Midnights & Mayflies

Group in creek

The Great Outdoors 

Mayflies covered nearly the entire inside of my Paw Paw’s boathouse. Most were clutching desperately to the 2 x 4 stud walls and clinging perilously to the old metal siding. I didn’t much like to go in that old boat shed. Enclosed on three sides, the only electric source of light hung over the door. At best, it was dim at dawn when Paw Paw wanted to go fishing. I preferred afternoon fishing myself. I didn’t care for the early morning, the mayflies by the millions, or the spiders.  

Walt and daughter at night in creek
Walt is seen here with his daughter during a midnight adventure of sucker gigging.

All these years later, I don’t remember whether we caught fish on those mayfly mornings. I just remember the mayflies, the darkness, and the spiders, and that my grandfather spent time with me. Every year, not too long before the mayflies hatch, the “suckers” run. I don’t know what a “sucker” is, but it looks something like a mullet with the mouth of a grass carp. At the first full moon after the dogwoods bloom, the “suckerfish,” as we call them, move out of the Conecuh River and into the creeks and streams that feed it, to spawn. And most every year, some combination of the girls and I, complete with an accompaniment of friends, will make our way to Cottle Creek to go sucker gigging. Suckers don’t bite hooks. So, walking through ankle to knee-deep water during the full moonlight, you find the suckers slowly swimming upstream to their spawning grounds and you gig them. A harvest of three or four is a fine night’s work. Seven or eight is a feast. The first few minutes are always the most difficult for the unfamiliar. Wading into a South Alabama creek at night seems a contradiction of good judgment. Water moccasins, copperheads, snapping turtles, and even an occasional alligator are all possibilities. But, after a few minutes, the nervousness seems to subside. I’m sure the headlamps and flashlights do a fine job of belaying the fears. It’s funny how light does that. The adventure of it all seems to take control, as I soon find myself telling the girls to slow down.

Walt with girls in creek sucker gigging
Walt has made many memories with his girls in the great outdoors.

The sight of a sucker usually sparks glee, as a chorus of exclamation erupts as the girls all try to converge on the fish. Realizing that the lights and the clamor of shrills of squeaky pubescent girls are not a regular feature of the creek, the suckerfish don’t stick around to find out what all the commotion is about. With a few hard flicks of their tail, they scurry up the stream to look for a deep hole or some low-hanging branches to hide within. And the girls give chase- or not.  Sometimes, they pursue with vigor until the fish tires them out. Other times, the girls are content to celebrate the victory of simply seeing the fish. I’m not sure the point was ever about gigging fish for me, and at some point, I don’t think it was for them either. And I doubt that my grandfather waking me in the wee hours of the morning to fish the mayfly hatch on Lay Lake was much about fishing either. More than anything, I remember that he wanted to spend time with me. And, while I may have done it begrudgingly then, I cherish the memories now- even the cobwebs, spiders, and dark corners. 

One day, I pray my girls hold fast to the memories we made traversing the midnight creeks. Somewhere along the way, I hope they realize the same lessons I have come to appreciate from my grandfather. Never once did he pick me up at the end of the dock as I had requested countless times. Instead, he pushed me to conquer my fears. While I still don’t like spiders, I did learn that there is always a safe place in the Light. My girls know that, too. Never mind the drama of worrying about things yet to happen. We’ve never once seen a snake or alligator on any of our trips. Let’s stay focused on the good that is within the Light. And I suspect that the reason we never see any of those reptilian critters is because we never stray from the Light. Hopefully, they will carry that lesson into adulthood with them, too. “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

-Walt Merrell

A Christian Outdoorsman who writes of his adventures with his family, with the hope that others might be inspired and encouraged to embrace God’s tapestry, otherwise known as the great outdoors, as a means of finding Common Ground. You can follow him at Shepherding Outdoors on FB, YT and IG and at shepherdingoutdoors.com. His most recent book is available at shepherdingbook.com. Read his faith story at www.BirminghamChristian.com.

 

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Encouraging Word

In Luke 4:18, Jesus describes the power of the Gospel. We know the Gospel is the Good News that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered humanity to seek, serve, and save the lost. Jesus said the Gospel can be described in five ways: spiritual proclamation to the poor; spiritual healing; spiritual freedom; spiritual sight; and spiritual comfort. Let’s dig into Luke 4:18 KJV, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…”

1. Spiritual Proclamation. “To preach the Gospel to the poor.” The definition of poor here means not to have your needs met. Philippians 4:19 NIV says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God can meet your every need.

