GOODlife Magazine July/August 2019 - the Kendrick Brothers

Kendrick Brothers

Christian School Guide Pay Off Debt with Dave Ramsey

Cutting Edge Landscape We design and build anything outdoors Serving Metro Atlanta for over 20 years!

(770) 420-0558

CELandscape.com

Outdoor Living Spaces Landscape Design • Master Plans Outdoor Kitchens • Water Features Fireplaces • Fire Pits • Patios Stone • Pavers • Concrete Pergolas • Retaining Walls Landscape Lighting • Irrigation

r o t c a r t n o c e p Award-winning landsca

CONTENTS 06

08

HOW TO PAY OFF DEBT Dave Ramsey’s effective solution for taking control of your money

12

MOMS, PERFECTION ISN’T REQUIRED Being the mother God has called you to be, despite your flaws

14

10 KEYS TOWARD REALIZING YOUR DREAM How to pursue your dreams while leaving the results to God

08

22

27

31

18

GOODlife EVENTS Upcoming local happenings for you and your family

31

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GUIDE Find the right school for your children in your area of Atlanta LOCAL SPOTLIGHT Brenda Fitzgerald helps us understand, recognize, and overcome Dyslexia GOODlife TRAVEL St. Simons Island: a coastal destination that’s also a journey through history

FEATURED COVER: THE KENDRICK BROTHERS With their new movie, Overcomer, set to hit theaters this August, Alex and Stephen Kendrick discuss the relevant theme of this latest project— identity—and how they got their start in filmmaking.

Cover Credit: Sara Burns

Courtesy of AFFIRM Films/Provident Films, Photo credit: David Whitlow

Publisher / Editor Kristen Bland

Creative Director Gabriel Bland

Assistant Editor Autumn Burr

Contributing Writer Sharita Hanley

Advertising James Slaughter Jslaughter@goodlifemagazine.org 678.222.8212

Article submissions

submissions@goodlifemagazine.org 1582 Williams Dr, Suite 250 Marietta, GA 30066

facebook.com/goodlifechristian Instagram: @goodlifechristian GOODlife Magazine is a bi-monthly publication distributed throughout Atlanta and Metro Atlanta. Entire contents, including design elements and logos, are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any media without the express written consent of the publisher.

GOODlife Magazine, LLC reserves the right to edit or reject any editorial or advertising content. Advertisers assume liability for content of all advertisements.

All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of our ability. Not responsible for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies. © 2019 GOODlife Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved.

Dear Reader, W

hether you are an established GOODlife reader or are just discovering us, we are thrilled to have you! You are the reason we are here. We believe that GOODlife is so much than just a magazine. We know that it can be a catalyst to bring unity to our community. That confidence is not rooted in our abilities or our creativity but rooted in Jesus Christ. Why is that?

We at GOODlife magazine are deeply convinced that true lasting joy, peace, hope, love, significance, and identity are found only within a relationship with God. According to his inspired word that is the Bible, God created us to have a relationship with him, but when we fell into sin, we became separated from God because his holiness cannot be united with anything less than perfect. But out of his overwhelming love for humanity, God had devised a plan to restore us back to himself. He sent his son Jesus Christ to this earth in human form to live a sinless life and to be sacrificed as a punishment for all the sins of the whole world so that those who simply believe in him and choose to follow him could be reconciled to an eternity of relationship with God, no matter how badly we’ve messed up. This astonishingly good news is known as the gospel.

We believe that every bit of hurt, brokenness, and division in the world around us is a result of that sin that every person is born into but that Christ’s sacrifice gives us freedom from sin that we may experience healing and unity. We know that we are not yet perfect, but by pursuing and submitting to Christ, we can become more like him, loving as he does, caring for those around us more than we care about ourselves.

Jesus gave all his followers the responsibility of spreading the gospel so that everyone in the world is given the opportunity to come to know God and be saved (Mark 16:15-16).

This is why we do what we do. For anyone who hasn’t made Christ the Lord of their life, we hope that you would read these pages and discover a longing deep within yourself for something more than what you are currently experiencing in your life—for that relationship with your Creator. For those who are followers of Christ, we hope to encourage and remind you to continue pressing into him that you may continually grow and become more like him. But you were never meant to do it alone.

In Jesus’ last prayer before he was arrested and taken to be executed (John 17), he took a moment to pray specifically for his future followers. Think about it—that’s us! Do you know what the main theme of his prayer was? Unity. Jesus prayed for his people to be unified as one. His prayer reveals that it is through our unity that the world will know that God sent his son and that he loves them even as he loves Jesus! So, if we are believers and followers of Jesus Christ, then whether we consider ourselves Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Catholics, non-denominational Christians, or any other sect of Christianity, we are called to unify. That doesn’t mean we agree on every little detail and interpretation. It means we agree on and stand together as one for the heart of the gospel. (See the article on page 30 of this issue for more on this topic.)

So, at GOODlife, these are the two primary elements of our mission: spreading the gospel and promoting unity. And what better place to start than in our own community. We thank you for reading GOODlife and pray that as you do—no matter where you stand with Christ—you would feel his overwhelming love for you, calling you into deeper relationship with him, inviting you to the only true “GOODlife.”

P.S.

While the Church isn’t perfect, it’s absolutely necessary to the life of every believer. We strongly encourage each and every follower of Jesus Christ, if you haven’t already, to get involved in a local church grounded in the Word of God. Seeking God’s glory, The

Publisher/Editor, Kristen Bland

Creative Director, Gabriel Bland

Assistant Editor, Autumn Burr

Team

EVENTS Marietta Square Art Walk

July 5, August 2, September 6 from 5pm9pm Downtown Marietta The evening comes alive as performance, dance, culinary, and visual art permeate every corner of the charming Historic Marietta Square. artparkmarietta.com

GraceLife 2019 Conference

July 8 World Changers Church, College Park Please join us as we go to an even higher level in our understanding of grace—with Creflo Dollar, Taffi Dollar, Gregory Dickow, Earl Johnson, Michael Smith, and Andrew Wommack.

Reptile Day

July 13 from 10am – 1pm Fernbank Museum, Atlanta Come face-to-face with live pythons, king snakes, geckos, tortoises, monitors, and iguanas, and see presentations about them on Reptile Day at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. fernbankmuseum.org

Zach Williams at SunTrust Park

July 18 SunTrust Park, Atlanta Free postgame concert by the GRAMMY and Dove award-winning artist, presented

by Chick-fil-A. braves.com/zachwilliams

Riverstone Church Pinterest Night

July 18 from 7-9pm Riverstone Church, Kennesaw Come for a fun night of making simple hoop wreaths. $10 per person. Coffee, treats, and all materials will be provided.

Register online. riverstoneonline.org/events

6

goodlifemagazine.org

Scrapbook Expo

July 19-20 Infinite Energy Forum, Duluth Scrapbookers will find classes and vendors for exciting crops, prizes, latest and greatest products, cool tools, plus make-and-take projects. scrapbookexpo.com

Georgia Mountain Fair

July 19-27 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee Family-friendly musical performances, an arts & crafts show, carnival rides, a parade, unique attractions, and a glimpse into North Georgia’s rich history and culture georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

East Cobb Movie Monday

July 22 at 7pm East Cobb Avenue, Marietta Featuring The Greatest Showman on the outdoor big screen when the sun is down! Come early to check out the petting zoo, spring-free trampoline, face painting, a balloon artist, tons of games and giveaways, and more! avenueeastcobb.com

Modern Prophetic Tour with Shawn Bolz

July 25 from 7-10pm Riverstone Church, Kennesaw Shawn Bolz will host A Night in the Prophetic. This will be a powerful evening seminar on hearing God’s voice and incorporating the prophetic into your sphere of influence and daily life. riverstoneonline.org/events

Southeast Homeschool Expo

July 25-27 Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta A two-day Expo devoted entirely to the display, sale, and discussion of

educational materials, with entire exhibit hall displays of materials by the best Christian, secular, and specialty publishers. southeasthomeschoolexpo.com

Fish Family Night at Stone Mountain Park

July 26 from 3-11pm Stone Mountain Park The fun starts with interactive inflatables, balloon animals, and a face painter. Later, enjoy unlimited popcorn, a cold Coca-Cola, ice cream, and a glow item, while taking in the sights and sounds of the Lasershow Spectacular! Tickets are only $5. thefishatlanta.com

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival

July 27 Piedmont Park, Atlanta 9th annual festival featuring ice cream for sale, entertainment, vendors, and fitness events at Piedmont Park. atlantaicecreamfestival.com

Kennesaw Outdoor Movie

July 27 at 6pm Swift-Cantrell Park, Kennesaw Arrive early for games, activities, fun, and more. The free animated feature Captain Marvel (PG13) will be projected onto a giant inflatable screen after sundown.

