God Continues to Teach Me Archives - Page 5 of 15

Heartwarming Encounters at the Grocery Store

01/18/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I only had 4 items on my list. The sun was shining, and the temperature was so warm I didn’t need a jacket. Exceptionally nice in early January.

The parking lot had a convenient spot just for me — a sure sign that this wasn’t one of those wild and woolly days when the whole world needed groceries. It would be a quick in and out, and I’d be back home in no time.

And, that’s what happened . . . with a few heartwarming encounters along the way.

Steve and I like sharing an apple with almond butter while watching television at night, so my first stop was the produce section. I was happily bagging my Gala apples ($.99 a pound) when I spotted Becky, an employee at the store I’ve seen forever. She’s one of those who is always friendly and always remembers my name. I said, “Becky, how long have you been working here?” She said, “44 years.” Can you imagine that?? I think it says a LOT about Becky AND the Kroger company that they could instill that kind of loyalty for such a long time. I said, “Wow, that’s almost as long as Steve has been practicing veterinary medicine!” Becky asked how he was doing, told me how kind she thought he was and asked about the children. We shared grandchildren numbers. I won the count, of course. Our conversation was brief but so indicative of how it feels to be back in a town that knows who I am and seems glad to see me.

A few aisles further, I saw a former student stocking shelves and thought about what a tall, strapping young man he has turned out to be. I went through the self check-out but took a few seconds to wave to one of the checkers who was actually in the same youth group with my kids several decades ago. She always greets me happily.

On my way to the car, I stopped to allow the car beside mine to back out. After backing out only a few feet, I caught sight of the driver and recognized her as a senior adult in my church who taught my daughters in GAs when they were children. In turn, I was HER daughter’s piano teacher. Bless her. Seeing me must have distracted her because when she backed out, she backed a little too far and hit a parked truck behind her.

Yikes! I had just witnessed a crash and had 10 frozen items in my cart. (Yes, I know I said I only had 4 items on my original list. Judge not). Somebody’s tail-light was now in pieces, but it took a minute to see whose it was. The lady sitting in the parked truck got out. I held my breath. But, instead of watching an angry tirade, I saw an example of extreme graciousness and kindness. Amazingly, no one was upset. Her truck, as it turned out, only got a tiny scratch. It was the GA leader’s tail-light that was busted.

I knew both of the ladies. They were kind and pleasant to each other, exchanging names, etc. My GA leader friend caused a chuckle by saying, “Don’t worry. I’m in good hands. I have All-State!” I guess nothing beats a positive attitude and good car insurance, right?

Anyway. The whole grocery trip took less than 30 minutes, but it was one of those times when you’re just glad to be where you are at a particular moment and happy to interact with so many good people in such a short time.

I want to always be thought of as one of those good people, don’t you? The kind of person who does not respond angrily when a mishap occurs. The kind who stops to ask about what is happening in another person’s life and is quick to share sincere compliments.

Let’s do our part to make the world a better place in 2019. It starts with little acts of kindness and grows.

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Romans 12:10 – “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

FYI — Quick explanation for those of you who didn’t grow up as Southern Baptists. GAs was/is an organization designed to educate young girls about missions and missionaries, encourage participation in mission projects and promote Bible memorization. The letters used to stand for Girls Auxiliary, although no one that age knew what the word “auxiliary” meant. It was later changed to Girls in Action. The organization had a PROFOUND impact on my life.

“Only God can do this.” Dabo Swinney

01/11/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

“You can’t write a Hollywood script like this, only God can do this. That’s a fact.”

Those were a few of the words spoken into a microphone to be heard by thousands of football fans after the National Championship game last Monday night. Dabo Swinney and his Clemson Tigers had just done what many thought was impossible. They defeated the Crimson Tide of Alabama, the undefeated previous national champions, resoundingly. Not just by a point or two, not just with a last-second field goal, but in a way that was impressive and irrefutable.

Of course, he was smiling broadly, but if you watched the game, you saw other signs of what makes this man and his team special. There was love on their sideline. There was a unified commitment to a goal. There was an atmosphere of family.

