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Local Ministry Expands East-Side Community Center
faith family community
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May 2015 .
Serving San Antonio and the Surrounding Communities Since 2001
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VOL.15 — NO. 5
HONOR
From our patriots to our parents, we honor you
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TH E B EAC ON M AY 2015
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MAY 2 0 1 5
FAITH
T HE B EAC ON 3
The Immortal Chaplains of World War II
AMANDA GRAVES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Greater love hath
no man than this;
that a man lay down
his life for
his friends.
John 25:13
You may have read recently that
a Catholic church in Essex, England, started a campaign to canonize its former priest, Father Thomas
Byles, who had two opportunities to
board a lifeboat on the Titanic but
instead chose to stay and pray with
the doomed passengers.
But you may not have read
about a similar act of heroism that
happened February 3, 1943.
Four chaplains, Reverend
George Fox (Methodist), Rabbi Alexander Goode, Reverend Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and Father
John Washington (Roman Catholic) were sailing to Europe with 900
soldiers when their ship, the USAT
Dorchester, was torpedoed by a
German U-Boat in frigid waters off
Greenland.
The explosion instantly killed
100 men and knocked out power
and radio communication. In the
panic and confusion, the chaplains
sought to calm the men, organize
an orderly evacuation of the ship,
and guide wounded men to safety.
Petty Officer John J. Mahoney,
in shock and reeling from the cold,
tried to get back to his cabin. Rabbi
Goode asked where he was going.
“To get my gloves,” Mahoney replied.
“Here, take these,” said Goode as he
handed a pair of gloves to the young
officer. “I can’t take those gloves,”
Mahoney replied. “Never mind,” the
Rabbi responded. “I have two pairs.”
It wasn’t until much later that Mahoney realized that the chaplain
never intended to leave the ship.
One survivor, Private William
Bednar, recalls: “I could hear men
“I could hear men crying,
pleading, praying. I could
also hear the chaplains
preaching courage. Their
voices were the only thing
that kept me going.”
crying, pleading, praying. I could
also hear the chaplains preaching
courage. Their voices were the only
thing that kept me going.” Another
survivor, John Ladd, watched the
chaplains distribute life jackets, and
when they ran out, they removed
theirs and gave them to four young
men. “It was the finest thing I have
seen, or hope to see, this side of
heaven.”
Within just twenty minutes, the
ship went down.
After helping as many men as
they could into the lifeboats, the
four chaplains linked arms and, saying prayers and singing hymns, went
down with the ship. Grady Clark, one
of only 230 survivors, remembers:
“As I swam away from the ship, I
looked back. The flares had lighted
everything. The bow came up high,
and she slid under. The last thing I
saw, the Four Chaplains were up
there praying for the safety of the
men. They had done everything
they could. I did not see them again.
They themselves did not have a
chance without their life jackets.”
As Memorial Day approaches,
I wanted to find out more about
the chaplains; the Fox family was
kind enough to share some special
memories.
George Fox was a decorated
WWI veteran who lied about his
age to enlist, receiving France’s
highest honor, the Croix de Guerre.
He served as an ambulance driver
on the front line in France, saving
many wounded on the battlefield by
bringing them out of the trenches.
In the closing days of the war, his
hospital was bombed, and in the
collapse his back was broken. He
went on to become a Methodist
minister after the war, married Isa-
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dore Hurlbut - against her family’s
strong objections, since he was a
disabled veteran - and had two children, Wyatt and Mary.
I recently spoke with Mary (Fox)
Murray, who at 87 years young
clearly remembers her father, as
she was almost 16 when he died.
She told me her father was moved
to reenlist after Pearl Harbor and
traveled to Harvard University to
train with the other three chaplains.
They did not know where they were
going, only that they would be in a
convoy of ships heading toward Europe.
I asked if the tragedy had shaken
the family’s faith.
“No,” she said. “Of course it was
sad, but my mother went on to become a Methodist minister herself.”
Her mother, Isadore Fox, wrote a
book in tribute to her late husband
called “The Immortal Chaplain.”
It is a wonderful reflection on his
character. The overarching theme
is steadiness, faith and calm under
pressure despite the stresses of raising a family during the Depression
and struggling with poverty in rural
Vermont parishes.
“Mr. Fox had a faith,” said Myron
Whitcomb, an undertaker in West
Topsham, VT, “which kept burning
in his heart like a flame. When he
began to speak, his voice melted the
gloom and lifted the sadness and
comforted all who heard him.” Mrs.
Fox agreed, knowing that “George
was invariably calm in the presence
of death.”
It is therefore no surprise he
spent his final moments in the service of others, remaining calm, reassuring and resolute to the end.
You can read more about the four chaplains at http://www.
fourchaplains.org/.
4
MINISTRY
TH E B EAC ON “They understood the times in order
to know what to do.”
(1 Chronicles 12:32)
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EDITOR: Amy Morgan
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faith family community
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M AY 2015
Heros Regain Identity Through Firearms Training
BY AMY MORGAN,
BEACON EDITOR
Purpose, service, fellowship –
reasons many join America’s military. What happens to core identity when traumatic injury or illness
changes someone’s life forever?
And especially for a person serving in the Armed Forces; the role
is in the title - Armed Forces. How
can someone feel they can serve if
they aren’t even able to handle their
weapon?
Helping find a new normal is
what MAJ Yancy Baer, USA, Retired, Firearms Trainer at the Center for the Intrepid at San Antonio
Military Medical Center is all about.
Himself a single-leg amputee, Baer
has adapted and upgraded the Fire
Arms Training Simulator (FATS) to
provide the perfect environment for
wounded warriors to re-learn how
to use and fire their weapons. And
not just to proficiency — to fieldready excellence — as many rehabilitating service personnel are eager and able to return to their units.
Baer rejoined his Army Special
Forces unit for 18 months post rehabilitation. Before retiring from
active duty in January 2015 to run
the firearms center, he completed
30 sky diving jumps, participated
in 10 Airborne operations, jumped
with and earned Polish Airborne
wings and served as the battalion
executive officer as an amputee.
He says teaching service personnel how to use their weapons again
is his ”small way to give back.”
Baer’s 10-month rehab experience at the Center remains fresh in
his memory. (And the extremely impressive facility, chock full of stateof-the-art prosthetic and rehabilitation specialists and technology,
could not have a better advocate.)
“You step in here, and if you are
a single, below the knee amputee,
we say ‘it’s a paper cut,’” he said. “If
you feel bad about yourself, you see
guys with one arm left, cranking
away, laughing. You get back into
that environment of brotherhood
again. Instantly, your demeanor
changes.”
Infantrymen are also called
riflemen, Bear said. “Using a weapon is part of their identity. There’re
guys who grew up hunting as their
recreation - being able to shoot
again takes them to their peaceful
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place. They think that’s all going to
be stripped away because of their
injury.
“It brings them back to what
they were before,” he added. “It’s
not just the weapons. Whether it’s
cycling, kayaking, horseback riding,
hunting, they are competitive. They
want to be challenged physically
and mentally.”
Baer set up the FATS simulation
room like a combat landscape, with
a half wall, a boulder for cover and a
bank of real weapons, now demilitarized, modified to exactly mimic the
weight, kick, function or dysfunction of their loaded counterparts.
Baer proudly displayed his hardware: the M-240G machine gun,
Remington M-870 12-gauge shotgun; Beretta M9 pistol; Bushmaster M4 rifle — all air operated, and
tethered or untethered to make a
dynamic environment.
Each FATS participant must
first be cleared through behavioral
medicine prior to being scheduled
for the weapons trainer. “We don’t
want to purposely trigger a Post
Traumatic Episode,” he added.
“A lot of times the guys will come
in here in their wheelchairs even
before they have their prosthetics.
We start working with them. If they
have lost a leg, can’t stand, we make
it work,” Baer said. “We modify
prosthetics, and you can still do everything one handed.”
As he served in a Special Forces
unit, Baer thought he was skilled at
tactical training and overcoming
obstacles.
“My first patient walks in, he is
missing part of his arm below the
elbow. The other hand has only one
finger,” Baer said, “I thought, ‘Wow,
I need to throw away everything
I’ve ever known.’ We figured out if
he held the pistol with the hook on
his prosthetic, he could use the one
hand with the finger to fire the trigger.
“I am constantly learning something to make the room more realistic. I had my first quad amputee in
here last week. She was shooting a
rifle from 200 yards and hitting it!”
And speaking of events, Bear
leads groups of servicemen out
shooting as often as he can find
a venue and a sponsor. Thanks to
the generosity of organizations
like the 1st Marine Division Association and Wounded Warrior
MAJ Yancy Baer, USA, Retired, Firearms
Trainer at the Center for the Intrepid at
San Antonio Military Medical Center with
his service dog, Baenz. photo courtesy of
MAJ Baer. Outdoors, he is able to take teams
to recreational shooting events at
least once a month at local venues
like the San Antonio Gun Club and
National Shooting Complex, attend
concealed handgun certification
classes and even lead four large
game hunting trips a year across the
United States and British Columbia.
“You can actually see the switch
come back on,” he added. “It is very
rewarding. They realize, ‘Life is not
over for me, I can still do these
things.’ I don’t think anyone regrets
their injuries, they are just trying
to figure out how to live the rest of
their lives the way they are.
“When you first lose a limb, or
get burned or injured, it’s so new
to you, ‘What’s life going to be like
now?’” Baer said. “You start learning life is not going to be any different, you just have to deal with wearing a prosthetic. Or two, or three, or
four.”
For more information on how you could support a wounded
warrior recreational outing, contact the Center for the Intrepid at 210-916-8345.
