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MAY 2013
Build Your Margin
Truth and Contemporary Culture Fresh Finds for Mother’s Day Giving
2 MAY 2013 â?˜ Metro Christian Living
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contents MAY 2013
metro ®
columns 9 The Way I See It Build Your Margin
10 Living My Call Peggy Cannada McKey—Made to Mother
12 Education Connection Caregiver Stress and the Sandwich Generation
14 Modern Motherhood Remembering Small
17 The Doctor Is In The Care and Nurturing of Mothers
18 Welcome Home Getting Your House Ready to Sell in Today’s Market
features
20 Salt & Light
26
22 Author’s Profile
Word of Life Embraces Poindexter Park
Wendy Herring
Sherye Simmons Green
Just the Heart for Serving
34 This Is My Story Learning to Let Go
35 Lagniappe A Veteran’s Reverie
36 Pastor’s Perspective Truth and Contemporary Culture
38 Chewed Petunias Grounded in Love
30
44 42
40 Single Still, Single Again Leaving a Legacy
41 All in the Family A Letter from Our Kids
44 Let’s Talk It Over A Season for Missions
47 Legal Advice Will Your Power of Attorney Work When You Need It?
departments
17
24 Healthy Living Losing Weight and Getting Healthy—My Personal Story
30 Food For Thought Memories from Home
What’s Coming Next Month? David and Meg Robbins Ministry to Millennials
32 Fresh Finds Mother’s Day Giving
42 Sports Victories Megan Jones of Germantown Middle School
48 Rave Reviews
➺
Books, Movies, and Music
Volume 7, Number 11 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 Joyce Ainsworth, The Very Reverend Keith Allen, Marla Baker, Lydia Bolen, Kimberly Grace Bowman, Donna G. Breeland, M.D., Dr. John L. Cox, William B. Howell, Mary Hughes, Amy Ingram, Molly Meeks, Robin O’Bryant, Mariclaire Putman, Susan E. Richardson, Martin E. Willoughby, Jr., Robert Wilson Cover Photography Stegall Imagery Distribution Assistants Laura Kidder, Randy Fortenberry, Andrea Sabillion, Rachel Schulte, Jerri Strickland, Priscilla Sullivan, Tim Waldon, Bob Whatley
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 2012 by Metro Christian Living, Inc. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Metro Christian Living is published monthly and is available at high traffic locations throughout the metropolitan area. Copies are also available by subscription, $29 for one year. Single issues available for $3 an issue. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Metro Christian Living, 573 Highway 51 North, Suite C, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
49 What’s Going On APRIL ISSUE: The author’s bio for “The Emotionally Abusive Relationship” was incorrect. It was written by Suzanne B. Russell, LPC; PLLC, who 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. Alana Donovan Photography should have received credit for the Myrick family photo in the “Journey Impossible” article.
4 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
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➺editor’s letter Mother Musings
A
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth,” (3 John 1:4).
At the moment, I am sitting in a hotel room in Chicago playing “nanny” for several days to my nine-week-old grandbaby girl while her mother attends a company sales meeting. I haven’t hit the Magnificent Mile at all, and I have left the
hotel just once in five days. Although a bit sleep deprived at the moment, I have relished every second with my daughter and granddaughter and have had no desire to change a thing—except—I have wished a million times that my mother could be with us. There is something about the sorority of motherhood that bonds us in inexplicable ways. The miracle of that tiny person who has changed every aspect of life for the rest of one’s days is now a too-deep-forwords kind of love that Betsy and I share.
The term ❝ “working moms” is redundant. – Jane Sellman
❞
Nurture and caregiving come instinctively to most women. I can remember my son, who was six years old at the time, pleading with me to tell his sister (who was three years old) to “stop mothering” him. That memory makes me smile as I watch my daughter “mother” this little girl as though she is her very own baby doll. Watching them together gives me a fresh perspective on the whole idea of how one generation has the almost sacred opportunity to pass on to the next generation the intangibles, the eternal, and the really, really eternal values that keep a society thriving and healthy. “Dads are not moms,” our “All in the Family” columnist, Dr. John Cox, has pointed out in recent years. Of course the reverse is equally true because moms are not dads either, and by God’s all-wise design, we are really not meant to be interchangeable. In an ideal world, which I realize we do not have, every child would be so fortunate to have one of each close at hand. As politically incorrect as that may sound in our present culture, I will just accept being labeled old-fashioned or something worse and be fine with it. This, our annual women’s issue, honors mothers specifically, but speaks generally to women in various seasons of life on topics that matter to women. From practical ideas about creating margins in your life to profound examples of the selfless brand of love that can only be
6 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
described as Christ-like, there is comfort and inspiration and encouragement in spades here! I could take a highlighter and mark at least one sage comment in every one of our contributing columnists’ heartfelt renderings. We have given voice to many mothers—from the ones like Robin O’Bryant who are still in the throes of figuring out how to transfer those important values to her three daughters who are like little sponges watching her every move, and the ones Marla Baker speaks to in our “Education Connection”—those overwhelmed women who are shouldering a full plate with children who live at home and aging parents who need a lot of time and attention. In between the urgent, most of us have at least a fleeting thought about our legacy. “Does anything I do matter? Does anything I do make a difference?” So often, as we go through the grind of what is right in front of us—we do influence and make a difference in ways that we do not immediately see. If we are, as my son tells his children, always trying to do the right thing, well you never know how far your influence might stretch. In different seasons of life, there is a sense of being overwhelmed by the demands of family and job. I think most women in today’s world feel kind of torn between the desire to use their talents in the marketplace and the passionate longing to keep the home fires burning brightly. My hat is off to them. It is hard. If you relate at all to this struggle, read Dr. Donna Breeland’s words in “The Doctor is In.” As I watch my daughter multi-task like crazy, I want to do something to make it easier for her, and maybe that is another reason I have so missed my mother this week. I can remember when her remarks to me were the same ones I am now reiterating to Betsy. My mother could not “fix” my life, but she did set before me an example and she did instill in me a mindset and a heart to look beyond myself for wisdom and resiliency. She taught me to love God, to lean on Him, and she demonstrated a faith that made Him real to me. Some things are temporary, and some things are eternal. If we just hold on to the eternal through every season of the temporary, we will do more than survive, we will flourish—and so will our children after us. What an encouraging thought in my old age! Y
Marilyn H. Tinnin, Publisher and Editor marilyn@metrochristianliving.com
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metrochristianliving.com ❘ MAY 2013 7
8 MAY 2013 â?˜ Metro Christian Living
by MARTIN E. WILLOUGHBY, JR.
➺
the way i see it
Build Your Margin ow’s the MARGIN in your life? Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a series of books on the need for “margin” in our lives. He defines margin
H
as “the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience.” I think creating margin is one of the most challenging aspects of living in today’s world. A lack of margin can destroy relationships, our finances, and even our health. We live in a land and time of unprecedented abundance, yet too many of us probably feel more burdened than ever. We have such an abundance of food that we have a $20 billion dollar weight loss industry. We have tools and resources that simplify so much of the daily labor that life required 100 years ago, yet we work longer hours than ever. In the U.S., 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week; and Americans work 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more hours per year than British workers, and 499 more hours per year than French workers. Our wages are higher than ever, yet American consumers have $11.38 trillion in debt ($852 billion in credit card debt, $8.15 trillion in mortgages, and $914 billion in student loans). I focus on three key areas of margin in my coaching practice: TIME, MONEY, and ENERGY.
TIME The best I can tell, Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry. He accomplished an incredible amount in three short years of ministry, but always seemed to go at his own pace. Time is a very finite resource. I believe that we tend to grossly overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, and vastly underestimate what we can accomplish in a year. How we spend our time, like how we spend our money, reflects our priorities. If we are going to have intentional living and create the margin of time in our lives, then we need to start planning how we want to spend it. Building margin requires tough choices and the ability to say NO.
decide to live on a percentage of their income. Instead, as their income rises they raise their standard of living. Even high net worth people struggle routinely with getting trapped into lifestyle choices that require them to work harder and harder just to keep up. However, when we live on a budget and use percentages to govern our giving, saving, and living, we are on a path to financial margin.
I believe that we tend to grossly overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, and vastly underestimate what we can accomplish in a year. How we spend our time like how we spend our money, reflects our priorities.
HEALTH The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) reports that sleep deprivation is a public health epidemic and reports that an estimated 50-70 million U.S. adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder. We need rest and rejuvenation. The Lord provided us a Sabbath to renew ourselves. How do you feel after your Sabbath? Eating right, exercising, and getting proper sleep are such simple concepts—but so hard to consistently live out. The question becomes WHY? Look at what is robbing you of your health. Too often it is tied to a lack of margin of time or worry about our finances (or both). To live with margin in our society is not going to happen by accident. You have to fight for it. We have to be highly intentional on our choices and learn to do without. When we have margin, we can become more outwardly and others focused. Our cup flows over with God’s love, and we can pour ourselves into others. I encourage you to not let another year go by that you struggle with a lack of margin in your life! It is an investment in yourself you won’t regret!
