GOODlife Magazine March/April 2019 - Nicole C Mullen

Summer

Camp Guide

Your Job & The Gospel

Nicole C. Mullen Conqeuring Life with Joyce Meyer

SPRING INSPECTION Expires 04/30/19.

Expires 04/30/19.

Winner of Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorites Auto Mechanic 2017 • 2018

Winner of the Reader’s Choice Best Auto Repair 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2016 Expires 04/30/19.

Expires 04/30/19.

CONTENTS 06

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BECOME A CONQUERER IN LIFE Living victoriously no matter what life throws at you

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GOODlife SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Overnight Christ-focused camps in North Georgia

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UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE OF SUCCESS Developing long-term focus in a “want it now” culture

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6 WAYS THE GOSPEL CHANGES YOUR WORK For believers, faith and work are inseparable

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GOODlife EVENTS Upcoming local events with activities for all ages

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HE IS NOT DEAD Victories of the resurrection to celebrate this Easter GOODlife TRAVEL Encore at Reunion: Vacation home community in Orlando

17 FEATURED COVER: NICOLE C. MULLEN After personal heartbreak, the award-winning artist experiences the faithfulness and goodness of her Redeemer like never before.

Publisher / Editor Kristen Bland

Creative Director Gabriel Bland

Contributing Writer Sharita Hanley

Assistant Editor Autumn Burr

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 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.

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EVENTS Born Again Blessings Children’s Consignment Sale

Friday, March 8 from 9am-7pm, and Saturday, March 9 from 9am-noon Riverstone Church, Kennesaw Children’s and maternity clothes, shoes, toys, nursery items, baby equipment, furniture, and more!

bornagainblessings.com

Together Special Needs Ministry Conference

Saturday, March 9 from 8:15am–4pm Mount Paran Church, Atlanta The Together Conference is open to all special needs ministry leaders, children’s and youth pastors/directors, church staff, volunteers, and parents. Jillian Palmiotto and the Mount Paran Family Ministry will be sharing tips to help you start or improve your church’s special needs ministry.

Georgia Bridal Show

Sunday, March 10 from 12-5pm Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta Your dream wedding begins here! You’ve been online searching wedding ideas and trends. Now it’s time to see all of this come to life at the Georgia Bridal Show. Meet face-to-face with wedding professionals and find everything you need in one place and in one day!

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular Saturday, March 16 at 6pm (Doors open 5pm) Jam Nation: 3:30pm State Farm Arena, Atlanta Come see Newsboys United, Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Rend Collective, Ledger, Newsong, Hollyn, and more on a round 360-degree stage, like never before!

MercyMe’s “Imagine Nation Tour”

Sunday, March 17 at 7pm Macon Centreplex Coliseum, Macon Comprises the multi-platinum selling band with Crowder and Micah Tyler.

Spring Atlanta Home Show

Friday - Sunday, March 22-24 Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta Over 350 exhibitors in the home remodeling and outdoor living industries will offer expertise, services, and products designed to remodel, repair, and refresh homes of all sizes and styles. It’s one-stop shopping for everything from the roof to the basement and from interiors to landscapes, as well as live radio broadcasts and presentations on a variety of subjects.

atlantahomeshow.com

Secret Keeper Girl – Mother-Daughter Event

Friday, March 22 from 6:30-9pm First Baptist Church Woodstock The all-new Secret Keeper Girl Masterpiece World Tour teaches you and your daughter to reframe the way you look at the world and yourselves! Learn the secrets of modesty and true beauty, while connecting with your daughter and digging into God’s Word. Discover that you are a masterpiece created by God, and every masterpiece must be protected. Live event for girls ages 7-12 on modesty and true beauty.

fbcw.org/events

Born To Be Brave – One Night FatherSon Adventure Friday, March 22 from 6:30-9pm First Baptist Church Woodstock Learn to lead your son in becoming a godly man. Whether you are a father or father figure, grab your son and join us for a night of adventure, the Wheel of Destruction, 2,000 ping pong balls, the high energy live worship music of Allan Scott Band, and digging into God’s Word.

fbcw.org/events

Come To The Table Tour

Thursday, March 28 at 7pm Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta Come for a night of laughter, digging into Scripture, and cooking around the table together. Have you ever doubted that you’re welcome at the table? Afraid to even try?

Unsure what community and faith look like? Join Danielle Walker, Angie Smith, and Annie Downs for a new kind of experience than you’ve had before.

ComeToTheTableTour.com

Casting Crowns – Only Jesus Tour

Friday, March 29 at 7pm First Baptist Church Woodstock Casting Crowns with Zach Williams and Austin French Ticket Outlet: Church office, during regular business hours or charge-by-phone: 1-855484-1991

Hip Hop Hooray Easter Egg Hunt Spring Backyard Campout

Saturday, March 30 at 5pm – Sunday, March 31 at 9am Swift-Cantrell Park, Kennesaw Enjoy camping under the night sky, along with backyard games, field activities, discovery stations, and campfire entertainment, featuring professional storytelling, stargazing, and s’mores.

The Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo

Saturday - Sunday, March 30-31 Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta The GFAF Expos are the largest and fastestgrowing special diet consumer events in the US. Attendees can sample hundreds of gluten-free products, receive coupons and discounted products available for purchase, attend informative classes related to the gluten- and allergen-free lifestyle, and meet their favorite food manufacturers, authors, and bloggers. All vendors at the Expo are 100% gluten-free and many will also showcase products free from the top eight allergens.

gfafexpo.com/expos/atlanta

Classic Car Cruise

Saturday, March 30 from 4-9pm Main Street Acworth The Lake City Cruisers partner with the city and the downtown Acworth merchants to hold Classic Car Cruises. The event is free to the public. A $2 entry fee is requested for all vehicles in the cruise. All proceeds go to the Horizon Field, an all-inclusive special needs sports facility in Acworth.

The Acworth Art Fest

Saturday - Sunday, April 6-7 Main Street, Acworth Come visit over 100 whimsical and talented artisans from around the country. The event also includes an energetic Kidz Zone filled with fun activities that make smiles bloom and wonderful food from Acworth’s own eateries.

John Crist – The Human Being Tour

Sunday, April 14 at 1:30pm or 7:30pm Fox Theatre, Atlanta Comedian and viral sensation, John Crist, with Dustin Nickerson, Aaron Weber, and DJ Mykael V.

Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, Powder Springs Sunday, April 14 FREE Easter Egg Hunt and Family Fun Fair hosted by BHBC Kids! Egg hunts for toddlers through 5th grade held at 4:15, 4:45, 5:15, and 5:45; and a special needs egg hunt at 5:45. There will be lots of inflatables, including a special preschool inflatable area, a rock-climbing wall, crafts, a unique scavenger hunt called “Eggstravaganza,” and snacks.

Big Shanty Festival

Saturday - Sunday, April 20-21 Main Street, Kennesaw Come enjoy the 43rd annual Superior Plumbing Kennesaw/Big Shanty Festival.

