SB Faith & Family August

FAITH

FAMILY AUGUST 2013

INSIDE Teaming up for the Gospel Preparing for Middle School Rejoicing in all that is Good

August 2013

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AUGUST 2013

8

Wise Words

22

Ad Directory

12

Gala for Hope Teaming up for the Gospel

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Teen Talk Preparing for Middle School

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Thoughts in Christ Rejoicing in all that is Good

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Marriage Matters What you do Today…

Does Have an Effect on Tomorrow

8

Pressing Upwards Encouraging Words for Parents, Teachers, and Students

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Faith under Fire Anchor Me

14

Little Bits That Sneaky Back to School Momma Moment

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Food for Thought Summer Delight

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Sensible Stewards Dave Says…

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Health & Wellness The 5 Essentials of a Maximized Life

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The Real Stuff After the Launch, What’s Next

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Word Search Back to School

FAITH

FAMILY

AUGUST 2013

Publisher Ashley Foster ashley@sbfaithandfamily.com Editor

Jason Foster

Ad Consultant

Mary Driscoll

Photo Credit Splash Kingdom Advertising Mary Driscoll Mary@sbfaithandfamily.com 318-423-4483

Bonita Bandaries, Candace Chaney, Dianne Howell, Al Jones, Steven Kostoff, Ron Mumbower, Dave Ramsey, Joe Henry Rodriquez, Debbie Wilson, Steve Wilson

SB Faith & Family exist to provide Christians and the community at large with ways to grow and develop as a part of their faith & family. The local publication is designed to promote positive living by sharing with readers the latest news on entertainment, healthy living, parenting and inspirational literature as well as what individuals and organization are doing to try to address needs of the family.

SB Faith & Family is published monthly and is available at high traffic locations throughout the Shreveport/Bossier Area. SB Faith & Family can also be read online at www.SBFaithandFamily.com

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August 2013

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teeN talk Preparing for Middle School

For the pre-teen or tween, the idea of moving from elementary school to middle school is filled with excitement, fear, and mixed emotions. As a parent, you can help your tween prepare for the challenges of the middle school change.

a night. Adequate sleep increases ability to focus during the day.

Help your tween become more organized with the upcoming school routine by establishing a family calendar. A detailed calendar that includes the times for school, homework, and activities will help with decision-making. Show them how to Address Your Child’s Fears use a day planner to track homework about Middle School Talk with your tween about middle assignments. Remember to also alschool and the new school year low time for independence, relaxwith enthusiasm and excitement. ation, and friends.

The fears that they face may seem Shop Together insignificant to you, but they are Include your tween in back to school Allowing them very real to them. They worry shopping trips. about finding their classes, opening choices in schools supplies and new their locker, dressing in gym class, school clothes helps them feel more and new school rules. Allow them independent. You can use shopping the opportunity to express what for school as a teachable moment they are feeling. Discuss many regarding money. If there is a set of the changes that come with amount of money that can be spent middle school, as peer pressure, on new school clothes, you can help homework, and responsibilities all them make wise choices that fit your budget. increase.

It is also helpful to purchase extra Visit the School Most schools are open for several school supplies to use throughout weeks prior to the start of the the year. This can prevent the late school year. Take time to contact evening run to the store when they the school for a tour.

You and need a poster board or markers for a a staff member can show your project due the next morning. tween the classrooms, cafeteria, Talk About Bullying gymnasium, restrooms, etc. If your Bullying tends to peak in the sixth child’s schedule is available, you grade. Take time to talk to your can tour the school by walking tween about bullying. Reassure through their day. If your tween them that telling you or a teacher walks or rides the bus to school, if they are being bullied is OK. As make sure they are comfortable a parent, learn the signs of bullying with the route and know how to so that if necessary, you can quickly contact someone for help in the take action.

With some planning, clear communicase of an emergency. cation, and enthusiasm, your tween Establish a Routine A week or so before school will be well prepared when the first starts reestablish set curfews and bell rings. bedtimes. Although your child is - Al Jones, Ph.D. growing older, he or she still needs between 9 and 10 hours of sleep

4 | Faith & Family

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August 2013

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R E JOICI NG in all that is good!

In Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians 4:8-9 we find this marvelous passage: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

The Apostle exhorts us to “think about these things.” That may actually take some effort on our part. For without having the time to pause and “think about these things,” we may have lost the inclination to do so. It would be spiritually hazardous to feel that the virtues enumerated herein somehow come to us automatically, simply because we are “Church-going Christians.” Hence, it is imperative that we listen to the Apostle Paul and “think about these things”and, in so doing, give ourselves the opportunity to search out all that is wholesome in life.

our Christian perspective, there is also much to be found that is honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise that are taught and promoted by these other religions and philosophies. To think otherwise would be to succumb to the temptations of a sectarian mind.

