The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, the mountain festival of pageantry is in a class all by itself. There is absolutely no other event like it in Kentucky. The City of Pineville in Bell County is filled with selected candidates from the area high schools whom the festival recognizes as her Princess Candidates. These beautiful young teens represent their high schools, family and friends which fills each of their lives with the memories of a life time that only leaves them waiting for the most unique opportunity to be selected by their attending college or university as a Queen Candidate to Kentucky’s Oldest Festival, second only to the Kentucky Derby.
The Festival is lead by local citizens who work tirelessly year round in making contacts, setting up schedules, arranging for performances, and managing details that provide each individual who attends the KMLF as an attendant, participant or just a visitor taking in the parade or other events that have filled the week. The Festival is managed by Directors who oversee the general planning and funding through their contributions and ambassador representation of the festival throughout their travels, associations and personal promotions.
For children no doubt the memories of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival are filled with the activities of the carnival, musical showcases, street events and the parade of course. The dream participation is experienced by the Princess and Queen candidates and their escorts. The private receptions, teas, dinners, meets and greet alone provide experiences that will never be forgotten and even greater highlights through the introductions of people representing not just locations from across Kentucky but throughout the United States and even the world. One of the unique aspects of the festival each year is the gathering of people who return each year to unite with friends, and enjoy the beautiful of Bell County as the Home of the Mountain Laurel.
The Queen Candidates and their escorts have unique moments too as they represent they respective colleges and universities. As an official representative and Queen, their selection for some involved interviews and panels from representatives of all areas of leadership within their academic communities. The real beauty seen in each of these participates is their characteristics witnessed as they mix and mingle among the directors, the families that host them, and their reactions to the events and practice that make the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival the special pageant it is.
To all who will be traveling to the festival I want to say Welcome to the Gate Way to the West, Cumberland Gap and the Narrows of Pineville. I pray you will experience the beauty of the mountains and see the crown gem of God’s creation, you and I.
Until then
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Focusing on Him
I am not quite sure if I should be writing an article about winter, spring time or what? With all the rain that has fallen and all the flooding taking place, that would certainly be an easy enough subject to write about. With Easter, Mother’s Day passed and Memorial Day on her way I am finding myself checking the weather several times before I leave home each morning. Not that I’m sugar or anything, I’m not expecting to melt if it rains that’s for sure, but I would like to be protected if I can.
The wearing of a good hat could work, but my struggle there is do I wear a straw hat or a felt hat. A good straw hat works great for the wind and sun, but if it’s raining I shall find my head wet no doubt. The weather has been crazy and the happenings of life have been in a fast spin. One minute we are fighting a war on terror and the next minute the President of the United States is announcing that Osama Bin laden has been killed. It is amazing how long 10 years can be isn’t it? Just think, there are children that have never known a world without hearing that name daily. Yes, the United States has plenty to keep it occupied for the remaining day of 2011. I am sure there will be new developments but we’ve got plenty of old stuff to keep us going without any effort at creating new moments.
In each of our lives we all face these fast pace moments and changes in a twinkling of an eye. Today we are health, bright eyed and bushy tail, and tomorrow we can just as easily be struggling in a hospital room fighting for our lives. Today we can be full of spirit and dreaming to the highest heights, and tomorrow have lost all our get up and go for living and making a difference. Yes, strange how we each respond to the happenings around us and we never know until we are called upon to react just how we will respond.
Today there are some things for certain that we can know that could provide us peace throughout these ups and down if we would be willing to believe. Battling the down side of life is never fun, but scripture tells us there is ONE that will walk beside us each step of the way. Now if you are anything like me, I have been known to be having a conversation with someone and my mind goes totally out the window, so to speak. I’ve been with people at a table and lost my place in what’s happening around me to where I couldn’t recall what was just said. Given these truths that could and have probably happened to each of us at some time or another, it is just as possible that He, Jesus, is walking beside us and we are totally unaware.
Scripture tells us that He loves us. It is always nice to talk about love, but to experience it is the real key. When was the last moment you were at a spot where you just felt like not taking another step forward because no one cared, and someone reminded you that you mattered and they cared? I am reminded of Jeremy Hollingsworth is one of those type of reminders. Jeremy was just a young child in children’s ministry when I first met him. I am so grateful God place me at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Dorton Branch. There I was able to experience Jeremy and his heart which is filled with innocence and genuine love. So blessed was I hear him say, “Brother Tim” and be reminded of at least one life changed.
