matthew west - christian family...

June 2017 COMPLIMENTARY

CelebrateDad

Matthew WestHello, My Name Is _______

RespectingTHE FLAG

Nashville Christian Family2 www.ChristianFamilyNashville.com

#1 Neighborhood Hyundai Dealer**Based on 2014 HMA USA South Central Region Reports1.877.886.8448

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2017

Genesis G-80$41,400Starting

MSRP1 18/28 City/HwyMPG2

Enjoy a worry-free ownership experience that includes Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles; whichever comes first. Plus, complimentary oil changes every 7,500 miles.

COMPLIMENTARY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

2017

Hyundai Santa Fe$30,800Starting


1MSRP excludes destination charges, tax, title, and license fees. Destination charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost. 22017 Santa Fe SE/Limited FWD: 18 City/25 Hwy/21 Combined. AWD: 18 City/24 Hwy/20 Combined. 2017 Santa Fe SE Ultimate/Limited Ultimate FWD: 17 City/23 Hwy/20 Combined. AWD: 17 City/22 Hwy/19 Combined. EPA estimates. For comparison only. Your actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle’s condition.

1MSRP excludes destination charges, tax, title, and license fees. Destination charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost.22017 Genesis G-80: 18 City/28 Hwy/21 Combined. Your actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle’s condition.

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June 2017 3www.ChristianFamilyNashville.com

Publisher: Robert Stringfellow • [email protected]: Raymonda JaggersContributing Writers:

Lindsey CastlemanAmber Smith DashTammy DaughtryBen DavisSamantha DeGrasseLou FeaglesCole GrayScott LehmanJason LindseyKeri Maffei

Frank OdrobinaKenneth Oosting, PhDAmanda PageSusan ReinfeldtMark SimpsonAron StrongLaurie StroudChristine TanzellaChristy Tapocsi, RD

Production and Art Direction: Wendy SatterwhiteWebsite Development, Digital Marketing & SEO Services: www.BowenDigital.comSocial Media: Kylie OdrobinaPrinter: Franklin Web PrintingSales & Marketing: Robert StringfellowCover: Matthew West

Nashville Christian Family is published monthly by Clarion Con-cepts, P.O. Box 463, Spring Hill, TN 37174. The phone number is 615-815-8765.E-mail [email protected]. Reproduction of any part of Nashville Christian Family without permission of the Publisher is prohibited. Distribution of this paper does not constitute and en-dorsement of information, products or services. Views expressed in Nashville Christian Family do not necessarily represent those of the Publisher. Every effort has been made by Nashville Chris-tian Family 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 2017 by The Christian Family Publication, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Inter-national Bible Society. Use by permission of International Bible Society.

Circulation and Distribution: Nashville Christian Family is free and available at targeted, high traffic locations throughout the Nashville Metro Area and surrounding counties, Williamson, Wilson, Sumner, Rutherford and Maury. 10,000 copies are print-ed each month. Copies are available by subscription, $25 for one year (12 issues). To subscribe, e-mail [email protected]

– Nashville Christian Family is a part of The Christian Family Publication, Inc. celebrating 17 years of Good News! Visit www.ChristianFamilyNashville.com

Our MissiOnNashville Christian Family ® exists to provide Christians and the com-munity at large with ways to strengthen and grow as a part of the Middle Tennessee Christian Family. This local monthly publication is designed to promote positive living by sharing with readers of all ages relevant and timely news and information related to health, faith, parenting, youth, finances, Christian entertainment, missions, church leaders, and much more.

From the Publisher

Publisher, [email protected]

#1 Neighborhood Hyundai Dealer**Based on 2014 HMA USA South Central Region Reports1.877.886.8448

www.hyundaiofcoolsprings.com201 Comtide Ct., Franklin TN (I-65, Exit 69)

1.877.886.8448www.genesisofcoolsprings.net201 Comtide Ct., Franklin TN (I-65, Exit 69)

2017

Genesis G-80$41,400Starting


Enjoy a worry-free ownership experience that includes Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles; whichever comes first. Plus, complimentary oil changes every 7,500 miles.

COMPLIMENTARY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

2017

Hyundai Santa Fe$30,800Starting


1MSRP excludes destination charges, tax, title, and license fees. Destination charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost. 22017 Santa Fe SE/Limited FWD: 18 City/25 Hwy/21 Combined. AWD: 18 City/24 Hwy/20 Combined. 2017 Santa Fe SE Ultimate/Limited Ultimate FWD: 17 City/23 Hwy/20 Combined. AWD: 17 City/22 Hwy/19 Combined. EPA estimates. For comparison only. Your actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle’s condition.

1MSRP excludes destination charges, tax, title, and license fees. Destination charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost.22017 Genesis G-80: 18 City/28 Hwy/21 Combined. Your actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle’s condition.

Regarding Godly Fathers, Martin Luther said, “Keep an apple beside the rod to give the child when he does well.” Discipline must be exercised with watch-ful care and constant training with much prayer. Chastening, discipline, and counsel by the Word of God, giving both reproof and encouragement, is at the core of “admonition.”

Joshua 24:15But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ………… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (NIV)

Proverbs 14:26He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. (NIV)

Proverbs 22:6Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (NIV)

Psalm 103:13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. (NLT)

1Timothy 3:2 - 5Therefore an overseer (Father) must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?

There are many outstanding Scriptures that reference Fathers in one way or the other. The ones above are some that I have found valuable and helpful over the years.

On this Father’s Day, we should not only our honor earthly Father’s, but our Heavenly Father as well.

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DEPARTMENTS3 From the Publisher

5 An Encouraging WordOur Ultimate Father In Heaven

5 Best BooksGreat New Book From a Local Author

6 Youth News• “Making It Stick” Bible Study Groups

• Local Business Provides Scholarships For Youth

9 The Great CommissionSharing the Gospel In Uncomfortable Circumstances

10 Mission MakersLocal Group Assists Youth Wanting to

Attend the University of Nebraska

10 Hassle Free ZoneDefining Our Hopes

15 Healthy LivingTips For Healthy Summer Traveling

15 Body & SoulLosing a Very Close Friend

16 Mighty MenFathers, Fathers, Fathers

16 Teachable MomentsGod Answers and Heals In His Own Ways

And Own Timetable

17 In His GripDo You Check Your “Yardage” Book?

19 Kid’s Korner• Children Connect With God Through Music

• Kids Get Connected With the Bible UsingSimple Science Experiments

21 Parenting PointsParents, PUT THE DEVICE DOWN and Focus

On Your Children

21 Music NotesThe Power of Music

22 Calendar

22 About Our Advertisers

Celebrating our 7th Anniversary!

ContentsVolume 8, Number 8

June 2017

ON THE COVER

FEATURES 6 In Home Group Bible Studies for “Tween” Girls and their mothers

12 Matthew West

7NEXT ISSUE

5

12

Summer Family FunAnd MUCH MORE! 17

No matter what age, socioeconomic background, race, or level of education, everyone faces an identity crisis at some point in their lives. In his book, Hello My Name Is, West explains how he discovered this truth when he surrendered his plans to Christ. See page 12.

5, 15, 16, 21 Father’s Day

7 The American Flag


7


AN eNcour AgiNg Word

Our FatherThis month we celebrate father’s day and our minds turn to our ultimate father– God the father. Throughout the entire old and new testament we are given illustrations and instructions to help keep our Christian walk in step with the Father. Some-times in the direct literal sense of being a father to one’s own children. Other references are to help us understand how we should conduct our lives as responsible Christians in the world.