Yes. Last year, there was a strong Christian testimony given by Tua Tagavailoa, the freshman quarterback who saved the game for Alabama and gave glory to God. But, this year it was Dabo Swinney.

Consider a few remarkable facts about Coach Swinney:

His real name is William Christopher. Dabo is just a nickname — thank goodness!
Swinney actually played football at Alabama, starting as a walk-on, earning a scholarship and then being a part of Alabama’s National Championship team in 1992.
He and his wife Kathleen have 3 sons, all of whom have accepted Jesus as their Savior — a fact that he calls his greatest blessing.
He fell in love with Kathleen when he was in the 6th grade.
Swinney is the youngest of 3 boys.
His father was an abusive alcoholic for many years which caused the family extreme poverty.
His mother, an emotionally strong woman who overcame much, has had a profound influence on him throughout his life.

For much more of Swinney’s story, read this interview filed by ABC News in 2016.

As I’ve thought more about Swinney’s quote — “only God can do this” – I believe it applies to every single one of us. When we look at the circumstances of our lives, isn’t it true that God has orchestrated every one of them? We are ALL unmistakeable evidences of His plans for us, His purposes, His design. The situations He’s led us through make up the total of our character, our personality, our reason for being born. Isn’t it our privilege, our responsibility, our job to acknowledge Him in everything we do?

Dabo Swinney had a microphone in his face on a nationally-televised stage. If you or I found ourselves staring at a person holding a microphone, what would we say?

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Philippians 4:20 – “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Dabo Swinney photo courtesy of Google Images.

What Will 2019 Bring?

12/28/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

The short and definite answer is “No one knows but God.”

We don’t know what minute we will breathe our last breath on earth, nor do we know when the Second Coming of Jesus will happen. We are only promised the specific moment we are experiencing at any given time.

The GOD’S WORD Translation of Matthew 24:36 puts the circumstance of the Second Coming like this: “No one knows when that day or hour will come. Even the angels in heaven and the Son don’t know. Only the Father knows.”

When my mother opened her new 1986 calendar, she had no idea she would be in heaven before the end of that first month. I have that calendar and can see her notes for events she expected to attend in the first months of that year. On Saturday morning, January 25th, she had her ingredients lined up on the kitchen counter ready to make cookies when an aneurysm burst in her brain. Others I’ve known and loved died suddenly, completely without warning.

But this post is not about death, it’s about life.

I have some great expectations for 2019, don’t you? Mine include: celebrating another wedding anniversary and birthday (gulp!), watching our oldest grandchild graduate from high school in May, welcoming grandchild #14 into the family in July (yes, you read that correctly), continuing my travel writing with some fabulous trips, enjoying our first full year in the new house, undertaking fresh ministry opportunities at church and spending lots of quality time with family and friends. It all depends, though, completely on God’s provision, HIs timing, His mercy, protection and grace. My job is to live with joy, love and gratitude.

Here are some wonderful verses to encourage each of us as we face the challenges, the uncertainties, and yes, the blessings of 2019.

Zephaniah 3:17 — “The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Matthew 6:26 — “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Philippians 4:6-7 — “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”😆

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone. God has a plan for each of us. Let’s enjoy finding out what that plan is for 2019.

What to Do “When Hate is Strong”

12/21/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

You know the Christmas carol.

I heard the bells on Christmas day. Their old familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the 3rd verse of that carol recently.

And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said,“For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Hate is a word I very deliberately try to keep out of my vocabulary. Yes, I embrace hatred for sin and all of the things that the Bible tells us God hates, but in my heart, I choose not to hate anyone. I don’t even allow myself to say I hate certain foods, certain football teams or certain annoying medical procedures such as root canals. I definitely chastise any of the grandchildren who might mention hating something or someone. I think the word itself is toxic. It has the capacity to harm us deep down inside.

