“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
My story may break some hearts, but it should be used to give hope. No matter where we are in life, we can change the outcome. My childhood before the Ranch was not the best. I never knew my father, and my mother left us with people we did not know, and never returned. We were poor and I remember being abused and neglected.
Jeff Anthony is seen here with his wife Jamie and their two daughters.
I was met with love and compassion from my first set of house parents, but I wanted nothing to do with them. With their constant love and grace, I started to learn to accept love. Later, I moved in with Art and Mary Ebert, where I was met with love and compassion. I remember many times Mom Ebert saying “know that you know that you know” when talking to me about Jesus. Years later, those talks would help me understand my relationship with God. During my time at the Ranch, I was blessed to attend Westbrook Christian School(WCS). This is where I would learn a life lesson that I carry with me to this day. Also, at WCS, I met a lady by the name of Jamie (now my wife). Many years later, despite my best efforts, I tried to date her again and she said no. Despite her best efforts to get rid of me, God had a plan.
I served in the Army from 2004-2009. The discipline I learned at the Ranch helped me and I was promoted to sergeant quickly. I had two deployments overseas. I began to lose faith and became bitter. I decided to start testing everything I knew and believed. I decided to seek help, and that is when I realized that my faith was stronger than I had ever known. Through the struggles in my life, I have become very secure as a person. I have learned to grow and become better, I had to confront my past, because I had let it become bigger than who I wanted to become. Even though I have failed miserably, I strive to be the best in all aspects of my life. Each day I strive to “break the cycle” and instill in my children the lessons I have carried from the Ranch. Thank you to everyone who has been there – I thank you for not giving up on me.
Birmingham’s most popular spring shopping event returns to the BJCC March 6-8, 2026. Cottontails Village will welcome more than 400 local, regional and national vendors showcasing unique items for spring holiday entertaining, special occasions and more. The long-running Magic City tradition kicks off the upcoming season of holidays and special occasions including Easter, Mother’s Day and Graduation.
Browse spring décor inspiration for your wardrobe and home at Cottontails Village.
“Cottontails Village heralds the arrival of spring in Birmingham after an especially wintry start to the new year. It’s a vibrant three days packed with colorful springtime magic to get guests ready for the seasonal transition,” said Kelsey Jackson, Assistant Show Manager. “Like its sister event the Christmas Village Festival, Cottontails is Birmingham’s longest running consumer event that has become a multigenerational tradition for local families and friends who return year after year to create memories together with lots of fun photo opps, great shopping and seasonal activities.” Cottontails Village highlights include:
Easter Bunny Photos: The Easter Bunny is in the house hosting photo opportunities ahead of the holiday. Guests can choose from a variety of photo packages available from Backroad Pix.
Home Refresh. With the arrival of spring, many are deep cleaning and sprucing up home décor. Cottontails features home design inspiration and vendors with home goods, as well as items to take spring entertaining to the next level.
Early Shopper ticket holders get an extra hour to shop with early access to the show March 6-7, 2026 at 9 a.m. and March 8, 2026 at 11 a.m. Save $4 on Early Shopper tickets when you use the promo code “BCM4.” General adult admission (ages 13+ are $13, children (ages 6-12) are $5 and children ages five and under are free. Special four tickets for the price of three packages are also available. Show hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the show, visit www.cottontailsfestival.com. †
Each month, Birmingham Christian Family highlights a local church leader who is making a difference in our community. Pastor Michael Ahlemeyer is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. and has faithfully led the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills congregation for 16 years.
Pastor Ahlemeyer and his wife Jackie are seen here with daughter Tatum (a student athlete at Lipscomb Univ.), son Brody (a senior at Spain Park who will attend Univ. of North Ala. on a track scholarship), and son Payton (a Samford graduate finishing his master’s at the Univ. of Ala.).
