Friday, February 29, 2008
Congratulations to Dr. Paul Baxter
Dr. Paul Baxter is the pastor of First Baptist Church on the Square in LaGrange, GA. Dr. Baxter is one of our Trustees of Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. February marks Dr. Baxter's 25th anniversary at First Baptist. That is quite an accomplishment in Baptist life...the average tenure of pastors in our convention is something around 2 years! I congratulate Dr. Baxter on 25 great years and thank him for his service as a Trustee of the Home!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc.
Here is some information on the Home.
Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest child care agencies in Georgia. We have been reaching out to hurting children
and broken families since 1872, and serve hundreds of children and families each year.
We provide hope and healing to those who need a place of safety and shelter. We are able to reach our mission by developing new and innovative ways to serve the families and children of today.
During the Great Depression, Cooperative Program funds were stretched; therefore it
was mutually agreed that the Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries
would raise its own funding. Churches, individuals, businesses, and foundations help make it possible for us to be the hand that reaches out to a child in need.
Today, our programs allow us to help more families and children than ever before.
Campus Residential Programs: These ministries provide residential care for troubled
children, youth, and families. Christ-centered programs on three campuses, located in
Baxley, Meansville, and Palmetto, work together to meet the basic physical needs of our children, as well as assist them in personal development and spiritual growth.
Group Home Residential Care: Available in communities across the state, these group
homes have the capacity to serve five to eight children. We have group homes located in
Brooks, Carrollton, Demorest, Ellijay, and Newnan.
Maternity Care: Our maternity program includes a facility on the Palmetto campus providing a safe place for pregnant young women and guidance for unwed mothers and their child.
Emergency Shelters: Based in Thomaston and Douglas, emergency shelters are available to respond to immediate placement needs for children and youth. Our campuses and group homes can provide emergency placements when needed.
Diagnostic and Assessment Program: The Diagnostic and Assessment Center on the
Palmetto campus is provided to meet the needs of children and youth with more severe mental health/behavioral issues. A complete assessment is provided and residents can remain in the program for longer term care if needed and appropriate.
Camp Hawkins: This summer camping program is designed to meet the needs of children with developmental disabilities. This ministry has expanded to include a weekend respite care program called "Matthew's Time" for children with more severe
disabilities.
The Nelson Price Treatment Center: Teenagers today struggle with the temptation of
readily available drugs and alcohol. The Nelson Price Treatment Center is helping to meet that need through a twelve-step Christian program designed for teens and their families through residential treatment.
Good Shepherd Therapeutic Center: Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this unique
farm based residential program for boys provides both short and long-term care and
offers an outpatient therapeutic riding program.
Adoption Services: We are licensed to provide adoption services for infants and children. We have partnered with Buckner Baptist Benevolence of Texas to offer
adoption services of children living in foreign countries. These services are provided on
a cost recovery basis.
Community Child and Adolescent Services: We offer a full range of coordinated mental health and community support services including individual counseling, family counseling, psychiatric services, nursing services and pharmacological services.
Foster Care: We are licensed to place children in Foster Families throughout Georgia.
Georgia Baptist Children's Homes
and Family Ministries, Inc.
1-800-252-0872
Phone:770-463-3800
Fax: 770-463-6415
www.gbchfm.org
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Charles Schultz Philosophy
You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read the email straight through, and you'll get the point (an awesome one) that it is trying to make!
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz!
You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read the email straight through, and you'll get the point (an awesome one) that it is trying to make!
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Influence
This is a devotion I did at the Palmetto Campus, January 28, 2008:
Fred Rogers, host of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” had a tradition every time he spoke. He always asked his audience to pause for a moment of silence and think about all those who have helped them become who they are. Once, in a prestigious gathering at the White House, he was given only 8 minutes to address children’s issues and still he devoted one of those minutes to silence. “Invariably, that’s what people will remember,” he says, “that silence. Usually a person from the past floats into mind-a grandparent, or an elementary school teacher, or an eccentric uncle or aunt.”
