Jerry Eugene Webb, age 70 of Alto, Georgia passed away on Monday, August 03, 2015 following a period of declining health.
Jerry Eugene Webb
But that doubt…
Kings 2:9-14 reads, “After they had gone across, Elijah spoke to Elisha. He said, “Tell me. What can I do for you before I’m taken away from you?” ‘Please give me a double share of your spirit,’ Elisha replied. 10 ‘You have asked me for something I can’t give you,’ Elijah said. ‘Only the LORD can give it. But suppose you see me when I’m taken away from you. Then you will receive what you have asked for. If you don’t see me, you won’t receive it.’ 11 They kept walking along and talking together. Suddenly a chariot and horses appeared. Fire was all around them. The chariot and horses came between the two men. Then Elijah went up to heaven in a strong wind. 12 Elisha saw it. He cried out to Elijah, ‘My father! You are like a father to me! You are the true chariots and horsemen of Israel!’ Elisha didn’t see Elijah anymore. Then Elisha took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart. 13 He picked up the coat that had fallen from Elijah. He went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan River. 14 Then he struck the water with Elijah’s coat. ‘Where is the power of the Lord?’ he asked. ‘Where is the power of the God of Elijah?’ When Elisha struck the water, it parted to the right and to the left. He went across the river.”
The story begins in 2 Kings 2 as Elijah, the prophet, is dying. Elisha, his understudy so to speak, follows him and will not leave his side. Elisha has been with Elijah for around 13 years and sees him as a father figure. When Elijah knows his time is near, he asks Elisha what he can give him. Elisha boldly asks that Elijah’s spirit would rest upon him – a double share of his spirit. He then sees Elijah being carried into the sky by a chariot and horses. When Elijah is gone, Elisha picks up his cloak.
Earlier in the story, Elijah used the cloak to part the waters of the Jordan so that he and Elisha could get to the other side; and now, Elisha stands before the Jordan, holding the cloak, wondering.
Have you ever been in his position? Have you ever reached a point in your life when you wanted so desperately to believe God will answer a prayer; but that doubt, that little voice inside your head, questions it?
Some of us never get past the doubt. Some of us never pick up the cloak and strike the water. When Elisha picks up the cloak of Elijah, I can imagine what he was thinking. He was thinking, “Did you God? Did you give me his spirit? Can I strike the water and the waters part under your power? Do I have what it takes?”
And as he stands before the Jordan, I’m sure he whispered, “Please God. Please let the waters part.”
He lifted the cloak and struck the water just as Elijah had earlier. The water parted and Elisha walked across on dry land.
I often wonder what would’ve happen had he tucked the cloak away and took a different path home. Would his life have been the same? We do not know because Elisha had the courage to strike the water.
Some of you need some encouragement today. Some of you are standing before God, hoping, praying, longing – but you’ve got to pick up your cloak and strike the water.
Today, I pray for encouragement and boldness to fall upon you. I pray the Lord will speak to you in a clear way. I pray you will have the courage to strike the water.
Life in Motion: Remembering Summer
Megan Monroe and Hart Hatchett, vacationing at Myrtle Beach, S.C..
“Summer always ends too quickly…”
Meeting Minds: Herman Melville
When we meet the minds of others, we can better understand one another. Today, meet the mind of Herman Melville, American author. Best known for Moby Dick.
“Truth is in things and not in words.” – Herman Melville
Cornelia Commission puts brakes on speeders – again
Last month, the Cornelia City Commission voted to place a speed bump on a busy street in the area called Tower Mountain. On Tuesday night, in this month’s meeting, the commissioners targeted another problem area. They voted this time to place a speed bump near the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Tutt Road. The commissioners heard from several residents of that area that speeding traffic was a significant problem there.
After a unanimous vote to place the new speed bump, commissioners and the public heard from City Attorney Steve Campbell that the city has in place an ordinance spelling out the procedure to follow when citizens have concerns about speeding in a particular area in Cornelia. The ordinance tells how to report the problem to the commissioners, and then says that the city will put “counters” out to monitor the amount and type of traffic in that area. Then a public hearing, like the one Tuesday night, is held to allow individuals an opportunity to speak. A vote by the commissioners could be taken after the public hearing.
As a service to the residents of Cornelia, it was announced in Tuesday’s meeting that the ordinance will be publicly displayed for one month for people to read it. It will be posted on the wall of City Hall, with other public notices. It will remain there until the next City Commission meeting, the first Tuesday of September.
