Covenant S po t li g h t TAKE 2 = KEEP 1 + SHARE 1
October 2020
Unity in Christ, reflecting love in Louisiana.
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October 2020 ON THE COVER: Word-based Decision-making for Life NEXT MONTH: GRIT & GRATITUDE /// BLESSINGS ARE GIFTS /// PRAYING OUT 2020
Distinguishing fallacy: Study of logic . . . 3-4 God & country: Congressman Higgins . . . 5
Broken Bread: Interview with the author . . . 6 Jesus loves you: Truth of His love . . . 8 A word: And a recipe . . . 9 Take up your cross: Follow Jesus . . . 10
Covenant Spotlight
Volume 7, No. 10
Covenant Spotlight magazine
is your resource for hope and direction through the Bible. This publication aims to unite the body of Christ together with one simple goal: spread the word of God and His love – and have fun while doing it! Covenant Spotlight, LLC P.O. Box 62486, Lafayette, LA 70596 (337) 207-6903 www.cspotlight.com
For advertising info, email cori@cspotlight.com Founders – Keith & Christy Boutte EST. 2014 PUBLISHERS GENERAL MANAGER LEAD DESIGNER AD DESIGNER STAFF ASSISTANT
When persecution knocks: Be resilient in faith . . . 11 Lessons for littles: Omnis of God . . . 13 How will you decide: The value of your vote . . . 15 Shop local & MORE articles . . . ONLINE!
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Jim & Cori Phelps Cori Phelps Tiffany Wyatt Geneva Andrepont Julie Hasling
Inside: Keith Boutte, Hope L. Comeaux, Tilly Dillehay, Julie Esta’, Andria Fontenot, Paige Hamilton, Julie Hasling, Congressman Clay Higgins, Kelly Mouisset, Pastor Brandon Nealy, Emily Nealy, J.M. Phelps, Cheryll White
SUPPORTING WRITERS
Online this month: : Adoption Spotlight, Keith Boutte, Hope L. Comeaux, Tilly Dillehay, Paige Hamilton, Julie Hasling, Congressman Clay Higgins, Pastor Brandon Nealy, Emily Nealy
Covenant Spotlight, LLC reserves the right to reject any advertisement or content not meeting the standards of acceptance of Covenant Spotlight magazine or website. The views and opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CSM.
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LIFESTYLE
Why Christians need to study logic By Pastor Brandon Nealy
While Jesus and his disciples dined together in the upper room, Satan, more at home in the back room, conspired in the shadows. While Jesus and his disciples taught openly, Satan whispered and winked. Simply put, the truth is not on Satan’s side, so he must conspire. From the moment he slithered through the tall grass of Eden he has used deception as a tool of dominion. Christ’s kingdom is a city set on a hill, openly advancing in the light. But Satan’s kingdom must lie in ambush. This is why one of Satan’s many deceptive tactics is the use of fallacy. He is the father of fallacies. He originated the strawman, the red herring, and the ad hominem. He is a master of equivocation and a craftsman of the false dilemma. In other words, Satan must engage in less than valid argumentation. He must mislead and present his case with unsound premises and faulty conclusions. He cannot rely on the truth—he must rather depend on deception cspotlight.com
to make his case and extend his reign. Deception is his tool of dominion. As a result, many of us, like our mother Eve, have been caught off guard by his wiles. We have not always been able to spot his lies and as a result have suffered untold consequences. Consider for an example the many fallacies even in his first recorded words in Genesis 3. Having caught Eve apart from her Husband, he whispered his curious question, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Immediately we recognize the fallacy of incredulity. Satan feigns disbelief. Satan is aghast at such a cruel and supposedly harsh law. We see without much difficulty that this question is no question at all. It’s rank pretense. We see the implied, yet not stated conclusion: God’s laws are overbearing and unreasonable.
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We can lay out all the unstated premises: God is anti-Eve. God is anti-Woman. God is the great oppressor. Satan, on the other hand, cares for Eve. He is a humanitarian, the first ever man-of-the-people. Through his deception he traps Eve in a dialogue. He is the prosecutor, God is on trial, and Eve is duped into donning the black robes and judging for herself whether God is loving and His laws just. This was Eve’s first mistake. If Eve would have been more practiced in the art and science of reasoning well, she may have been able to recognize the many fallacies. She wouldn’t have fed this swine her precious pearls. But she was not so shrewd and as a result she fell to his deception. This is a sobering account. Who among us would not have fallen just like Eve? But what if I were to tell you that a Christian could become more adept at spotting demonic lies and figuring out Satan’s fallacies. Of course, nothing can be done apart from the Spirit’s power, and often we choose to do evil even when we are not deceived, but I would argue
that in the power of the Spirit, a Christian can grow in shrewdness. A Christian can, by God’s grace, become more mature and less gullible. What If I were to tell you that there is an art form, or a scientific subject that, if mastered, could fortify you from Satanic deception either coming from Him directly or from his many minions? For several years now I have been engaged in teaching children the art and science of reasoning well known as Logic. And, as a result I have become absolutely convinced that one of the reasons that many American Christians are so unwittingly duped by propaganda, fake news and fallacy is that we have lost our ability to reason well. Now, of course no matter how great we are at the art and science of Logic, without the Spirit of God we are without hope in this world. But, the ability to reason well is a gift from God that we should cultivate in ourselves and especially in our children. If we can learn how to love the Lord with all our mind we would not be so easily enchanted by Satan’s charms.