Smyrna Birthday Celebration and Fireworks

August 3 from 6-10pm Celebrate with live music by Banks & Shane, festival foods, birthday festivities, a giant birthday cake by McEntyre’s Bakery, kids’ entertainment area, and fireworks!

Summer Adventures Family Fun Day

August 4 from 12-4pm Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell Splash through sprinklers, play water games, make water crafts, try canoeing (ages 5+), and learn outdoor skills. chattnaturecenter.org

The Dude Perfect Pound It Noggin Tour

August 4 at 5:30pm Infinite Energy, Atlanta First ever live tour, Pound it Noggin, for 2019. The trick shot group, consisting of Tyler, Toney, Cody Jones, Garrett Hilbert, Cory Cotton and Coby Cotton. dudeperfect.com

The Global Leadership Summit

August 8-9 West Ridge Church, Dallas westridge.com or Canton Church cantonchurch.churchcenter.com Your influence matters. Join 405,000 of your peers to learn how to maximize it with two days of world-class leadership training.

Born Again Blessings Consignment

August 9-10 Riverstone Church, Kennesaw Children’s and maternity clothes, shoes, toys, nursery items, baby equipment, furniture, and more! bornagainblessings.com

Ignite Atlanta

August 10 from 12-11pm The Bowl, Sugar Hill Ignite Atlanta [formerly AtlantaFest] features Danny Gokey, JJ Weeks, Natasha Owens, Tori Harper, and Humbletip. atlantafest.com

Skillet Live

with park admission or your season pass. wildadventures.com/concerts

Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival

August 23-24 Adams Park, Kennesaw It’s time once again for festival fans and music lovers to converge in Kennesaw for two days of smoked and seasoned barbeque bliss! pigsandpeaches.com

Wings Over North Georgia

August 31 - September 1 from 12:30-3pm Richard B. Russell Airport, Rome Come enjoy U.S. Air Force jets, aerobatic performers, parachutists, aircraft on display, and food vendors. wingsovernorthgeorgia.com

33rd Annual Art in the Park August 31 - September 2 Glover Park, Marietta In addition to 175 fine artists, the festival also features: Chalk Spot – a street chalk art display for aspiring artists young and old, Children’s Art Alley – a free interactive “make and take” area, and Food Truck Row – for those wanted to grab a bite to eat on the go. artparkmarietta.com

FOR MORE LOCAL EVENTS, GO TO: GOODLIFEMAGAZINE. ORG/EVENTS

L OOK ING FOR THE PERFEC T PL ACE T O HOS T YOUR NE X T

BUSINESS MEETING O R SPECIAL EVENT? With space for 10-200 guests, our private banquet rooms can accommodate any type of function big or small. From corporate meetings to international conventions, our first class amenities, scratch-made food, and excellent service will make your event one to remember. Contact your location today to reserve your banquet space!

August 10 at 8pm Wild Adventures, Valdosta Skillet live with special guest Ledger. Concerts are included

CUMBERLAND

BUCKHEAD

PERIMETER

1601 CUMBERLAND MALL SE, SUITE 200 ATLANTA, GA 30339 770.799.1590

3368 PEACHTREE RD NE ATLANTA, GA 30326 404.816.6257

4400 ASHFORD DUNWOODY RD, #3035 DUNWOODY, GA 30346 770.804.8898

MAGGIANOS.COM/BANQUETS

HOW TO PAY OFF DEBT

By DaveRamsey.com

If you owe money on student loans, car loans, and credit card bills, you’re not alone. The latest numbers from the Federal Reserve show that the total national household debt stands at $13.54 trillion. That’s trillion with a “T.” And based on those numbers, it’s safe to say that worrying about debt is a national epidemic.

Yikes. Debt is as American as apple pie, but you know as well as we do that it doesn’t taste as sweet. If you stick with us, we’ll show you how to pay off debt and stay out of debt for good.

What Is Debt?

Anything owed to someone else is considered debt—yep, that even includes student loans and car loans.

Non-mortgage debt includes: • student loans • home equity loans • car loans • payday loans • credit cards • personal loans • medical debt • IRS and government debt Ongoing bills, like electricity, water, and utilities, aren’t considered debt. Those are just variable monthly expenses. The same goes for things like insurance, taxes, groceries, and childcare costs.

Now, how you pay for these expenses can turn into debt. If you use credit cards to pay for these expenses, you might be well on your way to racking up a mountain of debt.

And while your mortgage is technically a type of debt, it’s the only one Dave Ramsey won’t give you a hard time about—as long as your payments aren’t more than twenty-five percent of your monthly take-home pay and you stick to a fifteen-year, fixed-rate mortgage. But that’s a different rant for a different day.

Again, if you owe a balance and make payments to someone, you’re in debt. And the first step to paying off debt is knowing exactly how much you owe.

How Much Debt Do You Have?

We know that calculating your total debt can be pretty scary. We don’t want you to tally that number just so you know it and then worry about it. We want you to calculate your total amount of debt so you can take action against it.

So, if you’ll bring the courage, we’ll bring a super cool debt calculator tool that will add up your debt and tell you how quickly you can pay it off. Find it online at daveramsey.com/fpu/debtcalculator. All you have to do is answer five simple questions. No more hiding your head in the sand—it’s time to face the truth so you can do something about it!

8

goodlifemagazine.org

Once you get your results, take a deep breath (don’t freak out!) and stay with us. We’ll show you the proven plan that will help you kick debt to the curb for good.

Debt Reduction Strategies That Don’t Work

Let’s get straight to the point on this one: paying off debt is never easy. We’re fully aware of the buzz surrounding “quick ways” to get rid of your debt. Here are the most commonly advertised methods to reduce debt and why we suggest you steer clear of them at all costs:

• Debt consolidation This is basically a loan that combines all your debts into one single payment. This sounds like a good idea until you discover that the lifespans of your loans extend, meaning you’ll stay in debt longer. Also, the low interest rate that looked so appealing at first usually goes up over time.

• Debt settlement Debt settlement companies are the seedy underbelly of the financial world. Run from this option. Companies will charge you a fee and then promise to negotiate with your creditors to reduce what you owe. Usually, they just take your money and leave you responsible for your debt. No, thanks!

• 401(k) loans Never borrow from your 401(k) to pay off your debt! You could get hit with penalties, fees, and taxes on your withdrawal.

• Home equity loans It’s never a good idea to borrow money against your home! You risk losing your house if you’re unable to pay back the loan on time. Just don’t do it!

These debt reduction strategies are risky at best, and they’re only treating the symptoms of your money problems. They’ll never help you address the root issue of why you have financial issues in the first place. You don’t need to consolidate, settle, or borrow to deal with your debt. You need to change how you engage with your money.

Listen carefully: your money will never change until you do!

How to Pay Off Debt ...the Smart Way Did you know that personal finance is eighty percent behavior and only twenty percent head knowledge? It’s true. We know there are a lot of resources out there that will tell you to pay off either your

largest debt or the one with the highest interest rate first. And while that makes sense mathematically, paying off debt is more about your motivation than it is about the numbers. In all honesty, hope has a lot more to do with winning with money than math does.

But first things first: it’s time to get on a budget. We recommend using our free budgeting tool, the EveryDollar app (for iPhone or Android). Remember, you won’t ever get ahead if you’re spending more than you’re making each month. In order to start winning with money, you have to make a plan and start telling every single dollar where you want it to go.

If it’s a little wonky at first, don’t give up! It takes people about three months to start getting into a regular rhythm with a budget that works for them. And we promise: once you do, it’ll feel like you just got a raise!

Call today or visit us online for a complete planning guide.

You know as well as we do that there’s nothing quite like finding a $20 bill in the pocket of those old blue jeans. When you’re on a budget, every month will feel like finding money you didn’t even know you had! And you can guess what we think you should do with it: put it toward your debt payments.

Using the Debt Snowball Method

Now that you’ve got your budget taken care of, it’s time to start paying off debt! And the best way to pay off your debt is with the debt snowball method. This is the proven debtreduction strategy where you pay off debts in order from smallest to largest, gaining momentum as each balance is paid off.

Here’s a high-level overview of how the debt snowball works:

1.

List your non-mortgage debts from the smallest to largest balance. Again, disregard interest rates when you’re writing out your debts. Just stick to listing your debts based on the remaining balance.

2.

Make minimum payments on all debts except the little one. Attack the smallest with a vengeance!

3.

After you pay off the smallest debt, take the money you were paying on that debt and roll it into the next highest payment. See? It’s a debt snowball!

See? It’s a debt snowball!

4. Repeat this method until you cross off the very last debt.

Want to learn more about the debt snowball method? Go to daveramsey.com/fpu/debt-snowball to sign up for a free threeday email series that takes you on a deep dive through the debt snowball method so you can take control of your money for good.

