Metro Christian Living December 2011

FREE

DECEMBER 2011

A LESS STRESSFUL SEASON

‘Twas the Night Before a Fashionable Suburban Christmas

The Ozzie and Harriet Christmas Myth

“ Christmas Songs I Love” O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Go Tell It On The Mountain Do You Hear What I Hear Away In A Manger Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem O Holy Night Mary, Did You Know Some Children See Him Silver Bells The Christmas Song ’Til The Season Comes ’Round Again Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

AVAILABLE AT: Lifeway Christian Store in Jackson • Hearron Fine Gifts in Ridgeland and at www.guyhovismusic.com 2 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

personalized wireless

Cellular South is now C Spire Wireless.

What if a wireless network, that’s always been focused on its customers,

© 2011 C Spire. All rights reserved.

decides to change the game completely? They start personalizing your wireless experience — by adapting to you, and bringing you things that are right for you. Like apps that fit you, reward points for doing things you already do and services that anticipate your needs. And because it’s kind of like a whole new beginning, they even change their name. cspire.com

At Grace City we believe that God has called our church to a specific task that has three expressions.

We are called to REACH. We are called to reach those who’ve never heard of Christ love for them, showing them Christ’s grace, mercy, and redemption.

We are called to HEAL. We believe that God has called us to help heal those who may have walked away from His church. You’ll hear some say, “I love Christ but I don’t like His church.” We want to be a place where someone can come home, connect back with a community of faith, and rediscover Christ’s purpose for the church.

We are called to RELEASE. We believe we are to release the churched. We know that God has redeemed us to live out our faith, in every area of our life. Our goal as a church is to help each other demonstrate the sacrificial love of Christ in every relationship and with every resource.

When we follow God’s lead for our lives and our church we bring glory to Christ, and this brings restoration to our soul.

Reach, heal, release, for the glory of Christ and the good of the soul.

Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 A.M. 4785 I-55 North • Jackson, MS 39206 www.gracecityjackson.org

REACH

+ HEAL+ RELEASE

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contents DECEMBER 2011 columns 13 The Way I See It Is Life a Gamble?

19 Christmas Shopping Gifts that Give Back

21 Modern Motherhood The Christmas Child – Within and Without

32 Let’s Talk It Over Tis the Season to be Stressed?

33 And Another Thing Mary’s First Christmas

34 All In The Family ‘Twas the Night Before a Fashionable Suburban Christmas

38 Let’s Get Real The Ozzie and Harriet Christmas Myth

features

28 46

40 Lagniappe This Will Be a Sign to You

Grace City

41 Salt & Light

Stewards of the Heartbeat

I’m Not Going to Africa

42 HomeWorks

The Greatest Gift

A Less Stressful Season

Benefits the Christmas Village

43 Legal Advice Accidental Disinheritance: It Can Easily Be Avoided In Your Plan

22

45 This Is My Story From Turkey, With Love

departments

38

17 Money Matters Wishing You an Affordable Christmas!

22 Food For Thought Gifts from the Kitchen

24 Fresh Finds

42

Christmas Gift Guide

36 Healthy Living Your Guide to “Maintain, Don’t Gain” The Skinny on Skinny’s, page 37

44 Our Daily Bread How Do You Keep the Faith?

48 Welcome Home

17

How to Make Cinnamon Ornaments

50 Rave Reviews Books, Movies and Music

What’s Coming Next Month?

➺

Mark Slyter, President, Baptist Medical Center; COO Baptist Health Systems

6 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

in every issue 8 53 54 54

Editor’s Letter Event Calendar Quips & Quotes Ad Directory

metro ®

Volume 6, Number 7 Publisher: MHS Publications, Inc., Member, M.I.P.A. Editor: Marilyn Tinnin marilyn@metrochristianliving.com Administrative Assistant: Carol Rodgers carol@metrochristianliving.com Art Direction/Graphic Design Sandra K. Goff Graphic Production Assistant Kate Thomas Sales Marilyn Tinnin, Shannon Collins Kimberly Stephens Contributing Writers: Lydia Bolen, Kristi Brown, Dr. John L. Cox, Rochelle Culp, Susan Deaver, Grace Bateman Greene, Cathy Haynie, Beth Morgan, Robin O’Bryant, Janie Pillow, Susan E. Richardson, Kate Thomas, Marilyn Tinnin, Don Waller, Martin E. Willoughby, Jr Cover Photo Stegall Imagery Distribution Assistants: Laura Blackledge, Kim Roberts, Carol Rodgers, Andrea Sabillion, Rachel Schulte, Jerri Strickland, Priscilla Sullivan, Tim Waldon, Bob Whatley

Metro Christian Living is committed to encouraging individuals in their daily lives by presenting the faith stories of others and by providing information that will point every person, at every stage of life, to a deeper, authentic, personal, and life changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Views expressed in Metro Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by the Metro Christian Living staff to insure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2008 by Metro Christian Living, Inc. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Metro Christian Living is published monthly and is available at high traffic locations throughout the metropolitan area. Copies are also available by subscription, $29 for one year.

Single issues available for $3 an issue.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Metro Christian Living, 573 Highway 51 North, Suite C, Ridgeland, MS 39157, phone number 601-790-9076.

M I P A Mississippi Independent Publishers' Alliance

Congrats

Grace City from your friends at

WIMBERLY & ASSOCIATES

➺editor’s letter Exceedingly With Great Joy! …they went their way; and lo, the star they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. – Matthew 2: 9-11

F holy child of ❝ OBethlehem, Descend on us, we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today…

❞

– O Little Town of Bethlehem

or all the times I have read the Christmas Story I can’t say I have looked at Matthew’s account very much. Church services always focus on the familiar account in Luke 2. I came across this passage from Matthew recently and my mind went straight to Mrs. Shuttleworth, my high school English teacher. She would not have liked that sentence “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” and would have described it as “redundant.” Personally, I love it because it makes me think of spontaneity, passion, unbridled emotion, and the enthusiasm of a three-year-old on Christmas morning. Whoever translated the Greek into English must not have gone back to read his work aloud or he would have noticed that “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” doesn’t flow very well. I am guessing he was overcome with the realization of Messiah’s birth and the overarching significance of the occasion. He was experiencing exactly that “my-cup-runneth-over” brand of joy, the kind you feel when the feelings wash over you with such force that your eyes tear up at the thought!

How’s your joy piling up this year? So far have you found a lot to rejoice exceedingly with great joy about or are you stuck somewhere between endless lists, unrealistic expectations, the doom and gloom of breaking news, and the company of friends and family who are not cooperating with the picture perfect Christmas you long to have!

Take it from one who has accumulated more dashed Christmas hopes than e-mails in my spam folder. It has taken me quite a number of my advancing years to completely realize that the joy of Christmas cannot be found in a Kodak moment or a frosty window pane or a crackling fireplace and the scent of hot apple cider wafting through the house. Not even in the sight of a Christmas tree adorned with the ornaments collected over a life-time or the sounds of the familiar carols playing in the background.

The wise men were wise indeed. They were not to be side-tracked by anything in their pursuit of the Christ child. They didn’t seem to mind the long journey because when they reached their destination it was more than worth it all to rejoice exceedingly with great joy. They discovered the timeless truth that comes down to us through the centuries. Christmas without Christ is a very empty occasion that does little to relieve humanity’s discontent. The seventeenth century writer and philosopher Blaise Pascal expressed it this way: “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”

You, dear reader, are in for a treat! Our contributing writers have outdone themselves this month. There is some of everything in this smorgasbord of humor, inspiration, personal reflection, and Christmas tradition. It may take you a little longer to get from cover to cover this month as we have packed a lot of extra in these pages. Put on the spiced tea, slow down, and make a date with Metro Christian Living. Clear the clutter out of your brain and get ready to rejoice exceedingly with great joy! Merry Christmas! Christ is born! Y

Marilyn H. Tinnin, Publisher and Editor marilyn@metrochristianliving.com

8 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

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metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 11

Gift Cards for the Holidays Show your excellent taste with an AJ’s gift card

❄ Visit our website www.ajsgrille.com ❄ Two private rooms with large screen tvs ❄ Outside dining available 361 Township Avenue, Ridgeland, MS

601.856.2844

Visit us for Sunday Brunch 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Watch for our 2nd location coming soon to Dogwood

Celebrate the Season in Clinton Join Us for Our Christmas Parade and Holiday Events

Lighting of Kids’ Towne Thursday, Dec. 1, 6 pm Parade & Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 3, 6 pm

BRIGHTON PARK EVENTS Reserve your spot today!

Shop `Til You Drop Saturday, Dec. 10, 10am-2pm (Childcare available for K-6th graders) Senior Christmas Party Monday, Dec. 12, 11:30am (50+ yrs. - Dirty Santa & Pot Luck) Elf Workshop Friday, Dec. 16 , 6pm-9:30pm (4-10 yrs.)

Super Bowl Paper Football Tournament Saturday, Dec. 17, 9am (All Ages - $1per person to enter) 12 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

ÜÜÜ°V Ì Ã° À}ÊUÊÈ䣰 Óx°£ÎnÈ Things are Always Clicking in Clinton!

➺

the way i see it

by MARTIN E. WILLOUGHBY, JR. ILLUSTRATION BY KATE THOMAS

Is Life a Gamble?

Is life a gamble?

Our daily news reports on everything from man-made problems like the European economic crisis to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. On a more personal level, we face challenging economic times and financial insecurity. Stress levels are high which can even impact our health and well-being. Psychologists tell us that one of the greatest stressors we face in life is a loss of “perceived control.” This feeling of helplessness afflicts people across all strata of society—rich and poor, young and old.

In fact, “successful” people are particularly susceptible to frustration and disappointment as they climb the ladder of success only to find out that true fulfillment and joy does not come from worldly achievement. This is part of the reason we see high profile people who have “made it” in society seemingly implode through self-defeating behaviors (e.g. Tiger Woods).

During periods of crisis and challenge, the opportunity for individual greatness emerges and the ability to make meaningful differences in society exist. In reality, as former Presidential advisor Warren Rustand summarized, “Life is not a gamble, but a myriad of decisions which define one’s life experiences.” Similarly, business guru and bestselling author Jim Collins noted, “Greatness is not a function of circumstance.

Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”

So how do we do this? First, we live with a purpose. As Christians, we have a clear purpose to live for God’s glory, and to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

This is truly a noble vision for our lives and one that we can spend a lifetime aspiring to achieve.

We each have our own unique way that we fulfill God’s plans. As we seek HIM and study and the Bible, we gain clarity on our unique

purpose. I encourage people to write down their vision statement so that they can be daily reminded of the “big picture.”

Secondly, we live with intentionality. We are purposeful in our actions. Life is not chance, but premeditation. If we live on autopilot, then we simply end up where the current of life takes us. Living with intention means that we develop specific strategies for life including our faith, family, health, and finances. Too many of us walk around “time bankrupt” because we have overcommitted lives. We have to occasionally call time out and sanity check our schedule and the choices we are making.

Thirdly, we have to make conscious choices.

These daily choices in the aggregate directly impact the quality of our lives. These choices should be made through the filter of our values. What do we stand for? What do we really believe? We all make decisions based on a set of values. The question is whether we are conscious about what those values actually are.

I believe it is important to write down our values and make sure that we are making decisions that are consistent with them.

We are repeatedly reminded in Scripture that we are just a “mist” and that are lives are fleeting. I believe that means that we should make our time here count. Certain scholars would argue that we are just randomly evolved creatures with no hope and no future.

Based on my own study, I disagree with that and believe that we were made with intention by a divine God. As Christians, may we show others that life is not a gamble, but instead it is a grand opportunity to live a life of purpose and passion. Y Martin E. Willoughby, Jr. is Chief Operating Officer of Butler Snow Advisory Services, LLC located in Ridgeland. He and his wife Nicki have two children, Ally and Trey, and live in Madison. metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 13

ADV E NTU R E J OU R NA L

ENTRY

8

,

It was WEIRD. My brother and I don’t hug. But we were having so much fun

dressing up, playing puppet theater, looking at storybooks, digging

fossils,

exploring caves and stuff, we forgot we ,

don’t hug and we did. MCM is our

destination imagination.

877.793.KIDS (5437)

mschildrensmuseum.com Awarded “Travel Attraction of the Year” by the Mississippi Tourism Association!

14 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Second Location

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You’ll receive a FREE smoothie and energy tea during your consultation or stop by Skinny’s anytime to try one of our 45 flavors of healthy smoothies and visit with one of our personal wellness coaches!

