Joyce Echols, age 67, of Lula, GA passed away September 30, 2015.
Help is on the way
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” James 1:2
This morning I rolled out of bed to find a familiar friend waiting for me; one I believed I’d lost; one I had hoped had disappeared for good. My heart felt heavy with disappointment as I tried to make sense of the news I’d heard the prior day. Had I reached the tunnel of this long and difficult journey only to be thrown back thousands of feet to walk it again?
Only 5 days prior I had been rejoicing. An answer to many years of prayer was on the horizon, and in a simple email of less than 250 characters, it swirled down the toilet in an easy flush.
I’ve avoided the “why” questions to God; the “how can this be so” questions; the “really, God” responses which are common in disappointment. I’ve learned over the years and the many battles I’ve fought, to just be still. This isn’t my first rodeo, nor my last.
Not all prayers are answered in the way we ask. Sometimes, we have to be in the trial a little longer. But as I got out of bed, I found it hard to adhere to the verse in James. While I normally could stare that storm in the face with words of hope and strength, this morning I found it hard to even step forward.
Maybe you’ve been there? Maybe you are there?
But this is what I know – God’s promises are real and true. If He says we are not alone, I have to hold on to knowledge that He will never leave me or forsake me. And while it appears that evil prospers, I know it will not. Jesus is victorious – He defeated Satan at the Cross – He wins.
Storms of life are tough, especially those that we battle for years and years. This morning I feel I’ve run a marathon and in the remaining 1/2 mile been asked to return back to the start while others are free to cross the finish line.
What I need to feel is joy. Even though I cannot see clearly right now, and the idea of running this marathon yet again is the last thing I want to do, I know Who is running it with me.
When the trials in our lives are not due to our own sin, but difficulties of life, struggles, obstacles, we must consider them “schools” for our souls and through them we learn perseverance. God instructs us in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Our journey here is about Him, not us. If you, like me, are facing heavy burdens inflicted by uncontrollable sources, know this, the answer is in overcoming. There is power in the name of Jesus.
Keep stepping. Keep moving forward. Keep looking up. Help is on the way.
Meeting Minds: Bruce Lee
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one. ” – Bruce Lee
Collins Votes Against Short Term Spending Bill
(Washington) – Congress on Wednesday avoided a government shutdown by passing a bill that keeps the government running through mid-December. An attempt by some conservative Republicans to leverage their votes on the measure to force defunding of Planned Parenthood failed.
Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins was among those who voted against H.R. 719 because it did not contain a specific prohibition against federal funding of Planned Parenthood.
After the vote Collins issued the following statement:
“I will not go against my belief in the sanctity of life and support a funding measure that does not contain a specific prohibition against federal funding of Planned Parenthood. I do not trust HHS or any government agency to respect Congressional intent when it comes to an issue as foundational to our moral fabric as life.
Our very humanity and sense of dignity as individuals and as a nation has been called into question by the recent revelations about Planned Parenthood. To not specifically cut off all avenues of funding for an organization that reduces the bodies of unborn babies to marketable “tissue samples” should cause every person, young and old, to pause and grieve.
The responsibility of government should be to protect life. Today, I’m afraid we lost sight of that goal in an effort to avoid a temporary shutdown.” He also said, shutting down the government has a temporary, devastating impact on American families, but Planned Parenthood has ripped apart and sold our next generation.”
Congress now faces a new Dec. 11 deadline to try to strike a long-term budget deal
Cleveland Molding Employee Injured in Forklift Accident
(Cleveland)- An employee of Cleveland Moldings/North Georgia Hardwoods, located on the Helen Highway, was injured Wednesday afternoon after a stack of lumber, he was attempting to move, fell onto the forklift he was operating.
Rev. Richard Thaddis Daley
Graveside services for Rev. Richard Thaddis Daley, age 89 of Clarkesville will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2015 from the Hollywood Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Don Samples officiating.
Stephens County Woman Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking
A Stephens County woman is behind bars tonight facing multiple drug charges stemming from a joint investigation by local, state and federal authorities.
Florida Fugitive Captured in White County
(Cleveland)- White County authorities report the capture of a Florida fugitive.
Roads Less Traveled: Rough Ridge
Grandfather Mountain is one of the most recognizable and most often visited locations in western North Carolina.
Baldwin City Hall on the Move, Literally
At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Baldwin Mayor, Jerry Neace, closed the meeting by announcing a big real estate purchase by the City. “I am happy to announce that the City closed on the South State Bank building,” said Neace who went on to say the purchase price for the iconic building on highway 441 was $520,000 plus closing costs. Councilman Jeff Parrish also commented, ” I am very proud that we were able to pay cash for the building. There is no financing on the building.” Neace remarked that the cash purchase could not have taken place in previous years in Baldwin. The Council and staff have worked very hard to improve the financial situation of the City of Baldwin.
The next step is to ascertain what will be needed to renovate the building to house the City offices. Over the next few weeks, the council expects to have an estimate and a possible timeline in moving the City forward. The building is the former Habersham Bank building which was purchased by South Carolina Bank and Trust when Habershan Bank failed in February of 2011. SCB&T then changed the name of its banking operations to South State Bank. South State Bank then closed the Baldwin branch office in July of this year. The branch was the only banking option within Baldwin City limits.
Habersham EMC Earns Safety Practices Accreditation
The Habersham EMC Safety Review Committee proudly receives the cooperative’s safety accreditation certificate. The committee consists of HEMC employees Tony Adams (not pictured), Jeff Allen, Tracy Bridges (not pictured), Randy Coker, Angie English, Joe Morrison and Jason Rothell.
Preparing for the Fight
During the reign of King David, Israel was surrounded by enemies. Very much like modern-day Israel, the nations around her were thirsty for the blood of God’s people. David’s job was not easy. Being under the constant threat of war must have caused him anxiety and fear; yet, he writes in Psalm 143:5 – 7, “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works, and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.”
It’s hard to imagine that the slayer of Goliath knows panic. Consider, if God had given you the power to take down a giant with a stone and a sling, wouldn’t you walk a little taller. Prance like a peacock? Stick out your chest and pound it? But even David struggled with doubt and when he did, he considered all that God had done for him in the past.
God equips us with the resources we need to defend ourselves every day, not so much against blood thirsty warriors as in David’s day, but against temptations; against financial burdens; against marital break-up; family disorder; and against sickness. See, we need the “armour of God” to defend us today just as much as David needed it to defend his people against the violence of other nations.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Psalm 143:8.
The weapons we fight with today have the power to demolish the strongholds of our lives. You do not have to battle it alone. You do not have to fall into the pit like others. God not only knows what you are battling but He already has a way out for you. “Show me the way I should go, Lord…I spread out my hands to you, O God.”
Someone asked me the other day, “Are you really as calm as you seem to be about life?” I’d love to answer unequivocably, “Yes!” but I am just like you. I struggle with issues just like you do. Every morning, I have to look at the beautiful sky before me as the sun rises and renew my strength in the Lord, just as King David did. Battles rage around us, no different from Israel. But how we prepare for those fights makes all the difference in the outcome. “I consider, Lord, what Your hands have done for me in my past, and I trust in You, O God, for what I need today.”