2. Spiritual healing. “He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.” Only God can heal a broken heart. He indeed is the Great Physician who brings spiritual healing.

3. Spiritual freedom. “To preach deliverance to the captives.” In John 8:36 NIV, Jesus says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Only Jesus can deliver us from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:23).

4. Spiritual sight. “Recovering of sight to the blind.” Jesus is the light of the world, and the Holy Spirit enlightens our hearts, teaches us spiritual truth, and gives us spiritual sight.

5. Spiritual comfort. “To set at liberty them that are bruised.” Jesus understands what it is like to be beaten, battered, and broken. He offers comfort and encouragement.

Only the Gospel can overcome evil and minister to our hurts and struggles.  So be encouraged and allow the power of the Gospel to permeate your life. In doing so, you will never be the same!

-Tony Cooper

Director Emeritus of Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

Rachel Allen with friends

Mission Makers

Ever since I was 16, I knew that God was calling me to Japan and I never understood why until after I fell in love with the country and the idea of doing ministry there full-time. Most people are unaware that Japan contains one of the largest unreached populations in the entire world, with only about one percent identifying as Christian. Unreached means that they have never heard the Gospel, not that they are hostile to it. Also, there is only one church for every 16,000 people and each church can only hold about 40 people.

Rachel Allen with friends
Rachel Allen (third from left) is a freshman in college majoring in Global Ministry.

I believe God has given me the skills and the passion “for such a time as this” (as Mordecai said to Esther as a call to action to save the Israelites from death). This summer, God has called me to serve in Japan under Pioneers, which is a nonprofit organization that sends missionaries all over the world, specifically in the 10/40 window. I will be teaching English alongside my teammates, serving local churches, and participating in street outreach.

Rachel Allen
Rachel first became interested in sharing the Gospel in Japan when she attended the Motion Student Conference in 2021 where one of the speakers told a story about a missionary who went to Japan.

There are millions of people in Japan who will die never hearing the name of Jesus if we as a Christian community don’t do something about it. This is the ‘why’ that drives everything I do. From learning about missions at Highlands College, to praying for the unreached, to developing relationships with international students weekly at an event hosted by Baptist Campus Ministries at UAB, I strive to be the best I can be while also relying on Christ to eventually make it to the mission field. But I can’t do it alone.

There’s a saying that I think perfectly captures the idea of missionary work. “I’ll go down in the pit if you’ll hold the rope.” Missionaries like me rely on the support of God’s people to hold us up as we dive headfirst into sharing the Gospel. We need a strong team of “rope holders” who will help us bring God’s light into communities that may never otherwise experience it. That, readers, is what I am here to offer. An opportunity to join me in sharing the Gospel in Japan through two forms of partnership: prayer and financial support. If you would like to become a partner in this mission, please email me at [email protected] and I will send you the link to donate as well as add you to my e-newsletter which will have updates and prayer requests.

-Rachel Allen

Danna with parents

The Home Front 

May is the month we honor our wonderful mothers. While there are so many endearing attributes we could mention, like the love, attention, and nurturing they give us through the years, there is another that brings much joy to so many. It surrounds their labor of love for us in the kitchen. These favored recipes become our culinary heritage.  I salivate when thinking of all the favorite dishes our mothers and grandmothers have blessed us with down through the years. 

Danna with parents
Danna is seen here with her parents, Gerald and Shirley Swann.

And heaven forbid we find no one has the recipe written down after our loved one has graduated on to glory. How could we let this happen? Many of our mommas and grandmas kept their recipes safely tucked away in their creative and loving minds. Without their written recipes, we spend years trying to formulate the exact recipe to get that special feeling when our feet were tucked under their table as we enjoyed our loved ones’ food. So, I encourage you, my friends, to gather up your family’s recipes so you can pass these legacy recipes down in your kitchen and in your family. 

As a fitting tribute to my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmothers, here are selections of favored family recipes to celebrate all the love and nurturing we received from our matriarchs. Now, what are your family favorites? Now is the time to write them down and pass them on. When your loved ones are gone, the recipes will be gone forever. So, get busy my friends! I’d love for you to email me a copy of your recipe and the story that goes with it to [email protected]

-Danna Standridge

Author of  Happiness is Homemade Y’all! 

Read her faith story at www.birminghamchristian.com.

Join her in the kitchen on Facebook and YouTube.

