As the leaves reach their peak.  Last year after just moving to Cherry Log, I remember noting I had never seen a more gorgeous fall.  Well, this week I found myself repeating those same sentiments.  This is truly a prime spot for seeing God’s paintbrush at work. But as the leaves begin to fall and the nights grow colder, The Craddock Center phone begins to ring with calls for help getting propane tanks filled and utility bills paid so the heat can be turned on.  This afternoon a single mom without a job, who cares for her elderly mother in addition to her eight year old child, came by with her propane bill in hand.  They have no heat.  We are able to help her because of your generosity. Because of the slow economy and lack of jobs in this area, this winter could be very tough.  The number of requests for assistance have doubled since this time last year and we are counting on being able to continue offering hope and heat for these folks in need. As we account for all we are thankful for this Thanksgiving, there’s no telling what far-reaching support may come out of our gratitude.  When I was a child one of my grandmothers used to remind me to count my blessings when I started to complain about a minor problem.  “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill,” my grandmother would say in her wisdom.  Scientific research shows that paying attention to our blessings can transform the way we see life and the way we live.  Practicing gratitude can help us see the glass of blessing as half-full rather than half-empty.   So today in the midst of God’s golden world, I thank God for all the many blessings that have come our way this year.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!!  — TLS  

WHEN WE ALL GATHER

On Saturday night, Jan. 31 at 7:30 pm in the Performing Arts Center of Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge, GA for an evening of songs and stories, I will do my dead level best to steer clear of tetchy subjects. Not that I am scared, mind you. Just the other day in the barber shop I made my views on Gene Autry plain and clear, let the chips fall where they may.

But feelings in the community about Geraldine are still raw, even though the incident occurred two months ago. The incident is out in the open; it is not unbeknownst to anybody. If you see a huddle of folks, anywhere, anywhen, you know they are talking about Geraldine. The flat out fact is Geraldine traipsed; there are witnesses. And the witnesses aren’t just old women who are so stove up with arthritis they can’t traipse anymore and are jealous. Some of Geraldine’s friends admit she did it, but they defend her, saying it was a family trait. Geraldine’s father lollygagged for years and an uncle was even arrested for loitering. They say her brother was discharged from the Army for sauntering. You don’t saunter off to war.

I didn’t see it, but I believe Geraldine traipsed. She’s the type. I once heard her ask for a ‘second serving’ of pie instead of a ‘second helping’ like the rest of us. And they say she has in her bedroom a chiffonier. Traipsing is bad enough but get this: she traipsed into prayer meeting. Into prayer meeting! You don’t traipse into prayer meeting any more than you traipse into a funeral home. My land of living, is nothing sacred anymore?

She’ll be churched, for sure. — FBC  

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS                        

Who came early this year to The Craddock Center.  She was motivated to part with her beloved collection of Beanie Babies and teddy bear friends after learning of the needs of the children served by The Craddock Center from her pastor and his wife, Bill and Cherie Thompson.  Collectors know how difficult it is to part with what was so carefully selected and, in this case, shared with grandchildren.  In just a few weeks this generous donation will bring smiles and Christmas joy to 500 children who will be the fortunate recipients of Gloria Rippy’s gift of her fuzzy friends.  Thank you, Gloria!!!  — TLS  
  

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH                    

I have increasing respect for ministers I meet, especially the younger ones, male and female, lay or ordained. And I have met thousands since retiring from the seminary classroom in 1993. We meet in workshops and seminars, in their parishes, and around the big table at the Craddock Center.

I have no theory about this. Maybe part of this perception lies in me, now that I have tossed the grade book, gotten old, and maybe softened a bit. But I really do believe the quality is rising. Sure, there is here and there the lazy one, and sure, there is here and there the egotist, needing tons of attention, always high maintenance. And we all know that, like medical doctors, not all ministers made straight A’s in school. Even so, the general impression is positive.

And in what ways? My exposure to them is limited, of course, but I sense more passion in the work, more willingness to learn and improve, more discipline in study, more courage in witnessing, and more attention to their relationship to God. This relationship to God is not some self-caressing indulgence in a vague cloud of spirituality. Rather it is active, enquiring, discerning, and demanding. In ways formal and informal, such a minister enables me in my own longing to know God. Such a minister has an altar in every sermon, whatever its form and style.

I will not name names. You already have thought of someone, perhaps your own minister. — FBC   

 

WE THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW                  

A sure way to alleviate the stress of shopping in the coming weeks.  You know we have a Scholarship Program for our Children’s Enrichment Program that we have just launched for 2009, 2010, and 2011.  $140.00 per year per child covers the cost of bringing music, storytelling and creative movement to over 1300 students in Pickens, Dawson, Gilmer, Fannin, Union, Towns, and Lumpkin counties in Georgia, in Polk County, Tennessee, and in Cherokee County, North Carolina.  You might consider this year giving scholarships as Christmas presents and your gift will keep on giving as little 3 and 4 year olds enjoy the Children’s Enrichment Program in the coming months.  Whenever you make a donation in the name of an important person in your life, we then let them know of your gracious generosity.  It’s also a great way to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, wedding, retirement or as a memorial gift in memory of a special person.

Just let us know if it is a Christmas present and we’ll send you the note regarding the gift which you can then wrap up!  You can phone, email, snail mail, or go to our website to pledge and we will send you written confirmation.  Please join us in the satisfaction that comes from making a difference in these children’s lives.  TLS  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, January 31, 2009 ---“Winged for the Heart”,  — 7:30 p.m., Fannin County High School, Performing Arts Center

Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 — Fifth Annual Helen Lewis Lecture. Marian Wright Edelman, the Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund in Washington, D.C. will be the guest lecturer. 7:00 p.m. at Cherry Log Christian Church. Free Admission.

Monday, March 2, 2009 — Spring Preaching Workshop. 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. at Cherry Log Christian Church. Topic: “Preaching the End Time”. No charge but reservations are required.