A sect is a group that cannot find anything of value outside of its own narrowly defined borders. This eventually breeds some form of obscurantism and narrow-mindedness, if not eventually fanaticism.

A “catholic” mind as understood by the great Church Fathers can rejoice in whatever is true, even if found outside of the Church.

At the same time, the Apostle has included this exhortation in an epistle that is thoroughly and consistently Christocentric. The living reality of Christ permeates all of Saint Paul’s thoughts and actions. There is nothing that is worthy of pursuit that is outside of Christ. For the Apostle Paul, nothing can compare with the knowledge of Christ. And this “knowledge” is not intellectual, but deeply experiential. In one of his most famous passages—Philippians 3:7-8—he writes, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse (In Greek, skivala = rubbish, dung, excrement,) in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him….”

Saint Paul essentially borrows a list of virtues that were common within various Greek philosophical schools current in his lifetime. The pursuit of such virtues would lead to the “good life,” for only a life dedicated to such a pursuit would be considered worthy of living. He apparently continued to respect this centuries-old tradition. We should bear this in mind whenever confronted with other religious beliefs or serious philosophical Anything that is of the truth somehow belongs schools of thought. As much as we may disagree to Christ and comes from Christ – even if not with them about some fundamental issues from acknowledged. So the virtues that Saint Paul 6 | Faith & Family

exhorts the Philippians to pursue are found in Christ in a most preeminent form. Those virtues – though taught and found elsewhere—will find their most perfect manifestation in Christ. Yet the point remains that we can rejoice in all that is good, wherever we encounter it. The Apostle assures us that with such an approach to life, the “God of peace” indeed will be with us.

- Priest Steven Kostoff

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What You Do Today...

Does Have an Effect on Tomorrow.

We are beginning to see a generation today that does not consider the consequences of their behavior until all the “wheels” fall off.

“That will never happen to me.” “Oh, I can do this today and if I get caught, I will deal with it then.” Are you serious? How does that impact your family and your marriage? If you profess to be a Jesus person, how can you blatantly sin, and not feel convicted about your behavior? Can you do that and truly have a personal, growing relationship with the Lord? That is the question I continue to ask myself as I daily watch Christians walk into sin!

Galatians 6:8 says, “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

We have to count the costs of sin today so that destruction does not come tomorrow.

Ways to stop destruction in our life and marriage today, so it can’t happen tomorrow.

1. Live a life with no secrets. Let your spouse into every area of your life. Discuss daily with them what you do and deal with every day of your life. Also, have the type of friends that are willing to ask you the hard questions every time they are with you.

2. Have some “never’s” in your life. Some “never’s” are: I will never go to lunch with a woman, unless my wife is with me. I will never have another woman in my car, unless others are with me. I will never…you come up with some. These are called principles that are non-negotiable!

3. Have fun with your mate and let others know that you enjoy being with your spouse. Then when you are talking about the fun times with your spouse, it puts a signal off to those around you that you are not going to entertain anything that “sows to the flesh” with another person.

At some point, we must choose to live our faith out! Your depth of faith should help you say “no” to sin and anything that will tempt you to fall. Do not let the fun of a temporary feeling; destroy you and your family!

Sow to the spirit and it is amazing the joy and peace in your life.

Steve Wilson www.marriagemattersnow.com marriagemattersnow@gmail.com #SteveAndDebbie Twitter Marriage Matters Now on Facebook

August 2013

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s d r a w p U

As a new school year approaches, a feeling of excitement

is one element everyone needs to be successful. This

The classroom climate is of vital importance. An

begins to rise in me. Seeing the ads highlighting school

is a primary rule in school: students must respect

instructor is evaluated on the basis of classroom

supplies and even walking into a store and getting

teachers, other students, themselves, and property. If

management and students are evaluated on their

the scent of crayons, stirs my emotions. As a retired

they have not learned this at home, it is not easy for

learning and behavior. A school’s performance is also

teacher and school counselor, I would like to share

them to relate to this concept.

dependent upon the interaction of students, parents,

some thoughts about making this year a successful one

Parents, you are told in Deuteronomy 4:9-10 that it

and teachers as they respect each other to achieve

for students, parents, and teachers.

is your responsibility to teach your children godly

measurable goals of learning.