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5370 Carolwood Drive Gorgeous one-level home located in a fully gated community in the heart of Northeast Jackson. Wonderful open floor plan (with over 2800 square feet) which boast 11 foot ceilings, fabulous hardwood floors, granite in kitchen, gas range, etc. Fresh Sarah Jones Nelson interior with high end finishes and quality. A recent addition of a great den/family/recreation room. Beautiful brick courtyard, mature landscaping with super lighting and moon lights. Meticulously maintained and truly move-in ready. $347,000

Denise Furr 601-503-4000

metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 15

TH E

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➺

money matters

by CATHY HAYNIE and ILLUSTRATION BY KATE THOMAS

Wishing you an Affordable Christmas!

Our culture breaks the bank at Christmas. Here are 10 IDEAS to keep your Christmas spending in check this holiday season.

O! How Cute Gift Market Need a girl’s night out?

You got that right!

Bring your girls for

1.

Make a plan. List your gift recipients on the outside of a 5 x 7 envelope (with family members who might peak listed on colored index cards inside the envelope). Use the envelope to formulate your budget and organize your shopping. Once a gift is purchased, write it by the recipient’s name and keep the receipt inside the envelope.

O! How Cute’s Late Night!

2.

Plan your route. Shopping for all the men on your list at once, all the children at once, etc. is smart shopping because you are in the same sorts of stores, as opposed to shopping randomly or by family. You will find yourself spending less time and less money with this sort of plan.

8.

Get creative with gifts. Find a great gift and give it to as many people on your list as you can. It helps if that great gift is a bargain too!

Go with homemade, group family gifts (like a $50 restaurant gift certificate instead of four $20 gifts), or plan a family gift exchange in advance instead of every family buying for everyone.

If you only do one thing on this list, be sure you visit these three money saving websites: www.giftcardrescue.com for buying and selling discounted gift cards www.retailmenot.com for finding discount codes to use on sites www.freeshipping.org for finding sites with free shipping

4.

9.

3.

Strategize your immediate family’s gift giving. More is not always better, especially with the price tag involved. Try thinking in terms of something they want, something they need, something that encourages family time, and something that encourages spiritual growth. This intentional gift filter makes your giving more meaningful and helps keep your budget in check.

5.

Intentionally cut things from your budget, such as hosting a party or buying more decorations. Save on decorating by using lots of fresh greenery, whether cut from your yard or picked up free from the trimmings on a Christmas tree lot.

6.

Save on postage by carefully selecting the kinds of gifts you will mail. Gifts cards, magazine subscriptions, and online orders with free shipping are your money savers. Go for the flat rate postage boxes when you have to mail a box.

7.

Rethink Christmas cards. If cards are a must, try alternating years by sending cards one year and email photos the next. Avoid envelopes or cards that require extra postage or try post cards for less postage.

Save on food by shopping primarily from what is on sale. Done over several weeks, you will find that you can get the most of what you need on sale throughout the month and save significantly. Paired with coupons, you can easily begin to cut your grocery spending in half. If this proves too daunting for December, at least know the cost of your recipes and choose the more economical ones. Doubling recipes in early December will help you dine in instead of out when the days get busier.

10.

Avoid the three biggest pitfalls to Christmas season overspending: not having a budget, overusing credit cards, and thinking you don’t have enough. That last minute, “oh, I need one more thing for Sam,” is a quick way to blow your budget.

Brandon Store Thursday, December 8, 6-9 pm

Pearl Store Thursday, December 15, 6-9 pm ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆

BRANDON 304 E. Government St., #2 Downtown Brandon Cathy Haynie and her husband, Jack, have three children and live in Madison.

Cathy is the Headmaster of Christ Covenant School in Ridgeland. She occasionally speaks to women’s groups on Honoring God in the Home and Balancing Work and Home. Contact her at chaynie@ccs.ms.

601.825.5080 PEARL 200 Riverwood Dr., #106 Pearl, MS

601.939.5082 metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 17

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Jackson LifeWay Christian Store Now located next to Office Depot inside the County Line Plaza Shopping Center.

601-952-1934

Valentine’s Weekend Couples Retreat FEBRUARY 10-12, 2012

LOCATION: Lake Forest Ranch Christian Camp and Retreat Center, 2 hours from Jackson (near Louisville MS)

COST: $245 per couple, includes private room/bath plus 6 meals.

GUEST SPEAKER: Dave Johnson, Pastor Church of the Open Door, Crystal, MN

WORSHIP LEADER: Mike Haight, Music and Worship Pastor MAXIMUM OF 35 COUPLES, RESERVE YOUR SPOT EARLY!

Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, MS

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.lakeforestranch.com or call 662-726-5052 18 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Gifts that Give Back

by GRACE BATEMAN GREENE

ave you ever stopped to think where your Christmas gifts come from? I’m not talking about Target or Amazon, but

H

what country they come from and who made them and if they were paid an unfair wage or forced into dangerous working conditions? As Christians we need to think about these things and if our purchases do harm or good to those who produce what we buy.

Did you know many items that come to us at a low cost are produced by slave or child labor? Did you also know that providing meaningful employment to the poor and vulnerable around the world is one of the best ways to have a positive impact on social issues such as modern day slavery, forced prostitution, human trafficking, and other social problems stemming from poverty? And did you know that employment, not handouts or donated items given to the poor (here or abroad), is the only long-term and sustainable solution to poverty?

Whether shoes or cards from Peru, coffee from Ethiopia, or handmade goods from around the corner, many great gift-giving options exist. A myriad of companies exist to employ the poor and marginalized and share the love of Christ through meaningful employment.

We can show God’s love to others by caring about the stories and lives that produce the products we buy. We can put our money where our mouth is with our purchases and take a stand against products that are unethically produced, remembering that God has called us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8) As we contemplate our great God who sacrificed everything to give us His Son, let us also contemplate how we can love others, especially the most poor and vulnerable, with the purchases we make and the gifts we give this holiday season. Y Grace Bateman Greene is the owner of Peru Paper Company.

2

1 1

Mustard Seed

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Bean Fruit Coffee

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Nisolo Shoes

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Christmas Ornaments All our Ornaments are $10 Mugs: Mug $15, Tall Mug $17, and Goblet $15. www.mustardseedinc.org

Order online for 12 ounce for $12.

Coffee selection: Finca Los Papales, Ardi, Kochere, Black Hills Decaf, Cenfrocafe, and Frances Seasonal Espresso. www.beanfruit.com

Handmade in Peru Women’s Mendez Flats $74 Men’s Chavito Chukka Suede $118 www.nisoloshoes.com

Joy Christmas Cards with handmade envelope, set of 8 for $32.95 Set of 8 sheets of handmade recycled paper $17.95 www.perupaper.com

3 4 metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 19

Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home Parkway Memorial Cemetery

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– Lose it the Remedy way –

20 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Same Family ❄ Same Community ❄ Same Values

The Tradition Continues With all that’s changed in the past 65 years, it’s nice to know a few things stayed the same. Proudly operating in the heart of Jackson at I-55 and High Street

modern motherhood

by ROBIN O’BRYANT

The Christmas Child – Within and Without “The Herdman’s were the worst kids in the whole history of the world. They lied, stole and smoked cigars…even the girls.”

Those first few lines were spoken clearly by a young actress as she stepped into the spotlight to begin the Greenwood Little Theater’s rendition of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” I’ve seen the play many times and her words sent me throttling back through time like Michael J. Fox in a DeLorean. The familiar words and carols transported me to Christmases past, times when I wasn’t worried about paying doctor’s bills or what Santa would bring for Christmas—back then I had perfect faith that the Big Guy would pull through.

The Herdman’s were a bad bunch of kids, six of them to be exact, who had never even heard the Christmas story. They begin going to church because they hear tall tales of “all-you-can-eat” desserts and end up starring in the church’s Christmas Pageant. The congregation is in an uproar over a bunch of hoodlums playing Mary, Joseph, and every other meaningful role, but through their experience, the Herdman’s learn what Christmas is all about.

I sat in my seat transfixed, unable to keep the smile off of my face as my four-year-old and six-year-old laughed in all the right spots and gasped when Imogene Herdman got caught smoking a cigar in the ladies room of the church.

After a week of doctor’s visits and grown-up Christmas plans going down the drain, it was exactly what I needed to shake off a bad case of the Ebenezer Scrooges. I realized sitting in the theater that being a grownup is exactly the opposite of what you think it will be as a child.

You think once you reach adulthood your problems will be over, your life will be exactly what you want it to be. No one will tell you to go to bed at night, no one will tell you when to get up, and no one will stop you from eating dessert for dinner (which is pretty awesome.) But what you don’t realize is the same person who is tucking you into bed at night, is the same person waking you up in the morning, making sure you aren’t late for school, making your breakfast and packing your lunch.

I realized the best part of being a grownup is being able to decide when to act like a kid. Christmas is the perfect time of year to unleash your inner child. I had to smother my mother instincts when, during the play, the cast began singing Silent Night. Audience participation wasn’t

really on the agenda, but my six-year-old, Aubrey, was moved to sing and from the fourth row, she outsang some of the cast members. The mother in me wanted to shush her, but the kid in me wanted to join in—I compromised and kept my mouth shut.

This Christmas season I’m making a concerted effort to be more childlike. I want to relax and enjoy the season, whether that means singing inappropriately loud when no one asks me to, letting my kids eat Christmas cookies for dinner on occasion, or maybe just worrying a little less about how, what and where Santa does his Christmas shopping. I want to embrace the part of Christmas that matters; the part where your heart swells up so much with pure delight and happiness at all of your own blessings that you are moved to bless others.

Tears rolled down my cheeks when the Herdman’s, in lieu of frankincense, gave the ham out of their welfare basket as a gift to Baby Jesus and I thought to myself, “Now THAT is what Christmas is all about.” Y Robin O’Bryant is mother to three daughters, wife to one husband, and debut author of “Ketchup Is A Vegetable And Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves,” available November 2011. She shares the drama and hilarity of motherhood in her syndicated family humor column, “Robin’s Chicks” and on her blog by the same name. (www.robinschicks.com)

metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 21

➺food for thought

by LYDIA BOLEN

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.” – John 4:34

✴ Gifts from the Kitchen ✴

✴

The holiday season would not be the same without decadent candies, cookies and sweet breads. Homemade goodies for gift giving do not take much time.

Plan a cooking day with your family members to prepare these delicious treats. Don’t forget the presentation, which is the fun part!! For something different, give a gingerbread cookie mix, easy microwave pralines, or a festive loaf of cranberry bread. Something to please everyone on your list!

Editor's Note: We did not give credit to Mandy Davis (www.thesupermomchef.com) for her Pecan Pie Cake in the previous issue so we are re-running this delicious recipe.

PECAN PIE PIE CAKE CAKE PECAN (This recipe was given to me by my food blogger friend, Mandy Davis.

Check out her fabulous blog for more of her delicious Southern recipes that are family-friendly at www.thesupermomchef.com) CAKE 2 2 1 1/2 4 1 2

cups granulated sugar sticks butter cups self-rising flour eggs teaspoon vanilla cups chopped pecans

TRADITIONAL CRANBERRY BREAD

Cream butter and sugar; add remaining ingredients, stirring by hand. Pour in a 9 x 13 baking dish for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Crumble cake; then alternate cake (first) and frosting to make two layers of each.

FROSTING 1 large container whipped topping 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened Blend all ingredients together with a mixer.

✴ ✴

✴

MICROWAVE PRALINES MICROWAVE PRALINES 1 1/2 2 1 to 2

(1 lb.) package light brown sugar pint (1 cup) whipping cream tablespoons margarine cups pecan halves

Combine the brown sugar and whipping cream in a 3-quart microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave on high for 13 minutes. Stir in the margarine and pecans. Drop by spoonfuls onto foil. Let stand until cool. Store in an airtight container. Makes 2 dozen.

22 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

4 2 1 1 1 2 1 1/4 1/4 2 2

cups flour cups sugar teaspoon salt teaspoon soda tablespoon baking powder eggs cup orange juice cup hot water cup melted butter tablespoons grated orange rind cups chopped cranberries (I used the food processor and only a few pulses) 1 cup chopped pecans

Mix the flour, sugar, salt, soda, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.

Add the cranberries and pecans. Mix together the eggs, orange juice, water, butter, and orange rind. Add to flour, cranberry nut Mixture and stir until blended. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. Great sliced and toasted.

Spread with cream cheese.

J A C K S O N P R E PA R AT O R Y S C H O O L L e a d e r s B u i l d C o m m u n i t i e s . We B u i l d L e a d e r s .

