s almost never the same thing twice! “Flexibility” is also at the top of her job description.

Roots

“

An all-around athlete, Jack played high school baseball, basketball, and football. He continued to play baseball at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.

Jack grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in a close-knit family that was in church every time the doors were open. He saw the integrity of his parents’ faith and character, and he wanted to walk uprightly, too. When the pastors and teachers at his Independent Baptist Church challenged him to “do something great for God,” and to never “sit on the sidelines,” he took the charge seriously.

An all-around natural athlete, Jack played high school baseball, basketball, and football. He continued to play baseball at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. But this athlete had another talent— he is musical, and he majored in trumpet and minored in voice!

Tammy, a true Southerner through and through, grew up north of Mobile, in Citronelle, Alabama—population almost 4,000. Her family, like Jack’s, was in church every time the doors opened.

Tammy describes herself as “very social,” and church was always

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❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙❚❙ her connection for all things social. She liked did not work out exactly as they had envisioned, to help others; she liked to be involved, and it turned out God did indeed have a definitely she, too, learned by observing her parents’ evangelical role for them. faith that serving the Lord was what she was When the professional hockey team, the created to do. It was no big surprise that she Jackson Bandits, came to town, Jack approached also ended up at Springfield Bible College. one of the owners suggesting that he get a good Oddly enough, despite the differences chapel program going. Brian Fenelon agreed, but between Southern culture and Northern wanted it done through Hockey International culture, Jack and Tammy’s values and life goals Ministries. Jack was able to persuade Steve were very similar. Jack says, “That’s what has Smith, who worked in the recreational ministry at made our marriage so good. We’ve always First Baptist Jackson to accept the Chaplain’s been on the same page with serving the Lord role, but agreed to be his assistant. and with raising our children.”

With his Michigan background, hockey was as They met in English class, struck up an familiar to Jack as football is to any Southern boy. instant friendship, married in their second He developed warm friendships with the players, year, and lived in a married student dorm for and the coach—who was a very new Christian— two more years. With a tiny all-in-one-room, lived with Jack and Tammy for an entire summer. efficiency apartment—complete with Murphy When Steve Smith was called away to take a Tammy and Jack married in May 1977. bed—they completed their coursework in 1979 pastorate elsewhere, Jack became the chaplain. and headed back to Grand Rapids to serve the Later on, the Jackson Senators baseball team music ministry in Jack’s childhood church. arrived, and Jack got a call from Philip Thurman who had been invited This was also their first experience working with the “twenties” in a to be chaplain. He told Jack he wasn’t sure how to be a chaplain, but church setting. They were no older than the kids they were leading, he would do it if Jack would agree to help him. Not too long into that but they found they were a good team and they could do this well. venture the chaplain was called to a pastorate elsewhere, and once again, Jack Lane became the chaplain!

And finally, in 2005, the Mississippi Braves arrived, and the Atlanta Oddly enough, despite the differences Braves’ chaplain called and asked him to consider coming to this new club as their chaplain. Baseball Chapel (baseballchapel.org) is an between Southern Culture and Northern amazing ministry recognized in every Major League, Minor League, Culture, Jack and Tammy’s values and and Independent League city. Its stated mission is “to bring life goals were very similar. encouragement to people in the world of professional baseball through the Gospel so that some become disciple followers of Jesus Christ.”

Their natural sensitivity to this particular age group is easy to explain, Jack says, “This has been a great chance to impact people’s lives. and as is often the case, the result of a personally difficult experience.

Some come and are searching; some are already believers, and it helps Jack was just 22 years old when his father passed away. In that to mature them in their faith. particular period of life, he was figuring out his career path, choosing a I get to deal with athletes— mate, making decisions about where to live and a million other things and not just any athletes— that required wise counsel. It was a devastating blow to lose his these are the cream of the number one mentor and friend. Bill Lane had suffered with poor crop.” Because of his heart for health for a decade, but when a heart attack took him at only 46 years this particular age group, he of age, Jack found himself unprepared for the overwhelming grief. does not take it lightly that he That was one of the few times in Jack’s life that he found himself has the privilege to be saying, “Why, God? Why my dad?” Why would God take a man who involved with them at this was living so fully for God’s kingdom and leave others who do not even critical point in their lives. acknowledge your name?

The answer finally came to his heart this way. “Your dad was ready to Family First go. There are others who were not.” That was a defining moment for While Jack and Tammy Jack, and he committed to walk in the upright way his father had love being mentors and demonstrated and to share the gospel with everyone God put in his path. “surrogate” parents to their menagerie of “twentyAn Unfolding Plan somethings” between the Certain that the ministry was their calling, Jack and Tammy moved baseball chapel and the Tammy, Jack, Austin, Whitney and South in 1986 with the hope of planting a church. Although that plan Sunday School class, they are Adam are a tight-knit family.

“

”

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Jack and Tammy love to travel. Jack views Rome from the hotel balcony. Tammy and Jack enjoy all things outdoors!

Family trips are better than any others! Adam and Kayce Ann Lane, Austin, Kyle and Whitney Sephton, Tammy and Jack—family trips are the very best.

quick to point out that their own grown children, also in this age group, are their first priority. Adam, Whitney, and Austin do not Unassuming and easy going, their authenticity and sincere love for seem to feel shortchanged in any way. others, attracts people.

They do not remember a time when their parents were not “doing” Jack’s favorite scripture is Psalm 119:46, “I will speak of thy ministry. In fact, it’s not so much an external act as it is a reflection of who testimonies before kings and not be ashamed.” Such a statement has they are—lovers of Christ and lovers of others. There is nothing forced or shaped the way he approaches each day. He is definitely one who does artificial in the way the Lane’s reach out to everyone. Austin, a recent not compartmentalize his life. “I try to keep that in my mind all the time. graduate of Mississippi State, says one of the most fun thing about I’m not ashamed of who I am or whom I growing up was that there were always interesting represent. I don’t want the culture to dictate what people being welcomed into their midst. “The I do and don’t say.” way they have always opened our home to Bold is one thing, but even in that, the very anybody, “ meant there were hockey players, laid-back Jack Lane is anything but the in-yourbaseball players, missionaries, and their children’s face variety.

