Broken Yet Rescued: How the Gospel Impacts Your Family Relationships

June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Parenting Points

If we were to pull back the curtain of “perfect” social media posts, we would have to acknowledge that there is one word that describes every family – brokenness. Our homes, marriages and relationships with our kids are defined by the fact that we are sinful people in relationships with one another. At its core, relationships can be hard and messy, yet the Gospel is a message that applies not just to our eternal status but our relationships as well.

In describing the Gospel, Tim Keller posted on Twitter in June of 2013, “You are more sinful than you could ever dare imagine and you are more loved and accepted than you could ever dare hope.” As we enjoy the summer season where our time with our kids and families is increased, let us remember these Gospel truths:

Our Families Are Full of Broken People. When we get frustrated and aggravated by the brokenness and disfunction in others, we must remember that we are broken as well. None of us is without sin and does the right thing every time. We must look to our own brokenness and from that place of brokenness extend grace to others.

Jesus Is the All Sufficient Savior. Our brokenness points us to the need of a Savior who can restore us. So often, we want to be the savior for our families. We want to fix everything, make others change and be the hero. Jesus is the Hero and the One who is doing His work in our lives and the life of our family.

Find Our Hope in Him. We are tempted to put our hope in the perfect family lunch, the flawless vacation to the beach or our child’s perfect performance. These are all things that are too weak to rest your hope. Our true hope is in Jesus and the perfect world that we long for which comes the moment He returns and makes all things new.

Look for opportunities to embrace the Gospel in your family, to share the Gospel truths with your family and to rely on Jesus to be your rescue and your hope.

-Dr. Ben Birdsong serves as the Minister of Students at Meadow Brook Baptist, and also writes and blogs at www.benbirdsong.com.

June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Mission Makers

Family Promise host and support congregations include All Saints’ Episcopal, Baptist Church of the Covenant, Canterbury Methodist, Covenant Presbyterian, Mountain Brook Baptist, Saint Luke’s Episcopal, Saint Peter’s Anglican, Saint Mary’s Episcopal, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal, Southside Baptist, South Highland Presbyterian, Temple Emanu-El, Trinity United Methodist, Vestavia Hills Methodist, Temple Beth-El, Shades Crest Baptist and Beloved Community Church. Family Promise will host a Rock the Yacht Gala on July 18 to raise funds for the ministry. See Calendar for details.

Tiffany worked for a company for five years and one day received an email that the company was closing. She was out of a job and was evicted from her home. Tiffany and her 12-year-old son suddenly found themselves homeless, a word she had a hard time saying. She never thought she would encounter homelessness. She had two degrees and worked hard. Tiffany and her son were frightened, alone, and ashamed. But they found hope through Family Promise of Birmingham (FPB). Founded in 1998 as the Birmingham Hospitality Network, the organization began to change the lives of homeless families in the area. The name was changed in 2013 to reflect work done with families and to indicate affiliation with 200 other Family Promise networks around the country. Locally, Family Promise is a network of 17 Host and Support Congregations of diverse faith working together to provide safe, home-like lodging where homeless families can stay together while working to regain their independence. Each congregation provides overnight lodging, meals and a welcoming, supportive environment for as many as 14 people (or four families) for one week. Typically, a congregation rotates hosting a week at a time every three months.

Family Promise guests use a Day Center at Southside Baptist Church from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. where a professional, caring social worker provides case management services. There, guests can pursue employment, tend to pre-school children, shower and do laundry. The Day Center provides guests with a mailing address and base for housing and employment searches. With a lean budget of approximately $170,000, last year FPB utilized some 2,600 volunteers, served 13,000 meals, were open 365 days and served 21 guest families an average of 82 days (most from Jefferson and surrounding counties).

Today, Tiffany has a new job, a new home, and a new hope thanks to the love and support of FPB. To learn more about Family Promise of Birmingham or to help support more families like Tiffany’s visit www.FamilyPromiseBham.org or call 205-918-0246. †

July 9, 2019June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Legal Matters

Presented by: Bradford & Holliman, Estate Planning, www.bradfordholliman.com

Parenthood is an education with no graduation date. Have you told your child, “I don’t care how old you are, you’ll always be my baby!” Parenthood impacts your estate plan in different ways as your child grows up.

Parenthood is a big reason estate plans should be reviewed every three to five years. One couple with two sons was reviewing their five-year-old wills and realized that the three couples designated as guardians and backup guardians were no longer the best options. Two couples had divorced, and the wife in one couple had died.

Early on, your estate plan should clearly designate a guardian and a backup guardian in case both parents die in an accident. With fewer siblings and siblings who live far away, many parents do not have close family nearby. Consider what guardian could comfort your children and minimize the upheaval to their lives. Do you want the same person to handle their finances as well as their day-to-day lives? Never designate someone to be the guardian of your minor child without talking it over with them in great detail. It’s a huge responsibility that can last a lifetime.

