Publisher’s Note

February 20, 2019February 19, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

What’s Your One and One?

At a recent gathering, Kenneth Paschal with the Alabama Family Rights Association introduced himself and asked,

“Laurie, what’s your one and one?

What’s one thing you are particularly grateful for today?

What’s one thing you would like prayer for today?”

What great questions!

As a recent empty nester, the answer to both those questions were on the tip of my tongue that day and weighing heavy on my heart.

“Kenneth, as much as I miss them, I am so very grateful to God today for allowing all three of my sons to be away in college. And my big prayer today? For my three sons in college to follow God’s guidance and will for their lives.”

Today as our Birmingham Christian Family team prepares this 225^thissue of the magazine for print my One Thing I am particularly grateful for is the opportunity God gave me almost 20 years ago to spread Good News in our community and the way He has chosen to sustain it with readers and advertisers like you who support our mission. My One Thing I ask of God today is for the magazine to continue reaching people with the Good News of Jesus Christ as long as He desires and in doing so impact our community in a very positive way.

I’ve decided to start each day with a One and One. At least One Thing to thank God for and at least One Thing I will share with Him and trust He will answer. I’m also going to look for opportunities to ask those God places in my path the question Kenneth asked me, “What’s your One and One?”

Hope to see you soon!

-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

MARCH GIVEAWAYS!

TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with us and make spreading Good News possible, we have Two Great Giveaways this month!

THREE WAYS TO Win VIP Tickets to Tony Evans Live at Clearbranch United Methodist Church Thursday March 14, 2019 at 7 p.m. THREE Winners (2 tickets each).VIP Ticket includes early entry, preferred seating, meet & greet with Tony and Anthony Evans at 5:30 p.m., plus a copy of Dr. Evans Book and Anthony Evans CD.

Like & Follow Us on Facebook AND Like & Share the Tony Evans Live Post!
Follow Us on Instagram AND Like the Tony Evans Live Post!
Sign Up for our E-newsletter at www.birminghamchristian.com

Winners (3) Announced 3/11/19 on Facebook so be sure to LIKE our page! Offer ends 3/10/2019

TWO WAYS to Win Two Tickets to a Day Out with Thomas at Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera, March 29-31 and April 6-7.

1. Like & Follow Us on Facebook and Like & Share the Thomas Post!

2. Follow Us on Instagram and Like the Thomas Post!

Day Out with Thomas Winners (2) announced on Facebook 3/25/19 so be sure to LIKE our page! Offer ends 3/24/19.

January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Photo Fun

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church is celebrating a success for the parish’s first blood drive of 2019. The blood drive on January 13, a joint effort of the Knights of Columbus Council 4304 and the American Red Cross, comes at a time of a critical need for donations during the winter. According to knight John Corso who organized the project, “We once again exceeded our goal of 51 units and turned in 54 collected units today”. Appreciative for the donations, the Knights seen here cooked and served a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, and biscuits for donors and their families.

January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Church Leaders

Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School and the Institute of Anglican Studies at Beeson in conjunction with The Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) will host the Racial Reconciliation and the National Covenant Conference at Samford, February 12-13, 2019. The event will bring Protestants, Catholics and Jews together to answer the question, “How does thinking about God change the way we think about race?” Talks at the conference will address covenant and race in the Hebrew Scriptures, exile and return from slavery, white supremacy, Martin Luther King Jr.’s appeal to the national covenant, and many other subjects. “This country suffers from continuing racial tension. We are convinced that the tension cannot be resolved by politics alone because our racial divides have vital spiritual, moral and cultural dimensions,” said Gerald McDermott, director of Beeson’s Institute of Anglican Studies and organizer of the event. “Our hope is that this new approach will help bring repentance, forgiveness, and healing… This conference will take a fresh approach by exploring the implications of the biblical tradition of national covenant. We think it will open fresh possibilities for our fragmented society.” Visit www.theird.org/racial-reconciliation for details on other conference speakers, agenda and registration. General admission tickets are $75, with discounted rates for students ($20), clergy ($25) and veterans ($25). †

January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Photo Fun

Students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School recently packed and sealed over 10,000 meals for hungry orphan children in Haiti. “This was such an extraordinary event,” said OLS Principal Mary Jane Dorn. “Instead of selling magazines or coupon books, we are holding our first- ever FEED THE NEED event to help those less fortunate in a country in another part of the world,” she said. “What better way to teach our students the importance of being of service to others.”

January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Photo Fun

Command Master Chief Eric Mays (left) of Birmingham, Ala., recently retired after 30 years of Naval Service. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by NRD Commanding Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Reynolds during his retirement ceremony. His military awards include: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5), Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (2), Sea Service Ribbon (5), Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Kuwait Liberation Medal, and Sharpshooter Ribbons for Rifle and Pistol.

January 31, 2019January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Special Feature

Follow Birmingham Christian Family on Facebook for details on the Birmingham Christian Family Reader Give-way of VIP tickets to this event which includes worship led by Anthony Evans and a message from Dr. Tony Evans. VIP Ticket includes early entry, preferred seating, meet & greet at 5:30 p.m., Dr. Evans Book and Anthony Evans CD.

