Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Meet Olympic Skater Heather Richardson

Olympic speed skater Heather Richardson will sign autographs and share her stories from Vancouver at the Rol-A-Rink on North Main Street in High Point.

The event runs from 5 to 6:30pm this afternoon…and is open to the public.

The Rol-A-Rink in HP is where Richardson learned how to in-line skate as a kid.
During the 2010 Winter Games, Richardson placed 6th in the 500m, 9th in the 1000m and 16th in the 1,500m.

Winners of the Peeps Decorating Contest

Wow!  Check out this confectionary creativity.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/03/29/GA2010032903934.html?hpid=artslot

Helping Storm Victims

Storms ripped throught the Triad Sunday night, leaving many residents with extensive property damage.  You may be wondering, how can I help?


If you would like to volunteer, you need to register with the High Point Police Department today (3/31)  at the Community Bible Church on Johnson Street from 8 until 4pm.

Residents who need some help should call (336) 906-4341.

Also…you can find a link to the Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina…on the News Blog at wbfj.fm
BBB of Northwest North Carolina http://www.nwnc.bbb.org/ Phone: 725-8348

Monday, March 29, 2010

Message from John Piper

John Piper's Upcoming Leave


By John Piper March 28, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you may have already heard in the sermon from March 27-28, the elders graciously approved on March 22 a leave of absence that will take me away from Bethlehem from May 1 through December 31, 2010. We thought it might be helpful to put an explanation in a letter to go along with the sermon.

I asked the elders to consider this leave because of a growing sense that my soul, my marriage, my family, and my ministry-pattern need a reality check from the Holy Spirit. On the one hand, I love my Lord, my wife, my five children and their families first and foremost; and I love my work of preaching and writing and leading Bethlehem. I hope the Lord gives me at least five more years as the pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem.

But on the other hand, I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noël and others who are dear to me. How do I apologize to you, not for a specific deed, but for ongoing character flaws, and their effects on everybody? I’ll say it now, and no doubt will say it again, I’m sorry. Since I don’t have just one deed to point to, I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness; and I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins.

Noël and I are rock solid in our commitment to each other, and there is no whiff of unfaithfulness on either side. But, as I told the elders, “rock solid” is not always an emotionally satisfying metaphor, especially to a woman. A rock is not the best image of a woman’s tender companion. In other words, the precious garden of my home needs tending. I want to say to Noël that she is precious to me in a way that, at this point in our 41-year pilgrimage, can be said best by stepping back for a season from virtually all public commitments.

No marriage is an island. For us this is true in two senses. One is that Noël and I are known inside-out by a few friends at Bethlehem—most closely by our long-time colleagues and friends David and Karin Livingston, and then by a cluster of trusted women with Noël and men with me. We are accountable, known, counseled, and prayed for. I am deeply thankful for a gracious culture of transparency and trust among the leadership at Bethlehem.

The other way that our marriage is not an island is that its strengths and defects have consequences for others. No one in the orbit of our family and friends remains unaffected by our flaws. My prayer is that this leave will prove to be healing from the inside of my soul, through Noël’s heart, and out to our children and their families, and beyond to anyone who may have been hurt by my failures.

The difference between this leave and the sabbatical I took four years ago is that I wrote a book on that sabbatical (What Jesus Demands from the World). In 30 years, I have never let go of the passion for public productivity. In this leave, I intend to let go of all of it. No book-writing. No sermon preparation or preaching. No blogging. No Twitter. No articles. No reports. No papers. And no speaking engagements. There is one stateside exception—the weekend devoted to the Desiring God National Conference combined with the inaugural convocation of Bethlehem College and Seminary in October. Noël thought I should keep three international commitments. Our reasoning is that if she could go along, and if we plan it right, these could be very special times of refreshment together.

The elders have appointed a group to stay in touch and keep me accountable for this leave. They are David Mathis, Jon Bloom, Tom Steller, Sam Crabtree, Jon Grano, Tim Held, Tony Campagna, and Kurt Elting-Ballard. Five of these have walked with Noël and me over the last two months, helping us discern the wisdom, scope, and nature of this leave. They brought the final recommendation to the elders on March 22.

