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 GREAT GIVEAWAYS.
1. 4 Tickets to watch the Birmingham Barons play at Regions Field.
Hannah and I were married at The Cottle House in Andalusia, Ala. in 1998, the first “event” ever held at the now well-loved venue. The old house, restored by her parents, George and Brenda Gantt, stood proud on Gantt land, full of vintage charm and Southern grit. George had poured himself into that house- overhauling it, renovating it, shaping it into something beautiful again. A handmade wooden cross he crafted from old fence posts hung above the front porch, marking the very place where Hannah and I would exchange vows. It hangs now on our porch at the lake house- a weathered testament to love, hard work, and sacred promises.
Walt and Hannah Merrell were married at The Cottle House in 1998.
On that hot and muggy day, South Alabama’s weather was living up to its unpredictable reputation. Damp heat clung to the air like a wet sauna towel. I sweat through my shirt before lunchtime. My nerves didn’t help matters, and neither did George. He was a towering figure, physically and otherwise. Dressed in a vintage tuxedo and top hat, he looked like a barrel-chested Doc Holliday who stepped off the set of a Western. When I walked into the hall, there he stood. His hand resting on the grip of a vintage Colt .45 revolver tucked in his waistband. “You ain’t thinking about running, are you boy?” he asked, deadpan. I choked out a laugh, hoping he was kidding. I wasn’t sure. He tapped the revolver, raised an eyebrow, then let his coat fall back into place. “That’s good,” he said and walked away. That pretty much set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Moments later, I tried to sip water without drenching myself. In doing so, I accidentally knocked the glass over, and in slow motion, it tumbled down the drawers of Brenda’s antique dresser. With each bounce, water spilled into priceless collections of artwork, postcards, handkerchiefs… irreplaceable Americana, ruined. The glass finally hit the floor and exploded. I panicked. I knew I’d made a mess not just physically, but emotionally- especially if George found out. I called for help, handed out orders, tried to patch things up, and grabbed a couple of dry handkerchiefs from the drawer’s edge. Then I stepped outside, nerves frayed, heart racing. Rick, my college buddy and the minister officiating, followed me out. “You nervous?” he asked with a grin. I nodded. “Me too,” he said, chuckling. “Knock-knock.” Only Rick could tell a joke at a time like that. I laughed, tension broken for a breath or two. Just then, George walked out the back door, flanked by a few men who looked like they’d seen a few bar fights. I braced myself. He looked me over from my sweat-soaked shirt to my panicked eyes. “You nervous, son?” he asked. “No sir,” I croaked. He put a big hand on my shoulder and pulled me close. I could see the steel in his eyes again. I was ready for the lecture- or worse, for him to learn about the waterlogged dresser. Instead, George looked over his glasses, and in a low, steady voice said, “It’s going to be just fine, son. Just relax.” Then he hugged me and added, “I love you, boy.” And just like that, the hurricane inside me stilled.
Their wedding was the first official event at this loved venue in South Alabama.
It wasn’t the heat or the glass or the crowd or the nerves that nearly undid me. It was the weight of expectation, the pressure to be perfect for the woman I loved, and the fear of not being enough. But in George’s embrace- in that moment of grace- I realized something deeply spiritual: I wasn’t doing any of this alone. I never had been. I often think of Jesus’ baptism, when God spoke from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Long before Jesus preached a sermon or performed a miracle, the Father assured Him of His love. Not because of what He had done- but because of who He was. That’s the message George gave me that day. Not “earn it.” Not “prove yourself.” Just “I love you, son.” And it’s the same message God whispers to us every time we feel overwhelmed, unworthy, or unsure: “It’s going to be just fine, child. I love you.” So no, I didn’t run. I married the love of my life under a wooden cross, on a porch full of cotton, surrounded by antique postcards and the sweet scent of gardenias. And I learned that sometimes, the most powerful sermons aren’t preached. They’re lived out in hugs, in grace, in the stillness after the storm. And yes… the very powerful Hurricane George made landfall on the Florida panhandle and swept through our wedding reception like a stampede of wild ponies. Winds rattled tents and dances were cut short. Roads flooded and traffic was chaos… but God does things in His timing. And we had just enough time to say, “I do.” You do too. To Him that is. He loves you and wants to know if you love Him too.
-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.
Everyone needs the good Lord and a dose of Oak Grove in their life…What do I mean by that? Well, Oak Grove Baptist Church is where I grew up, sitting on a wooden pew wedged between my two sisters, trying not to wiggle or giggle as we sang hymns and listened as the word of the Lord was brought to us every Sunday. It’s where I learned of the Good Lord and came to know Him as my own. I do wish and fervently hope all of you have a place to think back on that is a firm foundation in your life, where you learned of the love and forgiveness and acceptance of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you don’t have that, you can think back with me on mine.