1. Is there a particular person or life experience that impacted your decision to be a minister? I come from a long line of Lutheran pastors. My father is a retired pastor, and my older brother is an active pastor. They have been very influential. Going back in my family tree we can trace Lutheran pastors to the 1700’s and 1800’s. So, in many ways it has been a family legacy of service in the church. I met my wife, Jaki, while I was in seminary. She is the strongest person I have ever known. She is the greatest blessing I have ever received from the Lord. Without her, I would never have served as a pastor for the past almost 25 years. Because of her I have never in all my years of ministry had to say I can’t do a something at church because of my home or family life. She has made it all possible! We have walked through sickness where I almost lost my life and had a long rehabilitation journey. She has always been a consistent source of encouragement to me! She has literally been my rock.
2. How would you describe your church family? A people of God who live out their faith in a very authentic way. They are mission minded in both their daily individual lives and collectively as a congregation. They are the most generous and supportive congregation I have ever seen.
Pastor Ahlemeyer has almost 25 years of experience in parish ministry. He has also been involved with the sports ministry Athletes Action.
3. What is one thing you would like us to know about your congregation? We really stress the gift of forgiveness! So much of worship is God’s gift of pouring out His abundant forgiveness on us – over and over – grace upon grace. For us, we see worship as more than a gathering of people talking about God, but that God through His Word is present and forgiving us and filling us with His Spirit to equip us to live our lives out as the people of God as salt and light. Sitting on the top of Shades Mountain we hope our church is a light in our own small humble way to the community and beyond.
4. Describe what a family can expect when they come to worship at your church? We are a Biblically based, Christ-centered, and Gospel-focused church. In a world where the church can easily lose its identity we seek to “preach Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins,” to quote Saint Paul. Everything for us goes back to the Scriptures!
Are you looking for opportunities to fuel your child’s creativity while teaching them about the Bible? The Little Creator Box, developed by Laurel Lake, is designed for children ages two to six years old. Each box is full of entertaining crafts and Scripture truths that point little hearts to God.
Little Creator Box Founder Laurel Lake is seen here with her husband and their two sons who inspired her to start her business. She shares, “From our family to yours, we pray that Little Creator Box helps take you one step closer to that goal of raising little ones who love the Lord.”
“[Deuteronomy 6] doesn’t say to teach the commands of God with arts and crafts, but we can infer that that’s an important time as well,” Lake said. “Being able to incorporate that into arts and crafts in a fun and tangible hands-on way has been helpful for my family and many others who have used Little Creator Box.” Lake releases bi-monthly seasonal craft boxes plus a special box for Christmas and Easter. Her thought process for each of her holiday-based kits is to avoid focusing solely on the more commercialized concepts, such as the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, and instead add a sense of Christian flair to her crafts celebrating Christian holidays.
Here is a sneak peek at the 2026 Easter Little Creator Box full of seasonal fun crafts.
Easter-themed Little Creator Box. “I’m really excited to share the next one. It may be my favorite so far,” Lake said about the release of the Easter Little Creator Box before moving into her concepts for Spring. “There are so many things that lend themselves to scripture. Spring is a time of new beginnings.”
The crafts are designed to entertain, spark creativity, and guide little hearts to the love of God.
One of the big goals behind Little Creator Box is to simplify craft time. “Parents no longer need to plan, prepare, and shop for everything they need,” Lake says, adding, “I want to lift some of that burden for families who are all so busy.”
Families with two or more children have the choice to upgrade their boxes for up to three children so everyone can join in on the fun. “[The boxes] include the same Bible lessons and the same step-by-step activity guide,” Lake said, “but it includes more materials to do it with a larger number of kids.”
In addition to the seasonal creator boxes, there is also a DIY Downloadable Craft Guide and Bible Lessons option for parents who want just a little help with crafting. For more information and pricing on the Little Creator Box, visit www.littlecreatorbox.com. Subscribe now and save over 50% on your first box when you use the code “BCF20.” You can also keep up to date with the company on Instagram and Facebook @littecreatorbox.
