11 minute read
You Have A Purpose
from April 2020
by Bridget Gray
Spring has officially sprung (finally!), and high school seniors all over the country are moving closer to the day they’ve been counting down to for the past four years. For them, this day cannot seem to get here fast enough. For their parents, this day is arriving too quickly. In just over a month, high school seniors will don their caps and gowns, the high school band will strike up the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance,” mamas will cry buckets of tears, dads will fuss over the camera…Folks, it’s almost High School Graduation Day. My own high school graduation was just a little over 20 years ago. As I recall that time, I can’t help but think, “If I knew then what I know now…” I think about the life lessons I’ve learned in all the years since I walked down the halls of my own high school. Would the teen years have been any smoother or easier? If I had had a little peek into the future, would it have mattered? If I may, here is just one thing I would tell a soon-to-be-graduate.
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Each and every one of you has a God-given purpose in this life. You do. Not only do you have a purpose, but you have a God-given purpose specifically given to YOU. The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” He formed and molded each and every one of us for a purpose and has given us gifts to fulfill that purpose.
So what does that mean to a high school graduate? It means that even if you don’t see it, even if you haven’t figured out just what you want to do with your life yet (and that’s okay), don’t ever think that there isn’t a purpose to
your life. Think about the things you love. Think about your skills, your strengths, your talents. God gave those to you for a reason. He didn’t give us all the same gifts, so don’t ever feel like you have to go with the flow. Don’t fall into the trap of comparison and feel like you don’t measure up.
Don’t take a certain path in life because it seems like the easiest or the most sensible.
What is it that you’re passionate about? What gets you excited and makes you want to dive in 100%? Take that and treasure it, mold it, and develop it. Work on it, parlay it into your education or career, and you will be starting out on a solid foundation. The end of that verse says He has “appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” There’s a reason for your gift, for your talent, for your interests! There is a reason and a purpose for YOU. Cling to the Lord and He will guide you to your purpose—His purpose.
Bridget Gray is a native Roman & received her BA in English from the University of West Georgia in 2002. A self-professed “book nerd”, Bridget enjoys roaming through Barnes & Noble in her rare free time. Bridget & her family (husband Jarrett & daughters Carter & Avery) attend LIFE Church.
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1st Franklin Financial: A Personal Loan Company That Puts People First 1 st Franklin Financial Corporation has been making loans for more than 79 years, and whether the need for extra money is an urgent one for today or one that’s ahead, 1st Franklin is there when you need them.
“Whatever your needs are, we are here to work with you to find the right loan with a payment plan that fits your life. Life is a journey and we are here to do it side by side with you,” said President and CEO Ginger Herring. “We will treat you with respect and promise to give you the kind of personal, friendly service you won’t find anywhere else.”
Headquartered in Toccoa, Georgia, the business operates more than 320 branch loan offices located in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Founded by Herring’s grandfather, Ben F. Cheek, Jr., in 1941, the company remains family-owned and operated, staying true to its values while growing in loans-made and dollarsloaned year after year. This long-term success is attributed in 1st Franklin Financial’s strong foundation and commitment to the communities it serves along with its unwavering financial stability.
1st Franklin Financial has served in this area of North Georgia for more than 30 years. Chatsworth, Dalton and Fort Oglethorpe branches are currently operating under the leadership of Regional Operations Director Kim Golka and Operations Vice President Jennifer Purser.
The Chatsworth branch opened in 1988 and is located at 1422 Green Road; phone 706-695-4823. The Branch Manager is Jan Cross. Cross has been with the company since 2011. She started her career with 1st Franklin at the Dalton branch.
1stFranklinFinancial Start your loan application TODAY: Call Click www.1ffc.com Come by The Dalton branch opened in 1995 and is located at 514 Fleming Street, Suite 4; phone 706-226-7417. The Branch Manager is Mandy McClain. McClain has been with the company since 2002, and under her management, the Dalton branch won 1st Franklin Financial’s Vice President’s Award for outstanding performance and the Diamond Pacesetter Award for 2018. The Diamond Pacesetter Award is given every year to the branch that also achieves high statistical rankings in the company based on current performance as well as future profitability.
The Fort Oglethorpe branch opened in 2013 and is located at 890 Battlefield Pkwy; phone 706-866-5557. The Branch Manager is Kimberly Stone. Stone has been with the company since 2014.
All three branches are highly immersed in their communities, participating as active members of the Chamber of Commerce and supporting local schools. Affectionately known as the “friendly Franklin folks,” 1st Franklin’s employees aim to make lasting connections within the community and with every individual that walks through their doors. personalized service. The company offers fixed rate loans from $1,250 to $15,000* with flexible terms to suit any budget.
Customers are more than a credit score. Even with an imperfect history, 1st Franklin works to find the right loan solution that’s right for each customer. Approvals are fast and done right at the branch so customers can get their money quickly, often in the same day.
Additionally, through 1st Franklin’s Sales Finance partners, each branch has dealer relationships throughout its surrounding areas, which enables customers to finance a purchase through select retailers with a 1st Franklin Financial loan up to $25,000 with 3, 6, 12 and 24-month Same as Cash programs through select retailers.
To find out more about 1st Franklin’s Sales Finance Program or to find a loan solution that’s right for you, contact the Chatsworth branch at 706-695-4823, the Dalton branch at 706-226-7417 or the Fort Oglethorpe branch at 706-866-5557 or visit www.1ffc.com, to find the branch closest to you.
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Tweet This, Facebook That
by Tommy Deal
What is my life worth? Is it all based on the perception of “friends” who read my posts on Facebook? Do I need to be sure they know how I really feel about my Lord or politics? And what if I don’t “copy and paste” into my status to prove my love and submission to God?
I find it interesting to read posts on Facebook these days. Yes, there are friends whom I envy because of the lives of leisure they are now able to live (or that’s all they choose
to post about). There are those who pass along helpful posts and links from renowned authors. Friends let me know about the significant life milestones going on. I read and cherish each one: really, I do. There is also a myriad of political and pseudo-spiritual diatribes being espoused as well. While I support the right of everyone to have feelings, thoughts, and opinions about the happenings of our world, I am growing weary of posts which feign the sickness of one political party or philosophy over another; the “we are better than you are” mentality of one thought process over another; and the “world is going to hell in a handbasket” mentality if you support the other candidate or position.
Some of this is to be expected during an election year. I joined Facebook some years ago and wondered about this then. In fact, reading some of the posts then influenced my stating my political views in statuses as the old Nike brand’s “Just Do It.” Yes, I am concerned about our nation and who is leading it, but short of a new revolution, I’m not sure much will change. I am more convinced that expressing my opinions on Facebook will not actually influence a change. I suspect, too, that whatever I choose to express will put me in the “de-friend” category from some of my closest Facebook friends. So why risk it? I’ve just found a bunch of them after many years of separation, and I rather enjoy catching up!
On the other hand, Twitter keeps life simpler: or shorter, as the case may be. If I “tweet,” I used to be limited to 140 characters. I couldn’t even finish this paragraph with that limitation. I would rather live my life attempting to please the Lord, and to do that, I don’t need Facebook, Twitter, or email. (Although many times I wish He would send my answer this way.) I don’t need current technology to report to Him my downfalls—He sees all and knows all. I don’t need to report to Him that I agree with or disagree with the current popular “right” way of thinking. What I suspect I DO need to do is treat every person I meet with respect, dignity, and love. They need to see and hear Christ living through me. “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
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