Begin with high expectations! Speak positive words.

principles. Even though the Bible is not taught in

The education of our youth is of concern to all in the

We all need wisdom to guide us and direct us. The

school, its principles are the basis for the United

community and determines the well-being of our

book of Proverbs in the Bible supplies advice and

States’ rule of law and give direction for people to

society. Respect is a key factor for success in life. Last

instruction for parents in rearing their children, for

interact peaceably respecting each other. Proverbs

week at a school board meeting several parents spoke

children’s behavior, and for teachers and staff working

22:6 specifically tells you to “Train up a child in the

fluently and passionately about the positive aspects of

with them. I include teachers with parents because

way he should go. . .” Your training should carry over

a school where they work and their children attend.

they are entrusted to care for children with the

into the school setting.

This vested interest of caring by the principal, staff, and

same dedication as parents. The wise words of King

parents has resulted in a good rating for the school.

Solomon give direction for everyone. Beginning with

Leaving the meeting, a young woman commented

the first chapter, we are reminded that “Knowledge

to me that her child is just eighteen months old but

begins with respect for the Lord. . .”1:7 The wise words

she attended the meeting to become involved in the

in verses 3-5 establish a framework for learning:

learning process. I have great respect for parents who

3. They will teach you how to be wise and self-controlled and will teach you to do what is honest and fair and right.

4. They make the uneducated smarter and give knowledge and sense to the young.

5. Wise people can also listen and learn; even smart people can find good advice in these Words.

begin early to teach their children.

Bonita Bandaries Parent, Educator, Counselor Author of A PROMISE KEPT On the other hand, the Bible instructs children to “Honor your father and your mother that your days may be long. . .” At school, the same respect for parents should be given to instructors and others in authority.

Without respect, the environment for learning is not present. This is where the rules of listening, speaking,

This book of instruction is easy to read and plainly

and sharing are applicable. Interaction in dialogue

gives direction for parents in teaching their children

requires respect for others.

the values of honesty, integrity, and respect. Respect

disorder and lack of respect does not foster learning.

8 | Faith & Family

An environment of

WIS E WORDS

Above everything is love. The thing that must concern you, my children, is love for the other person, for his soul. Whatever we do, whether it is prayer or offering advice or pointing out some error, let us do it with love.

Without love, prayer is of no benefit, advice is hurtful and pointing out errors is harmful and destructive to the other person who senses whether we love him or not and reacts accordingly. Love, love, love! Love for our brother prepares us to love Christ more. Isn’t that perfect? Elder Porphyrios, Wounded by Love, pg. 181

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August 2013

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Johnas Do not let your hearts be in troubled.

Y ou believe in God; believe also me.

My Father’ swould house has many rooms; ifIthat were not so, I have told you that am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go

Chic Chat

SMILE! – God Is Good!

There are so many topics in this life that drag us down and make us not want to smile at all! Life is hard and messy and many times there has to be concentrated effort to feel the goodness of God enough to break a grin much less a smile!

The Promises of God are given to us to make our hearts glad and KNOW that no matter what happens in this life – we have God with us – fighting for us and teaching us how to live…we just have to recognize that!

Here are 10 Bible verses that teach us and give us reason to smile and KNOW that God is Good!

Romans 8:37-39

– “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – NOTHING will EVER separate you from the LOVE of God! Believe it and smile!

Deuteronomy 7:9 – “ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

– If we truly believe that God is Sovereign and He is in control of all things – we should have no trouble believing He is Faithful and will KEEP His Promise – so smile when there is nothing else you can do!

Jeremiah 29:11-12 – “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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – God KNOWS the plans He has for our future always filled with hope and safety! – SMILE and remember God has got this! Remember to pray and worship God who has your future!

Romans 5:1-5 – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy

10 | Faith & Family

Spirit, who has been given to us.” –The gift of LIFE through JESUS should make us want to SMILE all the time – but God didn’t stop there! He gave us the Holy Spirit to live in us to guide us and instruct us!

John 14:1-3 - Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – Not ONLY does JESUS tell us not to worry or be troubled in this life – He tells us He is going to prepare a place for us and that He is COMING BACK to get us! When this life becomes too burdened – SMILE and remember He is coming to get us!

John 5:24 – “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

– Don’t you want to hear those words – ‘well done, my good and faithful servant’ when you close your eyes to this life and open them in eternity? This is a reason to SMILE! – Believing God and living that way has eternal consequences!

