The Connected Child Conference:
March 12-13, 2010
http://www.theconnectedchild.com/
Advance, NC
Blaise Baptist Church
Adoption and Orphan Care Expo
March 6, 2010
http://www.blaisebaptist.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=36001&PID=629815
Mocksville, NC
Adopting For Life Conference
Russell Moore, David Platt and others
February 26-27, 2010
http://events.sbts.edu/adopting-for-life/schedule/
Louisville, KY
Thursday, February 25, 2010
ABBA Fund/ABBA Family Thrift Store
The ABBA Fund provides interest-free covenant loans to Christian couples who are called by God to expand their families through adoption and who need help with the “cash flow crunch” posed by adoption expenses. For more information, visit their website: http://www.abbafund.org/
You can support the ABBA fund at their new thrift store in King! Here's the info...
ABBA's Family Thrift Store in King, NC
Hours of Operation
9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday and Saturday
http://www.abbafund.org/abbasfamilythrift.htm
Contact Us:
Manager: Steve Gilreath
Phone: 336-985-3100
Email: steve@abbasfamilythrift.org
Address: 607-N South Main St, King, NC 27021 (Behind Town and Country Restaurant)
Directions: ABBA's Family Thrift Store is conveniently located in King, NC just off Hwy 52 (Future I-74), only 15 minute north of I-40 and Winston-Salem.
From the North: Hwy 52 South from Mt. Airy to Exit 123. Turn left and we are in the second shopping center on the right.
From the South: Hwy 52 North from Winston-Salem to Exit 123. Turn right and we are in the second shopping center on the right.
You can support the ABBA fund at their new thrift store in King! Here's the info...
ABBA's Family Thrift Store in King, NC
Hours of Operation
9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 P.M. Wednesday and Saturday
http://www.abbafund.org/abbasfamilythrift.htm
Contact Us:
Manager: Steve Gilreath
Phone: 336-985-3100
Email: steve@abbasfamilythrift.org
Address: 607-N South Main St, King, NC 27021 (Behind Town and Country Restaurant)
Directions: ABBA's Family Thrift Store is conveniently located in King, NC just off Hwy 52 (Future I-74), only 15 minute north of I-40 and Winston-Salem.
From the North: Hwy 52 South from Mt. Airy to Exit 123. Turn left and we are in the second shopping center on the right.
From the South: Hwy 52 North from Winston-Salem to Exit 123. Turn right and we are in the second shopping center on the right.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Forsyth and Davie County has three new programs and they need your help serving kids all around the Triad!
Bowl For Kids’ Sake is their annual signature FUNdraiser. This event alone raises over 35% of BBBS’ annual operating budget. Money is raised through corporate/company sponsorships and individuals bowling on teams who collect pledges from families, friends, and co-workers. More than 60 companies and 1,400 individuals community-wide participate in this event each year. Thousands of additional individuals help make this event successful by donating and supporting a bowler. This year theBowl For Kid’s Sake event will take place on Saturday, February 27th and Saturday, March 6th at AMF Bowling Center on Jonestown Rd.
For more information or if you have any further questions contact Pam Suber at 336-724-7993 or psuber@bbbsnc.org.
- Graduating our Future-Helping middle and high school youth who are struggling with school.
- Mentoring Children of Prisoners-for children with a parent who either is currently or was formerly incarcerated.
- Teen Mom Program-Offer support for a young mother.
Bowl For Kids’ Sake is their annual signature FUNdraiser. This event alone raises over 35% of BBBS’ annual operating budget. Money is raised through corporate/company sponsorships and individuals bowling on teams who collect pledges from families, friends, and co-workers. More than 60 companies and 1,400 individuals community-wide participate in this event each year. Thousands of additional individuals help make this event successful by donating and supporting a bowler. This year theBowl For Kid’s Sake event will take place on Saturday, February 27th and Saturday, March 6th at AMF Bowling Center on Jonestown Rd.