In our lives, there are always people who have influenced us. For most of us, the greatest influences are parents…but that is not always the case, as with many of our children. I personally was most influenced by my parents. My Daddy was a bivocational pastor, who always held another fulltime job, either as a teacher or later in life working for the state labor department. My Mama had been a teacher in the World War 2 era, when high school graduates could teach elementary schools. She never went to college, so after the war she worked a variety of different jobs, from cleaning houses to sitting with sick folks, to working in a preschool, to “debeaking” baby chicks. From both of my parents I learned the value of education and the wisdom of working for a living.
My grandfather (Papaw) may have been the single most influential person in my life. I always thought he lived with us, but in actuality we lived with him in his house. He outlived 2 wives, both of whom died before I was born. He raised chickens in a 20x80 chicken house, and also was a carpenter. He worked building houses well into his 70’s, eventually dying at age 97. He was a smoker into his 70’s…bought Tampa Nugget cigars by the box…I can remember traveling with him and his lighting up a cigar in the car…fogging everything with the smoke! He smoked until age 72 when he was selected as a Deacon in my Daddy’s church. He quit smoking then, telling people he didn’t think Deacons should smoke…so he started chewing Red Man chewing tobacco which he did until he died! My Papaw was the one who took me to Little League practice and games when my parents were busy with their other tasks.
Another of the very influential persons in my life was Mr. C.J. Roper. He was the Principal and 8th grade teacher at Chestnut Mountain Elementary School. He was the hardest teacher I ever had, expecting perfection in all our classes. He was also the coach of the Chestnut Mountain Warriors basketball team. I have no doubt the Mr. Roper could have been successful in any field had he wanted to do so. He taught with skill and creativity. Our little team only had an asphalt court to practice on. I remember running through sneakers at the rate of a pair a month! I remember he scheduled time for us to use a gymnasium for practice…it was like country coming to town! Before we left for the gymnasium, we practiced how we were going to practice, so there would be no wasted time. I remember he was frustrated with us one time as we practiced on our asphalt court. The next day he got a ladder and placed ½ of a tire, cut by circumference, on each goal. Of course, the shooting area on the goal was drastically reduced. We practiced that way all season… we had to be more perfect in our shooting than ever before. But it worked. Our little team went undefeated, and won the Hall County Elementary School Championship… there is a trophy at Chestnut Mountain to this day.
From a spiritual standpoint, Mrs. Bedell Skelton was another of my influences. Mrs. Skelton taught the primary and junior age boys in BTU. I was one of those 4 boys in her class and we were hellions! Mrs. Skelton never lost her patience with us. I still remember the night she brought us Milky Way candy bars as a bribe to behave through our class…she told us we could have the candy bars, but only if we behaved and listened to the lesson! We didn’t do a very good job that first night (Milky Ways were not our favorites!) Mrs. Skelton brought Snickers the next week and never had another problem with us. I don’t remember a single thing she taught, but I know that the 4 boys in that class grew up to be deacons and preachers!
(Lloyd and Bedell Skelton raised 7 children of their own: Edward, Lurene (O’dell), Jimmy (in Alabama), Vivian (Newton), Bobby, Harold Dean, and Carolyn (Horton). Bobby has been a pastor and coach, and works for Chic Fil A as the head of the Winshape Center at Berry College. Carolyn is a pastor’s wife.)
Mr. Gene Evans worked with the Home for over 20 years…he and Mrs. Evans (Irene) cared for hundreds of children. Mr. Evans did more therapy with more children than most professionals, usually teaching them about lawnmowers and cutting grass, but really teaching them about life. I heard one young man say his memory of the Home was sitting with Mr. Evans in the kitchen of the cottage, listening to the Braves on the radio, watching Mr. Evans drinking coffee and twirling his nose hairs. And I am sure it was a pleasant memory!