One of his favorite activities is a daily 6 friends included in most holiday celebrations. a.m. game of full court basketball at First Baptist’s Tammy takes such a compliment in stride, Christian Life Center. As a very fit 58 year old, he explaining that she makes a conscious effort to not gives his 25-year-old teammates quite a work out. get hung up on fussy details. Her relaxed nature The friendships that grow around that early sets the tone for everyone to be comfortable. morning endeavor have segued into deeper Even today, with all three children out on their conversations about the Lord. own, if Jack and Tammy host their Sunday School Looking back over the last three decades, it is “family,” the Lane crew is usually there as well. easy to trace God’s hand in the unique Lane Oldest son, Adam Lane, has worked under his Whitney, Baby Ellie, and Tammy—a very ministry.

Jack says, “Whether its hockey, father’s wing since 2007 in Strategic Employment strong legacy. professional baseball, or just normal everyday life, Benefit Services. Their products are health God always seems to bring Tammy and me back to insurance and employee benefits. Despite the work with kids in their twenties, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.” horror stories of families who try to work together in a business situation, Steven Smith, who heads up the college ministry at First Baptist, Adam has found it to be rewarding and without conflict. “We really don’t recruited Jack and Tammy to the 20’s ministry several years ago. He says, have issues, and I think that is largely because we have clear respect for “Jack and Tammy Lane are the kind of ministry volunteers that every each other. Dad is not a micromanager.” church longs for! First Baptist was in a situation where 20’s ministry had The same standards of conduct and integrity that characterize Jack’s to be rebuilt from the ground up, and the Lanes, along with 2 other ministry are hallmarks of his work ethic and business relationships. amazing couples, have worked diligently to build a foundation of Austin, Adam, and daughter Whitney agree that the spiritual powerful community and intentional discipleship among this group of leadership their parents provided them grounded them in their faith so young adults. Jack and Tammy are those rare servants that truly deeply that as college freshmen on the secular campus, they were able to understand what it means to invest your whole life in people in order to handle the unbridled freedom. see them transform into devoted followers of Christ.”

It just doesn’t get any better than that. There’s nothing quite like The Lane Perspective on Ministry finding that niche where God uses the gifts He gave you for His very Ministry is a funny word and can mean different things to different own glory.

Y people. Maybe the word “influence” is an even better word to define For more information on the Baseball Chapel program or to read the way Tammy and Jack approach each day. Austin pointed out that testimonies of players, see www.baseballchapel.org. For more information his parents never had a double standard about anything. They were the on First Baptist’s 20’s ministry, contact Steven Smith at ssmith@fbcj.org. same people at home as they were at church and everywhere else.

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➺single still, single again

by AMY INGRAM

Blessed Is the One Who Loves Jesus and Is Flexible

H

ey y’all! Miss me? It seems like I’ve been away from writing for a while now, but really I think it was only a month? Or maybe two? I don’t even know.

So where did I leave you last? A layoff? My sweet mom? Turns out, when the Lord moves, he moves swiftly and victoriously. I had a call early April from an advertising agency in Birmingham, and within four days, and three rounds of interviews, I was offered a job. The day after I accepted, four other companies called. Needless to say, God didn’t mess up, he was perfect in His time, and I knew I had to trust Him and walk in it.

So two weeks later, I moved and started my new job. I’ve been in Birmingham for about seven weeks now and am really starting to enjoy it. My job is challenging—and more work than I have ever known— but it is giving me great opportunities to step up and lead. It’s caused me to really evaluate myself, what drives me, what I long for, and ultimately why I am in Birmingham.

You see the Lord didn’t bring me to a job just so that I could succeed. There are people He wants me to reach. To love. To serve.

To show His truth. There are days when I’ve failed at this—honestly, because of the intensity of it—but as each day passes, I’m more and more aware of HIS purpose for me here.

I came home last week and was reading the Bible, praying for a spirit and heart of peace, and this is what He showed me in his Word: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water, That sends out its roots by the stream, And does not fear when the heat comes, For its leaves remain green, And is not anxious in the year of drought, For it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8 Y’all! This hit me square between the eyes. The heat comes, but it does not cease to bear fruit. Is this you? Are you challenged in a situation where you lose sight of the fruit? Of loving others in the

truth of Jesus? I’m so challenged by this. I printed it out and pinned it to my wall above my computer, so I would be reminded that fruit far exceeds success. For if you are bearing fruit, you are experiencing the ultimate success. If this is you, and you find yourself stressed, hurting, frustrated, etc., step back from the situation and look for the person near you hurting, or the person who needs a friend. Reach out to those that are hard to love. As I am writing this, the Lord is making those in my office so clear to me.

This life is His. Not ours. Success is of this world. Loving others is of the next.

This next little bit is changing gears a bit, but I didn’t get to write a sweet article about my dad in the last magazine and wanted to pay tribute to him.

My sweet papa, as I’ve started to call him later in life—he’s known as many things: G, Dad, Creed, and Stud (my mom’s nickname)—well, he’s one of the greatest men I know. He loves me, protects me, and ultimately provides guidance in the gentlest and wisest way of anyone around me. There is a peace about my father that draws others near; and he’s known to all in the community as a man who loves and serves Jesus.

He came to know Jesus halfway through my childhood, and it’s been the best miracle I’ve known. I would feel completely honored and so very blessed if I marry a man like him one day.

To all you men that read this: fight to be a man that serves Jesus.

Love and treat your future bride with strength, dignity, kindness, and gentleness. Y

Reach out to those who are hard to love.

Amy Ingram is a Senior Account Executive at a branding and marketing firm in Birmingham, Alabama, where she lives with her dog, Mabel. Feel free to contact her at amyeingram@gmail.com.

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metrochristianliving.com â?˜ JULY 2013 25

➺food for thought

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.” – John 4:34

by LYDIA BOLEN

Summer Freshness

SUMMER SQUASH WITH PESTO 1/2 1/4 1 1 1 2 1/4 2

cup fresh basil, chopped cup pine nuts, toasted tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated tablespoon olive oil clove garlic, minced teaspoons lemon juice teaspoon salt medium yellow summer squash (can also use baby zucchini); sliced diagonally Cooking spray (I like the olive oil-flavored spray)

Preheat grill to medium-high.

Combine basil, pine nuts, oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl. (Pesto sauce can be purchased if you are short on time.)

Spray both sides of the squash with cooking spray and place on a grill rack also coated with cooking spray. Grill to desired doneness.

Serve squash topped with pesto Serves 4. Y

ummertime is filled with many gatherings and celebrations.

S

School is out, the weather is warm, and your cooking should be EASY. What is better than a cookout to enjoy the bountiful summer produce? Summer squash on the grill is very easy and a good complement to any BBQ or main dish.

Instead of eating watermelon by itself, try cubing it in my fresh Watermelon Feta Salad. And top off your cookout with an all-American favorite—Banana Pudding!

Happy summer memories to you! Remember to make it all easy!

WATERMELON FETA SALAD 6 to 8 cups watermelon, cubed and seedless 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon olive oil

Combine watermelon, feta cheese, and red onion in a large bowl.

Pour the lime juice and olive oil over the watermelon mixture and toss gently to coat.

Place watermelon mixture in a large serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh mint.

Refrigerate, then serve very cold.

Yields 6 to 8 servings.

BANANA PUDDING 1 3 1/2 1/4 3 3 1 1 1 4

cup sugar tablespoons flour teaspoon salt eggs, separated cups milk (can use part Half and Half) teaspoon vanilla tablespoon butter box Vanilla Wafers medium ripe bananas, sliced

Mix flour, salt, and sugar; add milk slowly.

Stir constantly over low heat until thickened.

Stir and cook for about 15 minutes.

Beat egg yolks in bowl and stir into flour mixture, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter.

Line bottom of casserole dish with vanilla wafers, sliced bananas, and custard mixture.

Repeat layers, ending with custard on top.

Remember to make memories through the kitchen— “the heartbeat of the home.” E-mail me at lbbolen@gmail.com for any questions.

26 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

It’s Cool to Be Intelligent!

STEM Fun Days WHO: WHEN: WHERE:

WHAT:

WHY:

Female and Male Youth Ages 8-12.

(Offered to scouts and non-scouts.)

Summer/Fall 2013 Millsaps College, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and Hinds Community College A one-day experience on a college campus to focus on STEM-related, hands-on activities and exciting learning experiences, to show how these areas apply to everyday living, while also stimulating future youth interest in these particular fields.

The NOVA Award, was created by the Boy Scouts of America(R) to attract youth to the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

For registration, and firm date/location information, go to www.bsa-jackson.org, or find us on one of our Facebook pages: Andrew Jackson Council, BSA or Hood Scout Reservation, BSA. Or call 601.948.6111 or email ncunning@bsamail.org.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA® “Preparing Young People For Life”

metrochristianliving.com ❘ JULY 2013 27

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legal advice

by WILLIAM B. HOWELL

➺

Why Have a Living Trust Rather Than Just a Will? he Will is only effective to distribute your assets after you have passed away and after the probate process has been completed in Chancery Court. If you should become incapacitated during your lifetime as a result of a stroke or dementia, then your Will cannot help you, because a Will is only for death planning. You would need something besides the Will to give authority to someone to act for you during your lifetime.

For many years, people used the combination of a Will for death planning and a durable power of attorney for giving authority to someone in case the event of incapacity. For a long time this was acceptable. Today it may work, or it may not work. The problem is that in the last several years, many of the commercial entities with which we all do business (banks and others) have elected not to honor powers of attorney. A power of attorney is not legally required to be honored by anyone. It is purely voluntary. Today, many (but not all) financial institutions have elected not to honor powers of attorney because of the possibility of honoring an improper or revoked document without notice.

For many families there is also the issue of the involvement of the legal system after you have passed away, which is required when using a Will, but is not required when using a Living Trust. The statutorily required delays using a Will make the probate process somewhat lengthy.

Using a properly funded Living Trust, no probate is required and there is little if any legal involvement after a person passes away. This also preserves your family’s privacy, because your probate file at the Chancery Clerk’s office is entirely open to the public.

With a Living Trust there is no need for a power of attorney because, if you should become incapacitated, then the person you’ve named in your Trust will automatically take over for you and manage your affairs

T

THE LAW FIRM OF

WILLIAM B. HOWELL, LTD.

without the necessity of having a power of attorney or having any court involvement. At such time as you pass away, your assets will be distributed through your Living Trust just the way you have said you wanted it done, without the necessity of probate through the court. And, of course, this distribution through your Living Trust is private.

So why doesn’t everybody have a Living Trust? The reasons are twofold: first, many people don’t know about a Living Trust, or if they have heard about it they make the incorrect assumption that you have to be wealthy to need a Living Trust. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, a modest estate will suffer a larger shrinkage from a percentage standpoint through the cost of administration than will a larger estate. The second reason that Living Trusts are not for everyone is the fact that a Living Trust estate plan costs more to prepare than just a Will, but the savings by avoiding court are much larger. When done properly, a Living Trust estate plan includes a collection of anywhere from 10 to 25 different documents. This is not really a “do-it- yourself” activity. A Living Trust does not require any additional tax returns, nor any annual maintenance or expense.

The sad truth is that very few people actually have an estate plan of any kind, whether centered on a Will or a Living Trust. One survey found that over 70% of American people do not have any estate plan. Of the persons who do planning today, they are roughly evenly divided between the use of Will and the use of a Living Trust. And that’s only for that small minority of people who actually plan. Your family should have the good fortune to be a part of that group. Y William B. Howell is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and practices law in Ridgeland.

