Laurie Stroud
Special Feature: Lay Academy of Theology
Delve into God’s Word If you are looking for a great opportunity to delve into and be inspired by God’s Word, consider signing up for a Winter/Spring course through Beeson Divinity School. With the theme of “Being Different & Making a Difference in a very Different World,” Beeson’s Lay Academy of Theology at Samford University …
Healthy Living: St. Vincent’s
Expanding Healthcare Services in Trussville St. Vincent’s Health System plans to open outpatient services, including diagnostics, in Trussville this fall.  “We are excited to expand our services in the Trussville and surrounding community,” said Neeysa Biddle, FACHE, Sr. V.P., Ascension & Birmingham Market Exec. of St. Vincent’s Health System. “We have listened to the community …
City Scene: Shepherd’s Fold
A Night of Hope with David Ring Few individuals have felt the crushing blows that have besieged David Ring since birth yet he has emerged victorious! Ring will be the featured speaker for an event hosted by Shepherd’s Fold, Inc., a 501(c)3, Christ-centered, faith-based re-entry ministry for men and women being released from prison. The event …
Laurie’s Blog January 2017
 HAPPY New Year! Every once in a while, my mom will bag up and bring me some “treasures” of the past like old letters, photographs or childhood toys. Among the “treasures” is a note I wrote to my mom and dad many years ago. Judging by the artwork and handwriting— I was about eight or nine years old. …
Healthy Living
Not Once but Twice He Saved Me Twenty-year-old Chase Walton of Chelsea wrote the poem, “Not Once but Twice He Saved Me” to exemplify how he lives his life. Chase is treated by the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama for a brain tumor. His family and medical team …
Healthy Living
Area Churches Go Red for Women Studies have shown that church-based health intervention helps reduce stroke and heart disease risk behaviors in women. Since heart disease and stroke are the #1 and #4 killers of Alabama women respectively, the American Heart Association (AHA) is partnering with churches to help congregations focus on healthy lifestyles and …
Legal Matters
Game Changers in Estate Planning Planning a family get together for the upcoming Super Bowl? Consider adding to the football fun some quality time for family reflection. Use the time to clarify parents’ wishes regarding medical decisions and financial issues. Of course, some families have dynamics that may be too volatile to allow for logical …
Encouraging Word
8 Principles to Blessing in 2017 To me the greatest sermon preached was Jesus’ “sermon on the mount,” recorded in Matthew 5, 6 and 7. It begins with Matthew 5:1-12, referred to as “the beatitudes.” This passage could also be entitled, “Eight Principles to Blessing.” Let’s take a look at these 8 principles: “Blessed are …
Best Books
Award Winning Alabama Author Releases The Silent Songbird The creation of an imaginative story is an inherently spiritual exercise. It is one of the marks of the imago Deo, the image of God stamped upon humanity. Whether it’s a talking snake in a garden, a merchant who finds a pearl of great price, or a …