I know you are thinking about some of the people who have influenced you. But what about the children and youth you are influencing? There are some who are watching you every day, mostly without your knowledge. There are some that you probably like and enjoy being around. What will their memories of you be?
One of my favorite writers is Philip Yancey. One of his books is Soul Survivor in which he tells of the 13 persons who have influenced him most. One of those is Dr. Paul Brand, an orthopedic surgeon and missionary who devoted his life to working with patients with Hansen’s disease, commonly called leprosy. Dr. Brand developed several procedures and creative ways of doing surgery to help lepers, and at the same time did so in the name of Jesus. One of his patients was a man named Sadan. In talking to Yancey about Dr. Brand, Sadan said he was happy that he had the disease. “Apart from leprosy I would not have known these wonderful people or the God who lives in them.”
Another patient named Namo had suffered from leprosy for over 20 years when he met Dr. and Mrs. Brand. They were the first persons in over 20 years who touched him. Namo had a photograph of Dr. Brand with an inscription underneath, “MAY THE SPIRIT THAT IS IN HIM LIVE IN ME.”
Fred Rogers, host of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” had a tradition every time he spoke. He always asked his audience to pause for a moment of silence and think about all those who have helped them become who they are. Once, in a prestigious gathering at the White House, he was given only 8 minutes to address children’s issues and still he devoted one of those minutes to silence. “Invariably, that’s what people will remember,” he says, “that silence. Usually a person from the past floats into mind-a grandparent, or an elementary school teacher, or an eccentric uncle or aunt.”
In our lives, there are always people who have influenced us. For most of us, the greatest influences are parents…but that is not always the case, as with many of our children. I personally was most influenced by my parents. My Daddy was a bivocational pastor, who always held another fulltime job, either as a teacher or later in life working for the state labor department. My Mama had been a teacher in the World War 2 era, when high school graduates could teach elementary schools. She never went to college, so after the war she worked a variety of different jobs, from cleaning houses to sitting with sick folks, to working in a preschool, to “debeaking” baby chicks. From both of my parents I learned the value of education and the wisdom of working for a living.
My grandfather (Papaw) may have been the single most influential person in my life. I always thought he lived with us, but in actuality we lived with him in his house. He outlived 2 wives, both of whom died before I was born. He raised chickens in a 20x80 chicken house, and also was a carpenter. He worked building houses well into his 70’s, eventually dying at age 97. He was a smoker into his 70’s…bought Tampa Nugget cigars by the box…I can remember traveling with him and his lighting up a cigar in the car…fogging everything with the smoke! He smoked until age 72 when he was selected as a Deacon in my Daddy’s church. He quit smoking then, telling people he didn’t think Deacons should smoke…so he started chewing Red Man chewing tobacco which he did until he died! My Papaw was the one who took me to Little League practice and games when my parents were busy with their other tasks.
Another of the very influential persons in my life was Mr. C.J. Roper. He was the Principal and 8th grade teacher at Chestnut Mountain Elementary School. He was the hardest teacher I ever had, expecting perfection in all our classes. He was also the coach of the Chestnut Mountain Warriors basketball team. I have no doubt the Mr. Roper could have been successful in any field had he wanted to do so. He taught with skill and creativity. Our little team only had an asphalt court to practice on. I remember running through sneakers at the rate of a pair a month! I remember he scheduled time for us to use a gymnasium for practice…it was like country coming to town! Before we left for the gymnasium, we practiced how we were going to practice, so there would be no wasted time. I remember he was frustrated with us one time as we practiced on our asphalt court. The next day he got a ladder and placed ½ of a tire, cut by circumference, on each goal. Of course, the shooting area on the goal was drastically reduced. We practiced that way all season… we had to be more perfect in our shooting than ever before. But it worked. Our little team went undefeated, and won the Hall County Elementary School Championship… there is a trophy at Chestnut Mountain to this day.