For more information or if you have any further questions contact Pam Suber at 336-724-7993 or psuber@bbbsnc.org.
Unopened Gifts
I found this on Dave Burchette's blog and absolutely love the message...
A story we heard from some dear friends keeps weighing on my mind. This couple had left Valentine gifts for their grandchild at his home. When asked after Valentines how he liked his gift my friend got a blank look from the grandchild. He said he had not received a gift. Hoping that he had forgotten or misunderstood the couple contacted the boy’s parents.
“Did you receive the gifts?”
“Yes.”
“Did you give them to Billy?”
“No, he has not been good enough to get any gifts.”
My friend’s hearts were broken. The gift to their grandchild was given in love with no behavioral strings attached. They did not care if he had been good or bad. The gift was given simply because they loved him. The message sent to this boy is damaging both emotionally and spiritually. You must earn good gifts. If you don’t do right things you will not get good gifts.
My heart hurt for my friends and for this little boy. And I wondered if I don’t hurt the heart of Jesus by similarly selfish views of His grace. His forgiveness, acceptance and love is a gift. I don’t have to be “good enough” to open His gifts of grace. I have learned that I get good things and receive love only when I am good and do good things. My parents and pastor were pleased (and I later substituted God) when I was good. So I learned to do the dance early. I had better be good. Or least fool everyone around me to think that I was being good.
Ask any child around Christmas if they are being good and I will wager you will never hear this response.
“Well, to be honest, I am really struggling with the whole being nice thing. I have actually been pouty and I cried yesterday. It just isn’t working out this Christmas so I suspect the video game system will have to wait until I can act better.”
Nope. What you hear is the lie that I learned early and too often keep handy in my arsenal decades later.
“Oh yeah. I am being really good!”
I learned a couple of things early. I learned how hard it is to change behavior by sheer willpower and I learned that I could fool Santa and others by living a lie. I figured I had fooled him and to get the good stuff I would have to continue to hide the little boy who broke an ornament and then hid it. That little boy was not worthy of good things. So I hid the truth about who I was because if they knew who I really was I wouldn’t get good gifts.
Isn’t that too often how we view God? So I put on the mask and try to be really good for Jesus. If I can fool those around me maybe, just maybe, I can fool God too. Satan sells the lie so convincingly. And we buy it for months and years and even decades. The little boy who was not good enough to receive his Valentine gift of love is learning the lie. You have to shape up to receive God’s love and the love of others.
But God does not keep a list of what we have done wrong. He is not impressed by our hernia inducing straining to control sin. In fact He is saddened by that self-effort because we neglect the power that we have over sin.
Jesus offers us so many gifts. But the one we seem to have the hardest time unwrapping is the gift of grace. The gift that allows us to become who God desires us to become as we simply trust Him and quit trying to be “good” so we can earn His favor and gifts. We are saved by grace and faith in Christ. We become like Him by the same radical strategy. Faith that He has changed us into a new creation. And understanding the grace that gives us good gifts even when we don’t deserve them.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to get better to open His gifts of grace. Go straight to the gift of grace that Jesus left under the Cross. Open it. And clothe yourself in His salvation, acceptance and love. It may be the best gift you have ever given yourself. But not if the gift stays unopened.
A story we heard from some dear friends keeps weighing on my mind. This couple had left Valentine gifts for their grandchild at his home. When asked after Valentines how he liked his gift my friend got a blank look from the grandchild. He said he had not received a gift. Hoping that he had forgotten or misunderstood the couple contacted the boy’s parents.
“Did you receive the gifts?”
“Yes.”
“Did you give them to Billy?”
“No, he has not been good enough to get any gifts.”
My friend’s hearts were broken. The gift to their grandchild was given in love with no behavioral strings attached. They did not care if he had been good or bad. The gift was given simply because they loved him. The message sent to this boy is damaging both emotionally and spiritually. You must earn good gifts. If you don’t do right things you will not get good gifts.