The Bible gives you and I plenty of encouragement. Scripture not only comforts but it also challenges us to believe and see outside of ourselves. He loves us, and that’s what really matters. He has a plan for us, and that’s what really matters. He never leaves us alone, and that’s what really matters.
The world is ever changing and the world stage is revolving faster than you can sometimes hold on. But, if we fix our eyes on Jesus, even as the world spins we should not become ill but rather discover the things of this world growing strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
Until then
The wearing of a good hat could work, but my struggle there is do I wear a straw hat or a felt hat. A good straw hat works great for the wind and sun, but if it’s raining I shall find my head wet no doubt. The weather has been crazy and the happenings of life have been in a fast spin. One minute we are fighting a war on terror and the next minute the President of the United States is announcing that Osama Bin laden has been killed. It is amazing how long 10 years can be isn’t it? Just think, there are children that have never known a world without hearing that name daily. Yes, the United States has plenty to keep it occupied for the remaining day of 2011. I am sure there will be new developments but we’ve got plenty of old stuff to keep us going without any effort at creating new moments.
In each of our lives we all face these fast pace moments and changes in a twinkling of an eye. Today we are health, bright eyed and bushy tail, and tomorrow we can just as easily be struggling in a hospital room fighting for our lives. Today we can be full of spirit and dreaming to the highest heights, and tomorrow have lost all our get up and go for living and making a difference. Yes, strange how we each respond to the happenings around us and we never know until we are called upon to react just how we will respond.
Today there are some things for certain that we can know that could provide us peace throughout these ups and down if we would be willing to believe. Battling the down side of life is never fun, but scripture tells us there is ONE that will walk beside us each step of the way. Now if you are anything like me, I have been known to be having a conversation with someone and my mind goes totally out the window, so to speak. I’ve been with people at a table and lost my place in what’s happening around me to where I couldn’t recall what was just said. Given these truths that could and have probably happened to each of us at some time or another, it is just as possible that He, Jesus, is walking beside us and we are totally unaware.
Scripture tells us that He loves us. It is always nice to talk about love, but to experience it is the real key. When was the last moment you were at a spot where you just felt like not taking another step forward because no one cared, and someone reminded you that you mattered and they cared? I am reminded of Jeremy Hollingsworth is one of those type of reminders. Jeremy was just a young child in children’s ministry when I first met him. I am so grateful God place me at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Dorton Branch. There I was able to experience Jeremy and his heart which is filled with innocence and genuine love. So blessed was I hear him say, “Brother Tim” and be reminded of at least one life changed.
The Bible gives you and I plenty of encouragement. Scripture not only comforts but it also challenges us to believe and see outside of ourselves. He loves us, and that’s what really matters. He has a plan for us, and that’s what really matters. He never leaves us alone, and that’s what really matters.
The world is ever changing and the world stage is revolving faster than you can sometimes hold on. But, if we fix our eyes on Jesus, even as the world spins we should not become ill but rather discover the things of this world growing strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
Until then
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Helen Keller.....Vision
The spring of each year fills our lives with the so many adventures. The color of the trees and the blooming of flowers catch our eyes and imagination. Yard work and gardening reminds us of the accomplishments that we reach through effort and dedication. Taking time to cook a meal and eat outside gives us time to reflect looking at things from a different table and point of view. Change is all around us but we are more able to see the immediate effect during this time of the year. With all the rain fall we’ve experienced it is easy to see the river rise and the lakes filled to high levels. With the winds that have traveled across the country it is also easy to see devastation that can change everything in a second too.