GINGERBREAD COOKIE MIX GINGERBREAD COOKIE MIX (Adapted from Notably Nashville, a medley of tastes and traditions, Junior League of Nashville) Combine the cookie mix ingredients in plastic bags and attach unusual cookie cutters with ribbon. Attach handwritten directions for completing the cookies for a special gift.

GINGERBREAD COOKIE MIX 2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon salt

www.jacksonprep.net

COOKIES 1/2 cup molasses 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1/4 cup hot water To prepare the cookie mix, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

To make the cookies, combine the cookie mix with the molasses, butter, and hot water in a bowl and mix to form a smooth dough. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Divide into 4 portions and roll one-fourth at a time to one-fourth inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut as desired and arrange on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 4 dozen.

Remember to make memories through the kitchen...“the heartbeat of the home”. You can go to my blog at www.lydiasapron.blogspot.com for more recipes. Email me at lbbolen@gmail.com for any questions.

metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 23

➺fresh finds Christmas GIFT GUIDE This Christmas let MCL help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS Delicious fruit design in ceramic snowman keepsake. Basket starts at $75 Very Merry Festival, Prices start at $83

APPLE ANNIE’S Small Christmas tree plate (personalization included). $12.95

LITTLE THINGS STUDIO 2012 Calendar by Kate Thomas, $15 each http://littlethingsstudio.etsy.com

FRESH-WAY PRODUCE Spring form wreaths $9.99/roll and mesh frames $7.99/frame.

Pre-made wreaths start at $39.95 Hurry in before December 15, they will be closing for winter.

24 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

Jackson Academy: The First Fifty Years 1959 - 2009

by Mary Queen Donnelly with Donald G Breazeale The History of Jackson Academy: First Fifty Years is the story of a family, the JA family. From the school’s inception in 1959, ten families joined together to follow the vision of one man, Loyal Bearss. It’s a must read if you have any ties to JA. To order online, visit http://shop.balfour.com/smi39828/catalog/product/view/id/2509/s/y earbook/category/17/ or email: JAhistory@jacksonacademy.org

GAME ROOM GALLERY Folding classic dart board set $249.99

O! HOW CUTE Personalized photo holder $14.95 State of Ms ornament $9.95 Personalized pic frame $24.95

metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 25

PERSNICKETY Penguin Cookie Jar, $108.

Needham Lane Pajamas.

Set of bottom and top for $64. “They get softer every time you wash them.”

Wustof, Knives Collection.

These are the top of the line knives. Made in Germany since 1814.

PLATO’S CLOSET Coach sling purses $45 each Hobo wallet $30 Coach boots $75

26 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

THE PERICO INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (PRIYDE) PRESENTS

The Physicians of Premier Medical Group of Mississippi Proudly Announce the Association of

RECEPTION BEFORE THE SHOW

Premier Patient 1st Clinic

AFTER THE SHOW DESSERT & MINGLE WITH PERFORMERS!

Dr. Harasty is available by appointment in the practice of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Hogue is available for same-day medical care at Premier Patient 1st Clinic.

Musical Director Louis Wright

sh

C O I n stit u te

JACKSON MEDICAL MALL’S CENTER COURT 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39213

fo

Yo u

r

601-352-2273

PRIYDE RI

501 Marshall Street – The Colonnades Jackson, Mississippi 39202

Dance Choreographer Tracie James Wade PE

Premier Medical Group of Mississippi Premier Patient 1st Clinic

Featuring Hosts Cynthia Goodloe Palmer Maggie Wade

ip

ij

tre p re n e u r

and the opening of

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2011 4 - 7 P.M.

En

Michael S. Hogue, M.D.

“A Community-wide Holiday Season Youth Concert”

d

and

an

Heather C. Harasty, M.D.

en th D ev elo p m

t

™

To purchase tickets, visit: www.priydems.com to use PayPal or call us at (769) 251-1408.

VIP Seating $25.00 • General Admission $20.00 • Youth (Under 18) $10.00

E. Countyline E. County LineRoad Road FOR 18601860 Ridgeland, Mississippi SALE Ridgeland, Mississippi

is to partner with Christian parents in teaching, training, and equipping their children academically and spiritually so they will be able to love the Lord, to think biblically, and to glorify God in every area of life.

752 Pear Orchard Rd | Ridgeland, MS 39157 www.christcovenantschool.net 601.978.2272

Property Highlights x x x x x x

• Previous location of Patty Peck Honda Price = $1,799,999 Sellerprice has reduced the price •Sale SALE PRICE: Will sale or²Motivated lease, reduced and 1,230 SF SF Detached Building •15,700 16,300SFSFMain MainBuilding Building and 1,230 Detached Building location of Patty Peck Honda.

•Previous This property is the perfect location for an auto dealership, retail space, office The property could be perfect for an auto dealership, retail space, office warehouse space or many warehouse or for many other uses. other uses.

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metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 27

Grace City Stewards of the Heartbeat REACH + HEAL + RELEASE

U

nless you live under a rock on a desert island somewhere, you know “the times they are a changin” and the church as we know it faces a host of competing thoughts on what worship should look like. Whether or not those thoughts have the slightest nugget of eternal truth attached is not my point. The fact is that statistics from such respected researchers as the George Barna Group indicate that the 20’s and 30’s generation are not returning to the traditional church in large numbers. Many of these consider themselves Christian but do not consider church membership to be an indicator of a healthy relationship with Christ. The question looms: How can we follow Jesus and help young people faithfully follow Jesus in a changing culture?

How can we make disciples grounded in biblical truth, who in turn impact their families, friends, and the world around them?

David Hederman, 31 year-old pastor of Grace City Church in Jackson, is committed to answering those questions. The former minister to 20’s and 30’s at First Baptist Church Jackson, David was tapped by the church fathers when they saw the need to plant a new church in their own backyard.

As neighborhood demographics changed over the past few decades, many of the established churches, along with their congregations,

28 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

David

born int modele Lord Go strength saw, bu probab couple really un religion

migrated to the suburbs. There were 60,000 people living in the 39211, 39206, 39216 zip codes and a dwindling number of vibrant churches reaching out to them. At the same time, young people who had left the city for college were coming back, settling in the north Jackson area and many who had grown up in church were not re-connecting. David calls this group “the de-churched” who for whatever reason had decided they did not fit in at the church down the street. The generation who grew up surrounded by electronic toys, gadgets, and reality television does not always relate to the pace or style of their parent’s worship service.

Rich Price, Worship Leader, says Grace City unashamedly seeks to involve 20’s and 30’s males in the life of the church. There is an intentional nurture and instruction for young men who are cast into a myriad of new roles—as husbands, fathers, and chief bread-winners.

The reality of the fractured family of the past few decades has, in many instances, left a gaping hole in the mentoring of young men. “We feel like there is a strong need for men to be men in a church, to raise up godly leaders, family leaders, and community leaders in the church,” Rich says.

Simplicity Grace City describes their structure as “simple.” In their initial research on how to attract a number of the un-churched and de-

d Hederman: Senior Pastor: “I was

to a family where my parents really ed for me what it looked like to love the od with all your heart, soul, mind and h. It wasn’t just a Sunday morning faith I t when I came through high school, I was ly the religious, judgmental guy. It took a of pivotal events during college for me to nderstand…being a Christian is not about . It’s about relationship with Jesus.”

Rich Price: Worship Leader and Wearer of many hats! “Music has always been a big love in my life. I never thought doing music and leading worship as a career was an option for me. It’s kind of a fluke thing that leading worship happened for me.”

churched, a simple schedule was important. David says, ”We want to give families time to be involved in their community, in their home, time to be an influence for Christ right where they are.” One of David’s frequent comments is “Church is not the finish line. It is the starting line for you. I want a person to come on Sunday morning, worship God, hear the word and go out and live it out where ever they go the next week.”

The vision for Grace City was not hammered out by a committee of twenty-somethings who wanted to erase everything traditional. The advisory board includes several over the age of fifty who bring a wealth of life experience as well as leadership experience to the table. Andy Wimberly, who jokingly calls himself, “Grace City’s token old person” is part of a core of more than a hundred regular attendees who fill the transformed auditorium of Gulf Guaranty’s conference center on the I55 west frontage road every Sunday morning.

Although the church is definitely reaching out to involve young families and singles, David says the leadership team is fighting against being a “niche” church. “I like to have empty nesters here who have kids in this age group. I believe there is strength in a multigenerational church.”

How is such an idea working? Apparently it is working amazingly well. With emphasis on building programs for people around three

Kim Parrish: Director of Children’s Ministry. Kim, a native of Carrollton, Georgia, she discovered her gift for kid’s ministry by accident. From the first moment she volunteered to help with children, she loved it. “I couldn’t get enough of it! When God puts that passion in you, it just feels like a natural thing. It’s a calling!”

principles: to reach, to heal, and to release, Grace City’s vision is easy for young and old to support.

Kim Parrish, a former head of children’s ministry at First Baptist, began volunteering at Grace City from the start. Her gift is children’s ministry, and she is absolutely called to it. Rich and David knew a strong children’s program would be vital for a successful church plant from the very first day, but they wanted a first-class curriculum that engaged the children and captured their hearts. Therefore, Kim was the perfect fit— she was no novice at children’s ministry!

One of the key programs at Grace is the “family worship service” that takes place during the 10:30 adult worship service. Parents are encouraged to attend that service with their children from time to time where the sermon applications are very much geared to the child’s level of understanding. The hope is that such a service encourages parents and children to discuss scripture and principles during the week and lessons learned become life principles engrained.

Jeanne Scarbrough, mother of boys ages seven and five, says family worship is a very meaningful part of the week for her family. “We love that we are able to see firsthand what our kids are learning. It is fun for us to all be together and see them learn to pray and to learn God’s word.”

If reaching others is dependent on attracting potential visitors who will find a warm welcome, meaningful relationships, and sound teaching, metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 29

Worship services are filled with songs of praise.

then that “reaching” is closely connected to how well Grace City executes the “healing” and “releasing.” As a blueprint, it is all very powerful.

The most amazing thing but something that shouldn’t surprise any believer is that the welcoming smiles and greetings on Sunday morning are not forced, rehearsed, or plastic. These people are genuinely interested in connecting. Their obvious bond with each other definitely feels inclusive to visitors. It’s hard not to be drawn to people who are drawn to you. There is something genuine and not contrived here.

What Releasing Looks Like

The Sunday morning venue.

Visitors find a friendly and sincere welcome.

Being the church outside the four walls of the church is foundational to the membership at Grace City. As a new congregation, they prioritize their collective service to others in the world beyond the church walls. To their way of thinking, their serving means they are obedient to Christ, but their serving together creates a hard-to-explain kind of bond that strengthens their personal relationships with Christ and brings them all closer to each other.

A video on their Face book page chronicles several of their efforts during 2011. For a very new congregation of mostly young families, the video speaks volumes about a focus on serving and a priority of giving of self. When Grace City talks about “releasing” they definitely have in mind to “release” the church to serve both in the community around them and to the larger community as far away as Africa. On both counts, the video reveals a group of sincere believers who realize that giving involves resources and time and personal “being there” to touch the lives of others who are in one kind of need or another. And it is worth mentioning that those serving look like they are having a lot of fun.

Like real fun. Like no pretense.

David says, “We are called to release the churched. We are not a body of believers content to keep our faith marginalized and restrained but we know that God has redeemed us to live out our faith not just on Sundays but on every day of the week. And when we follow God’s leading for our community we will bring glory and honor to Christ.

Whenever we honor Christ, whenever we worship Christ, it restores

Working with Mission First in West Jackson, Grace City performed community clean up and put together kid activities for the Mission First children’s program.

30 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

FOR SALE²LEASE 331 Distribution Drive Madison, Mississippi

Fellowship a the coffee bar.

Property Highlights

The children’s ministry is meaningful and packed with learning opportunities.

CANTON

• • • • • • • •

Sale $500,000 / Lease $4,200 per month x Sale $500,000 / Lease $4,200 Per Month Great location, easy access to I-55 x Great location easy access to I-55 Growing and safe area x Growing safe area 2,200 SF office heated/cooled x 2,200 SF Office Heated/Cooled 2,800 SF warehouse heated x 2,800 SF Warehouse Heated 1,800 SF unfinished office area x 1,800 SF Unfinished Office area 1.07 acres land area x 1.07 Acres will landconsider area a Sale Lease Back—up to Current owner Current Owner will consider a Sale Lease Back² 5x years up level to 5 years • Grade roll-up doors x

Nissan Plant

331 Distribution Dr GLUCKSTADT

Grade level roll-up doors

MADISON

For more information, please contact: 613 Crescent Circle, Ste 200 Ridgeland, MS 39157 P: 601-898-2900 F: 601-853-4748

Aysata Guinea Africa has cerebral palsy, Grace City’s gift helped missionaries build a special chair which give Aysata independence.

our soul because we are living out what we were created to do.”