My heart hurt for my friends and for this little boy. And I wondered if I don’t hurt the heart of Jesus by similarly selfish views of His grace. His forgiveness, acceptance and love is a gift. I don’t have to be “good enough” to open His gifts of grace. I have learned that I get good things and receive love only when I am good and do good things. My parents and pastor were pleased (and I later substituted God) when I was good. So I learned to do the dance early. I had better be good. Or least fool everyone around me to think that I was being good.
Ask any child around Christmas if they are being good and I will wager you will never hear this response.
“Well, to be honest, I am really struggling with the whole being nice thing. I have actually been pouty and I cried yesterday. It just isn’t working out this Christmas so I suspect the video game system will have to wait until I can act better.”
Nope. What you hear is the lie that I learned early and too often keep handy in my arsenal decades later.
“Oh yeah. I am being really good!”
I learned a couple of things early. I learned how hard it is to change behavior by sheer willpower and I learned that I could fool Santa and others by living a lie. I figured I had fooled him and to get the good stuff I would have to continue to hide the little boy who broke an ornament and then hid it. That little boy was not worthy of good things. So I hid the truth about who I was because if they knew who I really was I wouldn’t get good gifts.
Isn’t that too often how we view God? So I put on the mask and try to be really good for Jesus. If I can fool those around me maybe, just maybe, I can fool God too. Satan sells the lie so convincingly. And we buy it for months and years and even decades. The little boy who was not good enough to receive his Valentine gift of love is learning the lie. You have to shape up to receive God’s love and the love of others.
But God does not keep a list of what we have done wrong. He is not impressed by our hernia inducing straining to control sin. In fact He is saddened by that self-effort because we neglect the power that we have over sin.
Jesus offers us so many gifts. But the one we seem to have the hardest time unwrapping is the gift of grace. The gift that allows us to become who God desires us to become as we simply trust Him and quit trying to be “good” so we can earn His favor and gifts. We are saved by grace and faith in Christ. We become like Him by the same radical strategy. Faith that He has changed us into a new creation. And understanding the grace that gives us good gifts even when we don’t deserve them.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to get better to open His gifts of grace. Go straight to the gift of grace that Jesus left under the Cross. Open it. And clothe yourself in His salvation, acceptance and love. It may be the best gift you have ever given yourself. But not if the gift stays unopened.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Spring Consignment Sales
Thanks to Deana Hipwell, "The Frugal Homeschooling Mom", for her expert advice on the show today about buying and selling at consignment sales. Deana has an awesome blog where you'll find all of her tips plus a comprehensive list of Triad-area consignment sales. Check it out: http://www.thefrugalhomeschoolingmom.com/
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Info about Sectarian Prayer Issue at Forsyth Commissioners Meetings
The North Carolina Partnership for Religious Liberty is encouraging you to get involved in an issue facing the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Here's some more information about how you can get involved:
"Religious freedom needs your voice ... NOW.
Here's what you can do:
1. CONTACT DAVE PLYLER by phone (336-413-1102), email (plylerdr@forsyth.cc) or letter (211 Harmon Ln, Kernersville, NC 27284). Ask him to vote for freedom. Ask him to vote for an appeal on FEBRUARY 22. Let him know religious liberty is priceless. No American court, no government has the right to tell people how they should pray.
2. ATTEND THE FEB 22 MEETING OF THE FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. Let your concerns be seen and heard. The meetings begin at 6 PM and are held on the fifth floor of the Forsyth County Government Center. The Government Center is located at 201 North Chestnut St. in Winston-Salem. Come and stay, even with limited seating and space. Your presence, along with hundreds of others, will make a real difference.
3. ENCOURAGE OTHER CONCERNED CITIZENS to do the same."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Forsyth County Commissioners will VOTE whether or not to APPEAL the ruling from US Middle District Court that prayers in Jesus’ name must be ended on the grounds that they are unconstitutional. Take a stand & show your support by attending this momentous meeting at the Forsyth County Government Center, Monday, February 22.