-Nicholas Wetzel
Watch the video below to learn more about the inspiration behind Little Creator Box, how the boxes simplify craft time, and more!
Brought to you by: Community Partner Still Waters Counseling and Education Center, www.mystillwaters.org
You don’t have to be a therapist to notice it. More people are feeling overwhelmed. More families are stretched thin. More parents worry about their children. More adults quietly wonder why coping feels harder than it used to. You may have heard this called “the national mental health crisis” because we are experiencing something real and measurable. Understanding why this is happening matters, because knowledge can be empowering. So, what is going on?
1. Stress has become chronic rather than temporary. Uncertainty is ongoing. Economic pressure, cultural conflict, global crises, and constant exposure to difficult news keep the nervous system on high alert. When stress never lets up, anxiety and depression are more likely to develop.
2. Connection has quietly eroded. Humans are built for relationship, yet many people are more isolated than ever. Families are busier, communities more fragmented, and digital connection often replaces face‑to‑face presence. Loneliness doesn’t just hurt emotionally—it affects mental and physical health.
3. Life has become louder and faster. Our brains weren’t designed to handle nonstop notifications, comparisons, and information. Social media increases pressure to perform and measure up. This is especially hard on adolescents and young adults still forming their identity.
4. Many people are carrying unresolved grief and trauma. The pandemic didn’t just disrupt schedules—it disrupted safety, routines, relationships, and trust. Losses weren’t always acknowledged. Unaddressed grief often appears later as anxiety, irritability, or emotional numbness.
5. Access to care has not kept pace with need. More people are asking for help, which is good. But there aren’t enough providers, appointments, or affordable options, leaving many feeling stuck even when they’re trying to do the right thing.
Here is the most important truth: Rising mental health struggles don’t mean people are less resilient. They mean people are human, living in a world placing unprecedented strain on the mind, body, and soul. The good news is that God is still on the throne, and He is not surprised by this. He has a plan, and He will make a way. There is always hope for a better way forward. If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone. You are responding to real pressures in a real world, and you can take steps to bring change. If Still Waters can be of help, we would be honored to be part of your journey toward better.
Still Waters is currently looking to add a few therapists. If you are a licensed therapist with theological training, we would welcome an initial conversation to explore whether you might be a strong fit for our practice. Email [email protected].
“Spending time in the crucible of illness can be a blessing if you have godly hope.” This is part of the inspiring message presented in Dr. Robert D. Marks and Dr. Dana Daniel Blake’s new book, The Crucible of Illness. Developed through the authors’ religious journeys, experiences working with patients and their families, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the book is made up of eight chapters worth of medical-based parables. Emphasizing the religious journeys that occur alongside the struggles of illnesses and physical ailments, each page tells amazing true stories of miracles, spiritual warfare, and Christian awakenings.
The Crucible of Illness: A Doctor’s Story of Faith, Hope and Healing is “a toolkit for those who are looking for a new direction to reframe sickness, suffering and pain through the lens of purpose.”
Throughout the course of the book, readers meet patients and learn about their experiences with healthcare and the Lord. John and Debra are a couple who face the trials and tribulations of injuries, cancer, and separation before the Lord changes their lives. 12-year-old Colby experiences a life-threatening accident surrounded by several devout Christian men. Thomas learns to put his trust in God amidst a multitude of life-altering scenarios. Married healthcare professionals Holle and Noah witness miracles firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic and several near-fatal attacks of cardiac arrest lead to an out of body experience for James.
Dr. Dana Daniel Blake, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC is a physical therapist and Samford University professor with over 30 years of experience.Dr. Robert D. Marks, MD, MPH, FACP is a Birmingham physician and gastroenterologist with over 30 years of experience.