Yet, hate is everywhere in our world right now, and the results are devastating. As I mentioned in several posts recently, Steve and I were in New York at the beginning of December. This year Hanukkah fell on December 2-10, so we were in the city for the first two nights. Right outside our hotel “The World’s Largest Menorah” was erected, and each night one of the lights was ceremoniously lit. I suspect that in years past there have been great throngs of Jewish people who gathered for the occasion. Yet, this year, the crowd seemed small. No doubt there was some fear and apprehension about gathering in such a place and then becoming a target for anti-semitic extremists, such as the deranged man who entered a synogogue in Philadelphia and gunned down 11 innocent people while they were having a prayer service in late October. News reports described it as a “terrible and unspeakable act of hate.”

World’s Largest Menorah outside The Plaza Hotel in NYC

At the 9-11 Memorial, we saw the place where one of the most horrendous attacks, fueled by hatred for America, took place. Thousands of lives were snuffed out and thousands more have suffered the consequences.

9-11 reflecting pool with the names of victims inscribed

On the news night after night, we see our own governmental leaders spewing hate and venom toward each other and watch the sectarian violence occurring constantly in countries around the world.

My friends, this is NOT what God wants for His people.

In John 13:35, Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you LOVE one another.“

What about it? What would it be like if this Christmas season we purposely put on love? How would it feel to choose to love that relative or neighbor or acquaintance or even a fellow church member with whom we disagree? How would it look to love store owners, restaurant servers or other shoppers waiting in line with us? Is it possible that we would be recognized as disciples of Christ if we “wore” love in these days?

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.” . . . . AND LOVE.

New Tree. Old Ornaments.

12/07/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

When Christmas of 2007 rolled around, Steve and I had recently moved into a new house in Decatur after returning from living four years in Ecuador. We pretty much started over, since we had sold most of our “worldly goods” before we moved away. A new Christmas tree was necessary, and I found a picture of a beautifully-decorated tree in Southern Living that I decided to try to imitate. It was filled only with large gold and red balls and crystal icicles. A trip to Old-Time Pottery and an online order to The Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge for the icicles and a tree picked out on BalsamHill.com, and I was in business.

The tree was indeed “picture perfect,” but truthfully, it lacked heart. Where was the nostalgia? Where were the ornaments that evoked smiles or outright laughter? Where was the feeling of tradition?

Before we moved to South America, we divided many of our Christmas ornaments among the kids to have on their own trees, but it turned out a box or two was still packed away and kept in my daddy’s attic. I’m glad.

This year, once again, we are in a new house, and after eleven years of use, it was time to get a new tree. But this time, the collection of ornaments evoke memories, and I think it might be my favorite tree so far. I loved watching the grandchildren on Thanksgiving Day as they explored all of the fun treasures they saw hanging, and I enjoyed pointing out various ones and the memories/trips/givers they represent. Hopefully, the ornaments that now grace the tree(s) in my house will one day show up on the Christmas trees of our grandchildren who will smile and be reminded of happy times.

Reminder of a trip to Yellowstone National Park years ago.

A reminder of the mission project we did in South Korea in 1992.

Ahhhh, the lighthouses in Maine. What a great trip!

A treasure. My mother combined my love for music and sparkly things in this ornament she gave me years ago.

Great friends had this ornament waiting as a gift in 2004. The bigger gift was the fact that they gave us their house to use as a gathering place for our family when we came home from Ecuador for a Christmas visit that year. So, so special.

My brother gave me this one. It is a poignant reminder of an incident that happened the day our mother died.

Naturally, Dr. Steve received a nice assortment of animal-themed ornaments during his 40+ years of practicing veterinary medicine.

As an elementary music teacher, I received many music-themed ornaments over the years. Each was a fun reminder of students and great times we had together.

Steve had a great floatplane fishing trip in Alaska a couple of years ago.

First Baptist Church, Athens, AL given by my friend Dianne. This is where my parents were married in 1949 and where I was baptized at the age of 8.

We got this one as we were anticipating the arrival of our granddaughter, adopted from Ethiopia.

Some teacher along the way helped Julie make this ornament for us. Now her 8 children get to enjoy it with us.

Laura gave me this one as a reminder of a special high tea we shared at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia during a visit when she lived in Seattle.

