My morning post did not post for some reason.  Sorry!

School Of Hard Knocks

By Joe Stowell

Of all my childhood memories, one stands out above the others. While I have no idea what my teacher said, I clearly remember telling her to “shut up.” She sent me home, so I got up and left my kindergarten class to walk the half-block home. Walking down the sidewalk, I saw my mother weeding in the garden behind our house. I was now faced with a strategic decision—continue on my way and tell my mother why I was home early from school, or turn around and go back to face my teacher.

When I returned to the classroom, I was immediately escorted to the restroom where my teacher washed my mouth out with soap. That kind of discipline probably wouldn’t happen today, but take it from me, it was effective! To this day I am acutely sensitive about the impact of my words.

God is passionately interested in our positive growth as His children. At times He needs to confront us with unpleasant circumstances to catch our attention and reorient our lives to more consistently produce the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11).

Don’t resist God’s corrective hand. Respond to His reproofs with thankfulness that He loves you enough to care about what kind of a person you are becoming.

There are two more performances of the Easter drama at FBC, Kentwood.  If you are interested, please call the church office (229-8111) for tickets for 7:00 tonight or tomorrow.  Pray for the drama to be meaningful to those participating and to those viewing.

If you are available Thursday night at the cabin at 6:30, join us for a delicious meal, sweet fellowship, and a devotional.  I think you’ll be blessed.

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

My sheep recognize my voice and follow me.”

~John 10:27 (NLT)~

From Becky Graham Purvis

Our son, Jeremy Purvis, and his wife, Sarah, just had their second child, Isaac Graham Purvis, Thursday night, April 14, in Chattanooga. Isaac was 8# even and 21 inches long. Mom and Baby are doing well. Big sister is Kendra Nicole. Grandparents are Rusty and Becky Purvis and the great-grandparents are Edsel and Mary Ann Graham and Dr. Ben and Judy Purvis.
Also, another bit of good news. Jeremy is Minister to Students at Hixson First Baptist Church outside of Chattanooga but has just accepted a call as Minister to Students at Parkview Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, LA, so he will be back in the area.

The Easter Drama at FBC, Kentwood begins today.  Tickets are $2.00 and available at the church office (229-8111).  Sunday afternoon and night performances are already sold out, but 7 P.M. presentations for Monday and Tuesday still have some tickets available.

Please be in prayer for the drama to be a good outreach ministry and for the bonding of the choir and cast.  May God be honored and glorified by this presentation~

Heart to Heart with Holley:  What are the warning signs?

The map flashes red on the television screen. “Take shelter immediately,” the weatherman says, “There is a severe storm in your area.”

It’s spring in the South and pronouncements like this are quite common. So frequent, in fact, that {confession} sometimes I ignore them.

I can act the same way when it comes to my emotions. A hard day or a difficult circumstance makes my heart flash with the potential for a coming storm. But often I just keep going–and that’s when I find myself in the middle of my own personal tornado.

I’m slowly learning there a few questions I can ask myself to see if it’s time to take shelter for awhile.

S

Am I sad about something? Grief comes in many different forms. We can feel sadness over the loss of a job, loved one, dream, or even the plans we had for the day that aren’t going to happen.

This emotion is normal–it’s when we bury it and “fake it until we make it” that a cyclone of emotion may build and catch us by surprise. We can acknowledge our emotions with words like, “I’m disappointed” or “God, I feel hurt–please help.”

T

Am I trying too hard? Oh, friends, I can be a perfectionist and a half. When I find myself in that mode it always leads to a storm of some sort–and often the people in my life get rained on too.

When we find ourselves doing this, we can trace it back to the unrealistic expectation that’s putting us under pressure and replace it with one that has more grace instead.

O

Am I overwhelmed by life? All of us have a limit to what we can handle mentally, physically, and emotionally. When we push past that point, chaos often erupts.

We can take shelter by finding some time to restore order to our lives–whether that’s through a few minutes of quiet or reworking our schedule. Even Jesus took breaks at times and He was perfect–we need them too.

P

Am I personally isolated? While we sometimes need to withdraw, that’s not the way we’re intended to live all the time. We’re more vulnerable when we’re alone. It seems tornados often form quickly on wide open plains. The same can happen with our hearts minds.

We can surround ourselves with people who will encourage and support us. Hint: the best way to find those people is to be one.

When it comes to weather, storms are unavoidable. But when it comes to our lives, we can often stop them before they become destructive. Whew. That’s good news.

{And for those of you who are now worried about me–I promise to go to the closet with my hubby and the dog next time the weatherman tells me to do so. I’ll bring cookies with me too. Want to come?}

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee