Protect Your Kids with a Proactive Parenting Plan for Summer

April 30, 2019April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Parenting Points

Brought to you by: White Plume Technologies, www.whiteplume.com

The Downside of Downtime. These days, summer seems different for kids—and parents. Because these are different times.

Young people today face more temptations and risks. Negative influences are the everyday norm of their television experience such that we hardly notice them anymore. Parents are oblivious of what their kids view on the internet. Social pressure and temptations are as close as the cell phone in their pocket, and drugs are readily available from kids they know at school.

During summer, more downtime offers more freedom and choices. And young people often make those choices based on what their friends are doing, how they can have fun, and what’s easily available. That may be television, social media, and the internet. Or the cool new drugs their friends are trying.

Countering the Downside of Downtime. But what should parents do as summer approaches? Doing nothing is a choice, but normally not a good one. Instead, parents should be proactive, and they need to build a plan.

A proactive summer plan involves keeping kids occupied with positive activities a good bit of the time. Certainly, that can help limit the downside of downtime. But, ideally, parents can use the summer not only to keep their kids out of trouble, but to also prepare them for life, by striving to:

1. Maintain Balance in Your Kids’ Lifestyle

Personally: In at least one area, encourage them to develop knowledge and experience that will lead them to competence and confidence.
Emotionally: Help them develop a comfortable sense of self from being engaged in positive activities they like to do.
Spiritually: Be their mentor and example and utilize whatever works for them such as family prayer, talks, age-appropriate books, a church youth group, or simply enjoying God in nature.

2. Remain Aware of What Your Kids Are Doing

Set summer expectations and boundaries early and remain consistent, even when they whine.
Be aware of what they are doing, which is harder if you’re at work. If you feel any need to, consider using car GPS trackers, laptop software, checking in periodically, or whatever works.

3. Help Your Kids Stay Connected to Others

Work with them to be intentional about initiating and investing in good relationships.
Plan events for them to be around friends and others who are a positive influence.

4. Teach Your Kids to Manage Their Time Well

Set boundaries on their use of digital devices and television.
Each day ensure a good bit of their time is scheduled with positive activities.

5. Encourage Your Kids to do Something with Purpose

Help them get a job or assign them regular chores to earn money.
Have them do something with meaning, like helping their grandparents or volunteering.

Our goal as parents is not relentless activity or meaningless busy-ness for our children. Instead, we want to help our kids stay engaged in positive activities that will prepare them for life. And, by so doing, limit the downside of downtime.

https://stepsproactiveparenting.com/spp_signupmailinglist/

Get the online course to protect your kids against addiction –

https://steps-ministries.mykajabi.com/steps-full-course-proactive-parenting-landing-page

-Steve C. Ward

Executive Director, STEPS Ministries

Author of STEPS: A Daily Journey to a Better Life

[email protected]

April 30, 2019April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Money Matters

presented by: Vision Financial

It used to be that conventional and FHA/VA mortgage loans allowed for a partial pre-payment of principal, without a penalty, which shortened the remaining term of a loan but did not reduce the amount of the monthly Principal and Interest(P&I) payment. New rules have gone in to affect this year which allow a borrower to pay down the principal and reduce the amount of the P&I payment. This is known as a pay down and re-cast of the loan. Previously, this could only be accomplished by a complete refinance of the existing loan and the associated closing costs.

An example: A $200,000.00 mortgage loan at 5% interest rate for 30 years would have a P&I payment of $1,073.64 per month. Say after 3 years one was able to pay $50,000.00 on the balance. Previously this was possible (with no penalty) but it didn’t lower the scheduled payment. It did, however, shorten the term of the loan down to just under 16 years. Now it could lower the P&I payment to around $755.24 and while it does not shorten the term, it does increase cash flow by $318.40 per month.

Some rules do apply. Re-cast is not available from all lenders. It is not available on FHA/VA loans. There is a minimum amount, usually $5,000 and there is a fee charged by the lender, typically $250-$500.

Is this a good idea? Like most financial decisions, it depends on your individual situation. Points to consider:

Cash paid down on your mortgage loan becomes very illiquid, i.e. locked in to the equity of your home and only released at time of sale or refinance.
If current interest rates are lower then your current rate, it might make sense to refinance and inject the cash to pay down the balance to be refinanced. Forget about the outdated “2% rule”. If your current rate is lower or close to available market rates, the paydown and re-cast could make more sense.
Consider your expected tenure in the house. The longer it is, the more sense it could make to paydown and re-cast. It also might make sense to simply pay the principal down, thus keeping the P&I payment the same and pay the house off sooner.
This option can eliminate the need (and expense) of a bridge loan when buying one house before selling an existing house.

This is a wonderful option that many lenders are now making available and allows the lowering of a P&I payment without incurring the expense of a refinance.

Our homes are one of our largest assets and decisions about the principal paydown re-cast option should involve input from a mortgage professional, your financial advisor or both.

-Larry Anderson

Vision Financial Group

4505 Pine Tree Circle, Birmingham, AL 35243

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

Advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a Registered Investment Advisor and a division of ProEquities, Inc. Securities are offered through ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer and Member FINRA & SIPC. Vision Financial Group is Independent of ProEquities, Inc. Securities and insurance products offered are not bank deposits, have no guarantee, are not FDIC insured and may lose value.

April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Mission Makers

Jacobson (front center) and volunteers meet weekly at Huffman Baptist. You do not have to be skilled in sewing to help! Beginners are welcome and there are tasks that require no sewing.

Linda Jacobson, founder of We Sew Love, simply wanted to get a pile of t-shirts out of her Center Point home. She never imagined God would lead her on a path of establishing a local sewing ministry with an international impact. Jacobson had the idea of turning the discarded t-shirts into underwear. She shared her idea with a Real Hope for Haiti missionary in hopes that they would be useful at their Haiti hospice center. Jacobson recalls that the missionary’s eyes filled with tears as she explained how useful they would be. “I got busy cutting up more t-shirts and when I got through the first pile, it made 500,” Jacobson says.

We Sew Love is hosting an open house Saturday May 18, 2019, from 1-3 p.m. at Huffman Baptist Church where you can learn more about the ministry and donate your unwanted t-shirts. To give monetary donations, visit www.graceklein.com and be on the lookout for their Amazon Wish List for needed supplies!

What she thought was a completed project turned out to be much more! Jacobson returned home to find big black garbage bags full of t-shirts on her doorstep. She began brainstorming and had the idea to pattern dresses for little girls out of the t-shirts. “T-shirts just kept showing up. The stream would not go away,” remembers Jacobson. She became overwhelmed when her daughter shared that the ladies at her church were in search of a summer project. Jacobson gathered up all of the t-shirts and went to Huffman Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. to set up. The ladies loved making the dresses so much that the leaders of the church offered to allow Jacobson to set up a sewing ministry in the church. We Sew Love was born.

Today, volunteers meet at Huffman Baptist Church on Thursdays to sew and be in community. Plus, there is now a We Sew Love ministry at Pawnee Baptist Church in Irondale, Ala. and one starting soon at Liberty Church in Hoover, Ala. We Sew Love has even expanded to Iowa and Florida! Each group sews t-shirts, dresses, shorts, bibs, underwear, burial gowns and more for children all over the world. Jacobson shares that We Sew Love has sent clothing to ministries in 14 different countries in the last 18 months including Real Hope for Haiti and Vapor Ministries. Jacobson says that she continues to learn from this journey that, “God’s warehouse is bottomless.”

Melissa Armstrong

April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Legal Matters

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

No, not the seniors in caps and gowns – the ones with silver hair, no hair, perhaps a few wrinkles, and a few misplaced keys. Today, some 762,000+ Alabamians are “seniors.” That’s 20.3% of our population and higher than the national estimate of 14.5% of Americans 65 and older. The Center for Disease Control reported that the 72,000+ American centenarians (100 and older) were living in 2014 which reflects an increase of 44% from 2000.