Some verses lift our spirit and remind us how our Father has everything in his control.

Thou art my father, my God and the rock of my salvation. (Psalms 89:26)Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him (Matthew 6:8)

Other verses instruct us how to come to God-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all (Ephesians 4:6)

Many passages relate our responsibility to those in our world-I was a father to the poor (Job 26:16)A father to the fatherless (Psalms 68:5)Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15)

In a world torn by mounting violence, divisiveness, suspicion and fear of others, we are reminded –

Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our fathers? (Malachi 2:10)

Thank you Father God

— Lou Feagles, President/CEO of Simple Solutions for Home Care, LLC, 2201 Murphy Ave. Suite 303, Nashville, Tenn. 37203, Phone 615-647-0700,

615-647-0701 www.ss4hc.com

best books

Jean Thomason is the live embodiment of the joyful children’s character, Miss PattyCake. The music and character of Miss PattyCake allow Jean to plant biblical truths, broken into musical toddler-size pieces, into little lives, while helping parents lay a spiritual foundation. As Miss PattyCake, Jean teaches Bible stories, praise, and early learning concepts through song. In her new book Sharing God’s Big Love with Little Lives, she speaks from this experience to parents and caregivers on how to better communicate with little ones about knowing, loving, and praising God. “This book will take you on a tour of parenting and teaching young children God, Jesus and the Bible,” says Jean. “It will help you in the great work of spiritual formation, which is the JOY of laying a biblical, spiritual foundation on which salvation and a life of faith can be built.”

The book, Sharing God’s Big Love with Little Lives: A Can-Do Guide for Par-ents and Caregivers (Worthy Publishing) encourages age-appropriate, positive conversations and activities that have eternal impact. Speaking to parents, grandparents, and teachers of preschoolers using Scripture, humor, research, and anecdotes, Jean communicates in a lively way, offering Biblical guidance and practical application.

Sharing God’s Big Love for Little Lives will equip readers with the skills neces-sary to be the parents and grandparents their kids need, so they can grow to be all God has created them to be.

As Jean says, “This book will refresh your belief that God has put a child or

children in your life on purpose. He has given you everything you need to speak into this little life or lives as His ambas-sador, representing his Kingdom. It is no mistake you are a parent, grandparent, teacher or caregiver of a little child. It is a great responsibility, privilege and it can be a pleasure!”

“My two favorite chapters are these: Sev-en Ways to Practice Praise, and Enthu-siastic Enjoyment. I have found many people do not really know what the word PRAISE really means. It is always a verb, and has many different directives. When parents and caregivers get understanding about how and why we praise God, it can change their life….it changed mine! Then they know better how to teach children who are already more uninhibited and are excited to give thanks and praise to God. The Bible says this, “Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs that drown out enemy talk, and silence atheistic babble.” (Psalm 8:2 MSG)

Jean Thomason has more than 30 years of experience as a musical performer, worship leader, and conference speaker. Her live Miss PattyCake concerts are performed around God’s great big world. Jean and her husband reside in Franklin, Tenn. Visit www.misspattycake.com.

Sharing God’s Love with Little Lives

http://www.misspattycake.com


Youth NeWs

Hyundai of Cool Springs is well known for their community support especially when it comes to causes where youth are involved. That’s why General Manager, Frank Odrobina is proud to announce his latest initiative, a biannual scholarship which will help one lucky, talented and deserving student achieve their academic goals. In order to be eligible to win the scholarship, students must submit an essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words describing what motivates them to succeed. Further-more, students must meet certain requirements including a 3.0 high school grade point average and either be in college or at have the intention of at-tending college this year. After all the entries have been submitted, Odrobi-na and a panel of judges will review the essays and pick a winner based upon predetermined criteria including but not limited to the values expressed and the dedication to Christian principles. When asked about this initiative, Odrobina elaborated on his belief in the value of education. “For me success isn’t about how much money you have in the bank. It’s about how much knowledge you have in your head and how you use that knowledge to help others and make the world a better place.” Any student interested in submitting an essay in order to win this generous gift from Hyundai of Cool Springs can learn more at www.hyundaiofcoolsprings.com

— the Staff of Hyundai and Genesis of Cool Springs

Local Business Gives Back to Area Youth

This group of girls are excited. Why? Because they’re part of a tween girls’ Bible study group that just launched in Franklin called “Making it Stick.” And they’re doing just that! Cute name. Where did it come from? “Stick it” is a gym-nastics term which means that the gymnast has landed perfectly from a jump, acrobatic skill, or dismount. This term “sticks” for these tween girls. They do not claim to be perfect, or without spot, blemish or wrinkle, but they do proclaim Jesus Christ is Lord over their lives, and they strive to be in relationship with him and to be more like Him daily.

Making it Stick Bible Study Group started out in the living room of a home in Franklin with only a couple girls and two adults. It has grown steadily over the past few months. Friends have invited friends from AWANA clubs, school, and their neighborhoods. The tween girls range in age from 8-12 years old. Girls in this age group are going through many changes and they can be quite trying. (Ask any parent!) Because they do not want to be classified as “children,” but are still too young to be labeled “teen-agers,” this age group has come to be known as tweenagers or tweens.

Many tween girls are experiencing physical and emotional changes and are beginning to question their spiritual lives. Because of this, it’s good for these girls to have an outlet; a place where they can get together, study the Word, learn from each other and have fun while they’re doing it! A typical session includes prayer, breaking bread, digging into a devotional, a craft and plenty of laughter. The girls break off into pairs or small groups, then re-group to share what they’ve learned.

Samantha DeGrasse heads up this tween group and her youngest child, So-phia, is a participant in the group. Samantha credits her daughter’s constant questions about things pertaining to the Bible as the genesis for this endeavor. Rather than just answer her questions, Samantha thought that Sophia must have other friends who are asking similar questions. And that’s how Making It Stick Bible Study Group was born.

Sophia has also written a book titled “Making it Stick” which has not been published yet. It speaks encouragement, inspiration and enlightenment to girls from the ages of 6-12 and lets them know that no matter what they do, they should “make it count and make it stick!”

This tween bible study group will hold two garage sales in June as fundraisers for their September re-launch party. Besides meeting once, a month, there is time scheduled for the girls to have some down time and just hang out. They had an ice cream social just a week ago and on July 22nd, they will meet at the Lifeway Christian Store in Brentwood. You can check social media sites for flyers and a calendar of events!

While the girls are meeting, Shekinah Nix leads the adult group, “Goodness Gracious.” The sessions start out with the ladies choosing a random index card containing a word of encouragement, quote or Bible scripture. The ladies then share what the words mean to them which leads into prayer for one another. Conversations are kept confidential and there is a non-judgemental atmosphere. It is their desire for women to be champions in their home, in

the workforce and to have a better under-standing of who they are in Christ.

“Goodness Gracious” and “Making It Stick” have social media platforms which are updat-ed constantly. They typically meet on the first Saturday of every month, but will not meet in August or September in preparation for their big re-launch party in September.

They can be found on Instagram and Face-book @ “makingitsticktweenbiblegroup” and

“Goodness Gracious.” For more information about the tween group and how your daughter can be a part of it, email Samantha DeGrasse at [email protected] or call 678-634-2263. For more information about Goodness Gracious, contact Shekinah Nix at [email protected] or at 313-421-9188.

— Samantha Degrasse

Hangin' out and havin' fun!