Y MONEY Andy Stanley, the leader of North Point Community Church in Atlanta, is one of my favorite speakers. He gives some of the best talks on managing your finances I have ever heard. Stanley points out that many people never create financial margin because they don’t
Martin E. Willoughby, Jr,. is Chief Operating Officer of Butler Snow Advisory Services, LLC located in Ridgeland. He and his wife, Nicki, have two children, Ally and Trey, and live in Madison. metrochristianliving.com ❘ MAY 2013 9
➺living my call by MARILYN TINNIN
Peggy Cannada McKey—Made to Mother hile mothering five children, ranging in age from four A representative from Bethany came to the Edwards Presbyterian to 14, Peggy Cannada McKey accepted the call from Church one Sunday to talk about this new adoption ministry and to Bethany Christian Services to keep babies who were hopefully recruit foster families. Peggy thought that becoming a foster awaiting adoption. She says, “Once you get to five children, what’s a family would be the perfect way to ensure perpetual babies in the few more?” A few more? As in 25, including a McKey household. Everyone was on board and set of twins, plus 16 more young women in excited at the prospect. unplanned pregnancies who came to live at the Peggy’s philosophy is “Many hands make for McKey’s house and were loved as though they happy babies,” and so, taking care of these babies had always been there. was definitely a family affair. That is not to say it Peggy says that her initial decision to become was always an easy undertaking. a foster parent was “completely selfish.” Anyone As Carol Mattheny, Peggy’s oldest daughter who has spent even one sleepless night walking recalls, “These babies usually came with the floor with a fussy baby would consider it challenges.” Many had been born to mothers quite the opposite of “selfish” to willingly accept who had either been on drugs or addicted to The McKey family—children and someone else’s newborn into one’s home for alcohol. Such a situation meant a level of grandchildren and spouses. They are months, give the kind of love that parents give irritability, eating problems, and sleeping a “crowd!” their own, only to eventually relinquish that baby problems far beyond the “norm.” to a “forever” family—then eagerly do it all over again at the Peggy’s prescription was always to just “pass them back and forth and first opportunity. love on ‘em.” Each of her children developed their own special It was 1983 when Bethany Christian Services opened their first office techniques for soothing each baby, and there were always plenty of in Jackson. Peggy’s four year old, Luke, had been his older sisters’ baby willing hands available to sit, rock, and snuggle. doll since day one, and he was starting to rebel at their games. He Most of the babies were either African American or bi-racial. refused to play the baby role any longer, and that caused his four older During the 1980s and into the 1990s, that fact meant a lot of stares, a sisters to clamor for a new “real” baby in the family. lot of whispers in a public place, as people assumed everything except the true situation. The stares never bothered Peggy. She knew she was doing exactly what God had called her to do, and she always considered it a privilege to give these innocent little people a good start in life. Carol says that one reason babies were always welcomed by the entire family was that her mother never altered her plans just because they had a new baby in the house. “If she was headed to a football game and got a call that there was a new baby waiting, Mom would just stop by the hospital, scoop up the baby and keep going. Whatever we had planned, we just took the new baby along.” Peggy allowed each of her five children to take turns naming their infants. Of course the adoptive parents always changed the name once the adoption was complete, but the McKeys found that giving their babies names made them much more a part of the family for those weeks or months when they lived in the McKey home. The McKeys continue to refer to their babies by those names all these years later. Each child truly Our Intensive Outpatient Programs are day programs that was a unique individual to them, and not a single one was ever “just the provide support and treatment for adults age 55 and older temporary foster baby.” who are facing emotional or mental difficulties. Being a part of Bethany, hearing the background stories that came with each new baby, and investing themselves in the prayer and DEPRESSION ~ SADNESS ~ CRYING SPELLS nurture of their “babies” deepened their personal concern for the ANXIOUSNESS/WORRY ~ ISOLATION FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS plight of orphans. FEELINGS OF WORTHLESSNESS A few years ago, Peggy accepted a position on the local Bethany Board and later on the National Board of Directors in Grand Rapids, PROGRAM LOCATIONS Michigan. She has made numerous trips to Ghana and Ethiopia Flora ~ Gluckstadt ~ Yazoo City encouraging the nationals there to encourage adoption and to make improvements in the care of their orphan population. Senior Life Solutions Referral Line Meanwhile, back in Edwards, Mississippi, she and husband Keith, 855-KDH-IOPS (855-534-4677) share their empty nest that is rarely empty. With horses, a pet pig, and or 662-751-8181 15 grandchildren who visit often, Peggy is still finding that a house full of children keeps her energized and very aware of God’s great King’s Daughters Hospital blessings to her. Y
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10 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
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➺education connection by MARLA BAKER
Caregiver Stress and the Sandwich Generation
S
So, are you part of the sandwich generation? The sandwich generation is a term coined in 1981 by Dorothy Miller. She was referring to a generation of caregivers who were caught in the middle, giving care and financial support to their aging parents, while at the same time trying to care for their own growing families. The National Association of Social Workers estimates from their study, “The Needs of Sandwich Generation Women” that 42 million people are sandwiched between helping both generations due to seniors living longer and people waiting to get married and have children later in life. I recently had the opportunity to sit and listen to a local caregiver support group in the Jackson area. I heard so many different types of ways the ladies were “sandwiched in” and taking care of everyone but themselves. Just as there are many ways to make a sandwich, there are many ways to feel “sandwiched in.” So forgive me for comparing ladies to sandwiches, but— what type of sandwich are you? Maybe you can relate to one of these:
The Submarine: Totally submerged is how you feel most of the time. You take care of your mom, your husband’s mom, and your husband’s stepmom, and you are a mom yourself. Your stress has just hit the mother lode. The ALZ Stacked-High Club Sandwich: You take care of your father with Alzheimer’s. It has come to a point in where you can’t leave him alone. You wonder how you are going to take care of him and the stress is stacked sky high in your house with little energy left for your husband and teenage children. The Egg Sandwich: You are always scrambling to get everything done, but mostly you just feel totally fried. Now your health is declining due to taking care of everyone but yourself. The Mother Teresa Sandwich: You are sandwiched into a stressful job that helps others; you serve on church committees and are involved with many great causes. You take care of your parents, children, and grandchildren. The Cucumber Sandwich: Although you appear to be cool as a cucumber and have everything under control most of the time, you feel like you are in a “real pickle”. You don’t like to “bother” anyone. Your siblings allow you to take care of everything because you always have. You know you need to ask for help but you just don’t know where to start.
RAYMOND HAK COLLECTION
The Po’boy Sandwich: You feel poor in many ways. You feel the financial crush of college for your children and medical bills and living expenses for your parents. Thinking about your own retirement is terrifying.
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If you can relate to any of these scenarios then know that you’re not alone. As our society’s demographics shift, women will increasingly find themselves shouldering heavier caregiving burdens. The following tips are from the website, Caregiverstress.com. I hope many of you will find these helpful in caring for you, the caregiver! • Work out: Exercise and enjoy something you like to do (walking, dancing, biking, running, swimming, etc.) for a minimum of 20 minutes at least three times per week. Consider learning a stress-management exercise such as yoga or tai-chi, which teach inner balance and relaxation. • Meditate: Sit still and breathe deeply with your mind as “quiet” as possible whenever things feel like they are moving too quickly or you are feeling overwhelmed by your
responsibilities as a caregiver. Many times you will feel like you don’t even have a minute to yourself, but it’s important to walk away and to take that minute. • Ask for help: According to a national survey by Home Instead Senior Care of adults who are currently providing care for an aging loved one, 72 percent do so without any outside help. To avoid burnout and stress, you can enlist the help of other family members and friends, and/or consider hiring a professional nonmedical caregiver for assistance. There is no need to feel guilty for reaching out. • Take a break: Make arrangements for any necessary fill-in help (family, friends, volunteers, or professional caregivers). Take single days or even a week’s vacation. And when you’re away, stay away. Talk about different things, read that book you haven’t been able to get to, take naps—whatever relaxes you and makes you happy. • Eat well: Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, including nuts and beans, and whole grains. Indulging in caffeine, fast food, and sugar as quick “pick-me-ups” also produce a quick “letdown.” • Keep your medical appointments: Make sure you get your annual check-up. Being a caregiver provides many excuses for skipping your necessary checkups, but don’t do it. A healthy you is worth more to your aging loved one than a sick, weak you. • Indulge: Treat yourself to a foot massage, manicure, nice dinner out, or a concert to take yourself away from the situation and to reward yourself for the wonderful care you are providing to your aging relative. You shouldn’t feel guilty about wanting to feel good. • Support: Find a local caregiver support group. They will help you understand that what you are feeling and experiencing is normal. This is a place to get practical advice from people who are in your situation and to bounce off those feelings of stress, since everyone is likely to be in the same situation and can empathize.
Y
Marla Baker has been the Community Service Representative for Home Instead Senior Care since October 2003. She is a member of Pinelake Church, and lives in Brandon with her husband Dallas, and her two children, Paris and Will. Contact her at 601.926.1181 or 866.507.8484.
➺modern motherhood by ROBIN O’BRYANT
Remembering Small
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My husband and I take turns traveling for our respective jobs. On any given week, one of us is likely to be out of town for at least one night. Even though it can be a little hectic, juggling schedules—and single parenting on occasion—it works for our family. We each get to spend time alone with our kids and I can never, ever say, “My husband has no idea what it’s like when he’s not here!” Because he knows exactly what it’s like. He was out of town a few weeks back and after two days of dragging the kids out of the bed, getting dressed, fed and to school (late), running carpool, working and doing the whole dinnertime, bath time, bedtime dance—I was tired. I can’t say it enough—single parents are heroes. I was sitting on the couch flipping through a book while the girls “brushed their teeth.” That’s in quotes because it can mean any variety of things: they are sword fighting with their toothbrushes; they are using their toothbrushes as microphones and singing at the top of their lungs, they are scrubbing the bathroom counter, or they are ignoring me and playing—not even having the decency to pretend like they are brushing their teeth. Aubrey, my almost nine-year-old, approached me sheepishly, the way she does when she knows that the answer to whatever she is about to ask is, “No.” “Momma?” She started, “I know this sounds ridiculous, but will you please brush my teeth for me?” She hurried on before I could say anything, “I know I can do it myself and I will if you want me to, but sometimes I just like to feel small again. Do you know what I mean?” I was going to say yes even before she explained why, but the “why” melted my heart. “Of course I will.” “Do you know what I mean Momma? Do you ever want to feel small again?” she asked, her somber blue eyes and smooth freckled cheeks making her face look even more earnest. “I do know what you mean. And P.S. You ARE still small!”
I brushed her teeth and tucked her in, making my way to the other side of the house to wrestle her young sisters into the bed. I sat back on the couch for a few minutes, waiting to put anybody who got up back in the bed, and thought about what she had said. I knew exactly what she meant by “to be small”—to be loved, cared for, without a care in the world. And as I made my final route around the sleeping house 30 minutes later, pushing sweaty blond curls off of pink cheeks flushed with sleep, I realized that God wants us to feel “small.” “One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: ‘Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these,’” (Matthew 19: 13-14). The Message P.S. In God’s eyes, you are still small, too. 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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the doctor is in
by DONNA G. BREELAND, M.D.
The Care and Nurturing of Mothers
M
ay is the month in which we celebrate mothers. The original
topic of this column was about health screenings recommended for women; however, a quick trip to the computer for an Internet search can provide anyone with lists of the appropriate tests suggested for each age group. Unfortunately, health screenings rarely address the issue of STRESS, which many agree is ultimately responsible for more than 90% of visits to doctors’ offices. Stress upsets the normal balance and equilibrium in our lives; and, therefore, impacts us not only emotionally, but also physically. Mothers of all ages are especially vulnerable to this silent culprit. Never before have there been so many women in the workforce of our country. Distance also often separates us from extended family and other sources of assistance and support. This leads to women trying to balance responsibilities at work with the care and needs of their families. One of the main stressors that I encounter with patients is the constant need to multitask while always performing at a top level. This leaves mothers feeling as though they are a “jack of all trades, but master of none” and that they are not doing the best job possible because there are simply too many jobs to do. This situation can be described, as “keeping your nose above water, while the rest of you is far from afloat.” How do we slow down and take the time to care for our own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs so that stress cannot take its toll upon us? The answers may be different depending on the stage of motherhood in which we find ourselves; however, we can all benefit from learning to delegate responsibilities. As mothers, we all know that no one else is going to do the job just like we would, but we must get past that and learn how to divide and conquer. Realize that it is OK for you to ask for help and also be willing to accept assistance when it is offered. Just as importantly, we must not allow feelings of inadequacy to creep in when we practice this. Mothers of all ages can also benefit from learning to pronounce the two little letters, N-O. One of my mentors and partners, Dr. Freda Bush, is probably the busiest woman I know. She is a mother, wife, physician, author, friend, and serves on numerous boards and
committees. We once stood in the hallway outside her office and practiced the polite pronunciation of this word. “I already have too much on my plate and simply cannot accept another helping of anything—even if it looks and smells like dessert.”
There are special needs for specific times of life. Mothers of newborns and young children deal more with physical exhaustion and dramatic change to the lifestyle they have known prior to bearing children. We must also make time to exercise. This sounds like just another responsibility to add to our already long “to-do” list, but this should be a 30-45 minute commitment performed four to five days a week. Use this time as an opportunity to empty your mind of all that needs to be done at work and home, and instead focus on simple pleasures. Take a brisk walk and admire God’s bright blue sky or the beautiful climbing Lady Banks Rose in your neighbor’s yard. Enjoy the strength of your own
body as you improve with each week of exercise. But, do not approach this as a time to strategize and plan out the rest of your week. This is your time to pray, put on some headphones, turn off the cell phone, and revel in God’s creation. Do not set yourself up for failure with unrealistic goals. This may be the year that you let those flowerbeds rest and allow someone else to win the Yard of the Month award. You may need to consider hiring someone to come in and help with housework two or three times a month. If this would free you up for more quality time and laughter with your family, then it would be money well spent. During times of stress, do not be the one who volunteers for every signup sheet in your children’s school. There are lots of other mothers in those classes who can fill those needs. Do not feel guilty for sneaking an extra hour or two of sleep on weekends. Adequate rest is a vital ingredient in our battle with stress. There are special needs for specific times of life. Mothers of newborns and young children deal more with physical exhaustion and dramatic change to the lifestyle they have known prior to bearing children. It is important that they not feel isolated. Seek out other women in similar circumstances, form playgroups (code words for “mommy support groups,”) hire babysitters and go on date nights with your husband, sneak a nap in whenever possible. Know that these sleepless nights will not last forever and before you know it your baby will be graduating and heading off to college. Mothers of teenagers earn stars in their crowns everyday. Those beautiful, soft, sweet babies have turned into sarcastic mini grownups who prefer their friends to you anytime. These are the days when laughter is so important. Make those precious family times fun. Forget the housework, play—games and cards, and listen to their stories. In the words of the infinitely wise Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Y Donna G. Breeland, M.D., FACOG, is a physician at East Lakeland OB/GYN Associates, P.A. Dr. Breeland is a member of the medical staffs of River Oaks Hospital, Woman’s Hospital, and St. Dominic Hospital.
metrochristianliving.com ❘ MAY 2013 17
➺welcome home by MARICLAIRE PUTMAN
Getting Your House Ready to Sell in Today’s Market waiting at the front door and taking note of any deferred maintenance. Putting a new coat of paint on the front door, pressure washing the porch and walkway, replacing any bulbs that have burned out in entryway lanterns, and adding a season-appropriate door hanging can Spruce up the exterior. make a buyer’s first impression a good one. Curb appeal is one of the most important If a buyer sees that the visible aspects of factors in selling a home. If a buyer likes the your home are well taken care of, they assume exterior of the home, they will be interested in you have also maintained the parts of the house seeing the inside, too. Here are some ways to make the outside of your property more attractive: that they cannot see.
efore deciding to sell your home, there are a few things you can do to make your property rise above the rest of the competition.
