Life In Pine Mountain, Ga.

KEEP THE FAITH

2011-09-18T09:58:00.000-05:00

SCRIPTURE
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

WEEKLY PRAYER FOCUS
Have you ever been to a job interview where they ask you, “What qualifies you for this position?” You might go on and on about what makes you the best employee they could ever have, desperately hoping for the position.

However, we often do the opposite with God. He comes to you and says, “I have a great plan for your life. I want you to reach many people with My love and display My glory.” And you say, “Not me, God. I can’t do that. I have too much sin, too many weaknesses. You have the wrong person. Pick him over there…he never makes the mistakes I do.”

You’re not alone. Moses did the same thing. God gave him the awesome privilege of delivering His people from slavery. But Moses pleaded with the Lord, "O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled" (Exodus 4:10). But it wasn’t like God didn’t know about Moses’ inadequacies. He knew exactly who He was dealing with—and He chose him anyway.

And God has chosen you anyway. He knows your weakness, that sin that always trips you up, every sin you’ve committed so far, and every reason why you shouldn’t get the job. If it were really a matter of qualifications, you’re right: you’re not qualified! But God looks past all of those things and says, “I’ve called you anyways. I love you. I know your weaknesses and I’m going to help you overcome them. I’m not giving up on you. And I have great things for you to do.”

That’s God’s beauty. He chooses the foolish things to confuse the smart, and the humble things to bring down the proud. What is a foolish thing in your life? Your past? Lack of education? Fear of people? God can turn it into a strength. Think about it—what story shows the greatness of a coach more: a strong, talented kid who the coach helped to make a great player? Or a short, fumbling kid who the coach turned into a star? You may feel like the runt of the team, but God plans to turn you into a success story in His kingdom.

What has He called you to?You’re not disqualified for the job just because of your past failings or current weaknesses. God says to you today, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God made fearful Moses into a national deliverer. And He can make you into whatever He wants.

So this week, let us pray that:

We would have confidence in God’s plan
We would stop listening to the lies of condemnation
We would know that God is with us, during ALL times

THANK YOU so much for your prayers. If we can pray for you, just comment and let us know your prayer requests. God loves you!

Action: Ask God about His plan for your life. Trust that He can use you greatly, no matter your current circumstances. Share with us what you feel comment or tweet

@alexhaden1

portions of this article were reprinted from Global Media Outreach

MidYear Reflection

2010-07-24T12:27:00.000-05:00

HOW THE BIRTH OF CHRIST CAN EMPOWER YOU YEAR ROUND…IF YOU LET IT.

At this time of year, we often reflect upon the events that marked the passing twelve months. For just a moment, I want you to concentrate on some things that we worried about happening, that could have happened, but did not happen.

I believe paramount in everyone’s mind is mothers battle with a very life threatening illness. During her battle, if we are honest, we worried if she would make it, if she would even be here this Christmas. We worried about Phil and if he would survive his legal issues without losing his freedom. We worried about Marty and if his position as Deputy Warden would actually come to fruition. We worried about Lil’ Troy and if his career, that has been a lifetime in the making, would suddenly end, without reason. We worried about Keith because…well, we always worry about Keith. We worried about the state of the world we are living in today, the economy, global warming, and Obama. 2009 definitely had it’s moments of worry, things that could have happened. But they didn’t. So how can we face 2010 with anything but dread, knowing it will hold it’s own trials and worrisome events. The bible tells us in the book of John Ch. 16 verse 33. “Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus never promised a problem free life, in fact, he guaranteed that life would not be easy. However, he did promise he would always be with us

Christmas is the celebration of our Saviors birth. Without Jesus, we would all be lost. Romans 3:24-25 explains, “ God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. God’s ultimate promise to us is captured in John3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

So in 2010, let’s replace our worry with Faith. Let’s replace our worry time with prayer time. God already knows what the next year will hold for you. He has some great plans for you. He will advise you and watch over you along the way. When you have asked for God’s guidance and direction, you can move forward with confidence, knowing that his purpose and work will get done.

Let’s began 2010 by stopping and starting. Stop looking back with regret, stop thinking you can’t overcome a bad habit or addiction, stop thinking God doesn’t care, stop blaming yourself or others, stop doing what you know you shouldn’t, stop doing too much, stop doing to little.
Start each day with God in prayer and Bible reading, start showing more grace and forgiveness, start a new good habit, start obeying God’s word, start repairing hurt relationships, start trusting God to show up in your life every day. 2010 is a good time to commit to stopping and starting. Remember that God is the one constant that will never change- he loves you and will always be at your side. And if you remember this, you will know how the birth of Christ can empower you year round… if you let it.