Scripture demands that Christian children receive a Christian education (Deut. 6; Eph. 6:4). I would highly recommend making Logic a part of that instruction. Teach your child how to think God’s thoughts after him. Instruct your child in the principles of God’s invisible world of reason. Be sure your child can throw a ball, play a piano and read a book. But, also be sure they can smell a rat and spot a lie. Fortify your children before they leave your stewardship that they may be shrewd and formidable opponents in the advance of Christ’s Kingdom. If you’re looking for a place to start with your children, I would recommend, The Fallacy Detective or The Thinking Toolbox by Nathaniel Bluedorn.
Brandon Nealy is the lead pastor of Christ Church, a multisite church in Acadiana. He is a graduate of Westminster Christian and UL. His passion is scripture memory, reading and spending time with his family. He hopes to see Acadiana won for Christ!
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God & Country
Catching up with Congressman Higgins Just a month away from elections, we caught up with Representative Higgins after his time home for Lake Charles recovery work, on his focus now and for a future term. Here is what he had to say, and how you can reach out to his team and his campaign for help or support.
Louisiana, and by extension, for America, and ultimately for all children of God. Our goal is to be worthy of the mission at hand, every day, every hour, for every American Patriot, including those innocent souls yet unborn. Including our poor and most vulnerable, our elders, our sickly. Our goals are both lofty and humble. We shall lead, and we shall serve.
CSpotlight: Our readers share concerns about the sanctity of life, freedom of speech and religion, the right to bear arms, the ability to provide a good education to their children, and more—how are you working to preserve these biblical and constitutional values/rights? Higgins: Our rights are from God. The Constitution clarifies those rights. My path is to uphold our Constitution, and from bended knee, I seek our Savior’s guidance, His illuminated path, which helps me to navigate the challenges that confront America. Quite frankly, without prayer, without the Word, I am without armor. My worthiness to serve America is dependent upon God’s whisper, deep within me. To me, God and Country are inseparable. CSpotlight: Specific to your district and our state, what are your goals for this next term?
CSpotlight: What do your constituents need to know here in Louisiana?
Higgins: My goals of service to “We, the People,” reflect the core principles which guide me. I am humble enough to know that at every gate to the future stands 10,000 sentinels of the past. Our Congressional office has earned rank in Congress, and the respect of my colleagues. We will leverage our earned leadership for the betterment of
Higgins: My constituents need to hear the answers to these questions, posed as they have been, from your own goodwill towards our community. Answered, as they’ve been, unscripted, from my heart. Every word here is solid truth. Every constituent matters to me. I serve at the will of “We, the People,” in the shadow of our glorious flag which waves above us all, under the watchful eye of our loving and forgiving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So help me God.
To reach Congressman Higgins or his staff, go to ClayHiggins.house.gov, or contact one of his offices: Washington D.C. Office 424 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515, (202)225-2031
Lafayette Office Chase Building 600 Jefferson Street, Ste. 808 Lafayette, LA 70501, (337)703-6105
Lake Charles Office Capital One Building 1 Lakeshore Drive, Ste. 1670 Lake Charles, LA 70629 *Damaged by Hurricane Laura. Please contact Lafayette office.
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Courage in difficult times
By Cheryll White
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So, you are no longer slaves, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:6-7 (NIV) Your identity is God’s child. Do you know what that means? If you ask God for bread, He will not give you a stone. Why? Because what godly parent would do this? When I am in need, God is waiting on me to ask Him as my Father to supply my needs. God is not withholding His goodness
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from us either. He is a giver, but sometimes His best giving comes after a great trial. Sometimes as a parent and grandparent I must get out of God’s way, to allow my children to give God the opportunity to be Lord of their lives. My desire is to help which is temporary, but God’s help is eternal. It takes courage to trust God in tough times.
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 (NIV)
October 2020
Saints may I tell you something? We are not orphans. We are not stuck and we are not just companions. We are children of the Most High God. To experience God’s love is to begin to unleash your truest identity. “Love
never fails...” 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV) Pastor Cheryll D. White, along with her husband Rodney, are Pastors of Manna Christian Fellowship in Rayne, a place where you are fed.
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Interview with author Tilly Dillehay Broken Bread: How to Stop Using Food and Fear to Fill Spiritual Hunger
BODY & SOUL
With the holiday and gathering season fast approaching, CSM was thankful to interview Christian Book Award Winner Tilly Dillehay about a topic many of us struggle with—food. Living in Tennessee with her pastor husband Justin and their three beautiful children, Tilly shares this valuable resource for addressing “fears that drive our eating,” being “healthy without bondage to rules,” and more.