Mom’s Comfort Chicken

By Pat Standridge

Ingredients: 

  • 2 jars dried beef
  • 8 slices bacon
  • 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Paprika
  • 8 chicken breast, deboned 

Directions: 

Line an oblong casserole dish with dried beef. Roll each chicken breast and wrap it with a slice of bacon. Place wrapped chicken on top of dried beef. Combine sour cream and soup and pour it over the chicken. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover with foil. Bake for 3 hours at 300 degrees. Remove foil for the last 30 minutes. Serves 8. *Can also put in the crockpot on low all day, around 8 hours. For smaller servings, cut the bacon and the chicken in half, then you will have 16 smaller servings. 

Sunday Best Pot Roast

By Shirley Swann, Danna’s Mom

Ingredients:

  • 3 lb beef roast
  • 2 cans beefy mushroom soup
  • 4 carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
  • 4 potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1 medium onion
  • Salt and pepper for seasoning

Directions:

Salt and season the roast the night before adding your favorite marinade and keep refrigerated. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown both sides of roast in a heavy skillet on top of the stove. Place roast in a covered skillet or Dutch oven and cook for 1 ½ hours. Then, pour soup over roast and add 1 can of water. Add vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 1 ½ hours or until meat is tender. Enjoy!

American Cemetery and Memorial at Normandy

Special Featuring

If you’ve attended a burial service for a United States veteran, you have likely heard the military bugle call Taps being played. This special tradition, with its Civil War roots, is given as a final tribute to honor the veteran’s service to the nation. Unfortunately, the number of buglers who perform Taps in the state of Alabama has greatly decreased over the years. Birmingham’s Dr. Matthew Burford, founder of Tactical Faith and dedicated bugler for 25 years, hopes to change that. 

“Twenty-five years ago, I was asked to play Taps at a veteran’s funeral when no one else was available. That moment left a deep impression on me,” Dr. Burford reflects, adding, “I realized the profound silence and meaning in those 24 notes, and how they spoke for a nation when words could not. That led me to volunteer with Bugles Across America.” Dr. Burford explains that over the years, he has seen a growing need for buglers in the state. This need led him to start the Real Taps for Real Heroes initiative. “We’re losing both the musicians and the tradition. I want to raise awareness and invite a new generation – especially students and young trumpet players – to carry this tradition forward.” 

Dr. Burford performing at Normandy
Dr. Matthew Burford, adjunct professor at Samford University, is seen here performing Taps at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Normandy. He says the experience was “truly the pinnacle of my 25 years volunteering with Bugles Across America.”

“Our mission is simple- to ensure every veteran receives a live performance of Taps. We aim to recruit, train, and inspire more volunteer buglers while educating the public about the meaning behind the call. It’s about honoring service, preserving tradition, and making sure the last goodbye is personal, reverent, and real,” Dr. Burford says. As part of the Real Taps for Real Heroes initiative, Dr. Burford recently traveled to Normandy and Brittany in France to play Taps at the American cemeteries. When asked to describe the experience, he shares, “It’s hard to put into words. Playing Taps at Normandy and Brittany in France was humbling beyond anything I’ve experienced. These are not just cemeteries- they’re sacred spaces where history and sacrifice meet. Standing there, horn in hand, surrounded by rows of white crosses, you feel the weight of what those men and women gave.” Dr. Burford also often performs Taps at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo and shares that this cemetery is just as sacred to him. “Whether it’s overseas or in our own backyard, the mission is the same- honor the fallen, comfort the families, and make sure no one is forgotten.”

While there are certain requirements to becoming a bugler with Bugles Across America, Dr. Burford explains that they are straightforward. “You need to be able to play Taps clearly and respectfully on a trumpet or bugle. Bugles Across America has an audition process- usually a video submission- and once approved, you’re placed on a volunteer roster. From there, you’re able to sign up for services in your area.” To anyone considering volunteering with Bugles Across America, he says, “If you can play Taps and have a heart to serve, you’re needed. It’s one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do. You’re giving a family comfort. You’re standing in the gap. You’re helping a grateful nation say goodbye. And that’s something worth being part of.” To learn more about Real Taps for Real Heroes, visit www.realtapsforrealheroes.com

-Melissa Armstrong

 

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Special Feature

How often have you thought: when you get this, buy that, reach this goal, or have this much money, you will be happy and satisfied? With determination, you do whatever it takes to get what you want. You later discover the satisfaction gained from these acquisitions is temporary.