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – There is MUCH to be said for having the peace inside that no one can understand and a reason to SMILE because you have a close relationship with JESUS! Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble

in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Being a believer in Christ with a close relationship means that you know where to go when you are burdened and weary in this world – you know that Christ is where the real rest is – this should bring a gentle SMILE to your face!

Isaiah 40:31 – “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isn’t it great to know that God will RENEW your STRENGTH when you need it? Isn’t it great to know that when trouble comes you have the knowledge and ability to look over the top of it like an eagle and run and walk through it because your FAITH is strong? This is a reason to SMILE! – it is God’s gift to us!

Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? – There is NO FEAR in the LORD for He is your stronghold from anything in this life that can hurt you! SMILE and KNOW that your God will be your stronghold!

These are just samples of God’s Promises to us as believers.

If ever there was a reason to step in close to JESUS and embrace Him and His Word – it is some of these promises that God gives His children!

If you do not have that relationship with JESUS that changes you – start today and build your love for JESUS by believing His Promises in your heart and mind! He gave His all for us that we might move in close and LOVE Him in every way!

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Faith UNDER

Anchor Me I completely changed the focus and title of this column in midstream because I was listening (for the hundredth time) to the eighth track on The Tenors’ new CD, “Lead With Your Heart.” I wish I could pour the vocals and rich harmonies of “Anchor Me” onto this paper and have it wash like balm over your soul as it has washed over mine in recent months. Everything it says, I am experiencing - still. The attack is personal and relentless.

For those of you living in the same place, for whatever reason, get the CD, download it to your iPod, and just listen. Here are most of the words. They’re for all of you with broken hearts, raw emotions, eyes red from weeping, desperate spirits, exhausted bodies and tortured minds.

FIRE

Oh, my soul is troubled; Oh, my will is worn.

Tired and discouraged, trampled on and torn.

Every breath a battle, every step a war; My heart a broken vessel, this night an angry storm.

I cannot see through this. Can you be my eyes?

I’m completely hopeless. Can you shine a light?

I have no more strength left. Can you stand and fight?

I’m dying in this doubt. Can you be my faith tonight?

When sadness crashes like an ocean, When fear is deeper than the sea, When I am swallowed by the darkness, Will you come and anchor me? …I beg you not to let go.

All I really have to know is that You are here and I am not alone.

I have learned a lot about emotional, physical and psychological bankruptcy in the last six months.

I’ve also come to believe that sometimes there are no good answers. Sometimes every possible solution seems to spin off more problems than you had before. And sometimes even the best counselors are at a loss. They try really, really hard, but they can’t make “it” go away. So you just have to keep walking, keep looking up, keep on keeping on. I recently said to my dear girlfriend that it’s like looking for bread crumbs in a dark forest as you watch the beam of your flashlight fade because the battery is almost dead. I know some of you have been there. Are there.

So, here’s to our Lord and Savior, the Anchor of our Souls, the One who holds us fast even as the waters spill over the bows of our almost-sinking boats. (Hebrews 6:13-19) Here’s to my children and grandchildren who make me laugh and focus my energy on living. Here’s to my friends who listen and counsel and pray and stand. Here’s to my work colleagues who keep me busy with meaningful projects and help me forget the muddy river that seeks to sweep me overboard.

I will not sink. I am anchored to the Rock and spy a safe harbor in the distance.

Dianne B. Howell Shreveport, LA

©2012 The Tenors Inc., under exclusive license to Universal Music Canada Inc.(J. Fransson, T. Lundgren, T. Larsson, S. McConnell) Warner/Chappell Scand. AB www.Tenorsmusic.com

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August 2013

| 11

Gala for Hope

Teaming up

However, Reis has been just as passionate about his faith as he was football after he made the decision to follow Christ when he was a high school student.

A graduate of Georgia Tech, Chris was active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he served as President of the organization for his entire college experience.

encourage others to live better lives. In addition, they recently co-authored “Recovery of a Lifetime”, which chronicles the tale of Chris’ on field football recovery and Mike’s off field recovery to sobriety.

“It wasn’t until after the Super Bowl and Chris’ onside recovered kick that I turned my life around completely. I started to think about what it took to live his life the way he did and it inspired me,” said Mike Reis, Chris’ father and current b u s i n e s s p a r t n e r.

To g e t h e r, t h e y travel t h e country speaking to groups hoping to inspire a n d

During the program, guests will enjoy a delicious meal, videos and can get in the action by participating in two different featured games – the Priority Playoff and MVP Selection.

