“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” — Henry Ford
Stop by our new location at 712 S. Tate St., Corinth, Mississippi, or contact me, Jerry W. Porter, at (662) 643-6842, or visit us on Facebook to get more information on this ministry. If you wish to make a donation to this ministry, it would be greatly appreciated. Please use the Cash App at $SuitsYouToo or mail your donation to PO Box 1292, Corinth, MS 38835.
DECEMBERBIBLETRIVIA
1.Who suggestedthat stonescould be turned to bread?
2.Who useda stone for a pillow?
3.What enemies of Joshua were peltedby stones from the Lord?
4.In what humiliating waywasAbimelech murdered?
5.Who hada vision of anangel casting an enormous stone into the sea?
6.Who erected a large pillar of stone and calledit Ebenezer?
7.What shepherdboy went into battle with a bag of stones?
8.Who built analtar of stone thatwas consumed by fired from heaven?
9.What patriarch and hisfather-in-law heapedup stones as a sign of their covenant together?
10.Whosat on a stone whileAmalekites fought the Israelites?
11.Whohada dream about a giant statue struck by a stone?
12.Which disciple was called a rock?
13. InRevelation, whatdid the Spirit promise to the churches that would overcome?
(StatePoint)Asthe holiday seasonrolls in, with its festive feasts, travel plans and cozyindulgences, it’s easy toletyour health goals slip into the New Year’s resolutions pile. But while you’re managing your weight or trying the latest trendingdiets,there’s one vital part of your health thatdeserves extra attention this time of year: your muscles.
In today’s worldof trendingweight-loss hacks, shedding poundshasnever seemed more accessible. But while the number on the scale maydrop, there’s animportant —and often overlooked— part of your health thatmight be taking a hit: your muscle mass.
From miracle diets to powerful GLP-1 weight loss injections, millions of people are embracing today’s science to achieve rapid weight loss —but many report significant muscle loss, too. In fact, studies show that up to 40% of weight losscan come frommuscle,not fat.
And muscle loss isn’t just afitness issue, it
impacts your metabolism, energy levels, balance, and long-termability to stay active andindependent. During the holidays, when richfoods and busyschedules collide, supporting muscle healthbecomes especially important for staying strong,energized and resilient.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your weight throughthe season or jumpstarthealthier habits, here are some smart ways to keep yourmuscle mass merry and bright:
• Prioritize protein in your diet
• Incorporate strength trainingat least 2–3 times perweek
• Stay active daily — even light movement helps
• Focus on nutrient-rich whole foods over strict calorie counting
• Incorporate a krill oil supplement intoyour daily routine, it’s been shown to help preserve muscle and support sustainable weight loss
Krill Oil: Protecting Muscle DuringWeight Loss
Did you knowthatkrill oil naturally supports muscle function, enhances movement and protects joints? It also helps combat aging, oxidative stress and inflammation at the cellular level. Backedby science, krill oil offers a proactive way to maintain muscle health —key to aging well.
Recent research has shown thatkrill oil supplementationcan help preserve muscle strength and fat-free mass during dieting, particularly when paired withstrategieslike alternate-day fasting. In overweight and obese adults, krill oil supported functionalstrength, reduced inflammation, and helpedensure that weight loss did not come at the expense of muscle mass, protecting metabolism and long-termhealth.
Unlike typical omega-3 sources, krill oil delivers a natural complex of phospholipids,omega-3s, choline andastaxanthin in their most bioavailable form — nutrients thatwork synergistically atthe cellular leveltosupportmuscle, metabolism and overall wellness.
To learnmore, visit https://www.superbakrill.co m/blog/how-krill-oil-canhelp-address-a-hidden-riskin-weight-loss-muscle-loss.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of health: keep your muscles strong, your metabolism humming, and your body ready to take on the new year.
The Home of El Roi: Helping Single Moms Build a Better Future
By LucyWeber
Single mothersfacing life’s toughest challengeswill soon have a faith-basedlifeline inAlcorn County, where a unique residentialprogramis takingshape with one goal in mind: to equipwomen with the tools theyneed tosucceed.