MAY 2 0 1 5
T HE B EAC ON Christian Teaching & Talk
Seven Days a week
OCT 24-NOV 3 2015
Join us on May 7th,
at the steps of City Hall
visit experienceisraeltour.com
~ September
Save The
Date ~
��th, ����
�pm~�pm
J. Vernon McGee
6:30 AM
Renewing Your Mind
R.C. Sproul
7:00 AM
Truth For Life
Alistair Begg
7:30 AM
Focus On The Family
Jim Daly
8:00 AM
Insight For Living
Chuck Swindoll
8:30 AM
Leading The Way
Michael Youssef
9:00 AM
Family Life Today
Dennis Rainey
9:30 AM
Grace To You
John MacArthur
10:00 AM
Turning Point
David Jeremiah
10:30 AM
Pathway to Victory
Robert Jeffress
11:00 AM
Jay Sekulow Live
Jay Sekulow
11:30 AM
Hope For The Heart
June Hunt
12:00 PM
John Hagee Today
John Hagee
12:30 PM
Somebody Loves You
Raul Ries
1:00 PM
Messianic Perspectives
Gary Hedrick
1:15 PM
Key Life
Steve Brown
1:30 PM
Center Focus
Charles Flowers
2:00 PM
The Eric Metaxas Show
Eric Metaxas
4:00 PM
The Word to Stand on for Life
Ron Arbaugh
5:00 PM
Maranatha Bible Church
Rander Draper
5:30 PM
PowerPoint
Jack Graham
6:00 PM
Grace Revealed
J.D. Link
6:15 PM
Messianic Perspectives
Gary Hedrick
6:30 PM
The Word To Stand On
Ron Arbaugh
7:00 PM
Focus On The Family
Jim Daly
7:30 AM
The Word On Investing
David Mitchell
8:00 PM
Truth For Life
Alistair Begg
8:30 PM
All The Difference
Wayne Braudrick
9:00 PM
Turning Point
David Jeremiah
9:30 PM
The Bible Live
Soapy Dollar
10:00 PM
Watchman On The Wall
Noah Hutchings
10:30 PM
Pentecostes Sigue su Marcha
George Weber
11:00 PM
Hope in the Night
June Hunt
7:30 AM
Adventures In Odyssey
Radio Theatre
8:00 AM
The Locker Room
Coach Val
8:30 AM
Kathleen Whitten Ministries
Kathleen Whitten
9:00 AM
KSLR’s Church Of The Week
Marc Longoria
9:30 AM
Pray San Antonio
Eileen Vincent
10:00 AM
Christian Finacial Today
Brandon Curry
10:30 AM
The Cross At Kerrville
Max Greiner
11:00 AM
Hill Country Institute Live
Larry Linenschmidt
12:00 PM
Restoration Road
Rick Hudson-Lackland Bapt.
1:00 PM
Digging Deeper
Gary Johnson
2:00 PM
The Safe Money Retirement Show
Rudy Hernandez
2:30 PM
Real Life Radio
Sean Azzaro-River City
3:00 PM
The Word On Investing
David Mitchell
4:00 PM
Living Empowered
Milton Smith
4:30 PM
SA Pentecostal Church
Johnson Varkey
5:00 PM
Prophetic Voice Of Our Time
Mike & Cris Sosso
5:30 PM
Living Your Best Life
Les Hollon-Trinity Baptist
6:00 PM
Focus On The Family Weekend
John Fuller
7:00 AM
He's My Friend
Andy Goodridge
7:30 PM
Maranatha Bible Church
Rander Draper
8:00 PM
Restoration Road
Rick Hudson-Lackland Bapt.
9:00 PM
The Shakedown
J. Kersey
7:30 AM
Road To Reality
K.P. Yohannan
8:30 AM
Living Your Best Life
Les Hollon-Trinity Baptist
9:00 AM
Bible Baptist Hour
Lasserre Bradley Jr.
10:00 AM
The Locker Room
Coach Val
12:00 PM
Kathleen Whitten Ministries
Kathleen Whitten
12:30 PM
Four Winds Bible Church
Kurt Hudspeth
1:00 PM
KSLR’s Church Of The Week
Marc Longoria
2:30 PM
Digging Deeper
Gary Johnson
3:00 PM
Living Empowered
Milton Smith
3:30 PM
The Word On Investing
David Mitchell
4:00 PM
Restoration Road
Rick Hudson-Lackland Bapt.
5:00 PM
Prophetic Voice Of Our Time
Mike & Cris Sosso
5:30 PM
SA Pentecostal Church
Johnson Varkey
6:00 PM
All The Difference Weekend
Wayne Braudrick
7:00 PM
Focus On The Family Weekend
John Fuller
8:00 PM
Healing Hidden Wounds
Lea and Shey Preston
9:00 PM
The Bible Live Quiz Show
Soapy Dollar
10:30 PM
Pray San Antonio
Eileen Vincent
Girls Night Out
with
Lysa TerKeurst
.
.
.
d
o
o
g
s
i
God
d
o
o
g
s
i
d
o
and G
d
o
G
g
n
i
e
b
at
Ministry
of the
Month
San Antonio
Shrine Auditorium
Monday-Friday 6:00am
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SUNDAY
SATURDAY
Earlybird tickets available May 1st @ www.KSLR.com/GirlsNightOut
6:00 AM Thru The Bible
MONDAY - FRIDAY
Bring
Bring the
the Bible
Bible to
to
Life
Life with
with Alistair
Alistair Begg
Begg
on
on the
the trip
trip of
of aa
LIFETIME!
LIFETIME!
5
6
TH E B EAC ON MINISTRY
M AY 2015
Innovative Ideas and Inspirational Service
Navy SEAL,
Best-Selling Author,
Humanitarian,
Public Policy Professor,
Boxer, Rhodes Scholar
Eric Greitens, and photo courtesy of Eric Greitens.
BY AMY MORGAN,
BEACON EDITOR
Last year, my teenaged sons and
I were completely captivated by New
York Times bestseller, The Heart and
the Fist, by Eric Greitens, 40-year-old
former Navy SEAL, Rhodes Scholar,
Boxing Champion and humanitarian
aide worker who served alongside
Mother Teresa. Not only was Greitens’
personal story fascinating, he offered
such wisdom and practical philosophies for living a more authentic and
purposeful life. I found myself purchasing extra copies to give others.
Although Greitens is certainly
a man comfortable with ideas and
words, his most striking characteristic is his willingness and ability to
transform words into action. When
he identifies a societal problem, he
doesn’t just verbally bemoan, he
physically, personally and purposefully provides solutions. Whether it is
to become a SEAL, start a non-profit
organization with his own combat
pay, or most recently step into the
race for Missouri governor, Greitens
does not attempt anything in halfmeasure, nor does he ever just give
lip service.
He suggests we need to “look
beyond what others think should
be working and really be in touch
with what we are aiming to serve,
whether it be the homeless person in
the community, the kid on a team we
are coaching, or the homeless kid in
Rwanda. It all comes back to humility. True humility to say our service is
not about us.” he said.
The premise of Greitens’ work,
born out of his experience, is that
although compassionate aid may
eventually be called for; sometimes,
prevention of the problem through
the use of force (yes, force) is what’s
necessary.
And then he proved actions speak
louder than words by joining the
SEALs to offer himself as that force.
In his words referring to the Rwandan genocide, published in his book
Resilience released this month: “I remember that many people around
the world were shocked and outraged.
Many wanted to help. I also remember
that their wanting didn’t matter.
“There was a great dividing line
between all of the speeches, protests,
feelings, empathy, good wishes and
words in the world, and the one thing
that could stop the violence: protecting people through the use of force or
the threat of force. In situations like
this, good intentions are heartfelt
wishes were not enough. The great
dividing line between words and results was courageous action. One of
the greatest gulfs in life is between
sounding good and doing good.
“We are ultimately measured by
our results, by the way our actions
shape the world around us. Without
results all the kind intentions in the
world are just a way of entertaining
ourselves.”
What a revolutionary concept!
Being willing to say, be and go do the
difficult thing.
“I think that if we really love and
care about people, we also have to
care about the results we create for
them, and that means sometimes
we have to do things that are hard,”
Greitens explained. “If we are really
other-centered, we have to be very
disciplined, very attentive about the
results we are creating in the world.
“Sometimes we have to tell people
things that are hard that they need to
hear,” he added. There may be a space
where they don’t like us very much.
“Are we making them stronger,
are we making them wiser, are we
making them truly courageous? It is
a hard, beautiful thing to help them
make a difference in their life,” he said.
Greitens’ books are full of examples where he identified and acted on
“the hard thing,” for the betterment of
others. Most recently, Resilience was
written to help a friend and fellow
SEAL overcome PTSD and destruc- life will afford us complete happiness. you say to the contrary.” Ralph Waldo
tive behavior.
We believe that we will move only Emerson, taken from Resilience.
Helping veterans overcome ob- from pleasure to pleasure, from joy to
stacles post-service has been a hall- joy. When tragedy strikes, hardship Amy Morgan has written for the Beacon for the past 6 years.
earned a journalism degree from Texas Christian University
Advertisement
2015Sheforward
mark of Greitens’ undertakings.
Visit- hits, too Changes
many of us for
feel March
ambushed
in 1989. In her “before kids” career, Amy worked in medical
ing wounded Marines after returning by pain, betrayed by the present, demarketing and pharmaceutical sales, wrote a monthly column
from Iraq (where he was awarded spairing of the future.”
in San Antonio’s Medical Gazette and was assistant editor of
Asked about his suggestions to the monthly newspaper at Southwestern Medical Center in
a Purple Heart and Bronze Star), he
was inspired to dedicate his combat combat that malaise and compla- Dallas. After “retiring” from full-time work in 1997 to care for
pay to create an organization giving cency, Greitens responded.
her sons, Amy completed free-lance writing, editing and public
“I think that the practice of grati- relations projects and served in many volunteer capacities at
veterans purpose through service.
Founded in 2007, The Mission tude is helpful here. If we develop a both her church, Bulverde United Methodist, ministries such
Continues “redeploys veterans in regular practice of gratitude, then it as True Vineyard, Mwangaza choir, Bible Study Fellowship
their communities, so that their will help us to see the sources of our and her sons’ schools.
shared legacy will be one of service strength in both good times and hard
and success,” according to the organi- times. I also think that people grow
zation’s website.
despondent not when things are
Its model is to “award six-month hard, but when people are without
community service fellowships to hope. When we take action together,
post-9/11 veterans to volunteer at we often find that we can make progthe nonprofit or community orga- ress together.”
nization of his or her choice.” FelHe believes great results come
lowships are funded by donations. when people of faith serve together, a
“Throughout the fellowship, each Fel- resource he hopes to capitalize on as
low works toward goals of full time he pursues elected office in Missouri.
employment, higher education and a In fact, Greitens recently spent time
permanent role of service,” from the visiting Angola prison in Louisiana
website.
to glean wisdom from the faith comAnother component, the Ser- munity about solving tough societal
PHYSICAL
vice Platoon Program, “mobilizes problems, he said.
THERAPISTS
teams of veterans, active duty service
One such is during the maturaHank Bussey, PT, DPT, MS, OCS
members, guardsmen and reserv- tion process when many, especially
Gabriel Molina, PT, MPT, CHT, MBA
ists to solve a specific challenge in young men, seek a testing transition
Derk Harrington, PT, MPT, CMT, OCS
their community,” according to the to manhood, which may explain why
Stephanie Bussey, PT, MPT
website. “As of March 2015, service stories of SEALs or recently, Ameriplatoons were active in more than 30 can Sniper, seem to resonate with the
American public. When asked for his
cities nationwide.”
The Mission Continues has award- opinion how our culture could do a
ed more than 1000 fellowships and better job of encouraging productive
now encompasses more than 30 staff, transitions he answered,
4500 volunteers and revenue of $6.5
“I think that growth often comes
million in 2012. For more information, when we take responsibility. Strong
visit www.missioncontinues.org.
men step forward to take responSPECIALTY
Greitens credits the role of faith sibility, not only for their own lives,
PROGRAMS
in his life and others as a source of but also for the well-being of others.