In addition to sharing eye-opening and sometimes even miraculous true events with its readers, The Crucible of Illness features supplementary material to further engage with audiences. Each section offers detailed medical explanations and terminology, relevant Bible verses and worship songs applicable to each parable, and discussion questions that lead readers to reflect on the content in the book, as well as their own walks with Christ. “At the end of the book, we have another section that helps you apply the entire book,” Dr. Blake says, adding that the book is an encouragement for the individual reader and anyone walking through a trial. Woven throughout the book is Dr. Marks’ spiritual journey—a testimony of faith refined and of hope forged in The Crucible of Illness.
Although Dr. Marks and Dr. Blake are the authors, the book has ultimately become a widespread group endeavor to ensure that these harrowing stories are successfully told. “There was a whole community of believers who helped bring it to this point,” Dr. Marks said. “We’ve had other physicians, healthcare providers, pastors, and lay leaders really help to shape and morph this thing as it came along.” Picking up a copy of this heartfelt book is a worthwhile decision for any groups or individuals interested in hearing how God works wonders through their fellow man. You won’t want to put it down! To order the book, please click here. For more information or to order the book in bulk, please email [email protected].
-Nicholas Wetzel
Birmingham Christian Family Publisher Laurie Franklin sat down with Dr. Marks and Dr. Blake to discuss The Crucible of Illness. Watch the video below.
Caregiving is one of the most selfless callings—and one of the most exhausting. Long hours, constant responsibility, and the emotional weight of loving someone through illness, decline, or crisis can leave caregivers feeling stretched thin and unseen. Many quietly wonder, How long can I keep going? or Does what I’m doing really matter? God sees. God knows. And God is gently inviting you to come.
The Heart of the Caregiver offers encouragement to anyone on a caregiver journey.
In The Heart of the Caregiver, fellow caregiver Mary Tutterow offers a compassionate, Scripture-centered invitation to weary hearts: come to God not just for strength to survive, but for renewed purpose, peace, and joy in the midst of your caregiving journey. This book isn’t about adding another item to your already full to-do list. It’s about discovering that God is present with you in every moment—and that He is doing sacred work through your faithful love.
Drawing from both personal experience and God’s Word, Tutterow addresses the unique spiritual challenges caregivers face. She speaks honestly about the stress—financial, emotional, physical—and meets it with Biblical truth that restores hope. Through practical insights and reflective Scripture study, The Heart of the Caregiver helps you move from feeling overwhelmed to becoming overjoyed as you begin to see your role through God’s eyes.
You’ll discover that caregiving is more than a duty; it is a calling rooted in love. You were created to love others through the care you provide, and God is using your everyday faithfulness to reflect His heart to those around you. Even in the hardest moments, there is deep, soul-satisfying meaning waiting to be uncovered. As the first study in a new ministry resource series dedicated to supporting caregivers, The Heart of the Caregiver also equips churches to better minister to caregiving families. Whether used individually, in small groups, or as part of a church care ministry, this two-part study provides a powerful foundation for spiritual encouragement and growth.
If you are tired, discouraged, or simply longing for reassurance that your work matters, The Heart of the Caregiver is for you. Come to God. Come find rest. Come discover the beautiful purpose woven into your caregiving story. The Heart of the Caregiver is available for purchase at shop.ironstreammedia.com. †
High School Seniors in the five county Birmingham area have until Friday March 13, 2026 to apply for the 8th Annual Birmingham Christian Family Scholarship Awards. This year we will have three scholarship recipients who will be able to use their award at the college or university of their choice- $2000 to the winner, and $500 each to the top two runner ups. The scholarships can be used at any college or university.
To enter, students simply submit online a short essay on the following prompt: “How has your Christian faith impacted your decision to go to college?”
Hannah and I met as college freshmen at the University of Montevallo. The campus has a quiet grandeur. Frederick Law Olmsted- the same landscape architect behind Central Park, the U.S. Capitol grounds, and the Biltmore Estate- designed its central core. From the Main Quad, the land gently slopes past King’s House and spills into the President’s lawn, known as Flowerhill. When Olmsted designed the campus, he transplanted at least one of every native Alabama tree species known at the time. More than a century later, much of that vision remains.