Danna with her sisters in front of Oak Grove Baptist Church. Left to right: Suzanne, Dinah and Danna.
Hymns and staunch Christians made an impact on me as I sat on the old wooden church pew every Sunday. Songs sung often by saints of old still dance across my mind, and I can vividly see the joy radiating from the face of those old saints as they lifted their voices to the Lord. And I wondered, what makes them filled with such joy as they sing these hymns? As a little girl trying to figure out life, I watched and learned things about my church family. I would always wonder why Brother Rural chose to lead the congregation in “Heavenly Sunlight” every time. If Brother Rural got up there, we knew to turn to page two in the church hymnal. Every time! “Shadows around me, shadows above me…I’m walking in Sunlight- Jesus is Mine.”
I can still see him through my child’s eye as he led the song. I can still hear my Popa Swann singing out with joy, with my Nanny Swann’s voice blending in; and I can still see Aunt Lett -who wasn’t really my aunt, but we all called her that- with that soft smile on her face, her eyes closed, and her right hand resting lightly on her cheek while nodding her head in time to the music.
This was Danna’s view while writing this story. Want to have a relationship with the Good Lord? Danna and her brother Tommy, who is a pastor, released a video during Covid called What a Friend. Click here to watch the video.
During my time at Oak Grove, the Good Lord became my anchor, and Oak Grove became a place to hold fast to when the storms of life prevailed. Oak Grove became a home away from home and a place to learn about the world, a place to grow and be nurtured, and a place to learn about God’s love. As I write this, I’m sitting in the middle of 6,000 acres, watching the sunlight trickle down through the heavily shadowed forests, and “Heavenly Sunlight” drifts softly through my mind, and happiness floods my soul. As I have progressed through my life, I now know what Brother Rural knows. I can look back across the years and see the unfolding of the song through my life. I have traversed through the shadows, but have been walking in sunlight my whole journey because Jesus is mine.
“This recipe is from my best friend, Beth. She’s been making this for her family for a long time. It’s a proven winner and easy on the cook, too. Enjoy!”
Ingredients:
2 cups large elbow macaroni
1/2 stick butter
3 cups milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz. cubed colby-Monterey jack cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place DRY macaroni into a 9″×13″ casserole dish. Melt butter and pour over the noodles. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours till noodles are done. Find more recipes from Danna in her cookbook, What’s Cooking with Danna, Y’all?
Hi, my name is Dopey. I bet you read my name and thought, “Oh… bless his heart.” Let’s stop right there. It might be hapless branding, but I am a pretty cool dog. My moniker is hilariously misleading! It’s just that Snow White is my mother’s name.
Dopey is a proud graduate of Dog U Birmingham.
Having attended classes at Dog U Birmingham, I can confidently say I’m a certified Good Boy. Feel free to applaud! So, what’s the real story? I’m a one-year-old goofball with elite cuddle credentials. I bring the fun, the love, the toy… then I bring you another toy… because sharing is caring, right?
Other dogs = Count me in!
Fenced yard = essential for zoomies, sniffing investigations, and dramatic sprints for no reason.
Humans = Ideal for road trips, blanket sharing, and confirming I’m handsome. Because facts matter.
Let’s talk about the perks of adopting me. I am an Ideal side-kick on car rides with ears flapping in the wind. I am also a 24/7 feel-good consultant who requires no appointment. I provide built-in entertainment since I am always ready to make you laugh. Not to brag, but I am also smart beyond the basic command stuff. Here’s a bonus- You can change my name to whatever you’d like. Add your last name while you’re at it. I’ll respond to anything said with snacks. Here’s the deal: Add me to the family, and I’ll bring the loyalty, laughs, and an unreasonable number of toys. Sound fair?
Apply to adopt Dopey through Two by Two Rescue’s website twobytworescue.com. Two by Two Rescue is a faith based, no kill rescue whose mission is to give life to abandoned, abused, and unwanted companion animals. Saving animal lives for more than 20 years, the rescue is foster home based and operates out of Birmingham, Ala. †
What gets on your nerves? Is it the relentless gnat that invades your personal space? Perhaps it’s the chirp… chirp…chirp of a smoke detector. Maybe the clanking of forks at dinner sends chills down your spine. Often, it’s the small annoyances that cause your eye to twitch. Couples bring quirks into marriage. These idiosyncrasies may seem harmless, even funny at first. Yet, over time, the “cute little thing you do” can morph into, “If you do that one… more… time!” Here are three strategies husbands and wives can use to address their pet peeves.