These adventures and so many more help to expose and broaden our own understanding and horizon of things, people, place and perspective on time. When helping people we always want to talk about positive things. We are afraid that the mention of negative aspects might give the impression we are a half empty instead of half full kind of person. The adventure of people in our lives is a challenge both welcomed and dreaded. If you’ve ever thought, “oh, do I have to talk to them right now”, then you will clearly understand the challenge. I love people and I love talking, but I have my times where I need and want to be left alone. I don’t want to give advice, because I need to hear advice instead. I don’t want to smile on the outside yet I have often fought through that storm to see the expression of thankfulness on another face. People are the greatest and most unique creation on the earth. God designed us with the ability to use His talents and skill in our lives for the benefit of others. This blessing from Him to us makes us unique. We can touch and change lives by giving, doing, and listening all in His name. The adventure of places gives each of us a memory bank filled with moments of laughter and wonder at the sights we see across the travels of our lives. These travels are not the records of journeys across the seas and around the world, but sometimes these adventures are just miles from our homes. Today is defined in many ways. It could be a simple and straightforward as today is today. Meaning this specific day of the week, yet sometimes today means this week, or when speaking in a general sense it could even mean this month or this year.
Each of our lives has the opportunity to be filled with adventures. The use of feeling, hearing, seeing and three senses and that change our lives for sure. One of my favorite quotes is my Helen Keller. She was asked, “what is worse than being blind”?, her response was” having sight and no vision”. Each time I read that quote or am reminded of her answer I am so challenged and so moved in my personally being. The Bible talks a lot about time, specific and general and today, I believe it is the perfect time to explore new adventures this spring.
There is a journey I want to recommend. It involves spending time in prayer asking God to strengthen you for the roads yet traveled ahead and it involves reading His word to discover the daily answers for our lives. The travel of our individual hearts takes us up big mountains and down into low valleys. The course of survival is one that has plenty of light for each step of the way and the element of pure faith when we have no sight yet required to press ahead. I am confident of this fact. No matter the spring in your life Jesus is a ready and able friend if on Him you would call.
Until then
These adventures and so many more help to expose and broaden our own understanding and horizon of things, people, place and perspective on time. When helping people we always want to talk about positive things. We are afraid that the mention of negative aspects might give the impression we are a half empty instead of half full kind of person. The adventure of people in our lives is a challenge both welcomed and dreaded. If you’ve ever thought, “oh, do I have to talk to them right now”, then you will clearly understand the challenge. I love people and I love talking, but I have my times where I need and want to be left alone. I don’t want to give advice, because I need to hear advice instead. I don’t want to smile on the outside yet I have often fought through that storm to see the expression of thankfulness on another face. People are the greatest and most unique creation on the earth. God designed us with the ability to use His talents and skill in our lives for the benefit of others. This blessing from Him to us makes us unique. We can touch and change lives by giving, doing, and listening all in His name. The adventure of places gives each of us a memory bank filled with moments of laughter and wonder at the sights we see across the travels of our lives. These travels are not the records of journeys across the seas and around the world, but sometimes these adventures are just miles from our homes. Today is defined in many ways. It could be a simple and straightforward as today is today. Meaning this specific day of the week, yet sometimes today means this week, or when speaking in a general sense it could even mean this month or this year.
Each of our lives has the opportunity to be filled with adventures. The use of feeling, hearing, seeing and three senses and that change our lives for sure. One of my favorite quotes is my Helen Keller. She was asked, “what is worse than being blind”?, her response was” having sight and no vision”. Each time I read that quote or am reminded of her answer I am so challenged and so moved in my personally being. The Bible talks a lot about time, specific and general and today, I believe it is the perfect time to explore new adventures this spring.
There is a journey I want to recommend. It involves spending time in prayer asking God to strengthen you for the roads yet traveled ahead and it involves reading His word to discover the daily answers for our lives. The travel of our individual hearts takes us up big mountains and down into low valleys. The course of survival is one that has plenty of light for each step of the way and the element of pure faith when we have no sight yet required to press ahead. I am confident of this fact. No matter the spring in your life Jesus is a ready and able friend if on Him you would call.
Until then
Sunday, May 1, 2011
National Day of Prayer 2011
This week, Thursday, May 5, 2011 our Nation will celebrate National Day of Prayer. The gathering of thousands across the United States will be occur at Court Houses, churches and places of worship to name just a few, but this day will also be marked by students in their schools, business associations and organizations will also pause for a moment to highlight prayer. All of these events will help mark the importance of a single action that calls upon the Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ.