One little final thought, If you religiously celebrate Christmas then you are acknowledging that Christ was born and if he was born he was resurrected.

Let us Pray,

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today with our hearts full of praise and thanksgiving. Praising you for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon our family. We thank you Lord for leading us and Guiding us. Dear God we just ask that you continue to lead us and guide us in the coming year so that our words and our actions will act as a beacon of light unto your word. Heavenly Father today we remember our loved ones who have gone before us resting in the knowledge that one day we will once again be with them in Heaven. Father, we pray for other families who may be facing their own trials during this holiday season, illness or even death and dear God we ask that you bring them comfort and healing according to your will. For the many Men and women of our armed services that are unable to be with their families this Christmas we ask that you keep them safe and free from harm And gracious Father we thank you most of all for the gift of your Son. The greatest gift ever given. The reason we celebrate Christmas, our savior Jesus Christ , who died for our sins so that we could have eternal life forever and always. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Has Christ empowered your year, so far? If so, leave a comment

Proverbs 25:20

2010-07-24T11:59:00.001-05:00

– Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day…

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. – Proverbs 25:20

Sometimes quick answers are the worse thing to offer when people are going through a hard time.

In well meaning attempts to lift someone’s spirits, we move too fast. It would seem ridiculous to visit someone who has just experienced major surgery and try to pull them out of the hospital bed to get them to exercise.

In the same way, sometimes people need the space to grieve for a while. To try to bypass a heavy heart can add more pain to the process. Sometimes the best thing that we can do is to weep when they weep, or just sit with them in silence. The comfort comes not in our cheerful songs, but our presence.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Colossians 2:6-7 – continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him

2010-07-24T11:54:00.000-05:00

Colossians 2:6-7 – continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him

71st Annual Georgia Warden's Conference

2010-06-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

Recently, I returned from the Georgia Wardens Conference at the Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia.

First of all, let me say, "AWESOME" accommodations. The Ritz is a five diamond resort and it is easily apparent why. The food was excellent. Especially the breakfast (custom made omelets and....the grits,wow) The place is beautiful and the staff was very friendly and professional. The infinity pool is a must see.

Secondly, the conference itself was much improved from the previous year. More corporate sponsors were
present (shout out to Glover-Auten Foods, Kimbles, Securus Technologies, and Southern Health Partners, who all obtained the corporate sponsorships from yours truly). Also many more ads were sold this year for the scholarship program. The ads sold at Harris County Prison were to Leroy Hill Coffee, Bob Barker, Cotton States Insurance, and Sysco. I would like to extend a special thank you to Deputy Warden Marvin Foster III for his tireless efforts in securing corporate sponsorships and ad sales which made this a successful year for Harris County Prison.

In closing, I look forward to next years conference (probably in Savannah) and I look forward to the coming year with all it's promise and positive change. It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones (Mike, Greg, Beth, Oasis). Mike, once again thanks for the exceptional dinner and even more exceptional conversations with you and some of your staff (a highlight of the conference, for sure). Till next time....

2010-06-18T18:59:00.001-05:00

TESTIMONY... Of Alex Haden,

2009-11-21T16:41:00.004-05:00

I will not go into detail about the reasons behind or the circumstances of what led me to finding GOD. The reasons behind it all and the circumstances that led to my salvation are too disturbing, too shocking and still to raw for me to talk about at this time. However, the circumstances that led me to GOD are not nearly as important as the journey I took and where that journey led me.

I had been through a tough situation. A bad divorce and the loss of a job that I loved. I felt like I had hit rock bottom. But, somehow I learned how to piece it all back together and I was stronger than ever. I was on top of the world! Everything seemed to be going my way. And I had done it all on my own without the help of anyone. At that time in my life I didn’t think that I needed anyone’s help. In reality I had never been so lost.