The meeting will be held on the 5th floor in the Commissioners Meeting Room: Go up the elevator to the 5th floor. Turn left once you exit the elevator. Go up the steps and through the double doors. Doors open at 5:15pm. WE SUGGEST THAT YOU TRY TO ARRIVE BETWEEN 5:00 AND 5:15 IF POSSIBLE. The meeting begins at 6 PM. Free parking at the Forsyth County Government Center on the 1st deck and limited free street parking. Seating in the chamber is limited. Many will not be able to be seated or to be present there. BUT PLEASE STAY, STAND AND BE COUNTED even in the hallway and lobby. Remember, we are not here to take a seat, but to take a stand.
Directions to Forsyth County Government Center
201 North Chestnut Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101-4120 - (336) 703-2020
From US-421 N Take exit 5D for Main St toward Downtown/1st St Turn right at S Main St Take the 2nd right onto E 1st St Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto N Chestnut St Destination will be on the right
FromUS-421 S Take exit 5D toward Downtown Merge onto S Main St Turn right at E 1st St Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto N Chestnut St Destination will be on the right
From I-40 E Take exit 188 on the left for I-40 BUS/US-421 S toward Winston - Salem/Downtown Merge onto US-421 S Take exit 5D toward Downtown Merge onto S Main St Turn right at E 1st St Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto N Chestnut St
From I-40 W Take exit 193B to merge onto N Carolina 8 N/US-311 N/US-52 N toward Mt Airy Take exit 110A toward 3rd 4th 5th St/Downtown Merge onto Metropolitan Dr Turn left at 3rd St E Turn left at N Chestnut St
http://www.letusallpray.org/
"Religious freedom needs your voice ... NOW.
Here's what you can do:
1. CONTACT DAVE PLYLER by phone (336-413-1102), email (plylerdr@forsyth.cc) or letter (211 Harmon Ln, Kernersville, NC 27284). Ask him to vote for freedom. Ask him to vote for an appeal on FEBRUARY 22. Let him know religious liberty is priceless. No American court, no government has the right to tell people how they should pray.
2. ATTEND THE FEB 22 MEETING OF THE FORSYTH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. Let your concerns be seen and heard. The meetings begin at 6 PM and are held on the fifth floor of the Forsyth County Government Center. The Government Center is located at 201 North Chestnut St. in Winston-Salem. Come and stay, even with limited seating and space. Your presence, along with hundreds of others, will make a real difference.
3. ENCOURAGE OTHER CONCERNED CITIZENS to do the same."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Forsyth County Commissioners will VOTE whether or not to APPEAL the ruling from US Middle District Court that prayers in Jesus’ name must be ended on the grounds that they are unconstitutional. Take a stand & show your support by attending this momentous meeting at the Forsyth County Government Center, Monday, February 22.
The meeting will be held on the 5th floor in the Commissioners Meeting Room: Go up the elevator to the 5th floor. Turn left once you exit the elevator. Go up the steps and through the double doors. Doors open at 5:15pm. WE SUGGEST THAT YOU TRY TO ARRIVE BETWEEN 5:00 AND 5:15 IF POSSIBLE. The meeting begins at 6 PM. Free parking at the Forsyth County Government Center on the 1st deck and limited free street parking. Seating in the chamber is limited. Many will not be able to be seated or to be present there. BUT PLEASE STAY, STAND AND BE COUNTED even in the hallway and lobby. Remember, we are not here to take a seat, but to take a stand.