Demorest Ballot: Liquor and 2 council seats
Demorest residents will have two council seats up for consideration in the November election. The seats currently held by Donnie Bennett and John Popham are at hand. “I am discussing it with my family, but we are leaning as a family toward running, ” said Donnie Bennett when asked by a citizen about his intentions. John Popham stated, “I am going to run again.” Currently, Popham is the senior member of the council by virtue of having been a council member since January of 1975.
Also on the ballot is the question of whether Demorest should allow liquor by the drink in the city limits of Demorest. Currently beer and wine are the only “spirits” eligible for sale in restaurants in Demorest after an ordinance was approved in 2002. Sunday sales were approved in 2014. With the new restaurant, Sweet Breads, slated to open this fall, the City is looking to add new tax revenue. Two citizens, Elizabeth Pyron and Jim Thacker spoke at tonight’s City council meeting in favor of the referendum. “If everyone else in the county is allowing it, we should reap the benefit as well. We need to keep up,” said Thacker. Pyron echoed noting, “we are losing revenue to the surrounding area.”
The election is slated for November 3rd. Qualifying for the two council seats will begin on August 31st and close on September 4th. The fee for qualifying is $35 and those intending to run can qualify at the Habersham County Board of Elections in the former courthouse, now known as the Administration building.
How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
How does one succeed in business without really trying? This question is answered in the current running production at Habersham Community Theater. Not only will you see how to succeed in the business world, but you’ll gain some insight on how to get ahead in the social world, and how to mingle the two to your advantage.
Bob and Linda Smith are directing this musical production, and have done a fine job with choosing their talent! Lawson Lewallen plays our main young man, Ponty Finch. As usual, his performance is delightful. Along with Lewallen, other veteran talent brought to our hometown stage includes Chris Parker playing Bud Frump, Jack Molnar, The CEO, J.B. Biggley, Jane Marie Price, the go-getter secretary, Ms. Pilkington, Courtney Scofield as Miss Hedy La Rue, and Carrie Elrod the sweet but firm, Smitty – and let me just pause and say, Carrie also did a beautiful job with the choreography!!
If you love musicals and dancing, this is your show. The costumes are truly gorgeous and left me for a fleeting moment wishing I’d been born a few decades earlier. You will definitely leave with a satisfied theater experience, and maybe even a little food for thought when you think about how to succeed in your own way.
Remaining Show Dates:
Aug 6,7,8,@7:30
Aug 9@2pm.
Reserve seats online at
www.habershamtheater.org or by calling the box office at 706-839-1315
Benefits planned for injured Baldwin Fire Chief
The City of Baldwin is hosting a series of fundraisers over the next few weeks to help its Fire Chief Joe Roy. Roy was seriously injured when he was hit by a pick-up truck during a boot drive fundraiser in the intersection of Duncan Bridge and Mud Creek Roads July 26th. He was life flighted to Grady Hospital in Atlanta where he underwent surgery. He spent two days at Grady before returning home to continue his recovery.
Baldwin City Administrator Tommie Perry says the fundraisers are aimed at helping Roy and his family offset medical expenses. “Joe has dedicated himself to this community for over 20 years and we want to pay it back,” Perry says.
A benefit motorcycle ride is scheduled for Saturday, August 15th starting at 9 a.m. from Baldwin City Hall. Registration forms are now available at City Hall and the Baldwin Police Department. The cost is $20 for solo motorcycle riders, $25 for a motorcycle rider with passenger and $10 for vehicles.
There’s also a raffle fundraiser underway – the winner will take home a Yeti 45 Cooler valued at $350. Tickets are $5 each and may be purchased through Baldwin City Hall and the Baldwin Police Department.
The winner will be announced during a Chicken Q fundraiser on Saturday, August 22nd at 12 p.m. at Mitchell Gailey Park next to the Baldwin Fire Department on Willingham Avenue. $8 plates include half chicken, slaw, beans and cake. For tickets contact Joe Norton or Phillip Kimbrell at the Baldwin Fire Department (see number below).
Perry says other fundraisers are in the works.
For more information on these and upcoming fundraisers benefiting Fire Chief Joe Roy, contact any of the following:
City of Baldwin (706) 778-6341
Baldwin Police Dept.( 706) 776-5256
Baldwin Fire Dept (706) 778-8711
Friday Night Flicks features film classic this Friday
Friday Night Flicks continues their outdoor movie series with a special showing of “The Wizard of Oz” this Friday, August 7th in Pitts Park. The favorite classic, which debuted in 1939, will begin around 8:30PM (dependant on sunset).