Manual/Manipulative Therapy
strength because “it makes us both I think that we have to shape the culCustom Orthotics
humble and bold at the same time. ture in such a way that young men
Sports Injury Management
We become more resilient when we see that stepping forward to serve
Pre/Post-Surgical Treatment
know we are serving a purpose larger their country, their families, and their
Total Knee/Hip Replacement
community is something good and
than ourselves,” he said.
Independent Fitness Program
From a Jewish background, “I also noble.
Back/Neck School
“My experience is that strong exknow that in my life and in the lives of
Osteoporosis Program
many people I admire, a faith rooted amples often lead to inspiration.”
Wellness/Weight Loss Program
Greitens currently teaches graduin the love of God and the knowledge
Balance Rehabilitation
of God’s love makes people resilient ate courses in public policy at the
in the face of hardship,” he said in University of Missouri, Columbia.
The Medical Park at Stone Oak
Resilience, where he also links prayer He was recently named one of the
19260 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste 107
to gratitude: “When we express our 100 most influential people by Time
(210) 545-9355
thanks to someone – we are remind- magazine and as one of the 50 greatMedical
Center Location
ed that we are not alone.”
est leaders in the world by Fortune.
5282
Medical
Drive, Suite 550
A statement in Resilience exposes For information, visit www.ericgreit(210) 593-0774
another great flaw of modern life: ens.com.
“Don’t say things. What you are….
“In our security and comfort, we slip
www.myPRI.net
quietly into the false expectation that thunders so that I cannot hear what
PRI
PRI
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EDITORIAL
MAY 2 0 1 5
M E D I A
T HE B EAC ON 7
S O P H I S T I C A T E
2016 Campaign Season Begins with Purposeful Words
BY PAM LUTRELL,
BEACON STAFF
Nathaniel Hawthorne, American author from the 1800s wrote,
“Words are innocent and powerless
when they are standing in a dic-
tionary. But, how potent for good
and evil they become in the hands
of one who knows how to combine
them.”
And so it begins…political season. Presidential candidates are announcing one by one for 2016 and
have begun their treks through the
Is Your Marriage
Drowning?
Does talking about it just make things worse?
Do you feel lost, alone, or bored in your marriage?
state of Iowa. However, more than
ever before the American voter is
required to be savvy about political language and media reporting.
As Hawthorne stated, words are
powerful weapons in the hands of
people who know how to combine
them. Political pundits are hired
and paid well if they have this
knowledge.
Already we must discern the difference between
A listening tour and a campaign stop
A lie or a genuine misspoken moment
A defender of the middle class or one
who desires to raise taxes
A champion of women’s rights or
a supporter of Planned Parenthood’s budget
Has infidelity or addiction made your
marriage an emotional wasteland?
Are you frustrated, hurt,
or angry with your spouse?
Before you go under…
Reach for a Lifeline!
The next course
in San Antonio begins on June 19th, 2015.
For more information, or to register, go to:
http://www.retrouvaille.org.
For questions about the specifics of the program here in
San Antonio, call (210) 848-3278
Retrouvaille (pronounced Re-tru-vi, with a long i) is a French word that means “Rediscovery,” and that’s what it does;
helps husbands and wives rediscover each other and why they fell in love. The program offers the tools needed to recover
a loving marriage relationship. Since 1977, thousands of couples in hopelessly cold, unloving relationships or on the verge
of divorce have successfully overcome their marital problems by attending the program.
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Then there are the hidden propaganda tools…ones not said, but
unspoken. Will these candidates
address the power of ISIS? Will they
address the beheadings of Christians or the murders of those in the
Kenya school? Will ugly events be
the ones ignored in order to place
a more positive spin on the campaign and attract younger voters?
Will anyone offer real solutions to
economic problems or job opportunities? Are we safe on our borders?
Social media now demands we,
as Christians, practice discernment
with each click and tweet. Political
messaging arrives through every
possible communication means
and becomes ingrained in our
thought process. Because of the
power of words.
I encourage everyone to pray
over each candidate and to pray
for discernment when listening to
words. I doubt many of us would
have voted for Matthew or Paul
based on their pasts. However, Jesus selected them as leaders. Sometimes the least likely can be God’s
candidate. Please take each election seriously and listen to the true
intentions of every word as if you
were conducting a listening tour.
Pam Lutrell began writing almost 40 years ago as a fifth
grader, and graduated in 1975 with a journalism degree
from The University of Texas in Austin. She was the founder
of a journalism department at San Antonio Christian High
School in 2000; and, fifteen years later, holds several state
and national awards. Pam began writing for the Beacon in
2008 and writes for other onlinepublications. In addition
to this, she is also a professional blogger at http://www.
over50feeling40.com.
8
TH E B EAC ON M AY 2015
Visit us o n the Web @ www.saBeaco n.co m
MAY 2 0 1 5
MINISTRY
T HE B EAC ON 9
GriefShare Offers a Journey from Mourning to Joy
BY PATTI RICHTER,
BEACON STAFF
When Peggy Caravantes lost
her husband, she found a couple
of different grief-support groups
in San Antonio, but she didn’t find
comfort. She later heard about
GriefShare, a non-denominational
seminar and video-based support
program.
GriefShare offers a biblical perspective for grief recovery through
the local church. The program was
developed in 1998 by Church Initiative, also known for DivorceCare.
Both programs were designed to
serve the needs of churches by creating Christ-centered resources to
help hurting people.
Nearly 12,000 churches worldwide host GriefShare seminars for
members and non-members in the
community. The 13-week program
is specifically for those grieving the
death of a family member or friend.
It’s designed to teach people how
to go through a healthy season of
grieving as they transition back to
wholeness, referred to as “your journey from mourning to joy.”
Several years ago, Caravantes
started a GriefShare group at her
church, Coker United Methodist, in
San Antonio. “I was past the stage
Local Ministry Expands East-Side Community Center
Setting the Table with Love and
Liberty event nets six figures to
refurbish east-side community
center
Daily Bread Ministries (DBM)
hosted its 7th annual fundraising event April 11, entertaining
350 guests at the new location on
Rittiman Road and raising more
than $130,000. Attendees mingled
through the warehouse, enjoying
hors d’oeuvres from some of San Antonio’s top chefs and a silent auction,
after which they were treated to a
private concert by nine-time Dove
Award winning vocalist, Nichole
Nordeman. Event emcee was KJ 97
radio host Randy Carroll.
For 19 years, Daily Bread Ministries has provided free food and
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
of needing help,” she says, “but it’s a
comfort for me. And it reminds me
of things I wish I’d known early on.”
Churches have reported to
GriefShare that a large percentage of attendees are not from their
church and that many of them do
not have an active spiritual life. So
this seminar also serves as outreach
to the un-churched and to those
without Christ.
GriefShare is offered at different
times of the year and on different
days of the week, depending on the
host church. It’s easy to find a group
at GriefShare.org, which currently
lists five churches in San Antonio
and several more in the wider metro area. The only cost is the seminar
workbook: $20. (Some churches,
like Coker, offer need-based scholarships to cover that fee).
Coker UMC hosted its third
seminar recently—completed in
April. Of the eight group members:
“One man lost his spouse; a woman
lost her spouse; several lost parents;
and one couple had multiple losses—family and friends,” Caravantes
said.
One participant, Marilyn, says,
“The power of sharing is a very
helpful healing tool.”
GriefShare groups are led by
volunteers who understand grief
and desire to encourage others.
Each meeting opens with prayer,
followed by a 45-minute video that
features real-life stories of individuals who experienced loss, along
with interviews with counselors
and others with expertise in grief
recovery. “These are excellent,” Caravantes says.
Each video has a particular focus, for example: “Guilt and Anger”
and “Stuck.” The self-contained sessions allow people to join a group
at any point, and finish at the next
available seminar.
After the video, members divide
into small groups for discussion.
Another Coker group member, Ginger, says, “We are social by nature,
and this is why GriefShare works.
One tends to feel alone and isolated
in grief, but by sharing with others
we feel the burden lessen.”
To find or start a group in your
area, visit www.GriefShare.org,
which also offers daily emails and
other support and resources. Also,
connect with them at www.facebook.com/griefshare. Contact them
at info@griefshare.org or by calling
800-395-5755.
Patti Richter is a freelance Christian journalist; she writes and
edits regularly for several publications. Her work includes mission and ministry articles, news and feature stories, and faith
essays. She and her husband, Jim, live near Dallas, Texas.
Courtesy of GriefShare.org
Visit us o n the Web @ www.saBeaco n.co m
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CHURCH GUIDE
T H E B EAC ON 281
M AY 2015
2696
10
18
16
LUTHERAN
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church
14700 San Pedro Ave, SAT 78232...............(210) 494-8884
East Central Assembly of God
1518 Steves Ave. SAT 78210......................(210) 532-1111
First Assembly Of God Church
13435 West Ave., SAT 78216......................(210) 496-9977
Fortress Church
7760 W. Prue Road, SAT 78249...................(210) 523-8111
Northwest Assembly Of God
2714 Hunters Green St., SAT 78231................... (210) 492-5531
CATHOLIC
Holy Spirit Church
8134 Blanco Rd., SAT 78216................... (210) 341-1395
Christ the King Catholic
2619 Perez St. SAT 78207..........................(210) 433-6301
CHRISTIAN & MISSIONARY ALLIANCE
Alliance Bible Church
2211 Danbury Street, SAT 78217.............. (210) 824-5151
CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
Alamo Heights Christian Church
6435 N. New Braunfels Ave. SAT 78209;
210-828-5728. Worship 10:50 am
CHURCH OF CHRIST
Northside Church of Christ
19818 US Highway 281 N, SAT 78258...... (210) 494-1907
Sendero Assembly of God
5408 Daughtry @ Evers.
Sun: 8:30 (Span), 11:00am (Eng), 5pm (Span),
6:00pm (Eng); Wed: 7pm. (210) 680-0111
Randolph Church of Christ
1032 Pat Booker, Universal City 78148.........(210) 659-1373
CHURCH OF GOD
Ingram Hills Church of God
4402 Spear Head Dr, SAT 78238.............. (210) 431-8809
Temple Assembly of God
8311 Zarzamora St, SAT 78244...................(210) 657-3578
MacArthur Park Church of God
2938 Nacogdoches, SAT 78217...................(210) 824-7301
Victory Assembly
413 Kitty Hawk, Universal City 78148.................. (210) 659-3251
Shepherd of the Hills Church of God
6703 Fairdale, SAT 78218 .........................(210) 590-7777
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST
Dominion Church of God in Christ
3023 Martin Luther King, SAT 78220............(210) 226-2932
6
Westover Hills Assembly of God
9 Westover Hills Blvd, SAT 78251.................(210) 523-1505
BAPTIST
Baptist Temple
901 E. Drexel, SAT 78210....................... (210) 533-7114
Bellaire Baptist
116 Clovis, SAT..........................................(210) 923-1613
Castle Hills Baptist Church,
2220 Northwest Military Hwy, SAT................(210) 377-3030 www.chfbc.org Worship Service: Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Eisenhauer Road Baptist Church
3950 Eisenhauer Rd, SAT 78218..................(210) 655-4643
First Providence Baptist Church
1014 Clark Avenue, SAT 78210....................(210) 534-5069
First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church
818 N Gevers, SAT 78202...........................(210) 834-9967
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
935 Iowa, SAT 78203................................(210) 533-5261
Korean Baptist Church
2930 E Bitters, SAT 78217..........................(210) 824-6070
Mayfield Park Baptist Church
700 W. Hutchins, SAT 78221.......................(210) 923-2241
Oak Ridge Baptist Church
10915 Vance Jackson, SAT 78230................... (210) 696-5475
Thousand Oaks Baptist Church
15801 Jones Maltsberger, SAT 78247.................. (210) 494-4664
Resurrection Baptist Church
1002 Live Oak Rd., Schertz..........................(210) 658-0459
Sun: 8, 10:45am, Wed: 7pm. Nursery/Youth Church.
