College. For some, it’s a word that brings to life fond memories, a greatly anticipated goal, a task left undone or a barrier that keeps them from moving forward. For the adult who wants to finish what they started or begin a new family legacy, Faulkner has accelerated degree programs designed for working adults with start dates every eight weeks! Classes are accelerated and take place in the evening or online. Masters and doctoral degrees are available online too. The Executive MBA can be completed in just under one year.
Faulkner Birmingham comes alongside adult learners, especially busy moms and working adults, to give them the support and confidence needed to achieve their goal. The impact of a college degree is so much more than simply achieving a goal though. It has the power to increase lifetime earnings, reduce the likelihood of unemployment, obtain careers with better pay and benefits, plus the graduate’s children often go on to obtain a degree too. It really is an investment in your future and the future of your children and grandchildren!
New Offering. Born out of an interest in providing something unique for homeschool parents and their children, Faulkner Birmingham has added homeschool dual enrollment courses. Our objective is to come alongside parents, umbrella, and church schools by providing an option not available anywhere else. Classes are taught by Christian faculty through the lens of a Biblical worldview. Tuition is affordable at $150.00 per credit hour. Faulkner is SACS accredited which helps the credits your student earns transfer to the college of their choice when they graduate from high school. Registration for spring 2022 begins October 18.For more information about our Homeschool Dual Enrollment program, call 205-879-5588 or email [email protected]. Also new for the fall 2022, the Birmingham campus will add the Bachelor of Health Science degree. This is a traditional program to prepare students seeking a graduate degree in the health sciences. Four tracks will be available: Speech Language Pathology, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.
Whether looking for a private Christian University for children following high school, going back to college to finish what you started, providing your academically advanced homeschool student a Christian environment with age-appropriate peers as a head start on college or beginning your own college journey- Faulkner University is here for you! Learn more at www.faulkner.edu. †
“I will speak of your goodness, all day long I will speak of your salvation.” Psalm 71:1
I have been publicly preaching and teaching the Word for almost twenty years. Speaking the Gospel is my profession, my calling, my daily life. But one day I woke up with no voice. I had been intubated. I was on a ventilator. I had undergone a tracheostomy. I was connected to a life support machine known as ECMO. While the world moved on, I was still in a hospital bed for over six weeks fighting for my life. I was mostly sedated and unconscious through most of my battle with Covid pneumonia.
After battling COVID for more than five months, including 48 days in the ICU, Rev. Michael Ahlemeyer returned to his congregation and preached on August 8, 2021.
When I finally “came to” and was semi-alert, the first thing I realized was that my voice was gone. I couldn’t really talk. I also couldn’t move a muscle. Literally. I could not roll over in bed and I could barely lift up my arms. I’ve had to learn how to do everything all over again. Stand up. Sit down. Brush my teeth. Use a spoon. Write. Type. Climb the stairs. There was a hole in my heart.
But what bothered me the most was that there was a hole in my throat, from the tracheostomy. Daily I was reminded of this new reality when it was cleaned and bandaged – no matter how hard I tried to forget. Even when I finally went home my superhuman wife Jaki continued to care for the wound. Talk about being married for “better or worse.”
In time, no voice has turned into a whisper, and with more time the whisper has turned into a hoarse voice. As of this writing, I am still more or less at that point. The medical folks say in time my voice will hopefully come back. But in those dark moments of the night, literally and figuratively, when I’m all alone, I wonder if it will ever truly come back.
So while I was still in bed, this familiar verse always came to mind: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) I have had a lot of time to be still and think during my hospitalization and convalescence. I couldn’t do much else and I’m still limited. Being left with your thoughts can be a tortuous time, I can assure you of this fact! But it can also be a blessing, I can equally assure you of this fact. In the end, I want to reassure you that it was more of a blessing than a curse. I also want to remind you of what you already know from the Word. The goodness of God even in bad times! The goodness of God even in ICU.
If anyone ever told you while you were in ICU to “rest up,” they have never been in ICU. Every hour it seems someone comes into the room poking and prodding you. Taking medicines, taking x-rays, taking vitals. So, during the night I was often awake left to wrestle with God like Jacob. I never got angry with God. I never asked, “Why me?” But I wrestled with God over many things. One was my voice. Or lack thereof.
But back to the time left alone with God to think. One question was my voice in general, but more specifically what made a pastor’s voice unique? What makes the pastor’s voice different from other voices? Here is the answer. “The only thing a pastor has to say is what God has to say.” This is a quote from Dr. Steven Lawson, Teaching Fellow for Ligonier Ministries.