From a similar perspective, God wants US to remember the good things He has done for us, the ways He has protected us through the years, and the words He gave us so we’d know how to be saved and how to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

Isaiah 46:9 – “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me”

Deuteronomy 6:12 – “Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

1 Corinthians 11:2 – “Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.”

Psalm 77:11 – “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”

What memories and traditions are represented on your tree or in your home this season? I pray this will be a happy time for you and your family.

When God Chooses to Use Your Children

11/30/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Can there possibly be a more profound blessing on a parent than to watch as God uses the unique giftings and abilities of your children for His honor and glory? I can’t imagine anything better.

3 John 4 — “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

And, when you are extra-fortunate, you get to SEE the evidences of your children walking in truth in addition to hearing about it.

Steve and I have had these blessings recently, and I just want to take time in the middle of all the holiday chaos to thank HIM and to encourage my children.

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, two of our children were actively involved in ministry in the towns where they live and in the churches they attend. Laura was called on to play the keyboard for two morning services at West Rome Baptist in Rome, Georgia. She has remarkable piano talent. She is not their “regular” person but is always happy to fill in as needed. I love knowing she’s still putting into practice the many years of piano lessons and times of accompanying high school and college groups on her resume. She’s also teaching her son piano lessons now, and I’m hoping for a private Nathan concert during Christmas. Mostly, I love that she and her family are active in their church. She also teaches a Tuesday morning Bible study for ladies where she uses her spiritual gift of teaching. I praise God for allowing her to “bloom where she’s been planted.”

Matt is the pastor of The Church at West Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee, which is a campus of Brentwood Baptist in Brentwood, TN. He preaches twice every Sunday morning on a weekly basis, but from time to time, the various campus pastors are asked to fill in at Brentwood — a very LARGE congregation of several thousand. On November 25th, he preached for FOUR services at Brentwood, and Steve and I decided to go hear him in person during his second sermon that morning. That boy is absolutely in his element when he is preaching God’s Word. It’s an amazing experience to watch him connect the Scripture and the congregation. I praise God for choosing to use Matt in this way.

Our Julie is the mother of 8 children. She has been on a journey recently for truth, but even more so for deep spiritual connection. She wants to be exactly what God wants her to be, and she craves to understand His Word and to impart it clearly to her children. As you might expect, it’s not an easy task to get that many people ready to go anywhere, let alone to Sunday School bright and early every Sunday morning. But, she and Brian do a consistent job of having them there. Steve and I love watching the children in the choir programs at church. It is a special joy whenever they visit OUR church, and their teachers report that they behaved beautifully and KNEW ALL THE ANSWERS! That comes from consistent training on the part of their Momma. I praise God for using her in her own mission field, her kitchen table with her Bible open and the kids gathered around.

These photos don’t show Julie, rather this is one taken when we were on the way out the door when Steve and I had her children one weekend recently.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to be the mother of these three. And thank you, God, even more for choosing to use them to honor You and serve You.

The Gospel is Simple and Profound, No Add-ons Needed

11/23/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV) WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM

“. . . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved . . .” (Acts 16:31 KJV) LORD. JESUS. CHRIST.

Believe. What exactly does that mean?

Billy Graham gave the best answer I’ve heard:

The word “believe” in the Bible means more than simply agreeing in our minds that something might be true. It means “trust”—that we believe so strongly in God that we are willing to commit our lives to Him and live the way we know He wants us to live.

Suppose you were walking along a path and you came to a bridge which crossed a deep canyon. You might look at it and believe that it would hold you, and you might even see other people walking across it so you know it would hold your weight. But so far, your “belief” in the bridge is only in your head. When do you really believe the bridge will hold you? You only really believe it when you are willing to commit your life to it and actually walk across it.

It is the same way with Christ. Yes, we can believe that God exists, but God wants us to come to know Him personally. And He has bridged the gap between us by sending His Son to remove the barrier of sin and become that “bridge.” To believe in Christ is to commit our lives by faith to Christ—to trust Him personally as our Lord and Savior.

You might wonder why I’m bringing this up on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Let’s just say that the subject is very fresh on my mind for two reasons: 1) We’ve been going through the book of Galatians in Sunday School recently. 2) I’ve seen the results of denominations who add and add and add to the requirements of accepting the Gospel. It is sad. The exact opposite of having freedom in Christ.

