Laurie Stroud
Fostering Creativity & Faith: Little Creator Box
Special Feature Are you looking for opportunities to fuel your child’s creativity while teaching them about the Bible? The Little Creator Box, developed by Laurel Lake, is designed for children ages two to six years old. Each box is full of entertaining crafts and Scripture truths that point little hearts to God. “[Deuteronomy 6] doesn’t …
Why Does It Feel Like Everyone is Struggling?
Healthy Living Brought to you by: Community Partner Still Waters Counseling and Education Center, www.mystillwaters.org You don’t have to be a therapist to notice it. More people are feeling overwhelmed. More families are stretched thin. More parents worry about their children. More adults quietly wonder why coping feels harder than it used to. You may have heard this called “the national mental health crisis” because …
Real People, Real Struggles, & An Amazing God: The Crucible of Illness
Best Books “Spending time in the crucible of illness can be a blessing if you have godly hope.” This is part of the inspiring message presented in Dr. Robert D. Marks and Dr. Dana Daniel Blake’s new book, The Crucible of Illness. Developed through the authors’ religious journeys, experiences working with patients and their families, …
The Heart of the Caregiver
Best Books Caregiving is one of the most selfless callings—and one of the most exhausting. Long hours, constant responsibility, and the emotional weight of loving someone through illness, decline, or crisis can leave caregivers feeling stretched thin and unseen. Many quietly wonder, How long can I keep going? or Does what I’m doing really matter? …
8th Annual College Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching
Publisher’s Note High School Seniors in the five county Birmingham area have until Friday March 13, 2026 to apply for the 8th Annual Birmingham Christian Family Scholarship Awards. This year we will have three scholarship recipients who will be able to use their award at the college or university of their choice- $2000 to the …
Fighting Back & Rising Up to Help Others: Lulu & Ann Blair Gribbin
Cover Story Birmingham’s Ann Blair Gribbin epitomizes a mother’s love in the way she’s cared for and advocated for her daughter Lulu after a terrifying shark attack in 2024 that left Lulu fighting for her life. Since the attack that made international news in June of 2024, the Gribbins have become fearless examples of resiliency …
Love at First Sight
The Great Outdoors Hannah and I met as college freshmen at the University of Montevallo. The campus has a quiet grandeur. Frederick Law Olmsted- the same landscape architect behind Central Park, the U.S. Capitol grounds, and the Biltmore Estate- designed its central core. From the Main Quad, the land gently slopes past King’s House and …
Meet Snow White
The Family Pet Forget the “once upon a time,” Snow White is ready for the here and now! This real-life princess is seeking a dedicated cuddle partner for a long-term sofa residency. She fully believes the path to true love is paved with snacks, meaning royalty may not pay rent, but expects your hand to …
Love in Action: Teaching Your Kids About Christlike Love
Parenting Points February often centers on hearts, cards, and expressions of affection, but as followers of Jesus, we have a deeper story of love to share. Christlike love goes beyond feelings or words; it is active, sacrificial, and compassionate. Teaching children what this kind of love looks like helps shape their character and allows them …
