Pastor Rick Warren: Managing Stress Like Jesus: Take Time to Recharge

November 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Managing Stress Like Jesus: Take Time to Recharge

By Rick Warren

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“Crowds of people were coming and going so that Jesus and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we will go to a lonely place to get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NCV).

When we think about Jesus, we tend to think about the miracles. We think about him teaching thousands. We think about him dying for our sins—and rising from the dead on the first Easter morning.But we don’t usually think about Jesus relaxing.

That’s too bad because it’s one of the reasons Jesus was able to live stress-free despite all the demands upon his life.

Over the last few days, I’ve been sharing with you principles of how Jesus managed stress. The first six were:

  1. Identification: Know who you are
  2. Motivation: Know whose approval you are living for
  3. Vocation: Know your calling
  4. Concentration: Focus on what matters most
  5. Meditation: Listen to God
  6. Collaboration: Join a small group

The seventh and final one is the Principle of Recreation.

Even though Jesus had more important work to do than we do, he still took time to relax, go to parties, and just have fun.

The Bible says, “Crowds of people were coming and going so that Jesus and his followers did not even have time to eat. He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves, and we will go to a lonely place to get some rest’” (Mark 6:31 NCV).

In Mark 6, Jesus and the disciples didn’t even have time to eat because they were so busy. But Jesus looks at his small group and says, “Guys, you deserve a break today. So let’s get away.”

If Jesus can rest and relax, so can we.

In fact, God thought rest and relaxation was so important he put it in the Ten Commandments. Right along with commands to not murder, commit adultery, or steal, God tells us to take one out of every seven days to worship and rest.

If you’re too busy to take time off, you’re simply too busy—and likely too stressed.

Talk It Over

  • Do you find it most difficult to relax for an hour every day, a day every week, or a week every year? Why?
  • What’s the biggest excuse you use for not getting enough rest and relaxation?
  • What’s one thing you can stop doing today so you get more time for rest?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.

Filed Under: Columns

Your Daily Prayer: A prayer for when you don’t understand your circumstances

November 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

A Prayer for When You Don’t Understand Your Circumstances – Your Daily Prayer – November 13, 2018

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A Prayer for When You Don’t Understand Your Circumstances
By Dr. James MacDonald

“His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him” (John 12:16, ESV).

We can all attest to the 20/20 nature of hindsight; that moment of looking back on a complicated, confusing situation and realizing exactly what we should have done or been aware of at the time.

But can we somehow turn this expectation into an advantage in the moment, as it’s playing out? Can we live in light of the reality that a time is coming when we’ll see God’s hand in all of this?

Have you ever been in a situation like that—where you didn’t understand what was happening? Where you couldn’t seem to feel anything but disappointment or confusion? Where you seemed to be more questions than answers?

Knowing why is not part of the skillset God expects from us as His followers. Answers to all the usual questions—Why is this happening? What on earth is God doing?—are not required, most likely not even available, during the heat of life’s most mystifying moments.

All you need to know in times like these is the confident assurance that afterward, when you look back, you will see His hand at work in it. And knowing you’ll see it from a distance means it’s already here in the present—perhaps not to be recognized immediately, but to be trusted implicitly.

Even when it’s difficult now, remember that one day you’ll see with clarity what God has been doing. And that it was always, only, for your good and His glory.

Pray:

Lord God, I know You are here. I trust in Your presence, Your power, Your goodness, and Your complete control over everything I’m facing. Help me walk through the questions, assured of Your answers, even though they’re still unclear to me. I know one day King Jesus will appear as the “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11), riding a powerful horse and fully revealing His authority. And I know that even now, when I don’t understand all the answers, I have You with me, and that is all that matters. Please give me increasing eyes of faith to trust what You are doing, even—and especially—when I don’t understand. I love You and I trust You, and I pray these things in Jesus’ Worthy Name, Amen.

Filed Under: Columns

Poshard Foundation receives grant to help children

November 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The Poshard Foundation usually makes the news giving away money. Today, they are receiving money.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Filed Under: Featured

Small businesses in Illinois can’t find enough workers to fill open positions

November 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Small businesses in Illinois and across the country can’t find enough workers to fill open positions.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Featured

As Amazon passes on Illinois, business community asks why

November 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Despite offering over $1 billion in tax incentives and other perks to lure online retail giant Amazon, Illinois won’t get the company’s $5 billion investment or thousands of high-paying jobs.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Featured

Donnie Bennett — Sesser, IL

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

 

Donnie Bennett, 75, of Sesser passed away on November 12, 2018.

He was born on December 8, 1942 in Benton, IL to Wathie and Loney (Mocaby) Bennett.  He married Diane (Erwin) Bennett on October 29, 1963 and she survives of Sesser.

He is also survived by his children Donna (Mark) Mays of Sesser, Sherry Arro of Sesser, Cathy (David) Marlo of Sesser and Steve Bennett of Herrin; nine grandchildren Elijah Mays, Caleb Mays, Silas Mays, Emery Arro, Riley Arro, Joseph Marlo, Rachel Marlo, Nicholas Marlo, and Paolina Marlo; three sisters Sharon Reichert of Herrin, Yvonne Drew of Tamms, and Myrl Conner of Sesser; one brother Dale Bennett of Ringold, GA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters Bernice Skurat and Mildred Wisnewski, and two brothers James “Cotton” Bennett and Wathie “Preach” Bennett.

He was a coal miner and a member of the UMWA and also had worked for the City of Sesser.  He was also a member of the Sesser Church of God and had served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.