The Home of El Roi,a nonprofit special project under the Create FoundationofTupelo, is inthe process of transforming the former Glendale School in the Glencommunity intoa refuge of hope.This renovated space will soon become a home for single moms and their children— offering shelter, structure, and spiritual support.
Executive Director StaceyBaxter, the driving force behind the effort, said the residential programis about more than just providing a place to stay.“We definitely want to serve our community,” she said. “We want to build thatcommunityfor them and give thempositive direction. We are offering themguidance and someone to work with them.”
Women selectedfor the program—those pregnant or with up to three children under age nine—will be able to live on-site for 18to 24 months. During this time, moms ter,” Baxter clarified.“It’s a programthathelps women navigate through their pitfalls and rise intotheir purpose.”
Renovation of the school is well underway, thanks to a groundswell of community support. So far, 165volunteers have pitched in, contributing over 1,800 hoursof labor. Yet there’s still workto be done. Skilled volunteers—elec-
tricians, plumbers, and carpenters—are especiallyneeded, though there's also room for those willing to assist with cleanupand othertasks.
“We’re going atfull steam,” Baxter said. “We’re preparing like we openinAugust.”
While the labor is volunteer-driven, the programalso depends on monetarydonations. “That’s the onlyway we canoperate,” Baxter emphasized. “We have to be mindful of our resources.”
The Home of El Roi is modeled after Blue Monarch, a successful 20-year programin EastTennessee. “We’ve learned a lot from there,” Baxter noted.“The goal is to build a strongcommunity.”
The visiondoesn’t end withthe 18- to24-month stay. An after-care program is planned, extending support for a total of three years. “These ladies need to know there's more to life and that aftercare is important,” Baxter said. “We want to give themthe tools to succeed.They shouldn’t settle.”
Long-term, the Home of El Roi hopes to become a cornerstone of transformation for generationstocome. “We wanttoleave a legacy that will long outlive us, with good roots and a foundation thatwill stand the test of time,” Baxter said.
To volunteer or donate, visit www.homeofelroi.org or mail a check to Create Foundation, P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo,MS, 38802.
Ninety-five percentof parents with a child enrolled in an afterschool programare satisfied with that program, and there is overwhelming support for more government funding for afterschool, according to a newstudy. But unmetdemand for these programs is high in all 50states, and majorities of middle- and low-income families who want afterschool programsare being shut out.
The parents of 29.6million children, more than half the school-age students in the United States, want afterschool programs for their children –but just 7 million children are currently enrolled.Another 22.6million children would attend afterschool programs if they were available.That
means three infour of the children (77%) whose parents want to enroll themin anafterschool programare being leftbehind.Cost, availability, and accessibilityare the barriers families cannot overcome.
Those are among the findings of “AmericaAfter 3PM 2025,” a report released in October bythe AfterschoolAlliance.The survey of 30,515 U.S. parents of school-age children finds a wide, and widening, opportunity gap,with children in low- and middleincome familiesmore likelyto be without the afterschool programs their parents want for themthan children in high-income families. Families inthe highest income bracket now spend approximately nine times as much on out-
of-school time activities as families in the lowest income bracket, up sharply from five years ago.
“Afterschool programs give students asafeplace to go after the school day ends, boost their academic achievement, helpaddress the youth mentalhealth and chronic absenteeism crises, provide alternatives to screen time, give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe and supervised, and more,” said AfterschoolAlliance executive director Jodi Grant. “But there aren’t nearly enough afterschool programs to meet the need.”
More than8 in 10 parents agree that afterschool programs provide opportunities for children to learn life skills like interacting with peers and responsible
decision making,and help them develop teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Eighty-four percent say afterschool programs allow working parents to keep theirjobs or workmore hours, and 92% of parents with a childin a program saythey are less
stressed knowing their child is safe.To learn more about the study, visit afterschoolalliance.org.
“Our countrywill be stronger and more successful whenall children can take advantage of what afterschool programs offer – but, sadly, this study
shows we’re nowhere near reaching thatgoal,” Grant added. “We needgreater support from federal, state and local governments, businesses, and philanthropy. Every child deserves access to a quality afterschool program.”