Designated guardians are not your executors. Often a checks-and-balances approach can provide a multi-talented team to support your children.

As your children mature, consider adjusting your estate plan to include specific types of trusts. A child may grow up to be a spendthrift, develop chronic health issues such as drugs or alcoholism, or have a rocky marriage that may not last.

Many couples designate each other as their executors, but competent adult children can assume new roles in your estate plan. You are the best judge of their abilities to be equitable to siblings and avoid family arguments while settling your estate. At this stage, you should talk with all of your children to explain why certain children are designated as power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, executor, or other roles. It is always better for them to hear your plans “from the horse’s mouth” to avoid issues after you’re gone.

Now consider grandparenthood. You can designate estate funds to cover educational expenses or to set inheritances at certain ages for your grandchildren.

No matter where you are on the parenthood journey, work closely with a qualified estate planning attorney to make sure your estate plan is current based on those “babies,” no matter how old they are.

-Melanie B. Holliman, JD

Partner, Bradford & Holliman

Estate Planning, Trusts, & Special Needs

www.bradfordholliman.com

No representation is made that the quality of the legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of service performed by other lawyers.

June 28, 2019June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Healthy Living

“Help, hope, and healing” has been the slogan of Samaritan Counseling Centers of Greater Birmingham since its inception more than thirty years ago. In a spirit of compassion and concern as illustrated by the parable of the good Samaritan, Samaritan Counseling offers faith-based professional counseling, coaching and educational services in multiple locations in the greater Birmingham area including Homewood, Pelham, Alabaster and Highway 280 in Hoover.

Nationally accredited by the Solihten Institute, Samaritan Counseling maintains the highest standards of professionalism in the delivery of mental health services, offering counseling services for a wide variety of mental health issues including: anxiety, depression, loss and grief, anger, suicidal thinking, trauma and addiction. Recognizing the importance of the integration of mind, body and spirit, emphasis is placed on the value of healthy families and communities, including healthy churches.

As a nonprofit organization, Samaritan Counseling actively supports the racially and ethnically diverse communities within greater Birmingham. Counseling and educational programs are provided to marginalized and underserved persons through collaborative agreements with the Firehouse Shelter, the YWCA, One Place and other community support agencies. For clients with financial hardship, Samaritan can provide counseling at reduced rates.

In addition, professional coaching is available for assistance with leadership development, lifestyle issues and career decisions. Special support and training programs can be provided on request for clergy and congregational leaders dealing with issues within their churches. Coaching is also available for addicts who are struggling and need supplementary assistance with their recovery program.

For anyone needing help and looking for a safe, sensitive and respectful place to deal with personal issues, Samaritan Counseling Centers stands ready to help. For more information or for an appointment, call 205-967-3660 or visit www.samaritancc.org and complete the online contact form. After-hours or weekend appointments may be arranged by special request.

–Jim Long

Executive Director & Recovery Coach,

Samaritan Counseling Centers of Greater Birmingham

[email protected]

June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Faith at Work

Will Lantrip shares, “I always pray with every client I work with at the end of our session.” His fitness center is located on Highway 280 in Chelsea where he provides personal training, diet plans and more.

Will Lantrip does not recall a time when he was not passionate about athletics. A native of Forestdale, Ala., at the age of thirteen Lantrip’s parents gifted him with a weight set. This gift created the foundation for his passion for weightlifting and body building. Lantrip reflects that, “the more I lifted and the more I exercised, the more I became a better athlete.” He started competing as a body builder around the age of 16 and continued competing on and off for years. Lantrip shares that he won several different titles including “Mr. Florida” and “NGA Master Pro Bodybuilder.”

Lantrip was a personal trainer before it became a common job title. In 1979, he was preparing for a bodybuilding competition when a young man in the community repeatedly asked him if he could work out with him. Lantrip says that after this experience, “I never stopped. I was always training, no matter if I was in college or working in the insurance business, I was always training someone on the side.” While a personal trainer at Sportsplex for 20 years, Lantrip prayed and dreamed of opening his own gym. “I wanted to give people a good price and provide a Christian atmosphere. So many people have to listen to bad music and inappropriate talk while at the gym. I decided to create a place where people come to actually enjoy their workout free of inappropriate talk,” Lantrip shares. In July of 2013, Willpower Fitness Gym officially opened in Chelsea, Ala.

Lantrip is actively using his passion for fitness to share Christ with everyone who walks into his gym. Philippians 4:13 is painted on the walls, uplifting music is played, and there is a prayer bowl where people can write a prayer request. He personally prays over the prayer bowl several times throughout the week.