CSpotlight: Gatherings may be different this year, and people have joked about gaining the “COVID 15” during months at home—but for people with a food dependency, these things are not so funny. How does your book help work through this? Tilly: I start the book talking about two opposite extremes when it comes to food: asceticism and gluttony. Asceticism is what you find in diet culture, a kind of mindless, tasteless approach to food that throws out enjoyment in favor of calorie or nutrient counting. Many people get thrown from that extreme, which works against the grain of human nature. We were designed to enjoy food for all it does: it gives us nutrients, yes, but it also gives us pleasure, culture, community. So when we ignore these other purposes of food, we set ourselves up for swinging into gluttony. These lonely months at home have highlighted both those extremes for many of us. And the solution is the same post-COVID as it was before: learning to sit down and eat with full attention and thanksgiving to God, from whom all blessings flow. He’s a God who overwhelmingly blesses his children, AND He’s a God who calls us to self-control. He’s both. CSpotlight: Your use of humor in some of your chapters is refreshing yet doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the subject. What do you hope readers see through that humor?
Why on earth are watermelons so red they stain your shirt? Isn’t it funny that beans cause flatulence? Isn’t it nice that God makes hot food steamy so you can SEE it’s hot and not burn your tongue? This is the kind of thing, with our diets and our penchant for expensive ingredients, or even with our mindless gluttony, that we can no longer experience. God didn’t make onions for us to not notice how great they smell when they’re getting brown on a stovetop. And he didn’t design the food experience to be enjoyed with a stone-straight face. CSpotlight: What does the Bible say about our bodies and our relationship with food? Tilly: One of the most countercultural statements in scripture at this moment in time is probably Matthew 15:11: “…it is not what
goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” So it’s important for us to remember in all this talk about “eating clean,” that the world currently equates a certain way of eating with righteousness. As Christians, we don’t have that option. Scripture has made it clear that freedom of conscience is to reign in our homes and churches around matters like food and drink. But we also know that our bodies belong to God, and that we can adorn the gospel by the way we conduct ourselves at the table. 1 Corinthians 10:31 comes to mind: “So, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Tilly: I hope that people can remember how fun food is, and how ridiculous we look when we take it too seriously. I think we should be more ready to accept our food like children, to see it and really notice it the way children do. Everything is new and a little silly to a child:
/// MORE /// Justinandtilly.com FB @ tilly.cryar Instagram @ tilly_dillehay
Page sponsored by Keith & Christy Boutte, Founders of Covenant Spotlight Magazine. cspotlight.com
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BODY & SOUL
By Hope L. Comeaux
To those deeply wounded in childhood, and who have
ever cringed to hear “Jesus loves you,” here’s why: Everything we do as adults stems from our damaged childhood. We subconsciously see things, people, and situations through that filter of emotional pain. This unknowingly becomes the basis in which we act and respond to everything and everyone. Satan enjoys when this happens to children because it causes us to be unable to FULLY love and trust God. This lifelong emotional pain and subsequent devastation to those around us is often due to actions of earthly fathers and mothers through which God chose for us to have life.
So, in our hearts, we subconsciously believe: if God is love and my God-chosen family is an example of God’s love, I’m scared to trust Him. And when we hear “Jesus loves you,” it stings our hearts! We attempt to make sense of this irrational feeling associated with His Love. Why doesn’t it feel good to hear of Jesus’ love? We say to ourselves, “I don’t think I like the way He shows love by the family He ‘lovingly’ chose for me! They HURT me, so by default, it means You, Jesus, hurt me because You chose them for me. So, no thank You, Jesus! That’s pain, not Love! I don’t want your version of ‘love.’” This changes when the Holy Spirit fills our hearts and we meet JESUS! He helps us understand that childhood pain exists because EVERYONE sins and causes pain to others. This includes mothers and fathers inflicting horrific pain on their precious, innocent children! As children, we were hurt by our parents’ sin and are still paying the price as adults. This is why sin is SO terrible and GOD HATES SIN! It’s pain, death, and trickles down to innocent children. We pay for the sins of others and others pay for our sins. I did the very thing that was done to me in childhood...inflicted deep emotional pain on my precious daughters. The devil does EVERYTHING in his power to keep us from understanding the love of God because once we know this truth, we gain FREEDOM in God’s love and can operate in that freedom by feeling a love we’ve never known and want EVERYONE to have! It took 40 years before I was able to understand how Satan had twisted the TRUTH of God’s love. JESUS’ LOVE is the ONLY way our childhood wounds are healed, and He doesn’t stop there! He begins healing those we’ve hurt because of pain we experienced. If this is able to help you by sparing you one second of pain and helps you find freedom in the love of Jesus, my pain will have served a purpose. JESUS LOVES YOU!!! Hope is mother to three beautiful daughters, full time caregiver to her aging father, and resides in Lafayette. She attends Henderson Bible Church, and since 2014 she has joyfully shared her freedom in Christ from debilitating depression, found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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I am a child of God By Julie Esta'
I am a child of God. I have a Father, He resides in heaven, His spirit is always with me, wherever I go. My Father laid down the life of His Son for me, so that I could live a life in freedom. I don’t have to make sacrifices as my ancestors did, because my Father gave the ultimate sacrifice—His Son Jesus. Because He is my Father, I have heavenly access. Through His sacrifice for me and my choice to live for Him, I have favor through His name. Just as when we introduce ourselves to someone, knowing someone in authority, when we use their name, it gives us open access. It’s the same with the name of Jesus. We gain open access through Him, our Father. In the Word, it says that we battle not against flesh and blood but with spirits and principalities. When we gain this truth perspective, we can see the spirit behind every issue that arises and we can use the name of Jesus to come against it.