B
family at every turn. At the same time, you don’t want the home to be so depersonalized that it feels cold. So it’s better to just trim the family photos down to a few, and make sure that they are displayed in pretty picture frames that add to the decorative appeal of the home. Once you have put the work into keeping your spaces clutter free and depersonalized, keep it up. If you stay attentive to the maintenance of your home, it will show well.
Make small repairs. Keep up your yard.
Declutter and depersonalize.
Once buyers are inside of your home, it’s important to give them the illusion of space. One of the best ways to improve the way your house shows to others is to open up as much space as possible. So get a head start on packing for the move by boxing up anything you do not use on a regular basis. Have plenty of room for Make your entrance welcoming. While realtors are getting the key to your front people to walk, store items that are very taste specific elsewhere, and use decorative baskets door from the lockbox, buyers are patiently to store children’s toys. You may even have to get rid of some of the furniture in a room to make it more appealing. Organize the things you decide not to store elsewhere. Overcrowded closets and storage areas make buyers think that the space is too small. You cannot change the size of the spaces you have, but you can make an effort to present smaller spaces in a way that is more pleasing. If there is something unique that you collect and typically have on display, now is not the time to show off the collection. Knickknacks are better left in their boxes, too. Instead of filling mantels and shelving with lots of personal things, show off your space and just have a few tasteful items displayed. The story is the same in the kitchen. Buyers are looking for counter space in their new kitchen, and it is difficult to make a kitchen feel spacious when the counters are covered with appliances and decorative items. Items such as David Ingram Real Estate bulky spice racks and knife sets that are rarely 115-B Homestead Drive used should be put away. Appliances that are Madison, MS 39110 left on the countertop should be limited to the Phone: 601-853-6080 things used daily. Everything else needs to be Fax: 601-853-3738 tucked out of sight so that your kitchen’s true potential can shine. www.davidingram.com A question that often comes up in listing appointments with sellers is whether or not to put away personal pictures. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in your home, which COVERING THE JACKSON METRO AREA is difficult to do if there are pictures of your A well-manicured lawn makes a big difference. Mow and edge the grass on a regular basis, plant colorful flowers, place some plants at the front entrance, add new mulch or pine straw to flower beds, and trim shrubs.
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18 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
Go through your home and inspect it as if you are the buyer. If there are things that you can repair on your own, or at least affordably, make the repairs. Replace rotten wood, refresh the paint on walls that have gotten dingy or scuffed by furniture, and complete any of those “honey-do” items that you have been putting off.
Clean and deodorize. This is one of the most important parts of selling your home. Before listing, give the house a serious deep cleaning. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, as fewer rooms in your home can get so dirty so fast. Don’t neglect items like faucets, mirrors, dirty grout, and the insides of your microwave and oven. Once you’ve gone through and cleaned the house from top to bottom, keep it that way—even if that means wiping down and touching up these spaces on a daily basis. Maintaining a clean home is no easy task. If it is too overwhelming and stressful of a job to keep up on your own, hire someone to help you on a regular basis. If you have pets inside, chances are the buyer will notice the smell. Do whatever you can before listing to get rid of pet odors, as fewer things will kill the deal faster for a buyer than a home that smells unpleasant. NEVER leave your pets inside while your house is being shown. While all of this takes a lot of effort and tends to be quite stressful on a homeowner, if the reward will be a quick sale, with less hassle and more money in your pocket, all the work will be worth it. Y Mariclaire Putman is a REALTOR with David Ingram Real Estate. She and her husband, John, and their two children, live in Madison and attend Broadmoor Baptist Church.
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➺salt & light
by KIMBERLY GRACE BOWMAN
Word of Life Embraces Poindexter Park
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and A FUTURE,” (Jeremiah 29:11).
The food pantry provides food and nourishment for those who come to the center.
od in His Word has promised Hope and a bright future to us. His love is there reaching out to anyone who will receive it and take hold of it. But for some,
G
the opportunities in life have been diminished. By way of stolen dreams and visions, they have not been able to prosper in this life as others have. For these legitimately less fortunate in the Jackson Metro area, God has raised up a church of believers whose goal is to show others God’s best, and his love for them that can provide and supply their every need, both spiritually and physically. Several years ago, God placed upon Pastor Joel Sims’ (Senior Pastor of Word of Life Church in Flowood, MS) heart the idea of reaching out to those who were in need locally and especially in the Jackson area. But in the forefront of this desire was that no person, whether they be children or the elderly, be left hungry. Over the course of deliberation, God led the leadership of WOLC to the small community of Poindexter located in west Jackson.
Tommie Brown, the Impact Groups Coordinator visits with Metro Christian Living’s Kimberly Grace Bowman.
As time progressed and outreach programs continued to be conducted in the Poindexter community, God began to reveal the need for a central storage location— where goods and resources would be housed for those in need—in Poindexter in the form of the former Trustmark Bank facility in west Jackson. Here would be the main hub for the outreaches and ministry work of Word of Life Church in this area of west Jackson. Every third Saturday of each month, volunteers (or Dream Teamers) go throughout the Poindexter community conducting small yard maintenance while going door-to-door to offer their services and also prayers and encouragement as they are led. After this is completed, residents within the community along with the Dream Teamers arrive back at the outreach center for a short message where the opportunity to accept Jesus into their life is given. Dream Teamers also serve lunch to the residents of Poindexter during this time. With the mission to reach out to those who are truly in need of food and nourishment, and in keeping in mind the need for being good stewards with the
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Shown here is the center where Word of Life conducts an amazing outreach.
Those who come to the center will always hear the gospel!
resources God has given, the WOLC Poindexter outreach center reaches out to nearly 80 families (or 90 to 100 people) per month. Those with needs can come and structurally have their needs met in a way that honors God and testifies to his grace, which provides for every need in every life. But beyond the basic fulfilling of needs in the form of groceries and other needs for the physical side of man, WOLC also centers on the spiritual needs of the community. Since its start, the Poindexter center has been not only a place of restoration of the body, but of the spirit and soul—which has even resulted in some salvations. Resources in the form
of books, CDs, and Bibles are also available to help the people of the Poindexter community draw closer to God, learn more about His Word, and grow in the knowledge of His grace. In addition, WOLC conducts a discipleship class every Thursday at the Poindexter center for further nourishment of their spirit and soul. Lastly, Word of Life Church also seeking to impact schools in the Poindexter community. In particular, they are looking to fulfill the needs of children in order to give them the opportunity for a quality education. Needs such as school supplies, playground equipment, and basketball goals are a few areas that WOLC is aiming to fulfill in the near future for the students of the Poindexter community. Anyone who would like to give to the efforts of the Poindexter outreach center is more than welcome to do so! If you are interested in giving in this program, donations can be made in the form of finances, or actual food goods which can be brought directly to the Poindexter outreach center. Whether you would like to volunteer to be a part of the outreach programs, donate good-condition grocery items, or would like to discover more about the many components of the NO ONE HUNGRY IN JACKSON program, visit www.thelife.cc/get-involved/local-outreach or contact WOLC Impact Groups Coordinator, Mr. Tommie Brown, at tbrown@thelife.cc or by phone: 601-769-3650. Y
Kimberly Grace Bowman resides in Florence, Mississippi, and is a junior in high school through A Beka Academy homeschooling. She also operates a Christian entertainment blog, which is viewable at www.kimberlygschristianentselect.blogspot.com. Contact her at kimberlygraceb@gmail.com
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➺author’s profile The Pine Cone Jackson, MS
Sherye Simmons Green A former Miss Mississippi who juggles family, teaching school, and a budding career as a writer.
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MCL: Tell me a little about your family background and your faith background. SHERYE: I was blessed to be born into a Christian family with a loving mother and father. I have one brother who is two years younger. We had a pretty typical upbringing. Our family attended St. James Episcopal Church, and going to church and Sunday school was a normal part of our lives. My husband, Mark, and I were high school sweethearts and will celebrate our 32nd anniversary in August. We have two grown children. Forty years ago this year, my life changed in a much more profound way. In the spring of 1973, I gave my life to Jesus at a youth rally held by First Baptist Church Jackson at the city auditorium in Jackson. I was 13 years old and in the middle of my eighth grade year, just the age of my students. I attended junior high school at Jackson Preparatory School, where I now teach. That season of my life was one filled with angst and frustration. Although life didn’t seem to miraculously change overnight for me, the simple truths of God’s Word that I was learning to hide in my heart helped me navigate the troubled waters of my junior high years. My testimony is a rather quiet one, but one for which I am so thankful. One of the things I’ve learned these 40 years that I’ve been walking with Jesus is that the Christian life is not a competition. Sometimes it seems to me that Satan would like me to believe that my life’s story is not as exciting or interesting as another’s. How thankful I am that I serve the one true God who loves me just the way I am, but also didn’t want to leave me that way. He continues to teach me that He can weave all the loose threads of my life and of yours into a beautiful tapestry that can be used to bring honor and glory to His name. Since 1985, First Baptist Jackson has also been our church home. We have been so blessed to be a part of such a loving church family. Both of our children came to know the Lord at an early age. God has taught us so many lessons as a family. Writing has been a
venue through which to share many of those truths and life lessons with others.
MCL: How long have you loved writing and “storytelling?” What inspired you in the beginning and what continues to nurture that interest? SHERYE: I’ve enjoyed books and stories for as long as I can remember. My mother instilled in me a love of literature, as she read to me and to my brother every night before bedtime. I actually have a photocopy of an article I wrote for the Jackson Prep junior high newspaper. That’s perhaps my first published writing. My family moved to a new house when I was 10, an old home that my parents lovingly renovated. I had just finished reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and imagined myself as my favorite character, Jo. My other writing inspiration as a young girl came from the lead character in another favorite book, Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh. I was a big tomboy growing up and readily identified with this characteristic in Harriet. She fills a number of lined school notebooks with her thoughts about life, her family, friends, and neighbors. She writes in all capital letters, so of course, I, too, went through my “all capital letter” phase. The past 12 or so years have been the ones of greatest growth for me as a writer. I am largely a self-taught writer. Over the years, I’ve collected a personal library of books on the mechanical aspects of writing, as well as advice from famous writers and books from my favorite authors. I’ve attended many writing classes and workshops and am a part of several writing associations, including the Southern Christian Writer’s Conference and the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. I have had over 20 articles published in magazines, newsletters, and newspapers, and am a regularly featured writer with Our South magazine. What has meant the most to me personally are the friendships I’ve been privileged to cultivate with authors of various genres, who
have generously shared their collective wisdom with me. As a member of a team of writers who produced a book on the state of Mississippi, Proud to Call Mississippi Home, in 2006, I was privileged to write the profiles for Miss Americas Mary Ann Mobley and Lynda Shea and authors Jill Conner Browne, Ellen Douglas, and John Grisham. The late Ellen Douglas allowed me to come back for a second visit and gave to me a pearl of wisdom that has been a tremendous influence on my writing. “Write about what moves you,” Miss Douglas said to me. “If it moves you, it will move someone else.” Christian fiction writer, Terri Blackstock, is an especially cherished friend. Fiction writer Troy Carnes has been another powerful influence.
MCL: Why, at this point in life, have
you chosen to pursue writing? SHERYE: Now in my early fifties, perhaps for the first time in almost 30 years, I have some time that is my own, and I can be more intentional with this passion of my heart. One of the greatest gifts my husband, Mark, has always given me is the space in our marriage to pursue interests that were of importance to me. He has been a great encourager of my writing.