Pastor Ahlemeyer with wife Jaki and their three children. Read more of his Pastoral Letters from the ICU on his Facebook page, Mike Ahlemeyer.
Point? The Word of God is different in a unique way. It’s the reason why the pastor preaches in a pulpit, wears an alb, and dresses in a clerical collar. Signifying that this Word proclaimed is no mere word of man, but He speaks the Word of God.
The bottom line between human language and a divine message? You and I can only describe things with our words. God’s word actually makes things. It has power. I can tell you not to worry. But in the end, that doesn’t mean much. When Jesus says, “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you,” He actually makes that happen. Recall the Creation story! When God spoke His Word He did not just describe light but created light. When God spoke He didn’t just report about the water below and the sky above, He placed the fish and stars in their ordained place and space. When God spoke it wasn’t just a chronicle of the earth, He filled the world with a creation fearfully and wonderfully made – including you. God’s Word does what it says. It transforms us and makes us saints from sinners. It renews, restores, and reconciles. It resurrects! On the last day, Jesus will stand over your grave and speak a word of Life. You and all those in Christ will be made new again! This is what makes the Word of God so special. It creates! Life from death. It makes certain defeat, undeniable triumph. It makes our lowly bodies to be like His resurrected body. In my toughest hours of uncertainty this was my hope. God can make all things new! His living Word I have preached with a loud voice for almost two decades, but only when I was silenced in ICU did I really begin to understand this promise of how the Word actually works and what makes this Word so special. Speaking on our own we can only describe, when God speaks He can create beauty.
I found it ironic one day when I was in the hospital, that while I looked at myself in the mirror, that the hole from the trach – now a scar – is in the exact same place where the white tab of the clerical collar rests on my neck. It was never my frail voice. It is never your voice. It was and is and will always be the voice of the Living God who created and makes new again. This is what we proclaim as witnesses. New beginnings. Either new beginnings for a gracious season here in this life for a few more fleeting moments, or the eternal beginning for life everlasting.
When you look in the mirror at yourself at home and look at the pastor preaching the Word in your church home – remember something special is happening – God is alive and active and making you a new creation! To God be the glory!
Imagine this… next Monday morning when you show up at work, Jesus is waiting in your office and asks you for a tour. First, He looks at your calendar, then your financial statements. Then you show Him around your entire operation. What would He see that would show Him that He’s the real Owner of the business? What would show Him that you understand His purposes and are seeking to accomplish them? God has many purposes for your business, some of which apply to all His businesses and some which are unique to yours. Here are four to consider:
1. Working as Worship to God: We work as worship when we trust and seek to enjoy God throughout our workday, let Him live through us, and seek to honor Him in our actions. Colossians 3:23 says, “As followers of Christ, we’re to work hard and cheerfully at whatever we do, as though we’re working for the Lord rather than for people.” One practical way to work as worship unto God is to view each problem or decision as an opportunity. Ask, “God, how can you get honor through this?” Then listen and obey. We can be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances when we abide in Christ and let Him live through us.
2. Reflecting God’s Character: God wants us to reflect His character in our lives, including business. As we get to know God better, and our lives are transformed by His love and work within us, it’s easier to reflect His character. Luke 6:45 tells us “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
3. Recognizing Business is Ministry: Christian entrepreneurs need to appreciate that their business is their primary ministry outside of their family. We need to serve and care for people through God’s business to fulfill His purposes. The primary way we minister through our business is by loving and serving people in the name of Jesus. This is what Jesus modeled for us and commanded in Matthew 22:39, “And the second [commandment] is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
4. Growing Profitably through Excellence: As Christians, we should never settle for mediocrity in business. As God’s representatives, we need to pursue and operate our businesses with excellence, so the world sees the quality of our products, services, people, and processes– and wonders why we serve them so well. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Discovering God’s Unique Purposes for Your Business: God has a unique plan for the business He’s entrusted to you. It takes into account your strengths, passions, personality and experiences-as well as the type of business, the people you interact with, your products and/or services, and the assets at your disposal. His purposes for your business all fit within the grand purposes explained above, but they’re unique and custom-tailored to you and your business. While it may be uncomfortable to consider going after God’s unique plan for your business, that’s where you’ll find amazing joy, passion and purpose! Remember Ephesians 3:20, “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”
The point of the POA. A power of attorney (POA) is a legal instrument that delegates an individual’s legal authority to another person. If an individual is incapacitated, the POA assigns a trusted party to make decisions on his or her behalf.
