AWAKE SCHOOL OF MARKETPLACE
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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