Our preacher son Matt often approaches a passage by talking about what a text does NOT say. Let’s do that for a minute here. John 3:16 does NOT say “whoever believes in Him, goes to church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night while wearing a long skirt, long hair and no jewelry if you’re a lady and long pants, a shirt and tie and no beard if you’re a man, shall not perish.” Acts 16:31 does NOT say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and never dance, put up a Christmas tree, swim in a swimming pool with members of the opposite sex, kiss before your wedding day, watch television or play a game of pool, and you shall be saved.” I’ve searched and searched and those add-ons are just not there.

In Galatians, Paul is particularly displeased with the Jewish Christians who are continually trying to insist that the Gentile Christians follow their Jewish requirements — circumcision, not eating meat that was offered to idols, observing all the Jewish feast days, etc. — that ones they had adhered to before they accepted Christ. Over and over again, Paul said no. Don’t add to the requirements of the Gospel.

Galatians 4:8-11 – “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.” (NIV)

Galatians 6:14-15 – “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.” (NIV)

Read the whole book when you have time. It’s very convicting for all denominations to be careful about making the Gospel and the requirements of salvation something they were never intended to be.

Granted, there are plenty of actions mentioned in the Bible that are ultimately harmful and oftentimes cause our relationship with God and others to suffer — getting drunk, never reading our Bible, being difficult to live with or work with, lying, cheating, stealing, etc. etc. etc. But, the fact remains that according to God’s Word, we are saved when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord . . . . above all else.

Jesus . . . God’s only Son.

Christ . . . the promised Messiah.

This Thanksgiving I am eternally grateful for my salvation.

Parents. Children. Passions.

11/16/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

During the last few months, I’ve had a chance to interview Chef James Boyce from Huntsville a couple of times. He is the owner of Cotton Row, Commerce Kitchen and Pane e Vino, plus Galley and Garden in Birmingham. He’s very engaging and personable, and, of course, the food coming out of his kitchens is amazing.

During one of our discussions, he shared with me a passion he and wife Suzan share. She, too, is a trained chef, it should be noted. They are diligent about training their children (approximately 11 and 13 years of age) in table manners. He even called it a “Number 1 Priority” in their house. Those children know what each utensil is and how it is used. These parents have carefully educated them about all kinds of food and preparations from their early days. When they sit down for meals, they always have at least two courses, usually after an appetizer. The result is that they can take those children all over the world and enjoy a fine meal together. France and Greece were two of their recent destinations. The Boyce’s daughter has Celiac disease, so she has to completely avoid gluten. That, however, hasn’t slowed them down a bit. In fact, Boyce shared that 95% of the dishes served in his restaurants are gluten-free. Even at Pane e Vino — which is an Italian eatery on the ground floor of the Huntsville Museum of Art — pizza and pasta are readily available in gluten-free varieties. Lucky children, wouldn’t you say?

After that particular conversation, I was a little bit discouraged. I felt badly that Steve and I don’t insist as much as we could on proper table manners when the grands come to visit. We “might” just let a few elbows on the table slide from time to time, and we have been known to ignore the fact that someone is excitedly talking when they should be still chewing. We do gentle reminders, you understand. Perhaps we should be a little more focused. And the cuisine? Well, chicken fingers, fries dipped in catsup, pizza, spaghetti, mac and cheese and pancakes are Cousins Camp staples. I confess. We often default to what is easiest and what will actually be eaten. And, I’ll also confess to a smidgeon of bribery from time to time with such words as, “Let’s see how many compliments we can get from the servers” when we start to enter a restaurant. One time we even rewarded them with a dollar each to spend at Dollar Tree for every compliment, and they ended up with $3 to spend after that meal. I know. I know. But, it worked. You understand?