Covering everything with prayer.


speciAl FeAture

Have you noticed the American Flags along Franklin road in Brentwood on the major holidays? Do you know who puts them up? It’s the Hillsboro-Brent-wood Exchange Club (HBEC) and they have been doing it since the mid 1990’s! There have been a few name changes of those Exchange Clubs but is has always been part of their service to the com-munity of Brentwood. The Flag chair-man is Ben Davis who has been putting up Ole Glory for over 20+ years. “I have been with different clubs during that time frame but I have always helped put them out” says Davis, “it was one of the many things that attracted me to Exchange”.

The National Exchange Club is “America’s Service Club” based in Toledo, OH that recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. They are a U.S. only based civic organization. Their National Project is the Prevention of Child abuse that started in 1979. Since that start there are 64 Child Abuse Prevention Centers in 27 states across the good ole USA with 4 centers and 18 satellites in the state of TN. Other programs of service are American, Youth Programs, and Community Service.

The Americanism program is the one that gave birth to the flags flown in Brentwood. It’s roots started in the early 90’s with flags being flown at the actual places of businesses in the local Brentwood area. From that came the opportunity from one of the club members to ask the City of Brentwood if the club could fly the flags on the street lamp posts along Franklin Road.

And the rest, as they say, is history. In the past the club has been asked to fly the flags on special occasions such as the time the Olympic Torch was carried thru Brentwood on its way to Atlanta.

“It is one of the best sights you will see when we post all 110 flags along Franklin road from OHB to the Medical Center” states Davis “and the flags are so light weight that the slightest breeze makes them wave”!

The Flag program is a major fund raiser for HBEC. Individuals or businesses can buy a one year contract for $50. The Club will then fly that flag for the 8 flag holidays and at the end of the year recognize those contributors. For more information about the flag contracts or about the HBEC (including meeting times and places) please contact Ben Davis at 615-584-4946 or [email protected].

— Ben Davis

COLORS OF THE FLAGRed, White, and Blue. Red represents valor and bravery, White represents purity and innocence, and Blue represents vigi-lance, perseverance, and justice. The blue area on the flag is called the field and that is where the 50 stars (union) are located (representing the 50 states of America). The flag consists of 13 alternating red and white stripes that represent the 13 original colonies. Tennessee’s star was added to the flag on June 1, 1796.

FLAG PROTOCOLThere are many flag etiquettes for stand-ards of respect but here is a listing of some of the most common.

DISPLAYING THE FLAG• In general the flag should be raised and lowered each day (sunrise to sunset). When raising the flag it should be done briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoni-

ously. The flag’s union (stars) should be at the peak or if hung vertically or hori-zontally at the top left (observer’s view). If it remains up during the night it should be illuminated. When the flag is raised everyone should face the flag and salute or place your right hand over your heart. Men should remove their hat and hold it on his right hand over the heart.

• At public events the flag should always be to the right of the speaker’s platform. If several flags are on display it should be to the front of all flags and/or center of those flags. When flown with other flags on the same halyard the U.S. flag should be at the peak.

• When covering a casket the union should be at the head and over the left shoulder. There is a special way to fold the flag to present it to a family member. The flag is folded in half two times with the

union showing. It is then folded in a trian-gular manner until it reaches the union and the ‘flap’ tucked into the body of the flag. It will then be handed to a family member who should extend their hands to accept the flag. Proper display of the folded flag should be in a triangle case with the union showing.

• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. You can contact your local American Legion or Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts/Girl Scouts for proper retire-ment of your flag.

Our flag should always be treated with respect; many people have died protecting our freedom which Old Glory represents.

Who Flies Those Flags in Brentwood?

Facts About the United States Flag and Flag Protocol

Here are some interesting facts about Old Glory that you may or may not know!

Hillsboro Brentwood Exchange Club flag crew.

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the greAt commiss ioN

The Queen of the South . . . came from the ends of the earth to hear. Matthew 12:42

Greetings in Christ from the midst of the Amazon jungles of Peru from where I am writing to you today. I serve as a missionary to many countries in Latin America and Asia, the Peruvian jungles being one of those areas, and we are just concluding a pastor/leader conference for our workers from 25 congregations up and down the Maranon and Chambira Rivers.

On these trips we fight mosquitoes and chiggers, oppressive heat, and sudden rain forest storms that threaten to blow our missions vessel “Living Waters” over or off course. The bathroom and shower aren’t to brag about, either. But today I saw something that motivated me afresh; the last five pastors arrived just in time to start things up, here in the village of San Antonio on the Maranon, and our Peruvian director explained to me that these ministers had travelled 24 hours by boat together to attend. In three days when we pray over and dismiss them, these men will ride another 24 on the river to get home.

One of the great encouragements we missionaries get is to see scenes like this. “Someone wants to spend 48 hours in a boat just to come hear me?” It is a very humbling experience, yet a great honor too. I serve in many places around the world where the workers are pretty much forgotten—because they are poor and far away and there are no hotels with even one star nearby. We lived on a boat all week.

Back in Nashville it is now summer. The hardest season of the year to get

folks to church. Before returning to missionary ministry, I was a pastor for 15 years, and I remember seeing the first couple of Sundays in June lag in attendance. It is common, we tell ourselves. Everyone needs a vacation. We’ll just rebuke “summer slump” and plow on.

I was reminded one day of an old pop song that goes like this: “Will I see you in September, or lose you to

a summer love?” Fact is, as we pastors rack up summer after summer, we see some disappear with the camper or the cabin or the fishing boat or the pool pass, that never make it back. No season throws more distractions at us!

There is a hunger that we need. We already have it in our bellies but need to always stir it in our souls and spirits. David and Daniel understood it because they both wrote of seeking Him three times a day just like our bodies are prone to do. Our bodies need nourishment? They knew that our hearts and minds need it too. Whatever is conspiring against us to rob us of that regular spiritual food, needs to be firmly dealt with . . . even as we remember the Queen of the South and these jungle pastors whose hunger should be a wonderful inspiration to us today.

— Mark Simpson

Jungle pastor arriving for meeting by boat

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hAssle Free ZoNe

miss ioN mAkers

HOMETOWN HERO:Huskers Provide Hope for Middle Tennessee Students

Community has always been important to Emily Fay, named Nashville Volunteer of the Month by Doing Good. She founded Nashville Huskers, a nonprofit University of Nebraska Alumni Association that hosts football game watch parties and funds a scholarship. Nashville Huskers just wrapped its eighth season by hosting its 100th party and 10,000th guest. To date, the organization has raised over $18,000 in scholarships for Middle Tennessee students seeking to attend the University of Nebraska.

Fay is not a Nashville native. She graduated from University of Nebraska in 2005, moved home to Loveland, Colorado, for a spell, then to Omaha, Nebraska, for a job she didn’t love. In the summer of 2007, a friend jokingly asked her to move to Nashville, and she packed up on a whim. But she’d al-ways been surrounded by Husker fans—she was “brainwashed” into fandom, even at home—and it wasn’t long until she missed that community.

What did the lifelong Cornhusker do? “I decided to get a bunch of fans together.” The first-ever Nashville Huskers watch party consisted of cold-calls on Facebook and a lot of hope. Twenty people told Fay they would show up and watch the game. When she walked into the bar, “the entire place was red.” Eighty Nebraska fans came out of the woodwork that day, and Nashville Huskers was born. “We lost the game by one point that day, but it was such a big win for this community that was on the verge of becoming something really cool in Nashville,” said Fay about that first day.