During an Easter service this year President Obama said the following: In the words of the Book Isaiah: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." This magnificent grace, this expansive grace, this "Amazing Grace" calls me to reflect. And it calls me to pray. It calls me to ask God for forgiveness for the times that I've not shown grace to others, those times that I've fallen short. It calls me to praise God for the gift of his Son and our Savior”. In my life time I have only heard three U.S. Presidents use these types of words and phrases. Presidents Carter and Clinton identified themselves as Christians and I am delighted to have heard these same type of expressions from President Obama. I am additionally delighted to have learned that when a Judged declared through a court ruling that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional, President Obama ordered an appeal of the ruling to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court to preserve the Law that Established a National Day of Prayer in 1952.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed the paperwork that won an initial court ruling and they have been the organization that has filed countless such lawsuits including one to have the words, “In God We Trust” removed from our currency. The attack of our religions freedom has been an ongoing process by organizations attempting to limit our expressions and even more specifically to deny our heritage as a Nation. While it is my personal prayer that everyone would come to knowledge of the love and plan Jesus Christ has for each of us, I am also respectful knowing that not all will call upon His name. With this understanding, it is important for those that do profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ that you, we, us, that we all practice our faith and conviction.
On Thursday, it maybe that you will not have an opportunity to gather with other believers but you certainly have an opportunity to pray no matter where you might discover yourself to be on this day. Prayer can be conducted with our eyes open, standing, sitting, kneeling or even laying prostrate on a floor. It might be you will pray for several minutes or it could be a short prayer that you offer, but the power of your prayer joined with the attitude of other Christians the world over will have a powerful impact that we are yet to even know how to gauge. His response to our prayers is measured in many different ways. Sometimes the response is quick and clear, while at other times it maybe slow in developing as we attempt to understand His will for our lives and His answer to our prayers.
I know what I will be doing on Thursday and one of my prayers on this day of National Prayer will be a prayer of Thanks for the leadership of President Obama and a prayer of Thanks for the clear courage and thought process of the three Judges of the 7th Circuit who ruled the constitutionality of the Declaration of the National Day of Prayer 2011.
Until then
During an Easter service this year President Obama said the following: In the words of the Book Isaiah: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." This magnificent grace, this expansive grace, this "Amazing Grace" calls me to reflect. And it calls me to pray. It calls me to ask God for forgiveness for the times that I've not shown grace to others, those times that I've fallen short. It calls me to praise God for the gift of his Son and our Savior”. In my life time I have only heard three U.S. Presidents use these types of words and phrases. Presidents Carter and Clinton identified themselves as Christians and I am delighted to have heard these same type of expressions from President Obama. I am additionally delighted to have learned that when a Judged declared through a court ruling that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional, President Obama ordered an appeal of the ruling to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court to preserve the Law that Established a National Day of Prayer in 1952.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation filed the paperwork that won an initial court ruling and they have been the organization that has filed countless such lawsuits including one to have the words, “In God We Trust” removed from our currency. The attack of our religions freedom has been an ongoing process by organizations attempting to limit our expressions and even more specifically to deny our heritage as a Nation. While it is my personal prayer that everyone would come to knowledge of the love and plan Jesus Christ has for each of us, I am also respectful knowing that not all will call upon His name. With this understanding, it is important for those that do profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ that you, we, us, that we all practice our faith and conviction.
On Thursday, it maybe that you will not have an opportunity to gather with other believers but you certainly have an opportunity to pray no matter where you might discover yourself to be on this day. Prayer can be conducted with our eyes open, standing, sitting, kneeling or even laying prostrate on a floor. It might be you will pray for several minutes or it could be a short prayer that you offer, but the power of your prayer joined with the attitude of other Christians the world over will have a powerful impact that we are yet to even know how to gauge. His response to our prayers is measured in many different ways. Sometimes the response is quick and clear, while at other times it maybe slow in developing as we attempt to understand His will for our lives and His answer to our prayers.
I know what I will be doing on Thursday and one of my prayers on this day of National Prayer will be a prayer of Thanks for the leadership of President Obama and a prayer of Thanks for the clear courage and thought process of the three Judges of the 7th Circuit who ruled the constitutionality of the Declaration of the National Day of Prayer 2011.
Until then
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