It was fall. The campus of the University of Montevallo never looked so beautiful with its colonial brick buildings and contrasting white painted trim, nestled among mighty oaks, bearing leaves of rich red, orange, and yellow hues. Eboney could feel the crisp air on her face as she breathed in the beauty of the opportunity she had been given. Every movement seemed to have slowed down, simply for the benefit of absorbing all she could before this instance slipped away.

Each year for Veterans Day, Restoration Academy celebrates and honors our nation's many veterans. To thank our veterans, this year's program featured a procession honoring veterans as well as performances from elementary and high school students. We are so thankful for our veteran's selfless service and cannot honor them enough for the things they have done to keep our country free and safe!

As there is a connection between patience and kindness, there is also a corollary between gentleness and self-control. All of the fruits of the Spirit are interconnected in different ways, and the desire of any true believer would be to see these fruits growing and maturing in an ongoing fashion.

None of us like being uncomfortable or misunderstood. When jobs, churches, or some relationships become especially challenging or frustrating we are tempted to look for the exit door. The allure of “greener grass” looms on the horizon and promises relief when our present circumstances become overwhelming.

JFK once exhorted Americans by saying, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Although his famous quote is not from the Bible, it has great biblical insight. JFK recognized that our default setting is to look to our environment, our friends, our church, and our country to meet our needs, satisfy our longings, and increase our comfort. In other words, we are committed to assuring that good things happen in our lives. We often prioritize this over pursuing goodness for those around us.

Someone once said that we are people who “tap our feet at the microwave.” Efficiency and speed have become virtues that we celebrate and promote.

Delays or impediments to our plans usually extract great frustration from us and lead to complaining.

Peace, like love, is a word that has lost a lot of its potency in the English language. We have a watered down understanding of peace that robs it of its true efficacy.

Life is unpredictable and challenging.

Sometimes it’s grim news from around the world. Other times it’s the monotony of work, struggles within your family, or setbacks in your health. During especially arduous seasons of life, it can feel like you are drowning and without hope. Finding joy can feel almost impossible.

In the English language and in westernized culture it is safe to say that the word “love” has been thoroughly watered down. We “love” our families, sports, ice cream, and trips to the beach. Although the degree of our affection for different things may vary, we are constrained to using the same word for each one and, therefore, diminishing the word’s potency.

Superheroes and the propagation of their e epic stories have become a billion dollar business.

Their unrivaled powers and mythical battles are both exciting and inspiring. Just like us, as everyday people, superheroes have their flaws, but unlike us they have ridiculous gifts and strengths that almost anyone would desire. These assets make them transcendent and in some respects widen and broaden their impact and influence on the world around them.

Superheroes are all the rage in today’s pop culture. From Wonder Woman and Flash to Supergirl and Iron Man, the world seems to be longing for a team of Superheroes to swoop in and save the day!

As believers, we know that there’s no need for a Superhero contingent. We don’t have to wonder if help is on the way! The work has been done, the Hero has come, and the battle is already won. The True Hero, in the person of Jesus Christ, has come and will come back.

As we’ve walked through the past three weeks of the COVID-19 quarantine, Restoration Academy remains committed to advancing the two greatest commandments in the life of each student. This mission statement is as true today as it was a month ago when our classrooms were filled with students.

This has definitely been a Lent like none other. Lent, that liturgical space between epiphany and Easter where traditionally something is given up to make more space for reflection on Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. Given up. Most times, Christians who practice Lent choose one thing… willingly. This Lenten season feels very much like a bunch of things were chosen for us. It seems as if everything has been stripped away from “normal” life.