I believe that stories, however simple they may be, have great power to communicate truth that we might not be able to hear or take to heart when conveyed in another manner. There are many who know Christ, but have been so beaten down by the storms of life, that they simply cannot hear the gentle whispers of the Lord in their hearts or see Him at work in their lives. If anything, that is the most important goal of my writing—that it would encourage and inspire, always pointing the way home to Jesus.
writer, it was important to me to address many hard questions about faith and what happens to it in the hard seasons of life. Certainly organized church is one place to gain encouragement and strength for one’s life journey, but there are many people who would not ever darken the door of a church. I pray my writings would point the way to Jesus for those who have never heard His name or of His great love for them, but I have a particular heart for believers who are walking wounded, whose spirits have been crushed or bruised by the storms of life. They also need to be reminded of the life-changing power available through faith in Christ.
MCL: How did you choose to write
MCL: Can you give us a little
Christian fiction?
overview of the book?
SHERYE: Part of me was curious about fiction. Could I actually write it? Could I come with a story that would plausible, let alone believable? Part of what kept me going was a personal challenge to see if I could answer those questions. Another part of me believed that readers who were also serious about their Christian walk wanted books that dealt with honest, gut-wrenching questions and issues, ones that portrayed flawed, yet forgiven lives, filled with the hope and lifechanging power of Christ. As a Christian who also happens to be
SHERYE: “Abbie Richardson and Keith Haliday have each traveled paths filled with searing pain and crippling loss. Abandon Not My Soul is the story of how hope and forgiveness saves them both. Abandon Not My Soul is Book One in the Timothy House Chronicles. Timothy House is the name of a school of which Abbie will eventually join the faculty. I have envisioned two more books in the series and have already begun work on Book Two, which is entitled Through a Deep Valley. Y
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➺healthy living by JOYCE AINSWORTH
Losing Weight and Getting Healthy—My Personal Story ho are you? Several years ago, my daughter’s wedding pictures and this question became the catalyst that ignited a burning desire in my heart for real and lasting life change. I had waited with anticipation to receive the wedding pictures from the photographer. As I began looking through the pictures I found my sweet daughter just as lovely as I imagined and my husband as handsome as I had expected, but I found myself gazing into the eyes of the woman in that picture wondering, who are you? That could not possibly be me! People say a picture is worth a thousand words and I agree. A picture also reveals truth, just like the scales do. For many years I avoided the truth, like so many of us have a tendency to do. All my life my “Family Heritage” has been that my family members are all overweight. I have used all the excuses in the book of why being overweight was unavoidable and acceptable for me. I have also tried every diet and weight loss program that was ever created with no real or long-term success. I kept asking myself the question: How could a Christian struggle with this bondage of being overweight? Pictures also have a way of telling us the truth about our emotional wellness by giving us a glimpse into our souls—those deep hidden
W
Five years and 192 pounds later, I finally experienced the joy of crossing the finish line to my healthy goal of 147 pounds. places that we rarely let others view. At this point, the realization hit me that I was in a terrible and deep bondage, and the smile on my face was covering up a heart and soul that was crying out for help. It was a silent cry that others could not hear or see, but on that day the Lord whispered across my soul, and for the first time in a long time I not only could see, but I felt the chains of bondage that were wrapped so tightly around me and knew in that moment that I was allowing food to strangle the life out of me. Frustrated, depressed, and defeated is where I lived. Along with the excessive weight, I had high blood pressure and a multitude of other health issues. I was so miserable, discontented, and unhappy that all I could do was continue to 24 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
BEFORE
AFTER
The picture that set Joyce on a new path to health. Who would have thought that the “before” would become the biking enthusiast and healthy example in the “after?
stare into the eyes of the woman in that picture feeling hopeless and defeated. In Jeremiah 33:3, the Lord says call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know; this has become my Life verse. In that moment, I cried out in shear desperation to the Lord for answers. Our God is faithful, and in the coming days He led me to, and I started attending, a “First Place 4 Health” church class. FP4H is a Christ Centered Healthy Living Program that teaches about balance in all areas of your life. FP4H taught me about real “Life Change” in the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical areas of my life. I weighed in at 339 pounds my first session. I had much to lose, but this time—with God’s help—I was determined not to give up. Five years and 192 pounds later, I finally experienced the joy of crossing the finish line to my healthy weight goal of 147 pounds. I had come to realize that real change had to affect all areas of my life, not just what I weighed. In a world that is going haywire, we can still achieve and find real balance. When we depend on Him, He becomes Life! Being healthy and living a healthy lifestyle is a process. I began to realize that being overweight is a problem of the flesh with a spiritual solution. This was not really about the numbers on my scale or what clothing size I was wearing; it was about the battle that was raging in my mind. I realized that I knew “how” to lose weight, but what I had really been missing all these years was the “want to.” Now the body had wanted to, but the
mind never did and the truth is what had been going into my mind had been guiding my behavior. My motto now is “Change your Mind, Change your Body, Change your Life!” I can honestly say that God has radically changed my life over the last few years. What I could not do, God has done through me as I surrendered to Him. My weight was the outward sign of deeper problems in my life. The most important thing I have gained is Freedom from the bondage of overeating. I am no longer enslaved to the power of food! No more diets or weight loss plans; I have learned that balance is necessary in all parts of my life. This is not a diet but a “Lifestyle Change.” We have to choose to change, and once that decision is made we have to take steps to ensure success at every step of the journey. I call it “setting myself up” for success! There are steps we must take and FP4H was the “tool” that was used in my life. And yes I still eat fried catfish and barbeque on occasion because this is not a diet but a “lifestyle”. True weight loss and life change will never be fast or easy, but it is truly possible by the power of Christ! Y Joyce Ainsworth is the author of Food, Freedom and Finish Lines! She speaks at seminars, conferences, and other events throughout the Country as well as teaches FP4H classes for her home church in Brandon Mississippi as well as at other churches in her area. She is the Networking Leader for Mississippi and the FP4H Regional Team Leader in the Southern States.
metrochristianliving.com â?˜ MAY 2013 25
Wendy Herring Just the Heart for Serving endy Reinhardt Herring has the organizational skills of a CEO, the extroverted personality of a politician on Election Day, the energy and initiative of an entrepreneur, and the tender heart of a child. As the mother of a ninth grade son and a tenth grade daughter, she has not exactly moved into the season of “empty nest,” and so, it does seem slightly odd that she would voluntarily put on her “mom” hat and fill up her free time nurturing, playing with, and loving a group of teenage girls who live at Sunnybrook Children’s Home in Ridgeland. Wendy sees nothing extraordinary in her actions. And that would be true if she were working through a volunteer organization or a charity, but she is not. She is like a one-woman show! Her eyes glisten and she flashes her huge smile as she explains, “We just love them. They are so easy to love. If we could take them all
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26 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
home with us, we would.” The “we” refers to Wendy and her daughter, Lauren, who were looking for a way to serve others back in 2011. They discovered Sunnybrook “almost in our own backyard,” and Wendy made a phone call to Moses Kendrick, Campus Manager at Sunnybrook telling him, “We want to come on a regular basis. What do you need and when can we start?” Moses wasn’t sure what to think in the beginning. He was accustomed to church groups who descended almost out of the woodwork during Christmas, showering gifts on the residents, or coming occasionally during the year to give birthday parties. Of course, such generosity is always appreciated. But he had never had a call like Wendy’s where one family just wanted to commit to an ongoing relationship there. He says the visible changes Wendy has brought to the home are amazing.
“She has brought a personal touch that you don’t expect to see in a group home.” He says that she has definitely brought the kind of eye to campus that only a mother can bring. She is all about turning a house into a home, and that includes building a relationship with the children in ways that put smiles on their faces and a sense of worth that you expect from wellnurtured children. Wendy says, “I’ve just always been drawn to people with needs. I really feel like that is a gift God gave to me.” From the first visit in January 2012, when Lauren and Wendy showed up with needle and thread and a simple sewing project, there was an easy exchange of conversation and a level of comfort that felt like family. Lauren points out that the girls in “Cottage Two” are her age, and they share common interests, the same favorite pop culture stars and music, and
Gratitude is on display at Sunnybrook. The girls frequently express their love and appreciation to Wendy with heartfelt notes.
Wendy’s parents were told that they many of the same dreams and concerns for would need to find another school for the future. The ever-growing bond of their daughter. She was falling further friendship between Wendy, Lauren, and and further behind her classmates. “their” girls has allowed for many teachable Little was known about treating moments on life decisions and values. learning disabilities at that time. There Lauren and Wendy have shared their were few schools anywhere with any enthusiasm with others and have succeeded in gathering an army of friends who have assisted proven methods, and there were certainly none in Mississippi. St. Mark’s them in an array of purely fun activities as Episcopal Church near Hawkins Field well as a major decorating project— operated a small special transforming “Cottage Two” needs class called The from a dated and drab house Heritage School, and into a bright attractive home Wendy enrolled. where the girls’ artwork is Wendy, Lauren, and the Sunnybrook kids planned and “In that class we had showcased and where their pulled off a Valentine’s dinner for their house parents. This was one of Wendy’s “teachable moments” as the an array of challenges. photographs are arranged on There was severe cerebral residents experienced the joy of giving back. the walls as in a family gallery. palsy, traumatic brain They have great plans to see injury, a little girl who had just that the other five cottages in come to the United States and the Sunnybrook compound get spoke no English, and me. I a similar renovation. “It just just remember sitting in a takes time,” Wendy says. dark room and being scared to Because all the work is done death at first,” Wendy says. strictly by generous friends who She realized that she could volunteer time and materials, not read, but at the same progress is much slower than Wendy and Lauren time, she realized that her Wendy would like. frequently distribute challenges were very “We’re just chipping away, grocery bags with a note different from her little by little, one step at a classmates. “But they all time.” With a determined smile attached around their neighborhood offering to became my friends, and I she adds, “But we WILL return to pick up any stopped thinking of them as get it done.” canned goods or paper if something was wrong with goods for Sunnybrook. them.” In processing that Defining Moment They always have enough whole event now, she Wendy’s “gift” of compassion to fill an entire van! considers it such a blessing. came by way of another “gift” Eventually she did get into a program that she insists God used in her life. That would that taught her compensatory skills that be the gift of dyslexia, which made her early allowed her to attend regular school again, school years difficult. As a second grader in the to go on to college, and to graduate. She 1970s, Wendy was still struggling to learn to has never looked back on her years at read. Conventional phonics and words on a Heritage as “wasted,” because they truly page might as well have been hieroglyphics! The Herring’s: Lauren, Wendy, Lee, and Phillip. metrochristianliving.com ❘ MAY 2013 27
It is clear that Wendy and Lauren consider their “ministry” at Sunnybrook sheer delight.
unlocked her passion for serving others. In retrospect, she says that experience also helped her form a certain personal philosophy about challenges in life. “We all have problems of some kind, but they just come in differentshaped boxes.” You’ve heard the cliché, “The acorn doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” and such was the case with Wendy. As the second daughter of Ray and Winnie Kay Reinhardt, she was well versed in the concept of living the Golden Rule even if it was inconvenient and other people sometimes thought you had lost your mind!
A Mission Mindset The Reinhardts had their own family ministry to orphans. Wendy’s mother, Winnie Kay had been adopted as an infant. Aside from the fact that she dearly loved all things pertaining to babies, she and Ray adopted two sons. They also kept babies through Catholic Charities for a number of years. When the Bethany Services opened their first office in Jackson in 1983, Ray was a board member. It seemed the natural thing to do to become foster parents. Over the next few years, the Reinhardts fostered 40 babies—all while running a retail business at Metrocenter Mall and driving an hour each way, every day. Winnie Kay simply set up a crib at the store, and life went on as the whole family and a few customers took turns rocking and feeding! 28 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
Winnie Kay says, “You know, when God calls you to do something, He really makes you want to do it. We prayed that God would give us a ministry for Him, and He did.” She adds that the great blessing of her obedience in that call to foster is that she sees the resulting legacy in her children today. One of Wendy’s fondest childhood memories is waking up in the middle of the night and seeing her mother sitting by a space heater rocking one of their foster babies and then seeing her get up early the next morning and work in the store all day without complaining. The mindset was always that keeping these babies was a special privilege and a true call from a loving Father. If they were weak, then He was indeed strong. Ray Reinhardt also had a great compassion for the hearing impaired. He started a Sunday school class for deaf students in the 1970s, rented a school bus, and drove about 60 deaf students each Sunday from the Deaf School to church and back again. Wendy was enlisted as his assistant while she was still a little girl. As a child, she may have assumed all families were like hers! As an adult, she wishes they were!