That community quickly focused on service. Member dues and merchan-dise sales were directed toward a scholarship fund. In just two years, the University reached out to Fay to make Nashville Huskers an official alumni group. Now every $1,000 raised by Fay is matched by the Ne-braska Legends scholarship.

“Knowing that we can send some-body from the state of Tennessee, deep in SEC territory, to the Univer-sity of Nebraska…,” says Fay, trailing off. “If we can help that, it’s fantastic.” She has always had a heart for serving others, but perhaps she was searching for more than that the whole time. “I just wanted to watch football with other Nebraskans. That’s what it was when I started. But it has evolved into a community that’s fantastic.”

Nashville’s Volunteer of the Month is a program of Doing Good, a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization which educates and inspires people by celebrating the real stories of real people who volunteer. For additional information about Emily, Doing Good, or other volunteers, visit the website www.DoingGood.tv or @DoingGoodTV on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or YouTube.

— Cole Gray

All of us hope for many things but many of the things we hope for do not materialize. We are typically disappointed when our hopes do not come true blaming bad luck or other people for our disappointment. A hope tends to be vague as in a passing thought because hopes are seldom written down or described to other people. We seldom think them through to clarify the ramifications that would be present if our hope came true. We tend not to want to put much energy into our hopes, often accepting defeat even before we have clearly defined our hope. The more precise the hope, the greater is the likelihood that it will come about.

In order to have more of our hopes come true, there are some things that we personally can do. Let’s consider some of them.

1. GIVE DEFINITION TO OUR HOPE Exactly what is it that we hope will happen or come true. A good first step is to write it down. Put down every thought that comes to mind about this hope. Complete sentences are not necessary. After you have done this, look through your notes to deter-mine what the essential characteristics are of this hope. What other things are secondary. Then rewrite it into a synopsis of what your notes say. Make it as precise as possible. Pray that God will help you define your hope and pray that the hope is within God’s will.

2. CONSIDER STRATEGIES FOR ACCOMPLISH-ING THE HOPE Strategies are methods, the how to accomplish something. Strategies normally have a specific order in which they must occur. If the hope is to be a concert pianist, strategy one might be to start piano lessons or acquire access to a piano.

3. PLACE STRATEGIES IN A TIME FRAME Not all strategies to obtain a goal can be done on day one. There might be a number of piano lessons before the strategy of having a piano recital is possible. To make these strategies more likely to be achieved, put them in a time order. What must be done right now, what is next month, next year, in two years, and later time frames? But remem-ber that no strategy has value without hope (what we want) and a time frame for realization of that hope.

4. DISCIPLINE OURSELVES TO FOLLOW THE STRATEGIES Strategies are of no value if we lack the discipline to follow every strategy on schedule. Hopes fade when discipline is lacking.

5. TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE HOPE Tell other people who believe in you about what you are hoping to do obtain. Give them the opportunity to both open doors for you and to encourage you.

6. DIRECTLY FACE YOUR BARRIERS One or more barriers have dashed many hopes. It could be a person, it could be where you are; it could be your background in which you are not connected to anyone who can help you; it could be a lack of self confidence; it could be time; it could be health issues. Whatever the barriers, consider how you can minimize them.

7. PLACE THE HOPE ON THE WALL Place it in writing where you will see it constantly to remind you, such as on the refrigerator door or on the wall. You might post the next strategies for ac-complishing the hope and their timeframe.

8. TAKE THE FIRST STEP Knock out strategy one as quickly and as decisively as possible. Success in the first step will provide confidence for step two.

Pray about it constantly. If what you hope for is good for you, good for others and pleasing to God, these steps can help you achieve that hope.

Go to www.wchristainfamilynashville.com to find the Study Questions at the end of the article.

— Kenneth Oosting, PhD

GOD’S PLAN FOR SERVICE: Hope Is Not a Strategy

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“I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found…”John Newton penned these lyrics in 1779 when he wrote, “Amazing Grace,” one of the most recognized songs in the English-speaking world. Its message of lost identity and redemption still rings true today. No matter what age, socioeconomic background, race, or level of education, everyone faces an identity crisis at some point in their lives. A quick perusal of self-help book titles supports this truth: A Search for Identity, The Search for Significance, Redefining Realness, to name a few. Man’s search for identity is a universal quest and notably a painful life experience.

Award winning Christian music singer and songwriter, Matthew West knows this truth first hand. On several occasions, he has experienced the immense psychological stress that comes when personal identity is shaken. “Early in my career when I should have been celebrating a record deal or a number one hit, I instead dealt with a potentially career-ending injury. I nearly severed an artery in my hand,” explained West. “Years later, during the peak of my musical career, I underwent vocal cord surgery and spent several months in complete silence as my vocal chords healed. It was during these detours that I reflected on my identity and the promises of the One who made me.”

West, a soft-spoken and humble man, spent his recovery reading the Bible, journaling, delving through devotionals and collecting stories of people across the country, who like him, struggled with life’s basic question, Who Am I?

“I encountered people across the globe, who at a loss for identity, found themselves buried under isolation, depression, chemical abuse, and some-times on the brink of suicide,” said West. At one point he amassed near-ly 10,000 stories. He rented a remote cabin in Tennessee and spent two months pouring through content, much of which is the basis for several of his hit songs. He then wrote, Hello My Name Is: Discover Your True Identity, (Worthy Publishing, April 2017, $16.99, ISBN 9781617958601), a book that explores the possibilities available to anyone who desires to live an authentic life.

“Identity is a collection of names that define how we see ourselves. We all wear a set of nametags that we acquire over time. Some have their place in our lives, and others are simply destructive,” said West. “The truth of the matter is many of us live under a false identity—a highlight reel of who soci-ety says we are.” West urges people to wear instead only the nametag Christ has given them. “Because Christ made me, He alone forms my identity.”

The Strength of SurrenderWhile West can be described as a pretty laid back guy, he will tell you he is far more driven on the inside. “We give other voices way too much power than they deserve,” said West. “Shame, guilt, and regret leave us living in the past, instead of the present with Christ who made us.” In his book, Hello My Name Is, West explains how he discovered this truth when he surrendered his plans to Christ. “I am a control freak by nature, but my hand injury and vocal surgery forced me to look to the Lord for direction. When you experience

No matter what age, socioeconomic background, race, or level of education, everyone faces an identity

crisis at some point in their lives.



a detour, and God redirects your path, the best course of action is to surrender control. There is true freedom when you let Christ lead your way.” West recounts how his months of living in silence created the perfect space for God’s powerful voice to be heard.

In the book, West explains how unwanted change is a call from God. “The very things that surprise us in life are either a Wake-Up Call, a Break-Up Call, a Shake-Up Call, or a Take Up Call.” West no longer considers unexpected events to be road blocks. Instead, he sees them as invitations from Christ to become our very best selves.

While his personal life surely helped form the book’s concept, a young man named Jordan is the real catalyst for its content. West explains that Jordan grew up in a small Tennessee town. As preacher’s son, he was always the “good kid.” He was a gifted athlete, seven-time all-American in track and field, and excelled in academics. He went to college seemingly on top of the world, but his life crumbled when he broke his an-kle. Armed with a prescription for OxyContin, Jordan quickly fell into a drug addiction. He lost his college scholarship, his dreams and his identity. By the time West encountered Jordan, the young man introduced himself by saying, “Hello, my name is Jordan. I am an addict.” Jor-dan had “named” himself and was desperate for a new life. Through Teen Challenge, a yearlong Christian recovery program, Jordan surrendered and began his quest for a new identity…a new name. “Jordan no longer identifies himself as the “good kid,” “addict,” “star athlete,” or “failure,” explained West. “He now introduces himself as a child of the One True King.”