I challenge you to use Jesus’ name any and every challenge that you are facing today. You have authority as His child, and every spirit must come under His authority.
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Cabbage Roll Soup • 1.5 lbs Ground Chicken, Dark • .5 oz Smoked Chicken Sausage • 3 lbs Cabbage, Chopped • 12 oz Tomatoes, Diced • 2 oz Onions, Diced • 2 oz Green Bell Pepper, Diced • 1 tsp Garlic, minced • 32 oz Chicken Broth, Low Sodium • 1 tbsp Purely Cajun Seasoning • 1 tsp Real Salt • .5 tsp Italian Seasoning • 1 packet stevia Brown chicken with Purely Cajun, salt, Italian seasoning, breaking up chunks. Add sausage, onions, peppers, garlic, cook for 5 mins. Add cabbage, tomatoes, stevia, chicken
broth. Cook til cabbage is tender, about 25 minutes. Enjoy! Makes 10 Servings
Julie Esta' is a Certified Health Coach and owner of Purely Cajun Seasoning. She has witnessed many believers grow in their spiritual walk as they implement lifestyle changes to improve their eating habits and physical health.
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HEART OF MAN
Pick up “your cross”
By Keith Boutte
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hen, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” Mark 8:34 (NLT)
Today more than ever we Christians must take up the fight for Christ Jesus our Lord. We see injustice taking over in our streets, cities, states, nation and sadly our Supreme Court. Laws are being made from the bench instead of Congress and Congress is unwilling to fight for the moral rights of the people. Washington DC has no party fighting for the godly principles this nation was founded upon. What’s worse, the Church of Christ is bowing to the Courts and Congress as they strip away our rights and our God from our Constitution. America seems unwilling to “take up its Cross and follow Jesus.”
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:35 (NLT) We as Christians are hanging onto “our” lives and sin. Though our Constitution is based on the Bible the people/Church are overwhelmingly unwilling to fight for Christian principles and biblical justice. I ask myself and you, what are we willing to give up for Christ? Will I be a disciple of Christ and take up my Cross and share His story everywhere I go? Will I proclaim Jesus to the world around me? I see much of the Church in the USA as a dead entity, unwilling to get involved in this government based on biblical principles. Unwilling to lose our lives while our government removes our God from its Congress and Supreme Court. I’m asking, what do you see as you read this article? What do you see on local and national news?
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” Mark 8:36 (NLT) Where do we stand as the Body of Christ? United on biblical values? United in Christ? United in believing “we” are responsible 10
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for sharing the Good News? United by standing together in this one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all? This world is not our home but it is our field and we must plant seed to see growth. The seed we plant is not in dirt but in hearts, and the only thing we can bring or send to heaven are souls. As Jesus said in Mark 8:37 (NLT) “Is anything worth more than your soul?” And in Matthew 16:26 (NLT), “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but
lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” The time is short and the harvest is plentiful so we must plant, water, nourish and harvest seed. We were bought with a price we cannot repay, but we can send and bring treasure to heaven by winning souls for Christ Jesus our Lord. As Paul said in Romans 8:33-35, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who
justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (NLT) The Church must live like there is no tomorrow, no time left on our clock of life, nothing more important than winning souls for Jesus. Let us not be found wanting when Jesus returns but ready with souls in tow for Him who gave up heaven, majesty, honor and glory that we might be saved.
“You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 118:28-29 (NLT) “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NLT) Keith Boutte resides in Lafayette with lovely wife Christy, and they have four children and four grandchildren. He has a passion for people, our city and seeing the Lord lifted up as a light and hope to others.