I have to emphasize the part about restoring our souls. I have seen that played out over and over with so many interviews over the years. It is so true that as we give, we receive in soul-filled ways we could never have imagined. It appears that Grace City knows this.

Matthew 28:19 is the passage we call The Great Commission where Jesus gave the charge to go and make disciples as we share the gospel everywhere. We, in the Bible Belt, refer to “the gospel” as comfortably as we refer to our third cousin, “John.” But even here we stop in our tracks and take notice when we see even one person living out the gospel in the mundane every day. To “consider the needs of others above our own,” (Philippians 2:3) to “lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13), to “go and to teach all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) – well, it just goes against the culture we live in to be that giving toward our fellow man. But it also makes it easy to understand why a movement like Grace City gets so many curious and interested visitors.

People are thirsty, and there is nothing in the world and of the world that is satisfying that thirst. It’s a God-thirst whether we acknowledge it or not. Why not check in to a congregation close by and see what they are preaching. See if anything resonates with the hole in your heart. I am just betting the answers are there. And you might find exactly what you are looking for at Grace City Church. Y

Hank Holman Hank Holman

Hank@Holman.ms Hank@Holman.ms 601-209-9200 mobile mobile 601-209-9200 601-499-4317 office direct 601-499-4317

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metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 31

➺let’s talk it over

by DON WALLER

Tis the Season to be STRESSED? The commercial said “you will spend too much”“you will eat too much” and “you will not get enough rest”, so come do it in our city!

Plato’s Closet in Ridgeland has tons of gently used brand name jeans, tees, tanks, hoodies and shoes to fill your closet at up to 70% off regular retail.

1260 East Countyline Rd. Ridgeland, MS 39157 601-487-8207

www.PlatosClosetRidgeland.com

Hmm, the ad was honest to a fault about the Christmas season. As the song says “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”…I wonder why I fail to experience it as “wonderful”?

Each year I commit to slowing down and enjoying the true joys of the season. Why is it so hard for me to celebrate and embrace the birth of our Lord and Savior?

The key to solving this dilemma begins with answering the question, “What am I really celebrating? Well, Christmas, of course. Really? How? Will I celebrate it the world’s way or the way that God intends for me to celebrate the good news of what Christ did for us? “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. Ok, that is what will help me to focus on the stuff that matters…Christ, family, friends, and people in need!! If Christ is the “light of the world” then we as Christians need to be shining His light during the Christmas season.

Some practical measures would be to have a plan before the season starts: Set a budget on how much you plan to spend on gifts and include a gift to someone or an organization that meets the need of the poor. Plan to set aside time for family, taking a walk or bike ride together, attending a church Christmas service and or musical, playing board games or decorating your Christmas tree. Stay on your normal routine of getting enough rest, exercise, and spend time with God every day...renew your mind! This will help both you and me to stay balanced during the Christmas season. Oh, and Merry Christmas! Y Don Waller lives in Jackson and is married with three children. He is a marriage & family therapist at Summit Counseling. Credentials: MS, NCC, LPC

32 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

by BETH MORGAN

➺

and another thing

Mary’s First Christmas Isaiah 40:3: “…Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

P

reparing for an event can be almost as exciting and rewarding as the event itself. This is true for Christmas, and I imagine it was true for Mary as she awaited the arrival of her baby. In fact, given that both Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth, were expecting within months of one another, their families were probably fed up to their back teeth with baby plans and baby talk.

There is a reason women get so preoccupied with getting ready for a baby.

Picking out cute booties and bibs embroidered with ducks and slogans like “Drool Rules” takes your mind off the fact that a small human being will be ripping its way out of your body in several months. Just so, picking out gifts and crumbling French’s onion rings over anything that will fit into a casserole dish takes our minds off of how tired we will be when the day finally gets here.

Then Christmas comes. Gifts are unwrapped.

Just as the last bit of turkey is picked off the bones, we start hunting for the receipts for presents that will need to be returned. In the midst of wrappings and ribbons, cards and holly, boxes and bags, it’s easy to lose sight of a small baby.

I envision Mary spending the months of her pregnancy weaving and sewing small wraps and nappies for her son. She probably made a special space in their house for the child where she gathered the baby gifts that were given to her. As she worked in her home she began to move knives and breakable objects to higher shelves. She had already begun gathering the herbs she would need in case the baby had colic, and Mary’s mother had given her a jar of the oil that she used for bottom rashes. In the evening, when Joseph returned from work, her second question after “How was your day?” was probably “And how is the baby’s crib coming? Will it be finished in time?”

The midwife was on stand-by, and Mary’s mother had made arrangements for a friend to watch her other children so that she could be with Mary at the delivery.

Then one afternoon, in the midst of all this activity, an officer comes through town.

Everyone’s attention is drawn to him by the

sound of hammering as he posts notices to the good people of Galilee. The government was dictating a change in plans for Mary and Joseph. Mary would not have the security of going through labor in her own home. Mary’s mother would not be holding her hand during the delivery. Joseph would be schlepping her to Bethlehem so that they could participate in the bureaucratic exercise known as the census—no more popular today than it was then.

Man plans. God laughs.

The good news is that He’s laughing with us and not at us. The really good news is that His will is done, regardless of our timetables and agendas. So what if the stores sell out, the car breaks, the bird burns, and the lights short out. What does it matter if you can’t find where you hid the present you bought last summer because it was the perfect gift and it was on sale? Who cares if your yard reindeer looks more like a unicorn because one of its antlers got sucked up by the leaf truck last year? If the Christmas story tells us anything, it’s that God is more than willing to lampoon our best laid plans to get us focused on what matters—a little baby, a bright star, and the wonder of a miracle. Y Beth Morgan is a free lance writer and attorney. You can reach her at Mhostel@hotmail.com metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 33

➺all in the family

by DR JOHN L. COX

‘Twas the Night Before a Fashionable Suburban Christmas Editor’s Note: Just for fun! Dr. John Cox’s Christmas Classic.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

But not because they were all snuggled in beds.

They were consumed by suburban lifestyles instead!

Mom’s working Junior League; Daughter’s flirting with boys.

I work all the time just to bankroll their toys.

And little son, Billy, though only thirteen, Is at basketball practice or he’ll be thrown off the team.

But we all have our cell phones, and we’re doin’ alright.

Hey, the wife just “texted” me.... “No supper tonight!”

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I ran to the window to see what was the matter.

But it wasn’t ole Santa, just my surly teen daughter, Backing over the garbage in the Lexus I bought her.

“Come clean it up, Daddy!” she said and was gone, With Britney Spears singing some trashy love song.

Son’s back from practice, he’s up in his bed.

Not studying I’m sure, playing X-Box instead.

His grades are the worst. He’s not even trying.

If he says he’s takin’ his Ritalin, he’s lyin’!

The wife’s on a tennis team, bunko and fitness.

When not lunching at Char, she keeps CoatTails in business.

She puts 8000 miles on her Land Rover each week, And is thinking about opening a Chi Chi boutique.

(Which means we’ll have to move to Eastover, I think.)

The moon on the crest of the new fallen snow Gave a luster of midday to objects below.

But then I saw something was deceiving my sight, No Snow—We had just gotten “Rolled” last night.

(Besides no Christmas Snow here, since the War, am I right?)

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, Santa had come, he was never too late.

(But he couldn’t use the chimney ‘cause the gas logs are fake.)

So I opened the door or he’d set off the alarm.

And those Wackenhut guys would sure do him harm.

He was dressed all in fur. He was big, red and grand!

And a large EMPTY sack he held tight in his hand...

34 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

“No more toys for you, my over worked friend.

How you survive I cannot comprehend.

You spend all your money and you have no more time.

By three years of age your kids socially climbed.

Everyone in your family has a cellular device, And your daughter’s closet looks like Maison Weiss.

You never eat dinner with the family together.

The mini skirt your ten year old wears is black leather.

Your son is a hood and he’s flunking in school.

They hate going to church ‘cause the preacher’s not cool.

You have five cars when some don’t have any, And seven TV’s in one house is too many!

The jolly ole elf had a grand plan tonight, A way for our family to get back our life!

“I’m bringing the greatest gift of them all, A big sack to haul all this stuff back to the mall!”

I’ll haul off a sleigh full, then haul off another.

I’m going to force you to TALK TO EACH OTHER!” Then he spoke not a word but went straight to his work, He took CD’s and TV’s and turned with a jerk...

Gone Tivo; Gone iPod; Gone Dell and Hitachi; Gone Hammacher Schlemmer, Horchow and Versace!

And, of the next part I could never be sure, but I swear he took all the wife’s Juicy Couture.

From the back of our porch to the front of our hall He took away, took away, took away all.

And then before my incredulous eyes, He took all my camouflaged hunting supplies!

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He filled his big sack with a satisfied pose, And with all of our junk, up the chimney he rose.

Then sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a call.

The poor reindeer all strained just to take off with it all.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he rode out of sight, “I’ve got all your stuff, but it will be alright.

A family was made to live with each other Not frantically race around “texting” their mother.”

Needless to say my whole family FREAKED! “Where are all our precious electronics,” they shrieked.

“What will my friends say, I’ll be an outcast.”

The wife said the whole town would think us “low class.”

So Santa’s idea was not quite a winner, But I said, we can discuss it and we sat down...to DINNER! And for the first time in decades, I felt alright, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT! *All individuals described herein are, of course, fictional. (Except for Santa!) Otherwise, any resemblance to real situations, friends or family is most certainly unintentional and coincidental. Y Dr John L. Cox is a clinical psychologist in practice here in Jackson.

He works with adults, marriages and children. You can contact him at 601-352-7398. Visit the webpage for Dr. Cox’s upcoming book at www.thebigpictureparent.com

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metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 35

➺healthy living YOUR HOLIDAY GUIDE TO

“Maintain, Don’t Gain”

601.500.5560 www.wellspringms.com

hanksgiving has come and gone, you are trying to convince yourself that you are “still” bloated from Thanksgiving dinner, it’s just water weight, or the dryer must be shrinking your clothes. Unfortunately, the

T

❄ Bring your lunch to work during the month

culprit is splurging on Thanksgiving dinner and leftovers. The countdown to Christmas and the New Year have begun. Soon you’ll be gathering to celebrate with family and friends—and you’ll be confronted by tempting food everywhere.

However, you can embrace the fun of the season without packing on extra pounds!

Many studies show the average holiday weight gain is from 5 to 10 pounds. The goal is to stay within two to three pounds of your starting weight during those tough weeks when temptation seems to lurk around every corner.

This holiday season, practice moderation when eating, engage in physical activity every day, manage holiday stress, and avoid weight gain.

One way to spice up the challenge is by creating your own “Maintain, Don’t Gain” team.

Make it a family affair; grab a few colleagues, church members or gym buddies. Give yourselves a team name and let the fun begin!

Add incentives or awards to the team members that maintain or lose weight by the final afterholiday weigh in. If you want to improve your physical and mental health and well-being, “Maintain, Don’t Gain” can help you set and achieve meaningful goals. See tips and guidelines listed below.

Holiday Recipe Tips

Holiday Party Pointers and Guidelines for Work ❄ Plan ahead, eat light during other meals to balance the calories and fat in the party food.

❄ Have a low-fat, low-calorie snack before leaving for the party to curb your appetite.

❄ Prepare a healthy appetizer to bring to the party, like a veggie or fruit platter.

❄ Bring a friend along to hold you accountable for how much you are consuming.

❄ It is OK to be picky, select only the foods you really want from the buffet table .

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36 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

by ROCHELLE CULP

❄ Drink water, diet or club soda instead of high calorie drinks like eggnog or regular sodas.

❄ Wait ten minutes before going back for seconds to decide if you really are still hungry.

❄ At work and at parties socialize away from the buffet table and other sources of food and drinks.

of December.

❄ Pack snacks and drinks such as an apple, nuts, and bottled water for work.

❄ When baking replace half of the oil with applesauce to reduce the fat.

❄ Use marshmallow crème in frosting instead of butter or margarine.

❄ Substitute one whole egg for two egg whites when baking.

❄ Prepare recipes with low-fat cheeses. ❄ Instead of heavy cream, use evaporated skim milk.