A Name ChangeIn the book, West points readers to several Biblical characters who experi-enced name changes; Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, and Saul to Paul to name a few. While West never received a formal name change, he did experience his first identity shift early in life.

West the, “Athlete,” was born in Downers Grove, Illinois to a stay-at-home mom and a preacher. He loved baseball, the Chicago Cubs in particular, and set a goal to someday play college ball. Instead, he received a four-year music scholarship to renowned, Millikin University in Illinois. West recalls he wrote most of his early songs in the chamber of his father’s church while on college breaks. West quickly became known as the musician and a master storyteller. “I spent my early years, and perhaps too many of my adult years expecting things to go exactly as I imagined they would,” recalled West. “I didn’t set out to be a musician but it was no surprise to God.”

To date, West is a multiple-ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner, a four-time GRAMMY® nominee, an American Music Award (2013), a Billboard Music Award (2014) recipient and was named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year (2016). His discography includes acclaimed releases: “Happy” (2003), “History” (2005), “Something to Say”

(2008), “The Story of Your Life” (2010), GRAM-MY®-nominated “Into the Light” (2012), and “Live Forever” (2015). West was nominated for a Primetime Emmy® Award for Original Music & Lyrics for “The Heart of Christmas” from the film of the same name. His songwriting credits include cuts by Rascal Flatts, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diamond Rio, and more.

The Power of VulnerabilityThe book is peppered with anecdotes from West’s life. Perhaps what makes the text so easy to read is that West unleashes his vulnerabili-ty. He shares with readers the names he once latched onto, names like afraid, pretender and judge. “The world goes out of its way to make us believe we are not enough…not pretty enough, smart enough, rich enough, or good enough. I am happy to now be authentically imperfect because I know the grace and power of God,” he said.

West believes the truest evidence of a changed life is when you can share the not so good parts of yourself because you know they don’t define you. As a father of two young girls, West is particularly intent on living authentically as an example for his kids. “I see my two daughters go to school and how false messages they receive affect them. I want my kids to know they might fall short, but God’s opinion of them does not waiver.” West is quick to point out how social

media encourages people to display an inauthentic life. “You see all these kids taking selfies and then retaking them in search of the best angle and lighting. Adults and children post fairytale timelines peppered with only the best of their days. I hope my book, songs, and life are an example for people to take back their identities.”

What advice does he have for others? “The best definer for your life is hidden in God’s Word. Read it. Meditate on it. Capture it and hold it tight.” West believes the truth in scripture allows people to face the day. “The title of my book sounds like a self-help book, but it could not be more opposite. Self-help books urge people to look inside themselves for solutions. My book says to look outside yourself to Christ. Let Him have the final say in your identity.”

The Next ChapterThese days West is still collecting stories. He and his father started a non-profit ministry called popwe so fans could continue to submit their stories of identity and redemption. Fans who visit the site are connected to people who will pray for them and in some cases, are directed to recovery programs and services. Over 35,000 people each week receive a devotional written by West and his colleagues. When asked if there is another book in his future, West chuckles and says, “I’m up for whatever God has in store.”

— Susan Reinfeldt is founder and owner of The Write Word, a marketing com-munications/event planning company located in Franklin, Tenn.

In his book, “Hello My Name Is,” West explains how he discovered this truth when he surrendered his plans to Christ.

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heAlthY liViNg

bodY & soul

Time off means time out from your normal rou-tine. While vacations can be wonderful for family, friendships, rest and adventure, they’re typically bad for maintaining healthy habits. However, a little bit of planning ahead can make all the dif-ference. Here are four nutrition tips for your next vacation.

1. Pack healthy snacksHave you ever been so busy sightseeing or run-ning late to the airport that you forgot to eat? Did it affect your ability to enjoy yourself and make decisions? When productivity and energy start to slow down, it’s time for a snack. Snacks are a great way to pump up nutrition. They also help us avoid making poor food decisions and overeating at meals. Make a grocery run before your vacation and pack a snack bag to take along. For road trips, I always pack a cooler for the cold items then an-other bag or cooler for the shelf-stable items.For air travel, I put all of my snacks into a gal-lon-sized plastic bag for my carry-on. Plus, I pack a soft-sided cooler or insulated reusable grocery bag in my checked luggage. These fold flat and don’t take up much room. Once I land, I head to a

grocery store to pick up addi-tional food for the trip.

2. Think about balanceNo one wants to be cranky on vacation. Remember that what you eat affects how you feel. Carbohydrates are essential be-cause our bodies prefer them as the source of energy, but we also need to get good sources of protein. This helps to avoid that midday slump. Carbs give us energy, and the protein helps us to maintain that energy. Aim to make your meals and snacks as balanced as possible.

3. Stay hydratedAir travel is especially dehydrating. Bring your own water bottle! As long as you empty it before you go through security, you’ll be set. This gives you more control over your H2O intake, which will help your body feel so much better. Why does proper hydration matter? Our bodies are over 60 percent water! Water aids in digestion, lubricates joints, helps maintain body temperature, flushes out impurities and much more.

4. Dine out with intentionEating out is a wonderful way to explore a destination. We learn more about the culture, flavors and feel like a local. Put some time into choos-ing restaurants that will help you experience the unique

aspects of your vacation spot. Those special meals will give you something to look forward to, and if you’re balancing them out by eating healthy the rest of the trip, you won’t feel like you’ve gotten off track with your nutrition. Eating out also provides ideas to bring back home. Savor the flavors from your trip and return with inspiration for your own kitchen creations.Using these simple tips will help give you more control over your healthy living goals and feel confident while you’re away.

— Christy Tapocsi, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, YMCA of Middle Tennessee

4 Nutrition Tips for Traveling

I got the text from a friend that told me to get to the hospital immediately because one of my closest friends was dying. I was not exactly sure in that moment what that meant. Was she having a rough night? Was she about to go into some kind of sur-gery? Was there hope at all? I make a U-Turn and head immediately to the hospital.

The drive to the hospital was long and I called some of our other close friends to let them know. There is something about saying out loud the words that you don’t want to hear. It brings on a flood of emotions that you then have to choke back because you need to get the message out.

Then another flood starts to happen. The thoughts. The thoughts of “I could have been a better friend...been there more…been more thoughtful. I should not have been so busy. Does she know how much I care for her? Did I show her? I don’t know.” And they keep coming.

My mind flashed back to the time where I was with her in the hospital and she said, “I am so afraid I won’t beat this.” And, of course, that was

unfathomable to me--- she is a beautiful woman in her 30s with a family. So many young people beat cancer. And I confidently told her so. She smiled at me and nodded her head.

Now I am looking at her mo-tionless in the hospital bed. I see someone gathering us all to pray for her. I gather, but I did not hear a word he said. All that ran through my mind

was “get up. Just pull a Lazarus and get up. Show us all that this is an awful nightmare.” And it was not a nightmare. It was real life. Before my eyes, my best friend lost her battle with cancer.

My heart even beat differently the week after she died. I could feel it skipping in my chest. I have never experienced grief like this before, nor do I ever want to again. Yet in the process, I learned that grieving is a gift. I know that my heart hurt because I loved her very much. I got to know her in such a way that I opened up my heart and shared with her things I didn’t share with every-one--and I knew she shared with me in that way too. That is vulnerability and that is true friend-ship.