World-renowned, best selling author of The Kingdom Series–Dr. Tony Evans, along with his son, best selling recording artist and worship leader, Anthony Evans are bringing Tony Evans Live featuring worship with Anthony Evans to the Birmingham area on Thursday, March 14 at Clearbranch United Methodist Church. For decades, Tony Evans has broken boundaries and shattered walls with his dynamic, unparalleled and thought-provoking teaching. Crossing lines that normally divide, his unique style brings together audiences from all different backgrounds. “Tony Evans Live is a wonderful night filled with inspirational worship and a word of encouragement from the Word of God” said Dr. Tony Evans.

Tony Evans will deliver a powerful message and Anthony Evans will lead worship at Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville on March 14 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are only $12. Learn more at <a href="http://www.tonyevanslive.com">www.tonyevanslive.com</a>. — Tony Evans will deliver a powerful message and Anthony Evans will lead worship at Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville on March 14 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are only $12. Learn more at www.tonyevanslive.com.

This unique event featuring the father-son duo will certainly be an unforgettable night that you do not want to miss. “I love being able to share the stage with my father and hearing him share his wisdom and insight to God’s Word” said Anthony Evans. To find out more about Tony Evans Live featuring worship with Anthony Evans visit www.tonyevanslive.com.

January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

bigstock Portrait of young romantic cou 22941026

Special Feature

Someone once asked me if I was a “relationship expert.” When the group I was with stopped laughing, I had to explain that, no, I am far from being an expert in pretty much anything. They then followed up with “then why are you teaching at this marriage conference?” This very fun back and forth ended with me simply explaining that what I love to do is share with anyone about the things I have learned, have put into practice, and have further developed to help any brothers or sisters who God puts in my path. Regarding marriage, I have been teaching and hosting events to strengthen couples for years and have formulated my own outlook and theories that might help create a breakthrough in understanding for someone wanting an advantage. Please understand my research is simply from a regular guy who has taken to heart things from the Mark Gungor, Emerson Eggerich, and Gary Chapman’s of the world and put them into practice.

The first thing I learned was that men and women are in fact very different. Both human, both equally valuable, but different in how life is approached in basic ways

Men like things, women like people

Men are hunters, women are gatherers

Men protect, women nurture

Men have sex, women make love

It is amazing how many men and women resist recognizing or discussing their differences. But these differences are the fingerprints of our actual behavior, not what society tells us we are supposed to be like, but what we are actually like. Understand, these behaviors are neither good nor bad. They are simply who we are. Birds fly, frogs croak, horses sleep standing up, and men and women do what they do. A loving intimate marriage relationship will leave room for gender differences without assuming the other is wrong. It is from this assumption I created the “S-3” concept, a simple teaching that allows for couples to recognize and relate to three very similar things that are immensely important to both and yet viewed completely different from the others perspective. These three things are:

1.Sensitivity

2.Security

3.Sex

Make no mistake, men are just as sensitive as women, but in a very different way. Security, whether it be physical, emotional, financial, is very high on everyone’s list. How it is viewed in a day to day walk is where the disconnects can be amplified. Many times, these disconnects are unnecessary. Reconnecting with basic understanding of the healthy differences between spouses can be awesome for couples when these fundamental differences are understood. Same with sex. As we appreciate actual differences, it makes a couple stronger and they have a path to witness breakthroughs. It’s a wonderful thing. A great marriage is worth the effort.

-Chris Danielson

Talk Radio Host, WXJC 101.1FM & AM850 weekdays 3-6 p.m.

Pastor, Baptist Church at Lay Lake.

[email protected]

January 30, 2019January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Special Feature

Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School Lay Academy of Theology is once again offering a great opportunity for believers to delve deeper into the Scriptures while growing closer to God. Spring classes are offered in the afternoons and evenings and there is a wide range of class topics from which to choose. This is a wonderful time to learn and grow in your faith under the direction and guidance of several Divinity School professors.

“The Cost of Discipleship: Reading the Sermon on the Mount with Dietrich Bonhoeffer” is one of many classes being offered this semester. Dr. Mike Pasquarello, who will teach this course on six Tuesday nights from 6-8 p.m. beginning on February 26, says that this class “is an invitation for participants to become better acquainted with the life and ministry of a major Christian figure from the 20th century.” Dr. Pasquarello, who is the Methodist Chair of Divinity at Beeson, also states that the course’s main focus will be on, “Several primary commitments at the heart of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s teaching and church leadership: interpreting the Sermon on the Mount as the way of Christian discipleship; preaching the gospel to a church that has become complacent and indifferent toward God’s gift and command of grace in Jesus Christ and the necessity of cultivating the life of discipleship for the church to be faithful in the 21st century.”