There are nondurable, springing, and durable powers of attorney. A nondurable power of attorney often comes into play in real estate transactions, or when someone elects to delegate their financial affairs to an assignee during an extended absence. A springing power of attorney “springs” into effect when a specific event occurs (usually an illness or disability affecting an individual). A “durable” power of attorney allows an assignee, or agent, to act on behalf of a second party, or principal, even after the principal is not mentally competent or physically able to make decisions. Once a principal signs, or executes, a durable power of attorney, it may be used immediately, until it is either revoked by the principal or the principal dies.1
What the POA allows in financial terms. Financially, a Power of Attorney is a tremendously useful instrument. An agent can pay bills, write checks, make investment decisions, buy or sell real estate or other hard assets, sign contracts, file taxes, and even arrange the distribution of retirement benefits.
Advanced healthcare directives: HCPOAs and Living Wills. Some illnesses can eventually rob people of the ability to articulate their wishes, and this is a major reason why people opt for a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) or a living will. There are differences between the two. A Health Care Power of Attorney (also called a “healthcare proxy”) allows an agent to make medical decisions for a principal, should they become physically or mentally incapacitated. A living will gives an assignee similar powers of decision, but this advanced directive only applies when someone faces certain death. The assignee has the authority to carry out the wishes of the incapacitated party.
Would you like to learn more? It may be time to meet with an attorney who specializes in these issues. You can find one with the help of an insurance or financial professional who has assisted families with legacy planning. Keep in mind this article is for informational purposes only. It’s not a replacement for real-life advice. Make sure to consult your legal professional so you can better understand what type of powers of attorney is a best fit for your situation.
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate Securities offered through Concourse Financial Group Securities, Inc. (CFGS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Concourse Financial Group Advisors, a DBA for CFGS, a Registered Investment Advisor. Vision Financial Group, Inc. is independent of Concourse Financial Group Securities, Inc..
The phrases “I want to set up a trust” or “you need a trust” are heard often in estate planning attorneys’ and financial advisors’ offices. The phrases are simple but can mean many different things. The first thing to understand is that a “trust” is not a simple document where the client fills in the blanks. We like to say that a trust is not like a one size fits all t-shirt. Trusts are not just for the super wealthy either.
Trusts are contracts designed to fulfill a client’s specific goals. These goals determine the type of trust and the terms of the trust. Even the title of the trust does not tell the reader very much. A family trust can mean many different things depending on the wording of the document. A revocable trust should mean that the trustmaker can revoke or terminate the trust, but the terms and conditions of the trust can be as varied as the colors of the rainbow. Two of the basic types of trusts are:
1. Revocable Trusts allow the trustmaker to stay in control of the trustmaker’s assets. The trust should avoid the probate process at the trustmaker’s death and make the transfer of assets to the designated beneficiaries much faster and easier. These trusts also provide more privacy since they can avoid public access to probate records. Revocable trusts do not have asset protection features of irrevocable trusts precisely because the trustmaker is still in total control.
2. Asset Protection Trusts, if designed correctly, should protect the trustmaker’s assets from creditors. They are generally irrevocable. The laws of the state where the trust is created have a lot to do with the level of protection the trustmaker receives. Some states have laws that offer more protection than others.
Using the framework of these trusts, a trustmaker may do everything from directing when a minor grandchild receives an inheritance to implementing plans to reduce capital gains taxes, income taxes, investment for growth, and estate taxes. Most importantly, remember that any form of trust planning takes an experienced estate planning attorney to guide you through the process of determining the appropriate type of trust and the specific terms that should be included in the trust. The second most important item is that you must then put your assets into the trust by updating titles of financial accounts, real estate, and real property.
“My mission is to be there for people in life’s toughest moments. And sometimes, it’s insurance,” Thomas Waters of State Farm says. Waters has served Alabamians through State Farm Insurance since 1991. He strives to make each client feel seen and valued through every interaction. “You only get one chance to serve people during their toughest moments,” he says. Waters believes that the value of a personal relationship has been highlighted since the COVID-19 pandemic began. “A personal relationship is second to none,” he adds. His goal is to draw people to the office by making them feel valued and seen. Waters seeks to reach people and change lives for the better through his business. During a discernment Bible study he went through in his 30’s, Waters decided he wanted to use his business as more than just a way to make a living. He wanted to use his business as a ministry and be a light in the city.
Save the date for Hammies in Hoover happening at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex on November 14! All skill levels are welcome. Learn more at www.thehammies.com.