From a spiritual standpoint, Mrs. Bedell Skelton was another of my influences. Mrs. Skelton taught the primary and junior age boys in BTU. I was one of those 4 boys in her class and we were hellions! Mrs. Skelton never lost her patience with us. I still remember the night she brought us Milky Way candy bars as a bribe to behave through our class…she told us we could have the candy bars, but only if we behaved and listened to the lesson! We didn’t do a very good job that first night (Milky Ways were not our favorites!) Mrs. Skelton brought Snickers the next week and never had another problem with us. I don’t remember a single thing she taught, but I know that the 4 boys in that class grew up to be deacons and preachers!
(Lloyd and Bedell Skelton raised 7 children of their own: Edward, Lurene (O’dell), Jimmy (in Alabama), Vivian (Newton), Bobby, Harold Dean, and Carolyn (Horton). Bobby has been a pastor and coach, and works for Chic Fil A as the head of the Winshape Center at Berry College. Carolyn is a pastor’s wife.)
Mr. Gene Evans worked with the Home for over 20 years…he and Mrs. Evans (Irene) cared for hundreds of children. Mr. Evans did more therapy with more children than most professionals, usually teaching them about lawnmowers and cutting grass, but really teaching them about life. I heard one young man say his memory of the Home was sitting with Mr. Evans in the kitchen of the cottage, listening to the Braves on the radio, watching Mr. Evans drinking coffee and twirling his nose hairs. And I am sure it was a pleasant memory!
I know you are thinking about some of the people who have influenced you. But what about the children and youth you are influencing? There are some who are watching you every day, mostly without your knowledge. There are some that you probably like and enjoy being around. What will their memories of you be?
One of my favorite writers is Philip Yancey. One of his books is Soul Survivor in which he tells of the 13 persons who have influenced him most. One of those is Dr. Paul Brand, an orthopedic surgeon and missionary who devoted his life to working with patients with Hansen’s disease, commonly called leprosy. Dr. Brand developed several procedures and creative ways of doing surgery to help lepers, and at the same time did so in the name of Jesus. One of his patients was a man named Sadan. In talking to Yancey about Dr. Brand, Sadan said he was happy that he had the disease. “Apart from leprosy I would not have known these wonderful people or the God who lives in them.”
Another patient named Namo had suffered from leprosy for over 20 years when he met Dr. and Mrs. Brand. They were the first persons in over 20 years who touched him. Namo had a photograph of Dr. Brand with an inscription underneath, “MAY THE SPIRIT THAT IS IN HIM LIVE IN ME.”
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Good Places to Eat
If you know me, you know I love to eat! A few years ago, I started compiling information for a book to be entitled, A Preacher's Guide to Eating in Georgia. I didn't entitle it "....Dining...", because I was not concerned about ambience. I wasn't interested in fancy places or chains. I was looking for those places that only locals would know about. I will include some of my favorites in this section, and I encourage you to tell me of your favorites...please give me directions as well, so I can find them!
The following are my some of my favorites:
Bamboo Star, Tyrone, GA- a great Chinese place on Highway 74.
Benton Lee’s Restaurant, Baxley, GA-some of the biggest steaks you will ever have.
Blue Creek Bar B Que, Highway 75 North, Cleveland, GA-Another great barbecue place. I think they are only open on the weekends.
Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, GA-A little more up-scale than some of the other places, but their buffet is great!
Bulloch House, Warm Springs, GA-another great buffet!
Boxcar Restaurant, Tyrone, GA-a great meat and three vegetables kind of place.
Curt’s Restaurant, Oakwood, GA-try the fried chicken especially.
Deer Lodge, Hiawassee, GA. Located on Highway 75 between Helen and Hiawassee. The steaks are great, they grow their own!
George and Louie's, Remington Avenue, Thomasville, GA-a little Greek, a few burgers, and great seafood!
Katie's Restaurant, Lincoln Street, LaGrange, GA-a great buffet.