And then I fell into the valley. The valley of sorrow, grief, despair and self pity. It wasn’t because of anything that I had done. I mean, I wasn’t a bad guy. I worked every day. I didn’t drink and I didn’t use drugs. I was a good husband and a good father. I was reliable. I was a Deputy Warden of a prison. People who knew me would tell you, “Yeah, he’s a good guy.” But, I fell into the valley anyway. Actually I felt more like I had been pushed into the valley. Irregardless of how I got there I found myself there and I walked in that valley for eight long years. Everyday it seemed like I slipped a little further into the valley. It got worse every day. People I trusted turned on me and some simply forgot about me. Some people who supported me passed away. I lost two uncles and my Father during my time in the valley. I was devastated. At times I was without hope. At times I questioned my faith. Eventually I discovered that I was no longer walking through the valley. I was crawling through it. I started going to church hoping to make my situation better. Things only got worse because I had not yet learned that being a Christian was not about going to church every time the doors were open. Being a Christian meant that my life and my heart had to change. My relationship with God had to be my first priority. I had to give my life over to Him and let him take control of the mess that my life had become. Pastor Ronnie counseled me on so many of those dark days. I know now that God sent him to me. Pastor Ronnie told me to read about Job. I did and gained strength. I was placed on the prayer list here at Callaway and I could feel the power of those prayers. People I did not know and who did not know me would call me just to say “we love you and we are praying for you”. Those prayers and the love that I felt coming from those people gave me strength through my darkest days. However, the situation continued to worsen. I became a recluse. I was depressed. I was without hope and my faith was beginning to wane. I wasn’t even crawling through the valley anymore. I was pancaked out. FLATTENED. I was forehead to forehead with the DEVIL and he was winning. It was all too much. During the darkest day of my time in the valley, when I thought that all hope was gone, when the hardship of it all, the worry that my family lived with day after day and the ridicule that my children had been forced to endure was just too much for me to bear and I had almost decided to throw in the towel. Almost. It was on that day that the phone rang and it was Brother Mike Phillips on the other end of the line calling to tell me that he and Sharon were praying for me and my family and that they loved us. It was in that moment, that one, single, glorious moment that I found the strength to get to my feet. I shook my fist at SATAN and screamed at him that I WAS A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD AND THAT HE WOULD NEVER EVER HAVE MY SOUL. Brother Mike may not even be aware that it was that one brief phone call, that one tiny word of encouragement that GOD knew I had desperately needed to hear in that one moment of what had been my darkest day and that his simple prayer spoken so powerfully changed my life. God sent Brother Mike to me that day just like he had sent countless others before. I gave my life, all of it, every tiny shred of all that I was, both good and bad to GOD at that very moment and a peace…you know that peace that passes all understanding….came to reside in my heart and soul. I knew that GOD was with me and regardless of my situation and regardless of my circumstances that everything would be okay. Things didn’t change for me overnight but, they did begin to change. I slowly began to make my way out of that valley, that pit of hopelessness and despair. I returned to the world of the living. Soon after that day I went back to work and just recently I have been named the Warden at my prison.

My testimony is simple. GOD changes lives, he changes circumstances, he answers prayers and he walks with you through whatever valley you find yourself in. When things seem to be impossible and you find yourself walking through that valley just shake your fist at the DEVIL and tell him that you belong to THE MOST HIGH, MOST MIRACULOUS, MOST CARING AND MOST AWESOME GOD. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.

Casting Crowns - East to West

2009-11-15T00:54:00.000-05:00

Switchfoot your love is a song

2009-11-13T14:47:00.000-05:00

COMING BACK TO LIFE

2009-07-27T11:21:00.000-05:00

The Peasall Sisters

2009-03-28T00:22:00.004-05:00

I just recently discovered these girls, although they have been around since about 2001. They are beginning to hit there stride. Two of my favorites from their new album is, "gray county line" and "logtown".They're music can be purchased from rhapsody. The following is an excerpt from their website:

Talk about growing up in public.

Over the past five years, the Peasall Sisters—Sarah, 19; Hannah, 16; and Leah, 13; have earned GRAMMY and CMA Awards for their part in the blockbuster O Brother, Where Art Thou? movie and soundtrack, and performed at such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall with the acclaimed Down From the Mountain tour, in addition to the Grand Ole Opry.

But even after all that time spent in the spotlight, the Peasalls are still all about family. They remain down-to-earth teenagers who live with their tight-knit family, including parents Michael and Sally and three younger siblings in White House, Tenn.