Not only was she important to me, she also was a firm believer in Jesus Christ. This allows me to grieve with hope. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 reminded me this over and over. The verse just kept popping up. Yes, we are to grieve. We have to grieve---our bodies don't function properly unless we grieve. And in that grief, we are to mix in hope---hope that we will be together again through faith in Christ. I believe it with all of my heart, even when my heart hurts.

I pray you love someone so much that losing them will grieve you. I pray that those you love, love Jesus. Because if I knew ahead of time that she would die at age 32, I would have been more intentional to love her more and not less. I still would have opened up my heart because being her friend is worth the pain ten times over.

Love others. Love God. And allow them to love you back.

To read more about her story: amandamackert.wordpress.com

— Lindsey Castleman, marriage and family coun-selor and co-creator of the marriage workshop “7

Conversations to Enrich Your Marriage.” Connect with Lindsey at castlemancounseling.com

My Best Friend Lost Her Battle with Cancer


Amanda Mackert, who lost her battle with cancer at 32, and Lindsey Castleman

might Y meN teAchAble momeNts

A Simple “Thank You Dad for________….” Is a Powerful Way to Hon-or Your Father! My husband and I are part of the National Fatherhood CoMission on Fatherhood and every year the goal is to link arms and hearts with organizations around the country to “Honor Your Father!” What does that look like? How can you help be a voice for fatherhood in our community, our country and in your own family? When a child, young or old, reaches out to their Dad to simply say thank you (a form of honor), that alone can open doors for healing, new conversations, reconnections, or even reconciliation. That is our main hope and prayer through this cam-paign. Our goal is to reach over 50 million Dads, children and families so they will be strengthened through the simple act of honor - “Thanks Dad for __________…”

We want to say “Thank you” to the traditional dads who have stayed the course day in and out, who have loved their wives and stayed faithful for decades! Thank you for showing your children what a lifetime commitment looks like and how important it is to keep your promises.

We want to say “Thank you” to the spiritual dads who have prayed for others, listened to hurting hearts, spoken life and peace to troubled situa-tions and been an example of Jesus in the midst of our brokenness. By tak-ing time to “see” and “hear” the younger generation you are impacting their entire destiny! Your words of life and peace will break the patterns of pain and help give them stability and strength for every situation. Your words and moments matter. Your investment will yield generations of return!

We want to say “Thank you” to the single dads who are relentless in love and commitment to their children, either as the solo parent or as a co-par-ent. Your children need you in their lives as much as humanly possible and what you do matters. Thank you for not giving up when things get hard. Thank you for respecting your children’s’ mother; thank you for showing your children what a Godly man looks like even if is outside the traditional family situation. Your children need to know you love them and there is never a day in their lives that they won’t need you.

We want to say “Thank you” to the stepdads who sometimes are faced with a really hard job of balancing love, discipline and dealing with con-fusing emotional dynamics that often come up in stepfamilies. We appre-ciate how you stay engaged and love your step children as well as how you respect and communicate with the kids’ bio dad. You matter. Thank you for getting involved and speaking life and love to your step children. Some-times it takes a while to know how the stepfamily fits together but keep showing up and loving the kids, even when they don’t seem to respond, love them anyway. They need you and it might be a decade later, but one day they will say thank you!

For more info about the Fatherhood CoMission see: www.facebook.com/fatherhood-comission or www.FatherhoodComission.com.

— Tammy Daughtry, MMFT, is an author, speaker and holds a masters in marriage and family therapy.

Honoring Dads: Spiritual Dads, Single Dads and Step Dads 365 Days a Year

All disappointment is a result of unmet expectations. When our expecta-tions are out of alignment, we can find ourselves disappointed at the craziest things. We can even get angry when we receive something we want in a way we didn’t want to receive it. Naaman was no different. But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! (2 Kings 5:11 NLT)

Naaman was a great warrior and lead Aram’s army. However, as great as his skills at combat were, he suffered a stigmatizing disease- leprosy. Having so great a reputation and such an obvious insecurity, Naaman was prone to the same defensive and overcompensating attitudes we wear all the time. When he finally stood at Elisha's doorstep, he faced not only being healed of his skin condition but his arrogant and insecure attitude as well.

Naaman was offended Elisha didn’t greet him in person. His disease always caused people to be avoid being near him. It was an old and raw wound, and it caused an immediate overreaction. If it wasn’t for his servants, Naaman would have went home just as diseased as when he met God’s prophet. His reaction threatened to keep him from the healing he long for. What reactive attitudes show up in you that threaten to keep you from God’s healing?

God knows our condition, both of our body and our hearts. He’ll heal the former but almost always as a means to heal the later. It was only through Naaman’s humility that he received the healing he longed for. You have heart wounds. So do I. We all do. They vary from deep bruises to bleeding gashes. When the pain of our wound flares up, it becomes all we can see. Our story, our world-view, our perception of others, all become myopically focused through the lens of that pain. That’s when we miss our opportunities for healing.

God knows the wounds of your heart. He longs to heal them, but to do so he has to touch them. We avoid the pain of having our wounds explored, cleaned, and sutured. Instead, we protect them, lick them, and growl at anyone who gets too close. God is not scared of your wounds. His invitation for healing remains open to you. But you have to be willing to go through the process of healing. Naaman’s pride could have returned him home as sick as he arrived. You have to want healing more than protecting your pride, your public image, your old habits, and your fear. The fear of healing is worse than the process of receiving it. We only envision the difficulty of it and can’t see the relief that comes from it. I’ve never talked with anyone who regretted the process of healing once on the other side of it. How terrible a thing fear is to keep us from true freedom and healing.

May you have the courage to finally seek healing for your heart-wounds. It will be painful, but not nearly as painful as living with them. The healing will bring you a freedom you can’t even imagine.

— Aron Strong, LMFT, was a pastor for more than a decade before transition-ing to professional counseling. He is the director of Pathways Counseling in

Murfreesboro and writes daily devotionals at www.biblebreakfast.club.


You've probably seen professional golfers flipping through yardage books that resemble pocket note-pads. Everything is in those books, not just pin placements for each round. History is found there. Here’s an example. Professional golfer Zach John-son was sizing up a 194-yard shot from a fairway during the 2012 Memphis Fed-Ex St. Jude Classic. “Four- or 5-iron?” he asked caddie Damon Green. Green flipped through the yardage book and said, "Two years ago you hit 4-iron from this yardage under these same conditions."

Think how many shots a pro like Johnson hits in the course of a year, two years…a career. His yardage books not only give him the information related to a day’s pin placement, it also gives him a historical perspective from which to make wise decisions. He and Green scour them before each round, looking at pin placements and developing an ideal strategy for the best approach angles. They look at the location of hazards, bunkers and trou-ble spots. Think how critical those yardage books are to Johnson's success as a professional golfer.

And if yardage books are that critical to a golfer’s success, think how critical the Bible is to your life

and your development as a disciple. It’s been said that people are waiting on revelation from God while His revelation sits on their shelves collecting dust. Without a steady diet of the Bible, it is as im-possible for a Christian to grow in his or her faith as it is for a farmer to grow a crop with no rain. It’s just that important.

Here’s just a sample of how Scripture states its own importance.• “Faith comes from hearing the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).• “Happy is the one who reads this book...and obeys what is written in it” (Revelation 1:3).• “Guard my words as your most precious posses-sion. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart” (Proverbs 7:2-3).• “Your Word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).• “Your words are what sustain me...They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me” (Jere-miah 15:16).

