by Amy Roberts | Jul 14, 2011 | News Slider
Anyone who isn’t sure that heaven exists just needs to read Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. The book is the tale of little Colton Burpo, who came as close as possible to dying and startled his dad, Todd Burpo by his descriptions of heaven, as he had experienced it. In the months that followed Colton’s emergency surgery, this little boy, not yet 4, began to reveal what happened to him in his brief visit to the after-life. He had been deathly ill because he needed to have his appendix removed, but before the surgery could take place, the appendix ruptured. He was only 3. Amazingly, Colton never was pronounced dead, though he seemed but a breath away. It was months later that he began to tell his story. They were driving past the hospital as the dad jokingly asked Colton if he remembered being at the hospital. “Yes,” was his reply. “That was where the angels sang to me.” He elaborates that he was sitting on Jesus’ lap while the angels sang. Apparently he had a heavenly encounter. He continues to tell his dad things that he would have no idea that had happened. Such as when mom had a miscarriage and that he met his unborn sister in heaven as well as when he saw his dad in the closet praying furiously while they were in the hospital (the dad hadn’t told ANYONE about the closet). Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back is a great book. The book shares an...
by Hunter Patterson | Jul 12, 2011 | News Slider
Trying to find delicious organic fruit without breaking the bank at stores? Look no further than Nashville’s Farmer’s Market. Whether you go on Tuesday’s to Sevier Park on 12th South, the Vanderbilt market on Thursdays or the market on Rosa Parks that is open daily, it is guaranteed that you will find what you are looking for whether it’s fresh honey, fresh peaches or even organic pasta from Alfresco. Yes, that is correct. They do in fact sale organic pasta at the farmer’s market. The company, Alfresco, can be found at every farmer’s market location. Their specialty is the fresh and local pasta that requires no preparation other than storing it in a freezer. It’s simple to cook, too. You just throw it in some hot water, wait about eight minutes and you have yourself some freshly cooked pasta. Alfresco also sells their signature sauces to compliment their pastas. It’s all quite affordable, too. A bag of ravioli which serves two people is only six dollars. For fruit and vegetable side of things, look no further than Delvin Farms. In business since 1972, the family operated organic farm offers market-goers a variety of fresh fruits and veggies. With displays of cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, squash, zucchini, blackberries, strawberries, watermelons, tomatoes, potatoes and everything else you can think of, Delvin Farms is the place to go if you’re in the mood for a fresh home-cooked meal. The Delvin family is not only selling organic fruit, but their farm is also certified organic. Delvin Farms marketing director Amy Delvin says that means taking the extra step to insure your crop....
by Hunter Patterson | Jul 11, 2011 | News Slider
According to the National Weather Service and everyone else in the mid-state, it’s hot. So hot, in fact, that the NWS has issued heat advisories for this week. With temperatures nearly reaching the century mark today and tomorrow, folks at the NWS in Memphis, Tenn. felt the need to issue the advisory. Natives of Tennessee know that the actual temperature is not the only thing to worry about, though. The heat index – how hot it actually feels – is the scary part. The NWS is reporting the heat index could reach up to 114 on Monday or Tuesday. Those on staff at Lipscomb have been told to take the warnings seriously, too. “While we haven’t been told anything directly about today, we have been told to take several precautions in the past,” said Steve Durham, an event operations worker at the university. “On days like this, [the university] tells us to drink fluids regularly, take breaks and to break up the amount of time spent outside.” In 2010 there were more than 20 heat-related deaths in the state. A majority of the deaths were a result of negligence towards the elderly or an infant. In one case, a resident at a Shelby County nursing home was left unattended for more than two hours. The Tennessee Highway patrol is adamant about the issue. It’s too often that one hears about a child being left inside a vehicle while the person in charge goes inside for “just a second.” The THP wants to remind motorists on the issue: “On a typical sunny, summer day, the temperature inside a car can...