I asked the elders not to pay me for this leave. I don’t feel it is owed to me. I know I am causing more work for others, and I apologize to the staff for that. Not only that, others could use similar time away. Most working men and women do not have the freedom to step back like this. The elders did not agree with my request. Noël and I are profoundly grateful for this kind of affection. We will seek the Lord for how much of your financial support to give back to the church, to perhaps bear some of the load.

Personally, I view these months as a kind of relaunch of what I hope will be the most humble, happy, fruitful five years of our 35 years at Bethlehem and 46 years of marriage. Would you pray with me to that end? And would you stand by your church with all your might? May God make these eight months the best Bethlehem has ever known. It would be just like God to do the greatest things when I am not there. “Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

I love you and promise to pray for you every day.

Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Cookin' With Bacon

Pan Seared Catfish with Browned Almond Butter

Recipe By :Jeff Bacon CEC CCA AAC
Serving Size : 4
Categories : seafood

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
24 ounces catfish fillets
1 teaspoon salt and pepper -- to taste
1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup Almonds -- sliced
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Heat oil to medium high
Mix seasonings together and coat fillets
Sear approximately 3 minutes per side until
just cooked through. Remove fillets to warm
plate and pour any excess or burned oil from
pan.  Add butter and heat until bubbling
Add almonds and cook over medium heat until
butter and almonds just start to brown.
Add lemon juice and pour over plated catfish.

Yield:
"24 ounces"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Serving Ideas : Plate two corn and leek pancakes and top
with quick braised cabbage and spinach. Plate catfish a top
the cabbage and then serve with the almond butter.


Corn and Leek Pancakes

Recipe By :Jeff Bacon CEC CCA AAC
Serving Size : 4
Categories : bread, rice and starches, vegetables

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup flour, all-purpose
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup leeks -- minced
1 tablespoon sweet peppers -- brunoise
1/2 cup sweet corn -- minced in processor
3/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter -- melted
1 each egg

Mix dry ingredients
Cook leeks peppers and corn in the melted butter until leeks
are soft
Add milk to leek butter mixture
Add egg next
Mix wet and dry ingredients together
Spoon batter on griddle or large non stick pan about 1/4 cup
per pancake

Yield:
"8 each"


Quick Braised Cabbage and Spinach

Recipe By :Jeff Bacon CEC CCA AAC
Serving Size : 4 Categories : vegetables
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup savoy cabbage -- shredded
1/4 cup red cabbage -- shredded thin
1/2 cup leeks -- chopped
1 cup spinach leaf, whole -- baby
1 dash salt and pepper -- to taste
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1/2 tablespoon canola oil -- or bacon fat
1/4 cup chicken broth

Heat fat until very hot
Add cabbages and leeks and stir fry until they start to brown a little,
about 2-3 minutes
Season then add broth and vinegar, bring to a simmer
Add spinach and cover with lid
Turn off heat and allow to sit for a couple of minutes for spinach to wilt.

Yield:
"2 cups"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Friday, March 26, 2010

Orphan Awareness Night at the Winston Salem Dash

Join Caroline’s Promise Saturday, April 17th, 7:00pm for the opening weekend of The Winston-Salem Dash Baseball Team! We'll have a special section, promoting orphan care and adoption. Your $15 ticket includes the game, a special Caroline's Promise T-Shirt, and a Dash Baseball Hat.

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: BB&T Ballpark

The DEADLINE to buy tickets is THIS FRIDAY, 3/25!!!

https://app.etapestry.com/cart/CarolinesPromise/default/item.php?ref=2815.0.17697835

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Triad Casting for ABC's Super Nanny

Families can apply NOW for ABC’s top rated parenting show!

OPEN CASTING CALL
Saturday March 20th – 11am to 3pm
The Natural Science Center
4301 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455

Greensboro, NC – The casting team of ABC’s popular parenting
series SUPERNANNY is currently casting for Season 6! The casting
team will be sending producers around the country to find the next
amazing families for the show.