www.myrbconline.org
9
Shearer Hills Baptist Church
12615 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, 78216
(210) 545-2300
Sunday Worship: 8:30 am Contemporary Service
& 11:00 am Traditional Service; 9:45 am Bible Study for all ages
www.shearerhills.org
EPISCOPAL
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
1416 N SR-1604 Loop E, SAT 78232......... (210) 494-3507
EVANGELICAL FREE
2 Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
6011 Grissom Road (.4 miles off Bandera Rd. outside Loop
410) (210) 681-4750 We invite you to discover a small worshiping community of classic Christianity. Adult & children Sunday
Schools: 9:30am Worship at 11:00am; Youth programs
www.lutheran-church-san-antonio.org
Shepherd King Lutheran Church (ELCA)
303 West Ramsey, SAT 78232.....................(210) 344-5881
St. Andrew Lutheran Church
16320 Huebner Rd, SAT 78248...................(210) 493-9832
METHODIST
Alamo UMC
4071 N. Foster Rd., SAT 78244................ (210) 826.3215
4
Community Bible Church
2477 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio. (210) 496-5096
Sat: 5:00 pm, Sun: 9:00, 11:00 am.
www.communitybible.com
12 Trinity Church
5415 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio.
(210) 653-0003
Sunday Worship: 10:30am, Coffee Fellowship 10:00am,
Servicios En Espanol: 10:30am and Korean 1:30pm
www.trinitychurch.com
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471
19
410
16
20
16
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6
3487
281
35
368
421
410
151 Stotze
rF
35
37
151
11
16
26
13
10
90
Rigsby Ave
10
13
371
35
1604
353
410
do
are
Hw
y
281
37
13
122
422
L
410
14
Stinson
Municipal
Airport
Kingdom Life Fellowship
17120 Classen Rd, SAT 78265.....................(210) 490-2175
CrossBridge Community Church
25700 Overlook
Pkwy, SAT 78260.................. (210) 496-0158
35
The Loft
4400 US Hwy 281N, Spring Branch, 78070
16
The Living Word of God Christian Church
608 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154......(210) 468-3609
81
Bethany UMC
4102 Eisenhauer Road, SAT 78218.................. (210) 655-5473
Destiny Church
86352790
Callaghan Rd., SAT 78230..................(210) 349-2295
Maranatha Church
7855
N Loop 1604 E, Converse 78109.........(210) 821-5683
1604
Bulverde Oak Meadow UMC
2740 Hunters Green, SAT 78231..................(210) 492-3902
Ekklesia
6718 San Pedro Ave, SAT 78216..................(210)
400-7871
BEX
My Father’s House Church
Pastor Marc Longoria | Lady Bird Johnson Park Community Ctr 37
Sundays 10am
281
www.MyFathersHouseChurch.net...................(210)
626-8993
Best Western Plus Area Hotel & Suites
SW Loop 410 @ 476
Hwy 90 W
www.ECCSATX.org —3635 Crooked Trail, SAT 78227
New Life Christian Center
6622 Hwy 90 West, SAT 78227...................(210) 679-6050
35
Bulverde UMC
28300 Hwy. 281 N., SAT 78260................... 830.980-7745
Coker UMC
231 E. N. Loop Rd., SAT 78216....................(210) 494-4481
Colonial Hills UMC
5247 Vance Jackson Rd., SAT 78230.............. (210) 349-2401
Northern Hills UMC
3703 N SR-1604 Loop E, SAT 78247............... (210) 654-8406
Saint Mark’s UMC
1902 Vance Jackson, SAT 78213..................(210) 344-8393
University UMC
5084 De Zavala Rd., SAT 78249..................(210) 696-1033
Alamo City Christian Fellowship Church
6500 IH 35 North, SAT 78218.....................(210) 654-7880
Bandera Road Community Church
9355 Bandera Rd. Ste. 124, SAT 78250.......(210) 523-9085
Blossom Christian Fellowship
12000 Starcrest Drive #111, SAT 78247.......(210) 497-0026
Calvary Chapel North San Antonio
5246 Blanco Road, SAT 78216....................(210) 530-9673
Castle Hills Christian Church
6209 West Ave, SAT 78213.........................(210) 344-7188
Central Christian Church
1300 Evans Rd., SAT 78258........................(210) 227-5273
Christ Fellowship Church
5440 Vance Jackson, SAT 78230..................(210) 341-6444
Church Alive
18850 Redland Rd, SAT 78259....................(210) 490-1770
Church at Vineyard Hills
19202 Redland Road SAT 78232..................(210) 473-8686
Cornerstone Church
18755 Stone Oak Parkway, SAT...................(210) 490-1600
Visit us o n the Web @ www.saBeaco n.co m
117
2536
410
Don’t see your church
listed? Give us a call @ (210) 614-8884.
Listings are as low as281$15 for up to 20 wo
1937
Love Gospel Church
2537
8102 Crosscreek, SAT 78218.......................(210) 650-3400
Windcrest UMC
8101 Midcrown Drive, SAT 78239................... (210) 654-0404
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Abundant Life
5626 Randolph Blvd, SAT 78233............... (210) 650-4816
20825 Wilderness Oak, SA 78258 (210) 499-5775
Service Times: Sunday @ 10:00am
www.lifehouseSA.com
INTER-DENOMINATIONAL
The Restoration Centre
6401 Bandera Road, SAT 78238............... (210) 522-1463
8
471
Cross Point Community Church
2600 Roy Richard Dr., Schertz 78154.................. (210) 658-6240
FOURSQUARE
10 Lifehouse Church
410
1
Asbury UMC
4601 San Pedro Ave, SAT........................... (210) 725.8115
Trinity United Methodist Church
6800 Wurzbach Rd SAT 78240....................(210) 684-0261
Faith You Can See!
7801 Marbach(next to Jay HS) SA, TX 78227
(210) 256.7711 www.livingfaithsa.org
Pastors Mario & Irma Nava
Sundays 9am or 10:30am, Wednesdays 7pm
San Antonio
Int'l Airport
537
87
7
1604
1957
Wayside Chapel
1705 NW Loop 410, SAT......................... (210) 344-1203
Blended/Traditional Worship: Sun: 9:15am;
Contemporary Sun: 11am. www.waysidechapel.org
11 Living Faith Church
345
MacArthur Park Lutheran Church
2903 Nacogdoches, SAT 78217...................(210) 824-7135
20 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church LCMS
308 Mt. Calvary Drive (behind Target off Austin Highway)
90
(210) 824-8748 Pastor K.T. Devries, Traditional Sun. Service
8:30am, 11am & 6:30pm (1st and 3rd only)
Bible and Sunday School, 9:45am Nursery available,
live web services on www.mtcsa.org
9
10
s
Woodland Baptist Church
15315 Huebner, SAT 78248........................(210) 493-4501
BIBLE CHURCH
Believers Fellowship
13714 Lookout Road, SAT 78233............. (210) 656.2000
1535
lito
Calvary Temple Assembly of God
14335 O’Conner Rd. (210) 657-3578
Sun: 10:30am; Wed: 7:00 pm
Fusion Small Groups for Adults, Kid’s Church,
& SHIFT Student Ministries www.ctagsa.com
3
West Campus Baptist Church
5203 Old Pearsall Rd, SAT 78242.................. (210) 277-7799
3
15
17
1560
Highland Park Lutheran Church
471
705 Hammond Ave, SAT 78210...................(210)
533-9484
Holy Cross Lutheran
3118 S. New Braunfels, SAT 78210.................. (210) 532-1300
1560
ga
AMI Training Center
4218 Thousand Oaks, SAT 78217.................(512) 451-8260
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
First Baptist Church Universal City
1401 Pat Booker Rd, Universal City 78148
...............................................................(210) 658-6394
12
wy
All Saints Anglican Church
11122 Link Drive. SAT 78213 (210) 344-1920
9:00am and 11:15am. www.allsaintanglican.net
APOSTOLIC/PROPHETIC
Arise Family Church
4218 Thousand Oaks, SAT 78217
office.................................................... (512) 451-8260
Sundays 2:30 pm, 1st & 3rd Wed Prayer 7:00pm
Prophetic Services 2nd & 4th Fridays 7:30pm
www.arisefamilychurch.com
16
No
1
Mt. Ararat Baptist Church
700 W. Hutchins, SAT 78221.......................(210) 434-9795
211
Concordia Lutheran Church
16801 Huebner Road, SAT 78258 (210) 479-1477
Worship Opportunities: Sat. 6pm, Sun. 8, 9:30, 11am, Vespers: 5pm. Children and Youth Programs www.Concordia.cc
MEDINA COUNTY
BEXAR COUNTY
ANGLICAN
5
4
1604
CW
Church & School Guide
5
1535
ATA AR CO
S
26 Evangel Christian CenterCOSA UNTY
COU
NT213-1677
Sunday Service 10 am................................(210)
Y
Everyday Christian Fellowship
16
824 Main St, Schertz 78154.......................(210) 659-6300
17 Faithwalk Fellowship
Sunday Service 11am, LaQuinta Inn Conference Room
11155 West Loop 1604 North SAT 78254
(210) 404-4004
New Wine Family Christian Center
306 Clovis, SAT 78221
North Central
814 Arion Parkway, Suite 410, SAT, 78216
www.oakhillschurch.com .............................(210)
