AWAKE SCHOOL OF MARKETPLACE
LEADERSHIP continued from pg 1
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AWAKE COFFEE COMMUNITY
JULY 2018
AWAKE SCHOOL OF MARKETPLACE
LEADERSHIP continued from pg 1
are launching the AWAKE School of Marketplace Leadership that will train , and equip people , to take their faith into the marketplace .
HOPE HAS A NAME
Lauren Harper Editor and Chief The Metro Times
There is a word in the English language that I hate more than any other word . Suicide . I detest the ability that this word has to attempt to snatch the purpose and meaning of each person on this planet . This word comes to steal , kill and destroy . It ’ s relentless in trying to creep up and speak hopelessness to the heart of any woman or man . Recently , two celebrities made a choice that affected everyone that loved them . Something from this world was stolen that brought a flavor that will never be tasted again . I don ’ t care what the world says , every human being has value , and only God has the right to give and take life .
Hopelessness is a lie . Scientists have found that our brains are hardwired for hope . We literally need hope to survive . I read a quote on social media from a non-profit called To Write Love on Her Arms , and it said , “ Hope is defiant . Hope tells us the truth .” There is never a hopeless situation , and there is always a solution . I ’ ve often heard it said that “ Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem .” Problems can be solved .
As everyone talks about the deaths of these two celebrities , people have also discussed the recent statistics and how they have increased . People scratch their heads as they try to figure out the cause of the rising suicide deaths . It is the second leading cause of death among teens and young adults . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this year that , “ suicide rates in the US have increased nearly 30 % in less than 20 years .” Why is this happening ?
We could blame all of this on one thing , or we could believe it is a conglomeration of things like the increase in social media usage , unhealthy diets , a culture of individualism in the United States and other countries and the pressure to succeed . We could also blame this on the stigma attached to mental illness and suicidal thoughts . Please know that although these thoughts are not normal , we are human and anyone is vulnerable to these thoughts . However , I believe the source of suicidal thoughts is hopelessness . The wise author of Proverbs said , “ Hope deferred makes the heart sick , but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life .” We are sick ( depressed ) when we lose hope . Hopelessness comes from not having your hope rooted in something solid and enduring . Our country was built on our foundation in God , but over the years , our foundation has started to crack .
Yes , it is a conglomeration of all of these things . I , myself struggled with depression for many years . As anyone with any amount of depression , whether mild or severe , I fought suicidal thoughts . Here I am now , completely free of depression . For me , depression was as easy as taking vitamins that filled a nutrient deficiency that I had . Which could be the problem for some but it took me a long time to figure this out . I held on to my hope for healing , and it came . I found out when I was pregnant that I had an iron deficiency . I started getting more iron into my system and Vitamin D . I haven ’ t felt this good in years . When I was finally stable , I was able to get to the root of my depression .
Sometimes , its just a matter of getting emotionally stable so you can deal with your unhealed areas . When I finally found healing in many areas of my life , I also noticed that deep down , I struggled with believing in Jesus . I spent a year of my life , sorting through all the evidence and living in the midst of a community where I saw real miracles that should not have happened except by the power of the Holy Spirit . My hope was restored . Hope is defiant . Hope never fades . Hope is running after you .
*** I have a B . A . in Psychology but I am not a doctor . This article is not meant to be taken as medical advice . If you or someone you know is struggling , please find a way to get help . Please go the nearest hospital and / or call The Georgia Crisis Line at 1-800-715-4225 or the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273- 8255 . You can also come to AWAKE Coffee Co . if you just need someone to talk to . There will always be someone there willing to talk with you .
ALEC SMITH Director of ASML and Team Pastor Awake Communities Int .
... a missionary or a minister in a church . For centuries , there was a line of demarcation between ministry and the marketplace . You could either impact lives by working as part of a church staff or work a “ normal ” job and superimpose your faith .
I ’ ve served the community of Conyers for the past four years as a leader with AWAKE Communities , and AWAKE Coffee Co . During this time , I ’ ve witnessed the convergence of being in ministry and serving in the marketplace . I ’ ve led a team that wants to see those lines disappear . We , the leaders of AWAKE , have spent months praying , and developing a school to do just that . This Fall , we
DEVOTIONAL
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
Great , that ’ s the third time that I ’ ve seen that barn . I guess this is the another episode of “ Lisa gets lost .”
It started when my ten year-old and his friend planned a sleepover . I knew his parents from church , but had never been to their house . We put it on our calendars , and planned to call before Friday . The week flew by and I barely had time to pick Chris up and head over . Once on the road , Chris called for directions . It took us about half an hour to get there . Seemed easy enough . Since they were bringing him back in the morning , I headed home . All I had to do was just go back the way that I came .
I took a couple of turns and realized that the roads didn ’ t seem familiar . I called my friend . No signal . I tried to open my Google Map app . That didn ’ t work either . So , I winged it . It couldn ’ t be that hard .
After 30 minutes , I realized that I saw the barn again and was getting nowhere . It didn ’ t help that it was getting dark . I pulled over . No street lights , no stores , nothing . Just the sound of crickets .
I should have taken the time to ask my friend for directions and written them down , marked out a map , and left earlier . But , feeling guilty wasn ’ t going to help . I didn ’ t want to run
We believe that there ’ s a place in our businesses and organizations for biblical principles and faith . Workbased learning and experience is the focus of the school with an emphasis on allowing students to have a chance to learn how to become a person of influence in the marketplace first hand .
This three-year program will offer opportunities to train in customer service , hospitality , education , manufacturing , news media , graphic design , web development , marketing , visual art , and music . Students will experience life in a community , inspire one another , challenge one another , and change the world . We believe that by giving students the chance to learn to be a person of faith and influence in their professions , we will see our community thrive because our businesses do .
We are now accepting applications for the upcoming Fall session , and for more information , please visit awakecommunities . org / asml .
Alec Smith Director ASML
out of gas , but I couldn ’ t stay here all night . It was cold . I had to find my way back .
So , I calmed down and prayed .
Oh , Lord , I messed up . I ’ m all turned around . I need your help . Please show me the way .
I know that when David was asking God , “ Show me your ways , Lord ,” it was more about the path for his life . David knew that when he trusted God and followed His way , he would never feel alone .
It was hard to admit that I needed help , too . I ’ m so thankful that our loving God never says , “ Told you so !” Eventually , I tried again . At every crossroad , I slowed down and said , “ Here , Lord .?” Eventually , the roads looked familiar and I arrived home .
I learned a huge lesson that day . I really need to start my day with this psalm , “ Show me your ways , Lord , teach me your paths .” What about you ? Do you ever find yourself needing direction ? Maybe , it ’ s more of a decision between two choices . Consider leaning on God and asking for His guidance today .
By Lisa Hetzel