❄ Replace sour cream with equal amounts of fat-free plain yogurt.

❄ Instead of traditional pie crusts, try using finely crushed cinnamon graham crackers.

❄ Make angel food cake and decorate it with lite cool whip and fresh fruit for a fat-free dessert.

Holiday Shopping and Exercise Tips ❄ Start your shopping in the mall at the furthest location to add more steps.

❄ Go shopping after you eat a meal, the extra steps will help burn calories.

❄ Do not be tempted by the food court . ❄ All month - take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator.

❄ Take a short walk after family gatherings or large meals.

❄ Try to get some physical activity during your lunch hour.

❄ Have a Wii-fit marathon workout. ❄ Get family members involved in physical activity with team sport competitions.

❄ Continue your current workout program or start a workout program you can maintain during the holidays.

Whether you decide to go at it alone or with a group, enjoy the holiday season and have fun!

Although the program begins during the holidays, it can teach you to think in a healthful way that can last all year long. Y Rochelle Culp is owner of Ro-on-the-Go LLC, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor (on staff at Fitness Lady Health Clubs Inc.) Resource – Fit City Challenge

Trey and Mamie Heron

The Skinny on Skinny’s

by MARILYN TINNIN

W

e have all heard the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Not so at Skinny’s nutrition studio in Ridgeland. Whether you would like to drop the extra six or seven pounds

that have slowly crept up on you this past year or the extra thirty or forty that keep multiplying with every year—this is the place where wellness, nutrition, and a customized individualized program come together. At no additional charge, you can get as much or as little help as you need. Or maybe you aren’t worried about your weight at all, but you know you are not giving your body the nutrition it needs to keep up with life’s pace. You can get great coaching and a customized program for that as well.

Trey and Mamie Heron are so sure of their program that they offer a free wellness profile with body analysis and free smoothie for your sampling just for coming by to find out how Skinny’s program works. Opened on Old Canton Road in August, 2010, Skinny’s has helped hundreds succeed in their wellness goals.

The Skinny’s shakes which form the staple part of the program come in 45 flavors and pack 24-27 grams of protein. They contain between 210-250 calories each and have low sugar and fat content: therefore, they are quite filling and keep you satisfied for hours!

The best thing about Skinny’s program is that its participants gain muscle while shedding fat. It doesn’t take long before clothes fit differently.

There are numerous options on how to incorporate the Skinny’s program into your life.

Open from 7 a.m. till 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, some customers stop by and have a shake for breakfast everyday and eat “lean” and “green” for lunch and dinner. Some eager people substitute the shake for breakfast and lunch and eat dinner as usual with the family.

Calorie intake and metabolic rate are analyzed during the wellness profile.

Understanding the way your body burns fuel is a huge step toward reaching and maintaining your ideal weight.

Skinny’s also sponsors a monthly contest for “the biggest losers” who win cash prizes of $599, $399, and $199. This program involves a weekly weigh-in and the option of attending instructional nutrition classes and enjoying one on one time with a wellness coach who can help with meal planning and exercise tips as well. Y metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 37

➺let’s get real

by JANIE PILLOW

The Ozzie and Harriet Christmas Myth

L

ots of us remember watching the television series Ozzie and Harriet. If you’re too young to have

seen it, let me tell you about it. Ozzie and Harriet were perfect parents of perfect children in a perfect home. Everyone was sweet and kind. Every problem or conflict in the family was resolved with big smiles within 30 minutes. Christmas… it was magnificent –a wondrous tree surrounded by piles of presents that were exactly what each one wanted. No one was disgruntled with their gift no matter how large or small it was.

I hate to tell you this, but that kind of Christmas, if it ever existed, is long gone for the majority of people today. Even strongly committed followers of Christ will go through Christmas this year with a broken family caused by unresolved conflict, wayward children, separation and divorce, blended families or other losses. These families have built in pain that no present can turn into an Ozzie and Harriet Christmas.

Statistics say Christmas is a time when tension within families, depression in individuals increases and even suicide attempts occur.

From where do all of these painful emotions come? Experts suggest that Christmas represents the way things ought to be, the ideals we all wish characterized our lives. But we face the reality of spending Christmas with families fill with hurt, alienation and conflict. Rather than bringing us joy, Christmas brings our pain and disappointment to the surface.

Every year I offer some crucial advice to my clients whose anxiety increases as Christmas nears. Here are some practical steps to making Christmas a fulfilling and God-honoring time. We need to do away with the Ozzie and Harriet ideal. We need to face that this is a fallen world, even at Christmas. There are some things that we cannot change. But there is one thing that you can change, you and your approach to this season that represents the beginning of the greatest joy and greatest sacrifice the world has ever known.

Began by take an account of mistakes you made last Christmas.

Every year we vow not to spend past out budget landing us in debt and causing us to feel guilty for our lack of self control. Decide how much you will spend and allocate how much you will spend on each individual. We vow that next Christmas we will engage our children in sacrificing so that someone that has nothing, might have something.

Our lists are long if we are introspective.

How often at Christmas parents try to out do what they did the year before as a way of showing our children how much we love them.

Well, Christmas is not the time to show that love is measured by giving our children what we can’t afford. It’s not a time to make up for time that you did not spend with them during the year. It’s not a time teach your children to “keep up with the Jones.” It just might be the time to help your children learn to be realistic about the meaning behind the gift (GIFT), rather that the measure of the cost of the gift. It’s a time 38 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

to teach your children the joy of giving to those who seem to be people the world has forgotten.

I often see parents angry with their children because the children were not “appropriately” grateful for the gifts they have received.

When the truth is that the parent spent more than they should have and they expect the child to realize the extreme sacrifice the parent has made and respond appropriately. This is confusing for a child. On the one hand we berate the child because we want them to be appreciative when actually we are encouraging entitlement in them. I often have kids in my office tell me that they didn’t want all they got if it was going to make their parents mad at them and constantly be telling them how much they spent or how they sacrificed so the child would not be disappointed.

Christmas today, as the first Christmas was, is about giving to others and learning the joy that comes from that. Adopt a family or find something where your children actually are willing to get less in order to learn the joy of sacrifice. Take your children to see shut-in people that are lonely.

In order to change the focus of your Christmas, you must do some work on yourself.

PREPARE YOURSELF The weeks before Christmas are a wonderful opportunity for us to get the real meaning of love, relationships and the meaning of Christmas straight in our own hearts.

First, affirm that Christmas is for the honor of Christ and not for

your pleasure or the time to prove to your children how much you really love them.

Second, admit to yourself the hurt and anger you have toward the people who will be at your Christmas celebration.

Third, take time to look behind the things that have caused your hurt and anger. Don’t ask what should they have done for me, but how could I behave towards them in such a way that I will declare myself “not their enemy.” Look deeply at them until you can value the other person as the image of God and (perhaps) a servant of Christ. Say to yourself, “Except for the grace of God their go I”. Find something in them that indicates they should be treated with dignity and honor at Christmas. This will take humility. We usually we spend time “practicing” the wrongs they have done to us and don’t focus on how we have responded to them; or how we “might” have responded differently to them that would have stopped the spiral of negativity in which you seemed to be locked with someone else. So the big question here is: What do I want to understand about myself that causes me to respond in such a negative way to the other person.

MAKE A PERSONAL PLAN Set goals for yourself that will make you a “minister of reconciliation” which brings peace. These goals should be ones that are visible to your children and others around you. They should see in you that you are not modeling the superficial atmosphere of Christmas. You are trying to live in such a way (without having to talk about it) that you children and those around you see that the Christmas you are celebrating is that God gave us the greatest gift ever received and that we should live thankful lives for every small blessing that comes to us at Christmas (and throughout the year).

The goals that you set should then determine your actions. If your actions are not consistent with the goals, they probably are worldly and indicate we have taken our eyes on how we have been blessed.

Take time each day to focus on your goals and the real meaning of Christmas. Your agenda is for you. It is personal. It is your walk before the Lord to let your walk and decisions reflect what is in your heart.

Whether it’s an hour, a whole day, or even several days –make a personal plan. Other people may or may not notice or agree that somehow you are different this Christmas. You are not doing it for them or their approval. You are doing it because it is a special time that we can deeply feel the joy we should, that God sent his Son (the greatest gift) for me personally. Hebrews says, “since we have such a wonderful salvation, let us show gratitude.”

Try to let go of envy, malice wrongs that people have done to you.

You may not even want to address problems in relationships, or try to repair them. You may not want to go around apologizing for everything you have done wrong and expecting others to be of the same mindset.

What you might want to do instead is give every person a warm smile, look them in the eyes, and clasp their hand in Christian love. Do these things in the spirit of Christian love. This time could be a time where you show the love of Christ and save the resolutions of those problems are for another time.

Instead, remember your preparation? Honoring Christ, admitting your own hurt, and valuing others around you. After you have been introspective as to how you have not honored God. Then make a plan to put your Goals into effect.

First, your Christmas will honor Christ, if you remember that he is there with you watching everything you do. How would he want you to feel and behave? Remember. He ate with sinners and tax collectors.

How did he treat them?

Second, when you remember that you have not been perfect in the ways you have treated others during the year, it will help you to be

more humble toward those who have offended you. Keep your heart attuned to how much Jesus has forgiven you. Third, pick one way you will visibly demonstrate to every individual who will be with you at Christmas that you honor them as God’s image.

Prepare yourself and follow your personal plan. These steps will not bring you an Ozzie and Harriet Christmas. But they will enable you to have a much more fulfilling time together. And besides, you know that Ozzie and Harriet were not real. They were a fantasy. But you and your family are real and the drops of blessings God can bring to you this Christmas will be real as well.

So to help you have a Christmas that takes the focus off of the world and on the real meaning of Christmas, you must first get your priorities in order. I suggest that you actually write down the answers to the following questions.

1. WHAT DO I want to understand about myself in relation to Christmas?

2. WHAT DO I want to understand about my family’s relationship?

3. WHAT DO I want to give up doing and start doing instead?

4. WHAT DO I want to feel when the packages have been unwrapped and the festivities are over?

5. HOW DO I want Christ to feel about me in my efforts to take the Ozzie and Harriett ideal out of the manger and put He who was the greatest gift the world has ever known there.

6. ON A SCALE from 1 (meaning I repeated the same old materialistic, narcissistic, love buying Christmas) all the way to 10 (meaning that my heart was changed by my goals and focusing on my gratitude for Christ, and because my focus was different, I lived each moment as if the living Christ were there to see how I had honored him and allowed my family to have a good time.)

Sometimes when we feel the best about ourselves is when we realize we have not been selfish, entitled and gaining for me, not giving to those others that have much less than I do.

Merry Christmas! Y Janie Pillow is in private practice at Janie Pillow Counseling (601- 853-4788) She is also Co-founder of Third Millennium Ministries and has served since its inception as Chairman of the Board. (See www.ThirdMill.Org. “Seminary Education for the World for Free.”)

metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 39

➺lagniappe

by KRISTI BROWN

THIS WILL BE A SIGN TO YOU

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ecently, I was driving to Birmingham, Alabama to a funeral of a dear friend’s father. I had a lot of windshield time so I took it upon myself to talk

on the cell phone to pass the time. I had a lot on my mind and needed to receive as much encouragement from my personal “dream team” as I could possibly get. Primarily, I was talking to one of my mentors who always offers me a more positive way of looking at things that I perceive as roadblocks.

Here’s how part of the conversation went: K: I’m just agonizing over this; I am just so unsure of myself.

L: It’s perfectly normal that you feel that way given the circumstances.

K: But what if they laugh at me? What if I’m making a mistake? I don’t want to go back through a door that’s supposedly been closed.

L: But can’t you see that it may be a NEW opportunity for you? Can you look at this a little differently? Can you see that the Lord might be birthing His grand plan right here for you?

K: I just need a sign, L. I totally need a sign from the Lord that says, “Go this way or go that way.”

At that instant I was bypassing Bessemer and rolling with the flow of traffic—in the rain.

In our everyday lives, Though I was trying hard to concentrate on the God is not hidden road before me, something caught my eye off the side of the highway. I looked up at this bright, from us. He dwells purple billboard. among us whether it’s I don’t remember ever seeing a solid purple billboard before and it was so bright it almost hurt in the faces of my eyes on that cloudy day. But it jumped off the people we know and highway and into my heart and I realized that what I was experiencing was a burning bush trust or encounters moment. Here’s what the sign said: “My peace I give to you.” –Jesus with people we may (Sponsored by Birmingham Baptist not know.