The Bible is like that yardage book of Zach John-son’s. Everything you need to know for how to live your life in accordance to God’s design is in

it. It’s like an owner’s manual for life. A golfer like Zach wouldn’t get caught on a course without his yardage book. Don’t you get caught in life without yours.

— Scott Lehman is President of In His Grip Golf Ministry and

author of the popular book, “More than a Game.” Scott and

his family live in Thompson Station, Tenn.

Are You Checking Your Yardage Book?iN his grip

PGA Tour player, Zach Johnson showing Scott the details laid out in his yardage book.

June 2017 17

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kids korNer

Children are imitators, especially little children. They watch every move and copy our attitude and actions. Children are mirrors of our lives. That should terrify us! In a positive way it should make us more aware of our own words and actions.

Did you ever play COPYCAT? I did—a lot! I am the oldest of four children and my father was a traveling salesman. We went on road trips often and there was no TV, no DVD player, no cell phone, no hand-held electronic anything in the car. We played games. “I spy ” for miles, “copycat” until our mama begged us for the “quiet game.”As “Miss PattyCake”, I even have a “Copycat” song! And, I always refer to the verse, Ephesians 5:1 (AMP): “Therefore become imitators of God (copy Him and follow His example), as well beloved children (imitate their father);” “Imitator” is a big word for a little person, and often the best way to explain a word is to show them. “Here—imitate this, do what I do . . . be a copycat.” Jesus did this all the time. He told stories, He used illustrations, and probably He played games with children. The next time you are trying to teach your chil-dren some¬thing new, something they should copy, you can use a game! Remember the famous words of Mary Poppins, “In every job that must be done there is an element of FUN. You find the fun and SNAP, the job’s a game.” You can even sing this game; here is Miss PattyCake’s “Copycat” song: This and that, copycat, Whatever I do you do it, too.

It’s a little game where we do the same . . . Okay—here we go! Pat your head, swing your arms around, Shake your shoulders, up and down. Pat your tummy, count to three Clap together and sing with me!

Children love to play games, especially if music is in¬volved. So sing this game, and ask your chil¬dren to copy you. Then you copy Jesus. What did Jesus do? Jesus went about doing good. He walked in love. Now you and your children are living the very next verse!

“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Ob-serve how Christ loved us. His love was not cau-tious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of him-self to us. Love like that.” Eph. 5:2 (MESSAGE)

See? It’s all about being a copycat. How do we copy God? We look at the life of Jesus. Read what Jesus did, and you’ll learn that He mostly just loved people. He went about do-ing good and helping others. Let’s copy that!

IDEAS WORTH IMITATING • Practice Gratitude. Give thanks in all things (Colossians 3:16–17). • Practice Prayer. Talk to God out loud. . . .

Ask, seek, knock ( Matthew 7:7). • Practice Serving. Do service projects with your kids because “faith without deeds is dead,” (James 2:26). • Practice Bible Memory. Learn scripture together, sing the Word, “I have hidden your word in my heart” (Psalm 119:11). • Practice Family Worship. Make time to thank, praise, teach, and worship the Lord as a family (see Deuteronomy 6:6–7).

Find Miss PattyCake’s “Copycat” song on ITUNES, or on her Fun Songs video ($4.99) www. misspat-tycake.com.

— Jean Thomason, author/speaker/singer/song-writer/worship leader and the live embodiment of

“Miss PattyCake”. She has won hearts of hundreds of thousands of toddlers and preschoolers through

DVDs, CDs, books, and high-energy live perfor-mances. Her new book, “Sharing God’s BIG LOVE

with Little Lives” releases to stores June 13, 2017.

Let’s Play COPYCAT!

BIBLE TRUTHSin is like an insulator, it keeps the power of God from flowing through us and into a world filled with darkness. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”John 7:38 New International Version (NIV)

HANDS-ON EXPERIMENT

Toilet Paper Tube Light BulbINGREDIENTS• Electrical Tape• 8 “D” Batteries• 0.7 mm Pencil Lead• Mason Jar• 2 Wires with Alligator Clips• Toilet Paper Roll

INSTRUCTIONSSTEP 1: Use the electrical tape to secure all of the “D” batteries together in a series. STEP 2: Use the electrical tape to secure the al-ligator clips to the sides of the toilet paper roll. STEP 3: Place a 0.7 mm piece of pencil lead between the alligator clips at the top of the toilet paper roll. STEP 4: Place the Mason jar over the toilet paper roll, alligator clips, and 0.7 mm piece of pencil lead. STEP 5: Close the circuit by touching the ends of the alligator clips to the ends of the roll of batter-ies. Make observations to provide evidence that

energy can be transferred from place to place by electric currents. EXPLANATION The electrons, from the battery, flow through the alligator clips and pencil lead, creating a closed circuit. The pencil lead or filament becomes so hot, it glows, weakens, and eventually breaks. BIBLE CONNECTIONThe energy easily flows from the battery, through the alligator clips, which are good conductors of electricity, to the pencil lead, powering your toilet paper tube light bulb. We should be good conduc-tors of God, allowing His power to flow through us, lighting a world filled with darkness.

— Jason Lindsey - Executive Director/Founder

Hooked on Science – www.hookedonscience.org

E-Mail: [email protected]

Conductor of God

http://www.misspattycake.com

http://www.hookedonscience.org


5am –10amGood Clean Fun with Kevin & Taylor

10am – 2pmMiddays with Doug Griffin

2pm – 7pmAfternoons with Caryn Cruise

7pm –12amNight Light with Andrea TM

12am – 5amKeep the Faith withPenny TM

LISTEN TO94FM THE FISH!

http://www.94fmthefish.net

pAreNtiNg poiNts

music Notes

God calls us to be a witness and a fellowship to those around us. How can we do this if we are so “connect-ed” to our device and “disconnected” from our family and close friends. Yes, these things are convenient and can be helpful to keep connected to those we don't get to see often. But, it comes at a price. When we are so connected to the device (& people and world’s far away), we lose the bond with those we should love the most.

Don’t take your close family and friends for granted. It is such a shame to see so many parent’s at the play-ground not involved with their children. More than half of them are staring at their phones, while their little one’s special moments are passing right be-fore their eyes. When they see a disconnect of a parent with them, they learn this behaviour. Then, they then become disconnected when they get older. It is also very sad to see a young child trying to show their parent something they made or even to talk to them and they have to fight for their attention to be drawn away from their device.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”-Proverbs 22:6. This is true in many aspects. As parents, we are responsible for teaching our children the godly way to live our lives. Also, when we interact with them verbally and nonverbally, they learn to do the same in their lives.

In a day and age when our lives are inundated with 1’s and 0’s, take a moment to stop and take a breath. Challenge yourself to not touch your phone for an hour at at time. Don't leave it at the table, when you have meals, don't leave it in your pocket all day long. The FB notification, email or text message can wait for a few hours. Your close friends and family will thank you for quality time. And your life will be more blessed because of doing so.

— Keri Maffei has been a writer and practitioner of physical therapy for many years. She and her husband are the blessed parents of their son, Leonardo &

daughter, Elena.

June 2017 21

In Acts 16, we find a story involving Paul and Silas. They are in a town that is foreign to them, they are going along their merry way, doing the work of the Lord and BAM! A little fortune teller girl comes along and ruins everything! There was a spirit dwelling in the little girl and it recog-nized the power that was inside of Paul and Silas and while they were on their way to prayer, she followed them and taunted them to the point that Paul became “greatly annoyed” (v. 18, ESV) and commanded the spirit to come out of the her and it did!