And if you want to go even further, check out our Financial Peace University program. Did you know that the average family who completes the program pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 within the first ninety days? Over five million people have used Financial Peace University to budget, save money, and get out of debt once and for all. Now it’s your turn.

It’s time to take control of your money and plan for your future.

You can do this!

Thank Your for choosing us as the best Funeral Home in Cobb County!

Photo credit: Mackenzie Ortiz Photography

How Expectations Make or Break a Marriage M

y husband, Dave, and I have been married over fifty years, and I can honestly say we have a great marriage. But it didn’t start out that way. Like many people, I learned that it takes effort and a willingness to let God change us if we’re going to have a healthy marriage. One of the most important things we can do is examine our expectations.

Having unrealistic expectations can sabotage a marriage before it ever really gets started. So many people enter marriage expecting

By Joyce Meyer their spouse to be something he or she isn’t. Or they have the unrealistic expectation that their marriage partner will be able to keep them happy all of the time.

For starters, I think it’s important to realize the way you feel when you’re dating is different than how you’ll feel after you’ve been married for a while. In the beginning, everything is new and exciting, and emotions are running high. But a day will come when all of those emotions won’t necessarily be there, and that’s okay.

For instance, just because I don’t melt into the carpet every time Dave walks into the room, it doesn’t mean I love him any less than before. In fact, I love him more. Our love is deeper because it’s based on years of experience and getting to know each other. We have a quality of relationship now that is so much greater than when we first met.

The key to building a healthy marriage with Dave has been a serious commitment to be as close to God as I can possibly be.

Maturing spiritually in Christ has changed me in wonderful ways that have healed and restored my soul and filled me with His love.

In Ephesians 3:17 (AMP), the apostle Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith” and that they would be “[deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love.” Being changed by the love of God has given me the ability to love Dave the way I should love him, rather than expecting him to be everything I think he should be.

It’s become a long-standing joke— especially for women—that we look at the individual we’re going to marry and think, I can change this person. Sadly, this is the way I viewed my husband during the early years of our marriage.

Dave and I have completely opposite personalities. He’s naturally laid-back and easygoing, always looking at the bright side of things. I’m more of your typical “Type A” personality. I’m highly-motivated but can also be too harsh and insensitive.

Well, for years, I tried to get Dave to be more aggressive like me, especially when it came to stepping out into new things. He would inevitably say, “Joyce, you’re always out ahead of God.” And I would reply, “And you’re always ten miles behind Him!” On one occasion, after I continued to discuss how passive he was, Dave finally got really upset and said, “Joyce, you better be glad I’m this way. Because if I wasn’t, you wouldn’t be doing what you’re doing.”

I got the message loud and clear!

The Lord used this experience to help show me the dangers of nit-picking Dave

about things I perceive as weaknesses.

Even if Dave does need to change in an area, God is truly the only one who can change him—my pestering will only make things worse and drive a wedge between us.

I used to constantly pray for God to change Dave. Now, I pray more like this:

“God, I would really like for Dave to change in this area, but maybe he’s not even the problem— maybe it’s my attitude. So, first, I ask You to change anything in me that needs to be changed. If there’s something Dave needs to change, I pray that You will work in that area of his life. In the meantime, please help me to focus on all of the great things about my husband.”

If you’re constantly trying to change your spouse, you end up focusing on all of their weaknesses and things you don’t like. There is a great analogy about the power of “focus” that God revealed to me.

He showed me that focus is like taking a Polaroid picture—whatever we focus on will develop in our lives.

Dave is a great husband, and I honestly have no complaints. But if I began to focus and dwell on little things that annoy me from time to time, I would eventually see nothing else and actually make myself (and him) miserable.

But when I magnify the good and focus on everything I really like about him, it produces feelings of gratitude, love, and joy—and the “bad stuff ” suddenly seems less important.

I encourage you to take a moment right now and pray for your spouse. Commit your relationship to the Lord and ask God to help you focus on everything you like about him or her. No one is perfect, but when you choose to love your spouse for who he or she is, you open the door for God to bless your marriage in amazing ways.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Unshakeable Trust: Find the Joy of Trusting God at All Times (Hachette). For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.

Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.

Come be a part of the excitement as we move forward to a greater future!

Rendering of renovated sanctuary to be completed October 2019

Mount Paran North ∙ 1700 Allgood Road ∙ Marietta, GA ∙ 770.578.9081 ∙ mountparannorth.com

MOMS, PERFECTION ISN’T REQUIRED N O I T C PERFE

By Sharita Hanley

truth the book emphasizes is that perfection is not required.

Your Children are Going to Mess Up “Parents need to know that their kids are going to mess up. That’s number one,” Darlene divulges. “Anybody that tells you they’re kids walk on water just needs to wait because the day will come when they realize they don’t. It’s no different than who we are, really. For some reason, we think our kids need to be these wonderfully perfect humans with no weaknesses and all strengths, but that’s not who we are, so why would they be that? You kind of have to go, ‘This is who you are,’ and choose to love the real deal.”

You’re Going to Mess Up Too In a similar fashion, you’re going to have some blunders too. “You know, perfection isn’t achievable in anything we do,” Darlene explains. “I believe part of having a good relationship with your child and building something that will endure is embracing your imperfection because when you screw up—and you will—when you go back and say, ‘You know what? Mom wasn’t very great today. I’m really sorry,’ you’re teaching your child that they don’t have to be perfect, they just have to try. In that alone, you’re teaching a valuable lesson to your child.”

“

Y

ou really do feel the pressure as mom to get it all right,” Darlene Brock admits. As the former COO of ForeFront records, an author, entrepreneur, and the president and co-founder of the Grit & Grace Project, an online magazine and platform for women, on top of being a wife and mother, she knows all about the pressures today’s women, especially moms, tend to feel. Her latest book, Raising Great Girls: Help for Moms to Raise Confident, Capable Daughters (Perfection Not Required) is her response to that pressure.

“It was a germ years and years ago in my head and heart,” she shares, explaining her motivation for writing the book. “And it was really about my girls growing up and realizing they were in a culture where there’s so much confusion in the marketplace on what a woman is supposed to be. And so I watched them, my daughters and their generation, become more and more confused on things like: Am I only good if I have a career? Am I only valuable if I act this way? or Am I only of worth if I follow whatever the culture tells me? I realized I really wanted to help women be the best at what God created our gender to be. But my starting place needed to be helping moms raise them to believe the truth about themselves.” Decades later, Raising Great Girls was published. A down-to-earth, real-life modern-day manifesto, the book breaks down the various roles moms take on as they journey alongside their daughters into womanhood. Perhaps the most significant

12

goodlifemagazine.org

She continues, revealing two of her own “mom-fail” experiences.

“So, we were at a Christmas concert that my eldest daughter’s fourth grade class was performing in at the school,” she shares, telling me she dropped her daughter off earlier so she could attend the last practice and prepare. “Well, I get there and look at the stage and the group—I mean the entire grade level are wearing red shirts except my daughter,” she laughs. “She’s wearing a white shirt with something on it. Of course, all the parents were there with their video cameras, and I thought, Oh crud! I guess I didn’t read the whole announcement.”

“I don’t know how many of those moments I’ve had,” she admits, while also sharing how her youngest daughter once went to church barefoot. “She was fifteen at the time. We were on our way to church, and she was putting makeup on, and I looked back at her and said, ‘Where are your shoes?’ And she went, ‘Oh, I forgot them.’ So I was like, ‘Welp, I guess we’re going to church with no shoes today!’” Darlene reveals that they were conveniently short for time that day. Life happens.

But through it all, she wants moms to know that love is their most important job.

Choose Love “Love your children no matter what. Love them no matter what they do, what they say—even if they’ve broken your heart because they’re screaming that they want to leave home and they don’t want anything to do with you ever again—because those are real-life things that happen. Or even if they have ventured into drug problems or if they’ve chosen to live with a guy they love. Or even if they have decided they’re confused sexually. Love them. Love them. Love them,” Darlene emphasizes. “Because by doing that, we are absolutely exemplifying Christ.

The scripture says Christ loved us while we were yet sinners, and that is the example He has set for us as parents. So, no matter where they are in life, no matter what they may be stepping into, love them.

Love them before it, in the middle of it, and after it.

Never give up on who that child can be.” One of the ways to show your children that you love them is to spend time with them.

Spend Time with Them Empathetic of the pressure mothers feel to put their children into every activity, Darlene encourages moms to really take the time to think about who they want their children to be. “You have to look at the end goal. Do you want your child to be a ‘master dancer, tennis/soccer player, plus musician’ or do you want your child to grow up with a sense of worth, integrity, honesty, work ethic, and the things that really make an adult successful? Well, to do that, you can’t be so busy in all these activities that you’ve not yet imparted those standards into them—because those standards require time off.

They require time where you are together with them and just hanging out.”