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When persecution knocks By J. M. Phelps
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HEART OF MAN
n August 25, 2020, a report from AsiaNews described an incident in Pakistan, showing a Christian man being pressured to renounce his Christian faith and embrace Islam. A TikTok video went viral, gaining the condemnation of other Christians and religious minorities in the region. According to the report: “…the Christian man is seen being pressured to recite the shahada, the Islamic creed, surrounded by people who are not seen. Despite everything, he refuses, saying that for nothing in the world would he recite the Muslim creed and reject the Christian faith. His tormentors [which include female voices] then begin to threaten him, saying that he will face serious consequences. Even then, the victim says “no,” stating that it is his right to keep his faith and that he is ready to suffer all the consequences, that he would not give up his religion.” In response to the incident, a statement by Rev. Irfan James of Peshawar say: “[Pakistani Christians] face difficult situations every day.” Saddened by the constant threat against Christians and the inability to report the offenses, he explains, “should a Christian do something similar, he is immediately accused of blasphemy and the local Christian community is guilty by association. They rape our women, kill our people, destroy or burn our properties.... [All] we want is for our constitution and the law to treat us as equals, with justice, and for the guilty to be put on trial.” As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:12, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” What will your response be if that day comes for you? Buffeted by blows to the body or threatened unto a violent death, what will be your response? Considering the climate of the United States we live in, and the blatant disregard for Christ and disgust towards His followers, it’s past time to consider the resilience of our faith when the perils of persecution begin to knock on our doors. J.M. Phelps is a counter-terrorism specialist and freelance journalist, focusing on national security for the Christian news source, OneNewsNow.com. He is also the editor of lanternofliberty.net. cspotlight.com
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Prison to purpose
HEART OF MAN
By Julie Hasling
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son.” I John 5:11 (NIV)
While it may seem like an unlikely place for a miracle, for a humbled heart, it was the perfect setting for Jesus to do His most impressive work! For Jay Chaisson there would be no religion or hype, just a sincere soul reaching out to Jesus at the same time Jesus was reaching out to him! Six months into his 23-year sentence at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, LA, Jay began to pursue God like never before. In the process of searching for a priest, he ran into a man who told him that he didn’t need a priest to get to God—he could just go to Jesus himself. The Lord promises us in Jeremiah 29:13, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (NLT) Plain and simple, this is what happened for Jay! Armed with this new knowledge, Jay reached out to the Lord wholeheartedly in his heart and mind…and found Him! In his encounter with Christ, Jay became Born Again, and embarked on a new life of freedom and purpose through a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Jay says, “That was the best choice I have ever made in my life! I thank God for prison because it helped to change me and make me a better man. Although at the beginning, I could not understand it would be a minor setback for a major comeback!” In his most trying times during those years, Jay found hope and comfort in Mathew 6:33, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (NLT) “That scripture help turn my whole life around!” Jay exclaims. Putting this verse into practice, Jay gathered and mentored the inmates around him in a bible study group and soon became the
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lead minister. As the years went by, Jay continued to put the Lord’s interests first and things turned around for him! His sentence was reduced from 23 years to just 10. While serving the Lord in prison, Jay prayed for a godly wife and upon release, he met and married Jessica. They now have a son whom Jay says is a miracle child. Today God’s favor continues to rest upon Jay as he is the owner of two businesses, “Suave House Beauty Salon” and “Virtuous Business Consulting LLC.” And in an effort to give back, He founded “Year Round Open Door Ministries,” a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that aids newly released inmates both materially and spiritually, taking them from incarceration to civilization to sanctification. This organization provides clothing, food, gift cards, book bags and bibles to ex-inmates and provides toys and school supplies for their children. Year Round Open Door Ministries accepts men’s clothing, food, gift cards of any kind and duffle bags. They are currently searching for and in need of a house or building they can turn into a transitional home for the newly released who need shelter during the process of reentry into the community. If you or someone you know has a home they can donate, please contact Year Round Open Door Ministries through their website at yearroundopendoorministriesinc.org, Facebook at facebook. com/yearroundopendoorministries/, email infocontact@yearroundopendoorministriesinc. org or phone Jay Chaisson at 337-501-1677. Julie is founder and president of Life With Father Ministries, a 501(c)3 charitable organization (lifewithfather.org and lifewithfather@live.com) that ministers the gospel through social media, books and in prisons.
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YOUTH
Lessons for littles: the Omnis of God By Emily Nealy
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s there anything cuter than little children butchering big words? Everyone loves to laugh over kid-isms. When my youngest was little she would butcher the word “negative”—it would always come out “NEV-a-TIG.” Another of my children always struggled not to say “calapitter.” Here’s a challenge: teach your children worldview words about the character of God. Start with these: He is omnipotent—all powerful, He is omnipresent—everywhere, He is omniscient—all knowing. Once you’ve introduced these big ideas about God, they’re very useful. Is your child afraid of the dark? Remind them of His omnipresence. He is everywhere. This was reinforced once when I had my class memorize Isaiah 43:5 “Fear not for I am with you.” One of them stopped me and said, “Mrs. Emily, I have a funny idea! What if God could split Himself in two and be with me and with Bobby all the time?!” It was truly a lightbulb moment for this little four-year old and a great opportunity to talk more about this attribute of God. Have you caught your child in a lie? Being reminded of His cspotlight.com
omniscience could really come in handy here. God knows. He knows everything. He knows your thoughts, your wants, your secrets, and your needs. Does your child worry a lot? Tell them of His omnipotence— nothing is out of His control. He is never surprised. He cares about every little detail of their day, if even a hair falls from their head, He notices. He cares about every big event of their life and He is using them all for our good and His glory. These are anti-anxiety truths! We have a God who really does have the whole world in His hands and not a thing happens out of His will. Have them say these big words, use them as tools for life, worldview shapers and faith builders. Your child is never too young. Further Reading: The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New, by Marty Machowski.