YOU·VE WORKED HARD FOR IT³WHY THROW IT AWAY? WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE, YOU CAN AND SHOULD MAKE ALL DECISIONS AND MANAGE YOUR PERSONAL AFFAIRS. WHAT IF YOU BECOME INCOMPETENT? WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR DEATH? WHO WILL TAKE OVER AND MANAGE YOUR AFFAIRS? WILL IT BE SOMEONE YOU CHOSE OR THE COURT CHOSE? HOW IS THAT DONE? AND WILL IT BE OUTSIDE OF COURT OR IN COURT? THE SAME QUESTIONS ARISE WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF YOUR ASSETS. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. AND WHAT ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR CHILD·S INHERITANCE FROM A DIVORCE OR A LAWSUIT? AND WILL YOUR HARD-EARNED SAVINGS GO TO THE NURSING HOME? HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS? THE LAW FIRM OF WILLIAM B. HOWELL, LTD. IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS NEEDED TO AVOID THESE SITUATIONS WHICH CAN BE FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY DEVASTATING TO YOUR LOVED ONES. BELOW ARE SOME ITEMS TO CONSIDER:

OUR LIFE

EXPECTANCY HAS INCREASED, BUT ARE ALL OF US

GOING TO BE IN GOOD HEALTH IN OUR OLD AGE?

UNFORTUNATELY,

i

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUSTS

i

ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING

i

IRA INHERITANCE TRUSTS

i

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

i

PERSONAL ASSET TRUSTS

i

LAST WILL & TESTAMENTS

i

NURSING HOME MEDICAID PLANNING

i

ADVANCE HEALTH-CARE DIRECTIVES

i

SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS

i

HIPAA AUTHORIZATIONS

SM

WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT

THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES.

THE LAW FIRM OF WILLIAM B. HOWELL, LTD. IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A PLAN THAT OFFERS TRUE

PEACE OF MIND.

1-800-839-7857 www.howellelderlaw.com

GET THE FACTS³ACHIEVE TRUE PEACE OF MIND FREE SEMINARS³FREE CONSULTATIONS HEAR MR. HOWELL ON HIS RADIO PROGRAM TUESDAYS 8:35 A.M. NEWSTALK 1180

601-978-1700 OR 1-800-839-7857 VISIT US ON THE

WEB:

www.howellelderlaw.com metrochristianliving.com ❘ JULY 2013 29

➺healthy living

by RACHEL CLAIRE PERKINS

Fitness Fest Proves It’s Fun to Be Fit! On Saturday July 13, Children’s Healthcare of Mississippi is hosting Fitness Fest, an interactive event where families can participate in easy, fun activities to improve their fitness and health choices. We’re showing families it is fun to be fit!

This fantastic full-day event, held inside downtown Jackson’s beautiful and spacious (and air conditioned!) Convention Complex will feature countless attractions and activities for kids of all ages, and parents too!

Once inside the event, families will embark on a fitness themed adventure trail, spread out over the course of an indoor one-mile walking track. Kids can play and learn through almost 30 fun activities, such as a jumping jack station, a jump rope workshop, a hand-washing competition, relay races, beanbag tossing and more.

Kids can “shop” on their own in a kid-sized grocery store, fully stocked with healthy and nutritious food by Jackson’s Rainbow Whole Foods Co-Op. Kids can learn basic mealplanning and discover food and produce options they might not have discovered yet. Soon, your kids might be asking you to pick up some kale or broccoli for dinner tonight!

Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Ed Said, a

high-energy show featuring kid-friendly raps and sing-alongs on fitness and nutrition, will film three live shows at Fitness Fest. Kids can get moving while they learn. There will be room for 1,000 hopping, dancing, grooving kids moving in time to Ed Said’s catchy rhythms.

Dr. Rick, of MPB’s Southern Remedy, will be onsite all day addressing children’s health topics

and taking nutrition and health-based questions from parents. Celebrity Chef Rob Stinson from TV’s Fit to Eat will be onstage giving healthy cooking demos to parents.

When you combine learning and fun, kids can gain twice as much! At Fitness Fest, kids can learn all about cardiac health by exploring a giant walk-through inflatable heart featuring interesting and easy to understand information. It’s an awesome experience for kids and adults alike!

Throughout the day, kids can play and watch

sports being taught by some of the state’s best coaches and professionals. Kids can learn the rules and new tips and tricks for their favorite sports, such as basketball, tennis, soccer, and track and field.

We will have some of Jackson’s most avid cyclists riding through Fitness Fest, giving kids bike safety tips and advice on incorporating cycling into every family’s daily life.

On stage, fitness and exercise demos and shows will provide entertainment and exercise all day. Kids can learn Zumba, yoga, Pilates, aerobics and more, as well as dance along to music provided by a DJ playing their favorite songs!

Admission for Fitness Fest, which will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, will be $2 per child. Families will pay no more than $10 total.

Keep an eye on the Parents & Kids website (www.parents-kids.com) for more information on Fitness Fest as well as giveaways and offers.

Those interested in participating as a sponsor or volunteer at Fitness Fest can contact Rachel Perkins, at Rachel@parentskids.com or call 601.366.0901 for more information.

Fitness Fest will be a fun, fit, and informative your family won’t soon forget! We can’t wait to see you there! Y

To inquire about Sunnybrook Estates

CALL 601-856-4050

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School is out, summer’s here again!

NOW, the fun can REALLY begin!

More time for horses at Pop’s farm!

(Sure won’t have to twist MY arm! ;) More time to swim with friends at the pool!

It’s so GREAT to be out of school!

And, church camps and VBS, too!

Goodness, I have so MUCH to do!!

Then we’ll go on vacations and have a blast!

Oh, Lord, why can’t summertime last?