Your estate plan needs to reflect a really long life. Instead of focusing on who will eventually inherit your favorite jewelry or paintings through your will, your estate plan should focus on your latter years. Although we all hope to live well until we drop, chances are our capabilities and health will decline requiring outside help. Setting up your assets in the right kind of trust with the right co-trustees means that you can keep the reins in your hands until help is needed, protecting your assets for your use.

One centenarian we know is 100 and 6 months… and counting. A revocable trust she set up 18 years ago with a co-trustee has allowed her 63-year-old daughter to take over responsibilities gradually on an as-needed basis. The daughter/co-trustee now manages financial affairs by working with her mother’s accountant, investment advisor, and home care agency, making decisions that the centenarian is no longer comfortable making on her own. The co-trustee took care of a recent roof leak by working with the insurance company and contractor. The co-trustee also coordinates medications and medical care through a healthcare directive.

This trust avoids potentially acrimonious family situations of “who is in charge of what?” It also avoids the court costs of an incapacity hearing, or a guardianship or conservatorship process which would require ongoing reports back to the court. When this lovely centenarian eventually dies, her trust becomes irrevocable, and the co-trustee can distribute her assets to her heirs as specified. The trust avoids the probate process and costs and keeps the estate private, not part of public records.

Note that this centenarian did not wait until she was 100 to set up her trust either, so don’t put off talking about your specific situation with a qualified estate planning and trust attorney. Enjoy your latter years knowing that your future assistance has already been set up as you think is best.

-Melanie Bradford Holliman

Partner, Bradford & Holliman, LLC

Practice focuses on estate planning, elder law and special needs trusts.

2491 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, Ala. 35124

205-663-0281, www.bradfordholliman.com

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

April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Encouraging Word

As Christians, I believe we desire and need to maintain a close walk with God. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you…” I believe there are four basic principles that will strengthen our relationship with Him: Listen to God. Trust God. Obey God. Wait on God.

Listen to God. Listen means to give attention for the purpose of hearing. Since God continues to speak to us through the Bible (Word of God) and through His Holy Spirit; if we’re not hearing, it is because we are not listening. James 1:19 says, “. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Have you noticed the words “listen” and “silent” have the same letters?

Trust God. Trust means to believe in; depend on; rely on; to place confidence in; have faith in. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” God has proven Himself to be faithful and trustworthy.

Obey God. Obey means to comply with or follow commands or instruction. Deuteronomy 27:10 says, “You shall therefore obey the Lord your God, and do His commandments. . .” And in John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” God expects us to be obedient.

Wait on God. Wait means to have patient expectation. God’s timing is a key part of Him revealing His will and plans for His followers. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength . . .” And James 5:7 says, “Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord . . .”

Applying these four principles- to listen, trust, obey and wait on God- will strengthen our relationship with Him.

-Tony Cooper

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

www.jimmiehalemission.com

April 25, 2019April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Education Extra

High School Senior Jessica Bradley wins Future Engineer Scholarship from Amazon.

Congratulations to Prince of Peace (POP) Catholic Parish’s Jessica Bradley who won a $40,000 Future Engineer scholarship from Amazon and the chance to intern with the online commerce company after her freshman year of college. The high school senior was one of 100 U.S. students chosen for her academic and civic accomplishments. Since the beginning of her junior year at Hoover High School, she along with a group of high school students have introduced other young women to the field of computer coding by inviting Hoover elementary and middle school girls to “Hoover Girls Code,” a night of computer science which meets every month or so. Her work with Hoover Girls Code was part of the reason she was also named one of the top two youth volunteers in Alabama for 2019 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Jessica is the daughter of Angela and Jimmy Brady and a graduate of Prince of Peace Catholic School. †

April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Church Leaders

The churches of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association (BMBA) have partnered together to do great work in the Birmingham community and beyond since 1833. The Association, now with 126 churches spanning the Metro Area, started Baptist Health System, launched new congregations, served the poor, and helped survivors in numerous storms and disasters.