Emily Nealy teaches K-4 at Christ Church Academy, has four children of her own and is a REALTOR® in Acadiana. Her husband, Brandon, pastors Christ Church in Lafayette LA.
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YOUTH
Acadian a ADOPTIO N
Teaching kids kindness
By Paige Hamilton
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emember the story of the Apostle Paul being shipwrecked found in Acts chapters 27 and 28? At the climax of this adventure, Paul along with 276 others finally swim from the wrecked boat to an island. Immediately “the people who lived there showed us extraordinary kindness,
for they welcomed us around the fire they had built because it was cold and rainy.” Kindness is a Christian virtue, listed among the fruits of the Spirit in the book of Galatians. A kind person might be described as friendly, generous, and considerate. Kindness is not based on convenience, who is on the receiving end, or gaining any positive attention for the action. Instead, a kind person intentionally thinks about others, even when it is not easy or when there will be not be a reward. The good news is kindness is a virtue that is easily caught. Most of us have been on the receiving end of a kind act and then wanted to pay it forward. That’s why one of the easiest ways to teach children to be kind to others is to simply practice being kind. October is a great month to practice kindness. Saturday, October 17th is Sweetest Day, a holiday that focuses on doing something kind for a person who might be “forgotten” by society (i.e. widows, elderly, orphans). Perhaps your family would like to start a new tradition of celebrating this little-known holiday. Start by talking with your child about kindness, and why it is an important virtue. Read scriptures about kindness. Take time to notice kind acts around you. Talk about how kindness makes you feel, and practice thanking those who are kind to you. Finally, help your child make a list of kind things they can do for others. Pick one or two from the list to do each week during the month of October. Make October the sweetest month of the year by intentionally being kind.
Alexis is a cute and playful little girl with a lot of personality. She loves unicorns, dancing playing with Barbie’s, getting her hair done and playing on her tablet. When Alexis grows up, she would like to be a cook or a teacher. She is shy at first but soon opens up. Her foster mother says Alexis is very helpful and likes to read. She makes average grades, however she does not like to do homework and needs someone to take time with her to get it done. Alexis is open to trying new things and going to new places. She is a good eater but refuses to eat or cooked carrots. Alexis is very close to her siblings and is looking for a forever family that will allow her to maintain contact with them. If you are a certified foster family interested in adopting Alexis, please call the Thibodaux region DCFS at
Paige Hamilton, a former teacher and veteran homeschool mom, is a freelance writer from Lafayette. She and her husband Jon are just beginning to experience the joys of empty-nest parenting. 14
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(985)447-0945.
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marriage as the union of one man and one woman? • Religious freedom is crucial to a free society; does the candidate respect the free exercise of religion such as prayer in public and the right to honor God in public settings? • Does the candidate exhibit strong character? The best way to discern a person’s character is through both their personal and professional life. Do they take their vows, whether marriage or to uphold the Constitution, seriously? Do they believe in the rule of law, that is, there is an authority higher than themselves and it applies equally to everyone? Are they charitable in personality and their own giving, but wise enough to know what people really need? • What does their history and experience reveal about them? Do their actions match their campaign promises? How have they voted in the past on key moral issues? Now that both political parties recognize the importance of Evangelical voters, we are seeing candidates tout their “Christian” credentials during campaigns even though their positions and voting records contradict Biblical principles. Even more worthy of your consideration is the question posed by Pastor John MacArthur in his sermon on gty.org titled “A Nation Under God?,” asking “What does God require of leaders and of people in power?” Imploring us to recognize our country is far from God, MacArthur states “God’s standards are the only way to distinguish a good ruler from a bad one.” He lists the following nine necessary biblical traits of a leader, with supporting scripture given in His Word: • Worship of the true God: Psalm 47, Psalm 138:4-5, Proverbs 1:7 • Righteousness: 2 Samuel 23:3, Proverbs 14:34, Proverbs 25:5, Isaiah 32 • Justice: Psalm 83 & 84, Psalm 82:1-8, Proverbs 29:4, Proverbs 8:15 • Wisdom: Proverbs 8:12, Proverbs 25, Proverbs 6:16 & 17, Proverbs 20:28 • Honesty: Note everywhere the bible says “He did evil in the sight
RESOURCES
ecently, two strong Christian leaders asked worthwhile questions regarding the upcoming elections. In her email to subscribers, Beverly LaHaye, Founder of Concerned Women for America (CWA), beseeches you to contemplate, “What’s your vote worth?” She reminds us our vote counts like invaluable currency, expressing “When we consider what is at stake, the security of our families and future of our country, our vote should be treated like a million-dollar investment,” and of pasts swing votes where every single vote mattered. Of equal importance, she emphasizes “If we are to be free to live out our faith and order our society according to the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God…we must have people in elected office who honor the proper role of government, defend religious freedom, respect the sanctity of life and marriage, and have the character to do what is right…” Beverly’s email also offers this “quick checklist:” • Where does he or she stand on the moral issues that God calls good or evil? Abortion destroys innocent human life and harms women; does the candidate pledge to uphold the sanctity of life and not force taxpayers to subsidize abortions? Pornography degrades women and steals our children’s innocence: does the candidate seek to protect our communities from its proliferation? • Marriage is the bedrock of every healthy society and God’s plan for the foundation of the family; does the candidate vow to defend