Prizes for the games include (but are not limited to) tickets to LSU football games, restaurant gift cards a n d the sports trip of a lifetime.

for the Gospel During the school year, no student or parent wants the

letter “F” to appear on a progress or report card. However, for one evening in September, the words that begin with it are the star of the show….Fun, Football, Faith, Fundraising, Fellowship and First Priority ArkLaTex. Continuing with a seasonal football theme that proved popular at the first event, the 2013 Gala for Hope will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 24, at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City. By purchasing a team table sponsorship, attendees are allowed some of the first picks of their favorite NFL teams. Dress for the evening will be casual and guests are welcome to wear jeans and their NFL team jersey or t-shirt. Presenting the gala is First Priority ArkLaTex, which is a faith-based, non-profit organization that works with middle and high school students.

“Students are equipped spiritually and socially through involvement with First Priority. Spiritually, it helps to train and mobilize Christian students to impact their campus and engage those without Christ with an opportunity to hear that there is hope available in Jesus. Socially, it helps to develop leadership skills as FP is completely student initiated and student led,” said John Carruth, Executive Director of First Priority ArkLaTex.

Besides securing Reis as the guest for the evening, the 2013 Gala Team Committee has been planning an action packed evening. Attendees will enjoy pre-event activities in the “Eagle End Zone”, sponsored by Eagle Distributing, beginning at 6:15 pm. Here they will taste samples by Eagle Distributing, such as EX5, a sports drink developed on the LSU Campus and containing less sugar, calories and sodium content than other sports drinks, and participate in games such as the football toss.

“We are scheduled to take our sports trip of a lifetime in August to Seattle to see the Mariners play the

Emceeing the event is Justin Haigler, pastor of The Simple Church in Bossier City. Highlighting the 2013 program of activities is guest speaker Chris Reis, former player for the 2009 Super Bowl Champions, the New Orleans Saints. He is best known for his historic, game-changing play made during Super Bowl XLIV – the recovery of the first onside kick before the fourth quarter that led the Saints to victory.

NFL.com named Chris’ plays one of the “top 10 greatest Super Bowl plays of the decade,” and the actual ball recovered resides in the NFL Hall of Fame.

“Before that play (in the Super Bowl), I maybe had five interviews; after the game, I had so many reporters in my face. It hit me then…that play was a lot bigger than that moment, “Chris Reis said.

12 | Faith & Family

Fun, Football, Faith, Fundraising, Fellowship and First Priority ArkLaTex sbfaithandfamily.com

Texas Rangers and we are so excited. We’re really looking forward to it. Last year’s event was so much fun, sitting at a table with friends and having dinner. We were so surprised we won, since we never win anything. What a fabulous evening!” said Jackie and Roy Burroughs, 2012 Gala for Hope attendees and Priority Playoff Super Bowl game winners.

While having fun is the main theme of the evening, raising funds is the main goal for the event. First Priority currently has active clubs at seven area schools, with plans to expand its reach to eight more middle and high schools by the end of 2013. In addition, during the 2012-2013 school year, they provided lunches once a month to each club during the year, provided leadership training to club leaders at each school and FP hosted a pre-event tailgate party at Winter Jam at the CenturyLink Center in February 2013.

“What could be more beneficial than supporting the opportunity for someone to have a personal relationship with Jesus? “

“First Priority has a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of teenagers.”

Chad Glover, High School Pastor at First Baptist Bossier said, “First Priority has simplified a strategy for the gospel, unified the local churches, and maximized the efforts of peer-to-peer evangelism. Churches and families should become involved with FP because the call of Christ to reach the world with the gospel and make disciples is not merely a student endeavor.

Students need parents to train and equip them in sharing their testimonies and the gospel; churches need to rally alongside FP in sending people into the greatest mission field in America - the school campus.

As students surrender their lives to Christ through the efforts of FP, churches need to connect these students to the local campus and begin to train them in godliness.

This is a no brainer for our church to partner with FP in these evangelistic efforts.”

Julie A. Colvin Julie1267@comcast.net

Agreeing with Glover is Judy Rose, Gala Team Committee Member, “Both of my daughters became involved with First Priority at Caddo Magnet High School and I quickly saw the benefits of teenagers hearing about the hope of Jesus Christ from their peers in a nonthreatening environment. I became involved with the Gala for Hope when I heard about the effort to help fund this wonderful strategy of reaching teenagers with the good news of Jesus Christ.

What could be more beneficial than supporting the opportunity for someone to have a personal relationship with Jesus? First Priority has a proven track record of making a difference in the lives of teenagers. More decisions for Christ have been made in one school year than we have seen in our local church in the same time period.”