698-4674
536
Northwest Community Church
8900 Guilbeau Road, SAT 78250..................(210) 680-3041
Westside Fellowship
321 General McMullen Drive SAT, 78237
www.oakhillschurch.com........................... (210) 432-0404
Sunday Worship 9 am, 11am
Oak Hills Church
19595 IH 10 W, SAT, 78257.......................(210) 698-6868
Sat. Worship: 5pm & Sun: 8:15am,
9:45am & 11:30am www.oakhillschurch.com
Grace Cathedral Christian Church
1001 W. Huisache, SAT 78201.....................(210) 734-3990
Offering of Peace Church
11502 Big Mesa, SAT 78245
13 Grace Community Church
701 Kitty Hawk Rd, Universal City 78148
(210) 659-8200
Sunday 9:30am and 11:15am
www.Grace-SA.org
Harvest Fellowship Community Church
16111 San Pedro Ste. 109 SAT 78232 | 490-2827 Service: Sun.
Worship 10:30am | Darrell Lindsey, Pastor Contact: Rob Hicks
robh@harvestfellowship.org
House of Living Bread
18940 Redland Rd., SAT 78259...................(210) 402-6500
Journey Fellowship
16847 I.H. 35 N, Selma 78154...................(210) 651-1463
Sun. Worship Gatherings 9am & 11am www.oakhillschurch.com
Open Door Ministries International Outreach to
the Nations
Temporarily meeting at Walker Ranch Park
11610 Persuasion, SAT 78216.................... (210) 308.9573
14 Point of Grace Church
217 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio, TX
Prince of Peace Community Church
8310 Pat Booker Rd. Live Oak, TX 78233
...............................................................(210) 473-9743
River Oaks Church
10294 FM 539, P.O. Box 181
Sutherland Springs, TX 78161.............. 830-928-ROBC(7622)
Scripture Fellowship
Services: 9:45am and 3:30pm on Sundays at Holiday Inn on
I-35 across from Splashtown............................ (210) 646-6759
La Iglesia Del Senor
3502 West Avenue, SAT 78213....................(210) 341-3284
St. Paul Evangelical Church
108 S Main St, Cibolo 78108......................(210) 658-5874 Life Center Christian Fellowship
12140 US Hwy 90 W..................................(210) 677-8181
Summit Christian Center
2575 Marshall Road, SAT 78259..................(210) 402-0565
Lighthouse Christian Temple
8201 Old Pearsall Rd, SAT 78252.................(210) 623-4000
81
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CHURCH GUIDE
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T HE B EAC ON 11
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1604
1518
3009
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1465
218
13
SCHOOLS
78
1516
Achievers Center For Education
Special Needs School 5th-12th
5084 DeZavala Road, San Antonio, Texas 78249
210-690-7359 www.aceschool.org
10
90
1604
CW
d
An
Academy @ Trinity Church
5401 N. Loop, SAT 78247
(210) 653-2800
n
so
er
1516
Lp
1346
1518
Bracken Christian School
670 Old Boerne Road, Bulverde 78163
(830) 980-3267
87
Buckner
Fanning Christian School
87
975 Mission Springs, SAT 78258
(210) 402-6905
1628
3432
775
Castle Hills First Baptist School
2220 NW Military Hwy, SAT 78213
(210) 377-8485
ords. Don’t forget we’re online too @ www.saBeacon.com
181
327
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UN Y
TY
3432
319
Christian
Academy of San Antonio (CASA)
325 Castroville Rd, SAT 78207
(210) 436-2277
15 Thousand
1604
Oaks Christian Church
Sunday School: 9:45am; Sunday Services: 11:00am;
Wed Bible Study: 7:30pm
13007 Jones Maltsberger Rd., SAT 78247
For more info call or visit theoakschurch@hotmail.com
(210) 490-PRAY (7729)
Concordia Lutheran School
16801 Huebner Rd, SAT 78258
(210) 479-1477
Cornerstone Christian School
48022 Vance Jackson, SA 78230
(210) 979-9203
Victory Life
5251 Old Pearsall Rd., SAT 78231................... (210) 337-1562
1303
536
Victory Outreach Church of San Antonio
851 Hammond, SAT 78210................. Church (210) 533-7060
........................................Recovery Center (210) 531-0090
1303
www.victoryoutreach-sa.com email: vocsanantonio7@aol.com
Pastors Luis and Debbie Molina Wed. Home Life Groups, Youth,
& Celebrate Recovery 7:00pm; Friday Celebration Service
7:00pm; Sunday
Celebration Service 10:00am
2579
Primrose School at Cibolo Canyons
3330 TPC Parkway, SAT 78261
(210) 479-7099
New Braunfels Christian Academy
(elementary)
995 Mission Hills, New Braunfels, TX 78130
(secondary)
220 FM 1863, New Braunfels, TX 78130
(elementary) (830) 629-6222
(secondary) (830) 629-1821
River City Christian School
5810 Blanco Road, SAT 78216
(210) 384-0297
San Antonio Christian Schools
19202 Redland Road, SAT 78259
(210) 340-1864
Grace Christian School
7760 W. Prue Road, SAT 78249
(210) 265.8166
HOMESCHOOL CO-OPS
World Center Church
8323 Culebra Rd. #102, SAT 78251
Kidz World and KDO Learning Center
1270 N. Loop 1604 East, SAT 78232
(210) 496-2277
PENTECOSTAL
Lively Stone International Christian Church
210 S. Grimes St. Ste 103, 78203................(210) 226-1234
Harvest Time Fellowship Ministries
1815 S. WW White Rd, SAT 78222.................. (210) 304-6000
www.htfm.org
PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD
Faith Presbyterian Church
3950 Eisenhauer Rd, SAT 78218..................(210) 492-8038
Holy Trinity Presbyterian
16245 Nacogdoches, SAT 78247.................(210) 654-3411
16 San Pedro Presbyterian Church
14900 San Pedro, San Antonio
(210) 494-6560
Sun. 8:30 & 11am.
www.sppcsa.com
Point of Grace Church
217 Pleasanton Rd., SAT
For More Info: Pastor Roy Reyes
210-833-5985
www.homeschoolfeast.com
R A D I O S TAT I O N S
KBNU 93.9 FM Gospel Music
........................................................... (830) 278-3693
KCHL 1480 AM Gospel Music
...............................................................(210) 333-0050
KDRY 1100 AM All Christian Teaching
........................................................... (210) 545-1100
KKER 88.7 FM Christian Radio
............................................................... (888) 777-KHCB
Sigma Rd
PRESBYTERIAN
Crestholme Presbyterian Church
1602 Goliad Road, SAT 78223.................. (210) 333-1301
FEAST
25 Burwood Lane. San Antonio, TX 78216
We provide the
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kids can try out some of our favorite toys. CAUTION: Once you enter,
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1604
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Stone Oak
Open Door Pentecostal Church of God
151 Lanark Drive, SAT 78218......................(210) 223-7537
Senior Pastor Hopkins, (210) 317-8956
Sunday School 9:30am, Morning Worship 10:45am, Sunday
Evening 6:30pm. Tues. Bible Study 7:00pm,
www.opendoorpcg.com
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Don’t See Your School Listing?
Western Hills Christian Church
8535 Huebner, SAT 78240..........................(210)
690-9327
536
Women’s Neighborhood Prayer Int’l
104 Ivywood Circle, SAT 78213....................(210) 349-7729
Come & Experience A
St. Thomas Episcopal School
1416 N. Loop 1604 E, SA 78232
(210) 494-3509
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listed. Call Us Today!
181
and commitment to social involvement.
St. George Episcopal School
6900 West Ave, San Antonio, TX
(210) 342-4263
Dominion’s Horizon
Higher Learning Program (for students ages 16-25 who do
not have their High School Diploma)
3023 Martin97Luther King Drive SA 78220
(210) 338-2227 (open from 9am-2pm)
BUS
181
Are you thinking of selling or trading in that old car, truck, van, RV, or boat?
Do you have some other property such as an airplane, real estate, construction
equipment, or stocks and bonds that you really can do without? Would you like to
help middle school and high school kids find Jesus Christ? Then why not donate
that property instead?
Your car donation is fully tax deductible and will help the local Youth For
Christ branch fulfill it’s mission:
Youth For Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with
the local church and other like-minded partners to
raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their
godliness in lifestyle, devotion to prayer and the
Word of God, passion fro sharing the love of Christ
281
1976
10
90
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Hardy Oak Blvd
78
KSLR 630 AM Christian Teaching-Talk
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BUSINESS SERVICES
Bruce Cotter, CLU, ChFC
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Guiding Individuals and
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The McGehee Family Toy Store
923 N. Loop 1604 E. #106 | Waterford at Stone Oak Center
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12
T H E B EAC ON EDUCATION
M AY 2015
25th Annual FEAST Home School Convention
Education Convention to be held early June
For 25 years Family Educators
Alliance of South Texas (FEAST) has
brought the best in educational materials and support to San Antonio
through their annual educational
convention. Originally organized
to meet the needs of the homeschooling community, FEAST now
invites any school, teacher, parent
or individual interested in educating
children to join them at the Home
School Convention June 4-6, held at
Christian Academy of San Antonio
(CASA), 325 Castroville Road, 78207.
Hundreds of booths will feature
educational curriculum, books,
games and music. Families with
cottage industries will offer their
handiwork, and local non-profit organizations will connect families
with opportunities to serve in the
community
Speakers will present more than
60 workshops on child training; children’s education; family discipleship;
core competencies in science, math,
English, writing, history, the arts, foreign languages; as well as advanced
academics; and special needs strategies. Helps offered include organization, economics, budgets, time management and college planning.
If it has to do with educating a
child, it will be covered by one of the
speakers or booth representatives,
according to FEAST Executive Director Linda Whiten. Admission is
$25; register or find more information at www.homeschoolfeast.com.
Schedule and special programs as
follows:
Sneak Preview Thursday, 6-9 p.m.
Admission is free and open to the
public. Participants can visit vendor
booths or listen to Thursday-only
workshops
•Discipleship in the Family Starts
with Dad (men only) by Jobe
Martin
•Marriage Matters (women only)
by Dara Halydier
•5 Questions to Ask When your
Children Simply Won’t Listen by
Susan Seay
•The Uncommon Treatment by
Mark Hamby
•Ready, Set, Now What Do I Do?
(With Questions and Answers)
by Tim and Lyndsay Lambert
Visit us o n the Web @ www.saBeaco n.co m
Special programs for children and
teens Friday and Saturday:
The FEAST Safari Children’s
Fair will be an exciting journey of
learning and exploration for children 6-12. Hunt for hints of God’s
wonderful design in His creation
of earth’s animal kingdom starting
from the smallest insect to the largest dinosaur. Explore God’s word
through interactive lessons, games,
stories and crafts, finding clues to
learn about God through His amazing animals. Encounter live animals
on the two-day SAFARI expedition.
Pre-registered children will receive a
safari hat; space is limited.
The Home Cooked Fun Program
allows girls 10-12 to practice the art
of hospitality. Experience two full
days of songs, stories, crafts and
games encouraging daughters to
joyfully serve in the home. Practice
cooking, simple etiquette and tablesetting basics during a delightful afternoon tea. Share what God’s word
has to say about serving others.