of the Lord” • Morality: Same, plus some of the others above • Humility: 2 Chronicles 12:12, 32:26, 33:12, 33:23, 36:12, Philippians 2:8 • Protection: Proverbs 31:8, Psalm 94:20-21, Habakkuk 2:12 • Courage Pastor MacArthur closes out reminding us “Jesus in the only ideal King,” and in Isaiah 33:20-22, we know to “Look upon Zion, the city
of our appointed feasts. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful pasture, a tent that does not wander; its tent pegs will not be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken. But there the Majestic One, our LORD, will be for us a place of rivers and wide canals, where no galley with oars will row, and no majestic vessel will pass. For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us…” cspotlight.com
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RESOURCES
The fruit of change takes time to grow By Kelly Mouisset
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was scrolling through social media the other day and came across a picture that said, “Remember whose you are.” It caught my eye and my soul. I began to remember the poor choices, questionable decisions, hurtful words, judgmental attitudes and all the other things that want to remind me of “who I was” instead of “whose I am.” Sometimes I have to remind myself a few times that I am “a new creature in Christ” and that “my sins are as far as the East is from the West.” I am not who I was, I am who God says that I am. Those words are easier said than believed at times.
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How often do we hold others in judgment for who they were instead of who they are now? We choose to remember what they did in high school or what they did last week instead of giving them an opportunity to show who they are today. Maybe that was a bad day for them or something was going on in their life at the time. Maybe they were just surviving life and praying they could make it one more day. We never know what others are dealing with outside of the space they share with us. Just imagine if we gave forgiveness and grace out like Jesus does. What if we let people have clean slates after they said
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something hurtful? What if we treated others with the grace we would like for others to show us? What if we looked at others as “whose they are” instead of “who they were,” “or what they did?” What a different world this could be if we saw others as whose they are, God’s children!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Kelly Mouisset is a Certified Life Coach specializing in overcoming your past to create a healthy future. She is the loving wife of Chris and mother to three young men!
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Searching for a church home? Adonai's House of Prayer 601 E. Jane St., Abbeville Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Amana Christian Fellowship Church
310 Milton Road, Maurice (337) 893-5728 Sundays, 10 a.m.
Assembly Christian Center
4201 E. Admiral Doyle Dr., New Iberia (337) 369-8000 Sundays, 10:35 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
The Bayou Church
2234 Kaliste Saloom Road (337) 984-8291 Sundays, 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m.
Bethel Church 15147 LA. 102, Jennings
Sundays, 9 & 10:30 a.m.
Calvary Baptist Church
4015 Moss St. (337) 269-0976 Sundays, 9:30, 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Calvary Chapel
111 Camellia Blvd. (337) 962-3616 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Christ Church • Abbeville
210 S. Saint Valerie St. Sundays, 10 a.m.
• Northside
800 Jefferson Blvd. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
• Opelousas Campus Sundays, 10 a.m.
Christian Center Church 315 Lagneaux Rd. (337) 984-3367 Sundays, 9 a.m., Spanish 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Church Acadiana
4620 Hwy. 90 E., Broussard (In Celebrity Theatres) (337)856-9902 Sundays, 10 a.m.
Church on the Rock 1411 E. Admiral Doyle Dr. (337) 369-1968 Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
Community Baptist Church 800 Rue De Belier Sun., 9:30, 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Cornerstone Cowboy Church 400 N. Lewis St., New Iberia (337) 365-9013 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
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Crossroads Church
150 Verona Dr. (337) 234-4308 Sundays, 9 & 11 a.m. 1st Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Destiny of Faith Christian Church 409 Patterson Street (337) 231-5119 Sundays, 9 & 11 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Drumbeat House of Bread 1300 Bertrand Drive Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
The Family Church
223 Stone Ave. (337) 234-0214 Sundays, 9 & 11 a.m.
Family Life Church
2223 Dulles Dr. (337) 988-0030 Sundays, 9 & 11 a.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Faith Family Fellowship 230 Robertson St., New Iberia (337) 365-0051 Sundays, 10 a.m.
Fellowship Biker Church 835 W. Napoleon St., Sulphur (337) 842-3029 Sundays, 10 a.m.
First Assembly of God 3555 Verot School Road (337) 857-0018 Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Broussard
210 S. Morgan Ave. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, 9:15, 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Carencro 242 St Pierre Blvd. (337) 896-8296 Sundays 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. Wednesdays 6 p.m.