Joining Rose with planning the 2013 Gala for Hope is Dodie Brown, Deborah Bryant, Kathy Carruth, David Colvin, Julie Colvin, Ashley Fultz and Audrey Henry.

Free Agent tickets (individual tickets) are available for $100 and Team Sponsors (8-seat NFL team tables) are available for $1,250. In addition, there are sponsorship levels from $2,500 to $10,000 available.

“I’m really excited about everything the Gala Team is working on, and we want to do everything to make the Gala for Hope the best event possible,” Reis said.

For more information, contact John Carruth, Executive Director for First Priority ArkLaTex, at 318-751-0799 or visit www.firstp.org.

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That Sneaky Back to School Momma Moment I was sitting in our school’s family chapel this past Friday when all the emotion and preparation of the back to school moment came together in my heart and mind. Chaplain Kaine was at the front explaining the focus for the year: the Lord’s loving kindness. We will explore and meditate and ask for the Holy Spirit to help us emulate this attribute of God throughout the school year.

“Oh...” I thought, “I am SO on board with that.”

At that moment, I was thankful for a greater context in which my children will be learning. I was thankful that I will be coming along side of them in the chapel pew, the car, at the dinner table, at their bedside, or wherever we are and [aim to] live within that loving kindness theme.

Zeke was in Kindergarten last year which is sort of difficult for me to wrap my mind and heart around. I had my reservations about that moment (and judging by my tears, I guess I had more than a few), but so far, so good. He thrived and loved every moment of his new routine.

And my tangled knot of emotion seemed to be melting to gratitude as we sat in chapel and sang

“Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed, Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.”

Our Father teaches us how to love each other. He teaches us moms how to love our children.

He’ll teach me and guide me and my children, throughout the school year, focusing us on His loving kindness which will make all the difference for now and for years to come.

In fact, I’ll need to lean more and more into His great loving kindness in the years to come. I can only imagine my grief when my first birdie flies from the nest for college. Heaven help me.

As a mom, you tend to be one big tangled knot of emotion when it comes to your kids.

Happy 2013-2014 school year!

Here’s to new beginnings and the Lord’s great loving kindness!

Seeing Z man all smiley as he went off to K5 was a tough, tearful thing for me, but it was good.

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14 | Faith & Family

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S u m m e r De li ght

I can remember the hot summer days spent at my grandparent’s house.

The picnic table under the shady oak tree in the backyard always had a stainless steel bowl full of watermelon, a serving dish with small squares of feta cheese and a basket of fresh bread on it.

The other day my mother-in-law and I was asking me if I had any good summer recipes The first thing that came to my mind were these delicious watermelon and feta cubes that I served a couple years ago at Sprout’s first birthday party.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and delicious dish, this is it!

Watermelon Feta Cubes

Watermelon Feta Salad

Ingredients:

Ingrediatns:

• 16 1-inch cubes seedless watermelon, chilled • 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled • 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint • 2 teaspoons finely chopped shallots • Pepper

Directions:

1. Using a small melon baller or a

1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, scoop out a small well in each watermelon cube, keeping the walls of the cube intact.

2. In a small bowl, mash together the feta, mint and shallots; season with pepper. Stuff the wells of the watermelon cubes with the feta mixture.

3. Serve chilled.

• • • • • •

6 cups watermelon, cubed 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes) 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Place the watermelon, feta, red onion, and mint in a large bowl.

2. Pour the lime juice and olive oil over the ingredients and gently toss to mix.

3. Serve immediately. *If not serving immediately, you can toss everything but the feta cheese together, then sprinkle the feta over the top before serving.

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$ensible $tewards …

Financial Straight Talk with Dave Ramsey

Dear Natasha, You’re right. Playing sports can be a great part of the character-building process. But she can learn character lessons playing in a softball league at your local park.

She doesn’t have to travel all over the place to learn those kinds of things. If you have kids, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to spend some money to help encourage their hobbies and interests. That comes with the territory, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone. You just have to take a look at your financial situation-and the kid’s desires and abilities­and make sure it’s a reasonable amount of money. In your situation, playing on a travel team right now is a luxury. You don’t need to be footing the bill for hotel rooms and gas and stuff while you’re trying to get back on solid ground financially. Chances are, this child is not going to make a living playing softball. Even if she is that good, she can still sharpen her skills in a hometown league until you guys are back on your feet. I’m not opposed to kids playing on these kinds of teams per se. But you can’t allow the cost and time involved to undermine the needs of your family or blow your budget!