The downtown Kennesaw area will be transformed into a giant family-friendly festival with a variety of activities to entertain all ages.

Teach Them Diligently Convention

Wednesday - Saturday, April 24-27 Infinite Energy Center, Duluth Premier gospel-oriented, discipleship-based homeschool event is coming to Atlanta.

Come see Ken Ham, Ray Comfort, and a host of other great homeschool speakers.

There will be a huge curriculum hall devoted to bringing families the best in resources to homeschool their children.

teachthemdiligently.net

Spring Jonquil Festival

Saturday - Sunday, April 27-28 Village Green, Smyrna Located on the beautiful Village Green in downtown Smyrna, Georgia, the festival features 150 arts & crafts booths, 12 food booths, plenty of children’s activities, and a local entertainment stage. The show will draw crowds of around 25,000 people. Show hours are 10am - 6pm on Saturday and 12 noon - 5pm on Sunday. Admission is FREE.

Hillsong UNITED

Friday, May 3 at 7:30pm State Farm Arena, Atlanta Concert featuring Hillsong UNITED, with Amanda Lindsey Cook and Mack Brock.

Canton Festival of the Arts

Saturday - Sunday, May 4-5 Held in Brown Park in historic downtown Canton, the 16th annual festival features a juried Artist Market, live entertainment, make-and-take art stations, and a food court.

With the charm of a historic river town, Canton offers views of the North Georgia Mountains and provides a delightful setting for the festival. This event is produced by the Cherokee Arts Center, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching community life through the arts, and serves as the organization’s primary fundraiser.

Drive Conference 2019

Monday, May 6 at 11am - Tuesday, May 7 at 3:30pm North Point Community Church, Alpharetta Drive Conference is a two-day event for church leaders. Think of Drive as a rest stop to inspire, equip, and refuel you for the road ahead. Andy Stanley and North Point’s leading communicators will be sharing their latest learnings and tools to help you take your ministry further faster.

Smoke on the Lake Barbecue Festival

Friday - Saturday, May 10-11 Cauble Park on Lake Acworth The festival features a Friday night Lord of the Wings competition, followed by a concert under the stars starting at 8pm. On Saturday, teams from all over the Southeast will compete in professional and amateur divisions to see who will take home the title this year. The Saturday event will feature another people’s choice competition where you get to be the judge. The event is hosted by the Rotary Club of North Cobb and the City of Acworth. All proceeds will be distributed amongst several local charities.

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Become a Conqueror in Life!

By Joyce Meyer

Get the power to overcome problems that weigh you down

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Romans 8:37 Romans 8:37 says that Christians are “more than conquerors” in this world. But do we really know what it means to be more than a conqueror? I know it took many years for me to learn how to live the victorious life Jesus died to give us as believers.

There were many years when I went to church faithfully every week, yet my private life was pathetic. It was so frustrating because I really loved God and was a bornagain believer, but I wasn’t experiencing victory over the problems in my life so that I could really live for God and help people.

But as I grew in my personal relationship with Christ and spent time studying the Word, I came to understand what it means to be more than a conqueror and how I could get there. And if I can do it, so can you!

To be more than a conqueror means that, before you ever get a problem, you already know that whatever problem comes your way, you can overcome it through Christ.

You live with confidence that God loves you no matter what and that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

When you have this kind of relationship with Christ, you aren’t constantly afraid of bad news or of things that may happen that aren’t in your plan. When the unexpected happens or you’re disappointed, you won’t be devastated by it.

See, when you get a revelation of who you are in Christ, you know that with Christ on the inside of you, there is nothing that can happen that’s more than you are because there’s nothing that’s too much for Him! First John 4:4 confirms it: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (ESV).

It’s so important for us to get this truth down in our hearts and see ourselves as more than conquerors through Christ Jesus because if we don’t, then our enemy, Satan, will be able to confuse us and keep us from victory. And all the enemy wants to do is kill, steal, and destroy what God wants us to have (see John 10:10). He wants to diminish you—make you small-minded and small in spirit so you’ll live a small, frustrated life.

But we don’t have to live that way. Every person who confesses that Christ Jesus is Lord, repents of his sin, and gives his heart to God is a child of God and belongs to Him. In Christ, we are made right with God, we are His righteousness, and we have the power of Christ in us to live right (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Philippians 4:13).

Do you realize what this means? It means that, as we spend time with God in prayer and studying the Bible, we can access the wisdom and strength we need to make right choices and behave right.

It doesn’t happen all at once or overnight, but we will make progress every day that we seek God this way.

I really want you to get this revelation of who you are in Christ as a born-again believer so you won’t be frustrated or discouraged or feel like you’re always under attack and just trying to get through the day. God has more for us than that!

When you make a mistake and the devil comes and tells you, “You’re no good,” you don’t have to take on the guilt and condemnation he wants to put on you. No! You can immediately confess your mistake to God, thank Him for forgiving you and cleansing you with the blood of Jesus, and move forward in the victory of His grace and forgiveness.

God loves you so much! And He wants you to abide in (live in) His love so you will always be confident that He is with you and He is for you. As 1 John 4:17 says, “...as he is so also are we in this world.” That’s the life you have in Christ!

Take time to study scriptures that show you who God really is. Get a deeper understanding of His character and His

heart for you. Spend time with Him, read His Word, and let Him love you.

Know that He loves you unconditionally. He is good. He wants to bless you and help you. When you really have a revelation of this truth, you won’t be tormented by doubts about whether God cares or whether He will take care of you.

Whatever your situation is today, God knows about it. He sees you and hears the cry of your heart. If you will give Him your problems and do what He tells you to do, you will access His overcoming love, grace, and power and be more than a conqueror. Because in Christ, as He is, so are we in this world!

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 100 books and she hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs. 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.

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GOODlife Summer Camp Guide OUR PICKS FOR OVERNIGHT, CHRIST-FOCUSED CAMPS IN THE NORTH GEORGIA AREA

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WinShape Camps Location: Several locations in North Georgia Age groups: Completed 1st - 12th grades, separate camps for girls and boys Length of camp: One- and two-week options Types of activities: Depending on age group and gender—archery, arts and crafts, rock climbing, performing arts, recreation, sports/fitness, science, water activities, sewing, cooking, photography, horseback riding, outdoor adventures/living, team building, Bible study, and much more.

Special focus: WinShape creates next-level camps that turn summers into meaningful experiences for campers, families, and summer staff. 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, a day camp right in your community, or the ultimate summer job, WinShape provides the space to flourish.

Website: www.camps.winshape.org march/april 2019

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Camp Gideon – D24 Camp Location: Lake Allatoona in Acworth, Georgia Age groups: Ages 7 - 13 Length of camp: One week Types of activities: Dynamic chapel times, group games, special theme nights, and engaging electives, such as fishing, canoeing, swimming, paddle boats, rock wall climbing, sports and recreation, crafts, n ​ ature exploration, archery, outdoor cooking,​ dance, and more.

