Discipleship Thought began as a weekly email from First Baptist Church at the Mall's Discipleship Pastor, Mark Bedwell, to his Sunday Morning Connect Group Leadership Team. These Thoughts were meant as a weekly encouragement, point to ponder, break from the day and sometimes even meant to make you stop and say "hmmm?"

We hope you find encouragement. Feel free to pass this along to someone who might need a little encouragement today!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

WARM

I was reading an article on the internet this morning about new uniforms created for the Russian Army by a top fashion designer.  While the suits are thinner and more chic, hundreds of servicemen have been hospitalized from flu and pneumonia due to the new snazzy uniforms inability to withstand the Arctic chills that sweep through the country’s northern reaches.  The soldiers claimed that they “literally felt naked outside.” 

Monday night….I identified with those soldiers as my wife and I attended  Disney’s Candlelight Processional at an outdoor theatre in Epcot.   It was cold…I don’t mean the kind of cold that makes you reach in the closet and grab your windbreaker.  I mean the kind of cold that requires layers of clothing.  Extra socks.  Gloves.  Two Jackets. Scarves. Thermal underpants.  The kind of cold that makes going to the restroom a major ordeal and the kind of cold that reminds you why you moved to Florida in the first place.  

Friday, December 3, 2010

SWEET POTATO

I have always loved sweet potatoes. Sweet potato pie, sweet potato casserole, sweet potato French fries, sweet potato squares, sweet potato bisque……..and my favorite of all time was ostrich steak and sweet potato ravioli….served at the Flying Biscuit in Atlanta.  It is quite delicious. 

Last week as preparations were being made for Thanksgiving, I wandered into the kitchen to do a little taste testing.  I noticed that there were some sweet potatoes on the counter about to find their way into a wonderful casserole dish.  I opened up a drawer…..withdrew a fork….inched myself over to the bowl of sweet potatoes that were awaiting their smashing, mixing and delicious additions and I inserted my fork into the bowl. There was steam rising from the bare potatoes…but I was willing to take a chance.  I pulled out a tiny bite.  It was quite hot…but I ate it any way and found myself making the “hot hot hot” noise as I let the potatoes dance around my mouth attempting to cool them off.  I went for another taste.  This time I blew on the potatoes long enough to get them to at least a bearable temperature for tasting.  I began to chew and taste….and to be quite honest…