To helpyour familyplanfor the futureandprotectgenerational wealth,Freddie Mac issharing information aboutsomeofthe pitfallsthatmayoccur inthe absence ofan estateplan, aswellassteps youcantaketoprotectthewealth you’vebuiltoveryour lifetime.
TangledTitles
Heirs’property,also referredto asa tangledtitle, iscreatedwhen a familymemberdies withouta willor courtdocumentpassing their propertyto a specificheir or heirs.Whenthishappens,the property maybetransferredby inheritancetomultiplefamily memberswhoeachhave equal rightstouse andoccupytheproperty.Unfortunately, thiscan lead to messylegal disputesamong familymembers, limitedaccessto resources,andlossofgenerational wealth due toforcedsalesor costly legalbattles.
Thesedisputes arecommonin thisscenariobecauseeach heirhas sharedresponsibilitiesregarding the property.For example,all heirs willbeexpectedtocontribute toproperty-related taxes and upkeep,whichcanbecome difficulttomanagecollectively. Additionally,major propertydecisionsoftenrequire agreement amongallheirs,whichcanmake itdifficulttomaintain,improve or
selltheproperty.
Asgenerationspass,the property may be further divided among newheirs,complicating ownershipevenmore.Lackinga clearlegaltitle,heirs oftenstruggle to qualifyforresourceslike home equityloansordisaster relieffunds,leavingproperties vulnerabletoforeclosureorforced sales.
AvoidingHeirs’Property Planningfor thefuture helps preventlegal andfinancialcomplicationslikeheirs’property. Here arestepstotake to protect your family’spropertyandwealth:
•Createa willortrust.Work witha trustedlegaladvisorto createanestateplanthatcanensure your property is passeddownas intended.
•Establisha power of attorney. Appoint someoneyoutrustto manage yourpropertyandfinancialaffairsinyour absence.
•Developawealthmanagementplan.Thiscan helpyouand your family preparefor unexpectedsituationsand emergencies.
Takingproactivestepsinestate planningiscrucialfor protecting your assetsandensuringtheybenefitfuturegenerations.
(c) monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images Plus
5FinancialMovestoMakeRightNow
(StatePoint) Smart money decisions can give you a head start onthe future you want!
Whether you’re newly graduatedor well into your career, CERTIFIED FINANCIALPLANNER®professionals sayyou should make these five financial moves right now:
Create a budget. Researchfinds that 83% of Gen Z-ers andmillennials have experienced regret about their spending decisions.Craftinga budget means making mindful choicesabout howyou spend your money, which can eliminate financial stress. However, if the term “budget” fills you with dread,try calling it a “spending plan” instead.The important thing is toget startedand finda process thatworks for you.
Build an emergency fund.According to the FederalReserve Board,only 55% of Americans had three months’worth of expenses inemergency savingsin2024. In the event of an unexpected expense, such as hospitalization or home repairs, a rainyday fund can save you fromaccumulating debt or dippinginto retirement savings.A CFP® professional can helpyou adjust your budget todivert savings intoanemergency fund to cover at least threeto six months’worth of fixedexpenses.
Start savingfor retirement now. It’s never too earlytobegin saving for a comfortable retirement.If your employer offers a retirement savings plan, signup for it
now andput as much in as you can, especially if your company offers matching contributions.Youdon’t need an employer-sponsored plan to save for your golden years, though.Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAsare also good vehicles for retirement savings.
Take a big-picture approach. Frompaying down debt and growing your investments tomanaging taxesandinsurance, reviewing your overall financial picture can help you reachyour personal goals. That’swhere the help of a financial advisor who has yourbest interests inmind comes intoplay.ACFP® professional can serve as a financialcoach, integrating the manycomponents of your financialplan and providing valuable advice atany stage of your life.
Don’t make a move. Itmay sound counterintuitive, but once you’ve charted a financialpath, sometimes youshouldsimply leave it alone.According tofinancial experts, historically speaking, worldevents and the volatility of the marketare not reasons to rethink your investment strategy or rewrite your game plan. However, tweaking your plan to accommodate changing personalcircumstances is important.
To hire a CFP® professional, visit www.LetsMakeAPlan.org.
These five financial moves will create the foundationfor a strong financialfuture. Afinancial planner can help you start strong andreachyour money goals.