Special focus: D24 is a camping experience that provides opportunities for social, spiritual, and physical growth. D24 provides a place for children to grow in their relationship with God and others, gain confidence and self-esteem, explore God’s creation, learn new skills, and experience fun outdoor activities.

Website: www.campgideon.com

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Camp Highland Location: Ellijay, Georgia Age groups: Rising 4th - 12th grades Length of camp: One week Types of activities: Ropes courses, pond activities (giant slide, blob, kayaks, and paddle boards), rock climbing wall with zip line, giant swing, field games, Bible study, time alone with God, camp-wide “Tribal Time,” activities for specific age groups, such as river tubing, white water rafting, teams challenge course, and day trip to a waterfall.

Special focus: Camp Highland crafts impactful experiences that develop leaders and engage the heart— awakening the authenticity of each person who comes to camp, leaving them changed and refocused on the things that are truly meaningful in life and helping them grow into a deeper relationship with the Savior. In addition to the overnight camps, Highland also runs a day camp in Roswell for rising K – 5th grades.

Website: www.camphighland.com

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Camp Woodmont Location: Cloudland, Georgia, atop Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia Age groups: Ages 6 - 14 Length of camp: One- and two-week options Types of activities: Archery, climbing, horseback riding, crafts, games, and more Special focus: Imagine a home away from home where your child feels secure, welcome, and reassured! That’s Camp Woodmont, an ACA accredited camp in an environment that gives your child a sense of acceptance and belonging. Camp Woodmont’s deep-seeded traditions and family atmosphere help campers make lifelong friends and memories while having an unforgettable experience! Visit their Open House on Sunday, May 19th, from 2 – 5 pm to tour the camp and meet the staff.

Website: www.campwoodmont.com

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Strong Rock Camp Location: Cleveland, Georgia Age groups: Rising 1st - 11th grades Length of camp: Six-day and thirteen-day options, depending on age group Types of activities: Horseback riding, archery, rock wall climbing, blobbing in the lake, canoeing, crazy camp-wide games, hanging out with the coolest college students on the planet, awesome devotions about God Special focus: Strong Rock partners with parents in the quest to raise children who will become contributors to society. It is the perfect setting for helping to shape children and youth into the leaders of tomorrow. Each camper is loved unconditionally and accepted as they are. The counselors are solid Christian role models who encourage campers to become the young men and women that God created them to be.

Website: www.strongrockcamp.com

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Woodlands Camp Location: Cleveland, Georgia Age groups: Ages 6 - 18 Length of camp: One week (Three weeks for SALT training camp for 16 – 18-year-olds) Types of activities: Wild and crazy games, swimming, zip-lining, giant swinging, rock wall climbing, kayaking, paintball, Euro-bungy, various sports, Bible studies and so much more Special focus: Woodlands’ mission is to inspire and equip this generation to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God by providing an unforgettable camp or retreat experience where the presence of God drowns out the world and its influences.

Website: www.woodlandscamp.org

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YMCA Camp High Harbour Location: Lake Allatoona in Acworth, Georgia Age groups: 1st - 9th grades Length of camp: One week (nine sessions offered) Types of activities: Depending on age group—swimming and various watersports, skits, games, singing, devotions, servant leadership training, hiking, ropes course, and much more Special focus: Through a general camp program and two specialty camps, High Harbour teaches many skills that help each camper to develop mentally, physically, and emotionally. In a supportive community of peers and dedicated leaders, each camper has the opportunity to gain independence and accept new responsibilities.

Website: www.ymcaatlanta.org/ymca-locations/camp-high-harbour

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There’s No Off-season For Saving Money.

Check out your local Marietta GEICO office to see what savings are in store this season.

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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2018. © 2018 GEICO

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Don’t RaisE GOOD KIDS By: Jon Bloom

What Total Depravity Really Is That’s why I think one of the best things we parents can do for our children is to teach them the doctrine of total depravity.

Here’s how John Piper puts it in his book Five Points: Towards a Deeper Experience of God’s Grace:

P

arents, don’t raise good kids. I’m a recovering good kid, and I’m here to tell you that the gospel isn’t for good kids.

I was pretty easy for my parents to raise.

I was generally compliant, had a buoyant, warm personality, didn’t get into any serious trouble, was liked by my teachers for the most part, usually did respectably in school, was a leader in my church groups, and had plenty of friends. My adolescent, wild-oat sowing would only generate smirks and eye rolls.

My folks and most adults in my life affirmed me as a good kid, and I believed it—which posed a problem for me: I struggled to grasp the gospel.

Me? Hell?

Though I believe my pre-adolescent conversion was real—God is gracious to produce and honor a small seed of real faith—it was hard to swallow that I was that bad. God showing favor on me in redemption made sense because others had shown favor on me. But it was hard for me to see that this favor was not the approval of a good kid but the pardoning of a condemned sinner. Really? Me deserve hell?

It took quite a while—I am, in fact, still recovering—to see that in reality I was (am) profoundly depraved. Much of my outward good behavior was fueled by evil, selfish motives. Underneath my goodkid veneer was a glory-stealing, envious, covetous, idolatrous, lecherous person.

“

Romans 14:23 says, ‘Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.’ This is a radical indictment of all natural ‘virtue’ that does not flow from a heart humbly relying on God’s grace.

”

The totality of that depravity is clearly not that man does as much evil as he could do. There is no doubt that man could perform more evil acts toward his fellow man than he does. But if he is restrained from performing more evil acts by motives that are not owing to his glad submission to God, then even his “virtue” is evil in the sight of God. Romans 14:23 says, “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” This is a radical indictment of all natural “virtue” that does not flow from a heart humbly relying on God’s grace. (pages 17–18)

Hellions in Compliant Disguise There’s the key: “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Goodness is not behavior that ranks above the median line relative to other sinful people.

Goodness is a fruit of faith (Galatians 5:22).

When good kids’ behavior isn’t flowing from a deep trust in God, they’re being good for bad reasons. They’re just hellions in a compliant disguise.

The good news is that Jesus came to save hellions! But it’s crucial that hellions know they’re hellions, because “those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. [Jesus] came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

So parents, make sure you have a firm grip on the true doctrine of total depravity so that you don’t encourage evil goodness in your children. For apart from Jesus, nothing good dwells in them (Romans 7:18).

Jon Bloom (@Bloom_Jon) serves as author, board chair, and co-founder of Desiring God. He is author of three books, Not by Sight, Things Not Seen, and Don’t Follow Your Heart. He and his wife live in the Twin Cities with their five children.

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upon me at an early age and it was something that I could not have earned. I didn’t deserve it. I was not talented enough to merit His gaze, but He gave it to me.

NICOLE C. MULLEN

“I really feel like God set his love

By this I am reminded of his love towards all of us.”