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➺watch your words

by SUZANNE B. RUSSELL, LPC

Bruised on the Inside Verbal Abuse Scars Suzanne B. Russell is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ridgeland, MS with 14 years of experience as a therapist and over 20 years’ experience as a classroom teacher. In our April edition she addressed Emotional Abuse from partner to partner in her article titled “The Emotionally Abusive Relationship.” Her bio in the April edition was incorrect and has been replaced on our website and is correct below.

Mom who calls her daughter names and tells her she’s worthless; the Dad who never has one kind word for his daughter; a father who threatens to beat his son to a pulp while raging for 45 minutes—are these children/teens being abused? Most definitely!

Patricia Evans states in her new book, Teen Torment, that it is estimated that up to 50% of children/teens endure such torment regularly.

Why? Verbal/Emotional abuse is often a generational problem; parents speak to their children the way they remember their parent(s) speaking to them. If both parents emotionally or verbally abuse the child/children, then the damage is more severe.

And there is a lot of damage—a much higher

A

32 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

incidence of underachievement, alcohol/drug abuse, severe depression/anxiety, self-harm such as cutting or burning, lower academic performance, eating disorders, and a much greater probability that the child will grow up to become an abuser or accept this treatment from a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse. However, it must be noted that not all parents who were emotionally abused by their own parents repeat the pattern. Some choose to parent differently and they are to be admired.

Additional examples of verbal/emotional abuse include: “You’ll never amount to anything!”

“Stop crying; you are just too sensitive!”

“Can’t you do anything right? Where is your brain or do you have one?”

These statements are abusive to a child’s/teen’s spirit. These statements are degrading, mean, and most importantly, they accomplish NOTHING worthwhile!

A child or teen being verbally/emotionally abused is intellectually unable to reject the message. Parents are the primary source of a child’s self-esteem. When even one parent is verbally/emotionally abusive, the child believes the message. By the time the child is old

enough to counter the logic of the abuse, the self-image of the child may be crushed.

Looking into causes of violence in schools, the National Association of Attorney Generals conducted an investigation. They published a comprehensive report entitled “Bruised Inside.”

The report’s title came from a middle school girl, when asked about physical violence, she said; “There is another kind of violence, and that is violence by talking. It can leave you hurting more than a cut with a knife. It can leave you bruised on the inside.”

Parents are not the only source of verbal/emotional abuse. Just as much abuse can come from a boyfriend/girlfriend, peers at school, coaches, and teachers. Examples include: coaches (who think they will toughen up a teen by calling him derogatory names; teachers who may use threats such as “you are going to fail if you don’t _____;” children or teens who tease by calling peers “ugly,” a “nerd,” or a “big, fat pig”.

The list is endless! A boyfriend who controls with “Don’t let me see you talking to him again,” or a girlfriend who rages when her boyfriend can’t text or visit when she wants him to. All of these words wound; words do hurt and the hurt can last a lifetime.

Signs that your child/teen may be suffering from emotional/verbal abuse: ■ Increased defiance, refusing to do anything a parent asks ■ Cursing; raging at parents/grandparents ■ Isolating; withdrawing; spending more and more time alone ■ Self-destructive behavior(s) such as alcohol/drug use, cutting, suicide attempts, threats of suicide ■ Running away from home or never wanting to be home

Often when one parent is abusive, the other parent attempts to compensate by being especially nice to the child or teen thinking that that will make up for the other’s abusive behavior. Unfortunately, this does not work. The child or teen still gets the message of the abuser, and that message is “something is wrong with me, I will never be good enough, I am not worthy of being loved, I am not deserving of affection because no one at home is affectionate with me.”

I’ve talked with hundreds of people who have been verbally and emotionally abused in their childhoods, and even though they manage their lives, there are some who never feel adequate, who are always second guessing themselves,

■ Decrease or increase in appetite ■ Significant increase/decrease in sleep ■ Refusing to participate in any school activity or family activity ■ Begging not to be left alone with mom or dad or not wanting to go to school ■ Increased apathy; not caring about appearance, school, extra-curricular activities, etc.

some who don’t have the skills needed to cope in everyday relationships. There are many who are on their second or third marriage because they keep marrying the same type of person as the abusive parent. Fortunately, these are issues that can be treated; no one should have to suffer the effects of verbal and emotional abuse alone.

Verbal abuse is much too powerful and destructive to ignore; it is rampant in our society, it is built into our culture. As with any social problem, awareness is first and intolerance of its continuance is next. When you hear something that sounds like verbal abuse, do not accept it.

Say to the abuser, “What you have just said is abusive; stop it.” If he or she ignores you, then leave the room, the building, or the relationship

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■ Anxiety symptoms such as chronic chest pains, stomach pains, headaches, hair pulling, obsessive hand washing, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate.

■ Depressive symptoms such as intense anger/rages, crying, isolation, increased/decreased appetite, sexual promiscuity, cutting, increased/decreased sleep, and/or frequent episodes of defiance

until the abuser gets that you are serious.

Condoning abuse just makes it easier for this insidious problem in our society to continue. If your child or teen has been abused, get her professional help. If you or your spouse fears that you have been abusive to your child or teen, seek the help of a qualified professional. No matter how long the problem has been happening, it is never too late for a turnaround—treatment works! Y Suzanne B. Russell, LPC; PLLC, specializes in treating children and teens with ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

For more information, visit her website at www.srusselltherapy.com or call 601.707.7355.

!

Connect WITH US ONLINE RITA WEBSTER 601-954-4366 • ritawebster@bellsouth.net

ij David Ingram Real Estate

Like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest

115-B Homestead Drive Madison, MS 39110 Phone: 601-853-6080 Fax: 601-853-3738

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COVERING THE JACKSON METRO AREA

www.writteninstoneclean.com metrochristianliving.com ❘ JULY 2013 33

➺sports victories

by ROBERT WILSON

Bulldog Chaplain Builds Men hile coach John Cohen came back to Mississippi State to build a College World Series level baseball program at his alma mater, Matt Jolley returned to Starkville to make disciples for Jesus Christ on the Bulldog baseball team.