by despotmj | Jul 3, 2011 | News Slider
As part of Lipscomb University’s Summer Celebration, many speakers were on Lipscomb’s campus this past week speaking on a variety of spiritual topics. Thursday morning, Hillsboro Church of Christ minister Daniel Hope spoke on the topic of forgiveness. Hope’s lesson began by mentioning a number of highly-publicized tragedies, and how those involved displayed great forgiveness after enduring very traumatizing events. He mentioned the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, and described the Pope’s forgiveness of the shooter just days after leaving the hospital. Hope also mentioned a deadly shooting within an Amish community in 2006, and how the community came together to setup a fund for the gunmen’s children. An act which provided a great deal of healing for the shooter’s devastated family. These acts of forgiveness are often times not displayed on a large-scale by Christians, but Hope reminded the audience that Jesus himself told Paul to forgive a transgressor 77 times before giving up on another. Hope’s lesson was one which dove into a number of questions relating to forgiveness which Christians can often struggle with. He tackled tough questions and provided a response that forgiveness is not about forgetting an act or the absence of hurt, but rather it is about forgiving an unpayable debt. “Forgiveness is a decision and journey,” Hope said. “It is a commitment to the process of ceasing to demand restitution.” Part of this decision and journey is that one must work to get to a point where they can get over bitterness. “One cannot take sin more lightly than God, because sin is a big deal, and we must not...
by Hunter Patterson | Jul 2, 2011 | News Slider
Kicked off with an awakening period of worship, the finale of Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration was capped off by an inspiring message from Jeff Walling. First, though, there were a few areas of business that had to be taken care of. Randy Lowry introduced a familiar face to Nashville residents during the beginning of the evening, Daron Hall, sheriff of Davidson County. It was after that, when Hall introduced another man, Lytle Thomas. Thomas has a history of dealing with inner-city children all around the Nashville area. So, it was more than fitting to have all of those kids present at the event. And were they ever present. The children emerged from one of the Tunnels in Allen Arena in a school bus. Yes, a school bus. Almost overwhelmed, Lionel was then the proud recipient of the Kopio Award for his many years of service to the community. “I don’t want to say a whole lot, because I am afraid to say the wrong thing,” Thomas said. “On behalf of all of the people I’ve worked with and all the children, this is your award. Thank you all so much.” President Lowry then introduced someone that “has lead through his vision and his tremendous love for his church.” A coworker of Lowry’s at Pepperdine, Lynn Anderson was present to give an award that was originally supposed to given away at the Pepperdine Bible Lectures in May. How convenient that the recipients be none other than member’s of the Lipscomb family. A beautiful plaque with the words “Distinguished Christian Service Award” was then presented to Walt and Karen Leaver. Leaver is...
by Hunter Patterson | Jun 30, 2011 | News Slider
The number one reason to plant a church is to ‘seek and save the lost.’ That was Ferrell Haile’s message during the one of the many sessions on church planting at Lipscomb’s annual Summer Celebration. Speaking to an audience of 20-plus people, Haile took time to elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of church planting. “When planting a church we don’t have to conform to traditional ways,” Haile said. “It’s something that is attractive and exciting to be a part of something new.” Haile also talked about his own experience in church planting. It all started in the year of 2000 when Haile was considering planting a church in the area between Gallatin and Hendersonville, Tenn.. The thought became a reality soon thereafter, though. Without anyone knowing about his plans, Haile received a call from someone interested in the preaching position at the church, which had not even been established at the time. Haile stressed the point that one should not start a church based on a church-split. He believes that God does not bless church splits, and starting a church coming out of a bad experience is the incorrect way to go about things. Haile’s plan was to get one couple from each church to commitment to the new Antioch Church of Christ for at least two years. In order to attract people to the church, Haile stressed that guidelines would have to be made in order to answer the question, “What kind of church are you?” “Our church is probably the most conservative to scripture that you’ll find,” Haile said. “However, we are the most liberal to...
