3rd Annual Fall Arts Festival at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Hoover

Christ the King Lutheran Church is hosting the 3rd Annual Fall Arts Festival fundraiser in Hoover on September 16, 2023 from 9 am – 5 pm. The Festival aims to showcase local artisans of original handmade work and raise funds for Built for the Wild(B4TW), a local non-profit dedicated to build and inspire students to develop and strengthen a faith of their own through a three-step process; Engage, Connect, and Disciple. B4TW hosts, at no charge, Summer Outreach Events during Field Days at local schools, partner with local youth groups and their leaders to build and strengthen youth groups, and offer online Better Youth Pastor courses. The yearly B4TW Youth Conference in February is the only event students pay for; many cannot afford access. The Conference helps youth build faith, character, and boldness to live out the Gospel daily.

We are partnering with Built for the Wild, www.builtwild.org, to raise funds to help underserved youth get the funding they need to participate in B4TW Yearly Youth Conference in February 2024. The 3rd Annual Fall Arts Festival will be bigger and better, with more artisans, food trucks, live music, and a Kid Zone with Fall Festival games, inflatables, hands-on craft activities, balloon twisting, and photos with Santa. 100% of the proceeds and donations go toward the cause.

TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) and make spreading Good News possible we have TWO Family Four Packs to Alabama Adventure Amusement Park & Splash Adventure Water Park.

Enter on both Facebook & Instagram to double your chances!

Instagram. To enter, simply LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Instagram @cfpbirmingham.

For EXTRA ENTRIES:

SHARE the giveaway post on your story
FOLLOW US on Facebook @BirminghamChristianFamily
SUBSCRIBE to receive your free digital issue of BCF at www.birminghamchristian.com.

Facebook. To enter simply LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Facebook @BirminghamChristianFamily.

For EXTRA ENTRIES:

TAG a friend in the comments.

SHARE the post on Facebook

FOLLOW US on Instagram @cfpbirmingham

SUBSCRIBE to receive your free digital issue of BCF at www.birminghamchristian.com.

Offers end Thursday 6/22/23. Winners announced 6/23/23 on Instagram and Facebook so be sure to FOLLOW our Instagram @cfpbirmingham and Facebook @BirminghamChristianFamily pages.

Publisher’s Note

This Father’s Day, the team at Christian Family Publications wanted to take a moment to recognize the important roles our fathers have played in our lives and thank them for it.

“Big Hug. Big Smile. Big Love. That’s my Daddy. A Big Thank You Daddy for teaching me what it looks like to live with a thankful heart and love the life God has given you. Thank you for always pointing me to the Father from whom all blessings flow.”

-Laurie Franklin, Publisher, Birmingham Christian Family

“Two of the things I admire most about my dad are his dependability and strong work ethic. I never question that he will be there for me whenever I need him. And through his lifelong service in the military, he modeled dedication and a great work ethic. Thank you for all you do, Dad!”

-Melissa Armstrong, Editorial Manager, Birmingham Christian Family

“My dad was always my hero. He proudly served in the Army and was always available to play catch or throw a football. He taught me much about life and morality. Miss you dad!”

-Steve Johnson, Account Executive, Birmingham Christian Family

“I always think about how supportive my dad has always been. He had a career in computers but yet didn’t hesitate to support me in my career in design. This photo is on his 80th birthday in December, going out for a 20 mile ride. Unfortunately I didn’t inherit the bike riding gene!”

-Wendy Satterwhite, Art Director, Birmingham Christin Family and Nashville Christian Family

Happy Father’s Day!

-Laurie Franklin

Founder, The Christian Family Publication, Inc.

www.BirminghamChristian.com

Facebook: Birmingham Christian Family

Twitter: @cfpBirmingham

Instagram: @cfpbirmingham

Pinterest: @cfpbirmingham

LinkedIn: Birmingham Christian Family

Celebrating 23 Years of Good News!

The Home Front

Once I discovered the best way to make hard-cooked eggs, I’ve never looked back. I spend a lot of time making hard boiled eggs, but I don’t boil them anymore. What cooking method do I use instead? Steaming. If you want your hard-cooked eggs to peel easily, steaming is hands down the best way to do it. The shells slip right off the eggs with no effort.

Have you ever had a bowl full of hard-boiled eggs that you needed to peel for deviled eggs? If so, then you know they are maddening to peel! The shells break into tiny pieces, cling to the egg, and almost never come off easily. I’ve had to eat or toss many an egg because the whites had pit marks all over from difficult peeling. If you are a creature of habit, this might sound like an odd method to cook eggs, but it couldn’t be any simpler. All you need is a steamer basket, a saucepan with a lid, and a timer.

Jamie holding plate with eggs — Click here to find Jamie Tarence’s delicious deviled eggs recipe. Read how Tarence started Family Savvy here.

Here’s how to make hard-steamed eggs.

Insert a steamer basket into a saucepan.
Add water until it starts to peep through the steamer basket holes.
Bring water to a boil.
Add eggs to the steamer basket, being careful not to burn yourself.
Place a lid on the saucepan.
Turn the heat down so that the water gently simmers, medium-low or low on most burners.
Set the timer to 16 minutes.
When the timer goes off, lift the steamer basket and eggs from the saucepan.
Let cool for 60 seconds, rinse with cold water or place in ice water.