So, no, table manners and a highly developed culinary palate were not the top priorities in our home, nor are they now. But, what WERE our passions/priorities/emphases when our children were growing up? I believe they would tell you that we strongly emphasized getting a good education, which meant making good grades, attending school daily “unless you were bleeding or throwing up,” and sometimes those weren’t even adequate excuses. 🙂 We were in church every Sunday, and we passionately discussed God’s Word, sermons we’d heard, music that was sung. We stressed having dinner together at night WITHOUT the television on. And, yes, there were no pesky electronics to deal with “back in the olden days.” We encouraged them to develop friendships, and we OFTEN had their friends and ours at our house. We encouraged them to get part-time jobs as soon as they were old enough, figuring those would be strong motivators for going to college and staying to finish their degrees. Those were some of the things we (hopefully) instilled in our children.

Now, when we peek inside the homes our children have established with their spouses, we see OTHER passions being shared. In one, it’s sports, reading, math and kayaking. In another, it’s being outside, being involved in extracurricular activities and eating healthy. In yet another, it’s animals, farm life, daily chores, having lots of people over for meals and tea parties. In all of the homes, God is honored and church is a priority.

So, even though I completely admire Chef Boyce and the passions he and his wife have, I feel okay about the Pearson passions, too. There are, after all, many different giftings and talents to pass along in this world. How boring it would be if we were all the same. Right?

What about you? What passions did you instill in your children? What were/are the results?

Ephesians 6:4 — “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Hebrews 12:11 — “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

And, of course:

Proverbs 22:6 — “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

What the World Needs Now are More Tuas . . . and Tebows . . . and Chettes.

11/09/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

All of you know that I am a die-hard Auburn fan and a proud graduate of Auburn University. I avoid crimson and hounds tooth. I have orange and blue t-shirts, sweatshirts and jewelry. I can play the Auburn fight song hymn-style with an “Amen” at the end. BUT, and this is a Big BUT — after last year’s National Championship game, I did NOT suddenly become an Alabama fan, but I did INSTANTLY become a Tua fan. When he led that team to a dramatic comeback and had microphones stuck in his face afterwards, he didn’t take any praise for himself. He pointed people to Jesus.

Read more details about Tua Tagovailoa in this link. How he came to have such a strong faith, what his family background is like, the habits that keep him grounded are all described in depth in this article.

Tim Tebow’s story is very similar. Priorities of faith, family and THEN football. Humility. Pointing people to Jesus. In several of his high-profile games, John 3:16 and other Scripture references were prominent in the black painted under his eyes. Thousands dusted off their Bibles or did Google searches to find out what those verses said. As a result of the financial gains he received from sports, he formed the Tim Tebow Foundation, whose stated goal is to “bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.” That organization’s Night to Shine events have brought untold joy to thousands with special needs.

Chette Williams is the chaplain for Auburn University’s football program. He is facing a lawsuit — as are many Christian chaplains for sports teams — brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) wanting his job to be dissolved and his privilege of leading players in prayer to cease. He’s not backing down. He’s still praying.

What would happen if EVERY Christian recognized the opportunities for impacting the world by living lives according to the Bible and giving glory and honor to Jesus at every opportunity?

What if our lives were characterized by humility rather than by pride, desires for recognition and constant self-promotion?

What if our work ethic spurred us to practice harder, to seek to improve, to stay late and arrive early with the ultimate goal of giving any credit for success to our Savior?

What if our families were strong morally and close emotionally because of love, respect, exemplary examples of the older members and devotion to one another?

It’s so much more than church attendance.

It’s so much more than giving a tithe or donations to charity.

It’s so much more than not saying bad words in public and staying away from R-rated movies.

Tua, Tebow and Chette have bone-deep belief in and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. They know God’s Word. They pray. They practice humility and purity. They are not Christians in name only. They are what followers of Christ can look like.

Do we really want to change the world?

What if we all put faith and family before football (or whatever our personal passion might be)?

Can you just imagine with me what an impact we could have?

1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . “

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

All verses in the English Standard Version.

Our Firstborn is 45!!

11/02/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Yesterday our tiny bundle of joy who came into the world weighing 5 lbs. 14 oz. turned 45 years old, a fact that is astounding to her daddy and me. How in the world have this many years passed since that life-changing event occurred and this beautiful person came into our lives??