Dr. Ken Mathews and Dr. Grant Taylor will co-teach on the biblical lessons of creation in their class, “God the Creator and Redeemer in Genesis and John’s Gospel.” Dr. Mathews, professor of Divinity at Beeson, explains that this course, “combines the Old Testament and New Testament perspectives on Creation theology, providing students a ‘whole Bible’ teaching on this fundamental doctrine that supports the message of the entire Scripture for readers yesterday and today.” Dr. Mathews and Dr. Taylor will alternate teaching class sessions. This course begins on February 27 on six Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. Dr. Mathews says, “The purpose of the course is to encourage us in a greater love and appreciation for the Creator, his creation, and salvation plan for re-creating the universe through the only begotten Son of God.”

“The English Reformation” taught by Dr. Gerald Bray, “The Holy Trinity” instructed by Dr. Carl Beckwith, and “The Gospel of Mark” led by Dr. Sydney Park are just a few of the other classes being offered at the Lay Academy during this spring semester. To learn more about the offered courses, as well as several lectureships, visit www.beesondivinity.com/layacademy. Participants who register early will receive a special discounted rate.

Melissa Armstrong

January 30, 2019January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Senior Scene

There are 47 million seniors currently living in the U.S. and that number will continue to rise as more Baby Boomers enter the demographic every year. In Alabama, the number of those over the age of 65 stands at 14 percent of the population and is projected to almost double in the next 15 years. According to Todd Harvey, partner in the Birmingham law firm of Burke Harvey and title sponsor of the first Senior Spirit Expo, there has never been a better time for an Expo geared toward those over the age of 55. “One of the great privileges I’ve had practicing law is to focus on issues important to senior citizens and to represent them in a variety of different cases,” he said. “Often seniors simply don’t know about the resources and options that are available to them. Bringing everything together under one roof is an easy way to help provide information that our seniors may need to help them live their best lives.”

The Senior Spirit Expo will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-Wynfrey Hotel at the Riverchase Galleria. The free, one-day event will offer information and resources about senior health and wellness, nutrition, fitness, home improvements, activities, lifestyle and aging, educational workshops, guest speakers and special entertainment throughout the day. “There has never been an event like this in our area before, so we encourage everyone to come out, even if you are not a senior,” Harvey said. “Chances are you have elderly grandparents or parents who could benefit from the information and resources we are offering.”

Seniors are a vulnerable segment of society and are often the target of elder abuse. “As the population in the U.S. ages, financial fraud and abuse is becoming a tremendous problem. We want to educate seniors in an effort to prevent this from happening,” Harvey said. “In addition to financial fraud, we have also seen many sad cases involving physical and mental abuse of seniors by folks who are charged with providing them with care. This just should not happen.” Breakout sessions during the Senior Spirit Expo will deal with all these issues and more. “As folks grow older and their needs change, it is important for them to come up with a plan,” Harvey explained. “Important questions must be asked. For example, will I be able to afford the level of care I need? Will I be able to stay in my own home or will I need to consider an assisted living facility?” The ultimate goal of the Senior Spirit Expo is to give seniors answers to these questions and more. For more information on the event, visit www.seniorspiritexpo.com.

-Ann Marie Harvey

January 26, 2019 by Birmingham Christian Family

Parenting Points

In the mind of every teenager echoes a simple question: “Am I enough?” One of the greatest struggles of the teenage experience is determining who they are, where they fit, and if they matter. Students seek to be cool enough, smart enough, athletic enough, popular enough, or successful enough. No matter what area they seek to win the battle “to be enough,” they will still wonder if they are truly enough.

The battle to be enough has been quantified and magnified through social media. Students no longer have to wonder where they stand in the areas of enough. They can simply open an app to see who got the most “likes” on their picture or who was invited to the party with all the popular kids. Social media takes the social and strivings for enough from simply happening in the classroom or on the ballfield and puts them in every moment of life that a student holds on a phone. For many students, the struggle for enough constantly stays at the very forefront of their minds. Here are three truths that you can share with students in your world who are amid the battle “to be enough”:

Your Identity Comes from Being Made in God’s Image. Your student needs to be reminded that God made them just the way that they are. They have been given special gifts and been made for God’s special purpose. They matter to God, and He is their true source of value.

Jesus Died to Be Your Enough at the Cross. At the cross, Jesus became our enough. Your student can never be perfect or achieve their own salvation by their own good performance, but Jesus lived the perfect life that they couldn’t live. He died on the cross in their place. When God looks at your student, He doesn’t see their imperfect record, but Jesus’ perfect record in their place.

Culture Doesn’t Define Your Value. The values of culture are constantly changing. It is an endless game with no clear road to success. Remind your students that to play the cultural value game will always end in a loss. Their status before God and their value that comes from a relationship with Him is the true source of their value.

The One who created the world and reigns over all has spoken value, life, and identity into your student. When the culture challenges us to look toward others for our value, let us remind the students in our lives to simply look up to the God who reigns on the throne over all.

Dr. Ben Birdsong

Minister of Students and Meadow Brook Baptist

Writes and blogs at www.benbirdsong.com

Publisher’s Note

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