-Nicole

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Nicole C elebrating New Life Like Never Before

Mullen I

By Sharita Hanley

t doesn’t take anyone long to start belting out the words to “Redeemer” when they hear the name of the award-winning singer, songwriter, and choreographer, Nicole C. Mullen. And although, yes, her Redeemer still lives, the trials she has walked through over the past few years have led her to experience Him like never before. In fact, it was that journey that inspired the title of her most recent full-length album, Like Never Before, which she will feature as she performs along with other beloved Christian artists in the upcoming Greatest Hits Live Tour this spring.

Like Never Before is a breath of bold, vulnerable, unafraid, honest, and real-life air. “Honestly,” she says, pondering for a moment, “this album is like pages from my diary. But it also speaks to redemption. Sometimes, life feels like a night season, but God is faithful and good, and I am content in the season I’m in.” Her night season was a difficult divorce and a not-so-easy transition to single motherhood. But through it all, she’s found new life, unbridled joy, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Jesus speaks broken-hearted-nese,” she laughs.

“He knows what you need. He isn’t afraid of your mess, depression, anxiety, or fear… If I’m honest, that [divorce] is what I feared the most—being a statistic, a single mom, not being able to fully be there for my children—but the Bible says perfect

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“ That ’s why I choose to rejoice and dance again.

He is greater still.”

Made New

love casts out all fear, and I have found perfect love in Christ.” Like Never Before is the story of that journey.

Like a good friend, Nicole walks listeners through hurt, pain, and grief as she describes her own.

But she doesn’t leave them there. Rather, she continues the journey with them, reinvigorating their faith, reminding them of God’s love and the purpose and power of forgiveness, encouraging them to persevere on to experience the joy of new life. “I want people to be healed, released, empowered, and encouraged by these songs,” she explains. That’s exactly what the album does. Though it refuses to shy away from addressing hard times, ultimately, it’s a celebration of new life.

Pain May Endure for a Night At some point or another, we have all been betrayed. Regardless of whether our betrayal is big or small, it thrusts us into a kind of night season that is full of shock, hurt, and pain.

For Nicole, the ultimate betrayal occurred in her marriage. She describes the emotional disturbance of it all on the second track of her album. Like an old blues movie portrayed with a jazzy and soulful feel and a smooth trumpet in the background, “Betrayed with a Kiss,” states it plainly: “You betrayed me with a kiss/love was never meant for this/you broke my heart and

crushed my soul.” But even in the midst of her pain, she clings onto hope and the thought of new life as she goes on to sing: “But I’ll keep on living/I’ll learn to love again/I’ll keep on healing and pray this pain will end.” It really does feel like a page out of Nicole’s diary. It’s an intimate and detailed description of her pain, and listeners, whether they’ve been divorced or not, can almost tangibly feel her brokenness. Hope, however, is not lost.

But Joy Comes in the Morning Just two tracks later, Nicole sings “Greater Still,” one of her favorite songs from the album. Calm, serene, and like a modern day psalm, the ballad softly but powerfully declares that, despite it all, God’s love is greater still. “I’ve walked through the valley, and I’ve seen shadows form/I’ve sung in the darkness ‘til victory returned once more/ I’ve wrestled rejection/And Your love is greater still.” It’s a beautiful declaration of the sustaining power of God, a perfect meditation for those enduring their own night season. “Just trust Him and rely on His wisdom,” Nicole advises for those going through hard times. “The kindness of God never fails,” she continues, admitting it’s one of her favorite attributes of God. “That’s why I choose,” she proclaims, strongly emphasizing the word, “to rejoice and dance again. He is greater still.”

Tests, trials, and night seasons ultimately make us stronger, defining and shaping us in ways we never thought possible. Nicole’s experience was no different. While she was dealing with the aftermath of her divorce, her mother became ill. “The doctors gave a not-so-good report and pushed for immediate surgery. We prayed, fasted, and did our best to remain calm,” the artist later shared on social media. Once again, life was throwing fear in her face. But God was faithful, and a few months later, the doctor’s report came back. “The surgeon had taken her name off the list for operations, assuring her that what was once concerning, is non-cancerous,” Nicole’s post continued. “The most beautiful thing about it is that mom had already decided to live to the fullest, regardless of the doctor’s reports.”

So, when Nicole sings “I’m not Scared,” the second to last track on Like Never Before, she really is celebrating the fact that she’s been made new. What was meant to break her down built her up. What was intended to scare her taught her to rely even more so on God’s faithfulness.

“I’m not scared of the dark anymore,” she sings.

“I’m not scared of the night, because I know the one who conquered it all. Yes, I know the One who is light.”

So, for those in the middle of a trying time, take heart and fear not. The One who is light is watching over you, monitoring your steps, and providing everything you need. Whether you feel like it or not, God is doing a new thing in your life—just like he did for Nicole.

Behold! A New Thing Like the prophecy in Isaiah 43:19, the Lord is doing a new thing in Nicole’s life. Appropriately titled, Like Never Before is a compilation of new and exciting things. “One,” which features march/april 2019

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Calvin Nowell, Jeremy Camp, Debi Selby, and Ileia Sharae, is an anthem song, celebrating unity in the body of Christ.

It’s an exciting and melodic reminder that, despite various opinions, politics, experiences, ethnicities, and cultures, we make up one body of Christ.

in both Igbo [a language of a Nigerian ethnic group] and English because, in every language, the Lord is worthy of our praise!” She’s also recording a song with Kathie Lee Gifford and writing a book about forgiveness, both expected to be released this year.

and other people who have helped her along the way, she has become even more passionate about helping others, particularly, young people.

That’s not all. Nicole also co-wrote a single she released earlier this year. “I loved collaborating with my brother [in Christ] Frank Edwards on this new song we wrote ‘Imara Mma (Beautiful).’

I learned and sang this song of worship

“Forgiveness frees you from the prison of your anger. It really is for you, your soul, and your peace” she asserts, admitting that she had a great group of sister-friends to support her through her night season. Because of those women

Founded by Nicole more than a decade ago, Baby Girls Club, which is based in Franklin, Tennessee, is now in Belize and Zambia, along with Champions, an organization for young boys. “Mentorship is our way of investing in young people with the hope of Christ and practical experiences.” Using Nicole’s love for the arts, the non-profit organization gathers girls and boys ranging from six to seventeen years old and encourages them to dream, create, sew, dance, sing, laugh, and talk about what they’re going through. Her passion for others is what I love most about Nicole.

New Life for Generations to Come

Despite her many accomplishments, which include nine Dove Awards and two Grammy® Award nominations, her message applies as much to herself as it does to those she inspires: “Jesus loves you. He loves you raw. He loves the unfiltered you, the messy you, even the depressed you. You don’t need to hide parts of yourself from Him.” I can’t help but shake my head yes as she utters these words.