First Baptist Lafayette 1100 Lee Ave. (337) 233-1412 Sundays, 8:15, 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m.
First Baptist Milton 2535 E. Broussard Road (337) 856-5402 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
Freedom Baptist Church
1132 N. Martin L. King Dr., Eunice (337) 523-8192 Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
Foundations Church 209 Southpark Road Sundays, 10 a.m.
The Harvest Vineyard Church 903 E. Simcoe St. (337) 280-1040 Sundays, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
207 N. Adams, Rayne, LA (337) 658-1397 Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Miracle Place Church of Acadiana
1110 N. Main St., Opelousas Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
New Beginning Fellowship Church
• Abbeville
901 Wildcat Dr. (337) 893-6279 Sundays, 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
519 Parkway Dr., Breaux Bridge (337) 442-6209 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Hope Chapel
New Beginning Ministries
Harvesttime Church
1797 Declouet Hwy., Breaux Bridge Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
510 W. Pinhook Road Sundays, 11 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6 p.m.
Jubilee Nation Christian Ministries
105 Merchants Blvd. (337) 232-9279 Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
4400 Moss St. (337) 205-4934 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
Lafayette Vineyard 705 Bonin Road (337) 837-7060 Sundays, 10 a.m.
Nouvelle Church
One Church Acadiana 211 JB Road Sundays, 10 a.m.
Open Door
Life Church
6408 Johnston St. (337) 984-4567 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Lift City Church 123 Carmel Drive (337)761-6636 (Online currently)
Lighthouse Church 1300 Bertrand Dr. (337) 261-8801 Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
1709 Dulles Dr. (337) 981-6438 Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m.
Living Glory
200 E. Butcher Switch Road Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Living Life Church
2768 N.E. Evangeline Thruway (337) 234-6868 Sundays, 9 & 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
2001 E. Simcoe St. Sundays, 11 a.m. Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
Redeemer City Church 328 Guilbeau Road, The Evangeline Room (337) 275-3223 Sundays, 10:30 a.m.
Rivers of New Life
600 General Mouton Ave. Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Riverside Church of Christ
200 South City (337) 984-2035 Sundays, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
Royal Lineage Ministries
605 South College Road (337) 552-8338 Sundays, 11 a.m.
Spirit & Truth Church 1128 W. Simcoe (337) 234-0678 Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
St. Peter Baptist Church
503 N. Washington St. (337) 412-1020 Sundays, 8 a.m. Wednesdays, Bible study 6 p.m.
Trinity Bible Church
130 E. Broussard (337) 406-2801 Sundays, 9 & 10:45 a.m.
Sundays, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.
Trinity Christian
Sundays, 8, 9:30, & 11:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
604 Lee Ave. (337) 234-3005 Sundays, 9:45 a.m.
• Broussard Campus • Lafayette Campus
• Midtown Campus
Sundays, 8:15, 9:30, 11:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
• Opelousas Campus
Sundays, 8. 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.
• New Iberia Campus
Methodist Episcopal
Victory Family Worship Center
• Youngsville Campus
204 Apollo, Scott (337) 593-8994 Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Our Savior’s Church
White Dove
Sundays, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. Sundays, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.
(337) 616-1777 10:30 a.m.
• Eunice Campus
Sundays, 9 & 10:45 a.m.
• Jennings Campus
Sundays, 8, 9:30 & 11:15 a.m.
Parish Church
1400 W. University Ave. (601) 606-0140 Sundays, 10 a.m.
Pathway Church
3210 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy (337) 501-6612 Sundays, 10 a.m.
623 Lafayette St. (337) 856-5806 Sundays, 10 a.m.
Progressive Baptist Church
(337) 839-8889
Our Savior’s Church
• Crowley Campus Sundays, 9 &
First Baptist Youngsville
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Manna Christian Fellowship of Louisiana
1320 Fortune Rd. Youngsville 70592 Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.
Youngsville Community Church
4129 Verot School Road Sundays, 9 & 10:30 a.m.
Zion Travelers Baptist Church 5009 E. Admiral Doyle Dr., New Iberia (337) 465-1579 Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
NOTE: Many churches have online services/revised worship times due to COVID. Please contact them for the most current information! October 2020
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BUSINESS LISTINGS
Additional businesses in the area partnering to bring you Covenant Spotlight each month!
Julie Esta’ (337) 298-2078, julieesta@gmail.com, yourliferestored.com ~ Certified health coach helping to create healthy transformations. ~ Life with Father Julie Hasling, (337) 504-4454, lifewithfather@live.com, /
lifewithfather, lifewithfather.org ~ Encouraging believers in the faith! ~
Purely Cajun Seasoning Julie Esta’, (337) 366-0522, info@purelycajun.com, purelycajun.com ~ All-natural, healthy Cajun seasoning for all of your food. ~ Wireless Plus (337) 255-8505, 800 W. Congress St., Ste. F,
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/wirelessplusla,
/wirelessplusla~ /wirelessplusla The solution to all of your repairs and wireless needs! ~
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