You can allow the eggs to sit for about half an hour, or you can refrigerate until you’re ready to peel them. The shells will come off easier than you can imagine.

My technique for peeling hard-cooked eggs. Gently tap the egg all over until tiny cracks cover the surface. Then hold the egg under running water and start peeling, gently squeezing the egg if needed to make it “pop” out of the shell.

How to use hard-cooked eggs. You can use hard-cooked eggs for cobb salad, egg salad, and avocado toast. My personal favorite way to use them is for my “Wicked Deviled Eggs” recipe on the Family Savvy blog since it’s perfect for summer.

-Jamie Tarence

www.familysavvy.com

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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

BiblicalMarriageInstitute.org

@biblicalmarriageinstitute

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Encouraging Word

In John 14:6, Jesus states that He is the only way to God. Not one of many, but the one and only way! What qualifies Him to make such a bold statement? What makes Him so special? How is He unique? Why are Christians so dogmatic in professing this? Well, I’m glad you asked.

1. Jesus came to reveal God. Reveal means to make known; allow something to be seen.

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God.”
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory….”
Hebrews 1:3, “and He is…the exact representation of His nature…”
Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God…”

Jesus came to show us God!

2. Jesus came to provide forgiveness for our sins. We all need forgiveness, for we all have sinned. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. For all have sinned (Romans 3:23). For the wages (result) of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Only Jesus can forgive our sins.

Matthew 1:21, “…and you shall call Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
John 1:29, “…Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
II Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf…”
I John 4:10, “…He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (payment) for our sins.”

Forgiveness for sin can only be found in Jesus!

3. Jesus came to show us how to live. We are to “follow Christ.”

Matthew 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples.…follow Me.”
Hebrews 12:2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of faith…”
I Peter 2:21, “…leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
John 13:15, “For I gave an example that you should do as I did to you.”
Romans 8:29, “…He also predestined (us) to become conformed to the image of His Son…”

Remember the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) emphasis? If we follow Christ, He will show us how to live! Why Jesus? Because Jesus is the Messiah! His is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him. I pray that you have made Him your Lord and Savior!

-Tony Cooper

Former Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission

Are We There Yet?

The American Village in Montevallo has a new summer program for 2023 that has a special focus on spies and family fun! Visitors will be able to take part in a linear story that will be offered twice each day, beginning at 11 a.m., and then again at 1 p.m. The American Village will also offer a whole host of other vignettes that can be seen before, during, and after this linear portion, which allows families to have a full day of entertainment.

Image of screen with audience — The American Village, 3727 Highway 119, Montevallo, 35115, is a great place to have educational fun this summer.

Hidden Heroes- A Revolutionary Spy Adventure. Visitors will be drawn into the world of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring and learn about all of the interesting ways that secret information is being sent. They will be entrusted with a secret message to deliver to the local Apothecary. The message is revealed, but unfortunately guests are captured by redcoats and detained! In the end, however, they are saved (come and see just how this happens); and once safely in the encampment, the secret information is handed over to a Continental Army soldier so that a warning can be given. Now that the visitors have risked their lives behind the scenes, are they willing to step upon the battlefield and join the army?

Photo of group looking at screen — Save the date for the American Arts & Crafts Fair on June 2-3, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Village.

In addition to Washington’s Spy Adventure, guests of the American Village can also experience other summer vignettes including:

Patterns of Industry (18th Century Clothing)
Puppet Show
18th Century Justice
Games on the Green
Meet a Famous Patriot (Martha Washington, John Adams, Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Phillis Wheatley, Samuel Adams, or Thomas Paine)
Apothecary
Keeping the Home Fires Burning
Tavern Table Games

Summer admission is $11 adults, $10 youth, $9 seniors and free to children 4 and under, veterans and active military. Hours of operation are Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except July 4-5). Learn more at www.americanvillage.org. †

The Great Outdoors

Looking for that perfect Father’s Day gift? The staff at Mark’s Outdoors is ready to assist you in finding a gift Dad will love and use. Besides being a one stop shop for hunting and fishing needs, Mark’s also carries a wide variety of lifestyle products for the husband or father in your life. Here are just a few ideas for Father’s Day.

Protect in Style. Give Dad the shades he needs for all of his outdoor activities, including Costa, Bajio and Ombraz brands. Lots of great styles to choose from with lenses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection.

Play it Safe. Shirts with sun protection are a great gift for the dad who spends anytime outdoors. Mark’s has sizes ranging from small to 3x in great colors and styles from the top men’s sportswear brands including Coastal Cotton, Simms, and AFTCO. Along with a sun protection shirt, gift dad with a sun protection hat. Mark’s has a variety of Tilley Hats- perfect for people susceptible to sunburns.

Besides remembering your Dad with a gift this Father’s Day, most importantly, we hope you will have the opportunity to spend some time with your Dad- if at all possible, in God’s great outdoors.