That, right there, is the gospel. Jesus loves us through it all. And, in heaven, we’re going to celebrate our new life, our eternal life—like never before.

Sharita is an introverted free spirit who prefers reading over talking. Seriously addicted to Earl Grey Tea, she can be found at Teavana when her budget allows for it, or small independent bookstores when it doesn’t. A lover of culture, she’s more than willing to set her books aside for conversations about the Middle East, Guatemala, and Nepal. She lives in Mableton, Georgia with her husband.

UNPLUGGING THE

MICROWAVE OF

SUCCESS

BY GAVIN ADAMS

H

ave you heard the soundtrack to the hit Broadway musical Hamilton? If you’ve seen the actual musical, just keep that to yourself—intentionally causing envy is tantamount to envy itself.

The music is quite spectacular—and historically insightful, too. My kids are way more knowledgeable about the Founding Fathers because of our time in the car together. It makes me question everything about my school upbringing! Hip hop trumps notetaking all day long.

We don’t often see that kind of long-term focus in our world today. Technology is partially (or mostly) to blame, as the speedto-market is increasing seemingly daily.

Our microwave culture—where we want, and basically get, everything right now—is quickly destroying our personal and collective ability to dedicate focus over time towards a goal, a success, or mastery of anything important.

“Our Microwave Culture...

Is Quickly Destroying Our Ability To Dedicate Focus Over Time.”

Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, talks about this idea and gives it a name: The 10,000-hour rule. He argues that to become world-class at anything, it will take roughly 10,000 hours of practice. Even if that is not completely true, and becoming “worldclass” at something doesn’t always take 10,000 hours, we can all agree it takes more time than the popcorn button on the microwave requires.

One clear problem: We want it now.

And a corresponding problem: We falsely believe others achieved it “now.”

We look around—at others’ success, at their companies, their organizations, their staffs, whatever—and we believe it just “happened” for them. We only see their highlight reels, but never their practice sessions. We desire their success without their investment of time and effort.

Production aside, Alexander Hamilton was quite an amazing guy. He accomplished much, including establishing one of the first banks in America, the Bank of New York. Here’s what made me take a step back while jamming along to the soundtrack: it took Hamilton seven years to establish the bank’s charter. I know, the local community bank went up in a month’s time, and that would seem like forever in today’s world, but think about that for a moment. Seven years.

That’s a long time to focus on something. Anything.

march/april 2019

21

When we only see the end result without seeing the blood, sweat, and tears, we mistakenly believe others microwaved success.

Just for fun, can I give you a few more examples beyond the Hamilton soundtrack? Maybe something closer to home?

•

WEIGHT CONTROL:

•

EXERCISE: We go to the gym, put a few plates on a

•

INVESTING: This is the easy example, right? We all

We don’t reduce carbohydrates for a day and make any progress. If anything, the first week that we put carbs aside is anything but progress.

It’s painful—and makes us angry. But do it for a month.

Do it for a quarter. A year.

bench press bar, do a biceps curl or two, and wonder why we don’t look better in that tank top. We feel like we did something, but we look the same! However, exercise a few times a week for a few months, and see the difference. understand the power of long-term investments. If you don’t believe me, just google “investment amortization.”

For years, I watched this first-hand in our churches. We have an annual “Be Rich” campaign where we collectively “Give, Serve, and Love” our community. For our generosityfocused week, we ask everyone to contribute what they can (we make it fun, asking them to give $39.95). One hundred percent of the revenue given to this campaign is donated back out to our community charities and partners. Here’s the point: The first time we cracked $1 million in “Be Rich” giving, other church leaders and even news outlets took notice. Everyone asked the same question: “How can you possibly generate a million dollars in giving in ONE DAY?” Our answer was simple: “It took us seventeen years

“Popcorn is instant— success is not.” to generate $1 million in a day!” It took seventeen years to build enough trust that we could make this type of bold ask and have people come through.

SO WHAT? As a leader, I see that our microwave mentality and aptitude for comparing typically drive us to sacrifice a long-term commitment in hopes of a short-term gain. This very well might be the one thing holding us all back.

Popcorn is instant—success is not. We can’t microwave lasting growth and success.

Here’s the question I’m wrestling with, both personally and professionally: To what can I dedicate a full year of time and effort?

There are so many possibilities: • Preaching and communication • Deeper understanding of biblical context • Becoming a better developer of staff • Achieving physical health • Continuing to grow in my emotional health So, can I ask you the same question? To what can you dedicate a full year of time and effort? Where do you want to grow?

What gaps do you see in your leadership? What needs to be accomplished in your organization that will require a twelvemonth commitment?

And a follow-up: What can you do to ensure you stay focused for a year? How can you measure progress? How can you monitor steps? Who can you engage alongside?

Imagine how much we can learn and grow if we take this approach and stop just trying to make popcorn.

Gavin Adams is the Lead Pastor of Woodstock City Church, a campus location of North Point Ministries, and a student of leadership, communication, church, and faith.

“To what can you dedicate a full year of time and effort?”

By Ken Barnes

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”… Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” (Luke 4:4, 8 NASB) It is apparent how Jesus dealt with the devil. He said, “It is written.”

And he set this example for us to follow as well. Yet, if we do not know the Word and continually use it, we will lose it.

For many years, we knew the phone numbers we most frequently used. Repetition is the key to learning. With the advent of the smartphone, we no longer have to remember phone numbers.

We tap a name or picture and make a call. Technology is terrific for making phone calls, but it does not do much for our spiritual warfare. You can tap on a Bible app, and it will bring up a verse, yet if you do not have that Scripture in your head and heart, it

will never protect you. You cannot use “It is written” unless you know what is written. This ability comes about only through oldfashioned reading, study, and meditation. There are no shortcuts.

It requires time spent with God. Just as we no longer remember phone numbers, neglecting those basic spiritual disciplines will make us devoid of our weapons of warfare. It will take away from us the truth we need to deal with lies of the enemy. Thank God for mobile devices that allow us to take libraries of biblical content with us in our hand. Yet, some things never change. Without the discipline of the repetition of time spent with Christ, we will never experience the renewing of our minds. Concerning the Word of God, if we don’t use it, we will definitely lose it.

Ken Barnes worked for seventeen years as a missionary with Youth With A Mission. His missionary work has taken him to Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and the Ukraine. He holds a Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University.

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6 WAYS

The Gospel Changes Your Wo rk

by Robert Carnes

careers should be an extension of that.

It’s not always easy to do, but as much as possible, we should seek to serve God and other people through our work.

When you adopt this perspective, it can radically change the work you do. Even if you don’t love your job, you can still be hopeful because your life is much more than work. The gospel changes the reason why we get up and go to the office every weekday.

#2. The gospel changes what job we choose.

#3. The gospel changes who we work with.

If the gospel influences why we work, it should naturally influence the jobs we pick.