Speak Up Early. If your mate’s conduct irritates you, say something. Many couples shrug off irksome tendencies in the early years. She burps like a foghorn and sparks laughter. He starts important conversations with a mouthful of toothpaste and earns a lighthearted eye roll. The pair’s passive reactions to offbeat habits could send an unintended message of approval. Scripture warns it is “the little foxes that ruin the vineyards” (Song of Solomon 2:15). In context, “little foxes” symbolize small threats to the lovers’ blossoming relationship. The takeaway is this: address minor irritants before they become major disruptors.
Be Honest. Some spouses are aware of their peculiarity and may insist their husband or wife accept it and move on. A response to a complaint might be, “You knew I was this way when you married me.” Others are unaware of their bothersome behavior. Ideally, the offending party would be grateful and apologetic when informed of their obnoxious habit. In either case, honest feedback from the offended spouse is crucial. A specific reference to the annoyance is better than a nuanced one. This conversation is not an opportunity to unload a thousand grievances. Constructive comments seasoned with love and grace are easier to digest than rants. Proverbs 27:6 assures, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted…”
Show Empathy. Everyone possesses a blend of endearing and intolerable behaviors. When husbands and wives admit their respective oddities and empathize with their spouses’ frustrations, the marriage matures. The key is to recognize that what makes you giggle might make your spouse cringe. In time, once unbearable moments become occasions for comic relief.
Matrimony is one of God’s finest miracles. A man and a woman, different in every way, are melded into one love. This reality makes the handling of everyday quirks a dance of grace-filled acceptance and restraint. The challenge is to embrace what may not change and to change what may not be embraced.
-Dr. Alonza Jones
Teacher, Writer, Speaker
President and Co-founder, Biblical Marriage Institute
Grace Klein Community (GKC) is expanding its mission to lessen systemic poverty and strengthen community relationships through the opening of a new hub location in Pinson, Ala. The partnership with Transformation Community establishes a unified, Kingdom-focused collaboration designed to increase food recovery, deepen community engagement, and support holistic transformation across the state. The new site, referred to as FeedBHM Clay, will utilize 19,767 square feet of lower-level spaceto facilitate daily food intake and outflow, volunteer engagement, and a variety of community serving programs. The space will serve as an additional FeedBHM hub location of GKC for programs that serve the local community.
The new FeedBHM Clay hub location is located at 5271 Old Springville Road in Pinson.
A Partnership Built on Shared Mission. GKC and Transformation Community are aligning their ministries to expand Kingdom impact through prayer, service, and resource sharing. The partnership emphasizes unity, compassion, and long-term community investment. Both organizations will exist as a Kingdom building collaboration where Jesus receives all the glory and commit to work together to share the love of Christ with Birmingham and the outlying areas.
Expanded Community Services. The new location will strengthen and broaden GKC’s existing programs, including food rescue and distribution, diaper program, give and take room, preservation kitchen, and more. Renovations have been a shared effort. Transformation Community has painted the rooms, while volunteers have removed the carpet and will help set up the spaces. Volunteers from both organizations have cleaned, prepped and stained the concrete floors with the help of Sunbelt Rentals. Doorways have been extended for pallet access, and GKC will install additional surveillance cameras for added safety.
If you’d like to support the updates required for the new space, you can book a serve team at www.volunteer.feedbhm.org. On June 5, 2026 at 10 a.m., you can join GKC and Transformation Community for a Grand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting at 5271 Old Springville Rd, Pinson, 35126. †
“Christ is all! Christ is in all!” While this call to action from Colossians 3:11 has only concluded All Christ Church’s (ACC) sermons since 2026, the sentiment has been present in the church’s intentions since its inception in 2014.
Miles Fidell, founder of All Christ Church, formerly Auburn Community Church, is seen here with his wife Courtney and their four daughters.
A newlywed navigating his 20’s with his wife, Courtney, Miles Fidell felt called by the Lord to uproot his life in Metro Atlanta and plant a church in the city of Auburn. Focused on normalizing radical discipleship to Jesus in the American church, ACC’s approach to sharing the Word comes in the form of sermons from Fidell and Lead Pastor Gage Henry throughout the week, missionary outreach endeavors within and outside of the community, Bible drills and Communion almost every Sunday, a young adult Christian leadership development program, and so much more. “I had a picture of it in my head,” Fidell said. “A church that’s multi-generational in the South, passionate about worshipping Jesus, serious about prayer and holding on to Scriptures: all of the things that we know to be normal about ACC were in my heart and mind.” Initially taking residence in the Auburn University Hotel and various spaces on campus as Auburn Community Church, it wasn’t until 2019 that the congregation opened its first permanent residence in a strip mall on Airport Road. Eventually discovering 17 acres of available land on Hamilton Road, Fidell and his team worked for nearly four years to develop plans, raise money, and build on the property before opening ACC’s second Auburn location in March of 2023.