Mark’s Outdoors

1400-B Montgomery Highway, Vestavia 35216

205-822-2010, www.marksoutdoors.com

Be one of the first 100 kids to visit Mark’s Outdoors on Saturday June 22, 2019 and receive a free rod and reel! — Be one of the first 250 kids to visit Mark’s Outdoors on June 17, 2023, and receive a free rod and reel!

Don’t’ Miss Take a Kid Fishing Day!

On Saturday June 17, 2023, Mark’s Outdoors will be giving the first 250 kids that come into the store a free rod and reel. The doors open at 9 a.m. The only “catch” is that the parent must take their kid fishing asap. “It is our way of giving back to the community and getting parents involved with their kids and interested in the outdoors,” explains Mark Whitlock, Jr. “The objective is to make memories. With the rise of cell phones in the hands of children they miss out on nature and we want people to get involved.” Mark’s will also have sales throughout the store on fishing reels and rods, clothing, fishing accessories and much more!

Mission Makers

Whether a person lacks food, clothing, or other resources, The Grace Place seeks to meet their needs for God’s glory. The Bessemer, Ala. ministry has a simple mission. “We exist to gather resources and give them away for the glory of God,” explains The Grace Place Director Jason Leight.

The Grace Place volunteers packing food — The Grace Place, located at 1030 Powder Plant Road, Bessemer, 35022, is open on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The ministry mainly distributes food and clothing, but they also give away household items to people who are in need due to house fires, storm damage, and more, says Leight. The pastor at Eastern Valley Baptist Church, Leight has been the director of The Grace Place for almost three years. He has been involved in ministry in the Bessemer area for 25 years. “I was called by a friend of mine asking if I’d be interested in leading the organization during Covid-19.” He passionately jumped in and helped The Grace Place continue its mission safely continue its mission and grow to meet the demand brought by the pandemic.

The Leight Family — The Grace Place’s Jason Leight is a native of the Bessemer area. He and his wife, Crystal have three sons: Finn, Tuck, and Tate.

Leight shares that the ministry mainly operated with non-perishable food items since they didn’t have a refrigerator. Due to increased demand, Leight started to look for a used refrigerator to meet the growing need of the community but felt the Lord tell him to wait. Sharon White, a volunteer of The Grace Place, went to be with the Lord in April. She requested that her friends and family donate to The Grace Place in her memory. “A few donations started coming in and then more and more,” explains Leight. He reached out to the family to share his gratitude and thought that the donations could go straight to purchasing the much-needed refrigerator. “I thought the donations might pay for a quarter or half of the cost, but they exceeded the needed amount, and I was able to buy an even bigger refrigerator,” exclaims Leight.

The Grace Place is always looking for volunteers like Sharon White was. “Volunteers make The Grace Place happen,” Leight shares. The process to become a volunteer is simple. “There are so many ways to volunteer here including online work, sorting donations, and more.” To learn more, visit www.thegraceplaceonline.com.

-Melissa Armstrong

Miracle Moments

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

We were homeschooling our children, had built a great life in Texas and were actively serving a church we loved. But then, one day, God called us to do something really hard for us. He asked us to sell our possessions, drastically uproot, and follow in faith as He was pointing us to Russia and Poland to serve as missionaries.

We pushed our flat screen TV to the donation pile, and it was hard. We set aside the meticulously outlined baseball plans for our sons, and it was hard. We left warm, familiar Texas and landed in bitterly cold, unfamiliar Russia, and it was hard. We didn’t always get it right, but this step in obedience resulted in God working to refine us, and as He did, others were pointed to Him. In 2016, we returned to the US with our three grown children. Our youngest was beginning college and we were balancing pastoring a church in Dallas and a great teaching career through a private, Christian school.

Then, we received a letter. It was a Christmas letter from a children’s home and, penned by one of the girls who lived there, was her response to the question, “What do I want for Christmas?” Her response was, “I want to feel better about myself.” It was then, God pointed us to our next mission field assignment – houseparenting. The refining work He had done in us from Dallas to Russia to Poland, it refined our response to this next step in faith. This time, we had learned how to welcome the fact that it would be hard. We heavily researched over 100 ministries. Out of the piles and piles of information, God brought Big Oak Ranch to the top of our list. We had a desire to serve where the hope of Jesus is the center, where there were individual family homes and support through shared organizational values. So, we sold everything once again, and moved to Ala. We have never been more confident that God has called us in this exact time, to this exact home, with the specific girls we have the honor of raising. He continues to refine us in this mission work and our girls get a front row seat.

The pasts of every child at Big Oak have been hard, to say the least. But we are now able to teach them what God can do through those hard times. He has shown it to us and we get to point them to Christ as He shows it to them too. Seeing our grown biological children, our parents and extended families welcome our girls into the family as well, seeing their relationships unfold in beautiful ways, it’s shown us that, yes following in faith is often hard, but it’s also a sight to behold when obedience meets the miraculous power of God.

-Doyle and Karen Fletcher

Houseparents, Big Oak Ranch

3rd Annual Fall Arts Festival at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Hoover

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