And it’s not a coincidence that both have enjoyed tremendous success this season. Cohen has led MSU to the College World Series while Jolley, as the Bulldogs’ team chaplain, has produced many disciples Matt and Crystal are with his Bible studies. parents of Anna “From the very first day, I have made it clear that God has a James, Adolyn, Cole, plan and purpose for us to grow and mature in our relationship and Lucy. with Him and it is called discipleship,” said Jolley, who took over as chaplain four years ago when Josh Gilreath became pastor of Pinelake Church-Starkville.

“I told the guys that while I was happy to lead a chapel on Sunday mornings, what I really wanted to do was spend time each week investing into their lives and teaching them God’s Word and how to study it for themselves. That first year one of the players asked if we could start meeting. The next year four of the guys wanted to meet, the next year eight, and this year I have been meeting with 16 guys on the team pretty much every week,” Team Prayer is a priority.

Jolley related.

“They bring their Bibles, pens, highlighters, and notebook and we study God’s Word together and talk about how to make it practical in baptized me during our senior our lives and how it applies to different areas of our lives, including weekend in front of my family, baseball. I give them an assignment to work on during the week and we friends, and teammates. I know go over it when we meet. We also spend time talking about their Matt preparing to baptize Mitc h having Matt around has brought Slauter at Chadwick Lake. struggles and looking at verses they can memorize to fight against all the guys closer to Christ, temptation the way the Jesus did in Matthew 4,” Jolley explains. which helps each one of us in growing our relationship with Christ.”

And it’s not just time spend studying the Word. “We spend time “While everyone saw pitchers Ben Bracewell and Chad Girodo together hunting and fishing and most importantly, I have the guys over dominate on the mound in the regional championship game, what they to my house to be around my family [wife, Crystal, and four kids] as haven’t seen is the time we have spent together studying the Bible nearly much as I can to try and model to them what Pastor [Tim] Cole [in every week over the past three years—and all of the conversations we Florida] did for me—a home centered on God’s Word. I am not perfect, have had, and the verses we have looked at about having to persevere and but I do my best to be genuine and transparent with them about trust God through the injuries, bad outings, and lack of playing time both everything in my life.” of them have experienced,” Jolley said.

“They are not perfect either and just like everyone, they have their “As Job said, ‘Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept struggles. But they are growing and maturing in their relationship with adversity?’ (Job 2:10). All of us have times of good and adversity, but it the Lord,” say Jolley. While I am excited for them to be successful this has been my experience that these 18-22 year olds who were playing a season, it is not nearly as exciting as the victories I see happening in their boy’s game with no pressure when they started years ago has now turned heart as they get into God’s Word for themselves and grow deeper in into a roller coaster of highs and lows. In my opinion, just like a boat their relationship with the Lord.” needs an anchor to stay firm through a storm, these guys need a firm Senior pitchers Luis Pollorena and Kendall Graveman got together anchor, a solid rock that can keep them focused and firm. Many of the before school started this year in the locker room to individually pray in players have learned the words of the old hymn to be true—’On Christ, front of each locker for the player who would be sitting there during the the solid Rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground season. Senior first baseman Trey Porter’s walk-up song is Chris Tomlin’s is sinking sand.’”

“God of Angel Armies.” Senior catcher Mitch Slauter put his faith in Jolley, a Benton Academy graduate, finished at MSU in 2001 and Christ earlier this year and was baptized in Chadwick Lake behind knew he eventually would be back doing ministry in Starkville. He spent MSU’s Dudy Noble baseball field. the first summer after college at Kanakuk, a Christian athletic camp in “Everything Matt has done for myself personally, and our team as a Missouri. Jolley also went through a Bible training program at the whole is truly inspirational,” Slauter said. “For myself, he has been a big Kanakuk Institute. part and reason behind me leading a life that Christ wants me to. Matt

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34 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

“One of Jesus’ last commands in Matthew 28:19 was to ‘go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I commanded you,’� Jolley said. “Although I grew up in church, I had never heard of discipleship or seen it modeled until the summer after my junior year of college.

While at Kanakuk, I met Dave Cribbs and he started teaching me how to study the Bible on my own, challenged me to memorize scripture, gave me accountability with my struggles without making me feel condemned, encouraged me to stay focused on the Lord, and just spent time hanging out with us. I grew spiritually so much that summer and at the end of it he said this is called discipleship and this is what Jesus did with His 12 disciples and commanded believers to be doing today.�

Jolley took the job as the director of St. Petersburg K-Life youth ministry and met pastor Tim Cole, who Jolley met with each week for six years before moving back to Starkville. Jolley also was a chaplain in the Tampa Bay Rays pro baseball organization and worked with their minor league players during spring training. “Tim continued to pour his life into mine and teach me God’s word and model it for me with his life,� Jolley said. “My wife and I spent countless hours with Pastor Cole and his wife Michele being taught by them, getting counseling from them and probably most impacting— being in their home on a regular basis seeing the way they made God’s Word the center of their marriage and their parenting.�

God then led Jolley back to Starkville. “I don’t think any of this would have happened without the complete support and encouragement of the MSU coaching and support staff,�

Jolley said. “They have made my role with the team so much easier and my relationship with each of them is a blessing. We have a coaches Bible study each week where we get into the Word together and pray for each other and the guys on the team.� “I know as coaches they will always have fans and critics for what they do on the field, but off the field they are helping to create an atmosphere of growth and excellence in every area of these players’ lives. They know that many of them want to grow spiritually, so they do all they can to make that possible for those who want it. For those on the team who have no interest in growing spiritually, the players and the coaches have created an atmosphere of love and respect for each other so there has never been an issue of anyone feeling judged or condemned if they chose a different path at this point in their lives. The greatest gospel we preach is with our lives, so we should seek to live in a manner worthy of the gospel and pray that our lives would draw them toward Christ and not push them away,� explains Jolley.