“I used to take mother-daughter trips with each of my girls,” she reminisces. “We would get in the car and drive two states away and go visit something or explore a place. By doing those kind of activities, I was able to share life with each of my girls, and in that, share and learn who she wanted to be and who I wanted her to be.” Not only does this kind of quality time help to build character in children, but it really helps moms to determine the specific activities best fitting for their child’s passions and

GOODlife’s Top 10: ICE CREAM Shops 1.) Four Fat Cows desires. So, mothers, be sure to spend purposeful time with your children.

Live a Life of Grit & Grace Inspired by her grandmother and a genuine passion to see women grow stronger despite life’s challenges and cultural expectations, Darlene began the Grit & Grace Project in 2011. “In all honesty, it came about

by God haunting me about women being stronger, women being able to believe they’re stronger.

Haunting probably sounds like the wrong word, but it was as if He would not quit pursuing me.” So, after wrestling with the idea for a while, Darlene surrendered. “I was walking around the mall, praying. I don’t know why I was walking around the mall, praying by myself, but I was. Back and forth.

Back and forth. And I went, ‘Grit and grace. Grit and grace!’”

“To me, they [those two words] honestly exemplify my great-grandmother who I treasured so much as a little girl. She had lots of heartache in her life, lots of challenges in her life, and she exemplified grace, kindness to others even when they didn’t deserve it.

She exemplified that every single day of her life. I thought if we [women] could just gain some of that within ourselves, then we can become the kind of women our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were—because they really knew who they were and who they wanted to be.”

Marietta & more

2.) Frozen Cow Creamery Kennesaw

3.) Jeni’s Splen3. did Ice Creams Atlanta & more

4.) Honeysuckle 4.

Gelato Ponce City Market

5.) Morelli’s 5.

Atlanta & more

6.) 8 Farenheit 6.

Atlanta & more

The website, thegritandgraceproject.org, which features content, podcasts, and encouraging messages for women, was founded on the belief that a woman of grace “gives kindness to [herself] and others, even when its hard” and that her grit “determines that life challenges will not defeat or define [her].”

7.) King of Pops

Raising Great Girls is chock full of godly wisdom, real-life experience, and sisterly love. It exudes the loving heart of God and inspires moms (there’s a few chapters for dads too) to raise not only confident and capable women but godly women too.

Atlanta & more

“If there’s one thing we all need to know, it’s that God doesn’t ever give up on us. He completely slathers us with His grace whether we have earned it or not, deserved it or not, and I am in awe of that,” professes Darlene. She’s right. Rest in the fact that, though flawed, both you and your children are made in His image. And remember, perfection isn’t required.

Ponce City Market & more

8.) Kilwin’s

9.) Paolo’s Gelato Atlanta

10.) Sarah Jean’s Marietta

july/august 2019

13

10 KEYS TOWARD REALIZING YOUR DREAMS

By David & Jason Benham

Everybody has dreams—not just ones we experience while sleeping but ones much more important that are birthed deep inside us, those longings to do something special, something worthy, something great.

When we were young boys, we dreamed of being Major League Baseball players. It was a powerful motivator to get us moving in the right direction. Yet we never actually achieved the dream.

In our book Whatever the Cost, we explore what it means to die to your dreams. It simply means to pursue your dreams using your hands and feet while remaining dead to them in your heart. In other words, let the results be God’s in every pursuit of life.

As we learned with baseball, it’s important to follow your dream, but it’s equally important to hold it with an open hand. This way, if God wants to take it away and replace it, He doesn’t have to pry your fingers loose.

For us, this lesson was vital later in life when we lost our HGTV reality show. We had learned to die to our dreams and trust God with baseball already.

But in pursuing our dreams, both athletically and professionally, we’ve accumulated a list of ten practical keys to move toward realizing your dream. Whether you actually realize it or not, the process is extremely valuable. Just move toward it, and leave the results to God:

1.

Begin with the end in mind. Figure out what you want to accomplish and work backward. Create a list, and work in reverse.

If you weigh 240 pounds, and your goal is to be down to 200 in six months, then figure out what it will take to get you to 235 within two weeks. Then rinse and repeat until you achieve it. And remember to always keep your goals measurable.

14

goodlifemagazine.org

2. Use the power of imagination. This is possibly the most important key in accomplishing your dream. Literally see yourself where you want to be and gain the inspiration and motivation to move toward it. I (Jason) remember sitting on the curb in front of my house as a kid, envisioning myself as a professional baseball player.

I worked backward to gain a competitive advantage by beginning to practice tee work in the backyard, while also throwing balls off a wall. And it was my imagination that propelled me toward action.

3.

Be disciplined. Discipline is doing what you don’t want to do in order to accomplish what you want. Once you have the vision in mind of what you want to accomplish, and you’re using the power of imagination for motivation, then you have to make a commitment to do the things necessary to accomplish your dream. I (Jason) would swing the bat in the backyard because I had made a commitment to take a few hundred swings off a tee every day. It took discipline to do the work my imagination motivated me to do.

4. Be diligent. Diligence is continual persistence in a positive

direction, regardless of the results. If I diligently took five swings a day with an ax on a giant oak tree, it may not look like it’s going to fall for several months, but in time, the tree will come down if I simply remain diligent.

5.

Pick good friends. Dreams are rarely accomplished alone.

Some have said that you are the sum total of the five people you hang around the most. So make sure your friends are not only dreamers themselves but also doers, accomplishers. Share your dreams with them, and let them inspire and motivate you to realize them.

6.

Don’t forget the 80/20 rule. This rule allows you to work smarter and not harder: 20 percent of your effort will give you 80

10.

percent of the results. Figure out what your 20 percent is and stay there. When we were building our company, we realized 20 percent of our clients gave us 80 percent of the profit, so we spent more time with those 20 percent than the others. In the same way, our early mornings make up 20 percent of our day, but we produce 80 percent of our best thinking during those hours. So we focus there.

Remember Who you live for. Ultimately, life is not about you. Your dream is not about you. It’s about what God can do through you, for Him. As human beings made in His image, we are called to bring glory to the Father in all we do. Fortunately for all of us, He gives us the power to dream so we can accomplish great things for Him!

Pace yourself. Life is a marathon; not a sprint. Dreams aren’t accomplished in a day, and there are no shortcuts. Remember to go at a steady pace to avoid burnout. Once you know your 20 percent, list out your daily tasks and do those things. Don’t stress about what you can’t accomplish in a particular day. Just move on and keep moving forward, one foot at a time.

Having a dream is a powerful thing. Dying to your dream is even more powerful. And realizing a dream provides a testimony of how your story fits into History. We encourage you to chase your dream with your hands but to stay dead to it in your heart—and let God handle the results.

7.

8. Reward yourself. Along the path toward your dream, make

sure to reward yourself for small accomplishments. If your dream is to publish a book, then reward yourself with something special when you turn in the manuscript (or whatever milestone you set). It’s been said that everyone needs someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. Rewarding yourself along the way to your dream gives you something to look forward to.

9. Be thankful and content along the way. We’ve heard it

said that your sweet spot (or your dream job) in life is the place where your greatest talent and greatest passion intersect. While we believe this to be true, we also recognize that most people don’t arrive at their sweet spot until later in life. So in the meantime, make your current spot sweet with contentment and gratitude. This will ensure you have joy in the journey.

NOW, GET TO DREAMIN’!

Hope

Discover

Family for your

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP 5 SERVICES | 3 STYLES | 1 HOPE

LIVE

9:30am & 11am | Worship Center passionate, expressive, & modern

GATHERING

11:00am | Radiate Auditorium intimate, acoustic, & simple

CLASSIC

8:15am & 9:30am | Radiate Auditorium nostalgic, heart-felt, & familiar

5145 Due West Rd NW Powder Springs, GA 30127 www.burnthickory.com

COVENANT EDU/360 October 4-6 • November 1-2

Come join us on Lookout Mountain, GA to experience what life is like as a Covenant College Scot!

WINNERS

S R E N N I W FOR KING & COUNTRY

LAUREN DAIGLE

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR & SONG OF THE YEAR “GOD ONLY KNOWS”

ARTIST OF THE YEAR & FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Credit Tags: @simbalic for Eli @westlightstudios

Credit Tags: @simbalic for Eli @westlightstudios

HILLSONG WORSHIP

DANNY GOKEY

WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR “WHO YOU SAY I AM”

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Photo credit: Getty Images for K-LOVE

WE ARE MESSENGERS

UNPLANNED

BREAKOUT SINGLE “MAYBE IT’S OK”

FILM IMPACT Photo credit: Getty Images for K-LOVE

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD & RABBI JASON SOBEL

JOE GIBBS SPORTS IMPACT

BOOK IMPACT THE ROCK, THE ROAD, AND THE RABBI Photo credit: Getty Images for K-LOVE

Photo credit: Getty Images for K-LOVE

july/august 2019

17

The Kendrick BRothers:

Following God’s Lead “We’ve definitely grown since our first movie… Movies are hard to make and even harder to make well. There’s a thousand things that have to come together for them to work.”