All Christ Church meets in various locations across the state including in Homewood at Rosewood Hall, 2850 19th Street South. Learn more about the church at allchrist.church or follow the church on social media @allchristchurch.
Now the Senior Pastor and a father of four girls, Fidell’s weekly routine is spent ensuring the church’s staff has the resources they need to complete their daily duties, preparing his sermons, and engaging in Sabbath on Saturday before preaching the Word to multiple audiences on Sunday. “We’re able to do two church services in the morning [on Hamilton Road] with one over there on Airport Road,” Fidell said. “I’m still somehow able to preach all three because they’re so close.” Although expansion within the Auburn community has been prevalent within the church’s story, its growth in other areas internally and externally has led to numerous exciting developments. The church has opened locations in Lake Martin, Huntsville, Nashville, and Birmingham. The Birmingham location currently meets in Homewood [2850 19th Street S] but is tentatively making its permanent home on Green Springs by the end of the year. Additionally, the church’s widespread growth throughout the South led to a name change at the beginning of the year: All Christ Church. “The word ‘all’ emerged from Matthew 28: ‘Make disciples of all nations,’” Fidell said. “The vision behind All Christ Church’s name change was to keep Jesus in the center but make missions the focus. Our goal is to send over 100 missionaries to unreached people groups.”
For more information on All Christ Church, its various locations, and upcoming events, visit allchrist.church.
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.” Psalm 119:90
Each spring, graduation gives families a chance to pause and thank God for how far He has brought their children. This season carries that same joy for us at Big Oak Ranch.
At the Ranch, children are surrounded by Houseparents, mentors, and staff who walk with them through everyday life, giving them the love, support, and stability that help them grow. Over time, that foundation leads to new steps and new possibilities.
For some students, like Chad, it means graduating high school from Westbrook Christian School and stepping into ASCEND. Chad shared, “As a senior in high school, I am grateful for the opportunity to attend Big Oak Ranch’s support ministry, ASCEND, which guides residents through higher education opportunities. ASCEND will provide me with life skills training, stability, and help me step into adulthood successfully.”
For others, it means graduating from ASCEND and moving into careers, taking what they have learned into the workplace with confidence and purpose. Kelbe, a 2026 ASCEND graduate, shared that, “I received my Associate Degree for Welding at Lawson State. My ASCEND guides have helped with everything — financially, spiritually, and mentally — every aspect that you could think of. After being at ASCEND, I have grown up and matured.”
And for some graduates, it means earning continuing education degrees and reaching milestones they may once have thought were beyond them. Michelle Fogle, a former Big Oak Ranch resident, said, “My mother’s rejection and my family’s disbelief in me have fueled my grit and desire. I graduated high school, attended Gadsden State, earned my MBA, and work in telecommunications — something I don’t think I could have done without Big Oak Ranch. I will always be grateful I was given a chance at the Ranch — a place that will always love me, accept me, and believe in me.”
These moments are worth celebrating — not only because of a diploma, certificate, or new opportunity, but because of what they represent. They tell the story of hope. Of grit. Of triumph. They reflect healing, perseverance, and the faithful hand of God over many years. They remind us that a child’s story is not defined by hardship, but who God made them to be. Across the Big Oak Ranch family, these milestones are a reminder that when children are loved well and pointed toward God’s purpose for their lives, the impact can last for years to come. †
Brought to you by: Community Partner Still Waters Counseling and Education Center, www.mystillwaters.org
We all face mental health challenges at times, just as we all experience physical challenges. A hard season, a loss, or ongoing pressure can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or discouraged. Often, these symptoms pass. But sometimes they do not. Sometimes they grow, linger, and begin to impact daily life, relationships, and even our sense of who we are. That is when professional help may be needed.
One helpful way to understand why this sometimes happens is the diathesis-stress model. Simply put, each of us has a built-in level of vulnerability to stressors, called a diathesis. This refers to our biological wiring, including genetics, brain chemistry, and temperament. Some systems are more sensitive, more reactive, and more easily overwhelmed. This is not weakness; it is simply how we are made.
Then there is stress. Life brings pressure such as loss, trauma, relationship strain, transitions, and expectations that feel too heavy to carry. When stress stays within what we can manage, we adapt. But when stress rises, builds, and stretches us beyond our capacity, symptoms can emerge. Anxiety may intensify. Depression may take hold. Patterns may begin to feel stuck.