Last year, Executive Director Dr. Mike McLemore passed away leaving a leadership void. “We loved Dr. McLemore and knew that his leadership would be missed,” said Dr. Jim Cooley, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Birmingham. On November 26, 2018, Dr. Greg Corbin of Lakeside Baptist Church and Chairperson of the Executive Director Search Team recommended to the Executive Board that the BMBA call Dr. Chris Crain to serve as the new Executive Director. Dr. Crain was elected unanimously.

Dr. Earl Tew, former BMBA Executive Director, praying for the BMBA’s new Executive Director, Dr. Chris Crain, at his installation service earlier this year.

Serving previously as Director of the St. Clair Baptist Association, Crain was officially installed as Executive Director of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association on February 21st at the First Baptist Church of Birmingham. Dr. Greg Corbin said, “Chris steps into a great legacy of effective men of God such as Mike McLemore and Earl Tew. As we work together, we will help to ensure that the ministry of Chris Crain will be built upon the foundation that has been established. We look forward to all the Lord has in store.”

In the short time since Dr. Crain’s arrival, the Association has rebranded and embraced a mission “to encourage, equip, and engage biblically faithful churches in the Great Commission.” The BMBA will be in a prominent role in hosting the Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham in June 2019. “The Convention has not been in the Magic City since 1941. Our goal is to welcome thousands of Southern Baptists from all over the world to Birmingham so that they can see the incredible things God is doing in this city for His glory,” Crain said.

-Toni Wall

Marketing Specialist

www.bbaonline.org

April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Best Books

Besides writing Every Moment Holy, Douglas McElvey has penned lyrics for more than 250 songs recorded by a variety of artists including Kenny Rogers, Switchfoot, and Jason Gray.

An ancient Hebrew writer once proclaimed that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Every valley and every hill, every city and every landfill belong to God. There is no place where God is absent, which means that every inch of the universe is graced by God’s presence and is inherently sacred. We may desecrate our surroundings, our hours and our souls, but they are still sacred territory. In the Christian faith, the mundane and the holy are merged. There is no “holy land,” no temple made with hands, no spiritual aristocracy. There are only ordinary children of God who live and breathe and have their being in a world saturated with God’s presence.

In his wonderful book, Every Moment Holy (Rabbit Room Press), Douglas McKelvey has given the people of God a beautiful gift. Filled with prayers and recitations, Every Moment Holy is designed to match the rhythm of our lives. There are liturgies for weddings and deaths, for times of hope and times of fear, for days of celebration and nights of lament. With his inclusion of prayers for preparing a meal, reading a book, or waiting in line, McKelvey pushes back on our instinct to separate the ordinary tasks and activities of life from the spiritual. There are liturgies for doing laundry, changing diapers, and washing windows. There are prayers for acquiring a new pet, going on vacation and finishing a beloved book. Every Moment Holy is a liturgy for the ordinary life.

McKelvey’s literary gift is premised on the understanding that a life of the Spirit is one in which God is recognized as an ever-present reality. Every day is the Lord’s day, every task is an opportunity to glorify God, and every person we encounter is someone whom God loves and intends to redeem. The whole earth is filled with God’s glory and every moment is graced by a God who, in Jesus, broke through his holiness to walk among us.

–Darrel Holcombe, Owner
Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts
Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

205-663-2370

April 26, 2019April 24, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

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Special Feature

Congratulations to Oak Mountain High School Senior, Payne Watkins, the recipient of the Second Annual Birmingham Christian Family (BCF) scholarship sponsored by Tactical Faith. Watkins’s essay about how his faith impacted him during his high school career was chosen from among more than 60 essays submitted by area high school seniors.

“During my 4 years at Oak Mountain High School I have been through many different trials and tribulations. I have seen lives changed both for the good and for the bad. My faith has allowed me to remain committed to Christ and to help others stay on the right path as well.