B

By Sharita hanley

efore the fame, before the films, before the call to ministry, the Kendrick brothers were ordinary boys who loved to play outside. “We grew up in a middleclass home in Smyrna, Georgia, and were drawn to storytelling at a young age,” Alex, the middle of three says.

“We took our Super 8mm camera and made some skits and movies in our neighborhood and really enjoyed it.” Their neighbor, who happened to be a “techie,” had and purchased stop-and-go animation cameras and let the boys use them.

Naturally, as Alex and his brothers, Shannon, the oldest, and Stephen, the youngest, reached their preteens, things started to get more adventurous. They captured shots of themselves wrecking their bicycles, dodging cars, erupting fireworks, and jumping over fences. As they grew older, they recorded homemade commercials, movie trailers, and other projects at school.

A Hobby Turned Mission Their father, a minister, encouraged them to continue their pursuits but made sure they knew the importance of having a relationship with Christ as well. Little did they know, those two passions—film and Christ—would grow into the ministry they have today.

“After college, both Stephen and I had Communications degrees. Shannon had a Management degree from Georgia Tech. Then, the three of us felt the Lord calling us to tell stories that would draw people to a closer walk with Him. So, when we came down here to Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, we worked with the church to get that started,” Alex recalls. There, they wrote, directed, and produced the films they’re known and loved for today: Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous. After moving to Sony’s Affirm Films, they made War Room.

Courtesy of AFFIRM Films/Provident Films, Photo credit: Kevin Peeples 18

goodlifemagazine.org

Their latest film, Overcomer, featuring Alex Kendrick and Priscilla Shirer, which will be released in theaters August 23rd, is about identity and what happens when we follow God’s leading.

Knowing Who You Are and Whose You Are “Identity is a very sensitive topic in our culture today. We would say the Creator gets to define His creation. It’s really not based on our surroundings or our feelings.

We believe that God designed us and loves us,” he continues, maintaining that if people leave the film asking themselves what really defines them, then the brothers have accomplished their mission. “Men tend to put their identity in their job, level of success, and provision, while women generally put it in their job, children, or home. But when those things are taken away or changed, we struggle because we have put our primary identity in something that’s out of order.” That’s what happens in Overcomer.

When Coach John Harrison, receives unexpected news about his basketball team, his identity crumbles. He’s faced with the decision to trust God’s leading or not. His decision has ripple effects he never thought possible. Alex, who plays Harrison, knows exactly what it’s like to trust God when it is difficult.

“As the platform expanded for us to tell these stories,” Alex shares in his “I am Second” testimony, “the path got harder for us. My time with my wife and my children began to lessen, and that began to pull on my own identity…” As God called him and his brothers to make Fireproof, aspects of his life were under attack. “Issues in my own marriage started to bubble up to the surface...I was thinking, What is going on here? I’m writing a book and making a movie about how to have a godly marriage, and my own marriage is being stretched and pulled more than it ever had.” Instead of crumbling in the midst of the circumstances, he trusted God, went to marriage counseling, and continued making the film and writing The Love Dare.

“God stripped me down to the core and reminded me that just because I know some truth here [in my head], doesn’t mean that I have it all figured out in my own heart.”

So placing his trust, identity, marriage, and family back in the hands of God, Alex

“Identity is a very sensitive topic in our culture today. We would say the Creator gets to define His creation. It’s really not based on our surroundings or our feelings…” continued, along with his brothers, to pursue the call on their lives and develop the gift for filmmaking they enjoyed as children.

Developing the Gifts Within You

“We’ve definitely grown since our first movie. When we were shooting our first film, Flywheel, we got halfway through a scene on a Friday afternoon and realized it was getting too dark to finish the scene.”

So, everyone agreed to come back a few days later. What happened next was something the Kendrick brothers never imagined. Alex continues, “But when some of the actors came back on Monday, one guy forgot what he was wearing and wore something completely different. Another guy had gotten a haircut over the weekend, so when we finished the scene and you see it in Flywheel, his hair changes length halfway through the scene. That’s when we realized we were going to need a lot of help to do these movies right and keep up with continuity and things like that. So, although we got a big laugh out of it, it was evident that we had a lot to learn about making films.”

“Movies are hard to make and even harder to make well. There’s a thousand things that have to come together for them to work,”

Alex says, revealing that Overcomer was a hard film to shoot. “It is the first movie where we built all of our sets. In previous films, we have used practical locations— businesses, homes, churches—and shot at that actual location. For this film, we built a portion of the interior of a hospital and… we were able to rent a warehouse, so we built two pretty much complete houses inside the warehouse with moveable walls so we could move the walls to shoot each house.

We built all the bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and then the hospital. So, that was a bigger deal than we had in previous films.”

“This movie also has more cast, more crew, more locations. We used more lights, cameras, and technical equipment.

Everything was scaled up from our previous films. That made it more challenging but more rewarding when we saw the end result.” Similarly, the film’s plot also speaks to developing talents. As Coach Harrison works to adjust his skills and experience as a coach, Hannah Scott, played by Aryn Wright Thompson, trains for one of the biggest races of her life.

Developing our gifts, talents, and abilities is hard work. But when we do, we’re able to give God our best, which is something the Kendrick brothers aim to do professionally and personally.

Giving God Your Best “I used to enjoy debating and arguing with people as if I could argue them into the kingdom of heaven,” Alex reveals. “But that is not my job. My job is to know why I believe what I believe and to know truth, but to present it in love, with gentleness and respect, and then let God do what only God can do to draw them to Him.” Stephen agrees: “God has a tender heart.

If you look at Ephesians 4:30-32, it says don’t grieve the Holy Spirit but be kind and tenderhearted. So, if He’s telling us to be like Him, and He’s telling us that He grieves…well, He grieves because He has a tender heart.” He continues, “Jesus was the perfect representation of the Father. He rejoiced when good things happened. He was angry over sin. He showed compassion.

He reached out to those that everyone else july/august 2019

19

Photo Credit: Sara Burns

rejected. He preached the gospel to the poor.

The capacity of tenderness that God has far exceeds anything we could ever reach or touch. But many times, God will allow something to happen to us that breaks our hearts so that we will become tenderhearted.

Then, the love and the tenderness of Christ will flow out of that.” This is a scenario viewers will see in Overcomer.

As Hannah and Coach Harrison face tough situations, they find themselves broken, which softens their hearts so that they begin to seek things God seeks and love things God loves. As such, the entire trajectory of their lives change. They are able to give God their best despite what they initially perceived as setbacks—a lesson Alex knows all too well.

Knowing that Setbacks are Not Final “A lot of people may not know this, but I was run over by a car when I was a kid,” Alex reveals, describing the 1976 incident.

“We lived on a little bit of a slope in front of a four-lane highway…It was a Sunday morning, and my dad was trying to get us all in the car.” Stephen picks up the story: “I was in the front seat, sitting at the wheel.

I was playing around and popped the gear into neutral, and the car rolled down our driveway [over Alex] into the street.” Alex concludes, “So, I got a little bit of a surprise having a car roll over me, but the Lord protected me. Other than some damage to my ear, which has been totally healed now that I’ve had surgery, and some scrapes, 20

goodlifemagazine.org

bumps, and bruises, I survived. And here we are making movies.”

Sometimes life throws us curveballs. That doesn’t mean we’re out of the game. They are opportunities for God to show us He’s God. So, regardless of what we’re facing, we must rely on God’s wisdom.

Relying on God’s Wisdom With such an amazing track record for making films, it’s hard not to wonder what film the Kendrick brothers will do next.

But if you ask them, they’ll tell you it’s not really up to them. “We have a number of scripts and plots...but what we tend to do is go through what we call a season of prayer,” explains Alex. “Basically, we say, ‘God, what do you want us to do next?’ Whenever he prompts us to go in a certain direction, we follow that direction because we desire His blessing on our projects more than anything else.” The brothers also rely on God’s wisdom when it comes to working together.

“So, the way we tend to operate is with a point man mentality. Basically, each of us has different sets of God-given strengths, so whatever aspect we’re working on, the brother with that strength tends to be the point man, and the other two brothers support him.” Alex continues, “I’m not a very good producer. They make sure all the elements come together to make the film.

Stephen is best at that, so he produces. I’m really focused on the story. So, all aspects of the story— the characters, how it’s visually told and directed and edited—are all

elements I work on. Shannon doesn’t like the limelight, but he’s the most structured, organized, and administrative. So, we support Shannon as he helps us with our company structure and making sure we’re legally appropriate.”

Instead of relying on their own wisdom to get it all done, they operate in a fashion similar to the Trinity—one mission but three distinct persons, with different attributes.