Being an Intentional Parent When Wendy and her husband, Lee, started their family, they were on the same page when it came to parenting. They had learned by watching their parents that the most indelible
Just as families live within their monthly means, the cottage families at Sunnybrook must do that, too. After groceries, cleaning products, and the bare essentials, there is not much left for luxuries like an outing for ice cream, or pizza, or a grooming product that would be a staple in most households. Lauren enlisted her classmates from Jackson Prep to help with the “Trunk or Treat” activity.
character traits are “caught” rather than “taught.” A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. “It was important to our family that our children would teach their children the things our parents taught us. I think the most wonderful gift we can give our children is to teach them to love others and to develop in them a ‘servant heart.” Lee says, “We wanted to give our kids the example and opportunity of doing something for someone without the expectation of getting something in return.” It really made perfect sense that, like the Reinhardts, the Herrings would also become foster parents to Bethany babies. As Lee says, “Crying babies have very little to offer at 3 a.m.!” Wendy says with conviction, “These days the world is devouring our children and we can be so busy signing them up for every activity out there, taking them all over the place to compete in this and that, and then just assume they are going to learn to be generous, to be thoughtful, to love others, but they’re not—not in this world.” It was after a mission’s conference at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church where they heard about the ministry of Palmer Home in Columbus that they began to consider how they could be involved in a ministry to orphans and other displaced children. Simple logistics and distance made it difficult to have the level of involvement the Herrings wanted. It did not take Wendy long to discover Sunnybrook and make that first call. As Lee says of his wife, “When she sees an unmet need, she begins figuring out how it can be met. She brings a lot of energy to any project and her enthusiasm is contagious; before long she has a crowd of folks asking how they can help. She gets energized seeing lives changed— both the givers and the receivers. Her joy and excitement is a real witness.”
The Practical Problem Solver As the visits to Sunnybrook became frequent, Wendy became more and more aware of their
needs, and many of them were simple things that are easily taken for granted in most families. Just as families live within their monthly means, the cottage families at Sunnybrook must do that, too. After groceries, cleaning products, and the bare essentials, there is not much left for luxuries like an outing for ice cream or pizza or a grooming product that would be a staple in most households. Wendy and Lauren set up an email account, Thelistforsb@hotmail.com. Anyone who requests can be on the frequent updates and have the opportunity to supply a need. It may be as easy as a few extra rolls of paper towels, canned goods, coupons for Chick-fil-A, or a frozen casserole that will give a house mom a little free time one night. Last fall Wendy’s list sent out a request for help with homecoming dresses for three of the girls who are students at Ridgeland High School. As usual, she rallied her troops and made it happen—including new shoes, new jewelry, and even corsages. Her thank you email the week after went this way: Last Friday 3 of our girls went to their homecoming dance. They looked beautiful! Let me just tell you, they were BEAMING!!!!!!! And then, she was on to the next project: October 27, 5:30-8ish p.m. is the “Trunk or Treat” we are having at Sunnybrook Children’s Home. I have about 15 families that are willing to come help, have a car with a game. I need more cars! Please let me know if your family would like to help with this!! And in November, she sent out pleas for desserts for their Thanksgiving meal. What’s the Thanksgiving meal without a plethora of scrumptious desserts! The troops rallied. More blurbs from Wendy’s frequent email updates: The Valentines’ Dinner (Feb.15th) for the Cottage Parents is coming along. Thank you to everyone for your help. This whole process has been wonderful for the girls. Every part of the process has made them stop and think of the
parents instead of themselves. Please pray that their hearts will be filled with joy when serving their cottage parents and that they will see what joy it is to serve… …I was at Sunnybrook the other day admiring the new chairs Ross Furniture had given the girls to brighten the home up...(work in process). The Cottage 3 mom (mom of the younger boys) told Cathy (older girls cottage mom) to pass the word to Wendy that they are in great need of a sofa. The arms are falling off theirs. So if y’all know of someone getting a new sofa or has a sofa that needs a new home, call me! …I’m also going to be recovering their kitchen chairs soon if you want to help ($) with that! Her major project for 2013 is to arrange for the construction of an outdoor common grilling area where all the cottages can regularly enjoy a relaxed fellowship and an easy meal together. Because residents are assigned to cottages based on their age, there are siblings who rarely see their brothers and sisters. Cottage parents would also welcome the chance to visit and socialize with each other. This is probably Wendy’s biggest undertaking to date, but she will be praying for the pooling of talents that have helped her execute everything she has asked for thus far! Every month there is a project. Count on Wendy to be sure that it is fun and that it is part of the larger plan to enrich the lives of the Sunnybrook kids and to equip them with the same values and sense of purpose that she hopes she instills in her own children. “It’s mindboggling how much can be done “ says Wendy. “Youth groups, Bible studies, small groups, community groups, anyone can do this. Loving and encouraging require no education— just the heart for it.” “Just the heart…” Indeed, Wendy Herring has just the heart, and it is very, very large! Y
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➺food for thought by LYDIA BOLEN
Memories from Home
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other’s Day each year is such an anticipated special day. Mothers all over will be praised and honored this year on May 12. In honor of my own mother and grandmother, I would like to share three of their favorite recipes. As I searched through their recipe files, I was flooded with good memories of watching food being prepared and enjoyed in their kitchens. I learned the art of cooking during my growing-up years. Today, I still prepare my mother’s and grandmother’s favorites. It has been a joy to pass these recipes along to my own daughters and daughter-in-law. Generation to generation, happy memories begin in the kitchen!
BLACK BOTTOM PIE GINGERSNAP CRUST 1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs (about 26 cookies) 2 tablespoons sugar 1/3 cup melted butter In a bowl, add all the crust ingredients. Stir to mix. Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool.
OATMEAL AND RAISIN COOKIES 1 1 3/4 1 1/2 1 1 1/2 1 2 1 3 1 1/2 1/2
cup unsalted butter, softened cup brown sugar, packed cup granulated sugar cups all-purpose flour teaspoon salt teaspoon baking soda teaspoon nutmeg teaspoon cinnamon large eggs, beaten tablespoon vanilla extract cups rolled oats (do not use instant) cups raisins cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease large cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars and beat until fluffy. Beat in eggs. Add vanilla. Mix flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in separate bowl. Stir dry ingredients into butter-sugar mixture. Stir in raisins and nuts. Stir in oats. Spoon dough, by the tablespoon, onto the cookie sheet. Bake about 10-12 minutes. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets. Remove to wire racks and cool completely. Store tightly covered.
FILLING
LEMON JELLO CAKE 1 box yellow cake mix 1 (3-ounce package) lemon flavored Jello mix 3/4 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup water 4 eggs 1/2 cup lemon juice (2 large lemons juiced) 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted Blend cake mix, Jello mix, oil, water, and eggs until moistened. Blend on medium speed for 5 minutes. Grease and flour 9” x 13” glass dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes. Mix lemon juice and powdered sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Poke holes in cake with a fork. Smooth glaze evenly over top of the cake while the cake is warm. Leave cake in the pan and cut pieces to serve.
Remember to make memories through the kitchen— “the heartbeat of the home.” E-mail me at lbbolen@gmail.com for any questions. 30 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
2 2 1 2/3 1 2 4 1 2 3
tablespoons water tablespoons rum or rum extract envelope unflavored gelatin cup sugar tablespoon cornstarch cups milk egg yolks cup semisweet chocolate morsels cups whipping cream tablespoons powdered sugar Chocolate curls for garnish
Stir together 2 tablespoons water and rum in a small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over mixture. Stir mixture, and set aside. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan; gradually whisk in milk and egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute. Stir in gelatin mixture until dissolved. Stir together 1 cup custard mixture and morsels until smooth. Pour into Gingersnap Crust. Chill 30 minutes or until set. Set aside remaining custard mixture. Beat whipping cream on high speed until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold 1 cup whipped cream into the remaining custard mixture. Spoon over chocolate mixture. Chill pie for 2 hours. OPTIONAL: Add any remaining chilled whipped cream over pie before serving. Garnish the top with chocolate curls. Y
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➺this is my story by MARY HUGHES
Learning to Let Go hen my youngest daughter was born, I knew instinctively, as only a mother can, that this one was going to be my E.R. kid. She would be the child who would take every risk and challenge that comes with childhood. I had visions of bike accidents that resulted in stitches; I foresaw bones jutting from arms and legs, so I did what any obsessively, overprotective mom would do—I outlawed all things that seemed potentially dangerous. However, despite my well-intentioned plans, there were at least two problems with the benevolent dictatorship that I had created for my daughter. First of all, I had forgotten that when rules are made based on human beliefs and not on the Word of God, often our sin nature kicks in and rebellion follows (Matthew 10:21). Secondly, I failed to realize that this child, created by God, had a purpose planned before time began (Psalm 139:16). In
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34 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
order to become a strong Christian, she must be allowed to face the challenges of life, both victory and defeat, because pain, whether physical or emotional, is the best teacher. I was home alone when I answered the call that afternoon. It was the mother of Sophie’s friend. “So,” she said casually, “there’s been a small accident, but Sophie is fine!” (It was at this point that my friend’s pitch went up and her words started coming out rapid fire fast, like bullets out of a machine gun.) “Well, she fell and twisted her ankle; I mean maybe it’s more like the ankle is broken. But she’s fine!” With a control that surprised me, I told her which E.R. to go to, but before I could hang up she said “Listen, Sophie’s crying so hard that she can barely speak. She’s crying because she says you’re going to kill her when you find out that she was riding a skateboard.” There was a long silence, because I was reining in my disbelief and anger. Finally I replied, “Tell her it’s okay, I won’t kill her until after the ankle is fixed.” On the drive over I was in shock. “How could she do this? I’ve told her over and over again how dangerous skateboards are,” I ranted to myself. However, when I got to the hospital, all my anger melted away at the sight of my hurting and scared child. Sure enough, she had broken her leg. The E.R. doctors put a temporary cast on Sophie’s leg, and referred us to a local orthopedist. As we sat in an examining room waiting for Dr. David Gandy, I could feel my blood pressure rising. I was angry at my child. When he asked, “So how are you feeling today?” I huffed, “Terrible. I’ve told this child over and over what to avoid but she does the exact opposite!” My voice trailed off as I saw that Sophie was staring at me in horror and the doctor was looking at the floor with an amused smile on his face. “Well, I was asking how your daughter felt, but I can see you’re upset as well.” He explained the break, but assured us surgery would not be necessary. After placing her new cast on the leg, he sent Sophie off with the nurse so he could speak privately with me. I began to explain my bubble theory to him and that I was upset because Sophie had disobeyed which resulted in this accident. Dr. Gandy listened patiently to me, and then he began to
speak; “Mary, the Bible tells us that there is a way that seems right to man, but leads us to trouble. I have a daughter too, and I can understand the need to protect our children. However, there is a big difference between protection and overprotection. As a Christian, a father, and a doctor, I long ago learned the wisdom of discernment” (James 1:5). Dr. Gandy began sharing some statistics from JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) explaining that many serious childhood accidents are the result of riding bikes without a helmet, trampolines, and the use four-wheelers. He went on to say, “It’s not that parents should necessarily ban these things, but rather that they use wisdom in allowing their children to use them. Sophie could have been walking down the stairs, fallen, and broken her leg. Mary,” he said kindly, “your daughter is going to be fine! In fact she’ll be better than ever.” As Sophie and I left the doctor’s office, I felt much calmer. I was thankful that Dr. Gandy took so much time with both of us. He had given me great information and reminded me that despite our best laid plans, life happens, but we must remember that God is always in control (Numbers 11:23). I was finally able to acknowledge that even though I loved Sophie, the Lord loves her more (Jeremiah 29:11). I realized that God would use this experience and work it out for the good, for both of us (Romans 8:28). In the future, I planned to seek His counsel about what was best for my daughters and remember that because He made them and planned their lives, He had already provided everything they needed! A huge weight was lifted and it felt wonderful to transfer my burden of worry to where it belongs, with the Lord! A little over a year later Sophie was running and fell. Oops, she did it again and broke the same leg! This time it was an accident. One more time we paid a visit to Dr. Gandy and I am proud to report that just as he promised me, Sophie came out of this better than ever. It was less than six months later that she won her first state ring running track for The Veritas School. God is good! Amen. Y
lagniappe
A VETERAN’S REVERIE Editor’s note: I recently received an email from my friend, Bob Alexander, affectionately dubbed “Mr. A.” There was a link to a YouTube video of the 1930’s premier of “God Bless America.” I so appreciated his remarks that I wanted to share them, as well as his photograph. Happy Memorial Day!