Association) I almost wrecked my car because I had cried out for a sign, and there it was! God is so good in the midst of my doubts to speak so clearly to me. “Um, Kristi, here’s your sign.” –Jesus When the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary foretelling the birth of Jesus, he gave her a sign that she wasn’t losing her mind. He promised her the Holy Spirit would come upon her and basically take care of the “how-in-the-world-can-this-happen” concerns. And she trusted the angel because she knew she was serving the Lord, who had worked it all out. And when Gabriel appeared to the shepherds telling them of the “good news of great joy that will be for all people…” he promised them a sign as well—and all they had to do was look for it.

In our everyday lives, God is not hidden from us. He dwells among us whether it’s in the faces of people we know and trust or encounters with people we may not know. The signs of Him and His will for our lives can be seen by a heavenly host of angels—if we just look up from the roads we often find ourselves on.

I have no doubt that purple billboard’s message was a sign for me—and now for you through this article—that we are His royalty. And the answers to all our questions in life can be quietly swaddled in our hearts and the good news shared with others, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Y

Kristi Brown is a motivational speaker, trainer, and facilitator. Her book, To Walk on Fertile Ground, shares her story of hope and grace through her experiences of infertility and cancer and is available for purchase at www.amazon.com. She and her husband, Steve, reside in Starkville, MS with their two Labrador Retrievers, Sadie and Lily.

40 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

salt & light

by MIKE MCDADE

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Not Going to Africa first met Paul when I picked him up at the airport with a good friend when he arrived in America from Kenya to study theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. He had been on a plane or sleeping in airports for 36 hours, and had just two bags with him.

I would have been a basket case, but he was excited and happy. His smile seemed to light up the car.

Time passed and Paul became a mainstay in my life. I would see him at Reformed Theological Seminary every day and on Sundays at the church I attended. Same smile, same feeling like I was walking in the presence of love. My boys fell in love with him as well. One day he was at our house and Davis was playing basketball outside. Davis asked Paul if he had ever played basketball; Paul of course said he had not. Davis tossed him the ball while he stood in the grass some thirty feet from the goal. Paul looked at the basket, and then he shot, SWOOSH. We call it string music. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exact words were, Paul â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basketball is too easy, Davis.â&#x20AC;? From that point forward Davis thought Paul was a basketball god.

Sometime later a repeat incident happened while we were working together cleaning up an office building. Paul couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work because of his immigration status, but he hated to ask for money, so we paid him cash to help us occasionally with our cleaning service, so he could buy things for his family. We were cleaning up one day when he mesmerized Davis again. There was a basketball goal outside and Davis was outside shooting while Paul, Michael, Sandra and I were cleaning inside. After we finished, we were sitting outside watching Davis shoot when Davis passed the ball to Paul standing on the elevated dock 35 feet away from the goal.

Davis screamed â&#x20AC;&#x153;SHOOTâ&#x20AC;? and Paul drained it. Paul said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Davis, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why you practice so much, Basketball is easyâ&#x20AC;?. He had only taken two shots in his life, and both were way beyond the NBA three-point line, and he made them both. Paul and Davis will be bonded for life. Paul is like Michael Jordan in Davisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyes.

I will never forget the last time I saw Paul, we were at school and it was finals week, and I hugged his neck because I knew I may never see him again, and in typical Paul fashion he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why so sad, Mike McDade? We will see each other again when you build me a water well

I

in Africa.â&#x20AC;? I laughed at the statement and hugged his neck. I love this man.

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think much about his statement for a couple of years, but soon it was haunting my prayers and dreams. Every time I prayed God would ask me to do it for Him. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to. I love what I am doing now. The next time I would pray it would be the same scenario. I was beginning to get irritated, and it was affecting my prayer life. We moved to Colorado, and I thought for sure we were done with that conversation, but little did I know.

I was attending an event in Colorado two months ago when the speaker stopped in the middle of his speech and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really feel like God is asking me to tell the audience to pray and ask God what would you like for me to do for you?â&#x20AC;? I knew what it was before I lowered my head. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Okay! God, You have to give me a sign right now that I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deny no matter what; burning bush type!â&#x20AC;?

Then the speaker asked if everyone was done, and started talking. This is what he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am going to change directions and tell you a story. You see my wife and I were in AFRICAâ&#x20AC;?. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear another word he said the rest of the night. I was crying from deep inside of my soul for denying God, my friend and this crazy relationship I have with my Father.

Two weeks later a woman from Alaska calls me and tells me that she is going to build a water well for Paul in Kenya, and did I think it would be possible to use an article I had written about him on my blog over a year ago. She cried as she told me the story that she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t raise the $20,000.00-$30,000.00 necessary to build the well. Her youth group had raised $8,000.00, but they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t raise the rest of the support. I told her the whole story about Paul and our relationship and we cried. I told her I would raise the additional money to build the well and we would go to see Paul in Kenya.

GOD, I AM GOING TO AFRICA! PEOPLE ARE DYING DAILY IN AFRICA FROM LACK OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER! If you want to donate to this project, and we need your help, please go to the following link, or email me directly at mike@eyesoftheheart.com or http://eyesoftheheart.com/donate. Y Mike McDade leads a ministry, The Eyes of the Heart, a non-profit that exists solely for the purpose of providing resources for wisdom and to help inspire revelation in the lives of men and women seeking to know Jesus Christ.

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➺homeworks

by CATHY HAYNIE

Christmas Time!

There’s excitement in the air!

You can feel it everywhere!

Christmas Time is FINALLY here...

Filling our hearts with love and cheer!

There’s expectation in their eyes– As kids look for Santa across the skies!

It’s hard to describe the feeling of joy Found on the faces of each girl and boy!

In the churches, the malls, or down the street...

The children are telling everyone they meet, “Santa’s Coming!” they say with a grin!

“Yes, Santa Claus is coming again!”

“We’ve been ready for him for weeks, you see...

With the decorations and our Christmas Tree!

Soon, we’ll put out milk and cookies, too!

I wonder what Santa will bring for you!?”

But, when they awaken on Christmas morn– How many remember their Savior was born?

As they take gifts from under the tree; Will they remember Calvary?

Will they remember how He died on that Cross, To keep all people from being lost?

Or, that He rose again the Third Day? He paid the price we could not pay!

Because of Jesus, we won’t die in sin; And better yet, HE is coming again!

He’ll take us to a far more wonderful place, Where we’ll see Him daily Face to Face!

So, as you take gifts from under your tree– Remember God’s Gift to you and to me!

The TRUE meaning of Christmas will be very clear!

And, best of all; it will last all year!

There’s excitement in the air!

You can feel it everywhere!

Christmas Time is ALWAYS here...

Filling our hearts with love and cheer!

There’s expectation in our eyes– As we look for JESUS across the Skies!

In the churches, the malls or down the street...

His children are telling everyone they meet, “JESUS is coming!!” they say with a grin!

“Jesus Christ is coming again!”

“I’ve been ready for Him a while, you see...

I’d love to take you to Heaven with me!!

Soon He’ll be here! You’ll know it, too!”

I wonder if Jesus is coming for You?!”

Merry CHRISTMAS and a Blessed 2012!

Eugene C. Brown, Jr., D.D.S., M.S., P.A. www.dreugenebrown.com 125 Jones Street, Madison, MS 39110

601-853-0303 5800 Ridgewood Road, Suite 103, Jackson, MS 39211

601-957-1711 Visit us on Facebook at Dr. Brown’s SMILES BY DESIGN “The American Dental Association recommends that a child see an orthodontist by age seven.”

MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS

42 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

A LESS STRESSFUL SEASON

Y

ou made it to December!

This last year of the month is known for family celebrations, reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in awhile, and most of all, for remembering the birth of our Savior. It is also the time we overspend, over commit, and generally overdo. Women re-decorate their entire house, buy gifts for everyone they know and love, send letters to folks they don’t talk to all year, go to every store in town, and go to parties and celebrations for children, friends, family, and coworkers, and cook more in this month than the rest of the entire year. This is all done on top of regular life- house cleaning and laundry and church and boys scouts and basketball and work.

No wonder we are tired! Take a few minutes with a cup of hot tea and get some perspective. As you consider the elements of the Christmas season for you and your family, while remembering the real focus of Christmas, I encourage you to have a key filter in place for making decisions on these December day to day demands, “does this overextend us?” This question applies to it all, schedules, money, home projects, nights out, and more, and helps us to relax and enjoy Christmas as a celebration of Christ’s birth and gift to us. Here are some suggestions to avoid overextending in key areas.

FINANCES. There are two key practices that help you avoid overspending at Christmas: a list and a budget. Make a list of all your special Christmas purchases, gifts, philanthropies, cards, entertaining, and decorations. Determine your overall budget and specify limits for gifts and other areas. Your budget is most helpful when it is specific. Finally, avoid a common pitfall by not second guessing yourself. Have you ever looked at what you planned to give a family member and decided it wasn’t enough? Recognize this potential disaster and stick to your budget!

EATING. We’ve just mentioned prioritizing our spending, now let’s prioritize eating as well. If you know you have a special dinner, occasion, or party, be disciplined in the day(s) before. By eating healthy and drinking plenty of water on most days, an occasional holiday splurge won’t be such a set back. Little things, like smaller plates, avoiding seconds, having healthy snacks on hand, and saving those extra calories for the extra special, you can finish the holidays where you started.

TIME. This is the season when we tend to accomplish much in a short period of time- special parties, outings, shopping, and celebrations- all on top of life’s normal pull. You might consider some calendar restrictions: not being out of the house more than two nights in a row or only accepting two or three special things in a week. As you look at your schedule, continue to find ways to not overextend.

Christmas is a wonderful season to extend grace and joy. When we overextend with finances, eating, and time, we lose some of that perspective. I hope you will take a few minutes to reflect on the season and all that you want it to be. A little advance planning and a few boundaries will help this be a Merry Christmas for you and your family. Y

legal advice

by WILLIAM B. HOWELL

Accidental Disinheritance: It Can Easily be Avoided in Your Plan hat is this “accidental disinheritance”? Who gets

W

accidentally disinherited? How does this work? Does it really happen? Is my family in danger? Maybe. Let me explain.

You probably want your assets to go to your children when you are no longer here. Not to your son-in-law or daughter-in-law, but to your child.

And if that child should predecease you, then you would likely want the portion that would have gone to that deceased child to go to your grandchildren, that is, the children of that deceased child. But it doesn’t always work out that way, regardless of how much you want things to go your way. It has to be in writing and it has to be in the proper form.

Otherwise, your desires will be ignored.

For an example of this type process, assume you have a son named John, he is married to Mary and they have a child Jimmy. Your will leaves everything to John, but he is not living when you pass. So what happens then? It can go where John’s estate plan left it (not where you wanted it to go), and that is often the surviving spouse, Mary, your daughter-in-law.

Now, can Mary get remarried and share your money with her new husband? Sure she can. If Mary passes away, does the money she got from you go to your grandson Jimmy? Maybe, or maybe not. Depends on what Mary’s will says; it could all go to Mary’s new husband, leaving Jimmy “accidentally disinherited”.

Another situation: there are children from the first marriage and then there is a second marriage. Both spouses have children from the prior marriage. Most husbands and wives (first or second or whatever) after a while own their assets together, and often it is as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. This can include the home, the bank account, investment

accounts and so forth. Each spouse makes the other the beneficiary on their retirement accounts and life insurance. Then one spouse passes away. Where do the assets go? To the surviving spouse, of course. Then what happens to the assets when the surviving spouse passes away? They go to the children of the surviving spouse in most cases, and the children of the first spouse to die got “accidentally disinherited”.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, the husband and wife could have each used a well written Living Trust to allow the surviving spouse (they don’t yet know which of them it will be) to use and benefit from the assets during the lifetime of that surviving spouse, but, at the death of the surviving spouse, then all the remaining assets in the Living Trust of the first spouse to pass away would be distributed to that spouse’s children; or if the husband and wife had a joint trust, the assets would be divided among the children of both spouses in whatever way the spouses chose, but not to the children of the surviving spouse alone.

If you have a second marriage and have children from your prior marriage, then take a little of your time to seek out some professional advice to help you decide how you are going to prevent the heartbreak that can result from your children being left out after you are gone, particularly if you should go before your spouse. And this can be accomplished and still allow your spouse to benefit from your assets as well.

But like all planning for incapacity or death, it must be done in advance. When the time comes that you need the plan to be carried out, it is too late to then address the problem. Y

You have worked hard for it.