Directions to Forsyth County Government Center
201 North Chestnut Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101-4120 - (336) 703-2020
From US-421 N Take exit 5D for Main St toward Downtown/1st St Turn right at S Main St Take the 2nd right onto E 1st St Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto N Chestnut St Destination will be on the right
FromUS-421 S Take exit 5D toward Downtown Merge onto S Main St Turn right at E 1st St Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto N Chestnut St Destination will be on the right
From I-40 E Take exit 188 on the left for I-40 BUS/US-421 S toward Winston - Salem/Downtown Merge onto US-421 S Take exit 5D toward Downtown Merge onto S Main St Turn right at E 1st St Turn left at the 2nd cross street onto N Chestnut St
From I-40 W Take exit 193B to merge onto N Carolina 8 N/US-311 N/US-52 N toward Mt Airy Take exit 110A toward 3rd 4th 5th St/Downtown Merge onto Metropolitan Dr Turn left at 3rd St E Turn left at N Chestnut St
http://www.letusallpray.org/
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Did You Miss Winter Jam?
HearItFirst.com will be streaming the entire Winter Jam concert LIVE this Sunday night from Nashville, TN!
Gather around the computer Sunday to catch all the action right from the comfort of your home! Is Winter Jam not coming to your area, no sweat! Do you want to re-live your Winter Jam experience? We've got you
Tune into HearItFirst.com/Live at 6:30pm central to watch Winter Jam live! There is a suggested online donation of $5 (if donating $5 is not an option for you, you may still watch) to Hands and Feet, an organization that has been on the ground in Haiti for years and was founded by Audio Adrenaline.
If you can't tune in on Sunday, be sure to watch behind the scenes videos at HearItFirst.com/WinterJam!
Gather around the computer Sunday to catch all the action right from the comfort of your home! Is Winter Jam not coming to your area, no sweat! Do you want to re-live your Winter Jam experience? We've got you
Tune into HearItFirst.com/Live at 6:30pm central to watch Winter Jam live! There is a suggested online donation of $5 (if donating $5 is not an option for you, you may still watch) to Hands and Feet, an organization that has been on the ground in Haiti for years and was founded by Audio Adrenaline.
If you can't tune in on Sunday, be sure to watch behind the scenes videos at HearItFirst.com/WinterJam!
Oprah's Closet on Ebay
Oprah Winfrey is cleaning out her closet and you have the opportunity to buy her cast-offs. Beginning March 1, the items will hit the auction block on ebay. All of the proceeds benefit the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
Here's a link: http://stores.ebay.com/Auction-Cause/Oprah.html
Here's a link: http://stores.ebay.com/Auction-Cause/Oprah.html
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Make a Wish
Join the WBFJ Morning Show (with Darren, Tami and Verne)
TODAY for LUNCH at River Birch Lodge in Winston-Salem.
It’s all part of the third annual Celebrity Serve for Wishes in Forsyth County.
Participating restaurants are donating 10% of food sales to the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. River Birch Lodge is located on Robinhood Road in Winston-Salem. Menu and map on the NEWS Blog at http://www.wbfj.fm/
Phone: 768-1111
www.riverbirchlodge.com/location.html
TODAY for LUNCH at River Birch Lodge in Winston-Salem.
It’s all part of the third annual Celebrity Serve for Wishes in Forsyth County.
Participating restaurants are donating 10% of food sales to the local chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation. River Birch Lodge is located on Robinhood Road in Winston-Salem. Menu and map on the NEWS Blog at http://www.wbfj.fm/
Phone: 768-1111
www.riverbirchlodge.com/location.html
Monday, February 15, 2010
Gettin' Fit with Allen
Today, Allen Branch with Fitness One of Kernersville, discussed how to help your kids develop a healthy lifestyle. Here are his tips:
- Help your kids make good food choices-http://www.mypyramid.gov//
- Teach them to ask for sweets -kids shouldn't be able to have free, unlimited access to junk food. They should have to ask first.
- Make the special treats a reward
- Get them involved in regular activity-Allen likes Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Dance or Soccer as good fitness activities
- Set a good example yourself FIRST
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
"Local Flavor" Austin Simmons on American Idol Tonight!
Greensboro native, Austin Simmons is a talented singer/songwriter and hairdresser at Leon's on Tate St. After four rounds of auditions in Orlando, he got a coveted "Golden Ticket" to Hollywood. Look for him on tonight's (2/9) show.
