Keep the tradition and join Laura Crandall Brown Foundation (LCBF) as we host our 14th annual Head Over Teal 5K/10K and Family Fun Day. Create your own FUNdraising page or lead a team of supporters when you sign up to participate. Runners can honor survivors and remember those who fought GYN cancer by participating in the 5K/10K, joining us for our pet-friendly fall festival-themed day, or selecting the “sleep in” option. Lead race times will be eligible for a Trak Shak gift card. Share photos of family support, connect with other participants, and engage the foundation virtually by using the hashtags #headoverteal and #headoverteal2023 and by following us on social media at Facebook @LCBFoundation, Instagram at lcbfoundation, Vimeo at Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, and Flickr at Laura Crandall Brown Foundation. Learn more and register at thinkoflaura.org/headoverteal. All proceeds go to support LCBF’s mission of early detection research, awareness education, and financial support services for GYN cancer patients and their families.
Widespread Grace 2023 will be held on Thursday, September 21. Join us for an evening celebrating 10 years of Red Mountain Grace and supporting our goal of continuing to be the best housing option for families traveling to Birmingham for long-term medical care. Individual tickets are available for $150 and table sponsorships begin at $1000. Doors open at 5:30 pm, and dinner begins at 6:30 pm. For ticket and sponsorship information, visit www.redmountaingrace.com/wsg23.
Special Feature
How would your spouse describe you? Would the portrayal match your expectations and how others see you? Can living for Christ affect your reputation?
How Does Your Spouse See You? Most people want commendable words spoken of them, especially from their spouses. Try this: Ask your mate to share three words to describe you. Agree upfront not to get upset, pout, or start an argument. Words like amazing, caring, loyal, and helpful may produce good reactions. Negative emotions may surface with words like bitter, rude, selfish, or judgmental. Receive their response in love and embrace it as an opportunity for growth.Use this feedback to reflect on how past behaviors might have established undesirable views about your character. As Christians, our conduct should display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).We may not like it, but our spouse sees our unpleasant side. At times, they seem to know us better than we know ourselves. As rearview and side mirrors reveal blind spots when driving, our spouses can help us see the hidden things in our character- good and bad. We should respect their viewpoint and ask Christ to continue to conform us to His image.
How Does God See You? God, the Father, sees His children as valuable. Like your spouse, He uses words to describe you as well. You are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). He calls you friend (John 15:15). You are “holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12 ESV).Our actions may not always live up to God’s view of us. However, we can be certain that He will change our character as we obey and live for Him.
Which One? What would you choose if you had to choose between wealth and a good reputation? Having wealth is beneficial. Being a person of integrity is priceless.An admirable character is more valuable than being a billionaire. Proverbs 22:1 ESV declares, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” So, what is in a name? The answer to this question depends on two things: how well we live and how well we finish. As Christians, “we are ambassadors for Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV). Let us represent Him in a way that brings honor and glory to His name.
-Vanessa Jones
Vice President & Co-founder of Biblical Marriage Institute
Join us at Wald Park on May 20th for a fun day of food, games, bouncy houses, firetrucks, prizes, and much more! We start the day with a bike parade. Decorate your bike, trike, scooter or skateboard and bring it to the park and join us! YOU are the star as we parade around the park! Then join the Beatin’ Path Rhythm Drum Circle! Don’t forget to sign up for Summer Reading and grab you goodie bag before you leave!
Special Feature
Do you really believe God loves you? This is just one question best-selling author Susan Alexander Yates will explore at Samford Legacy League’s Scholarship Luncheon on February 9 in Birmingham. The annual event raises funds for students with challenging financial needs.
Yates is the author of 16 books including Cousin Camp, Risky Faith, How to Like the Ones You Love, and One Devotional. In addition to writing books and blog posts at www.susanalexanderyates.com, she speaks at events around the country on topics “related to parenting, marriage, building strong families, and faith issues.”
Susan Alexander Yates and her husband John have been married for 53 years and have five children and 21 grandchildren. Visit Susan’s website www.susanalexanderyates.com to sign up and receive a free eBook download about family reunions.
Yates will speak twice on February 9. “Discovering an Infinite, Intimate God” is Yates’ topic for the Scholarship Luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. at a country club in Vestavia. “We will discuss how we can truly live in the reality that God loves us,” Yates shares, adding “I will share three ways we can get to know God.”
Yates will speak on “Trusting God in Life’s Transitions” during the Supper & Table Talk event at 5:30 p.m. in the Regions Room of Samford University. Yates believes every season of life has transitions. She and her husband John recently experienced a major life transition when John retired. “Believers don’t retire, they reposition,” Yates believes. She will share six keys she learned through personal experience about leaning on your faith during transition periods.