Sometimes it’s pretty apparent the companies or people we shouldn’t work with. That doesn’t mean we should only work with other Christians. That would be shortsighted and limiting.

That’s not to say that we must all choose

Christian-related jobs. All of us can’t The gospel and work are not things you can separate or compartmentalize. work for a church, or at a nonprofit, or as Like it or not, most of us have to work for a living.

Whether this means a maintaining fulltime job, being an entrepreneur, or having a side hustle, we spend a good deal of our time earning a paycheck. There’s a reason why “Working For the Weekend” was a hit song.

This is true for Christians and nonbelievers alike.

All of us have bills to pay. Most of us have a boss to keep happy. But there is still a difference between the work of Jesus followers and everyone else—not because we’re any better or more blessed, but because we have the gospel.

The word of God makes a difference in the work we do. Whether or not we work in the church or faith-based organizations, the Bible should influence the shape and trajectory of our careers.

And here are just a few reasons why.

an international missionary. It’s perfectly OK for there to be Christians employed as accountants, chefs, and racecar drivers.

However, your faith should still play a role in determining your career path. Ask yourself why you think God is leading you in a specific direction. Pray before accepting a job. Discuss career changes with people you trust. Don’t make your livelihood doing anything immoral.

Sometimes it’s not always going to be obvious what professional industry you should be in. But knowing what the Bible says about making decisions can make a difference in the jobs you take. We spend so much time at work—it should be a place that brings us closer to God, not drive us further away from him.

But there are times that coworkers or work environments are detrimental to our faith and our career. Maybe it’s the group of colleagues who continually pressure you drink too much at after-work functions.

Perhaps it’s the business client that fudges their financial paperwork. Maybe it’s the CEO who insists you worship him as your deity (hopefully that one’s a joke).

As Christians, we should expect ourselves and those we work with to have certain standards. We can still work with people who don’t share our exact faith and values, but not to the point that it makes us compromise what we believe or who we are.

#4. The gospel changes our workplace values.

Plenty of workplaces are competitive. It takes hard work and long hours to climb

#1. The gospel changes why we work.

More than anything else, scriptures about work help us to define the reason why we work. Living a life for Christ means our professional life should be about more than just collecting a salary. Working is about more than a job title or the company that employs us.

Jesus’ life reminds us that life is more than a job. Our life is about glorifying God and loving one another. As such, our march/april 2019

25

the corporate ladder. Some of the people we work with would do anything to get ahead—to earn that raise or promotion.

Working for Christ means that there are some lines we shouldn’t cross at a job.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean our work can’t be excellent. In fact, we should always hold ourselves to high performance standards. But we should also hold ourselves to higher moral standards. It’s not worth lying or cheating our way to a bigger paycheck because we lose ourselves in the process.

our time to the job, there won’t be enough left for God. Rest is a biblical principle practiced by God himself. However, the fourth commandment (“keep the Sabbath day holy”) is the only one Christians brag about breaking. This doesn’t just mean working on Sunday. It means allowing work to creep into any place you should reserve for your family, God, or self-care. Set clear boundaries for your work and hold yourself accountable.

One of the best ways you can elevate being a Christian in a secular work environment is to be the most ethical and trustworthy person in the building. When your coworkers see that your values come from your faith, they’ll learn to respect both.

Don’t check email on the weekends. Stop answering phone calls from your boss at 2 a.m. Disconnect from social media during meals. Don’t pack your laptop when leaving on vacation. Prioritize your family over work. These simple steps will help you to keep work at work, and honor the sanctity of rest.

#5. The gospel changes our work-life balance.

#6. The gospel changes how we lead at work.

The Bible can help show us where and how to work. It can also teach us when not to work.

Some of us are lucky enough to become leaders in our professional lives—CEO, director, or manager. Even if we don’t have a leadership title, we can all take on a leadership role at work. Having a leadership role comes with the responsibility to lead well.

Even if a true work-life balance is a myth, we can still manage to have a healthy margin between our personal and professional lives. If we give too much of

Thankfully, we have the example of a great leader to learn from. Jesus was an outstanding leader of men in his own professional life. He led with empathy, compassion, and wisdom. These are smart traits to adopt in your leadership style. Ask yourself: how would Jesus lead?

Learn how to listen to the people around you. Lead by example to avoid the pitfall of hypocrisy. Clearly communicate expectations. Build trust through relationships with coworkers. Being an effective leader at work gives you the opportunity to show the love of God to others.

Over to You As believers, we have the opportunity to make an impact with our faith and our work. God’s word through the gospel should be a guiding light for both.

Robert Carnes is a freelance writer, and the author of The Original Storyteller, a 30-day devotional guide to better biblical storytelling.

He has worked for a number of years in church and nonprofit marketing. Robert lives with his wife, Victoria, and their daughter in Atlanta, Ga.

He Is “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5–6) The believers who saw the risen Christ with their own eyes and touched him with their hands spent the rest of their lives talking about the resurrection. For sure, they preached crucifixion and propitiation, but the message of the cross was not the most controversial thing they had to say in their day.

The apostles were persecuted and martyred not because of what they said about Jesus’ death but because of what they said happened next. Almost no one debated that Jesus died, but the Jews violently refused to believe that he rose three days later. They were not as offended by the two blocks of wood as they were by the empty tomb.

Jesus is not dead. And when he rose from the grave, against all of Satan’s lies and schemes, he guaranteed for you the greatest realities in the world. Two thousand years later, the resurrection still preaches God’s relentless commitment to win every victory for you. Here are a few of those victories:

Jesus rose to prove that he had defeated death.

Until he rose, death seemed to swallow up every ounce of life and hope from generation after generation. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “none is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). So, how could sinners have any hope of escaping death?

God had promised everlasting life centuries before, but the resurrection revealed it was certain for his chosen, redeemed, and adopted sons and daughters. Though many had lived and believed and died before him, Jesus was the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18). And if there is a first, God means for more to follow him.

God will restore everything wrong or broken in front of you.

The apostle Peter calls his fellow Jews to Jesus, saying, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago” (Acts 3:19–21).

God has defeated death for you.

Satan conspired with Judas, Pilate, and the Jewish leaders to kill the Author of Life, but God raised him from the dead, “loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24). And if you believe in him, death cannot hold you either: “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live’” (John 11:25).

Jesus rose to prove he would eventually return and make all things right. This last year provides another twelve months of evidence that this world is broken and breaking. And this Easter is another statement that our hope is as alive as Jesus. The

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world will be rid of sin, including all its causes and consequences. Today is a great day to stop beside the empty tomb and remember what will be one day.

Your bondage to sin is great, but God really can set you free.

Sin condemns us to everlasting judgment and never-ending torture (Matthew 13:41–42; Revelation 14:11). And sin mercilessly enslaves us to death (Romans 6:16–20; Ephesians 2:1). But for all who repent, Christ rose to cancel our debt, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14), and to set us free from sin (Acts 13:36–39).