For more info about Austin and to hear some of his music, visit:
www.myspace.com/austinsimmonsmusic
Follow him on twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/austin_simmons
For more info about Austin and to hear some of his music, visit:
www.myspace.com/austinsimmonsmusic
Follow him on twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/austin_simmons
Monday, February 08, 2010
Maternity Schmaternity
You can wear your favorite jeans, before, during, and after
your pregnancy. Denim Therapy will put in and then take
out side panels so they will grow with your belly.
www.denimtherapy.com/maternity-jeans
your pregnancy. Denim Therapy will put in and then take
out side panels so they will grow with your belly.
www.denimtherapy.com/maternity-jeans
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Do you Know a Fantastic Forsyth Family??
Nominate a family that exemplifies the spirit of a Fantastic Forsyth Family! If chosen, Forsyth Family Magazine will do a story on them and why they were nominated and chosen as the family of the month!
Complete the Entry Form here to nominate a Fantastic Family.
Complete the Entry Form here to nominate a Fantastic Family.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Austin Carty's High Points and Lows
Austin Carty details his journey toward faith in his new book,
"High Points and Lows: Life, Faith and Figuring It All Out
Details: http://www.austincarty.com/
Book Signings in the Triad…
This Wed night (Feb 3): First Wesleyan Church in HP
What: Book signing in High Point
When: 6 p.m. this Friday Feb. 5
Where: Barnes & Noble in High Point
Information: 886-1331
What: Q-and-A…book signing in Winston-Salem
When: 7 p.m. next Tue Feb. 9
Where: Borders Books on Stratford Road, Winston-Salem
Information: 727-8834,
www.borders.com
Read the article printed last week in the Greensboro News + Record
High Point 'Survivor' writes book about his faith journey
Austin Carty was on "Survivor: Panama” (season 12) back in 2006
http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/01/25/article/high_point_survivor_writes_book_about_his_faith_journey
"High Points and Lows: Life, Faith and Figuring It All Out
Details: http://www.austincarty.com/
Book Signings in the Triad…
This Wed night (Feb 3): First Wesleyan Church in HP
What: Book signing in High Point
When: 6 p.m. this Friday Feb. 5
Where: Barnes & Noble in High Point
Information: 886-1331
What: Q-and-A…book signing in Winston-Salem
When: 7 p.m. next Tue Feb. 9
Where: Borders Books on Stratford Road, Winston-Salem
Information: 727-8834,
www.borders.com
Read the article printed last week in the Greensboro News + Record
High Point 'Survivor' writes book about his faith journey
Austin Carty was on "Survivor: Panama” (season 12) back in 2006
http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/01/25/article/high_point_survivor_writes_book_about_his_faith_journey
Fitness One 21 Day Program
For more in formation about the new 21-day program at Fitness One, visit...
http://web.me.com/allenbranch1/Site/Fitness_One_21_day_Fat_loss_boot_camp.html
http://web.me.com/allenbranch1/Site/Fitness_One_21_day_Fat_loss_boot_camp.html
Tour the Creasey's Extreme Home!
Davidson County Cancer Services and Relay for Life are sponsoring an
Open House at the Creasey home on February 20 – 21 (Saturday + Sunday).
The cost ($10 – adults and $5 for younger children).
Donations will benefit both organizations.
Contact: Davidson County Cancer Services
Phone: (336) 249-7265
Web: http://www.davidsoncountycancerservices.com/Upcoming-Events.html
Email: dccs@lexcominc.net
Open House at the Creasey home on February 20 – 21 (Saturday + Sunday).
The cost ($10 – adults and $5 for younger children).
Donations will benefit both organizations.
Contact: Davidson County Cancer Services
Phone: (336) 249-7265
Web: http://www.davidsoncountycancerservices.com/Upcoming-Events.html
Email: dccs@lexcominc.net
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