Before you know it, you pursue the next opportunity or person to fill the emptiness. True meaning in life comes from delighting in the One who can satisfy your deepest longings- Jesus Christ. He alone gives true purpose and provides lasting fulfillment. When you do things for attention and receive acceptance from others, it may provide a sense of fulfillment. Similar feelings may come from marrying the man of your dreams, donating many hours to community work, or watching your child’s classmates devour your homemade cookies. However, endeavors that create happiness, popularity, or status in the community provide the illusion of ultimate fulfillment. Involvement in these worthwhile activities paints a distorted picture of enduring gratification. 

Fulfillment Defined. Biblical inner peace, contentment, and satisfaction are indicators of true fulfillment. Feelings that result from striving to please and measure up to others’ expectations fade. Infinite inner peace is the realization you are loved and accepted by God. Continued contentment is knowing you have value without adding material things or achievements. Sustained satisfaction is knowing you are living for a higher and eternal purpose. There is security in knowing you are complete in Christ and can be yourself. Most people long to feel that their presence matters and that they have value.

Fulfillment Discovered. You are on the path to fulfillment when you no longer feel compelled to keep up with others or follow the latest fads. Releasing yourself from the relentless pursuit of doing more, buying more, and achieving more, leads to real contentment. Authentic contentment is found in learning to walk in obedience to Christ while you extend love and support to others. Christ loves you and can fill your hollow soul with Himself. He makes life complete and desires your company. Genuine fulfillment happens when there is an ongoing dependence on and communion with God. When your soul’s appetite yearns for Christ, you will have complete nourishment and no longer feel deficient. Psalm 107:9 (ESV) states, “For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.”

Christ alone satisfies the emptiness in your soul. He is enough!

-Vanessa M. Jones

Vice President & Co-founder of Biblical Marriage Institute

BiblicalMarriageInstitute.org

@biblicalmarriageinstitute

Bree Sorgee with family

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, mollymaid.com/birmingham

Community Partner 25 Years“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 

As a child, my story was tattered with abuse and neglect. My mother struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues. My father was in and out of jail due to theft, drugs and rape. When I was around five years old, he was sent to the state penitentiary with a life sentence. 

Bree Sorgee with grandson
Bree Sorgee has been married to her husband Jamie for 24 years. They love to spend time with their children and grandchildren.

All through my childhood we bounced around from place to place to avoid child services and authorities. We would be left with strangers and random men. I became the most consistent caretaker for my younger sisters. One afternoon, my mom took my sisters and I to the grocery store, went inside and never came back out. After a while, a police officer came up to the window of the car and started asking me questions. Eventually they told me that my mom had left and that we were going to live with my paternal grandparents for a while. In elementary school my school principal started noticing signs that concerned her and began talking to me. One afternoon a DHR worker came to the school and talked to me about all the things I had told the principal. 

When we moved to Big Oak Ranch, we were finally free. It took me a long time to realize that the Ranch was our saving grace. It was hard for me to let go of the responsibilities of parenting my sisters. I began to work through my trauma with counselors, two in particular, who really taught me a lot about what a trusting relationship should be. After moving from the Ranch as a young adult, I became a mom and found a husband who loves me, for me. I was able to form strong relationships and trust others and the support they could provide me. Today, I am known as Bree Sorgee, a loving wife, a caring friend, mother and BeBe to my grandchildren. I no longer have to live under the shadow of pain from my past. I proudly say that Big Oak Ranch set me on a path to success, and I am forever grateful. 

-Bree Sorgee

Miracle Moments

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Parenting Points

As our lives become increasingly busy, finding quality time to spend with family can become increasingly challenging. Family retreats offer a unique opportunity to step away from the chaos of daily routines, reconnect with one another, and grow in your faith together. 

What Is a Family Retreat? A family retreat is some dedicated time away, ideally in a restful location, where families participate in enriching activities designed to foster connection, faith, and relaxation. Family retreats can vary from weekend getaways to week-long experiences. The primary goal is to create space for families to grow in their relationships with each other and deepen their faith. Summer could be a great season for your family to consider planning your own family retreat.

What Would a Family Retreat Look Like? For your family retreat, you want to focus on the relational – your relationship with your family and God. Minimizing technology and screens on a family retreat can create space for these relationships to deepen. Strategic activities like hiking, canoeing, or team-building exercises can help develop deeper family relationships. These shared experiences create lasting memories, help family members appreciate one another’s strengths, and support each other in growth. Connecting with God on a deeper level as a family can be done through intentional time away from regular life. Depending on the age of your kids, this will likely look different. Your family could gather around a firepit and go around the circle, sharing stories of how God is working in each of your lives. You could read and discuss a book of the Bible, have times of prayer and encouragement for each family member, or read through several selected stories from a children’s Bible. No matter what you choose, connecting with God is what sets a family retreat apart from an ordinary vacation. 