That atmosphere of familial warmth permeates the sisters’ second album, Home to You, which features members of two other famous families—producer John Carter Cash and guitarist Randy Scruggs—in crucial supporting roles. “It really is a family record,” says Sarah, a recent high-school graduate who is the threesome’s mother hen. “I think we all knew that, and wanted it to stay that way.”

Sure enough, if you ask the girls about their favorite music, these modern day Carter Sisters list a history of family groups spanning a century, from the Cox Family to the Carter Family to the Whites, Nickel Creek and the Dixie Chicks—not to mention the influence of their own multi-instrumentalist grandfather, Jimmy Brasher, author of Home to You’s “The Old Church Yard.”

Recorded in the rustic comfort of Cash Cabin Studio outside Nashville, where John Carter’s father Johnny Cash recorded his final masterpieces, Home to You is suffused with the warmth, security, spirituality and easy access to history offered by the presence of close relations. In fact, another family tie led to John Carter Cash’s participation: his wife, Laura, was Leah’s fiddle teacher. One day while the other girls were waiting for their sister’s lesson to end, John Carter asked if the group would sing a song to help test the home studio he was installing. He liked what he heard, and asked the Peasalls to back Emmylou Harris for a track (“On the Sea of Galilee”) on last year’s Carter Family tribute The Unbroken Circle.
Their collaboration comes to full flower on Home to You. “The whole thing went so smoothly,” says quiet, thoughtful middle sister Hannah. “We had our little bumps—for instance, it rained every day we were in the studio! But John Carter can smooth out all the bumps. He makes it very easy.”

The result captures a vocal blend—Sarah’s alto, Hannah’s soprano and Leah’s tenor—that is equal parts genetics and road-tested musicianship. “We pretty much have been singing together all of our lives,” says Hannah. The sisters first performed onstage at a church service while visiting their father’s parents at a retirement home in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. At the time, Sarah was 10, Hannah was 7 and Leah was 5. “I remember we had ice cream afterwards,” says Sarah.

The thrill of entertaining an audience took hold—or maybe it was the ice cream—and the girls kept it up. “We started performing in churches and nursing homes,” recalls Hannah. The group used to be called Precious, because that’s what all the little old ladies in the nursing homes would say—‘Oh, they’re so precious!’”

In 1999, they auditioned for parts in the Coen brothers’ movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? Although the filmmakers decided they didn’t look “pitiful enough” to play Depression-era characters onscreen, their voices were heard in the movie, and their career took flight.

Although they already have plenty of fans, Home to You marks a big step forward in the Peasalls’ confidence and maturity. “I used to hate session work, because you have to stand still for so long,” says Leah, the acknowledged tomboy of the family. “Now, it just kind of comes naturally.”
Another new development in their recording career is the inclusion, for the first time, of Peasall originals. The album kicks off with Sarah’s title cut, inspired by a family friend’s conversion to Christianity. For “Gray County Line,” Sarah put words to Leah’s music, cribbing the title from a sign she saw on a roadside in Arkansas.

But perhaps closest to the girls’ hearts is “Logtown,” written by Sarah and mother Sally, whose side of the family hails from the Gulf Coast town of Logtown, MS. Established in the 1800s, the town practically disappeared from the map in the 1960s after NASA took over the area for missile testing. “To this day, there’s nothing there except the cemetery where all our family is buried and the gravel road that leads down to the Pearl River,” says Sarah. “It’s a haunting and sad story, but at the same time it’s kind of a happy thing—they sacrificed so that America could go forth with the space race.”

For Home to You’s other tracks, the girls turned to tunes taught them by grandfather Jimmy (who the girls call “G.G.”) and suggestions from producer Cash. The sprightly “Rushing Around” and “Freight Train Blues” are best known in Roy Acuff’s renditions; “I Never Will Marry” is a Carter Family number; and “Fair and Tender Ladies,” “The Old Account” and “Carrick Fergus” are traditional songs.

The a capella closing number, “Where No One Stands Alone,” is a decades-old gospel number that re-emphasizes this devout Baptist family’s commitment to spreading the good word—as do several other tracks. “To us, it’s not just having religion,” says Sarah. “It’s having a relationship and living a lifestyle. I don’t think it’s something we have to think about. It’s who we are.”

You’ll hear that and much more of who the Peasall Sisters are on Home to You, in all their effervescent spirit and glorious complexity. These are teenagers with nearly a decade of musical experience; thoroughly modern kids completely at home with songs many times older than themselves; three individuals with distinct personalities who slide together in instinctual, natural harmony.
Add it all together, and it sounds like home.