We loved being outdoors, and the campus made that easy. We often sat beneath the trees near the ATO Rock or spread a blanket on the Quad. On one particular spring afternoon, we wandered over to Flowerhill. The day before, it had rained, and the grass glowed green. The oak trees lining the hill were just beginning to leaf out, and beneath them, azaleas stood thick and plush, pink buds hinting at what was coming. “It won’t be long before they bloom,” Hannah said. Trying to make conversation through the nervousness of a new romance, I asked, “Do you think they call it Flowerhill because of the flowers?” She didn’t know- but I think my interest impressed her. We laid out a blanket halfway up the hill. To our right, a group of students tossed a Frisbee in an easy rhythm. To our left, a study group of girls worked in perfect synchronization- listening, writing, heads lifting and lowering together. Across the road, my fraternity brothers grilled ribs and chicken… the sweet smell of the hickory smoke drifted over and mocked our humble picnic.
Walt and Hannah Merrell met and fell in love at the University of Montevallo.The couple married in 1998.
That picnic had come courtesy of the university cafeteria. I’d sweet-talked my way into a square of aluminum foil, grabbed a few apple slices, cheese, crackers, and a handful of homemade chocolate chip cookies… some of which mysteriously vanished before I picked Hannah up from her apartment. I also grabbed a couple of Cokes along the way. It was the perfect snack for a blue-sky spring day. I had a football too since I was eager to impress Hannah with my athletic prowess- which, in hindsight, was generously average. We tossed gentle passes. I pretended to tackle her, mostly as an excuse to hold her without the awkwardness of a hug. We fell laughing, landing face to face. My arm rested around her waist, her hands clutching the football. This was it- our moment. I leaned in. She puckered just slightly. And then sparks flew. Almost literally. I grabbed my forehead, stunned and writhing. Had she hit me? Was I bleeding? A crowd gathered. Voices overlapped, saying, “Are you okay?” I asked Hannah if she was alright. She was- unstruck and unkissed- trying not to laugh. “Do I need to go to the hospital?” I asked. “Not unless you want to file a report for being attacked by a frisbee,” she said. A frisbee. From the group beside us. The crowd dispersed, apologizing. I muttered something under my breath about missing my kiss and rolled back toward Hannah, hoping to reclaim the moment, only to find her calmly eating a cracker.
Perhaps in an effort to dispel my embarrassment, she jumped up, dancing with the football, teasing me. I refused to touch it. “It’s got girl-football-dance cooties,” I said defiantly. She laughed and ran. I chased her, caught her, lifted her off the ground, and announced the play like a radio broadcaster. We were laughing hard now. I had another plan. I told her to back up. “I used to long-snap in high school. Watch this.” I talked it up, maybe too much, asking her to step back even farther. I snapped the ball with everything I had, and that’s when my cut-off khaki shorts- held together by years of wear and a rope belt- gave up entirely. They ripped from tailbone to inseam in one dramatic surrender. Hannah had a front-row seat. She collapsed in laughter. I grabbed what fabric I could, desperately trying to preserve modesty as every eye turned to her laughter. My fraternity brothers noticed too. “Hey, Walt!” one hollered. “I didn’t know you were bringing Boston Butt to grill!” Mortified, I retreated to my truck. Hannah followed, laughing so hard she could barely walk.
Years later, she still tells the story. She always reminds people that I was known to go commando—and that when those shorts split, my backside shone “as white as the moon.” The room always erupts in laughter, and I smile sheepishly. But she always ends the same way. “I wasn’t laughing at him,” she says. “I was falling in love.” And we did. 30 plus years of the ups and downs of romance and marriage have passed, and each day we try to fall in love a little more. Every time I tell this story, I’m reminded that God doesn’t necessarily start with rainbows and roses. Sometimes it’s cloudy and dark, or dizzy and embarrassing… but a full moon will always be enough to light the way!
