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PASTOR'S CORNER by Rev. Keith Harris
e
n&Tyen I was young, I was the
kid. I was the long
stance runner, never the
tackle in football.
Soon after I discovered girls, I came to
believe that they liked muscular boys, not
skinny kids. I went to my source of truth at
that time, the comic books. On the back of
most comic books was an ad for
the Charles Aft.as muscle building
program. That was exactly what I
thought I needed, so I ordered it.
When my Charles Atlas Pro-
gram came, muscles did not
magically appear all over my
body. The program wanted me
to work and exercise. In fact,
the whole program was just an
exercise program. Since I bought
it, I had to try it. At first, it was n'V.
drudgery. I hated it. I can't tell IMRRIS
you how many times I wanted to
quit. In time, I started getting stronger and
seeing some results. Working out actually
became fun.
In Joshua chapter one, God speaking to
Joshua repeats the phrase several times, "Be
strong and courageous." See Joshua chapter
1: verses 6,7,9
My question was, how do you become
Strong and Courageous?
To become strong, we must work and
prepare and push ourselves, q-his applies to
every area of our lives.
To become strong physically we must
exercise.
To become strong mentally, we must
study.
To become strong musically, we must
practice.
To become strong socially, we must be
kind and friendly to others. We must risk
rejection.
To become strong emotionally, we must
heal from life's hurts. We must honestly and
courageously face the hurts, not repress
or pretend they don't exist. Then we must
push ourselves forward.
To become strong financially, we must
save, discipline our spending .and invest
wisely.
To become strong in any area, we must
diligently prepare, we must stretch our-
selves, we must push ourselves.
To become strong spiritually; we must
learn to trust God implicitly. Joshua 1:9
says, "Be strong and courageous! Do not
tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go" There
is transformative power in believing that
truth to the core of our being.
To become strong spiritually, we must
believe the truth and reject the lies. The
world's lies sag 'You are not good enough,
you are not strong enough, you are not
smart enough, you are not
enough.' These lies will keep us
from being and doing and enjoy-
ing the wonderful life that God
has for us. Joshua 1:8 says, "This
book of the law shall not depart
from your mouth, but you shall
meditate on it day and night, so
that you may be careful to do ac-
cording to all that is written it it;
for then you will make your way
prosperous, and then you will have
success" To grow spiritually we
must learn to speak truth and
reject lies. We must learn to program our
minds with truth.
To become strong spiritually, we must
obey God. Notice that it says, "Thatyou
may be careful to do." Joshua obeyed God
and conquered many obstacles in his life.
When he felt that God had called him to
something, he gave everything he had to
accomplish it.
We become courageous when we become
strong. When we are prepared, disciplined,
and trust God we automatically become
confident and courageous. Courage is a
consequence or fruit of preparation.
I never did become a right tackle on the
football team. Nor did I develop some mas-
sive physique. But I did go on to run cross
country in college and I loved it. It was
invigorating running through the moun-
tains and valleys. It took a lot of work and
preparation but it was so worth it. Physi-
cally, it was what God created and called
me to do. Most importantly, God has called
me into relationship with Him. My heart,
my mind, my spirit continue to grow as I
run with Him through life's mountains and
valleys.
Rev.Keith Harris is pastor of Mt. Zion
United Methodist Church, 40 Rumble Road,
Smarr. The Pastor's Comer is sponsored by
the Monroe County Ministerial Association,
which meets on the second Thursday of each
month at8 a.m. at The Pickled Okra, 33 W.
Johnston St. on the Square.
Rock Springs Christian Academy names Stars
Pictured are the April/
May Star Students at
Rock Springs Christian
Academy in Milner.
Jeremy Hunnicutt,
Isaiah Davis and Juvita
Tater all live in Monroe
County.
Front Row (L-R): Lynlee
Derhammer, Kaysi
Rebuelta, Ryan Grose,
Elizabeth Ryals; Second
Row (L-R): Lucy Sowell,
Eli Williams, Kallie Lat-
imer; Third Row (L-R):
Carsyn Rosier, Juvita
Tater, Olivia Daven-
port, RyLeigh Harris;
Fourth Row (L-R): Cami
Glover, Isaiah Davis;
Back Row (L-R): Jeremy
Hunnicutt, Heather
McLenon, Andrew
Gaylor; Not Pictured:
Jack Dyer.
EmaJl church calendar news to Diane Ghdewell at news@mymcr.net by Monday
at 10 a.m. Church information is published free of charge as space permits.
May 19 will celebrate Homecom-May 27
Liberty Baptist will host ing on Sunday, May 20. Hill Baptist has
Services start at 10:30 a.m.
"Heartfelt" with special singing by Susan i03rd Anniversary
Liberty Baptist Church, 3043 Handley. Pastor J.R. Jones will Spring Hill Baptist Church will
High Falls Road, will host deliver the message. Dinner celebrate its 103rd Church
Heartfelt on Saturday, May Anniversary on Sunday, May
19 at 6 p.m. This group has on the grounds will follow the
been singing for the Lord for service. Everyone is invited. 27 at 2 p.m. The theme is
"Get in the Word." The guest
a number of years and shares Mt. GihHxl Baptist speaker is Pastor John Herring
testimonies that will bless your . with the Glorious Hope Choir
heart. Refreshments will be Choir Anniversary and Congregation. All are
served after the singing. All Mr. Gilead Baptist Church, welcome.
are invited. 2705 Boxankle Road, Forsyth
will celebrate its Choir An- Wrights Grove has Wcml-
Abundant Life has yard nJversary on Sunday, May ~rl's I1~ ~ieblml~l~
20 at 2:30 p.m. Special
sole & donut fundroiser guests will be Dart Willis and On Sunday, May 27 at 2
Abundant Life Church, 962 p.m. the Women's Ministry of
Juliette Road, Forsyth, will recording artist April Ruffin & Wrights Grove Church will
have a yard sale and donut Company. host a Women's Day Cel-
sale Saturday, May 19 from ebration. Theme- *'Women of
8 a.m. until as a fundraiser for Many Hats;*' so grab your
youth camp. favorite hat or not and come
celebrate. Minister Leisa
Atwater of the Tessie Hall
Baptist Church, Forsyth will
be the minister. Contact Sister
Louise Stephens.
May 20
St. Luke AJ&E. holds
Men & Women's Day
St. Luke A.M.E. Church, 143
James St Forsyth will cel-
ebrate Men & Women's Day
on Sunday, May 20 at 11 a.m.
All are welcome.
Midway Baptist
celebrates 137th
Anniversary
Midway Baptist Church, Hopewell UMC has June 4-8
Highway 41, Smarr, invites Women's Day Program
everyone to loin in celebrat- Rev. Carlos Towns and St. James Baptist to hold
ing the church's 137th An- Hopewell United Methodist Vasolkm Bible School
niversary on Sunday, May 20 Church, 483 Hopewell Road, St. James Baptist Church,
at 11 a.m. Pastor Katrin Talton Forsyth invite everyone to 110 James St Forsyth will
from Coleman Clake A.M.E. the Women's Day Program host Vacation Bible School
Church of Forsyth will bring on Sunday, May 20 at 2:30 on Monday-Friday, June 4-8
the message, p.m. The guest speaker will from 6-8 p.m. nightly. For
be Pastor Jennifer Carner. The more information, contact
Sardis Missionary Baptist theme is "Women Recognizing, Sister Angela Banks.
celebrates 171 years Acknowledging and Accept-
Sardis Missionary Baptist ing Our Purpose," and the June 10
Church, 100 Sardis Church scripture is Proverbs 31:25-26. Sit. Luke .~E. hosts
Road, Barnesville will ~ 14emine's
celebrate its 171 st Church An- May 21, 25, 27 q~tle~tl~
niversary on Sunday, May 20 Oak C~ro~ HolJlrl~rL Everyone is invited to the
at 2:30 p.m. The theme ~,ill 50th Heroine's Day Celebra-
be "Give Me That Ole Time celel~mtes d~unh tion sponsored by Heroines
Religion." Guests will be Rev. an~hr~ry of Jericho, Lily Court #17 of
Rufus Whatley and the Union Oak Grove Holiness Church, I~orsyth on Sunday, June 10
Hill Baptist Church of Forsyth. 1786 Zellner Road, Forsyth at 3 p.m. at St. Luke A.M.E.
Everyone is asked to dress Jn will celebrate the church's Church, 143 James St Forsyth.
blue leans and white shirts/ anniversary Monday-Friday, The guest speaker will be
blouses. All are welcome. May 21-25 with services at Heroine Patricia Wills, Past
770-358-0015 7:30 p.m. nightly, climaxing Most Ancient Matron who
with a service at 12 noon on
now serves as Treasurer of
Williams Chapel AJ~4.E. Sunday, May 27 The theme Diamond Court #770 of
Family & Friends is "Holding fast to our Faith" Lithonia. The theme Js "Rahab
HebrewslO:23. Speakers will Living in the New Era."
DaY be: Bishop Joe Ridley of Gray
The Williams Chapel A.M.E. on Monday, Bishop JoAnn
church family invites everyone White of Atlanta on Tuesday, June 18-20
to loin worship at its Annual Pastor Lonnie Fletcher of Sit. James Baptist holds
Family & Friends Day on Sun- Forsyth on Wednesday, Pastor Annual Revival
day, May 20 at 2 p.m. with Tommy Williams of Griffin on St. James Baptist Church, 110
speaker Rev. Terrell Brown Thursday, Elder Willie Burns James St Forsyth will have
Jr Youth Minister of Cov- of Decatur on Friday and its Annual Church Revival on
enant Life Cathedral Church, Pastor Demostray Head of Monday-Wednesday, June
Macon. Dinner will be served Jackson on Sunday. The Oak 18-20 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
after the service. Grove Holiness Church and nightly. Rev. Eddie Collier of
Raster/Overseer Bishop B.F TowalJga County Line Baptist
May 20 Mckibben invite everyone to Church will be the guest mes-
East Juliette Baptist has attend. For more information, sengen
Homecemblg call Annette Lucear at 478-
East JuJielte Baptist Church, 394-1085.
183 J.H. Aldridge Dr Juhette
Annual ACE Literacy Tea was delightful
MCACE (Monroe County
Adult and Community
Education) held its Ladies
Literacy Tea on Saturday,
May 5. Author, Julie Landon
spoke about the process
of writing children's books.
She inspired the guests to
tap into their creativity;
and she shared her lat-
est work, "Mystery on the
Farm." MCACE is devoted
to improving literacy and
education within Monroe
County.
Brandi Pye is pictured at
the MCACE Literacy Tea
with her young ladies: Bai-
ley, Lily, and Makenzie.
Read), to Meet
Your Pet Needs
Lee Smith
994-1666
Mon - Fri 10 to 7
Unless Playing Golf
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