The Greensboro open casting call will be held on Saturday,
the 20th of March 2010, at The Natural Science Center.
All interested families are encouraged to come out and meet with
the Casting Producers for a few minutes in person.

Also, if you email the Casting Team before the 20th, including the
reason why you need help and a recent family photo, you will be
given a front-of the-line pass, so you won’t have to wait! Any
questions or concerns about the open-call should be directed to
the Casting Producer via email, cast4shows@yahoo.com.

This season producers are searching for families with unique
interests; parents who have ordinary and extraordinary
circumstances; teen moms, parents with mean girls or bullying
boys, culturally diverse parents, blended families where both
sides are seeking help, parents with teens, and anyone else
who desperately needs the help of Supernanny. Producers
want families from every type of background who are ready
for the opportunity of a lifetime—a visit from America’s number
one nanny, Jo Frost!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

All Things St. Patty's Day...

If you really want to get into the spirit of St. Patty's Day, there's no easier or tastier way than whipping up a batch of Corned Beef and Cabbage.  Here is a tried and true recipe that I found several years ago on Allrecipes.com .  It's good, easy and my kids love it!  It's also fairly healthy, especially if you buy a low- sodium version of corned beef.  This is also good in the crock-pot. You can even use a pint of dark beer in with the cooking liquid to add more flavor. 

Ingredients

-3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet
-10 small red potatoes
-5 carrots, peeled and julienned
-1 large head cabbage, cut into small wedges

Directions
Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef.  Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound or until tender.

Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender. Add cabbage and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes.

(If you are using your crock-pot, place carrots, potatoes, beef and spice packet in the pot, then cover with liquid and cook on low for 8-10 hours or 5-6 hours on high.  Throw in cabbage during the last 1-2 hours of cooking)

Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Add as much broth (cooking liquid reserved in the Dutch oven or large pot) as you want. Slice meat across the grain. 

Another easy, good recipe is this one for Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread

Learn more about the real Saint Patrick here.

Do you have a favorite St. Patricks Day recipe or tradition?  Share it here by leaving a comment.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Census Time!!!

For everything you ever wanted to know about the US Census...and more, visit their website: http://2010.census.gov/

Monday, March 15, 2010

Gettin Fit with Allen

Thanks again to Allen Branch from Fitness One of Kernersville for joining Your Family Friendly Morning Show today to give us the real scoop on all those fitness infomercials that seem to be flooding the airwaves these days.  Bottom line?  You guessed it....if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

For more information, email Allen: trainer@myfitnessone.com

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Josh McDowell Coming to the Triad

TODAY ONLY-- Ministers/Ministry Leaders--Send an e-mail to office@parksprings.org with your name, which ministry you work with and your contact info to Park Springs and you could win a free registration for you and your family!!!

Josh is speaking at an upcoming pastors conference at Park Springs Christian Center, he is also preaching at First Christian Church in Kernersville on Sunday, March 21st.
Here's some more info:
Park Springs http://www.parksprings.org/ is pleased to announce a retreat for ministers and their wives (and kids are welcome) with Josh McDowell and Patty Sorrells (of Kernersville, NC). We want to fill up our camp and let as many folks as possible enjoy this transforming experience.

Slots are still available for our Minister's retreat March 19-20. This event is open to all area ministers. The theme for the weekend is Transformation and will feature breakout sessions by Patty Sorrell and speaking by Josh McDowell.

Childcare will be provided. Check in begins Friday at 1 p.m. and will end after lunch on Saturday, though families are welcome to stay and enjoy the many aspects of camp afterwards.

Cost for the weekend:
$75 for ministers, $125 for couples ,$150 for families.


Meals are included.


Accommodations:
Sleeping is dorm-style for adults and camp-out style for school aged children.
The camp is located in Providence, NC – just 1 hour from Kernersville north of Reidsville.


To find out more information or to register, please contact us at 336.793.0130 or office@parksprings.org

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Hologram Preachers?

What do you think...is this taking new technology too far?

