News
Apply Now for the Trojan Patriot Academy 2024
A select group of high school students from around Alabama will learn more about leadership, civics, and U.S. history during the Trojan Patriot Academy this summer, presented by Troy University and American Village. This five-night camp, set for June 9-14, 2024, is designed to expose students to leadership practices and ideals through the lens of …
Celebrating Family through Adoption: Chris & Corrie Coghlan
Cover Story For Chris and Corrie Coghlan, parenthood is something to be celebrated this month and all year long, especially as they consider how God brought them together and then helped create a family through adoption. The couple had found “celebrity status” in two different arenas – Chris as a successful Major League Baseball player …
After He Rose… He Got Arrested: Camping Stories with Walt Merrell
The Great Outdoors Our Easter celebration on the banks of the Cahaba River was special indeed. (See the March edition of Birmingham Christian Family). It is one of those moments that my girls sometimes reflect on with fondness- an Ebenezer Stone in the memory vault of their life. But admittedly, those fond memories are sometimes …
Decorations & Dumplings
The Home Front If you grew up in the South, then you know that when spring starts coming on and the flowers start putting on buds, it’s time for Decorations. What are Decorations? Sometimes known as Homecomings, Decorations are a set time every year when families come to their home church to honor and remember …
Spring Pest Control: Tips & Strategies for a Pest-Free Season
Our House Springtime Pests in Alabama. Here are just a few of the critters found in Alabama that you may need spring pest control services for: Rodents Moths Roaches Mosquitoes Bees and Wasp Spiders Termites Here are a few of our best tips for springtime pest control that you can tackle at home. Indoor Chores. …
Dealing with Self
Encouraging Word It is no accident that Jesus pointed out in Matthew 16:24 that the first step to discipleship is to “deny self.” Deny means to refrain from satisfying oneself. My family doctor, in encouraging me to lose weight said, “Tony, it is okay to deprive yourself.” Jesus was saying to refrain from being selfish. …
Two Ways to Cultivate Marital Vitality in the Golden Years
Special Feature “It’s been 45 years since we said, ‘I do,’ Stan mumbles, “but lately, I’ve wondered if I didn’t make a mistake.” Stan’s sentiments represent a disturbing trend among senior couples. In the early years, Stan and Lisa shared many interests and were best friends. But when children came, and Stan’s job became more …
Financial Freedom: A Gift to Your Family
Money Matters Here’s a sobering statistic: 72% of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a study by Edward Jones and the consulting firm Age Wave. If you are near retirement, how can you prepare yourself to become financially free, so you won’t have to depend …
A Life of Service at Big Oak
Miracle Moments Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 Children arrive at Big Oak Ranch in need. They need love. They need guidance. They need the …
Tethered Trust
Best Books The Key to Trusting Comes Down to Knowing His Name. Trust. Sounds simple. But trust is a complicated and delicate matter. We know we should trust God, yet we grapple with the question: How do we actually do that? Especially when life presents unexpected trials, trusting a God we can’t see seems like …