We brought Laura Katherine home to Moss Chapel Road in early November of 1973. She attended Carol Jane White’s preschool class, Burleson kindergarten, Crestline for grades 1-5, Hartselle Junior High for 6th-8th, and Hartselle High School for 9th-12th, graduating 4th in her class in 1992. She was dedicated, saved and baptized at First Baptist Hartselle with too many Sunday School teachers, GA leaders, choir teachers, VBS leaders, Bible drill coaches and preachers to name. She had 2 piano teachers in her life — her mother and Mrs. Janet Varner.

Suffice it to say, that Laura is a product of Hartselle, AL and proudly calls it her home town, but she has lived, gotten driver’s licenses and become a registered voter in the states of Washington, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia, in addition to Alabama.

Laura was offered scholarships to several colleges, notably Mississippi State and Vandy, but accepted the President’s Scholarship to Auburn — for which we were immensely grateful. She got a bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) in mathematics from Auburn, then went on to Georgia Tech for her master’s. She is now an adjunct teacher of mathematics for Purdue University Global, their online degree program. Although she is happy when Tech or Purdue have success, she is an Auburn Tiger win, lose or tie. Thank heavens!!

Laura now lives in Rome, Georgia with her husband David Baggett, who is certified in prosthetics and orthotics, and is the homeschooling mom to their children, Nathan (12) and Megan (10). They met at Auburn when they both signed up to take a course at Lakeview Baptist Church designed to help them know how to share the Gospel. She teaches a Tuesday morning Bible study at their church (West Rome Baptist) and fills in at the keyboard when she’s invited to do so.

Laura, David, Nathan and Megan

Throughout Laura’s years in Hartselle, she was known for 3 things in particular: making very high grades, behaving herself (praise the Lord!) and playing the piano.

Here are some things you might not know about Laura:

The summer after she graduated from HHS she spent 10 weeks touring with the Celebrant Singers — from the Pacific to the Atlantic, across the Atlantic to Bulgaria, and then back across the country to California. She slept in 72 different beds that summer and logged a zillion miles in a bus seat.
During one of her college summers, she participated in an extended mission project working with Asian students in Seattle.
Laura is the only one, so far, to have been a member of the HHS Performers for all 4 years of high school.
Laura is an amazing analyzer of people and situations. She can make a spreadsheet or a pros/cons list with the best of them.
Laura is fascinated by Enneagrams — a way of assessing personality types — and has every member of her family “pegged to a T.” She has studied this in such depth that she now teaches classes on the subject.
Laura has written a book, “Making Room for Jesus,” which is available on Amazon, and we’re hoping she has a few more in the works.
When Laura turned 40, she started experimenting with various hair colors. So far, we’ve enjoyed pink, red, purple, and blue. For a few months, it was back to its highlighted blonde default setting, but just in time for this birthday, a fresh pink streak was added. If this is as rebellious as she ever gets, we’ll be extremely grateful.
She may be quiet, but she is ALWAYS thinking. And, if she gets the opportunity and wants to share a thought or two, it will be worth hearing. In that way, she is very much like her daddy.
She has a gift for selecting greeting cards. When you receive one from her, you know that she has deliberated and chosen one that is perfectly suited.

Here are some things Laura probably doesn’t know (deeply enough) about herself:

How funny she is. Her humor may be less flamboyant than her brother’s, but it’s quick and hysterical.
How valuable she is to her family and her friends. She enriches our lives immeasurably.
How much she is admired by those who know her.
How much I smile inwardly (and outwardly) when someone says she’s my “clone.” For most of her life, people have said she was “the spitten image of Steve Pearson,” but as she’s grown into adulthood, she looks more like me — a fact that probably causes her some consternation but makes me happy.
Laura and me during our most recent visit
How proud her daddy and I have ALWAYS been of her. She is our daughter “in whom we are well-pleased.”
Laura all dressed up.

6. The Bible describes a woman named Abigail like this in 1 Samuel 25:3: “Abigail, who was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.” I think those words apply to our Laura, as well.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FIRSTBORN!! We love you and pray you’ll have many, many more great years to impact the world.

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