Jesus rose to prove that you really can be saved from your sin. You do not deserve salvation, and you could never achieve it in your own strength and resolve. If Christ did not rise from the dead, hope would have lain next to him in the grave. But he is not dead, and therefore we have hope.

God will not only rescue you, but people from all over the world.

Jesus was the promised Messiah of Israel, but he did not die and rise only for ethnic Israel. The apostle Paul preaches, “I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

(Acts 26:22–23) Jesus rose to prove God had chosen people from everywhere in the world—not only from Israel but from Asia, Africa, and America, too.

His blood was sufficient to purchase people from “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). His death not only reconciles us to God but reconciles us to one another across every conceivable barrier and boundary. And his resurrection is powerful enough to hold out hope to people everywhere on earth.

No evil can disrupt God’s good plans for you.

The death of Jesus looked like the single greatest defeat God’s people had ever experienced. Instead of ascending to a throne and conquering his enemies, the promised king had been humiliated and crucified.

But at the precise moment when it looked like evil had won, God was capitalizing on every ounce of wickedness to accomplish his greatest victory.

Jesus rose to prove that God is sovereign even over the worst evil in the world (Acts 2:23). In the ultimate act of rebellion and injustice, God was pivoting all of history, with love, to save and satisfy his people.

And by raising his Son from the dead on the day we now call Easter, he promised to work all things, including the hardest and most painful things in our lives, for the good of all his sons and daughters.

Adapted from “He is Not Dead: Seven Victories on Easter Sunday.”

Marshall Segal (@marshallsegal) is a writer and managing editor at desiringGod. org. He’s the author of Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness & Dating.

He graduated from Bethlehem College & Seminary. He and his wife, Faye, have a son and live in Minneapolis.

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goodlifemagazine.org

6 Marriage Lessons from A Newlywed

By Maddie Eads

W

hat do I know about marriage? I’ve been married for a whopping 90 days, and I honestly still have not fully processed the idea. But I have learned oh, so much in such a short time. To say that I have it “figured out” would be completely ludicrous, but I can say I’m growing a little more every day.

4.

Here are some of my thoughts and experiences based on the first 90 days of marriage:

Expel the expectations. I had so many expectations of what my marriage would be like, and I believed that there were so many expectations put on me as a wife. The marriage that I dreamed of as a little girl was fueled by love stories and fairy tales and romance movies. But the kind of marriage we see in the movies does not exist, so we must stop placing so many expectations on ourselves and our relationships. They will not be met.

1. Marriage is not easy. But I can guarantee you that it is so

5. Don’t rush the engagement season. Or the dating

worth it. Being able to wake up next to the one you adore is something that makes talking through every misunderstanding so worthwhile.

2.

Comparison is the thief of joy. I heard this quote a lot growing up, but never understood the depth of it until I got married. Quit comparing your marriage or your relationship to those around you. No fruit comes out of it. Your relationship is yours. Don’t be intimidated by how “perfect” other relationships look. I can assure you that they are not perfect either. This is something I have to constantly remind myself.

3.

Marriage will show you how selfish you are. I used to think that I wasn’t that selfish, but, wow, marriage has proven me wrong. However, I’m learning and growing in how to serve my husband selflessly.

season. Or the single season. Each of those seasons is so important. There are times I miss going on cute dates where my man pays (and it’s not my money too) and feeling the butterflies of the first date and even experiencing the freedom of being single and being able to say yes to more things. The engagement period brings so much joy and anticipation for what’s to come, but if you rush through it, you won’t get to truly enjoy all the celebrations and the friends and the wedding planning. Trust me.

6.

Marriage does not cure loneliness. Let me repeat: Marriage does not cure loneliness. In fact, if you are finding your identity in your marriage or your relationship status, be prepared to feel lonely. Your identity lies solely in the Lord. It always has, and it always will. Your relationship status doesn’t change that. The only one who can cure loneliness is our precious Father.

march/april 2019

29

Protecting Our Precious Pets A Tribute to Daphne

By Autumn Burr

S

he was the perfect dog. The perfect size—not too big, not too small. The perfect age—at one year, she was still such a puppy but without the hassles that come with training a puppy. The perfect temperament—so lively and cheerful, while also loving and cuddly. The perfect look—a unique spotting pattern in her fur that caught everyone’s attention; big, round, brown eyes; and floppy, velvety ears. The perfect playmate—she did amazing jumps and twirls as she would catch a ball and was constantly ready to have some fun. The perfect companion— always wanted to be around people. The only problem? She belonged to our friends, the Kessocks.

We met her for the first time in the fall of 2015, just a few weeks after our friends had adopted the mixed breed from a rescue.

The Red Heeler (a type of Australian cattle dog) was the most evident in her, but the Beagle component gave her softer facial features and those sweet, floppy ears—oh, and the nose that never stopped. The rescue had called her Daphne, and the name seemed to fit her, so it stuck.

My daughter, Sasha, had been begging for a dog for a couple of years, and my husband, Ryan, and I had been warming up to the idea. I remember meeting and spending time with Daphne at the Kessocks’ a couple of times that November and December and later telling Ryan, “She is exactly the type of dog that would be ideal for our family. How will we ever find a dog that perfect?”

I uttered a quick prayer, asking God to help us find the one for us when the time was right. Little did I know, that just after the new year, January 2, 2016, Daphne would become our own.

You see, it turned out that a couple members of the Kessock family discovered they had a severe allergy to Daphne. When they sorrowfully informed us that they were going to have to find her a new home, Ryan and I looked at each other, and we just knew. She was meant to be our dog.

We soon figured out that Daphne wasn’t exactly perfect. She slowly began revealing her little quirks, one at a time. For example, she would tear her toys to shreds—even the “tuffsewn” kind. The only type that seemed to last was one blue hard-rubber toy that we so creatively dubbed “blue toy.” She had a bad habit of jumping on people to greet them, and when we would turn our backs to her to try to break her of it, she would goose us instead. Every time we would discover a new one of her peculiarities, we would turn to each other and jokingly exclaim, “We got Kessocked!”

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goodlifemagazine.org

In Memory of Daphne Burr 2014-2019 Despite her little idiosyncrasies, Daphne truly was a good-natured and delightful pet. She quickly became an integral member of our family. She developed a unique relationship with each of us. She was so full of vitality and always happy. Our walks around the neighborhood that would often get monotonous to me were the highlight of her day, and being invited to go for a ride in the car was, to her, like winning the lottery. She loved life, and she loved us. And we loved her.

Just after turning four in October of 2018, Daphne got into Nolan’s Halloween candy stash. He had separated his fruity candies from his chocolate-based ones and prudently stored each set in a plastic tub with a snap-on lid. But that didn’t stop Daphne. She broke into the container of chocolates and ate at least fifteen fun-sized bars, wrappers and all. Being somewhat aware that chocolate isn’t healthy for dogs, we watched her carefully for any out-of-theordinary behavior. She may have been slightly antsy, but other than that, seemed fine. A few days later, she regurgitated the wrappers and then was back to normal. That experience, though, must have given her a taste for the scrumptious sweet stuff.