I was part of the football team for my first two years of high school. During my playing time, I faced some of the hardest times of my life. I was pushed to my limit. My body and mind were broken. I was on the verge of giving in when God led me back to him. He provided new friends for me and helped me develop some long-lasting Godly friendships. Through two major injuries, God helped me to see that my identity was not in football. My identity was in Christ. I had drawn away from Him and started to rely more on myself rather than on Him. My worth as a child of God was far greater than anything I could accomplish on the gridiron.

Many of my friends were also drifting farther from God. Some had reached the point that you couldn’t even tell that they had once been Christians. Through my faith I was able to hold them accountable and prevent them from going down the wrong path. Through this journey, we all grew closer to God. Other friends started down the path of using drugs and drinking alcohol. I was always ridiculed for not doing those things. Through the teachings of my youth pastor, Sunday school teachers, and every other spiritual leaders in my life, I was able to resist those temptations and was able to keep the jokes from getting to me.

High school has not been easy. From the beginning to the end I faced temptations, persecution, and different trials. I have also seen friends give into sin that changed their life for the worst; drawing them away from God. Throughout all of this, God strengthened my faith allowing me to stand firm throughout the difficult times. God would always pick me up when I fell down. He also used me to do the same for many of my friends and helped me point them back to Christ. God has brought me through these high school years and I look forward to seeing how He will use me in college.”

–Payne Watkins, Oak Mountain High School Senior

Here are some additional inspiring words of wisdom from the four 2019 Essay Finalists.

Madison Seay, from Hueytown High School, shares, “Throughout my recovery process, I became a different person. My concussion taught me perseverance and strength, and it taught me to always be humble and appreciative. Most importantly my concussion strengthened my faith. Before my concussion, I knew about faith because I had read about it in the Bible and heard about it from my family, but I had never really experienced it. While recovering, the Lord used my newly acquired “disabilities” to show himself to me.”

Elizabeth Ezell, from Hewitt-Trussville High School, says, “Being a peer partner has impacted my Christian faith because it has taught me to love everyone, no matter the circumstances.”

Abigail Vandiver, from Heritage Christian Academy, shares, “All of my friends know that I go to church and love Jesus with all my heart. Sometimes I have been ridiculed for it, but often it is a gateway to conversations with people that I do not usually talk to.

Jacqueline Wilson, from Pell City High School, says, “God has a plan and no matter what my plan may be, his is greater. I continue to praise God for what he has done for my family and me.”

-Do you want to read more? Click to read each finalist’s full essay! Watch for details on the 2020 Scholarship later this year!

April 30, 2019April 22, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Publisher’s Note

When you think of ministering- where does your mind go? Leading a Bible study, visiting the sick, taking a mission trip? All very good and important things but have you pondered how a simple “hello” at the office or anywhere can minister to someone?

The Leader of Prevention and Wellness Efforts for Google, Dr. Lauren Whitt, shared her personal testimony at a recent Birmingham area Women Business Leaders event. Near the close of her message, Whitt asked the business women in the room a question and gave a very insightful answer.

“Want to minister in the work place?

Start with hello.”

Whitt shared how so many of us are longing to be seen, recognized, valued in a world where our attention so often seems to be on some type of technical device. I walked away with new insight into how a simple “Hello,” can be a powerful way to start a conversation, let someone know you care, and share God’s Love with someone who desperately needs it.

Have a passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ?

I encourage you to- Start with Hello!

-Laurie Stroud

Founder, The Christian Family Publication, Inc.

www.BirminghamChristian.com

Facebook: Birmingham Christian Family

Twitter @cfpBirmingham

Instagram @cfpbirmingham

LinkedIn: Birmingham Christian Family

Celebrating 18 Years of Good News!

“Look to the Lord & His Strength, Seek His face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

MAY GIVEAWAYS!

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Protect Your Kids with a Proactive Parenting Plan for Summer

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