Speak Truth and Seek Justice will
train and equip those 13-24 to stand
for right in an ever-changing world.
Students will be trained to discuss
the most challenging issues of the
day: who is good; what is right; how
do we defend our faith; and how do
we defend those who cannot defend
themselves within the 2015 Leadership Training framework. Students
must choose either the Speak Truth
or Seek Justice sessions.
Speak Truth will focus on outreach to a confused world where
many do not know the truth. Students will learn words and strategies
to present the gospel, while developing a strong foundation of Christian
apologetics.
Seek Justice outreach training
lovingly exposes the injustice of
abortion. Students will learn how
to enter conversations to encourage
justice for the unborn and will be
fortified with the latest facts. Please
refer to the website for more information if considering this option.
FAITH
MAY 2 0 1 5
T HE B EAC ON Kelly Blue Book’s KBB.com named Subaru the
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In fact, Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for the last five years (2010-2014).
Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles
(whichever comes first.)See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals,
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13
Daily Bread
transforms the
lives of people.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
goods to charitable and compassion
organizations that not only feed the
needy and marginalized, but assist
transitioning them from poverty
to productivity. In 2012 DBM purchased a 163,000 square foot facility, allowing the ministry to use the
food collected and distributed to
expand their reach. DBM’s vision is
to provide a safe place for children
and youth to play, learn, and grow,
as well as receive a hot, nutritious
meal. Space is also available for senior citizens to exercise, experience
community, and share meals. This facility, the Liberty Center, will provide
wrap-around services and education
to break the cycle of poverty that has
contributed to food insecurity and
other challenging social issues. Plans
for it will include a large commercial
kitchen and cafe, basketball courts,
volleyball courts and meeting rooms.
DBM Founder and President Seth
Kuehn stated, “The vision is big, but
our God is bigger, and we just continue to trust in Him to meet all the
needs.”
The mission expansion brings
together a conglomeration of faithbased nonprofit organizations to
provide a one-stop social service
center. Families will acquire tools
and training to lead to self-sufficiency. The ultimate goal of DBM is to
provide resources and relationships
from an array of faith-based social
service agencies to transform the
lives of people living in poverty.
To help DBM connect resources
to needs, call 210-223-4707, or visit
www.dailybreadministries.org.
14
T H E B EAC ON FAITH
M AY 2015
Blessed Are the Kind: Sharing the Gift of God’s Mercy
Webster’s Dictionary defines
mercy as “kindness in excess of what
might be expected or demanded of
fairness.”
Mercy is not fair, but it’s godly.
Not fair, but powerful. Not fair, but
Christlike. And when we do what
God leads us to do, He always brings
justice into our life. To honor God in
this area, we need to learn to trust
Him more fully. Every single one
of us has opportunities to do that
each day…with friends and family,
coworkers and even the clerk at the
grocery store.
Whenever people hurt or disappoint us, our human nature leads
us to dislike them because of their
shortcomings. But God’s desire for
us is to love all people, including our
enemies (see Matthew 5:43-48).
If they can see love in your
heart…instead of anger and judgment…that shows them “kindness
in excess of what might be expected.” More importantly, it gives them
hard evidence that Christ is working
in you! I believe one of the greatest
privileges we have in life is to follow
His example, and we can do that by
being generous in spirit, giving mercy to others, as they need it.
The wisdom of losing count
When someone hurts or offends
us, it’s easy to make a list and keep
count of everything they’ve ever
done wrong. But God is asking us to
be like Him.
Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us
that God’s mercies are new every
morning. In Isaiah 43:25 He says, “I
am he who blots out your transgressions…and remembers your sins no
more” (NIV).
When my husband, Dave, and
I were newly married, I was pretty
good at keeping score. Every time we
had an argument, I would bring up
every single thing he ever did to me
since the day I met him.
I’ll never forget one day, after I
recited my list, when Dave looked at
me and said, “Where in the world do
you keep all that stuff?”
I’ve learned the best thing we
can do for ourselves is to let go of the
hurt…to lose count of how others
have wronged us…and leave the past
in the past.
There’s a why behind the what
I always say that mercy understands the “why” behind the “what.”
It cares about the person, not just
what they’ve done to us.
What if you walk into a grocery store and the checkout clerk
is grouchy with you and has a sour
look? You have a choice…
You can say, “I don’t appreciate
your attitude. I am a customer here
and I don’t like the way you’re acting.
I’m going to tell your manager.”
Or you can be merciful and say,
“You look like you’re having a hard
day. I just want to say that God loves
you and really cares about you.” You
can believe the best about that person and realize they are upset for a
reason.
When someone hurts us, our
first inclination is to think, “You’re
not going to treat me that way. And if
you think you’re going to get by with
it, you have another thing coming!”
However, it helps to remember
that everyone who acts badly is
hurting in some way.
When I first met Dave, I had a
lot of problems from the sexual and
emotional abuse I endured growing up. I was wounded and hurting,
and it seemed like every other day I
was starting an argument or saying
something I regretted.
Because Dave already had a
strong relationship with the Lord,
he continuously showed me mercy
and loved me in spite of my behavior. No matter how badly I acted the
night before, he wasn’t mad the next
morning. He didn’t let my behavior
change his character.
I look back at the extremely critical
and judgmental person I used to be.
In fact, before I was a serious Christian, judging others was one of my
favorite things to do.
I would sit at the mall and watch
people walk by, sizing them up and
thinking negative things about their
clothes, hair, or the people around
them.
But the Bible says, “Judge not”
(Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37 NKJV). I
wasn’t only sowing bad seed; I was
making myself miserable by not
walking in love and believing the
best of others.
The truth is, when we sow mercy,
we reap a harvest of peace, joy and
healthy relationships. We also take
a giant step forward spiritually.
Choosing to do what’s right—even
when it hurts—causes us to grow
and mature in an amazing way.
So, is there anyone you can extend new mercies to today?
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series Nine
Attitudes That Keep You Happy. You can also contact us
to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by
calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org.
Ladies, join Joyce for the Love Life Women’s Conference, September 25-27, in St. Louis, Missouri. For
more information, go to www.joycemeyer.org/lovelife.
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and
founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored
100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and God Is Not
Mad at You (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday
Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations
worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout
this publication and/or website are those of the respective
authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer
Ministries.
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You Reap What You Sow
Luke 6:36-37 says, “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.
Do not judge, and you will not be
judged…Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (NIV).
We reap what we sow, and whatever we give away to others is what
we’ll receive in return. If you want
mercy, then sow mercy. If you need
a friend, then sow friendliness. If you
have financial needs, then look for
ways to meet somez one else’s needs.
It’s easy to judge. I cringe when
Visit us o n the Web @ www.saBeaco n.co m
MAY 2 0 1 5
MINISTRY / FAITH
T HE B EAC ON 15
A Mother’s Day Tribute
BY JOAN COURTNEY
SPECIAL TO THE BEACON
As this Mother’s Day nears, I
have thought of my mother more
frequently. Lucille Ione Smith Daniel
was born April 20, 1906, and passed
on to her heavenly home at the age
of 89 on April 27, 1995.
The tribute’s purpose is threefold.
First, though I feel I fall short of
the godly woman I desire to be, I am
who I am in the Lord today due to my
mother’s rearing and prayers for me.
Secondly, I want to give others hope
to continue to pray for their children. Lastly, I want to encourage all
to be intentional about creating a
loving connection with their mother,
whether living or passed.
I praise God my mother and father loved the Lord and took me to
church from infancy. My conception
was a surprise to my 37-year-old
mother, who already had a son in the
Marines, a son in middle school, and
an 18-month-old baby daughter.
My mother was not perfect - but
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is any one of us? The most precious
thing I remember about her is I knew
she loved me, even though I was a
rascal. She made me believe I was
special in her and God’s eyes. I am
thankful she disciplined me, even
though I didn’t like it at the time. I
am grateful she instilled in me the
concept of right and wrong.
I credit her example of perseverance in prayer for the child who
is not living a godly lifestyle or who
is not walking intimately with the
Lord. Although I was baptized as
a teenager, I drifted away from the
concepts of morality and biblical
principles in early adulthood. I found
myself doubting Jesus was the Son
of God. But my mother kept praying, and the hounds of heaven continued to pursue me. In 1976 at the
age of 34, I prayed the sinner’s prayer,
something I had heard all my life but
that resonated for the first time. I
realized I needed a savior, and God
had captured my heart. I still say
after 38 years, “Yes, Jesus is the Son
of God, the only way to heaven.” —
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through
Me.” Believe it, God is working in the
unseen, answering your prayers to
bring your child to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Don’t lose heart! Proverbs 22:6 says it well — “Train up a
child in the way he should go, And
when he is old he will not depart
from it.”
I hope sharing my heart will
encourage you to make a love connection with your mother if she
is still living, even if you have been
estranged over the years. If she has
passed, you could instead put the
words on paper.
Joan Courtney is Founder and CEO of Women’s Prayer International, headquartered in San Antonio. Reach her at (210)
349-PRAY (7729), Toll Free: (866) 325-PRAY, Prayer Request Line: (210) 341-PRAY, www.womensprayer.org, or
www.marketplaceprayer.net.
19202 Redland Road | San Antonio, TX 78259
210.340.1864 x410 | www.sachristian.org
Journey of Two Grandmothers
BY PATTI RICHTER,
BEACON STAFF
I sat up late one evening after
hearing that my 90-year-old grandmother had been placed on life-support. From hundreds of miles away,
all I could do was pray.
I’ve lived away from extended
family for all my married life. I relied
on church friends and neighbors to
fill in for family, especially while my
husband and I raised our three children.
One friend introduced us to his
grandmother, Faye, who lived near
our home. Faye was happy to serve
as our kids’ babysitter. On her baking days, she made extra zucchini
muffins or cinnamon rolls to share
with us. She frequently surprised
us with crocheted items too—potholders, purses, and colorful Afghan
blankets.
Faye lost her husband during
those years, so she appreciated our
attention in return. I took her to the
grocery store or bank when needed.
Often, while driving to her house, I
thought of my own widowed grandmothers; I asked the Lord to watch
over them and supply their needs.
Faye eventually moved across
town to be closer to her family, and
we later moved to another state. She
wrote to us regularly, even after a
broken hip kept her in a rehab facility. When her letters quit coming, I
called her grandson, who said that
she slept much of each day now, but
still perked up and showed a good
appetite at times.
Days later, my mother called with
the news that kept me up late. My
grandmother, hospitalized after falling on a rain-slicked parking lot, fell
again after getting out of bed without assistance. Now unconscious,
she needed a ventilator to breathe.
Of further concern, my father faced
giving his consent to Grandmother’s
pre-written directive to remove any
life-support.