Loretta’s Restaurant, Oakwood, GA-a meat and three vegetables kind of place.
Miss Emily’s Restaurant, Palmetto, GA-the atmosphere is not great, but the fried cornbread is to die for.
Mother’s Kitchen, Newnan, GA-located in an alley (no kidding!) next to the old Brown Steel Mill building, one block off the square in Newnan. Get there early for lunch, 'cause when she runs out of something, that's all she wrote!
Shirley’s Restaurant, Newnan, GA-located on Bullsboro Drive...all you can eat. This place can make you eat yourself to death!
Tarrer Inn, Colquitt, GA-Lynette and I ate there a few Sundays ago. Located on the square in Colquitt. As good a buffet as I have ever had.
Gateway Restaurant, Donaldsonville, GA-I haven't eaten there yet, but it comes very highly recommended.
Worley’s Townhouse, Whigham, GA-Located on Main Street, which is also Highway 84. A great little buffet.
Again, please let me hear of your favorites!
The following are my some of my favorites:
Bamboo Star, Tyrone, GA- a great Chinese place on Highway 74.
Benton Lee’s Restaurant, Baxley, GA-some of the biggest steaks you will ever have.
Blue Creek Bar B Que, Highway 75 North, Cleveland, GA-Another great barbecue place. I think they are only open on the weekends.
Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, GA-A little more up-scale than some of the other places, but their buffet is great!
Bulloch House, Warm Springs, GA-another great buffet!
Boxcar Restaurant, Tyrone, GA-a great meat and three vegetables kind of place.
Curt’s Restaurant, Oakwood, GA-try the fried chicken especially.
Deer Lodge, Hiawassee, GA. Located on Highway 75 between Helen and Hiawassee. The steaks are great, they grow their own!
George and Louie's, Remington Avenue, Thomasville, GA-a little Greek, a few burgers, and great seafood!
Katie's Restaurant, Lincoln Street, LaGrange, GA-a great buffet.
Loretta’s Restaurant, Oakwood, GA-a meat and three vegetables kind of place.
Miss Emily’s Restaurant, Palmetto, GA-the atmosphere is not great, but the fried cornbread is to die for.
Mother’s Kitchen, Newnan, GA-located in an alley (no kidding!) next to the old Brown Steel Mill building, one block off the square in Newnan. Get there early for lunch, 'cause when she runs out of something, that's all she wrote!
Shirley’s Restaurant, Newnan, GA-located on Bullsboro Drive...all you can eat. This place can make you eat yourself to death!
Tarrer Inn, Colquitt, GA-Lynette and I ate there a few Sundays ago. Located on the square in Colquitt. As good a buffet as I have ever had.
Gateway Restaurant, Donaldsonville, GA-I haven't eaten there yet, but it comes very highly recommended.
Worley’s Townhouse, Whigham, GA-Located on Main Street, which is also Highway 84. A great little buffet.
Again, please let me hear of your favorites!
About My Family
The Harpers/Browns with some of our favorite people: UGA Head Coach Mark Richt (back row, middle) and FCA Representative and former UGA
All-American Dicky Clark (back row, left)
This is my first attempt at creating a blog. I hope what you read is somewhat worth your time!
My name is James Harper. I live in Palmetto, Georgia and I am the President and CEO of Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries, Inc. I will write more about the Homes later.
I am married to Lynette Adams Harper, who is originally from Cleveland, Georgia. Lynette is the Lead Guidance Counselor at Northgate High School in Coweta County. Lynette and I have two daughters. Allyson is our older daughter and is also a teacher at Northgate High School. Our younger daughter is Andrea and she is married to our only son-in-law, Jason Brown. Andrea is a first grade teacher at Central Elementary School in Carrollton, Georgia. Jason is employed with Lowe's in Newnan, Georgia. Andrea and Jason are expecting our first grandchild in April. We are all very excited...he is going to be named Jacob William Brown (Jake). Jake will be one spoiled young 'un!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)