ALL of the Naval Aviators I ever knew had similar attitudes and I once heard one say, “We would follow our flight leader into hell to protect this country.” You are younger, and we have seen our country’s attitudes degenerate into much less responsible and far less patriotic ones. American singer Kate Smith saw a similar deterioration right before WWII. Much of that came ince I was a small child, I have loved about as a result of the Great Depression. She went to this Country and its Flag. I am now 85 Irving Berlin, the great songwriter, and asked him to and feel even stronger about it as I see the write a song which would elevate the peoples’ attitude external and internal strife our precious country is and spirit. going through. His answer was that he already had it written. My My parents, like yours, were great admirers of feeling is that God had His Hand in this and made it the Founding Fathers and all the struggles they available. The rest is history. It was such a beautiful went through to write the Declaration of song and Kate Smith was the perfect patriotic person Independence and the Constitution. That includes with the huge voice to sing “God Bless America.” bad treatment up to death, in many cases. It became one of the strongest, uplifting forces For eight years, in the 1940s and 1950s, I was in which tremendously aided our forces to take on and Bob Alexander with his Corsair Training and Service in the Fleet as a Naval Aviator. defeat Satan’s hordes in WWII. During this process, I was on six aircraft carriers in a large part of the It is time for us, again, to heed God’s Word in 2 Chronicles 7:14, and world, with 229 carrier landings—22 of which were made at night. call upon God to “Heal our land” and once again be the “Shining City on My standard method of operation was to pray to God on the a Hill.” – Robert (Bob) Alexander Y downwind leg, that He would guide me to a safe landing. He never failed me.
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➺pastor’s perspective by THE VERY REVEREND KEITH ALLEN
Truth and Contemporary Culture oday America is facing serious cultural questions that will shape the course of our nation socially, politically, economically, and spiritually. This is a time when we as a nation should be engaged in rigorous public discourse. However, the public is not focused on serious conversation, but rather is increasingly polarized around ideologies of left or right, Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative. The rhetoric is often laden with personal attacks and demonization of those on the other side. While quick to label and attack, we are slow to respectfully listen. This milieu tempts many to keep silent and stay securely on the sideline of the discussion. The battle lines seem clear and the protagonists are known. The talking points are well rehearsed and often repeated. The vitriol for the other side openly displayed. In this
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The love of God for us demonstrates and demands our love for others. Thus, we come with love for all, both left and right, young and old, rich and poor as those created by God with dignity and purpose. increasingly divided, pluralistic and secular society, the one voice most needed and not often heard is that of God. This nation, divided and declining, is not the one envisioned by our founding fathers, nor the one left to us by previous generations. The expectation for America—by those who came to these shores in search of freedom—was that faith should and would shape our community and guide our course. The government was not to dictate our religion, but it also was not to silence the voice of God in the public square. Our forefathers fought and died to secure the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—those endowed by our Creator. These rights bring with them responsibilities. Therefore, in America, Christians must exercise our freedoms as those responsible to speak into the public discourse a worldview 36 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
that is rooted and grounded in two key realities: God initiated love and God defined truth. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. The love of God for us demonstrates and demands our love of others. Thus, we come with love for all, both left and right, young and old, rich and poor, as those created by God with dignity and purpose. We love them because Christ first loved us. He loved us when we were yet his enemies. So, in Christ we see that love comes before agreement. It values the person before their position. Christ’s love caused him to come and pitch his tent among this fallen world. He entered into our world and understood our story. Thus, love requires of us a humility toward and proximity to our neighbors. When Christ spoke to a thirsty woman by a well, he was able to tell her about living water. When he spoke to a landowner, he spoke of crops. When he spoke to an artisan, he could share about the potter and the clay. Christ’s message to each person met them where they were and demonstrated his love for them. However, his love did not mean agreement with every opinion or position. True love tells a Goddefined truth no matter the cost. God, in His love for us, also left us with truth—absolute, propositional, and knowable truth. This truth enables us to live life to the full as we order our actions to His will. We know this truth as it is recorded in Scripture and revealed in the Word made flesh—Jesus. The Bible is a “lamp to our feet and a light to our path.” It is the final authority for the Christian. It reveals God’s holiness and hatred of sin. It shares the good news of God’s sovereign grace. It defines for us the origin and value of life. Scripture tells us how to enjoy the gifts of God and what is an abuse of those gifts. It guides us in how to live out life’s key relationships as husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees, friends and neighbors. The Bible gives principles on how to steward resources. In other words, the Bible gives us the truth that must shape how we live in this world in every sphere of life.
However, the voice of God, found in Scripture, seems to be the only voice that is out of bounds in our discussions of current crises that face our nation. Scientists, educators, entertainers, and athletes are all acceptable “experts,” while those who speak the God-defined truth of Scripture, are met with hatred, ridicule, and rejection. Thus, we must do as Peter did facing the court, as we face the court of public opinion—be bold to say: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard,” (Acts 4:20). The answers to our culture’s deepest problems, healing for our hurts, and the hope for the future will be found as Christians renew our commitment to live the love of God and speak the truth of God. We must not remain silent, but rather know that in speaking the truth we will see the Kingdom come and the Lord Jesus will be glorified. “Rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love,” (Ephesians 4:15-16). Y The Very Reverend Keith Allen is Rector at Holy Trinity Church in Madison. He serves as Dean of Mid-South Convocation of the Anglican Diocese of the South. www.htacms.org.
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➺chewed petunias by SUSAN E. RICHARDSON
Grounded in Love “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God,” (Ephesians 3:16-19). y former counselor, Carol, once asked me to study the first three chapters in Ephesians. As I did so, a particular phrase caught my attention. The English Standard Version of this Scripture says, “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (emphasis mine) As a gardener, the tree-like nature of the description made me stop to think. Turning to Strong’s Concordance for the original meaning added more understanding for me. The Greek word for rooted is rhizoo. The similarity to biological terms like rhizomes helped me see tendrils or fibers reaching into earth, just as tree roots penetrate the ground. That led me to the word translated grounded, which means, “to lay a basis.” Perhaps you can also see the picture of roots growing into soil, forming a firm foundation. According to Ephesians the very foundation of our lives should be love. The Lord doesn’t stick us just anywhere to grow, but places us in His love, where we can receive His strength. The physical image gave the verse a more concrete feel and helped me grasp the meaning more clearly. To grow we have to trust the dirt God has planted us in: His love. When we’re still dealing with anger and questions, we stay stunted, fearing to root ourselves deeply in Him. Trust is both a choice and a process we walk through when we start asking the tough questions. We also need to understand the way God lays out the process. The latter portion of the verse says, “may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
M
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (emphasis mine) Being rooted in love comes first. Only after that has happened will you understand. To my analytical mind, this seems backwards, but that’s how the verse reads. Once you are rooted and grounded in love, you have power, and that leads you to comprehend and then to know. I’d rather comprehend first and then decide to trust, but God doesn’t seem to set out the process that way. So how do you ground yourself in something you don’t understand? The physical image helps. Does a tree understand soil? Does it comprehend what happens when its roots sink deeper and deeper in, providing nourishment? Nothing indicates that trees have anything like understanding or instinct. Growth is a function of their God-given design. Without being able to think or plan, they do what they need to grow. Perhaps that is what God asks of us. Not to struggle to understand or try to comprehend with our mind, but simply to sink into His love as naturally as a tree’s roots grow into fertile soil. We can choose to relax our grip on understanding and allow ourselves to grow into Him. The closing prayer comes straight out of my journal after my study.
Lord, I’m not sure I understand this. There’s that word again: understand. It’s so natural for me to try to use my mind. You did create me like that. Help me now to understand the call that goes beyond my mind into my heart. Show me how I can be rooted and grounded in love. I’m not sure what it means or how to do it, but I do see that it’s the direction to which I’m called. 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
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38 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
of First Baptist Church Jackson
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➺single still, single again by AMY INGRAM
Leaving a Legacy ave you met my mother? She’s a jewel. Some call her Mom. Some call her Ginnie. Some call her Nana. But she’s all the same to everyone she meets. She’s never met a stranger; in fact, I kid and tell her she could make friends with the doorknob. She’s always willing to reach out a helping hand—not because she has to, all because she wants to. She’s a North Carolina Tar Heel by degree, but a born again Ole Miss Rebel if you ask her. She’s a beauty, always smells of sweet perfume, and loves to spoil her family. But you know what is most important about my mother? She’s leaving a legacy. In order to tell you about my mom, I must first tell you about my Amma—her mom. My Amma was also a giving woman, loved others, and was friendly to everyone she met. But most importantly my Amma loved Jesus. She studied His Word, she prayed fervently, she oftentimes would bridle her tongue, all so that we may see her love and wisdom. She left a large legacy; one that would trickle down to generations and generations. She prayed her prized Ginnie would know Jesus, and would continue the legacy of loving and serving Him. So back to my mom. As I grew up, life was not always easy. In fact, sometimes it felt like we were in the pit of hell as my family went through some rough patches. I can remember times when the environment in my home was hard, and I would turn corners and see my mom crying out to the Lord. Reading scripture and believing in God and His miracles. And a miracle He brought through restoration. One of the biggest memories I have of that time was the steadfastness of my mom. She knew what seeking God looked like, she knew to trust in His Word, she knew that He could restore any brokenness in any of us. She believed in a miracle for my family. She was beginning the process of leaving her legacy.