Instead of going to bed, I sat on
a den sofa, asking the Lord to take
Grandmother if the time was right or
else revive her before Dad needed to
act. But I did not expect God to show
His plans to me.
After praying, a scene played
before my eyes—like a wide-awake
dream. Someone came walking
from the left, as on a dark stage:
Grandmother. Then, from the right,
someone else approached. It was
Faye! The two of them, strangers to
each other, met in the center of my
sight and then turned from me. They
walked away together, out of view.
The brief vision amazed me, and I
went to bed with peace.
The next morning I left home
early to take my son to school; then
I helped coordinate a morning event
at our church. Afterward, I checked
for phone messages. My mother
had called to say Grandmother was
gone. But my parents were relieved
that she first began breathing on her
own without the ventilator. She died
peacefully several hours later.
Standing with the phone in my
hand to absorb the news, I remembered to check a second message.
Then I listened as Faye’s grandson
let us know our dear friend had just
passed away.
Patti Richter is a freelance Christian journalist; she writes and
edits regularly for several publications. Her work includes mission and ministry articles, news and feature stories, and faith
essays. She and her husband, Jim, live near Dallas, Texas.
Visit us o n the Web @ www.saBeaco n.co m
16
T H E B EAC ON FAITH
M AY 2015
How to Become a Christian
God’s love is revealed
in the Bible.
“For God so loved the world that
he gave his one and only Son, that who
ever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life.”
– John 3:16
God loves you. He wants to bless
your life and make it full and complete.
And He wants to give you a life which
will last forever, even after you experience physical death.
We are sinful.
“For all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
You may have heard some one say,
“I’m only human – nobody’s perfect.”
This Bible verse says the same thing:
We are all sinners. We all do things that
we know are wrong. And that’s why we
feel estranged from God – because God
is holy and good, and we are not.
Sin has a penalty.
“For the wages of sin is death.”
– Romans 6:23
Just as criminals must pay the penalty for their crimes, sinners must pay
the penalty for their sins. If you continue to sin, you will pay the penalty
of spiritual death: You will not only die
physically; you will also be separated
from our holy God for all eternity. The
Bible teaches that those who choose to
remain separated from God will spend
eternity in a place called hell.
Christ has paid the penalty!
“But God demonstrates his own
love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ,
the sinless Son of God, has paid the
penalty for all your sins. You may
think you have to lead a good life and
do good deeds before God will love
you. But the Bible says that Christ
loved you enough to die for you, even
when you were rebelling against Him.
Salvation is a free gift.
“For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith, and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by
works, so that no one can boast.”– Eph
2:8-9 The word grace means “undeserved
favor.” It means God is offering you
something you could never provide for
yourself: forgiveness of sins and eternal
life, God’s gift to you is free. You do not
have to work for a gift. All you have to
do is joyfully receive it. Believe with all
your heart that Jesus Christ died for you.
Christ is at your heart’s door!
“Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come in and eat
with him, and he with me.” – Revelation 3:20
Jesus Christ wants to have a personal relationship with you. Picture, if you
will, Jesus Christ standing at the door of
your heart (the door of your emotions,
intellect and will). Invite Him in; He is
waiting for you to receive Him into your
heart and life.
You must receive Him.
“Yet to all who received him, to
those who believed in his name, he gave
the right to be come children of God.” – John 1:12
When you receive Christ into your
heart you become a child of God, and
have the privilege of talking to Him in
prayer at any time about anything. The
Christian life is a personal relationship
to God through Jesus Christ. And best
of all, it is a relationship that will last
for all eternity.
Will you receive Jesus Christ
right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins
(repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for
you on the Cross and rose from the
grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ
to come in and control your life
through the Holy Spirit. (Receive
Him as Lord and Savior).
How to pray:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am
a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I
believe that You died for my sins. I want
to turn from my sins. I now invite You
to come into my heart and life. I want to
trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer:
1. Read your Bible everyday to
know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship and serve with
other Christians in a church where
Christ is preached.
5. As Christ’s representatives in a
needy world, demonstrate your
new life by your love and concern
for others.
©2003. Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.,
P.O. Box 779, Minneapolis, MN, 55440, U.S.A.,
www.billygraham.org. Reprinted with permission. Hour of Decision with Dr. Billy Graham
and Franklin Graham can be heard Saturdays at 2:00 a.m. and Sundays at 1:30 a.m.
and 8:00 a.m. on KSLR Radio, 630 AM. See the
KSLR program guide in this month’s Christian Beacon for additional broadcast times.
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The central theme of the Bible is God’s love for you and for all
people. This love as revealed when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came
into the world as a human being, lived a sinless life, died on the cross,
and rose from the dead. Because Christ died, your sins can be forgiven, and because He conquered death, you can have eternal life. You
BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELIST
can know for sure what will be come of you after you die. You have
probably heard the story of God’s love referred to as the “Gospel.” The
word Gospel simply means “Good News.” The Gospel is the Good News that, because of what Christ has
done, we can be forgiven and can live forever. But this gift of forgiveness and eternal life can not be yours
unless you willingly accept it. God requires an individual response from you. The following verses from the
Bible show God’s part and yours in this process.
MAY 2 0 1 5
MINISTRY
T HE B EAC ON 17
Fatherhood and Discipleship: Two Tools to Grow God’s Kingdom
BY DAVID RODRIGUEZ ,
STUDENT WRITER
The Fatherhood Program at Life
Choices Medical Clinic San Antonio
is dedicated to giving eager young
men the tools they need to fulfill
the Biblical role of a father. These fathers to be, like Brandon Benavides,
are mentored by strong Christian
fathers, such as Mathew Martin, to
equip them for the role.
Benavides, one of the first Fatherhood graduates, said the curriculum and mentor were critical to
his growth as a Christian and preparation to become a father.
“I was seventeen at the time and
thought, ‘I’m not going to take it serious,’ but after the first class, I learned
so much I wanted to go back every
week to keep learning more,” Benavides continued. “If I hadn’t heard
about this class, I would have been
the same old me, losing my temper,
but now I take my time, think about it,
and do what I have to,” he confessed.
Benavides purposefully includes
God in his life, which he says has been
essential to his growth and preparation. Encouraging Benavides’ spiritual
growth has been one of Martin’s main
goals in mentoring him.
Martin, whose day job is at
USAA, devotes time to children’s
ministry in his church and extends
his kingdom work by discipling new
fathers.
“I had this idea that after saving
the child from abortion, which is of
the utmost importance, we would
consider the child’s life after birth,
and I felt that could be best accomplished by equipping young fathers
who desire to be good fathers,” Martin said. He birthed the idea of the
Fatherhood program while assisting
renovations at Life Choices 3 years
ago, but did not know how to accomplish the dream.
“Through life the Lord gave me
the tools and experience necessary;
I wanted to see a father who desires
to be a good father have that opportunity… It comes down to desire, the
Lord can always work with our desire,” Martin remarked.
It took 2 years for an organized
curriculum to be ready for Martin
Martin (left) and Benavides (right)
to teach at Life Choices, but that
did not stop him from leading Bible
studies with the new fathers. Soon,
Life Choices Executive Director
Charity Farrar, approached Martin
with the curriculum from “National
Fatherhood Initiative.
“My immediate [answer] was
‘yes, of course,’ and my main concern
became: how will this work, because
from what I understood there was
nothing like this in San Antonio at
the time… We started our first class
in January 2014, which has become
about sharing testimony. Having
gone through these experiences, it
is about being able to impart into
someone, which is what the Christian community is all about,” said
Martin.
Martin has successfully raised up
Benavides to be confident in prayer,
the disciple has grown to become the
priest of his home, living life and leading his family on his own according
to his relationship with Christ.
“My desire is for these families
to know that there is an answer,
and it is the church, and there is assistance… and it is not impossible,”
said Martin as he reflected on his
own past as a young father.
To all the [new] fathers out there,
just go to the fatherhood class… I
learned a lot from it, a lot more than
I thought,” Benevides urged.
For more resources from The
National Fatherhood Initiative visit
www.fatherhood.org. Find Life Choices at www.lifechoices-sa.com.
“David Rodriguez is studying communication and professional
writing at UTSA. He worships at Christian Family Church International and lead a young adults small group on Thursdays. He also
studies ministry at The Christian Family Church Bible Institute.
Pay Attention to Financial Headlines
BY PAM LUTRELL,
BEACON STAFF
Media headlines do not bring
hope of a changing economy. The
stock market continues to have difficult days, and news articles report
how college graduates are forced to
live at home while seeking employment. Mid-spring stories relayed
continued concern about feared
governmental breach of the U.S.
Debt Ceiling. Many would be wise
to heed the call to simplify our lives
and live by sound biblical financial
principles.
“When I began to remove stuff
from my life, a whole new world
opened up,” said Merrily Brown. A
recovering hoarder and addicted
shopper, Brown went on a journey
with God toward financial freedom.
Now she shares lessons learned with
others.
The average American owns 3.5
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credit cards and $15,799 in credit
card debt, which totals $2.43 trillion
consumer debt in the USA alone.
“This debt causes stress in our lives
and forces us to work jobs that we
don’t enjoy. We have sought life in
department stores and gambled
our future on the empty promises of
their advertisements,” said Brown.
Her new job as a loan officer at
Alamo Premier is “a God thing.” She
believes He placed the right people
in her life at the right time to give her
a perfect job sharing her experiences
and wisdom. “This is my new passion,” she said. “To help others who
need a way out.” Just a small amount
of time with her can be convicting
but important for future financial
soundness. The headlines do not
seem to be getting any better.
Her personal financial
philosophies:
•Finances are the number one
stressor in our lives and in our
marriages. More money does
not necessarily give a family less
stress. Our society has accepted
an “earn more-spend more”
lifestyle.
•Our value in life should not be
based on a credit score, type of
car in the driveway, or square
footage of a house. Our value
comes from God alone.
•God will bless us so we can bless
others, not so we can buy more
things.
•Going for MORE is a trap. Even
Christians have bought the lie
that owning more promises happiness. It doesn’t deliver. And the
lies of the enemy telling us to buy
more will eat away our happiness and God-given passions.
“I now have more time for things
I value most,” said Brown. “I spend
more time at the dinner table. I
take long walks with my family, and
I have been able to save for worthwhile experiences like a weekend at
the beach. Removing nonessentials
has allowed me to focus on the essentials more.”
Brown attributes the success of
her ten years of marriage in large
part to living by godly principles on
debt and finance. “It has made my
marriage strong and secure,” she
says, “and I am happier than I ever
dreamed of being.”
Brown would love to
talk about finances, parenting, financing a home,
or Jesus. Call her at 281799-7458.
18
T H E B EAC ON ALL ABOUT EYES
MINISTRY / HEALTH
M AY 2015
Alamo Area FCA
TAILGATE PARTY 2015
BY MONICA ALLISON, OD
Summer In Stone Oak
Monday,
May 18, 6:30—8:30
p.m.