Perhaps you are sitting there wondering, ‘How does this ruin everything?’ Well… The little girl’s owners had been making a lot of money off of her divination and now that the spirit was gone,

her “gift” was gone. They lost their income. So, they took Paul and Silas before the town leaders, accused them, beat them and threw them into prison. They put them in the inner part of the prison – to make sure they did not escape – and bound their feet to stocks.

Perhaps you are sitting there wondering, ‘What does this have to do with music?’ Well… Paul and Silas had been accused of things that were not true, beaten, bound and thrown into jail. Everything looked hopeless but… When midnight rolled around, the pair was “praying” and “sing-ing hymns to God” (v. 25, ESV). STOP RIGHT THERE!!! How often do we have a cold or break a nail or have a flat tire and totally give up on the Lord?! Paul and Silas had been through all of

those horrible things but were worshipping, at midnight no less! The prisoners were listening to them (v. 25, ESV) and the jailers were probably lis-tening to them but, you know who else was listen-ing?! God the Father. The one with all power in His hand. The story continues with a earthquake so strong that all the doors in the prison open and all the bonds were broken.

Music. It’s a powerful thing. When you are going through the worst times of your life and you are not sure what to do. Pray. And sing to the Lord, your God. He is listening and waiting to send a earthquake for you!

— Amber Smith Dash is a member of the Restoring Hope Church worship team in Hendersonville.


Bott Radio Network – www.bottradionetwork.com, 615-871-1160

David W. Harr, DMD – www.docharr.com, 615-776-2565

Deer Run Camps and Retreats – www.DeerRun.camp, 615-794-2918

Genesis of Cool Springs – www.genesisofcoolsprings.net, 877-886-8448

Hyundai of Cool Springs – www.hyundaiofcoolsprings.com, 877-886-8448

Lee Company – www.leecompany.com, 615-567-1000

Midwest Capital Mortgage – www.forwardandreversemortgagerates.com, 615-970-2216

Molly Maid – www.mollymaid.com, 615-794-0200

About our AdVertisersPlease support these local businesses that support Nashville Christian Family with their advertising. Support us by patronizing them.

List Your Event!If you have an event you would like listed in the Nashville Christian Family Community Calendar

e-mail us at: [email protected] subject line - Calendar

June 2017 Calendar

P.E.S.T., Inc. – www.pestinc.net, 615-382-9774

Rescue 1 Global – www.rescue1global.org, 615-379-8399

Saint Thomas Health – www.sths.com, 615-284-LIFE

Simple Solutions For Home Care – www.ss4hc.com

The Fish 94FM – www.94fmthefish.net, 615-367-2210

TN Christian Chamber of Commerce – www.tnchristianchamber.org 615-815-8765

University of Alabama – www.boonecabin.ua.edu, 205-348-4090

YMCA of Middle TN – www.ymcamidtn.org, 615-259-9622

Goodwill Will Pickup Your Donation“If you can’t get it to us, we’ll come get it from you.” That’s the gist of Good-will’s new Home Donation Pickup Program, which in just a few months has grown to serve communities in more than 16 Middle Tennessee Middle and West Tennessee counties (Davidson, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumn-er, Wilson, Rutherford, Dickson, Cheatham, Maury, Dekalb, Bedford and Perry, Madison, Henderson, Gibson and Decatur). www.giveit2goodwill.org/pickups

Summer Jobs With Williamson County Parks And Recreation DepartmentThe Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department is now ac-cepting applications for temporary/seasonal jobs for summer 2017. Tem-porary, part-time positions are avail-able in several divisions. Williamson County Parks and Recreation offers a fun working environment and can provide an excellent opportunity for real life experience. If you are interested in working in the field of recreation, please apply! Camp counselors are needed for gen-eral summer day camps in Franklin and Nolensville, specialty camps and field trips (age 17 or older), as well as Camp Will therapeutic day camp (age 18 or older) and Academy Park Summer Camp. The Aquatics division is seeking lifeguards (certi-fied) for all pool locations and pool cashiers (age 16 or older) for outdoor pool locations in Franklin, Spring Hill and Fairview. To apply for a summer job, contact the William-

son County Government Human Resources Department at (615) 591-8504 or visit http://www.williamson-county-tn.gov/jobs.aspx. Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applications will be destroyed in accordance with Federal and State Laws.

June 4 to July 28 —Deer Run Camps & Retreats Extraordinary, life-changing age-graded overnight summer camp experience for your preteen or teen — completed grades 3–12! Life-long memories and friendships. Camp-ers discover their strengths, explore exciting adventures, forge friendships and complete challenges. PRETEEN OVERNIGHT CAMPS, completed grades 3–5 and YOUTH OVER-NIGHT CAMPS, Middle & High School age-graded camps, completed grades 6–12. One- and two-week ses-sions. FAMILY CAMPS, ages 5 & up: An all-inclusive, everything-planned-for-you, life-changing vacation expe-rience! REGISTER at www.DeerRun.


camp or call 888-794-2918. OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, May 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Come and go guided walking tour and meet the camp directors and some of the summer staff.

June 1-19Summer Coed Soccer League Indoor Arena at Crockett Park-Brentwood - The Athletics Division of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department announces on-line registration for a summer coed indoor soccer league in Brentwood. The Indoor Arena at Crockett Park will host a coed soccer division on Monday nights, July 10-August 28. The team regis-tration fee is $425. Registration is open through June 19 or until the league is full at www.wcparksandrec.com. (#7197). For more information, contact Daniele Stewart at (615) 377-6530, ext. 2, or [email protected].

June 18 Father’s Day

ONGOING

1st Thursday MonthlyTennessee Right to Life Chapter 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 2640 Buckner Road, Thompson’s Station, Tn Tennessee Right to Life is com-mitted to effectively advocating the

protection of human life through edu-cational outreach, passage of protective legislation and the development of an informed, active grassroots movement statewide. www.tennesseerighttolife.org [email protected] - 615-298-LIFE(5433)

Every Friday MorningCBL Roundtable – 6:45 AM – 8:15 AM – CEO Fellowship is a non-profit, non-de-nominational organization of local Christian business leaders. Each week we feature a guest speaker from our local business community. Brentwood Baptist Church, Wilson Hall, 7777 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN. www.ceofellowship.com or email us at [email protected]

Last Tuesday of every month except DecemberTennessee Christian Chamber of Com-merce – Monthly Luncheon EGroups - Networking/Leads For meeting locations, times and dates or for more information about the Chamber and events, visit www.tnchristianchamber.org or email [email protected].

WEDNESDAYS 6:30-8p.m. A.R.M.S. (Abuse Recovery Ministries and Services)This is a 15-week faith-based class for victims of domestic abuse. Begin the healing process and start to live again. Child care provided. Call for location and directions. 866.262.9284


Join the Y and take full advantage of everything you need to transform your summer into a season of friendships and family fun.

Learn more and find the Y nearest you at

TryTheY.comOur Mission: A worldwide charitable fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ for the purpose of helping people grow in spirit, mind and body.

Dive into family fun at the Y

http://www.trythey.com


C O N V E N I E N T L O C A T I O N S

V I R T U A L V I S I T S

B O O K O N L I N E

We are building a smarter network designed to meet your medical needs close to home, offering on-site lab testing, imaging and other services in one location.

Book an in-person or virtual visit at saintthomasdoctors.com

FIND A DOCTOR that is right FOR YOU.

http://www.saintthomasdoctors.com

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