More than We Can Ask or Imagine

The Kendrick brothers’ lives are a prime example of how when we follow God, He really is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think.

Be sure to check out Overcomer in theaters this August. Let it inspire you to follow God’s lead so you too can be an overcomer, living a life that exemplifies Ephesians 3:20, one of Stephen’s favorite verses. He paraphrases, “Through Jesus, we have boldness. And He can do more than we can ask or think or imagine,” adding, “God can do so much through us, through the Holy Spirit within us... As much as we can imagine and pray for, God can do more than that.”

# Students

Average Class Size

School Bus

Religious Affiliation*

Woodstock

$4,500 $13,750

K5 - 12th

Bridge Program for mild learning challenges

375

17

N/A

C

Community Christian School

Canton

$4,750 $5,000

K5 - 8th

N/A

50

< 12

N/A

C

K - 12th

University-model school

490

16

N/A

C

School Name

Special Needs/ Specialty Programs

Grades

Cherokee Christian Schools

E= Episcopal L= Lutheran CT= Catholic P= Presbyterian B= Baptist C= Christian - No denomonational affiliation

Location

Annual Tuition

*Key: Religious Affiliation:

REGION 1: NORTHWEST

Kindergarten

$3,900;

Cornerstone Preparatory Academy

See ad on page 26 for more info.

Acworth

Covenant Christian School

Smyrna

$6,692 $10,654

K4 - 8th

N/A

160

12 - 15

N/A

C

Dominion Christian School

Marietta

$8,900 $9,900

6th - 12th

N/A

200

16

N/A

C

Eastside Christian School

Marietta

$9,220 $9,500

K – 8th

Discovery Program – additional support for small learning gaps

200

12 - 14

Coming Soon

B

Excel Christian Academy

Emerson

$7,020 9,180

PreK - 12th

N/A

170

10 - 15

Yes, Rockmart shuttle in the AM

C

Faith Lutheran School

Marietta

$8,800

12 month 8th

SB-1- scholarship, financial assistance

190

12

N/A

C

Kennesaw

$2,020 $7,440

PK2 - 5th

School-wide STEAM and fine arts; basic coding in PK.

126

8 - 10

N/A

C

Powder Springs

$1,788 $7,368

K3 - 8th

N/A

300

14 - 18

N/A

P

Kennesaw

$3,874 $19,623

PK3 - 12th

Directed studies for learning differences and mild Dyslexia, speech therapy, Project Lead The Way®

1,100

12

Yes, northwest metro areas

C

First Baptist Christian School See ad on page 22 for more info.

Midway Covenant Christian School Mount Paran Christian School See ad on page 26 for more info.

1st-12th $170 per semster hour

School Bus

Pathways program for learning support

630+

18

Yes, routes from Smyrna, Dunwoody, Roswell, and Woodstock

C

Kennesaw

$5,180 $15,880

K3 - 12th

Moving Forward Program

920

16

Yes, 10 morning pick up locations

C

Powder Springs

$5,600 $7,000

K3 - 12th

Mosaic Program, fine arts

280

15

N/A

C

Kennesaw

$4,425 $8,900

K3 - 12th

Directed studies program that assists students with mild learning disabilities

154

10

N/A

B

Smyrna

$7,930 $15,200

2yrs - 8th

Spanish as part of core curriculum

485

20

N/A

C/E

Kennesaw

$7,990

K - 8th

Tuition assistance available

340

18

N/A

CT

Marietta

$7,099 $9,230

K - 8th

N/A

440

24

N/A

CT

The Cumberland School

Austell and Powder Springs

$4,230 $9,990

PreK3 - 12th

N/A

300

16

Yes, Limited

C

The King’s Academy

Woodstock

$3,735 $4,320

K - 12th

JROTC, fine arts, CTAE in coordination with Chattahoochee Tech

960

21

N/A

C / ND

The Stonehaven School

Marietta

$3,600 $10,600

K - 8th, adding 9th in 2020

N/A

140

15

N/A

C

Whitefield Academy

Smyrna

$10,900 $24,000

PreK - 12th

N/A

850

19

Yes, Buckhead area

C

Annual Tuition

Religious Affiliation*

Average Class Size

K - 12th

Special Needs/ Specialty Programs

$10,731 $15,562

School Name

Grades

Marietta

E= Episcopal L= Lutheran CT= Catholic P= Presbyterian B= Baptist C= Christian - No denomonational affiliation

Location

# Students

*Key: Religious Affiliation:

REGION 1: NORTHWEST CONTINUED Mt. Bethel Christian Academy See ad on page 21 for more info.

North Cobb Christian School Praise Academy Shiloh Hills Christian School St. Benedict’s Episcopal School See ad on page 25 for more info.

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School St. Joseph Catholic School

See ad on page 22 for more info.

# Students

Average Class Size

School Bus

Religious Affiliation*

$6,300

K - 12th

N/A

40

6 - 10

N/A

B

Dunwoody Christian School

Sandy Springs

$7,000 $11,000

K - 3rd

On-site speech and occupational therapy

13

7

Pickup for local after school program

C

Hebron Christian Academy

Dacula

$6,000 $18,400

K4 - 12th

N/A

925

18

Yes

C

Heritage Preparatory School

Atlanta

$16,760

Pre-K - 8th grade, adding an Upper School in 2021

N/A

165

12

N/A

C

Johns Creek

$8,670

K - 8th

N/A

456

25 - 28

N/A

CT

540

12 - 22

N/A

CT

School Name

Special Needs/ Specialty Programs

Grades

Dunwoody

E= Episcopal L= Lutheran CT= Catholic P= Presbyterian B= Baptist C= Christian - No denomonational affiliation

Location

Annual Tuition

*Key: Religious Affiliation:

REGION 2: NORTHEAST Crossroads Christian Academy

Holy Redeemer Catholic School Holy Spirit Preparatory School

Notre Dame Academy Perimeter School Pinecrest Academy Providence Christian Academy St. Martin’s Episcopal School Wesleyan School

Buckhead and Sandy Springs

$6,400 $24,780

6 months 12th

Yes, for students with some mild, language-based learning needs

Duluth

$8,179 $16,237

PreK2 - 12th

Father Colin Program for students with learning differences

500+

18

Yes

CT

Johns Creek

$7,820 $13,055

K - 8th

Dyslexia program for grades 3 - 5

520

12 - 16

N/A

P

Cumming

$9,180 $18,470

PreK3 - 12th

PARC Learning Support Program

700

20 - 24

N/A

C

Lilburn

$8,800 $18,000

K - 12th

STEM; academic support

700

13

N/A

C

Brookhaven

$12,700 $23,350

Toddlers 8th

Kairos Learning Center

600

20

Yes, Dunwoody

E

Peachtree Corners

$17,440 $24,900

K - 12th

N/A

1,177

11 - 20

Yes

C

Kits

TM TM

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER. Leave the school supply shopping to us.

SchoolBoxKits.com

A Few Clicks & Back-to-School Shopping is DONE! • Name Brands You Trust • Teacher Approved Supplies • Satisfaction Guaranteed Conveniently Shipped to Home

Annual Tuition

Grades

# Students

Average Class Size

School Bus

Religious Affiliation*

Creekside Christian Academy

Hampton and McDonough

$6,250 average

K3 - 12th

Limited

835

18

N/A

C

Community Christian School

Stockbridge

$9,700

6 weeks 12th

N/A

750

16

N/A

C

Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy

McDonough

$4,068 $13,944

K3 - 12th

MERIT student support services. EXCEL – for exceptional learners, School of Fine Arts open to home-school families

1,005

14

Yes/Limited

B

Strong Rock Christian School

Locust Grove

$13,680

PreK3 - 12th

Learning Lab for academic support

828

Student faculty ratio 11:1

N/A

C

E= Episcopal L= Lutheran CT= Catholic P= Presbyterian B= Baptist C= Christian - No denomonational affiliation

School Name

Special Needs/ Specialty Programs

Location

*Key: Religious Affiliation:

REGION 3: South

SPECIALTY SCHOOLS Gracepoint

See ad on page 26 for more info.

Marietta

$23,000

1st - 8th

Specializing in dyslexia

120

5-8

N/A

C

Jacob’s Ladder School and Therapy Center

Roswell

$35,000 $55,000

Pre-K - 12th

Brain-based special needs program. Individualized programming

125

1:1 or small groups

N/A

N/A

Openings in select grades for the 2019-2020 school year!

• • • • •

2 years - 8th grade Spanish included in Core Curriculum Moderate Tuition Collaborative Learning Environment Episcopal Identity Values of Faith, Love and Respect for Diversity Contact us for a tour and admissions information.

678-279-4300 stbs.org

2160 Cooper Lake Road Smyrna, GA 30080

mtparanschool.com/experience

WEEKLY WEDNESDAY TOURS AT 10 A.M.