H
In Deuteronomy 6:5-9 it says: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on
Amy with her mom, Ginnie your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Since that time in my childhood—and even now as I turn the corner in my mom’s house—I’ll find her beat-up Bible and glasses on the table and see that verse in action. She has loved the Lord with her whole heart, she has impressed His Word on my brother and me. She has prayed intentionally that we would always know God’s love, and seek His plan for our lives. So what does this mean for you? If you are a single parent, be intentional about what you impress on your children. Pray for them and with them. If you are single, with no kids, serve in your youth group or children’s ministries. Leave a legacy—they don’t have to be your kids. My sweet niece and nephews are my legacy, for now, until God blesses me with my own. And I want to love and serve them well. I want to leave the same legacy my Amma and my Mother have left me. For it’s meant eternity. Y 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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A Letter from Our Kids Editor’s Note: Tongue-in-Cheek is totally Dr. John’s humor. Prepare to have your toes stepped on! Dear Mom and Dad, Instead of sending you an Instagram or a Selfie or a Facebook posting, I wanted to try to speak to you in your own strange language—Written English. Hence, I am writing you a letter. I just need you to know how hard my life is. It is a life of deprivation and woe. Firstly, you make me do horrible things like obey you. Here I am minding my own business, and by that I mean literally my OWN business, (that is all I want to do, you understand—my OWN business) as opposed to YOUR business. And in the midst of my self-centered bliss, along comes this “parentperson,” with all your rules and regulations, telling me ridiculous things like I need to pick up my socks. I feel like I should call the Department of Human Services again and say, “Yeah, this is little Johnny—you know the one who called you last week? They’re doing that thing again, you know that thing with the socks.” And maybe they will rescue me from this life of bondage. And another thing, I had a baseball game last night (the fourth one this week), and one of you did not attend and video it!!! I believe that I’m going to need to talk to my therapist about this one day. I’ll say, “I remember that traumatic time in April 2013 when one of my parents didn’t come to one of my games. I think it has caused me to have addictive functioning and a diseased process of toxic codependency. I need holistic healing and wellness before I can ever feel good about myself. My family was dysfunctional and my parents never empowered me, and consequently, I’m not self-actualized. Help me please!!” So, there!! LOL. But there is still time for you to make this all better. Anyway where was I was I before I got distracted by my entitlement, er, woundedness? Oh yeah—I was talking about how hard my life is. Yes, it is very hard. You make me wake up in the morning and eat a breakfast that you cooked, and you make me go to the school that you pay for, and you have the nerve to make me study for all my classes—and you actually give me consequences if I don’t study!! This is ridiculous. I’ve got really great Xbox games that NEED to be played!!! (I’m stuck on Level 10!!) I should be able to play Xbox and text my friends all I want. And you should go to work and earn money to enable me to do this. And you should require nothing of me for all of this work that you do. Are you getting this yet? Send me a Tweet at #guiltyparents if you are understanding of my pain. By the way, another thing—if my friends are getting to do something, then you should naturally be required to allow me to do those things as well. Just think of what the other parents will think of you if you say “No” when all of those parents said “Yes!!” You will feel very ashamed. They will think you are the puritanical, rigid parent, and you wouldn’t want that would you!!! Remember, you need to be like all the other parents or else you will feel very bad about yourself. And another thing—you should not get to make rules for me unless I feel like those rules are “fair.” And what is “fair” is decided by me. You act like You are the authority around here, but even YOU have to bend the knee to the great god, “Fairness.” So if you have not asked something of my brother then you should not ask it of me—do you understand?!? That would be Unfair!! Lastly, (and I have so enjoyed our little chat) I feel that when you ask me to do something like help you with the dishes or do chores, you are acting like YOU matter or something!!!! OMG, that is just so Redonk!!! In fact, when you do that it really worries me that I might eventually learn that my life is not about holding a board meeting and electing myself chairman!! I worry that I will begin to take responsibility for my choices (shudder). I even had a bad dream last night that I felt this horrible feeling called humility and gratitude for all that you have done for me. I woke up in a cold sweat. Perhaps I should just keep playing Words with Friends until 2 a.m. and avoid sleep all together. Anyway, my friends keep texting my on my iPhone 4G (I can’t believe you haven’t gotten me a “5” yet!!) so I’ve gotta go. TTYL. Sincerely, Your Child PS - Happy Mother’s Day Y Dr. John L. Cox is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing in Jackson for 25 years. He works with adults, marriages and children at Live Oak Psychological Associates. You can contact him at 601-352-7398, or at his website: www.liveoakpsych.com.
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➺sports victories by ROBERT WILSON
Megan Jones of Germantown Middle School
M
egan Jones was 31 years old when she figured it out. “I was pregnant with our third child.
Brian (her husband) and I were talking one day and we decided that we were determined to give our kids some sort of direction in this life,” Jones said. “We wanted to live the best possible Christ-like life we could as parents and hopefully our kids would follow. I hadn’t put priorities in the right order like I should have in the past.” “How could you be a parent and not have a strong walk with Christ? It is as difficult a job as it is not to have Christ walking there beside you every step of the way. I have a strong group of friends who are believers and they are right there with me too. I’m our kids’ mom and I play a major role in their lives so I better get it right. Whenever we make decisions, we refer to the Bible. It’s hard for our kids to say we were wrong when the Bible says we were right. I’m called to be a Christian mom and that’s what I intend to be.” Jones, who is the girls basketball coach and teaches math and physical education at Germantown Middle School, and Brian have three boys, Bryson, 14, Bryden, 11, and Brennan, 8. They are members of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison. Many know Jones, whose maiden name is Riebock, as one of the top female athletes ever to come out of Brookhaven High School. She was named Most Athletic as a sophomore, junior, and senior in high school, starring in basketball, softball, track, and playing on the boys soccer team. She went on to play basketball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College and McNeese State in Louisiana. While everything seemed to be great for Jones at school and on the athletic field, it wasn’t at home. She had a traumatic childhood, being abused by her alcoholic father, Kurt. He committed suicide when Jones was 15 and a sophomore in high school. Her mom, Holly, was left to take care of Jones and her three older brothers, Scott, Danny, and Matt. “My mom is a dynamic woman and had every reason to give up because of all of things went on that she protected us from,” Jones said. “I admire her. She raised us as God-fearing, family-honoring kids and protected us from all of the details that were swirling around her at home. I can’t imagine how she did it. She did a phenomenal job raising my brothers and me.”
Holly Riebock, who has 10 grandchildren, admires Megan. “Megan was an easy child. She never got into trouble and got along fine with everyone,” Riebock said. “She was tough—she had to be with three older brothers—and very competitive. She has grown up into a great person and is a wonderful mom and coach. She is an all-around person and helps everyone around her. Megan seems to always be in control.” Jones was baptized (Jones was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church when she grew up in Brookhaven) right after Brennan was born and joined Broadmoor. That was a big step, and she took another big step four years later when she opened up about her abusive childhood to Broadmoor senior pastor Rob Futral and family pastor Tate Cockrell. Jones said she went through about a year of counseling with Cockrell to get all of those feelings in the open and learn how to deal with them. “There are many people out there who have been through the same thing I have,” Jones said. “It is a difficult situation to deal with. I was fortunate to have someone to talk to like Rob and Tate about it and finally open up and get some healing. I want to help people who need to talk about their childhood. I want them to know it is ok to talk about and it’s good to get it out and get healthy again.” “It was an inspiration to see Megan tackle issues that had been painful baggage in her life for many years,” Cockrell said. “It takes real courage to have the kind of faith to believe in God’s deliverance when you’ve suffered for so long.” “I had the privilege of seeing Megan’s faith grow so exponentially that she went from being someone who was terrified of talking about her past, to someone who sat in front of thousands and openly talked about God’s intervention in her life.” “I would describe Megan’s faith as ‘belief in action.’ She not only believed, but she was also willing to work hard to experience God’s best for her life.” 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. 42 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
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➺let’s talk it over by MOLLY MEEKS
A SEASON FOR MISSIONS hen I was in college, I had an opportunity to go to Botswana, Africa, for a year with the Peace Corps. However, the timing was not right and I felt God leading me in another direction; namely marriage, family caregiving, eventually three wonderful daughters, and a career in Christian counseling. And then, 25 years later, the door that had been closed for so long creaked open and I heard God calling me back to Africa, this time to a small town called Kasese in the mountains of Uganda. My daughters were all independent, my husband was supportive, and I joyfully embraced the opportunity. I felt Jesus saying, “Follow Me,” and it became clear that the time was right for me to heed His call. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 reminds us, “To
W
44 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
Dr. Brown, his Family, Staff and NEIGHbors hope you all have a very blessed
Mother’s Day!
And so I found in Africa that God was true to His word. If we listen to Him, He will grant us peace and we will be untroubled by fear of harm.
everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” I decided that it was finally my season to go half way around the world and enter the mission field in Africa! When one goes on a mission trip, theoretically the idea is that we are going to help others, to represent Christ and to “make a difference.” And certainly we try to do all of that. However, I found another reason that will ensure my return to the mission field, and that is what we are given. I have to say that in Africa I found a faith that I had not yet experienced in my life. It was one of the very few times that I had to make a conscious decision to place my trust entirely with God. When we pulled up to our hotel at 2 a.m. our first night in Africa and were greeted at a solid iron gate by a combat clothed, AK-47toting guard, it became clear to me that nothing I had experienced prior to this had prepared me for this trip. In fact, I wondered if perhaps I had made a poor decision or had misinterpreted God’s calling. Maybe He meant Hawaii! But there was no turning back then, so I made a conscious decision to let go and let God. And boy, did God deliver! God’s love and support began with little things. His attention to detail was incredible. One of our doctors lost an heirloom cross necklace sometime during the 28 hours of flying, and it mysteriously appeared in the dirt outside of the Entebbe airport at midnight, sparkling in a guard’s flashlight beam. From that point forward, we just assumed that God would take care of every detail and He did. At
times God, even provided a Coke Zero for my Diet Coke “addiction”! When we arrived at our ultimate destination, the Kamaiba School in Kasese, which is run by the Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation, we were blown away by the joy reflected in each young face we encountered. These children were in dire need of food, clothing, and adequate shelter but they were happy! They had faith and they lived life moment by moment. They surrounded us with love and exuberance. They danced and sang for us, presented us with gifts, proudly showed us their school classrooms with dirt floors and no power where they squeezed five children into a desk made for two, and taught us that God was alive and well in Kasese. Yes, we took money and supplies and worked alongside their doctors and teachers helping the best that we could. But we were given so much more—an example of faith, trust, and joy that was so generously shared with us. And so I found in Africa that God was true to His word. If we listen to Him, He will grant us peace and we will be untroubled by fear of harm. My ears are open now. The question is can I keep them open? If you are interested in learning more about the Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation you can visit www.maserekafoundation.org.
Y
Molly Meeks, LPC, is a therapist at Summit Counseling providing counsel in the areas of caregiving, depression, stress, anxiety, loneliness, and grief. She can be reached at mmeeks@fbcj.org or 601.949.1949.
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Y FREE download at the App Store, Android Market, or by scanning the QR Code. 46 MAY 2013 â?˜ Metro Christian Living
legal advice by WILLIAM B. HOWELL
Will Your Power of Attorney Work When You Need It? any people have a business power of attorney to allow someone to act on their behalf when they are unable to act for themselves. In this legal instrument, you give certain powers to a person or persons you have chosen. Here we are discussing business powers of attorney and not those for healthcare. The need for a power of attorney may be caused by the person signing the power of attorney being out of the country for a while, or temporarily incapacitated due to a major surgery, or even the onset of dementia. Regardless of the cause, you want someone to be able to act for you in business matters, whether that is paying your bills, handling your investments, running your business, disposing of your assets (including real estate,) or otherwise taking care of your activities involving commerce. Obviously, you must put this power in place before the need for it arises. What is a “durable power of attorney�? This is a power of attorney document that includes certain language that allows it to continue to be valid even if you are determined to be incapacitated at a later date. A “nondurable� power of attorney (one not containing that certain language) ceases to give any authority at such time the person making it becomes unable to act for their self. The “durable� part is merely special language authorized by statute that allows the power of attorney to survive your incapacity. You do need to be aware of the fact that no power of attorney is effective after you have passed away. Any power of attorney you have given ends the same time you do. In addition to being invalid at your death, there are sometimes other problems with a power of attorney, whether durable or not. One difficulty can arise from the fact that no one is required by law to honor a business
M
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power of attorney. Honoring it is purely voluntary. The alternative at that point is to go to court for a conservatorship. When do you learn your power of attorney will not be honored? Usually when the person to whom you have given the power of attorney attempts to use it for the first time. Some businesses will honor a power of attorney only so long as it is written on their form. But when the time comes to utilize the power of attorney, it may be too late to get a new one signed on the form prescribed by that business. Also, any power of attorney that may be intended to allow the holder to deal with real estate should not only have the real estate described fully inside the power of attorney (preferably the full legal description,) but good practice dictates that the power of attorney be filed with the chancery clerk of the county where the real estate is located. A well-written durable power of attorney may well work for you when the need arises. While a durable power of attorney is better to have than not, giving total reliance upon such a document, particularly one which is less than skillfully drafted, may result in disappointment and frustration for your family. Many people avoid the necessity of relying upon a business power of attorney being honored or not by having in place a Living Trust. In the event a situation should arise whereby they cannot act for themselves, then the person they have chosen as their successor trustee takes over under the provisions of their Living Trust and that person should have full authority to do what may be required—without reliance upon whether or not a power of attorney will be honored. Y William B. Howell is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and practices law in Ridgeland.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT A LIVING TRUST? Do you know the four critical documents for a complete estate plan? i WHY A LIVING TRUST? Why not just a will? It really depends on what you want for yourself and for your family. How much protection do you want or need? i WHAT ABOUT PROBATE? A Living Trust is a great way to avoid probate, but is probate something you really want to avoid? Do you know what probate actually is and what it does? If not, you need to know, so you can make up your own mind. i ARE DEATH TAXES AVOIDABLE" )RU WKH YDVW PDMRULW\ WKH DQVZHU LV ´DEVROXWHO\ ¾ i WHAT ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS FROM THE NURSING HOME? Medicare pays only a tiny part, if any, and you pay the rest.