Based on the popular children’s book by L. Frank Baum and made famous by the MGM film starring Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz is a musical adventure centered on Dorothy Gale, a young girl unhappy with her drab existence on her aunt and uncle’s dusty Kansas farm. Dorothy yearns to travel “over the rainbow” to a different world, and she gets her wish when a tornado whisks her and her little dog, Toto, to the Land of Oz Having offended the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy is protected from the old crone’s wrath by the ruby slippers that she wears. In order for Dorothy to get back to Kansas, Glenda the Good Witch of the North suggests that she see the all powerful Wizard who lives in the Emerald City. As Dorothy and Toto head down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, along the way, they befriend a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion.
Movie attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or chairs to enjoy this movie under the stars. Concessions will be available.
The event is free and open to the public. For weather updates, visit Clarkesville on Facebook or www.clarkesvillega.com.
Water outage in Mt. Airy; Boil water advisory in effect until Wednesday
The following notice was issued Monday, August 3rd by Mt. Airy Town Clerk, Sheri Berrong:
WATER SERVICE IS CURRENTLY OUT FOR ALL CUSTOMERS NORTH OF THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE INCLUDING IVY HILLS SUBDIVISION, SHOULD BE RESTORED BY 2 PM *** Boil water advisory will be in effect Monday, 8/3/15 2 p.m. until Wednesday, 8/5/15 2 p.m. for locations anywhere north of the Old Schoolhouse, including Ivy Hills subdivision. *** Any water used for consumption should be brought to a rolling boil for a minimum of three (3) minutes. Please call Town hall at (706) 778-6990 with any questions.
School board readies for Aug. 7 student start
Monday morning, Habersham’s Board of Education held a special called meeting , with a vote to accept new personnel – to be ready for the school year that begins August 7. Superintendent Matthew Cooper said that the vote of approval “allows these folks to begin today.”
Those newly hired include the following:
Clarkesville Elementary
Ashley Bogue, School Nurse
Cornelia Elementary
Candice Williams Grier, School Nutrition Assistant
Fairview Elementary
Tracey Means, Special Education Paraprofessional, also working at Level Grove Elementary
Habersham Central High School
Rachel Downs, Special Education Paraprofessional; Taylor Grier, ETI Paraprofessional; Misty Wise, 49% Security Guard
Level Grove Elementary
Jason Martin, Special Education EBD Paraprofessional; Myriah White, Kindergarten Paraprofessional
North Habersham Middle School
Tosha Hooper, Special Education Paraprofessional
South Habersham Middle School
Tracey Clarke, Special Education Paraprofessional
Woodville Elementary School
Heather Sparks, Fourth Grade Teacher
Substitute Bus Drivers
Richard Blevins; Earl Warren
In other business Monday, the Board accepted the resignation of Cayla Blackburn, Pre-K Paraprofessional at Baldwin Elementary and approved a rental agreement with James Short Tractor for no-cost use of a four-wheel RTV – a golf cart-type vehicle used to carry coolers on the sidelines of football games. No students are allowed to drive the vehicle.
The way I should go…
Psalm 143:8, “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.”
This morning as I prepared for my day, I thought of this verse. I thought of the words and the importance of putting our trust in God each and every day. The very first words that come from our mouths as we open our eyes should be these. There are times in our lives when we can only see the next step and sometimes, it is difficult to see even that; but God can see the whole path. He knows what’s up ahead and He will faithfully guide us through the terrain as long as we allow Him to do so.
King David lived through tumultuous times. At the time he wrote this scripture, the surrounding nations were after the blood of God’s people. During this time period and even today, Israel was constantly threatened by the countries around it who were eager to conquer the land and destroy its people. But David relied on a Warrior far more powerful than the current threat of the day. He knew God had the bigger picture, the whole blueprint. He knew in Whom to put his trust.
This morning, try it. Memorize this verse and commit to quoting it every morning as you start your day. Each day, God’s love for us is new and fresh. He is completely sold out to us. And His love is unconditional, borderless, never-ending. Openly profess that you put your trust in Him. This means ‘whatever’ happens in your day, you know God is with you. Whatever fire you need to walk through, He’ll walk through it with you. Whatever storm you need to ride out, He’ll ride it out with you. Whatever decision you need to make, He’ll help you make it. Whomever you need to see, He’ll make sure you meet with them. If you do not need to see them, He’ll make sure you don’t.
You simply need to lift up your soul to Him.