-Dave

16 | Faith & Family

Dear Jason, Okay.,she’s telling you it’s a bad idea, but she has no idea why it’s a bad idea? It sounds to me like she’s the dumb one if she thinks you should behave a certain way, but can’t even tell you why. lf someone can’t tell you why they have an argument against something, then they have no argument in the first place! A lot of talking heads think it’s smart to not pay off your home. They’ll tell you things like it’s better to borrow money against your house and invest it in the stock market.

What they won’t tell you is that there’s virtually nothing there by the time you adjust for risk and taxes. Why in the world would you take a chance on losing your home over something like that? Another line they’ll throw out is that you don’t want to lose your tax deduction.

This one’s really silly! If you have a $200,000 loan at five percent interest, you’ll pay about $10,000 a year in interest. Now, let’s also say you make $70,000 a year, and you’re in the 25 percent tax bracket. That $10,000 tax deduction is saving you $2,500 in taxes. In essence, you’re sending $10,000 to the mortgage company to keep from sending the government $2,500. That’s pretty stupid! You’d be better off to be debt·free and give $10,000 to some charity or your church. That way you’ll save on taxes and do some good with the money. By paying off your home. you decrease risk and gain a ton of security.

-Dave sbfaithandfamily.com

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The 5 Essentials of a MAXIMIZED LIFE

How do you know if you’re healthy or not? The standard answer is, “Symptoms.” You are considered to be sick when you experience symptoms, and if you don’t you must be healthy.

The American health care system mostly serves a symptom-based, reactive paradigm boiling down to “wait until something is wrong, and then treat it with a pill, potion, shot, or surgery to remove the diseased parts.

Today, the two leading diseases in the U.S. are heart disease and cancer. Both are happening in the body long before you “feel” any symptoms. Alarmingly, in Death by Medicine, written by five medical doctors, the medical system is now the leading cause of death from unnecessary surgery, medication and hospital errors, infections and adverse reactions. Could it be that if the disease doesn’t kill you, the treatment might?

We must begin to understand that God did not create us to be diseased and overly dependent on medications. We need to transform our paradigm. Why are we placing more faith in man healing us from the “outside in” than God healing us from the “inside out?” God tells us in 1 John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

The pure wellness paradigm consists of The 5 Essentials that bring optimal well-being so that you can live to your God-given potential.

The first Essential, Maximized Mind, is paramount in being able to

18 | Faith & Family

common because of the physical, emotional, and chemical stresses we experience in our bodies every day. In fact, the correct curve in the neck should be about 45 degrees. This critical Essential should not be ignored to live at your highest health potential. apply the other four. Many times we create mental suicide by our own negative thinking. If someone told you, “You can’t, so why try?” or said, “It’s genetic and you can’t do anything about it,” 20,000 times for five years, what would you believe?

Usually, the person telling you these things is YOU. The words you say are the seeds you sow and “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” It is a Biblical principle that you reap what you sow! With a renewed mindset, you can successfully harvest a maximized lifestyle.

Health, defined by The World Health Organization, is “the state of an organism when it functions optimally without evidence of disease or abnormality.”

Key is FUNCTION. What to a Maximized Nerve Supply actually controls all function in the body? It is the brain communicating through the nerves.

Misalignments in the spine block the life flow to all cells and organs of the body. A misaligned spine is

Our standard American diet, S.A.D., consists of man-made foods that are high in sugars, chemically altered, and filled with bad fats and preservatives. Foods

by God are alive and loaded with nutrients: everything our “body by God” needs. As a result, we are reaping the consequences of obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and allergies.

The true principles of nutrition that have sustained human life for thousands of years are not hard to follow once you understand the third Essential, Maximized Quality Nutrients. Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much of it, or it will make you sick! (Proverbs 25:16 NLT ) To have Maximized Oxygen and Lean Muscle, you can exercise in a more efficient way! It’s called MAXT3.

Workouts are done in only 12 minutes a day, three times per week. Now everyone is without excuse. The science behind this type of workout impacts the production of the hormones that build muscle, burn fat even after the workout, and

create heart health. Our modern, sedentary lifestyle has turned people into fat-building, muscleburning machines instead of fatburning, muscle-building bodies.

Truly God has created our bodies to heal and to detoxify themselves.

However, between the 25 million pills that we consume per hour and the 80,000 chemicals used in medications, vaccines, foods, and beauty and cleaning products, there is no question that we are poisoned!

Could toxicity be the culprit behind many of today’s incurable diseases?