FAN MAIL
The Peasall Sisters
P.O. Box 1304
White House, TN 37188

BOOKING
Third Coast
Steve Hoiberg
(615) 297-2021
Send email

MANAGEMENT
Van Alan Productions & Mgmt.
(615) 297-2021
Send email

WE WON!!

2009-02-16T18:21:00.004-05:00

The Winners of the Proflowers Valentine’s Day Giveaway

If you're new to The Art of Manliness, you may want to sign up for a daily dose of manliness either by email or by RSS. You may also want to check out our free e-book on how to be a gentleman in 2008. Thanks for visiting and don't forget to man up!

A big thanks to all those who participated in the Proflowers Valentine’s Day Giveaway. Reading through your date ideas and experiences was downright touching; I am thoroughly impressed with the creativity, devotion, and selflessness of AoM’s readers. Anyone who thinks romance is dead and that gentlemen are extinct should take the time to read through all the comments. Your cynicism will evaporate.

From all the entries, we randomly chose 5 winners. Each winner will receive a $70 gift certificate redeemable on flowers and gifts available from Proflowers.com. The winners are:

Brian Winters Tuscaloosa, AL
Jason Summers Sicklerville, NJ
Larry Little Arkansas
Alex Haden Pine Mountain, GA
Joshua Smith Barrington, IL

Congratulations gents! Your significant other will be surely be happy come V-Day.

Thanks to:
http://artofmanliness.com

awesome website. Thanks also to Proflowers.
The flowers were sent to my mother-in-law, by my wife's request. The image to the right represents the "Purely Spectacular"(available at Proflowers.com) flowers that were sent.

Timeless Wisdom

2009-01-23T16:00:00.002-05:00

"When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself."

- Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief

Hot Air Balloons at Callaway Gardens

2008-09-14T21:30:00.002-05:00

Several of these flew right over the house

CALLAWAY BAPTIST HOMECOMING 2008

2008-09-14T20:25:00.004-05:00

Southern Heritage

Today, Callaway Baptist Church located at 310 John Lovelace Rd. Lagrange, Ga., celebrated their 98th Homecoming. Rev. Mike Ring was the guest speaker and special musical guest were Southern Heritage. The regular service and music were followed by a covered dish dinner and fellowship.
In addition to Brother Rings sermon and Southern Heritages singing, the Callaway Choir also sang several songs, most notably "Jerusalem", led by Brother Mike Phillips.
If you have never visited Callaway Baptist or you are in search of a church home, I invite you to attend a Sunday Sermon. God is there every Sunday. Our preacher, Ronnie Jordan, is truly a man of God and his sermons never fail to inspire or touch on something relevant in your life at the time.

R.I.P. "Baby"

2008-06-27T10:07:00.001-05:00

Gone but never forgotten

For all those nights when you slept curled up next to me and for all those times you chased away the boogies that were a hundred times bigger than you. (You always thought you were 10 foot tall and bullett proof) For all the green beans that you ate because I did not like them. We placed you in your favorite spot so that we could always keep an eye on you and you could always be where you could watch the leaves fall and you could always lie in the warm sun.You were small in size but you will always own our hearts. Baby we love you and miss you. May you run with the angels sweet girl and never again be sick. May you play with your pig cow and never be tired again. Until we meet again Baby girl. We love you. Mommy and Daddy.

Points to Ponder

2008-06-27T10:04:00.000-05:00

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence.....

"The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you"

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
— Helen Keller

The more one worries, the older one gets; the more one laughs, the younger one feels.
— Chinese Proverb

Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.
— Marianne Williamson

Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.
— Abigail Adams

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.
-Emily Kimbrough

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
-Mahatma Gandhi

The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination.
-Marian Zimmer Bradley

Tell me who you love, and I'll tell you who you are.
-Creole proverb

Love is friendship that has caught fire.
-Anonymous

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that.
-Michael Leunig

JUNE 27, 2008

2008-06-27T09:51:00.003-05:00

New post will be added daily. Also, we hope to add some new authors, soon. Subjects will be far ranging and thought provoking. Any suggestions are welcome in the comment section.

November 8, 2005

2006-10-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

This eight point buck was taken in the early morning using Code Blue scent and Knight and Hale's grunt call