The encouraging truth is that this model also points toward hope. If symptoms develop when vulnerability and stress collide, then healing can begin as we reduce stress, build skills, and increase support. This is where both science and faith speak clearly. The Bible reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, NLT). Renewal happens as we begin to recognize what is happening, challenge what is not true, and replace it with what is true.
Counseling is a space where that work can happen, intentionally, safely, and with guidance. It is not just about managing symptoms; it is about strengthening your capacity, understanding your patterns, and growing in resilience. At Still Waters Counseling and Education Center, we meet you right where you are. We provide evidence-based care, and for those who desire it, we thoughtfully integrate Christian faith into the process. You do not have to figure it out alone. If what you are carrying feels heavy, constant, or overwhelming, reaching out is not a sign of failure; it is a wise step toward better health. Healing is possible. Growth is possible. And you were created with purpose, strength, and the capacity to move forward.
Does your child have difficulty understanding and remembering what they read? Read-A-Rific® was created by Janel Nansenn, MA who is an educational therapist to help children retain what they read. Read-A-Rific® is a reading comprehension program and a vendor for The Choose Act Alabama on ClassWallet. Nansenn’s work has transformed the lives of struggling readers. Over the course of her career, she has helped thousands of struggling learners achieve success both academically and personally. Early on, she developed highly effective techniques that produced remarkable results—students who once struggled in special education began transitioning out and thriving in general education classrooms. Children who had been earning Ds and Fs started achieving As and Bs, and many went on to attend college when that path once felt out of reach. Parents, teachers, and doctors recognized the impact of her approach and encouraged her to bring her methods to a wider audience.
Through years of seminars, trainings, and hands-on experience, Nansenn noticed a consistent pattern among struggling learners. It wasn’t a lack of effort or intelligence holding them back—it was a missing cognitive skill that is rarely taught directly. Many students could decode words but were unable to fully comprehend what they were reading. This disconnect led to frustration, low confidence, and a growing dislike of learning. That missing skill is visualization. Visualization is the ability to create mental images while reading, allowing the brain to process and retain information more effectively. When students can “see” what they read, comprehension improves naturally. Instead of reading words in isolation, they experience meaning, sequence, and detail in a way that makes sense. Strong readers do this automatically, but struggling readers often need direct instruction to develop this ability. Students who do not naturally visualize can struggle with some or all of the following: remembering and understanding what they hear and read, test-taking, at- tention, spelling, writing, following directions, and self-esteem. Because they are not creating mental images, information can feel fleeting and difficult to organize. This often impacts multiple areas of academic performance and can lead to ongoing frustration both in and out of the classroom. A free checklist with additional symptoms is available at readarific.com.
To address this critical need, Nansenn created Read-A-Rific®, an online program designed to explicitly teach visualization in a clear and structured way. The program simplifies what can feel like an abstract concept and turns it into a step-by-step process that students can easily follow. By focusing on how the brain processes language, Read-A-Rific® helps learners build a strong foun- dation for comprehension. In addition to improving reading comprehension, the program supports other essential academic skills. As students strengthen their visualization abilities, they also see noticeable improvements in spelling and in their ability to follow multi-step directions, including three- and four- part instructions. These gains extend beyond reading and positively impact overall learning, organization, and classroom performance. And, most importantly, their confidence and self-esteem increases.
Read-A-Rific® is designed to help children retain and comprehend what they read through visualization. Learn more at readarific.com. Use code BAMA10 for 10% off Read-A-Rific®’s 60-session programs and bundles.
One of the most accessible aspects of Read-A-Rific® is its simplicity. The program is designed to be completed in just 15 minutes a day over the course of 12 weeks. This manageable structure allows students to build skills consistently without becoming overwhelmed, while also making it easy for parents and educators to implement within busy schedules. The guided format ensures that both children and the adults supporting them can follow along with confidence. Today, Read-A-Rific® continues to expand its reach, helping students unlock their full potential as readers and learners. Nansenn’s mission is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the tools to succeed, and her program provides a proven path to achieving that goal. By teaching visualization as a foundational skill, Read-A-Rific® not only improves academic outcomes but also restores confidence, opening doors to opportunities that once seemed impossible.
For more information, click here to watch a YouTube video by eSchooled with Amanda Melrose in which she shares how Read-A-Rific® worked for her daughter and interviews Janel Nansenn. If you’d like to sign up, use code BAMA10 for 10% off Read-A-Rific®’s 60-session programs and bundles. †
Want to learn more about how Read-A-Rific® can help your child? Watch the video interview below.
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