Lantrip has trained a wide variety of clients. He is currently training athletes from ages 11-17, several ladies in their mid-seventies, people seeking to lose weight, and even people with special needs. Over the nearly six years of owning Willpower Fitness, Lantrip reflects, “I believe that God is the owner and I am just the manager of the gym. I feel very blessed to get to do what I do every day!”

-Melissa Armstrong

August 7, 2019June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Faith At Work

Unthinkable tragedy struck the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas when a gunman opened fire during Sunday service, killing 26 worshippers on November 5, 2017. People across the country and the world mourned for the loss of so many lives and for the families and friends of the 26 victims.

Birmingham-based development company, Myrick, Gurosky & Associates, Inc. (MG+A) paved the road of hope for the grieving church. The MG+A team came to the aid of church members in the aftermath of the mass shooting by providing development, design and construction oversight to the church’s new worship center and education building. The North American Mission Board assisted in the funding for the building project.

Scott Gurosky and Pastor of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Frank Pomeroy, shake hands at the new building dedication ceremony. Pastor Pomeroy lost his 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle, during the shooting. Photo Credit: Jane Rodgers, North American Mission Board

Many other Birmingham-based firms also donated to this project including Leeds Stained Glass, Vulcan Materials, AllSouth Appliances, Amerson Engraving and Gallery Services. The project’s architect and designer, Michael O’Kelley of O’Kelley Architecture, worked side-by-side with MG+A to ensure that the modern design and church’s history complemented each other.

Almost two years later, on May 19, 2019, the new church building dedication was held. In addition to security elements, the design includes the use of stone, hardwood flooring, wooden beams and large glass windows. All of the design elements were included to provide a sense of refuge and safety to everyone who walks in the doors. The worship center, which seats 300 people, was designed with special considerations for Kris Workman, the church’s worship leader, who was paralyzed in the shooting.

In addition to a new worship center, the new building also provides members with a modern kitchen and fellowship space. Photo Credit: Jane Rodgers, North American Mission Board

While the new building’s purpose is to usher the church into a bright future, the 26 churchgoers who lost their lives on that tragic day in November are also remembered. A plaque with each victim’s picture and name, designed by Birmingham’s Ivy Schuster of Hatcher Schuster Interiors, serves as a tangible reminder of the value of life.

Scott Gurosky, president of MG+A, shares, “We were honored to help this resilient, faithful church begin its newest chapter. The new construction reflects how God has moved powerfully through tremendous tragedy and loss, and we hope that our work honors the past and helps church members step toward the future.” †

June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Encouraging Word

A need is defined as a requirement or urgent necessity. We all have needs. If you have an unmet need, then you have a deficit because there is something missing or lacking. You now are motivated to meet that need and it becomes a priority. One cannot be fully satisfied until that need has been fulfilled.

Jesus came to address our needs. Jesus says in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news (Gospel) to the poor. Poor here is best defined as “Not having your needs met.” Jesus is the answer to all our needs. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

We have four basic types of need: Physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.

Physical needs consist of food, shelter and clothing. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus says God knows how to provide these basic necessities of life and promises to do so.

There are intellectual needs or questions that mankind has such as origin of life, “Where did life originate” or “Where did all this come from?” You have the question of purpose, “Why are we here and what is life all about?” Then the topic of destiny, “What happens when you die and is there life after death?” The Bible addresses these questions and intellectual needs that we have.

We have emotional needs: we want to know that we are accepted and loved; that we are significant and secure; that we are important and have worth. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son to prove that we are loved and have tremendous worth!

Our spiritual need is the most important. We all have a “God-shaped hole” or void in our life that only God can fill. Jesus is the only one that can fill this void and vacuum in our life. John 3:3 tells us that we must be “Born again.” Romans 6:23 says that the consequence of sin is separation from God, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. And Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Isn’t it encouraging to know that all our needs are met in Christ?

-Tony Cooper

Celebrating 28 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Money Matters

If you’re a decade or so away from retirement, you’ve probably spent at least some time thinking about this major life change. How will you manage the transition? Will you travel, take up a new sport or hobby, or spend more time with friends and family? Should you consider relocating? Will you continue to work in some capacity?

When you begin to ponder all the issues surrounding the transition, the process can seem downright daunting. However, thinking about a few key points now, while you still have years ahead, can help you focus your efforts and minimize the anxiety that often accompanies the shift.

Reassess your living expenses. A step you will probably take several times between now and retirement- is thinking about how your living expenses could or should change. For example, while commuting and other work-related costs may decrease, other budget items may rise. According to a recent survey, 47% of retirees said their healthcare expenses were higher than expected in retirement, while 37% of retirees said their other expenses were higher than expected.