Reaching the Community. Waters strives to use what he is passionate about to reach those around him. As a graduate of Birmingham Southern College (BSC), Waters is passionate about music. He is currently a part of a southern gospel quartet called Meet Southern Harmony. The members all met during their years at BSC when they sang in the choir together. “Our whole goal is to communicate the grace of God to our audience,” Waters says. As a business owner, Waters sponsors Jazz in the Park. Over the last several years, he has connected with people by enjoying life through jazz music. “I’ve discovered that music is one of the few things that erases all the biases and gives a solid thing to rally around and enjoy no matter your race or social status,” Waters says, adding, “To me, it’s kind of a spiritual thing to see a crowd of folks that have seemingly little in common other than the music coming together.”
Waters and his State Farm cycling team have raised nearly $60,000 to help those battling MS.
An avid cyclist, Waters also sponsors Hammies in Hoover as an avenue to draw families together. On November 14, 2021, families are invited to join this bike ride and spend quality time together. “We hope that by supporting it, that we can aid in growing this event to continue creating a sense of community and an opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors,” Waters says. Hammies in Hoover will take place at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. The trail is designed for all skill levels and promises to be a fun day for the whole family. Learn more at www.thehammies.com. Waters also uses his passion for cycling each year to ride toward a world free of Multiple Sclerosis during the annual Bike MS: Tour de Beach. In the five years since he began participating in this fundraising event, Waters and his team have raised nearly $60,000!
Thomas Waters is seen above with Neal Boley, Wanda Boley and Josh Beck(left) preparing a delicious meal to serve to those in need in the Birmingham area. Changed Lives Christian Center opened in 2010 and is located at 1308 26th Avenue North. Visit www.cl-cc.org to learn how you can become a volunteer.
Giving Back. Waters served on the board at The Foundry and during that time learned about the Changed Lives Christian Center (CLCC). Since 2014, Waters and his team have served a meal every single third Tuesday each month. Waters’ business pays for, cooks, and serves the meals. “We estimate that since 2014, we have served over 7,000 meals.” If you are interested in learning how you can partner with CLCC, visit www.cl-cc.org.
A Word to Fellow Business Owners. When asked what encouragement he would give to other business owners who are considering using their business as a ministry, Waters responded, “Don’t be afraid. The rewards can be exponential.” He adds, “That doesn’t necessarily mean financial. But the sense of worth it brings you… it gives you a sense of purpose beyond the business.” He adds that when this happens, the people you serve feel the difference. “This is where tremendous satisfaction occurs as a business owner.”
To learn more about Thomas Waters State Farm, visit www.ThomasWaters.com or call 205-879-1988.
In the Gospels, the people who stand out, who get it right and respond to the Gospel as they should, are almost always nameless. The presentation is consistent with a theme deeply embedded in the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus aligns himself with the weak and the meek, the lowly and the lonely. In the eyes of God, those who are last will be first, and the first are often last. In her book, The Way Up is Down (IVP Press), Marlena Graves is urging God’s people to discover afresh the counterintuitive message of the Gospel of Jesus. Following Jesus requires a lifestyle of humility, not only before God but also among one’s fellowman. It requires the foregoing of one’s “rights” as we seek the wellbeing of others. It is a lifestyle of constant repentance, prayer, forgiveness, and the desire to serve others rather than be served. Graves is concerned that arrogance, greed, and lust for significance and personal satisfaction have become pervasive in the church culture. I think she’s right. We are called to practice the kenotic life, a life of self-giving and sacrifice as modeled by Jesus. But do we? Are we known by our love, forbearance, forgiveness, and humility? Do non-Christians see people who follow the way of the cross? Are we famous for our compassion and generosity, or for our defiance, walls, and lust for political power? Are we known for welcoming others or for our fear and distrust? The Way Up is Down is a passionate plea for God’s people to take the example of Jesus seriously, to embrace the paradox that power is found in weakness, that significance is found in humility, and that esteeming others as more important than ourselves is how we live our best life.
It’s an upside-down way of living in a world driven by money and power and celebrity. Even church culture can succumb to the pressure to define ministerial “success” by prestige, influence, and attendance. In God’s eyes, the eloquent celebrity leaders of Christendom might be last, while the untrained, semi-literate preacher who bumbles his way through weekly sermons as he faithfully pastors a handful of folks in the backside of nowhere may be a rock star. Who knows? Perhaps, in heaven, the nameless woman at the well and the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch will have holidays declared in honor of their faith. I suspect Jesus will make sure it is quite a celebration.
Introverts do so much well. They listen well, feel deeply, and think carefully. They also take delight in quiet and happily spend time alone. Yet even introverts need friends to support them through the rough patches, to challenge them to live well, to help them laugh. And God calls even introverts to live connected. No small challenge!