WHY THROW IT AWAY? We are all living longer. But we are not all going to be in good health, or aware of our families, or both. Then what happens? Someone has to take over. The question is: Will this be someone you chose? And will it be outside of court or in court? The same with the distribution of your assets after you pass away: In court or out of court? The choice is yours. What about protecting your assets from lawsuits, or a child’s inheritance from a divorce? And will most of your hard-earned savings go to the nursing home? Or have you planned? Here are a few ideas for you to consider:

Living Trust – Allows the person you choose to take over for you in the event of your incapacity, without any court involvement. At your death the person you have chosen makes the distribution of your assets the way you have instructed in your Living Trust, and to do so promptly, inexpensively and privately, without going through probate in the court.

Asset Protection – Lawsuits are filed every day. If you get sued, are your assets protected? They can be, and probably should be. Also, the divorce rate has never been higher than it is today. Will your child’s divorce cause them to lose half of what you leave them after you are gone? Not if you plan now. The level of protection (or not) is up to you.

Nursing Home Planning – Don’t qualify for long term care insurance, or can’t fit it in your budget? You don’t have to spend everything that you have in order to become eligible for nursing home benefits. There are legal and ethical ways for you to save well over half of your assets in most cases, even if you are already in the nursing home.

Hear Mr. Howell on the radio

Tuesdays 8:35 am WJNT NewsTalk 1180

THE LAW FIRM OF

WILLIAM B. HOWELL, LTD. 406 Orchard Park • Ridgeland, Mississippi (601) 978-1700 or (800) 839-7857

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 43

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his column is for sharing our faith with other readers. Sharing with and serving others changes us and reminds us that our time on earth is about much more than our own needs. To share your story or favorite scripture, please e-mail us at info@metrochristianliving.com.

John Paul Clark John Paul has served as Executive Pastor of Ministries at Christ United Methodist Church since January 2010. He and his wife of 32 years, Karen, have a daughter Mary, who has a music ministry career in Seattle, Washington.

Romans 5 challenges us to rejoice in our sufferings. Humph! Was Saint Paul having a bad day when he wrote this or was he on to something? I think he understood a truth that I am not particularly fond of.

And that is, God often changes us for good by means of trials.

Sometime ago a good Christian man entered his house and found his beloved wife dead. Their son had put her to death.

Afterwards his other son committed suicide. How much suffering could a person take? He commented, “For ten years I lived one-half inch from hell.” But today if you met him you’d say that he is living one inch from heaven. Why the change? This man allowed God to change him for the good through suffering. Instead of allowing His trials to make him bitter, he became better.

While I don’t believe that God orchestrates every trial, I do agree with Rick Warren that God never wastes a hurt. He uses them to make us holy. After St. Paul calls us to rejoice in our sufferings, he provides the reason why: “because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

If by chance you are presently struggling, remind yourself that God loves you and that he is using the struggle to change you for the good. In doing so, your trials will become a primary method for God to make you more like his son, Jesus Christ. Y

RIDGELAND 660 Highway 51 Ridgeland, MS 39157

601-605-4443 BRANDON 209 Woodgate Dr. South Brandon, MS 39042

601-824-4405 www.venableglass.com 44 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10

this is my story

by MARILYN TINNIN

From Turkey

With Love

ince 1990 Charlotte and Roy Wingard have run a local ministry (wingardhome.org) where the homeless, the down and out, and those living in the most desperate of circumstances live free of charge and receive the emotional and spiritual support to help put their lives back together. During their stay at the Wingard Home, each guest must be willing and able to seek and secure fulltime employment, save their money, and be willing to follow rules, one of which is attending chapel services.

One of the latest stories involves a precious family—baby Joshua, mom Ronda and dad, Mehmet Demir, who came from Istanbul to live at the Wingard house as they seek work and establish stable plans for their future.

Ronda Demir, grew up in West Virginia. She was sent to the Wingard home in 1996 as a troubled 16 year old. Charlotte poured herself into her charge. Ronda says that Charlotte’s impact on her life was huge. She became the parent Ronda had never had. She opened up to Charlotte, responded to the highly structured program and absorbed the biblical teaching.

When Ronda left the Wingard Home at 18, she was in some ways, happy to be on her own and away from all rules. She calls herself a very “lukewarm Christian” recognizing the truth of the Bible, the wisdom of living out the principles she had been taught at the Wingard home, but she lacked the discipline to step away from a few disastrous choices like an abusive marriage and a suicide attempt. God miraculously intervened. Still, Ronda was resisting a surrender to God’s call on her life.

In 2009 Ronda, now divorced and living in San Diego, met Mehmet online. They began to chat, eventually talked on web-cam, and she even met his family. She decided to visit having no idea the vast cultural differences for women in a Muslim culture. Getting a visa was no problem.

Once she arrived in Turkey, Mehmet showed her around. Ronda is quick to say that Mehmet respected her from the beginning, that although women in Muslim countries are not generally well treated, Mehmet was always kind, warm, and loving. Their conversations were honest and open and although Ronda quickly realized that Turkey was not the safest place

S

for a female, she felt very safe with Mehmet. They fell in love and were able to get married.

She learned much about Islam from Mehmet and his family. But the thing that stood out in her mind is that everywhere she went, there was a noticeable lack of joy on the faces of the people. “It was like a depressing black and white movie all the time,” Ronda says. Ronda and Mehmet began to talk about religion and Ronda had the opportunity to explain her faith in Christ to Mehmet. Even in that, Ronda sees God’s protective hand over her.

There was an underground church they managed to attend a few times; they met several missionaries, and Mehmet found that his employer was a Christian. Mehmet was able to read his Bible at work. He was captivated by the hope of the gospel and grew in his faith and in his understanding of the good news.

When Ronda found that she was pregnant with Joshua, she had many reasons for wanting to come back to America, not the least of which was the medical care in the United States. She found Charlotte Wingard on Facebook, reconnected and asked if she could come to Jackson to give birth and seek employment. Charlotte and Roy welcomed her with open arms and were once again the support system and the beacon of Christ’s love that she remembered.

The plan was for Mehmet to follow as soon as he received his visa.

Unfortunately, there was much red tape, much paper work, and the Turkish officials were slow to grant him a visa. Joshua Christian Demir was born in May of 2010, and Mehmet did not hold him in his arms until late summer of 2011 when he stepped off a plane in Jackson, Mississippi..

The Demir’s will be at the Wingard home until they find employment.

So far, Mehmet has managed to get a driver’s license and has done some construction work. He picks up most any skill quickly, is an expert soccer player and handyman. Their dream is to save money and be able to buy their own home. Their future seems to hold many questions, but they are certain of God’s amazing faithfulness and the certainty of His promises of plans for a hope and a future. Y

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The Greatest Gift

BENEFITS THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

by MARILYN TINNIN

I

n its second year, The Greatest Gift, a Christmas concert benefiting The Christmas Village, is a gift in itself and will feature some of

Sam Haskell

Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet

Mississippi’s favorite sons and daughters. Whether your preference is gospel, soul, easy listening, classical, country or contemporary Christian, you will find it in this lineup that is sure to be one of the highlights of central Mississippi’s Christmas season.

The concert will benefit The Christmas Village, a residential ministry for women without a support system who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and want to choose life for their unborn child. The Christmas Village, located in Canton, opened its doors in May, 2007, as a safe place for 59 young women who found the nurture, direction and skills needed to put their lives back together.

Beth Kellogg of Creative Partners Public Relations in Ridgeland is one member of a diverse committee involved in putting this event together. “It has been incredible to see how God has organized this as a mission for all of us,” she says. “Everything, and I mean everything, has been donated. All of these artists are donating their time and paying their own way. In these tough economic times, that is a powerful witness to how God opens all doors when it is for Him.” To read the amazing story and purchase tickets for the December 16, 7 p.m. concert at Belhaven University Center for the Arts visit www.thechristmasvillage.org. Tickets are available for $20 and $25.

Sam Haskell, former worldwide head of television for William Morris in Hollywood and author of the best-selling memoir, Promises I Made My Mother, will emcee the star-studded evening. Y

BRIDGET TAYLOR Contemporary Christian Artist

MARY HASKELL Entertainer and Actress

GUY HOVIS Lawrence Welk Favorite

The Greatest Gift “For unto you is born this day in the City Of David a Savior which is Christ The Lord.” - Luke 2:11

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 7:00 P.M.

Belhaven University Center for the Arts

Hosted By Sam Haskell Featuring: Bridget Taylor, Dorothy Moore, Georgia Thomas, Guy Hovis, Mary Haskell, Will North, The Williams Brothers, Kristian Dambrino and The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet.

Tickets: thechristmasvillage.org/tickets 46 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

The Williams Brothers Gospel and Soul Trio

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â&#x17E;şwelcome home

by KATE THOMAS

HOW TO MAKE

Cinnamon Ornaments O

ne of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was making ornaments with my mom and sister. Being an elementary teacher, mom always created the latest and greatest crafts for kids. All of my childhood friends still have the ornaments they made with us. Now as an adult my most favorite Christmas ornaments are not the expensive store bought ones, but the ones my mother made with me. This is why I asked Pam Burt and her fourth grade class at First Presbyterian Say School to share one of their favorite handmade ornament projects. This is super easy and only requires two ingredients and cookie cutters. Your whole house will smell like Christmas once you hang these cinnamon ornaments.

48 DECEMBER 2011 â?&#x2DC; Metro Christian Living

1.

Fill a bowl with cinnamon and add apple sauce until you reach a biscuit dough consistency

2.

Knead and roll out dough, then cut with cookie cutter

3.

Punch a hole at the top with a pencil

4.

Let it dry for a couple of days

5.

Add holiday ribbon and hang. But be careful they do break easily.

A FEW CHRISTMAS FAVORITES

FROM MS. BURT’S CLASS Favorite Christmas Ornament Katie Lewis - Bunny that my mom has had for a very long time Julia Zouboukos - Snowman Alexander Payne - The Christmas tree ornament Alice Ann Hollingsworth - Miss Piggy dressed up as an angel

Favorite Christmas Carol Leigh Hardin - Carol of the Bells and What Child is This Gayle Grantham - Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Jingle Bells… but I could go on and on.

Alice Ann Hollingsworth - We Three Kings

Favorite Christmas Book Olivia Moore – Olivia Helps with Christmas

Thank very much Ms. Burt’s class and First Presbyterian Day School for sharing with us.

Favorite Christmas Movie Grant van Landingham – The Christmas Carol (traditional version)

®

a gift from Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas by strolling through a path of twinkling lights while sipping hot apple cider, listening to Christmas carols performed by local choirs and orchestras, and watching the mystery of the nativity enacted live.

Experience a “snow shower” of Blisslights™, a new lighting effect unlike ever seen before! Take your photo with Santa, ride the train, mail that allimportant letter to the North Pole, and listen to Christmas stories.

This family-friendly event is an enchanting evening for all ages. For more information, visit www.parents-kids.com or call Parents & Kids Magazine at 601-366-0901.

December 8, 9 10 5 pm VQ 8 pm Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson $1.00 Admission ($5 max per family)

Christmas Tree Parade • Train Rides Christmas Carols • Polar Post Office Temporary Tattoos • Glow Bracelets Hot Apple Cider Appearances by Santa Claus Living Nativity And More

Call Cabot Lodge Millsaps at 800-874-4737 and mention Parents & Kids Magazine’s Christmas Fest to receive a special rate. metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 49

➺rave reviews BOOKS

Listen to the Silent Night Reviewed by Susan E. Richardson “It was not such a silent night.” So Dandi Daley Mackall begins her rhythmic retelling of the Christmas story in Listen to the Silent Night. She gives each piece of the journey to Bethlehem its own soundtrack, from an owl flying overhead to the sound of Joseph’s knock on the innkeeper’s door and the cry of the newborn baby, Jesus.

Though Mackall focuses on listening, she includes sight through strong word choices in each simple stanza. Not only do we hear the sounds surrounding the Christmas story, but we see Bethlehem’s lights and the starry skies over the shepherds. The two together provide a concrete grounding to the story appropriate for preschoolers.

Beautiful full color illustrations enhance the text, inviting the reader into the narrative. Together words and pictures encourage imaginative participation without straying from facts.

While written for children, any age will enjoy this reverent version of the Christmas story. Consider using Listen to the Silent Night for a family devotional time or other group. You may want to read it more than once to encourage contemplation of the nativity in time and place, and allow the peaceful words and pictures to calm the holiday rush.