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100305/hologram-preachers-slated-to-appear-in-churches/index.html

The Rebirth of Darryl's

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/03/02/article/short_orders_darryls_to_undergo_a_renaissance

Letters to God Pre-Screening

Benefit for Cancer Services, Inc. of Forsyth County

Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Winston-Salem First: 3730 University Parkway,Winston-Salem, NC

An exclusive screening of the upcoming release of Letters to God will be held at 7:00pm at Winston-Salem First. There is a $10 admission fee, and all proceeds are going to Cancer Services, Inc. to support cancer patients and families in our community. Please call 336-759-7517 for more information. Official movie site: http://www.letterstogodthemovie.com/

Letters to God is not just a movie it is a mission. A mission to show people that through prayer and love, hope is spread. The faith of one boy changed the lives of many. This movie is inspired by a true story about a little boy dealing with cancer.

Cancer Services, Inc.
http://www.cancerservicesonline.org/

This screening is sponsored by:
Lewisville Drug Company
http://www.lewisvilledrug.com/

WBFJ 89.3 FM
http://www.wbfj.fm/

Winston-Salem First Assembly
http://www.wsfirst.com/

Advance ticket purchase: http://www.wsfirst.com/489856.ihtml

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Blaise Baptist Adoption & Foster Care Expo

PASTORS AND MINISTRY LEADERS DINNER

MARCH 5, 2010
6:30-8:30pm
Blaise Baptist Church Family Life Center
Guest Musician: Martin Moore
Guest Speaker: Peter Abera

To make a reservation, call: 
336-751-3639
or register online

Adption & Foster Care Expo Saturday:

http://www.blaisebaptist.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=36001&PID=629815

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Ben & Jerry's $1 Scoop

A Message from Ben and Jerry's...

"We're so proud of our favorite Maple Blondie, Hannah Teter for bringing home the silver! Let's celebrate in true Ben & Jerry's fashion - For one day only on March 3rd (that's tomorrow, don't forget!), stop by your local participating Scoop Shop and say, "Way to go Hannah!" and you'll get a scoop of Hannah Teter's Maple Blondie for $1 - yup a buck, while supplies last! In case you forgot, it's Maple Ice Cream with a Maple Caramel Swirl and Blonde Brownie Chunks!!"

Local Scoop Shops:

Ben & Jerry's Palladium

5836 Samet Drive
Suite 150
High Point, NC 27265
336-841-2178

Ben & Jerry's Friendly
The Shops at Friendly Center
3332 W. Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410
336-856-2178

Ben & Jerry's Harper HIlls Commons
151 Vinegar Hill Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27104
336-768-0511

10 Surprisingly Unhealthy Kids Foods

Great article from Wallet Pop about how to help your kids eat a healthier diet...

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/01/10-surprisingly-unhealthy-kids-foods-and-their-healthier-alter/

Recall Mania!

GM has recalled 1.3 Million Cars and Nissan is recalling certian Trucks, SUV's and Minivans.  For details, click here.

Also, T. Marzetti's has recalled several of it's veggie dips because of possible salmonell contamination.  For those details, click here.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

The Children's Home of Winston-Salem is Hiring

Find out more at the Children's Home Job Fair:
Tuesday,

March 2, 2010
3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
In the Brown Bldg

http://www.tchome.org/Employment.htm

Immediate Openings:


Residential Treatment Supervisor

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Director of Community Services

Coordinator - My Aunts House

Residential Counselors (Substance Abuse exp.) PP, AP, QP

Director - Child Care Center

Farm Manager

Assessment Counselor (AP/QP)

Child & Family Therapist (SA/MH) (LCAS)

Child & Family Therapist (LPC, LCSW or LMFT)

Admin Assistant (PT)

Foster Parents

Future Openings

Lead Teachers – Child Care Center

Assistant Teachers – Child Care Center

Recreational Therapist

Currently accepting letters of intent, for RN’s & Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner

Monday, March 01, 2010

Getting Fit WIth Allen

Are you ready to lose 10 lbs in 3 weeks?  Fitness One in Kernersville is starting up another 21-Day Fitness Boot Camp.  For more information, email Allen Branch at trainer@myfitnessone.com

You can also visit their website at http://www.myfitnessone.com/ .  While you are there, make sure you check out the new fitness schedule.  LOTS of new classes to choose from!