Jolley is planning to take some players and coaches on a mission trip to the Bahamas this Christmas break. “We will be putting on baseball camps, sharing our testimonies, doing Bible studies, and taking down much needed baseball gear to give out to kids who love the game of baseball more than anything, yet many of which don’t even have their own glove,� Jolley said. “I’m sure it will make them more thankful for all they have here in America and challenge them to become more like Christ who didn’t come to be served but to serve and to give His life for others.�

For more information on Matt Jolley’s ministry, see www.msuphase2.com Y

Robert Wilson is Business Developer for BFAC. He is a freelance writer, author, and the publisher of Victories in Metro Jackson magazine. He is a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Contact him at Robert@bfac.com.

Our cardiologists don’t work on just any heart.

Your heart is our specialty.

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Jackson Prep www.jacksonprep.net metrochristianliving.com â?˜ JULY 2013 35

➺rave reviews BOOK

Stealing the Preacher Reviewed by Susan E. Richardson

Crockett Archer doesn’t know what to think when outlaws stop and board his train. They seem to be searching for someone or something instead of gathering loot. When they announce they aren’t leaving without the preacher, his bewilderment grows. How could they know he was on his way to preach for a call? The news that they intend him as a birthday present for the leader’s daughter, Joanna Robbins, adds to his bafflement.

Joanna had no idea what her father had planned after he asked what she wanted most for her birthday. She had been praying for a pastor to reopen the local church—and for her father’s salvation. Though he had given up his outlaw ways after marriage, he had never come to know Christ. Since her mother died, Joanna feels the burden now rests on her.

More twists and turns bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.

Karen Witemeyer’s new book, Stealing the Preacher, showcases the author’s ability to create plots with unusual circumstances, yet remain believable. Her characters are well rounded and appealing, and she has a knack for keeping the story firmly Christian without being in the least preachy. Her books blend humor and romance with history to produce an engaging story.

Stealing the Preacher is a perfect choice for a summer read: light and enjoyable without being fluffy. If you haven’t tried any of the author’s books yet, now is a good time to do so.

Happy reading! 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.

WHAT’S GOING ON Former Miss Mississippi Speaks to Choose Life Ali North, well remembered by most Mississippians as Allison Kellogg, a former Miss Mississippi, will be the keynote speaker at Choose Life’s August 1 evening gala. An actress, speaker, and the owner of a baby-planning company, Sweet Expectations, Ali is also the mother of three—a four-year-old daughter, a two-year-old son, and a four-month-old son. A former resident of Madison, Ali now lives in California with her family. To learn more about Ali, see her blog www.pregnantandpraying.com.

MCL: What sparked your passion for crisis pregnancies?

Ali: I have had a heart for the unborn and for children since I began babysitting as a teenager. Once I became a mom, I realized how difficult pregnancy and parenting is WITH a supportive, loving husband and family. I could finally somewhat understand what a single mom must feel and knew I had to help and offer any advice I could. Once I earned my certification as a baby planner through the International Maternity Institute, I began teaching workshops on pregnancy and newborn care at Westside Pregnancy Clinic.

MCL: There are people who would wonder how a beautiful young wife and mom like you can understand the thought processes of women, possibly single and poor, or afraid of the social stigma of being pregnant and not married. How would you answer them?

Ali: I don’t firsthand. But when God calls you to something, I believe He gives you an extra dose of empathy and understanding in that area. I have a great compassion for these moms and a hope of helping them. Where I can relate to them is how hard motherhood is in general.

MCL: What have you learned about the real life practical ways the average Pro-Lifer can reach out and help change this culture that does not place value on the life of the unborn?

Ali: I have known this was a battleground where the Lord wanted me for years, but just didn’t know where to start. So, I remember the (Continued on next page)

Finding the Right Fit for You

Michelle Whitaker Independent Insurance Agent

P.O. Box 54174 | Pearl, MS 39288 601.954.1620 | Mwhitaker2006@aol.com

Specializing in Medicare Supplements, Life & Health 36 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

events calendar July 5 Enjoy an untimed, hot air balloon chasing time at the Inaugural Balloon Chase Run/Walk with a 4 Mile Run, 2 Mile Walk or Kid’s One Mile. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Canton Multi-Purpose Complex. For more info, visit www.ballooncanton.com or call 601.355.6276.

annual event benefitting Mission First, Inc. Activities for the entire family. Includes 5K Run, 5K Walk, 1-Mile Fun Run, and the Tot Trot. For info, call 601.949.1947.

Fun Run begin at St. Anthony Catholic School at 1585 Mannsdale Road. For more info, call 601.856.9385 or crandall84@comcast.net.

ONGOING

Livingston Farmers Market, 129 Mannsdale Road, is every Thursday 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Fresh produce, homemade jams, live entertainment, and much more.

Family-friendly fun. For more info, call 601.898.0212.

Mississippi Children’s Museum “Bob the Builder” exhibit now through September 8.

Includes interactive, hands-on activities.

Exhibit is free with price of $8 paid admission to the museum. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info, call 601.981.5469.

July 13

JACKSON July 13

The Color Run™ is a unique 5K experience focused less on speed and more on crazy color fun with friends and family. Begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Jackson Coliseum and Fairgrounds. For details, see thecolorrun.com/Jackson.

July 13

MADISON July 6 The first annual Battle Tested 5K Run presented by the CJ Stewart Foundation at 8 a.m. at Liberty Park in Madison. Includes a free 1K “Fun Run” for children. Register by texting RACE to 601.863.8100. Proceeds to go toward support of “Down Range,” a camp that will be a training ground for Mississippi youth.

Visit cjstewart.org or contact 601.624.8258.

Jackson Zoo hosts its annual Ice Cream Safari from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sponsored by Blue Bell with 19 celebrity scoopers and 19 flavors to sample. Price of zoo admission entitles ticket holder to all one can eat! For more info, go to www.jacksonzoo.org or call 601.352.2580.