What Could Be the Goals for a Family Retreat? Before heading to a retreat, it’s a good idea to discuss goals and expectations as a family. Encourage each member to share what they hope to gain from the experience—whether it’s deeper connections, spiritual growth, or simply some much-needed relaxation. Summer is a great time to consider scheduling a family retreat, which would be a transformative experience that can revitalize relationships and deepen faith. By stepping away from routines and embracing this intentional time together, families can emerge more connected, rejuvenated, and ready to face life’s challenges together, united as a family.

Ben Birdsong-Dr. Ben Birdsong 

Director of European Expansion for First Priority Global Ministries

www.benbirdsong.com

0525 Best Books Living Connected

Best Books

Introverts thrive in connection- not in spite of being quiet but because of it. In Living Connected: An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship, author Afton Rorvik invites introverts to see their quiet nature as a strength in building meaningful friendships. With gentle wisdom and practical ideas, she shares how introverts can create deep connections without losing themselves. Discover how to nurture relationships in ways that feel natural, authentic, and life-giving—just as you are.

Living Connected cover
Author Afton Rorvik savors words, flavored coffee, time outside, and living connected. Although an introvert, she has come to realize that what really matters in life is people and faith in Jesus, which gives her strength and courage to live connected.

Perfect for personal reading or small groups, Living Connected offers thoughtful reflections and discussion questions to help introverts encourage one another, share their stories, and build authentic community- one quiet connection at a time. 

Check out what one reviewer has to say about Living Connected: “Afton Rorvik gets me. If you’re an introvert, she gets you too. She knows a bit about what it is to live in your skin. In Living Connected, Rorvik leads the reader down a path of discovery and self-understanding. I discovered grace to embrace how and who I am as well as fresh strategies to live well—and to live loved—as an introvert. No one who’s an introvert should miss this book!” —Margot Starbuck, author of The Grown Woman’s Guide to Online Dating

Living Connected is available wherever books are sold. Visit shop.ironstreammedia.com to find a preview of the book. †

 

0525 Best Books Every Home

Best Books

In 2025, everyone is busy, especially parents. Working, raising children, and taking care of household tasks are never-ending. Though serving others is an important part of a faith-filled life, there’s often not enough time and energy to do everything. It can sometimes feel as if the time it takes to keep a home clean and organized is a waste of time that could be used in service for the Kingdom.

Every Home a Foundation Cover Image
Every Home a Foundation: Experiencing God through Your Everyday Routines encourages readers to see their home routines as a way to serve.

However, in Phylicia Masonheimer’s new book, Every Home a Foundation, she shares ways that women can serve through their homes to “love others well.” For years, Masonheimer had a career and ministry that involved a lot of travel. When her life changed to instead working at home, she found that “it was possible to be home a lot… yet not be home at all.”

“My mind was not content there. Each month had one or two speaking engagements or commitments to pull me out of the house; away from my young children, away from the repetitive work of dishes and laundry for the real, important work of ministry. I lived in the home, I even loved my home, but ultimately my attitude toward home was one of ingratitude.” She further elaborates on this idea in Chapter Six: “All to the Glory of God.”

“The work of the home might not be glamorous, but it is important; it blesses everyone it touches. By seeing our home rhythms as an act of service, we move outside ourselves to a selfless point of view.” This work includes thirteen chapters divided into two parts: A Theology of Home and A Liturgy of Home. Throughout the book, Masonheimer teaches how women to find purpose in their homes as well as practical tips on ways to use mundane tasks to make a home a place of belonging, connection, and service. At the end of the book is a bonus chapter with practical advice, “Hosting with Young Children.” In the epilogue, Masonheimer sums up how she feels about seeing home as a way to serve, not simply a series of tasks to be completed. “I want to be part of what God is doing in and through my home, and I believe the world will be transformed, not by more people on stages but by more people on mission, starting on the kitchen floor.” Learn more about Every Home a Foundation at www.phyliciamasonheimer.com

-Tracy Riggs Frontz, Writer and Photographer

Owner of Novel Photos

www.NovelPhotos.com

[email protected]

 

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