Local Spotlight

DISSECTING WITH BRENDA FITZGERALD

By Sharita Hanley

F

or many, the word dyslexia leads to fear, confusion, anxiety, misunderstanding, and hopelessness. It stirs lots of questions, including, “Why?” But it doesn’t have to be this way. With proper training and resources, parents, teachers, principals, tutors, and even family and friends can come to fully understand what dyslexia is, its characteristics, and how those affected by it can overcome it to attain and maintain successful lives.

We sat down with Brenda Fitzgerald, an expert Dyslexic Curriculum Specialist, to help us dissect dyslexia using her 30 years of experience. Brenda is the Executive Director of Georgia’s Educational Training Agency and is also a founding member of GRACEPOINT School, Georgia’s premier Christian academy for dyslexic learners.

What exactly is dyslexia?

“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in its origin,” Brenda explains, acknowledging that it is not a general term to be used lightly. “It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition, low reading comprehension levels, and poor spelling abilities. It’s focused all around the phonological module,” she continues, emphasizing how that specific component of the brain is responsible for holding sounds of language long enough to read, write, and spell them. Phonemes, as they are scientifically called, are distinct units of sound that distinguish words from other words. While we only have 26 letters of the alphabet, there are 44 phonemes, or unique sounds.

And those sounds are represented by various letters and letter combinations. (Think of the letter “f ” and all the spellings that make that sound: “f ” as in far, “ff ” as in cliff, “ph” as in phone, “gh” as in enough, “lf ” as in half, “ft” as in often). Those suffering from dyslexia do not automatically grasp the various language sounds, so when it comes to reading, writing, or spelling them, they struggle.

“It’s definitely a genetic trait...and often times, is misdiagnosed as attention deficit,” she shares, revealing one in five children has dyslexia. “Actually, about 18% of kids that have dyslexia also have what we call a comorbid [two or more disorders in the same person] issue with attention deficit.”

Brenda adds, “Another thing that’s important for parents to know is that dyslexia can’t be cured. But with early intervention and evidence-based remediation and the proper accommodations, dyslexics can be extremely successful in all areas of their lives.”

DYSLEXIA Early intervention, of course, requires that parents and teachers know what to look for.

What are some warning signs?

According to Brenda, the first thing parents should take note of is family history. “Usually the family history won’t say ‘dyslexia,’ but how people will share it is by saying things like, ‘You know, my brother struggled in school’ or ‘My dad has difficulty with spelling or reading, and he struggles a little bit.’ That really is a red flag,” Brenda points out, considering dyslexia is a genetic trait.

“The other thing you can start looking for in preschool is the fundamental building block of words. So, in those early years, about four years of age, if the child is still leaving out phonemes in a word, adding phoneme sounds to a word—for example, if they’re still saying “sghetti” instead of, “spaghetti”—or if they’re transposing words when they speak and putting the second syllable before the first syllable, those are all things parents can look for,” she explains, adding, “Because right now, we’re not looking at a child at four and their ability to read, write, and spell because we haven’t started building that academic house yet, but we have started building oral language.” Also, at four, the child who has great difficulty remembering how to write his or her name (one day they remember and the next they don’t) may show other signs of dyslexia. Brenda adds, “Another key thing you’re looking for, at four-and-a-half to five years old is: does the child rhyme?”

“Then, when they get older, when they get to be five, six, seven,” she continues, “are they able to give those basic sounds of consonants and the short vowel sounds? Are they able to hone those sounds, manipulate those sounds, hold those sounds long enough to memory to attach them to a symbol? If a teacher says, ‘You know, they’re having some difficulty with that,’ and ‘They don’t particularly like to read,’ and they’re the ones in class having difficulty with sight words, those are the things you’re looking for in kindergarten.”

Dyslexia is unique compared to other learning disabilities because it does not impact children’s thinking and reasoning. “That’s critical for parents to know. But because of retrieval issues, it will look as if it is interfering with their IQ, and it may look as if this child is not as smart as they are, but their cognitive ability and reasoning is not impacted,” Brenda emphasizes. “Often times, they are genius level in perceptual reasoning. So, that’s why you see a lot of doctors, architects, engineers, and teachers and artists with dyslexia. They are brilliant. We just have to get them to break that code.” july/august 2019

27

develop those gifts, the better it’s going to be,” Brenda professes, pointing out that remediation is critical but that developing the young one’s strengths and talents is equally as vital. “In general, dyslexic kids are phenomenal about seeing the big picture. They usually excel in math and are great engineers, mathematicians, artists, dancers, athletes, and architects. I can’t tell you how many physicians tell me they’re dyslexic.”

What are remediation and accommodation?

Once parents have accomplished all of the above, it’s time to remediate and accommodate. “It’s never too late to remediate,” Brenda emphasizes. “It’s hard to remediate later, but never too late.”

If they don’t, Brenda warns that by third grade, children may really suffer. “That’s because they can no longer keep up with the pace. They understand those heavy literary concepts, but they just can’t fully grasp the words to read and spell them, and that interferes with comprehension,” she says, further describing the effects, “So, they will miss and guess and add words, and their spelling will be poor. Their reading fluency and reading speed might also not be there.” Another warning sign Brenda points out: “Parents will especially notice poor comprehension when their child reads something, but when something is read to them, their comprehension will be excellent.” While all of these symptoms may sound overwhelming, there is hope.

What to do if dyslexia is suspected?

According to Brenda, the very first thing to do is educate yourself.

“Part of educating yourself would be going to the Understanding Dyslexia class, put on by the Georgia Educational Training Agency, and picking up Dr. Sally Shaywitz’s book Overcoming Dyslexia.

Those are two of the more solid resources.”

The second thing to do is get a psychological evaluation. “Not all psychologists know it well, and in public schools, it isn’t tested as thoroughly, so that needs to be a private evaluation,” Brenda asserts, clarifying that a private assessment will deeply probe to determine if a child has expressive, receptive language or if he or she has dyslexia.

Third, find a tutor. “You can go to any school where the teachers understand dyslexia and the teachers are trained,” she explains, admitting her favorite curriculums are The Complete Reading Series, which she personally wrote, and other structured reading programs that focus on all five areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Parents can also search for tutors on the International Dyslexia Association and Wilson Language Training websites.

“The fourth and final thing is really recognize the gift of your child because God has blessed this child with gifts. The more you can

To help us understand remediation, she offers an analogy: “Remediation is literally the antibiotic used. For example, if your child has strep throat, and you take them to the doctor, the physician is not going to give that child an aspirin. They’re going to give them the right remediate, the right antibiotic… specifically for strep throat. Not only will they give them the right antibiotic, they’re going to give it to them for the right period of time.”

Brenda continues, “So, when we talk about remediation, we really are talking about the correct instructional practices, the correct curriculum, which includes the right amount of workbooks and the timeframe in which we administer that. It also includes the training of the teacher, so be sure to consider what kind of training the teacher or homeschool parent had.”

Next, she describes accommodation as the alternative support granted to the individual, “like more time to finish the test, more time to do the homework assignment.” She emphasizes, “It’s very important that both remediation and accommodations are addressed.”

A dedicated advocate at your service Having trained more than 10,000 teachers over the last 30 years, Brenda Fitzgerald is a dedicated advocate for those with dyslexia and their families. She wrote The Complete Reading Series for parents and teachers wanting to help but not knowing how to do it. She has even been asked to speak and testify before the Senate Committee and is on the Dyslexia Task Force.

It’s not something she planned, but she’s dedicated her life to it and gives God all the glory.

“He’s opened every door,” she testifies, sharing, “We’re having a conversation with universities and maybe even changing what they’re teaching young teachers coming out of education programs about how to handle dyslexia and how to better prepare schools and teachers. You know, that’s the power of God. Only He could do that.”

Very true indeed. Thanks to the giftings He has given people like Brenda Fitzgerald and the doors He continues to open, children do not have to be defined and defeated by dyslexia but can learn to triumph over it.

july/august 2019

29

Coming Together

By Kenneth Copeland

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:13

I

f you know how to listen to the voice of God, you can hear Him calling throughout the Body of Christ today. He is calling for unity. He is calling us to lay down our disagreements and come together in preparation for Jesus' return.

Just the thought of that scares some believers.

"How can I unify with someone from another denomination?" they say. "I'm not going to give up my doctrines and agree with theirs just for unity's sake!"

What they don't realize is this: scriptural unity isn't based on doctrine.

Winds of doctrine, according to Ephesians 4:14, are childish. Winds of doctrine don't unify. They divide and blow people in every direction. The Word doesn't say anything about us coming into the unity of our doctrines. It says we'll come into the unity of the faith.

In the past, we've failed to understand that and tried to demand doctrinal unity from each other anyway.

"If you don't agree with me on the issue of tongues," we've said, "or on the timing of the Rapture...or on the proper depth for baptismal waters, I won't accept

you as a brother in the Lord. I'll break fellowship with you."