Funeral services will be on Friday November 16, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser with Brother Tim Melvin officiating.  Visitation will be on Friday from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at 1:00 PM.  Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

For more information got to our website at www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Local group travels to Springfield to lobby for resort project

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CARTERVILLE — Cynde Bunch, founder and CEO of Walker’s Bluff, and advocates of The Resort at Walker’s Bluff are in Springfield once again. The group is lobbying to keep The Resort at Walker’s Bluff in Senate Bill 7, giving Bunch the one thing she needs to proceed with the project — a gaming license.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Governor Rauner thanks Illinois veterans for debt that can’t be repaid

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner marked Veterans Day by telling Illinois vets that the state can never repay them for their service.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Death toll in Northern California wildfire rises to 42, as Trump OKs disaster declaration for Golden State

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The death toll for the wildfires burning in northern California’s Camp Fire rose to 42 people Monday night — making it the deadliest wildfire ever in the state, officials said.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Celebrating Champions: Curtis Smith named 2018 RLC Alumnus of the Year

November 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – Athletics, at its core, is a unifying force that rallies a group of individuals to become something more, something better. So, it’s fitting that the Rend Lake College Foundation chose an individual that was such a unifying force for his teams, his schools and his community at large as the 2018 Alumnus of the Year, perfect for this year’s theme of Celebrating Champions.

Curtis Smith was a warrior, both in the Rend Lake College sense of the word and by its dictionary definition. On the hardwood, Smith was a force to be reckoned with, fighting tooth and nail to be one of the best basketball players in the area at the high school and college level. And then, when life threw him one of the hardest challenges anyone could face, he was ready to fight that tooth and nail too.

It was on the hardwood that Smith first gained notoriety.

Ironically, according to a Franklin County News story, Smith didn’t even play organized basketball until high school.

“Curtis is what I would call a self-made player,” legendary Benton coach Rich Herrin recalled. “He didn’t play basketball in junior high but when he started playing his freshmen year he fell in love with the game of basketball. He was the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. You had to run him off to get him out of the gym but he was a joy to coach,” recalled legendary Benton coach Rich Herrin in the story.

Smith was an integral part of the 1980 Rangers team that advanced to the Carbondale Super Sectional.

Following high school, Smith came to RLC to be a part of the Warrior basketball program. During his freshman year, he was coached by the venerable James “Hummer” Waugh, another kind, unifying voice that the world lost in 2018.  After Waugh transitioned to the athletic director position, Smith was guided by Mitch Haskins during his sophomore season.

Those two years in Ina cemented Smith in the history of RLC.

During his freshman season at RLC, he produced a Land of Lincoln Classic-record 38 points (17-25 FG) vs. Oakton, with nine rebounds, and 27 points (12-18 FG) and 12 rebounds vs. Southeastern Illinois.

Smith’s sophomore season was ranked No. 2 in RLC history at the time with 631 points. That season he also was named All-Southern Illinois College Conference and team “MVP” after a 21-11 campaign in which he averaged 19.7 ppg for league co-champs. He tallied a career-best 41 points in a 90-84 win over Lewis and Clark and helped the squad capture the RLC Pepsi Classic and finish runner-up in LLCC.

Career-wise, Smith scored at a 16.9-point-per-game clip while adding 4.2 rebounds (266) and 2.6 assists (168) in 64 appearances. He utilized a picture-perfect, mid-range jumper to hit 46 percent of his attempts from the floor (455-980) and made the most of 76 percent of his free throw opportunities (170-225).

He was the lone inductee into the 2004 Rend Lake College Sports Hall of Fame and remains one of the few players in Warrior history to reach the 1,000-point club.

His 1,080 points — before the advent of the three-point line — ranked No. 2 all-time when he departed and remains third-best 22 years later, according to his Hall of Fame induction story.

Smith turned that love of basketball into something even more when he became an influential coach all his own, perhaps not surprising given the mavens he studied under.

He took the helm of Ewing-Northern Grade School and instantly started doing what he did best, making an impact on the lives of those around him. He found success as a coach, being named the SIJHSAA Coach of the Year in 2015.

Curtis Smith
Curtis Smith

Unfortunately, sometimes the opposing team puts on the press.

In October of 2015 Smith and his family got the news, Smith had been diagnosed with colon cancer.

So, the fight began. But, the opponent played dirty. It cheated and Smith’s team rallied around him. Former players, friends, family, teammates, community members all flooded the family with support.

Tragically, not all enemies can be beaten, and on June 24, 2018, Smith lost his battle with colon cancer, at his home and surrounded by his family. He was 56.

“I had the privilege of being a team mate of Curtis at Benton High School. He is without a doubt one of the hardest working and most dedicated athletes I have ever been around. He truly made himself into a great player through his dedication in the gym. I know that he has received many accolades for his basketball playing career and all of those are well deserved, however, his legacy will be in the impact that he had on the lives of so many young men and women that he had the opportunity to coach,” expressed RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills.

“He was a successful coach in terms of wins and losses, but his greatest accomplishment was his positive influence on his players. He was a great role model as a man, a husband and a father. I do not think any parent could ask for anything greater than to have a person like Curtis Smith coach their child. He was a great friend and he will be missed by many.”

Even after his passing, Smith still continues to make a positive impact in the lives of those around him via the Curtis Smith Memorial Scholarship at RLC.

It’s for his dedication and positive impact that the RLCF has chosen Smith as Alumnus of the Year.

Smith will be honored at the RLCF 2018 Annual Dinner on Thursday, December 6, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Mt. Vernon. The Dinner is open to the public. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10. Tickets to the dinner must be purchased in advance. Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. with the dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Interested individuals are asked to RSVP by Monday, Nov. 26st by contacting the Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324, or by sending an e-mail to foundation@rlc.edu. Proceeds from the dinner go to the RLCF Scholarship Fund.

Filed Under: Breaking News
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