Susan Alexander Yates will speak two times in Birmingham on February 9. Tickets are available for both events at www.samford.edu/legacyleague.
“Do you need encouragement in the new year? Come to these events. The topics and discussions are appropriate for all ages,” Yates says. To learn more about these events hosted by Samford University’s Legacy League and to make required reservations, visit www.samford.edu/legacyleague.
-Melissa Armstrong
Mission Makers
Sav-A-Life’s newest clinic in Crestwood recently received a new ultrasound machine and training. The Psalm 139 Project, a pro-life ministry of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, in partnership with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, donated the machine.
Sav-A-Life was founded in 1980 to provide a safe place for women considering abortion. The ministry helps women in unplanned pregnancy situations by providing for both physical and spiritual needs. The ministry provides free and confidential medical services such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD/STI testing, educational programs and post abortion recovery for moms and dads.Â
A dedication ceremony was recently held for the new ultrasound machine at the Sav-A-Life Crestwood Clinic located at 1449 Medical Park South, Suite 300, 35213.
“God has really done an amazing work bringing this center to the east side of Birmingham,” said Lisa Hogan, executive director of Sav-A-Life Centers in Crestwood, Vestavia and North Jefferson. “We know the need is great to serve women and families in an unplanned pregnancy situation and ultrasound is a critical tool as it reveals life in the womb. We are so grateful to the Psalm 139 Project and the Alabama State Board of Missions for making this a reality for us.” Learn more at www.savalife.org. â€
Get up close and personal with the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales at the Bluff Park Piggly Wiggly on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.! The gentle giants will be present at Piggly Wiggly, a proud carrier of Anheuser-Busch products, along with their iconic beer wagon to host an educational show, a trot and photo opportunities for those in attendance. City of Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato will join the Clydesdale handlers to ride aboard as the beautiful horses trot along.Â
In addition to their appearance at Piggly Wiggly, the Clydesdales’ tour will also include the following:
Alabama’s 75th Annual National Veterans Day Parade – Friday, Nov. 11 (With Parade After Party)
Lakeview District Trot Parade – Saturday, Nov. 12
Cullman Christmas Market Open House – Sunday, Nov. 13Â
Thanksgiving is almost here. The aroma of roasted turkey, green bean casserole, and sweet potato or pumpkin pie, will soon fill homes across America. Many will enjoy a scrumptious meal with family and friends. Some will take a moment to express gratitude to God for His blessings. Others will struggle to be thankful this season, especially people in troubled marriages. Is it possible to be grateful when your heart is hurting?Â
Happiness is not guaranteed. No one gets married to live unhappily ever after. We should desire the “better” but also be prepared for the “worse.” It has been said, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” There is a third thing: there will be disappointments in marriage because it consists of two imperfect people with sin-stained hearts. When things break down in a relationship, it usually means two immovable attitudes—pride and selfishness—have crashed into each other. Pride and selfishness undermine the ability to find good things in a spouse.
Something to be thankful for. Many families have a Thanksgiving tradition in which everyone shares one thing for which they are thankful. This tradition can be fun but also a little awkward, especially when you are with people who are experiencing relational difficulties. The Bible tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV). This verse instructs Christians to thank God in the good and bad times. Perhaps you can start a new tradition this Thanksgiving. Consider three reasons you are thankful for your spouse and family, and tell them!
Nothing is wasted. Matthew 14:19-20 describes how Jesus “gave thanks” and broke five loaves of bread and two fish to feed five thousand. Jesus took what could only satisfy one person- a boy’s lunch- and helped thousands, with nothing wasted. But for this to happen, something had to be broken first. When your spouse or someone close has broken your heart intentionally or unintentionally, remember Jesus is waiting to pick up the pieces and use them for a higher purpose- to bring God glory and make you more like Christ. Everything-including life’s heartbreaks- has value and usefulness in God’s kingdom (Romans 8:28-29). Now that is something for which we all can be thankful!
-Alonza Jones
President & Co-founder of Biblical Marriage Institute
Riverside Baptist Church Helena will be hosting a FREE Fall Harvest Party on October 30, 2022 from 4-6 pm. Everyone from the community is invited for dinner, inflatables, a hayride, LOTS of candy, a dunking booth, and more! Children are invited to wear (non-scary) costumes and participate in our annual costume parade.
A city wide family event with 90 Christmas trees on display. The Gardendale Civic Center Lawn will be beautifully lit with a multitude of designs. This event benefits the Dick Lee Memorial Scholarships Fund. Free admission. Learn more about the event here.