Toxins affect our bodies at the cellular level, by being stored in the cells and decreasing the body’s ability to produce the strongest anti- oxidant, glutathione. Through the fifth Essential, Minimized Toxins, your body has a fighting chance.

The 5 Essentials all working together are vital for a life of healthy longevity.

Put your health back into your own hands by learning and putting the 5 Essentials into practice. “A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simple go blindly on and suffer the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12 NLT -Dr. Joe Henry Rodriguez

sbfaithandfamily.com

The Real Stuff After the Launch,

What’s Next?

Here’s to those of you who are launching that child out of the nest and into a world of college, military, or work force.

Congratulations! What a sense of accomplishment!

kept their marriage growing and vibrant. Now that the couple has more time together, they do not know how to renew the spark, or even have the desire to make the marriage grow. So they choose to separate and invest their energies I have just graduated my fourth in other “adventures.” son from college. For the past 12 years I have had someone in I would like to offer some college! My son has commented suggestions for what I would to others, “ Not sure who is more like to call us, “the emerging excited, me or my dad!” I would adventurers, “ rather than the answer both. He is now on his empty nesters or baby boomers. own and I just got a pay raise! You see every life, every marriage Sound Familiar? has different season. We should enjoy each season of our life and So what is next for the parents learn to appreciate what we have who are left? Hopefully you at this season and make this have begun to ask that question. season come alive. Just as we look Hopefully you started asking that forward to the upcoming football questions a couple of years ago. season; why not have that same Unfortunately, one of the startling enthusiasm (do you realize that statistic of this stage is that the that word actually means, “In fastest growing divorce rate is God!”) for the new season that among those couples who have awaits us. been married over 25 years. The reason is for most couples they Bucket List. Did you see the have spent most of their marriage movie? If not, I would encourage focused on keeping the child you check it out and watch it or children happy and have not together. Then take a sheet of

paper and write down some of the things you would each like to do in this new season. You now have more time and maybe even a little more money than when you first got married to make an investment into your relationship.

Maybe it is taking up a new hobby together, like ballroom dancing, golf, tennis, or cooking classes.

The Real Stuff Remember “where there is not vision the people perish. “ I often tell people, “if you aim at nothing you hit it.”

process and pursue (that means seek after) each other. Reacquaint yourself with each other and make time for the relationship. Go to dinner and just be quiet. Pray for each other silently. But start making time for each other.

So what is next? That depends on you. Romans 8:15 in the Message states, “Learn to live adventurously expectant, saying. “What’s next, Papa.” You are still on an adventure and the next season can be just as exciting as the past ones and maybe even better. Remember adventures have suspense and joy all mixed together. Launch’em and now set sail on the next great adventure together.

Laugh. Go watch a funny movie, go somewhere and just watch people. You know we are really strange people. God loves each of us, and His sense of humor in His creation is a delight. What are - Ron Mumbower some things that you do delight in? Take turns remembering some of the funny things you use to do together and reflect and remember.

Date. Do you remember when you started dating and how you moved slowly. Take your time. There is still plenty of time. Enjoy the

August 2013

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FAMILY WORD SEARCH

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Thank You! ADVERTISING INDEX Ashley Ridge Imaging........................................2 Newk’s Eatery.....................................................4 Simply Remodeling............................................5 Girl Friday Personal Concierge, LLC..................5 LifeWay Christian Book Store.............................5 First Priority........................................................5 Aulds Funeral Home..........................................6 Abbot Printing...................................................7 Time it Lube.......................................................7 Shreveport Realty...............................................9 Litton Mortgage.................................................9 Sci-Port.........................................................11 Ancient Faith Radio..........................................11 Ratcliff Animal Hospital....................................14 Barksdale Federal Credit Union........................17 Holy Nativity of the Lord Mission.....................20 Splash Kingdom...............................................21 Bobby L. Greene Plumbing & Heating..........23 Holy Angels......................................................23 Cosse & Silmon Orthodontics..........................24 22 | Faith & Family

To a few of our Advertising Magazine Partners who support SB Faith & Family and our Magazine every single month! These annual advertising partners make it possible to produce this magazine and offer it for free to Shreveport/Bossier Families. Please support these local partners.

Abbot º Ashley Ridge Imaging º Barksdale Baptist Church º Barksdale Federal Credit Union º Bobby Greene Plumbing º Cosse & Silmon Orthodontics º LearningRX º LifeWay Christian Book Store º Litton Mortgage º Newk’s Eatery º Ratcliff Animal Hospital º Sciport º Time it Lube sbfaithandfamily.com

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