As the author says at the very first of the book: “In our hearts, find a silence in the middle of the noise, with the bustling of our Christmas and the clattering of toys. Help us slip into the silence, filled with hallelujah joys on not such a silent night.” Y Susan E. Richardson is a writer, critique reader, and former Christian retailer with a passion for meeting people’s needs through the written word. You can reach her through her website www.nextlevelcritiques.com.

Ketchup is a Vegetable

by Robin O’Bryant

MCL’s hilarious “Modern Motherhood” columnist released her first book in midNovember. Available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble, this is every bit as funny as Erma Bombeck. Taking the everyday chaos of raising three close-in-age precocious and active little girls, Robin’s perspective will certainly resonate with any female who has ever spent a season of life sorting socks, cleaning up spilled milk, and alternating between wondering how long this stage of life has to last and why it can’t last forever.

Strong undercurrents of her faith…but slivers of reality …the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Available through Amazon.com and at Barnes and Noble Y

50 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

CD CD’S

Mary Margaret May UPON A WINTER NIGHT Mississippi College alumna Mary Margaret May, one of our favorite up and coming young vocal artists, released her second album in mid November. Her pure fresh soprano brings these twelve familiar Christmas standards to life all over again.

There is something completely worshipful in Mary Margaret’s style—her own relationship with the Lord Jesus is communicated in the heartfelt lyrics and her masterful delivery. The moods are varied here—from the majestic sounds of “Once in Royal David’s City” to the ethereal “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” and the tender lullabylike “Away in a Manger” coupled with “What Child is This.” Mary Margaret does not disappoint. You can find Upon a Winter Night at Lemuria, Juniker Jewelry, and through www.marymargaretmay.com Y

Guy Hovis CHRISTMAS SONGS I LOVE Just in time to get you in the Christmas spirit, our native son and Mississippi Music Hall of Famer, Guy Hovis, has a new album, Christmas Songs I Love. Produced and arranged in partnership with Jerry Puckett of Mississippi Recording Company, the twelve song collection is a mix of traditional favorites and more recent tunes, like “Mary, Did You Know” that are becoming standards. “O Holy Night,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “Away In A Manger,” “Some Children See Him” all make me want to sing along. There is a warmth in the way Guy puts a song across that brings to mind all the good memories of Christmas pasts, and then when he gets around to “The Christmas Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” you will be ready to light the fire, have a cup of hot chocolate and decorate the tree! If you are a Guy Hovis fan…or if you think you aren’t…either way, you want this! Available at Lifeway, Hearron Fine Gifts in Ridgeland, and at www.guyhovismusic.com Y

Michael Buble Christmas Reviewed by Kate Thomas Nothing makes me want to curl up by a fire with a hot cup of cocoa more than Michael Bubleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Christmas album. It would be perfect Christmas party music. It would also be perfect riding around looking at Christmas lights. His first Christmas album, Let It Snow, was great but there was only five songs. It left you wanting more, because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just that good.

Michael Bubleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music holds a special place in my heart because my grandfather and I both loved to listen to him. His music is cross-generational. No matter your age, you will enjoy his music.

He covers old favorites of my grandfatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s generation: Santa Baby, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Be Home for Christmas, Holly Jolly Christmas, and Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. But he also includes a couple of my favorite carols: Silent Night and Ave Maria.

You will definitely want to add this to your collection of Christmas albums. It will become a classic that will never grow old. Y

5

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ALL TIME FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

December

by George Winston Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still available in its 20th anniversary! Piano as only George Winston can do!

A Festival of Christmas Carols by the London Philharmonic About as classic as they come. All the traditional carols the way you remember them.

Christmas Symphony

by Mannheim Steamroller and the Czech Philharmonic. This is brand new for 2011 and an instant favorite!

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EHOKDYHQ HGX The Gift

by Susan Boyle This amazing voice that took the world by storm when she performed for Simon Cowell and a skeptical audience will win your heart all over again.

A Christmas Celebration

by Celtic Woman One of the all time best stress relieving and soothing albums I have ever come across!

6FKHGXOH D SHUVRQDO YLVLW WR %HOKDYHQ 8QLYHUVLW\ &DOO RU RU HPDLO DGPLVVLRQ#EHOKDYHQ HGX metrochristianliving.com â?&#x2DC; DECEMBER 2011 51

What people and our advertisers are saying about MCL… “MCL readers are trend-setters and that fits LifeWay Christian Stores perfectly! LifeWay shoppers are readers of MCL so advertising here makes sense. MCL provides our customers added access to shopping coupons and the hottest new products as soon as they become available!”

people comment that they saw our ads. We now appreciate how many people read Metro Christian Living magazine regularly.”

Sheila G. Brown, Local Store Marketing Coordinator LifeWay Christian Stores

Love!! Love!! Loved!! the ad in the September issue. We have received several calls since this issue has hit the stands. Thanks for your help.

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Metro Christian Living has been most effective in helping raise awareness across central Mississippi for our new Lakeland Drive location.

Kirk R. Jeffreys, III, M.D., EyeCare Professionals

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“Persnickety advertises in all of the local magazines. But our ad in Metro Christian Living garnered us the largest response, ever! The phone rang off the hook and we saw a significant increase in our walk in traffic. We didn’t hesitate to sign a full year contract with Marilyn and her staff.”

Sherry Hilton, Persnickety

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“Advertising in Metro Christian Living was a new thing for us in 2009 but we believe it has been one of our best moves. It’s nice to hear

Raymond Nalty, President Environment Masters

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Lori L. Greer, Deputy Director/CFO Jackson Medical Mall Foundation

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I have advertised in Metro Christian Living since I started my business in 2001. They have be a great source for me. I have gotten more response from my ad in metro than any others I have. I have enjoyed working with Marilyn through the years. The magazine has great information and ideas.

Cindy Yelverton, Sitters LLC

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Regions began advertising in Metro Christian Living in 2010 and it has been a wonderful experience. This publication allows us to connect with customers and prospects on a more personal level; outside of the business arena.

Candie L. Simmons, Regional Marketing Director Regions Bank

Metro Christian Living has a new website (You are going to LOVE it) MetroChristianLiving.com Find us on Facebook!

Real life stories from real life people who live and move in a world like yours. That is what Metro Christian Living Magazine is all about.

52 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

events calendar December 1-4 Mississippi College’s Nelson Hall’s Swor Auditorium will be the site of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, the story of a group of children who accidently learn the true meaning of Christmas. For ticket information and show times call 601-925-3440 December 3 What would Christmas be like without the annual City of Jackson Christmas Parade?

Enjoy marching bands and floats as you usher in the Yuletide Season. After the parade, gather at City Hall for the tree lighting ceremony and musical entertainment. For additional information, call 601-960-1084

Sanctus Real, and Lindsay McCaul. Enjoy the best of contemporary Christian music at their “Come to the Well” tour. For more information visit Ticketmaster.com

December 8-10 Parents & Kids Magazine Christmas Fest along with Patty Peck Honda is hosting an oldfashioned Christmas at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Take pleasure in twinkling lights, hot apple cider, Christmas carols, and watching the mystery of the Nativity enacted live. Event opens each day from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $1. For more information, call 601-366-0901

Mustard Seed, a Christian community for mentally challenged adults, is having their open house from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy music from the “Bells of Faith” hand bell choir, bake sale, and an opportunity to buy Christmas ornaments made by the talented seedsters.

For additional information call 601- 9923556.

December 4 Casting Crowns will be in concert at the Mississippi Coliseum along with The Afters,

December 11 Soulful Messiah at the Jackson Medical Mall’s Center Court. 4 p.m – 7 p.m. Hosted

by Cynthia Goodloe Palmer and Maggie Wade, this is a community wide Holiday Season Youth Concert. Details on page 27.

December 16-18 Enjoy a new ballet celebrating Ballet Magnificat!’s 25th anniversary year.

Hans Christian Anderson’s “Snow Queen”, a story that centers on the struggle of good and evil, is rewritten as a story of faith.

Performances will be held at the beautiful Thalia Mara Hall with ticket prices starting at $15. For more information call 601-977-1001

VICKSBURG

December 9-11 First Baptist Church of Jackson will be the site of their annual Carols by Candlelight. This free family event is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit with beautiful music and Biblical truths of the “reason for the season”.

For more information, call 601-949-1900

December 3 The fourth annual “Holly Days” Arts & Crafts Show will be from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center on Adams Street. Get an early jump on Christmas shopping while supporting the talents of local and statewide vendors.

Following the show head to Main Street for the annual Christmas Parade of Lights at 5:00 p.m. Y

metrochristianliving.com ❘ DECEMBER 2011 53

NOVEMBER 2011

JACKSON

➺quips & quotes

ADVERTISING INDEX ADVERTISER

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Cut out the scriptures and quotes and place them around your home for daily encouragement!

✂

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”

– Corrie ten Boom

“The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.”

“Jesus is not to us as Christmas is to the world, here today and gone tomorrow.”

– Rick Mylander

– Genesis 49:10

“There has been only one Christmas—the rest are anniversaries.”

“There are two ways of spreading light—to be the candle or to be the mirror which reflects it.”

– Edith Wharton

– W. J. Cameron

“The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”

“Christmas is the day that holds all time together.”

– Alexander Smith

God is the giver, and we are the receivers. And His richest gifts are bestowed not upon those who do the greatest things, but upon those who accept His abundance and His grace.

– Helen Keller

– Hannah Whiteall Smith

“Giving presents is a talent; to know what a person wants, to now when and how to get it, to give it lovingly and well.”

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

– Pamela Glenconner

“Rejoice, that the immortal God is born, so that the mortal man may live in eternity.”

– John Huss

NORTH STATE ANIMAL & BIRD HOSPITAL 5208 North State Street • Jackson, MS 39206

601-982-8261 Dr. Adrian Whittington Dr. Jeb Cade Dr. Melissa McLendon OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Sunday: Boarding only 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Boarding & Grooming Services Available

54 DECEMBER 2011 ❘ Metro Christian Living

– John 14:27

PAGE

AJ’s on the Lake ...................................................12 Apple Annie’s .......................................................36 Belhaven University ..............................................51 Belhaven Grad......................................................33 Biaggi’s..................................................................40 Bravo.....................................................................20 Callaway’s Yard & Garden ....................................10 CSpire .....................................................................3 Chapman’s Florist.................................................14 Christ Covenant School........................................27 Christmas Village ..................................................46 City of Clinton ......................................................12 Donald Cooper Realtor........................................15 Earth Walk ............................................................41 Earth Walk ............................................................47 Edible Arrangements ...........................................16 Energy Insulation ..................................................39 Eye Care Professionals .........................................56 First Presbyterian Day School ..............................16 Gameroom Gallery...............................................41 GI Associates ........................................................14 Grace City Church ..................................................4 Grantham Poole ...................................................23 Guy Hovis................................................................2 Hank Holman........................................................27 Hank Holman........................................................30 Heiden and Garland.............................................31 Highland Village ...................................................16 Jackson Academy...................................................2 Jackson Orthopedic .............................................35 Jackson Prep ........................................................23 Joel Clarke Jewelry ..............................................40 K’s Pets Salon .......................................................45 Lake Forest Ranch ................................................18 Lifeway ..................................................................18 M&F Bank .............................................................18 Metro Christian Living ..........................................52 Mint Julep Catering .............................................16 Mississippi Children’s Museum ............................14 Mississippi Blood Services ...................................37 Newk’s...................................................................21 North State Animal Hospital................................54 O! How Cute ........................................................17 Odyssey Hospice..................................................10 O’Mire Financial ...................................................45 Palmer Home........................................................35 Parents & Kids ......................................................49 Paul Moak.............................................................20 Persnickety............................................................13 Premier Medical Group........................................27 Plato’s Closet ........................................................32 Reformed Theological Seminary..........................32 Remedy Weight Loss............................................20 Sitters....................................................................37 Skinny’s .................................................................15 Soulful Messiah.....................................................27 Smiles by Design ..................................................42 Southern Farm Bureau .........................................18 St. Catherine’s Village ..........................................11 Star 93.5................................................................55 Stegall Imagery.....................................................55 Summit Counseling ..............................................47 Sunnybrook Estates..............................................44 Tinnin Imports.........................................................9 Trustmark ..............................................................11 Venable Glass .......................................................44 Wellspring Wealth Group.....................................36 William Howell......................................................43 Wimberly & Associates...........................................7 Woman’s Hospital...................................................5 Woodridge Capital...............................................53 Written in Stone ...................................................47 Wright Ferguson...................................................20 For more information on our advertisers visit www.metrochristianliving.com

For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him.

Merry Christmas from all of us at... www.star93fm.com metrochristianliving.com â?&#x2DC; DECEMBER 2011 55