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
-Walt Merrell is a Christian Outdoorsman who writes of his adventures with his family, with the hope that others might be inspired and encouraged to embrace God’s tapestry, otherwise known as the great outdoors, as a means of finding Common Ground. You can follow him at Shepherding Outdoors on FB, YT and IG and at shepherdingoutdoors.com.
The year was 1951, and times were tough. Many layoffs were happening, and people were scrambling to find work so they could feed their families. Momma and Pop Holt had a house full of children in 1951. Pop Holt worked hard to provide for the family as a coal miner while Momma Holt worked hard at home- gardening, canning, and taking care of the whole bunch. They had eleven children and raised twelve. It was about this time that Pop Holt got laid off at the coal mine along with many others. Their pockets were empty. The word on the street was that Ford Motor Company was hiring. The men went to Michigan to seek a good-paying job, leaving their families behind. Before he traveled to Michigan, Pop Holt made arrangements with the local storekeeper to give them a line of credit until he could work for a few weeks and come back and pay his bill. The two men came to an understanding, and it was agreed upon. So, Pop could leave his family to go find a job, knowing that they would be in good shape until he returned.
Seen here are the little Holt girls. Front row from left: Violet, Sandra, Patty (Danna’s mother-in-law). Back row: Phyllis.
Pop was gone, and after groceries got thin, Momma Holt went to the store to stock up. When she got ready to check out, the storekeeper told her he had changed his mind and would not be giving her any credit at all. He said it wasn’t good for business. So, she went home empty-handed, knowing she had a bunch of mouths to feed. There would be no groceries bought until Pop returned. Well, Michigan is a long way, and the family was happy to find out that Pop got the job. As companies do, they held back his check for a few weeks, so there would be no money for groceries for at least three weeks! Momma Holt was glad to hear that he had gotten the job. However, she didn’t want him worrying about the family, so she didn’t tell him what happened at the store. She told him everything was just fine, and then she started praying and working out a plan to keep them all fed until he could get home. Fortuitously, Momma Holt raised a garden and canned food every year. So, she surveyed the situation and realized she had to stretch that out as far as it would go. But even with her best planning, it was going to be lean. And then, she remembered how her family loved poke salad. It was one of their favorite dishes. And it just happened to be springtime when poke salad was at its finest. Things were going to be all right. She would cook them some poke salad!
As a mother and manager of such a large clan, Momma Holt gave all of them daily chores. Now, little Patty (my mother-in-law), aged nine, and her big sister Violet, aged eleven, got the chore of picking the poke salad every day! And then they had to eat it. Momma Holt still cooked them three meals a day, and one of them was poke salad. The first week, it was okay because, after all, it was a favorite dish of the family. By the second week, Patty and Violet were tired of picking poke salad every day, and the family didn’t really want to eat it anymore. By the third week, it was no longer a family favorite. As a matter of fact, Patty and Violet were sick of picking it and only ate a bite of it to fend off the hunger.
They did make it through that tough time, and after weeks of being away from his family and working so hard, Pop got home with his first paycheck from Ford Motor Company in his pocket. It was “a sight for sore eyes” for him to see his family. What should have been a celebration turned out differently when Pop found out what had happened. He was furious that the storekeeper had gone back on his word, but so proud of how Momma Holt and the family had pulled together to make it through a tough time. And now, while the family is thankful that poke salad saved them that spring, it was during that third week of picking and eating poke salad that little Patty and Violet vowed to one another, “If we ever make it through this, we are NEVER going to eat poke salad again for the rest of our lives!” And they haven’t. Enjoy a Holt family-favorite recipe that doesn’t include poke salad.
Instructions: Put beef tips in a large pot and add enough water to cook the noodles according to the package directions. Add the mushroom soup. Bring to a gentle boil till beef is tender. Add noodles and cook till done. Add salt to taste.
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