Summer Arts Camp at Madison Square Center for the Arts. Ages 6-14. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

For details, call the Arts Center at 601.853.0291

August 1

July 18 – 21

Choose Life Gala at the The South Warehouse, 627 Silas Brown. Reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

Keynote speaker is former Miss Mississippi Alison Kellogg North. Tickets $55 per person with proceeds going to Choose Life. For more info, visit ChooseLifeMs.org or 601.206.5816.

August 3 Run for the Son 5K, First Baptist Jackson’s

PEARL

July 8 – 19

Sanderson Farms Championship for first-class golf raises funds for Blair Batson Children’s Hospital. For more information, call 866.898.GOLF or SandersonFarmsChampionship.com.

July 27 Bruin Burn! Hosted by St. Joseph’s Booster Club and sponsored by Capital Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, the 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile

The Mississippi Opry presents its Summer Show with guest band, Magnolia Drive.

Harmony & Grits will host. Enjoy bluegrass at its best 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at The Pearl Community Room, 2420 Old Brandon Road. $10 admission for adults; children under 18 free. For more information, call 601.331.6672.

July 10 – 14 MS Braves vs.

Chattanooga Lookouts at Trustmark Park at 7 p.m.

Friday night fireworks!

July 23 – 27 MS Braves vs. Pensacola Wahoos at 7 p.m. at Trustmark Park. Friday night fireworks!

RIDGELAND July 4 Celebrate America/Balloon Glow at Northpark Mall at 6 p.m. Country singer David Lee Murphy will entertain.

Admission is free. Enjoy the largest firework display in the metro area. For more info, call 601.853.2011. Y

(Continued from previous page)

day I happened to park next to an abortion clinic in Santa Monica and decided to silently walk around it and pray. That is a place everyone can start—prayer! We may never know how our prayers are affecting lives and breaking strongholds, but I know they are. In addition to prayer, helping moms in crisis is huge. Find a local crisis pregnancy clinic and donate your time, resources, or baby items.

Mentor an expecting mom. It sounds so simple, but just by congratulating her on her baby; you may completely change her stance

on whether or not that baby is born.

Knowing that someone is excited about that life and feels the pregnancy is a positive thing can be the best encouragement for a terrified mother.

I also think that we as a culture can be more embracing of children in general. I have had complete strangers ask if my third baby was “planned” and tell me I was “crazy” to have three children so close in age.

Children are a blessing and a gift. Sure, there is free will and babies are not always

born into the best of circumstances, but God does not make mistakes. We just need to come together and help to make those circumstances better for the families.

We also need to embrace and support those who have had abortions to show them the forgiveness and healing that is through Christ. It is uncomfortable. It is unpleasant to talk to someone about and relive with them. However, Jesus can heal all wounds and He can make all things new.

Y metrochristianliving.com ❘ JULY 2013 37

JULY 2013

CANTON

➺

➺quips & quotes

ADVERTISER INDEX

}

{

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

✂No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and money.

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

– John 12:26

– Matthew 6:24

Faithful servants never retire. You can retire from your career, but you will never retire from serving God. – Rick Warren

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.

– Erma Bombeck

When you have no helpers, see your helpers in God. When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers. When you have nothing but God, see all in God. When you have everything, see God in everything.

Under all conditions, stay thy heart only on the Lord.

In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government, ought to be instructed.

– Charles Spurgeon

– Noah Webster

O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation; Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

The conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be our motto’ “In God is our trust!”

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

– Francis Scott Key Have you ever realized that you can give things to God that are of value to Him? Or are you just sitting around daydreaming about the greatness of His redemption, while neglecting all the things you could be doing for Him? I’m not referring to works which could be regarded as divine and miraculous, but ordinary, simple human things—things which would be evidence to God that you are totally surrendered to Him. – Oswald Chambers

NORTH STATE

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601-982-8261 Boarding & Grooming Services Available

38 JULY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living

– John Adams

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

– Patrick Henry

ADVERTISER

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Baptist Medical Clinics .............................................17 Behavioral Health Specialists, LLC.............................8 Belhaven University.....................................................5 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi......................19 Boy Scouts of America .............................................27 Callaway's Yard & Garden..........................................2 C Spire .........................................................................3 Choose Life Mississippi ............................................25 Christ Covenant School............................................28 Covenant Caregivers ................................................15 Crossgates River Oaks Pediatrics ..............................9 David Ingram Real Estate.........................................33 Dogwood Vision Care ..............................................24 Energy Insulation.......................................................36 EyeCare Professionals...............................................19 First Presbyterian Day School ..................................13 French Camp Academy............................................28 Gentiva Hospice........................................................12 GI Associates.............................................................23 Grantham Poole Certified Public Accountants ......28 Greenwood 300 Oaks Road Race...........................31 Highland Village........................................................31 Home Instead Senior Care.........................................8 Jackson Academy .......................................................2 Jackson Heart............................................................35 Jackson Preparatory School.....................................35 Law Firm of William B. Howell, Ltd. ........................29 Michelle Whitaker, Ind. Insurance Agent ................36 Mississippi Tobacco Free..........................................13 Neblett's Frame Outlets, Inc....................................11 N. State Animal Hospital..........................................38 O! How Cute.............................................................14 Pennington & Trim Alarm Services, Inc...................23 Private Collection......................................................12 Ray's Fine Linens.......................................................31 Sitters, LLC ................................................................28 Smiles by Design.......................................................31 Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company....27 St. Dominic's .............................................................11 Stegall Imagery .........................................................39 Summit Counseling...................................................18 Sunnybrook Estates ..................................................30 The Club at the Township ..........................................7 The Waterford...........................................................17 Tinnin Imports ...........................................................40 The Orchard ..............................................................13 The Veritas School ....................................................14 Venable Glass Services .............................................18 WHJT Star 93.5.........................................................39 Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home..........................13 Written in Stone, LLC ...............................................33 Yazoo City Fire & Feast ............................................25

If I gave everything I have to the poor & even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

– 1 Corinthians 13:3

real love.

real acceptance.

www.star93fm.com metrochristianliving.com ❘ JULY 2013 39