Consider all your income sources. First, figure out how much you stand to receive from Social Security. The amount you receive will depend on your earnings history and other unique factors. You can elect to receive retirement benefits as early as age 62, however, doing so will result in a reduced benefit for life. If you wait until your full retirement age or later, your benefit will be higher. Next, review the accounts you’ve earmarked for retirement income, including any employer benefits. Start with your employer-sponsored plan, and then consider any IRAs and traditional investment accounts you may own. Try to estimate how much they could provide monthly. Do you have rental income? Be sure to include that in your calculations.

Pay off debt, power up your savings. Why pay off debt? Entering retirement debt-free- including paying off your mortgage- will put you in a position to modify your monthly expenses in retirement if the need arises. Why power up your savings? In these final few years before retirement, you’re likely to be earning the highest salary of your career. Why not save and invest as much as you can in your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan and/or IRAs? Aim for maximum allowable contributions. And remember, if you’re 50 or older, you can take advantage of catch-up contributions, which enable you to contribute an additional $6,500 to your 401(k) plan and an extra $1,500 to your IRA in 2019.

There are just some of the factors to consider as you prepare to transition into retirement. Breaking the bigger picture into smaller categories and using the years ahead to plan accordingly may help make the process a little easier.

-S. Joey Elmore

Vision Financial Group, Inc.

4505 Pine Tree Circle, Birmingham, 35243

205-970-4909, www.vision-financialgroup.com

Investment Advisory Services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through ProEquities, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA & SIPC. Vision Financial Group, Inc. is independent of ProEquities, Inc. Copyright 2006-2019 Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Education Extra

Exciting things have been happening at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (OLS)!

Each 4th grade OLS student displayed their science project on a tri-fold board and explained their findings to fellow students, teachers and families who visited them in the OLS Family Life Center.

OLS held their Science Fair in the last weeks of school. 4th grade students took pride in displaying their projects and sharing their experiment findings. As part of their science curriculum this year, the students had to find a question to investigate through an experiment, analyze the results and report their findings.

OLS Students Jack Burke, Anna Williams and Brooke Brown were recently recognized for their Christ-like example in everyday life, constant service to others and for their outstanding Christian attitude and behavior. They are seen here with OLS Principal Mary Jane Dorn and OLS Associate Pastor Father Balta Pentareddy.

Eighth-graders Jack Burke, Anna Williams and Brooke Brown were named the recipients of the 2019 Outstanding Christian Service Award at OLS. They were honored with this annual award that traditionally is given to a boy and a girl of the 8th grade graduating class. This year, there were two female recipients.

OLS students recently displayed their creativity during the school’s annual Art Show. The children worked throughout the year under the direction of OLS Art Teacher Andi Arteaga on a variety of imaginative pictures and projects. This year’s 1st place winners were John Hails/4th grade, Melany Farias/5th grade, Will Magruder/6th grade, Georgia Thornton/7th grade and Elsa Ray/8th grade. Congratulations to all the winners! †

June 25, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Church Leaders

Your church is hitting social media with everything you have. You are sharing posts. You aren’t relying on Sunday services to give you all of your content. You are interacting with people that comment. You are really doing social media the correct way, but then the worst happens. You get a dreaded negative comment. It happens to even the best congregations, but how do you deal with it?

First, don’t panic. When you are in the public arena, you are not going to please everyone all of the time. Before you do anything, read the comment and ask yourself “does this have merit?” If it is constructive criticism or something that you are already addressing, publicly thank them for their comment and let them know that their complaint is something that is being handled. If the comment is something that can’t be easily handled (like an issue with church theology or church policy), you may need to take more time with it. Once again, thank them for their feedback on the public comment. Apologize for them not being happy, but encourage them to try the church again. Then reach out privately through a direct message (or if they are a church member, actually talk to them) and get more details about why they are unhappy. On a one-to-one level, you can go into a deeper discussion. Even if you can’t actually fix the issue, just being heard can go a long way toward helping to ease those negative feelings from the commenter.

When do you delete a comment? Mostly, this makes things worse. It creates the appearance that you are hiding something or trying to avoid investigation. The only exceptions are the use of profanity or directed personal attacks at an individual. In those cases, delete the post and immediately reach out to the person explaining what happened. Let them know that they have been heard (which is mainly what they want).

In the end, social media can be a great way to expand your church’s reach during the week. It can enrich lives and help to spread the gospel in those hours when you do not have a worship service. Sometimes negativity can get involved, but if you deal with it with a little grace, you can keep a follower and strengthen your online community at the same time.

Mark Harvard, Director of Communications

Clearbranch UMC, www.clearbranch.org

Broken Yet Rescued: How the Gospel Impacts Your Family Relationships

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