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metrochristianliving.com â?˜ MAY 2013 47
➺rave reviews BOOK
Victim of Grace
MUSIC Reviewed by Susan E. Richardson
Readers familiar with Robin Jones Gunn’s fiction know the tenderness of spirit and sensitivity she infuses into her books. Now everyone has an opportunity to meet the woman behind the words, as Gunn opens her heart in Victim of Grace. She combines incidents from her life with stories of biblical women to illustrate God’s goodness even during challenging times. From her kindergarten days through recent events, Gunn shows how God used what she believed to be obstacles to bless her in ways she couldn’t have imagined. In fact, her imagination was the first problem. Telling stories got her in trouble in her school days, but God used His gift of that ability to create books that have touched many lives. Reaching the place where you can see yourself as a victim of grace rather than circumstances in more demanding situations is not an easy road. Robin does not offer simple answers to difficult questions. Barren seasons are challenging. She acknowledges the pain when life knocks you down, and appreciates that trusting God for the big picture often involves a choice to obey despite what you can understand. Any woman who has struggled in life will find Victim of Grace encouraging. Those familiar with Robin’s other work will enjoy getting to know the author better in addition to learning from the lessons shared. Make yourself a cup of hot tea and sit down to relax with your sister, Robin, as you share the adventure of following Jesus. 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.
48 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
Bring Your Nothing by Shane and Shane Shane Everett and Shane Barnard formed the duo, Shane & Shane in the late 90s. Since then, the acoustic-guitar wielding pair has become a college-circuit favorite. This, their 10th career project, Bring Your Nothing, is released May 14. The album is a community effort, featuring friends and fellow musicians, Jason Hoard (Third Day), Tyler Chester (Fiction Family), Josh Moore (Caedmon’s Call), and Shane & Shane’s own drummer, Joey Parrish. A theme of grace weaves its way through the track listing with poignant lyrics that grew out of Shane & Shane’s weekly songwriting class where they teach students songwriting principles and theology. The title track, based on Isaiah 55, has a Stevie Wonder groove accentuated by colorful horns played by a brass section. Lyrically, the song speaks to what we have to bring to Christ—absolutely nothing. Musically diverse in styles, this album will have wide appeal for anyone who enjoys contemporary Christian music. For more information on Bring Your Nothing, see www.shaneandshane.com or http://www.youtube.com/shaneandshanemusic.
Anthem by Todd Ballard Todd Ballard describes his national debut album, Anthems, as “anthems from the heart…each song is an anthem of the way I love God.” It truly reflects his unique ability to connect with the worshipper’s heart. Released this past February, the album showcases an all-star lineup of producers, writers, and players. Among the standout cuts are “Why We’re Singing,” co-written with multi-Dove Award Winning Producer of the Year, Ian Eskelin, inspired by a sermon from Charles Spurgeon on the foundations of faith; and “Immanuel,” a ballad about resting in God’s presence. A total of 13 epic songs make this one of the year’s best. Other favorites include “Closer to Me,” and “Find Me in the River.” Ballard is a veteran worship leader, who has been ushering audiences into the presence of God for nearly 18 years. A founding pastor at one of the country’s fastest growing congregations, Red Rocks Church in Golden, Colorado, Ballard recently left his position to pursue music full time. To find out more about Todd Ballard, visit toddballard.com or facebook.com/toddballardmusic73. Y
events calendar Mission Mississippi Celebrates 20 Years Mission Mississippi celebrates 20 years of “Changing Mississippi…One Relationship at a Time.” The Anniversary Celebration began with the Governors Prayer Luncheon where Civil rights activist and wife of the slain Medgar Evers, Myrlie Evers-Williams, was the guest speaker. This milestone celebration continues with the Annual Mayors’ Prayer Luncheon, where Mississippians come together to pray for mayors and municipal officials. Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, former CEO and president of St. Dominic Health Service and a long-time supporter of Mission Mississippi will be the speaker. Join us on May 9th at the Jackson Convention Complex from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased now. We would like to encourage high school and college students to participate in the luncheon. “We feel it’s important that the younger generation realizes that racism is not just something that happened 50 or 60 years ago, it still exists today, sometimes in more subtle forms,” said Paige Haven, Event Coordinator. President and CEO of Mission Mississippi, Neddie Winters recalled how Mission Mississippi helped him meet new people 20 years ago. “I remember raising a cross with men that were almost strangers to me—both black and white,” said Winters. Now he says those men are good friends. There are plenty of opportunities through out the year to participate in celebrating Mission Mississippi’s anniversary. “Two and Two Restaurant Days” is held on the 20th of every month; participating restaurants offer discounts for black and white dining together. Hosting a “Mission Mississippi Day,” churches can invite a representative from Mission Mississippi to speak during worship services. Beginning in August, a lighted cross will be walked through all 82 counties of Mississippi; at each point the cross is passed, a worship service will take place. On October 27th the cross will be brought into Jackson State University Tiger Stadium as the start of the Celebration Rally. Visit www.missionmississippi.org or call the office at 601.353.6477 to purchase tickets and find out more information regarding Mission Mississippi activities. Y
First Ridgeland Hosts Summer Day Camp Summer is almost here! Secure your spot, and let the fun begin! First Ridgeland is hosting an amazing summer camp for children of all ages. Each day is filled with more excitement and adventure than the next! With themed weeks like Sports Extravaganza, Mighty Jungle, and Space Exploration, Summer 2013 at First Ridgeland is sure to be unforgettable! Sign up for the whole summer or just the weeks suitable for you. Our camp is offered from 7:00 a.m.-6:00.p.m. A convenient location, out-of-this-world fun, and Christ-like care, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to give your children the best summer experience ever! Register online TODAY! www.fbcridgeland.org Y
JACKSON
May 3 Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosts its 26th Annual Athletes Luncheon at First Baptist Church. Former NFL Indianapolis Colts Coach, Tony Dungy, will be the keynote speaker. Order tickets online at www.fcams.org or call 601.856.3224 for more details. May 4 The Mississippi Chorus presents “A Garment of Praise: The Music of Ralph Vaughn Williams.” 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church 5301 Old Canton Road. Contact 601.278.3351. May 4 St. Richard’s School’s annual 5K, Flight to the Finish, 9 a.m. beginning at St. Richard’s school at 100 Holly Drive. For information, visit www.flighttothefinish.com May 8 The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women event at the Jackson Convention Complex begins at 10:00 a.m. Take part in free health screenings, educational exhibits, and a “chance to win” one of five amazing packages. Lunch and a fashion show follow at noon. For tickets call 601-321-1209 or www.heart.org/metrojacksongored. May 9 Mission Mississippi Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon 11:30 a.m. at Jackson Convention Complex. Tickets and available at www.missionmississippi.org or call 601.353.6477. May 11 Christ United Methodist Church Recreation Ministry at 6000 Old Canton Road sponsors a 5K/Walk/1-Mile Fun Run. Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. All proceeds go to Youth Summer Missions. On-line registration at www.active.com. Race directed by Mississippi Track Club. May 11 New Summit School’s 2nd annual Move To Be Fit 5K. Registration begins at 6:00 am. Race begins at 7:30 a.m. at New Summit campus at 1417 Lelia Drive. Registration is $25. Call 601.982.7827 or visit www.newsummitschool.com. May 14 Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc., will host the 6th annual
Sonny Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament for Kids at Annandale Golf Club in Madison County. Named in memory and honor of beloved Jackson businessman and philanthropist, “Sonny” Fountain, all proceeds go directly to support the programs of Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth. Contact Lisa Moore, Director of Development at 601.354.0983.
MADISON May 3 Broadmoor Baptist Church hosts Friday Night Friends from 6:00-9:00 p.m. An opportunity for children with special needs, along with their siblings, to have fun together in an exciting environment. Siblings up to 5th grade and ALL children with special needs are welcomed. Contact Cindy Weaver at graceministries@broadmoor.org.
RIDGELAND May 3 Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church hosts Sonbeams Parent’s Night Out (SNO) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. For a night of fun, games, and fellowship for those touched by special needs and their siblings, contact Martie Kwasny at jmkwasny@bellsouth.net. May 11 First annual Run Up for Downs benefitting the Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society and the Little Light House of Central Mississippi. One-mile fun run for the kids followed by a 3.21 mile run/walk. Music, entertainment for the family, food and drinks from 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Old Trace Park. Details can be found at runningforlily.com or on Facebook at runningforlily. May 31 The Metro Jackson American Cancer Association sponsors Relay for Life of Madison-Ridgeland beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Renaissance Shopping Center in Ridgeland. Visit www.relayforlife.org.
RICHLAND May 3 American Cancer Society sponsors Relay for Life Rankin-South/Richland at 6:00 p.m. at Richland High School. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org. Y
metrochristianliving.com ❘ MAY 2013 49
MAY 2013
WHAT’S GOING ON
➺quips & quotes
ADVERTISING INDEX
}
{
Cut out the scriptures and quotes and place them around your home for daily encouragement!
✂
Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report—if there is any virtue and if there is any praise—think on these things.
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
– Philippians 4:8
– James Baldwin
When your mother asks, “Do you want a piece of advice?” it’s a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway. – Erma Bombeck
Before becoming a mother I had a hundred theories on how to bring up children. Now I have seven children and only one theory: love them, especially when they least deserve to be loved. - Kate Samperi
In order to experience the freedom Jesus came to bring, you must not resent the delays you experience in life. Though you might be able to make things happen in your own time frame, you often experience undesirable results when you take things into your own hands. – Julie Clinton
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. – Romans 12:12
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50 MAY 2013 ❘ Metro Christian Living
Sweater, noun. Garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.” – Ambrose Bierce
We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have—for their usefulness.
– Thomas Merton
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. Pain is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. – C.S. Lewis
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:12-13
ADVERTISER
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Acadian On Call Monitoring Services .....................38 Apple Annie’s Gift Shop...........................................37 Belhaven University.....................................................7 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi......................15 Callaway’s Yard & Garden ........................................19 C Spire .........................................................................3 Chamblee Hospitality Group .....................................8 Christ Covenant School............................................37 City of Clinton ...........................................................25 Cole Fortenberry, DMD............................................23 Community Bank ......................................................46 Covenant Caregivers ................................................21 David Ingram Real Estate.........................................18 Energy Insulation.......................................................42 EyeCare Professionals...............................................25 First Presbyterian Day School ..................................31 First Ridgeland Weekday Ministry...........................48 Gentiva Hospice........................................................38 GI Associates.............................................................13 Grantham Poole Certified Public Accountants ......37 Highland Village........................................................31 Hope for Kids Evangelism Explosion ......................39 Jackson Academy .......................................................2 Jackson Heart............................................................31 Jackson Orthopaedic Clinic, P.A..............................35 Jackson Preparatory School.....................................43 Joel Clarke & Sons Jewelry......................................12 King’s Daughters Hospital........................................10 Law Firm of William B. Howell, Ltd. ........................47 Mission Mississippi....................................................46 Neblett’s Frame Outlets, Inc....................................15 North State Animal Hospital....................................50 O! How Cute.............................................................14 Peggy Keady, Glimpses of Glory.............................39 Persnickety Kitchens ...................................................9 Pennington & Trim Alarm Services, Inc...................19 Private Collection Consignment..............................40 Ray’s Fine Linens .......................................................43 Reformed Theological Seminary .............................39 Sitters, LLC ................................................................31 Smiles by Design.......................................................45 Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company....35 St. Dominic’s..............................................................11 Stegall Imagery .........................................................51 Summit Counseling...................................................39 Sunnybrook Estates ..................................................20 The Club at the Township ..........................................5 The Pine Cone ..........................................................22 The Orchard ..............................................................43 The Waterford...........................................................37 Tinnin Imports ...........................................................52 The Veritas School ....................................................34 Transformations River Oaks .....................................16 Twin Lakes Conference Center ..................................2 Venable Glass Services .............................................41 WHJT Star 93.5.........................................................51 Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home..........................43 Written in Stone, LLC ...............................................41
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 ❘ MAY 2013 51