Laurie Stroud
A Love Worth Celebrating
Special Feature Reservations are made. Childcare arrangements are secured. A romantic evening filled with excitement and celebration awaits! For many, expressions of love culminate on February 14, Valentine’s Day. Balloons, stuffed animals, and hearts- red, pink, large and small- cover shelves and store displays. While symbols of affection are used to express attraction, there is …
Looking Through the Lens of Love Instead of the Target of Offense
Parenting Points Being offended is the fuel for many in our culture. Neighborhood Facebook groups thrive over the latest offense, whether it was the family who will not cut the grass quickly enough or the unresponsible dog owner who didn’t clean up on the neighborhood walk. Many people live in a state of constant offense, …
Planting the Seeds of Faith
Miracle Moments Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham “So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 Raising children from difficult circumstances and equipping them for generational change is …
Showing Love with Your Estate Plan
Legal Matters Brought to you by: Community Partner Holliman & Holliman, www.hollimanlegal.com Thinking of your loved ones? Do more than send them valentines and flowers. Use your estate plan to put your love into action. If your spouse’s eyes glaze over when you want to talk about finances or estate plans, you can still make …
Can Business and Ministry Connect?
Business Today Brought to you by: Community Partner Convene, www.convenenow.com While many people talk about doing business-as-ministry (BAM), the reality is that business IS ministry (BIM). Ministry is simply serving and caring for others. The best Christian-led companies do both implicit and explicit ministry: • Businesses implicitly serve and care for others through excellence of …
Celebrate George Washington’s Birthday at the American Village
Are We There Yet? In a day of family fun, patriotic music and birthday cake, the American Village in Montevallo will celebrate the 291st birthday of the Father of our Country, George Washington, on Monday, February 20. Washington’s birthday holds special meaning for the American Village. The land on Highway 119 in Montevallo where the …
Fortune
Best Books In 1687, a baby was born in colonial Maryland. She was the child of a mixed-race couple, but she was born free. Her name was Fortune Game/McGee. When she was eighteen, an unholy alliance of commerce, power, and ungodly theology changed Fortune’s life. The rules governing the positions of slavery and freedom were …
Meet God Where You Are
Best Books Nothing is more important than our relationship with the Father. But we are a weak, frail, and floundering people. At times our wandering seems endless, and our prayers repetitive and empty. The void within our hearts burns for fulfillment and the desire to feel worthy for a deeper relationship with God cries out. …
Banks Academy Welcomes a New Executive Director Cas McWaters
Education Extra Bringing with him a vast number of years of full and part time educational experience and 43 years of music ministry, Cas McWaters recently joined Banks Academy as its new Executive Director. He comes to Banks Academy after retiring as Principal from Vestavia Hills High School in 2013 and serving 8 ½ years …
Heather Brown: A Life Well Loved
Cover Story Perfection and comparison. Birmingham-based podcaster and lifestyle blogger Heather Brown says that perfection and comparison can rob Christian women and families of joy, but that she aims to provide a realistic and healthy understanding of life via her social media presence. “If you don’t have joy in Christ, it won’t come from exercise …