Lilly recently retired from his to step up to accept the baton of
The Alamo Area Fellowship
athlete sponsorship leadership as it passes forward.
AGGIE PARK 6205 celebrity
West
Ave.
410Faulk
@ West
Ave.)
of
San Antonio’
s (Loop
FCA chapter,
said he plans
to make the
of Christian Athletes (FCA) will
host a tailgate party for all alumni,
coaches, sponsors, board members, season ticket all-stars and
those interested in connecting
with San Antonio’s FCA Monday,
May 18, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Aggie Park, 6205 West Avenue.
The reunion party was designed to let those formerly and
currently associated with FCA
reconnect, learn what FCA has
accomplished over the past 60
years and introduce current plans,
said Jim Faulk, FCA area director
for the past 31 years. Students,
coaches and alumni will offer
their testimonies at the free event,
sponsored by Las Palapas and
Longhorn Café, both of which will
furnish food. Additional sponsor,
K Love 91.3/ Air 1 Christian Radio,
will provide music and sound.
All participants will have a
chance to win the door prize, a
vintage Dallas Cowboys football
helmet autographed by Bob Lilly,
long-time FCA celebrity spokesperson and supporter.
handing off his leadership role to
event an annual tradition.
backer both for Texas A & M and
the Cowboys during their championship years, Nguyen will lend
his name and presence not only
to this event, but to FCA’s annual
fundraising golf tournament held
at the Quarry in September.
“We hope to get the San Antonio FCA family, the coaches,
teammates and alumni back together in a fun atmosphere,” said
Faulk. “We are especially calling alumni who were students
or leaders back in the 80s, 90s or
2000s. It’s an opportunity to see
your old friends you went to FCA
camp with, you rode the bus with,
you prayed with, to remember
what FCA was all about and how
much it meant to you when you
were in school.”
He hopes ultimately the renewed relationships will inspire
those in the millennial generation
FCA promotes four core values: integrity, excellence, service
and teamwork, which are everything we are looking for our athletes and coaches to be, Faulk
said. “But those values doesn’t
mean anything without Christ
working in you.”
FCA is by far the largest campus ministry in San Antonio and
the South Texas area, Faulk said,
involving more than 150 different groups – huddles (campus
groups) and teams. The San Antonio FCA chapter (now renamed
Alamo Area) was chartered in
1967. Faulk coached at Judson
High School from 1979-1985.
For more information or to
reach Faulk directly, contact him
at jfaulk@fca.org.
another
former Dallas&Cowboy
“We’d love to
get you connectSPONSORED BY LAS
PALAPAS
LONGHORN
CAFÉ
great, Dat Nguyen. Longtime line- ed back in FCA,” he added.
FOOD! FELLOWSHIP! FUN!
For
FCA Coaches, Sponsors, Board Members,
Summer is here. So are the
days of having fun things to do
with our families in San Antonio.
At Vision Source, we definitely
recommend a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from
the intense summer sun. Even if
you don’t need prescription eyewear, everyone should have protective sun wear, including children. If you are normally a glasses
wearer, contact lenses may also
be a good option to allow you to
enjoy some summer fun, with a
pair of non-prescription sunglasses. We never charge tax on eyewear and can get you a great deal.
A nearsighted family member
may experience difficulty seeing clearly at the pool. Daily use
contact lenses are a great option.
We can also make prescription
swim goggles or prescribe ortho-k
lenses.
Ortho-k is the process of using special contact lenses that are
only worn at night during sleep.
Similar to how a retainer works
on teeth, the molding lenses gently reshape the front surface of
the eye during sleep. When lenses
are removed upon awakening, vision is clear throughout the day.
It works best for nearsighted individuals, and is safe for children.
Because children are not candidates for LASIK, Ortho-K a great
option for them.
Speaking of LASIK, summer is
a great time to consider refractive
surgery. Having clear vision without using any devices is an option
for adults whose eyes are no longer changing. We co-manage refractive surgery at our office and
can determine the most appropriate procedure.
Stone Oak Vision Source accepts most insurance plans. We
also treat eye emergencies such
as pink eye and foreign bodies.
We have three doctors to
serve you Drs. Monica Allison,
Kim Ip, and Lindsey Denison, at
our location at 19202 Stone Oak
Parkway Ste 106. Visit us online at
www.visionsource-stoneoak.com
or call for an appointment at 210495-9020.
Drs. Monica Allison, Lindsey Denison, and Kim Ip practice at Stone Oak Vision Source located at 19202 Stone
Oak Pkwy, Ste. 106. All of the doctors are members of Vision Source, the nation’s number one network
of private practice optometrists. Founded in 1991, the Vision Source
network includes more than 2,100 offices in all 50 states and Canada. If you or a loved one needs to find a family eye doctor, please call
(210) 495-9020 or visit www.visionsource-stoneoak.com.
Season Ticket All-Stars, and FCA Alumni
JOIN US!!
Christian Academy of San Antonio
C.A.S.A.
Got questions? Need more info??
EMAIL jfaulk@fca.org
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CERTIFIED TEACHERS
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Dependent on the Holy Spirit,
we will instill the teachings of
Jesus Christ as the foundation of all
spiritual growth to transform lives
as we pursue academic excellence.
C.A.S.A. is accredited by ACSI,
SACS, CASI, and recognized by
the Texas Education Agency.
MAY 2 0 1 5
FINANCIAL /SPORTS
T HE B EAC ON 19
Finished — Finally!
NOT, but will never participate. I’m
pretty sure all of this can be blamed
on my son, who’s currently training
for a full Ironman – and FCA’s wonderful Team Endurance, who have
always chimed in together with a
hearty, “YOU CAN DO THIS!!”
What I have noticed after about
three years of racing, five 1st place 5K
finishes and some very respectable
finishes in the old men’s division in
the half marathons – I’m not nearly
as satisfied with crossing the finish
line and getting my banana, bottle of
water, and finisher’s medal. I must
admit that I’m a bit more driven to
run the race to get one of those coveted medals given to the first three
places! But to earn one of those prestigious medals literally pushes my
61-year-old body to a point of racing
exhaustion as I cross the finish line –
many times finding myself a couple
of places too slow (ouch!).
As I crossed the finish this past
March in the Alamo 13.1, I was so
wiped out I didn’t care about placing, I was just ecstatic it was over
and I was done! As I was lying on the
ground, gasping for air, attempting
to gather myself, it hit me – maybe
this is how those of us who are Jesus
followers finish our races on earth;
or at least how we’re supposed to
finish. We run the race well, stay
on the course path, run hard, overcome obstacles (the mental game)
FINANCIAL STRAIGHT TALK BY DAVE RAMSEY
Dave Says …
God is whispering to you
Dear Dave,
I was recently notified that I am one of the beneficiaries of a class action lawsuit against a previous employer. The amount I can receive is just
$200, but I don’t feel like this past employer wronged me in any way. Everyone
around me is urging me to take the money, but I feel kind of weird about accepting anything under the circumstances. What do you think I should do?
Randy
Dear Randy,
I don’t know all the details of the episode you’re talking about, or what
happened with this particular company. But I don’t agree with the idea that
we’re supposed to beat up anyone we can, or milk everything we can get out
of every company or human being we come across. Some people are just incredibly opportunistic. They live like it’s anarchy, and they have no sense of
fairness or decorum. But you do.
The people who are telling you to take the cash don’t think the way you
do. They’re the kind who would take any money, no matter the reason. But
you sound like the kind of person who wouldn’t do that, so you shouldn’t be
taking advice from those people.
I think your heart has already told you what to do, Randy. God is whispering in your ear. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t take it. If it were $100,000, I
wouldn’t take it. You were not wronged, and that money is for someone who
was wronged.
You have a sense of dignity and pride about yourself and your behavior,
and I respect that. My advice is to listen to your heart.
—Dave
Mortgage or save?
Dear Dave,
I just became debt-free, and I live in an apartment. I’m also 28 and single,
and I make about $75,000 a year. Do you think I should get a mortgage and go
back into debt, or save up and pay cash for a house? I’d like to keep the price
of a new home around $200,000, and I think I can save about $15,000 a year.
—Kevin
Dear Kevin,
Congratulations on becoming debt-free! It feels awesome, doesn’t it?
When it comes to saving, how about rounding that figure up to $20,000
a year? Going that route, you’re only 10 years away from a nice, new paid-for
home, and you’re still debt-free. That’s one way to do it.
I don’t borrow money, Kevin. And I don’t tell people to do things I won’t
do. The one exception to that is I don’t yell at people for taking out a 15-year,
fixed-rate mortgage, where the payments are no more than 25 percent of your
monthly take home pay. You could save like crazy for a couple of years and
put down a really strong down payment on a home in the price range you’re
talking about. Then, you could pay off that house in 15 years max — or even
sooner.
I don’t have a big problem with it either way. But wouldn’t it be great to be
only 38 years old and still be completely debt-free?
—Dave
* Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial
Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. His newest best-seller, Smart
Money Smart Kids, was written with his daughter Rachel Cruze, and recently debuted at #1. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by
more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the
web at daveramsey.com.
For more financial help please visit daveramsey.com.
BY JIM FAULK
AREA DIRECTOR-FCA
In the past two years of my “senior” life, I have officially moved from
being a nice, comfortable 12-minute-per-mile-for-2-miles-twice-aweek fitness jogger to the insanity
of distance running – 5Ks, 10Ks, and
half marathons. This makes me only
“half crazy” in this nutty world of
marathons, triathlons, and Ironman
competitions, which I not only am
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and struggles throughout. Then, as
we round that final corner, the finish line in sight, we hear the music
blaring and the crowd encouraging
us to finish. As we cross that line,
we’re exhausted and beat up, but
we know we really HAVE fought the
good fight, finished the race, kept
the faith.
We cross to a crowd of witnesses
and realize it’s not about the medals, bananas, water…not even the
chocolate milk; it’s about finishing
the race, crossing the finish line into
the arms of Jesus, knowing there
will be no more pain, tears, agony,
death – no struggles or exhaustion.
It’s then we will all realize that THIS
is the win we always desired, this
was the win that was well worth
our training, workouts, and effort.
We know that this finish is the one
that is worth every bit of exhaustive
effort we can exert; it’s the only finish that counts. Run hard – FINISH
STRONG!
Originally from Ft. Worth, Jim Faulk has lived in SATX since
high school. A MacArthur HS and UTSA graduate, he coached
briefly in the Judson School District. Jim recently celebrated
his 30th anniversary as the Alamo Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and Sandi, his wife of over
40 years, have a son, a triathlete and pastor, a marathoner
daughter-in-law, and two darling (really!) granddaughters.
Jim and Sandi have taught the Scriptures and served through
First Baptist Church of San Antonio for almost 35 years. Jim
is a very competitive distance runner – look for him in area
half-marathons!
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