But that's not God's way of doing things. He doesn't have a long list of doctrinal demands for us to meet.

His requirements are simple. First John 3:23 tells us what they are:Â to believe on the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.

Once you and I come to a place where we keep those requirements and quit worrying about the rest, we'll be able to forget our denominational squabbles and come together in the unity of faith. We'll grow so strong together that the winds of doctrine won't be able to drive us apart.

When that happens, the devil's going to panic because the unity of the faith of God's people is a staggering thing. It's the most unlimited, powerful thing on earth.

Right now all over the world, the Spirit is calling the Church of the living God to unite. Hear Him and obey, and you can be a part of one of the most magnificent moves of God this world has ever seen.

Scripture Reading: Psalms 132:13-18, 133 Reprinted with permission from Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

GOODlife Travel

St. Simons Island By: Autumn Burr

A Coastal Destination with Historical Charm “Welcome to St. Simons Island, Georgia,” the sign reads as you cross the threshold onto the largest of the state’s Golden Isles, leaving behind the busyness of life on the mainland. But the sign is almost unnecessary. The true welcome comes from the massive centuries-old Southern Live Oak trees, dripping with Spanish moss, that usher you in and make their presence all throughout the island.

Coupled with the charming cottage-style architecture that is required by ordinance to remain beneath the tree line to preserve the unspoiled beauty of the island, the mesmerizing, lightdappled tree canopies give you an almost instant sense of peace.

Moreover, they invite you to make your stay more than just another beach vacation but also a journey through history.

Photo Credit: Kristen Bland

Whether you’re a history buff or not, you’ll find it fascinating to step foot in places of significance from even before the United States became a nation. You can explore the archeological remnants of Fort Frederica, built in 1736

by James Oglethorpe, founder of the Georgia colony, and also see the battle site where he and his British troops crafted a surprise attack in 1742 to defeat the Spanish invaders from the then-called La Florida, forever ending Spanish attempts to conquer the colony.

Tr e a s u r e d L a n d m a r k s With many key historical events and landmarks, St. Simons and its people embrace their vivid past and offer a variety of ways to share it with you.

Photo Credit: Kristen Bland

During that same time period, John Wesley—who later founded Methodism—and his

july/august 2019

31

brother Charles, came to spread the gospel to the natives, preaching under an oak tree on the plot of land where later Christ Church, which has its own storied past, was founded in 1806. You can visit this stunning and revered landmark, enjoying the tranquility of its grounds, entering and learning about the historic church building, and exploring the cemetery where you’ll find the graves of many of the island’s early settlers. Nearby is the beautiful First African Baptist Church, built in 1859, where slaves from plantations throughout the island would congregate to worship.

Another treasured landmark is the St. Simons lighthouse.. Constructed in 1872, after the original one from 1810 was destroyed during the Civil War, it is one of the oldest continuously active lighthouses in the US, although unmanned since the 1950s. The keeper’s dwelling was converted into a museum where you can explore some interesting artifacts and period rooms before climbing the steps to the top of the lighthouse for spectacular views of the ocean and nearby Jekyll Island. It is the perfect vantage point to see the island’s famous pier and seaside village below, full of fun shops and delightful restaurants. You also get a clear view of Neptune Park (named after a heroic, loyal slave), which is a family attraction with a playground, water activities, mini-golf, and more.

Courtesy of King and Prince Resort

What more fitting and convenient way to visit and hear captivating stories about these and other historic places than by taking a tour on a vintage-style trolley?? You can choose from several highly-rated companies that conduct these tours, one of which is operated by Cap Fendig,, whose family lineage on the island can be traced back nearly two centuries. Or if you’d prefer to explore on your own, you could rent a bicycle and meander along the many bike paths throughout the island.

Photo Credit: Kristen Bland

Photo C redit

A Historic Retreat Of course, you can’t get a thorough taste of St. Simons’ history without spending some time at the legendary King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort.

Built in 1935 as a private club, the prestigious Mediterranean-style retreat with amazing oceanfront views opened to the public in 1941. The next year, it was commandeered by the US Navy as a radar station and home for naval personnel during World War II after German U-boats were sighted off the Georgia coast. Since reopening as a resort in 1947, it has continued to expand and renovate to maintain its tradition of grandeur, adding a variety of gracious accommodations over the years.

It offers a selection ranging from standard rooms to separate rental houses with up to five bedrooms, even some dog-friendly options, to accommodate couples, families, and groups with varying needs and budgets. As a guest, you’ll relish its serene seaside pools and stunning sunrise views.

32

goodlifemagazine.org

Bland

ST. SIMONS ISL AND

: Kristen

Photo C redit

: Kristen

Resort Photo Credit: King and Prince

Bland

A Natural Legacy

A F o o d i e ’s Pa ra d i s e Even the King and Prince’s oceanfront restaurant, opened in 2014, carries on its historical

Photo Credit: Kristen Bla nd

traditions, with its name, ECHO, giving a nod to its naval history and with its menus filled with classic coastal fare with a contemporary twist, such as its outstanding shrimp and grits.

In fact, many of the island’s 65+ dining establishments, with very few being chain restaurants, embrace their roots in traditional Southern cuisine, while adding

SPRING INSPECTION Expires 08/31/19.

Expires 08/31/19.

a modern flair—making St. Simons a foodie’s paradise.

Don’t miss an exquisite dinner at Georgia Sea Grill, Grill where the majority of their ingredients are locally sourced and every dish is “to die for.” For a healthy and unique lunch, as well as educational experience, check out Golden Isles Olive Oil, Oil surrounded by boutique shops in Redfern Village. Mullet Bay, one of the many great dining options in the Pier Village, offers a huge porch and a varied menu that, despite its name, goes far beyond seafood. And right on the island’s traffic circle, you can’t miss the acclaimed antiquegas-station-turned-restaurant, Southern Soul Barbeque.

Winner of Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorites Auto Mechanic 2017 • 2018

Perhaps the most important historical legacy of the island—and the whole Georgia coast—is its unique and essential ecosystem. The state passed an act in 1970 to protect the area’s iconic marshlands, recognizing them as a “vital natural resource system” for the survival of marine life and wildlife. Today, you can explore and appreciate the environment in numerous

ways, including dolphin cruises, fishing charters, kayak tours, and other ecoadventures.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to revel in the area’s nature out on the beach, riding a bicycle or walking your dog, as you enjoy the sand, surf, shells, and sea birds.

However you decide to enjoy St. Simons Island, come so that you too can become a part of its rich history.

Winner of the Reader’s Choice Best Auto Repair 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2016 Expires 08/31/19.

Expires 08/31/19.

Awarded the #1 team

in Cobb County by the Cobb Association of Realtors

You’re moving and you’re going to need boxes.

We have you covered there too!

Complimentary Boxes for Moving

The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team with Keller Williams is the trusted choice for your concierge real estate experience • • • •

Top of the line marketing Latest technology Downsizing program Expert knowledge and experience

• Professional experts on real estate investment properties • Over 1,600 positive online reviews • Numerous accolades both locally and nationally

Get a FREE Home Valuation, Call Today! | (404) 585-8881 | 2249 ROSWELL RD. MARIETTA

WWW.JANICEOVERBECK.COM

Each office is independently owned and operated (770) 509-0700

Driveways Sidewalks Patios Retaining Walls and More! www.CEL-Concrete.com

770-765-5282

Created by the founder of

Make way for life-changing, memory-making, adventure-taking, awesomeness!

The place for fun and faith with over-the-top intentionality.

WinShape creates next-level camps that turn summers into meaningful experiences for campers of all ages. Camp is the place where friendships take root, personal growth is front and center and faith runs through all you do—camp is the place for life-changing, memory-making, and adventure-taking awesomeness. Whether you’re looking for an overnight camp experience or a day camp right in your community, WinShape provides the space to flourish. Plus, we’re paying 50% for first-time overnight campers!

For dates and locations, visit WinShapeCamps.org

Lip Smackin', Hip Shakin' Family Fun

FRI, AUG 23 6pm - 10pm

SAT, AUG 24 10am - 10pm

KENNESAW'S ADAMS PARK Free Admission

PANDORA'S BOX THE ULTIMATE AEROSMITH TRIBUTE

SATURDAY 8 PM

SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY FUN LIVE MUSIC BEER VENDING HELICOPTER RIDES

KID ZONE ZIPLINE FIREWORKS EXHIBITORS

MORE INFO: PIGSANDPEACHES.COM

GOODlife Magazine Floor & Decor A Formal Image Limousines Power Home Remodeling Jim Ellis Volkswagen & KIA of Kennesaw Knox Pest Control ADIO Chiropractic The Hathaway Agency Farmer's Insurance Ryan Family Chiropractic Kennesaw Pediatrics AND MORE!