The next month, she did it again with two dozen chocolate chip cookies that had been sealed and placed up on Sasha’s dresser.

Her body’s reaction was basically the same as the first time. After vomiting and a urine accident, she returned to her normal self.

Following that second episode, though, we were extremely vigilant about keeping any food, especially chocolate, well out of her reach.

In early January, we returned from a vacation and got her back from my mother. While we were out of the house that day, that nose of hers found a box of dark chocolates that we had totally forgotten had been sitting in a gift bag since Christmas. Of course, she tore into them. As before, we kept an eye on her, looking for any signs that something was unusual. She was edgy that night, but she had always acted that way for a day or two any time we returned from a trip.

The next day, the kids returned to school for the first time after the holiday break. The weather was beautiful outside for January, in the high60s and sunny (her favorite), so I put her out on the deck to enjoy it. After allowing me several uninterrupted hours to work, she deserved her cherished walk. I met her at the door with her harness and leash in hand, and she jumped all over me in excitement, as usual. As was fairly routine for us, we took the street with the hill first.

She did her business along the way and had her typical pep in her step, even as we jogged back down to the mid-neighborhood intersection.

Right as we turned the corner up the next road, she appeared to trip on the curb and rolled over. I waited for her to get back up, but she didn’t. I ran to her, my heart pounding, as hers made one last beat. That quickly, she was gone.

My family and I were completely heartbroken, and the pain we felt was unbearable, as if she had been our own human child. We never imagined our precious girl, who was so full of life, would die so young and so unexpectedly. We became overwhelmed with regret as our minds raced with all the “coulda-shoulda-wouldas.” We had been vaguely aware of the dangers of chocolate for dogs, but didn’t realize it could have such catastrophic consequences with no clear warning signs that would trigger us to seek veterinary care. Now, we are well-aware so that when the time comes that our hearts are ready to welcome another dog into our family, this tragedy won’t happen again. And we want others to be informed so that they can protect their own four-legged family members.

God is now in the process of healing our hearts. It is happening slowly but surely.

No, Daphne wasn’t perfect after all. And our family is far from it. But we were perfect for each other. And the paw prints she left on our hearts will remain there forever.

“Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.” - Psalm 36:6, NIV

What About Chocolate is Bad for Dogs?

Highest Risk

High fat content can cause Pancreatitis:

- Mild to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and/or diarrhea - Potentially life-threatening

Theobromine and caffeine are toxic to dogs and can cause: - Vomiting and/or diarrhea - Hyperactivity - Tremors or seizures - Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms - Death, in severe cases

Toxicity Risk in Chocolate Products

Unsweetened baking chocolate (100% cacao) Semi-sweet and dark chocolate

(minimum 35% cacao, usually 55-70%)

Milk chocolate

(minimum 10% cacao, usually 35%+, plus at least 12% milk solids)

Chocolate flavored cakes and cookies Lowest Risk

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Chocolate: • Contact your veterinarian or animal poison control for guidance.

• To determine the severity for your dog’s size, use a chocolate toxicity calculator (Ex: http://veterinaryclinic.com/ chocolate/calc.html).

• If recently ingested, induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide (1 tsp. per 10 pounds of body weight).

• Otherwise, seek veterinary treatment or hospitalization. march/april 2019

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A U T U M N

B U R R

e felt like we were on a movie set as we followed the golf cart of our concierge guide from the stunning clubhouse through the community toward our home—well, not really our home but the one a group of our extended family was staying in for a brief getaway at the Encore Resort at Reunion near Orlando, Florida. All the home exteriors and lawns were charmingly designed and impeccably maintained.

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We were all just as wowed as the guide opened the front door and began leading us through the exquisitely decorated house, with a huge kitchen and common areas and almost as many bathrooms as there were bedrooms, all with granite countertops and a fresh, modern-day look. After a few moments of debate over who would get to stay in which beautifully furnished bedroom, each with a comfortable bed or two covered in crisp, white linens, we headed out the rear door to check out the back yard. With our own private pool, jacuzzi, and covered lanai, we decided it was time to relax for the rest of the evening.

and entertainment for all, from the grownups to the teenagers to the youngest tot.

If that hadn’t been enough to keep us busy, the resort offers amenities galore, including a fitness center, multiple sports courts and fields, an arcade, a kids’ camp, bicycle and surrey bike rentals, spa services, and a variety of activities and classes.

Complimentary shuttle transportation is also available to and from Disney World, Universal, and Sea World, which are just minutes away.

In the evening, we had several onproperty options for dinner: a couple of restaurants where we could either dine in or order fresh meals delivered directly to our home; a chef experience, where a professional chef and trained servers

The children couldn’t wait until morning to go explore the resort’s complimentary water park with several full-sized water slides that we had been able to see peeking above the rooftops on our way in. With a

• Three- To Thirteen-Bedroom Vacation Rental Homes Available, All Including ▪ Oversized living/dining areas ▪ A fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances ▪ Washer/dryer ▪ Flat-screen TVs in living areas and every bedroom ▪ Wi-Fi ▪ Private in-ground pool ▪ Keyless entry ▪ Garage • Some Homes Include: ▪ A theater room ▪ A game room ▪ A putt-putt area

would prepare and serve us a gourmet meal in the comfort of our home; or a Grab N Go market where we could purchase pre-made sandwiches or ingredients to make our own meal in our gourmet-style kitchen. Ready for a low-key evening, we opted for the restaurant delivery service and enjoyed the tasty meals as we all sat together and spent quality family time around our generously sized dining table.

few additional smaller water slides in the kiddie splash area (that even the adults enjoyed), a large free-form pool, private cabana rentals, and truly delicious food for purchase, the day was filled with fun

Here are a few additional things to know about the Encore Resort at Reunion:

What we found most amazing was the affordability. With the abundance of included amenities and services, we had thought it would certainly come at a steep price. But we discovered the price per person to be equivalent to a three-star hotel that has far fewer features and facilities.

This is definitely a place we would return to for future large group retreats. It would be ideal for family reunions, sports groups, corporate events, and more.

• Complimentary concierge services available, including: ▪ Ambassador in-home check-in ▪ Shuttle transportation to select popular theme parks ▪ Restaurant reservations ▪ Resort activity bookings ▪ Directions • Additional services and items offered for a fee, including: ▪ Transportation to local destinations (airport, shopping, golfing, etc.)

▪ Discount theme park/attraction tickets ▪ Babysitting services ▪ Equipment rental (grills, cribs, wheelchairs, etc.)

▪ Indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces ▪ Catering services ▪ Vehicle detailing Visit www.encorereunion.com or call

888-770-6786 for more information. march/april 2019

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