How can introverts live connected in a quiet, thoughtful sort of way? In her warm, conversational, story-loving voice, Afton Rorvik writes about creative and practical ways to embrace introversion as a friendship-building tool—in a quiet, thoughtful way, of course.Introverts (and those who love them) will find courage and challenge here to build life-giving friendships, one word at a time.
Afton Rorvik savors words, flavored coffee, time outside, and living connected. She happily embraces her introversion as a gift and celebrates her courage-giving faith in God. Rorvik and her husband, John, have two adult children and love to walk and hike in Colorado.
Living Connected: An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship is available from NewHopePublishers.com and your favorite book retailers.
As Americans, we are blessed to live in a world where Bible study resources abound, but not every resource from the shelf at the local Christian bookstore is going to be the best resource for your family. When it comes to devotionals and resources for family Bible study, here are three important questions you can ask:
1. Does this resource come from the Bible or simply use Bible verses? Sometimes devotionals and Bible studies are written only having enough verses in them to make them Christian. These resources are filled with quotes, stories, and applications, but they fail to connect readers back to the Word. A Bible study or devotional should be designed to engage the text of the Bible and force readers to interact with the Bible.
2. Does this resource showcase the gospel? The gospel is the story of Jesus’ rescue of His people by His perfect life lived in their place, His death on the cross to cover their sins, and His resurrection from the dead proving He is God. In the gospel, Jesus is the Hero. As followers of Jesus, we seek to surrender to Him and allow His Holy Spirit to birth change in our hearts and lives. A resource showcasing the gospel puts the focus on Jesus and our utter reliance on Him to bring life change. Christianity is not about performing and doing better to earn God’s approval but surrendering to experience the wonder of grace at work in us.
3. Does this resource engage with real life? Faith should lead to action. Effective devotions and Bible studies seek to challenge how we live in the real world with practical examples and action steps. Studying the Bible is not merely to know more theology in your head but to practice theology with your life. So, what are some recommended resources for families?
Kids: Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones; Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones; The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm
Students/Adults: Live in Grace, Walk in Love byBob Goff; New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp; James; Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith
When I served in student ministry, I realized the great need for devotionals and Bible study resources meeting these criteria. God led me to develop two devotional books James: Everyday Faith and Words from the Cross, which are both available on Amazon.
Imagine you are with your kids at a business trick or treating when suddenly your shoe gets caught on a broken tile on the floor and you fall breaking your ankle, what do you do? Alabama law requires businesses to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition, free of defects, dangers and hazardous conditions. Businesses are also required to warn the public if there is a hazardous condition which could cause injury to customers and visitors who enter their premises. If a slip and fall occurs which causes you injury, it is important to let a manager or other employee of the store know so that an incident report can be made at the time of the fall. Furthermore, you should seek medical treatment immediately so that a doctor can assess your injuries. In the example of the broken tile, the store should have repaired the broken tile which was obviously dangerous to customers and was a defect on the premises. On the other hand, it is important that you use care and pay attention to where you are walking when you are at a business. Alabama law protects businesses from slip and falls if you are simply clumsy or fall over something that you should have noticed. In this case, the business could not have prevented the fall and did nothing wrong.
When a restaurant, grocery store, spa, gym, convenience store, bank or any other business where a customer would enter looking for a product or service where they intend to spend money causes an injury to a customer because they left a spill on the floor or failed to repair a dangerous area on their property, they can be held responsible under the law to compensate the injured person for their injuries, pain and suffering. If a person slips on a puddle of coffee that has been on the floor and the manager had prior notice of the spill but failed to clean it up, there is legal liability on the part of the business. It is the duty and responsibility of the owners or managers to extend utmost care and diligence to keep visitors from harm. If you have an injury that was caused by someone else, whether it be a wreck, a wrongful death, wrongful prescription, slip and fall or any other injury please do not hesitate to contact us. We have made it our life work to help injured people.
Frank S. Buck, P.C., Attorneys at Law have been offering professional legal services and serving Alabama citizens for over 43 years. We have experienced trial attorneys who have over 100 years of combined trial experience. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (205) 933-7533. Please call us for a free consultation. Visit us at www.franksbuckpc.com.
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Frank S. Buck, P.C., Attorneys at Law have been offering professional legal services and serving Alabama citizens for over 43 years. We have experienced trial attorneys who have over 100 years of combined trial experience. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (205) 933-7533. Please call us for a free consultation. Visit us at 