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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brought to you by: Community Partner White Plume Technologies www.WhitePlume.com
The heart behind the ministry of Red Mountain Grace is to provide a place to stay to those coming to Birmingham to receive critical medical treatment. “For many, we also serve as an extension of their family during some of their most difficult days,” explains Lizzi Wilkerson, Executive Director of Red Mountain Grace. Thanks to the many dedicated volunteers and donors, they experienced tremendous growth in 2018. Wilkerson shares that in the past year Red Mountain Grace has opened eight additional apartments, raising the number of apartments to 20, “In 2017 we were able to provide hospitality lodging to 64 families and with the new additions, we were able to give over 125 families a home away from home in 2018.” The ministry is also thrilled to announce the opening of two more apartments by February 2019. In addition to the huge growth, Red Mountain Grace also received the 2018 Birmingham Business Journal Nonprofit of the Year Award in their category.
Volunteers with Red Mountain Grace set up four new apartments that opened in April 2018. Since opening its doors in August of 2013, the ministry has welcomed over 350 families. The organization has grown from 2 to 20 apartments, with the goal of 25 open in 2019.
“Faith is so important to us,” Wilkerson shares. That is why one of Red Mountain Grace’s core values is that the ministry’s foundation is built on Christ. Their staff and volunteers visit the families weekly and pray for them during some of their hardest times when everything seems somewhat hopeless.
While monetary donations are always welcome, there are so many additional ways in which volunteers can make a difference by partnering with Red Mountain Grace. “There are just so many ways to use people’s skills and talents. If volunteers love to cook, they can bring meals. If they love to knit, they can make hats. We try to really hone in on what each volunteer’s God-given ability is and use that,” says Wilkerson. A key way in which volunteers can help support Red Mountain Grace is through becoming an “Apartment Adopter.” Wilkerson shares that a small group, company, family, friend group or church can join together to sponsor an apartment each month and make a lasting impact on a family in need. Another way to help Red Mountain Grace is to become an “Ambassador,” who is a volunteer who visits with the patients and families in the hospital. Red Mountain Grace also uses volunteers to help clean the apartments in between families. To learn more about how you can serve as part of Red Mountain Grace visit www.redmountaingrace.com or email [email protected].
-Melissa Armstrong
Save the Date!
Widespread Grace, Red Mountain Grace’s annual fundraising event, will be held on October 1, 2019 at The Haven. This year’s guest speakers will be Samford University graduates, Katherine and Jay Wolf, authors of the book Hope Heals, A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and Overcoming Love. At the age of 26, Katherine had a massive brainstem stroke. Read about her and Jay’s journey at www.hopeheals.com. For more details about the event visit www.redmountaingrace.com or email [email protected].
“. . . each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them.” Psalm 39:6
In this psalm, the psalmist points out the silliness of spending our lives focused on building wealth when we really have no control over where the wealth goes after we die. Of course, the psalmist is correct; but, in modern times, we do have some control over the direction of our assets when we die. A properly prepared Last Will and Testament or a Revocable Living Trust can implement your objectives once you pass away. In fact, while most people simply name who will receive assets, more sophisticated Wills and Trusts do a very good job of controlling or protecting assets from the grave – if that is the client’s goal.
In these cases, clients determine when the beneficiary receives assets and how the beneficiary can use the assets. Some will even mandate additional oversight such as the requirement for drug testing before receiving asset distributions; or, the requirement that a beneficiary be enrolled in college and maintain a certain GPA to receive assets. Another popular trend among clients is to add trust provisions to their estate plans that protect their children from losing their inheritance in the event of a divorce or problems with other creditors.
In addition to controlling the assets a beneficiary receives, a proper estate plan can make a person’s passing easier for the loved ones left behind by streamlining the process. Individuals that fail to plan may inadvertently subject their loved ones to years of expensive legal process in order to obtain title to the assets. In the worst cases, legal title may never be obtained. In the end, if you do not have an estate plan, it truly can be said that you are giving up your opportunity to direct who will receive your assets.
-Melanie Bradford Holliman
Partner, Bradford & Holliman, LLC
Practice focuses on estate planning, elder law and special needs trusts.
Searching for a new physician or a second opinion? Birminghamdoctors.com is a new directory resource for finding the best doctors in the Birmingham area. The web-based, hyper-local physician directory helps you find the perfect doctor, whether you are looking for a doctor within a specific specialty or treating a current condition. BirminghamDoctors.com has a complete listing of physicians with reviews from friends, family, and neighbors and is the first hyper-local website domain that connects the best physicians with the best patients.“BirminghamDoctors.com is the best place to find doctors recommended by friends and family,” explains BirminghamDoctors.com patient visitor, Charlie.
The longer we experience life, the more aware we become that we control very little of life’s happenings. Situations occur; circumstances vary; events come and go; and issues develop; all without our permission. Our primary goal is to manage as best we can what has crossed our path and successfully get through it. When you get right down to it, what we do have control of is our attitude; our emotional response and choices we make. Attitude is the key to a life of contentment and purpose. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is. . . .” Do you see the glass “half full” or “half empty?”
Our attitude has an influence on our emotional response. Response is different from react. Reaction (and often over reaction) is usually immediate and does not include much thought process. Response requires careful evaluation before there is follow through. You need to process the situation before determining a plan of action. We are to be responsible and accountable for our choices. Decisions we make have consequences that help us determine the quality of choices made.
There are three choices we can make that can lead to a fulfilled life. These are to trust God, work hard and be thankful.
Trust God. Whatever happens – trust God! He has proven Himself to be faithful and reliable. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . .” God is sovereign, eternal, infinite and all powerful. He is trustworthy and able to handle anything that comes our way and touches our lives.
Work Hard. Colossians 3:17 says, “and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . .” We should attempt to do the best we can; today; with what we have; for Jesus.
Be Thankful. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in “Christ Jesus.” Choose to be thankful in spite of challenges or obstacles faced.
I encourage you to lean on God to guide your attitude, emotional responses and choices as you navigate life’s issues. He’s got you covered!
-Tony Cooper
Celebrating 28 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission
Everyone has an opinion, a strong opinion, and they’re not afraid to share it. It’s been true since before your child was born. Sleep training or co-sleeping. Disposable or cloth diapers. Bottle or breast. When it’s time for school, the debate continues. Everyone seems ready to assert their thoughts. Public, private, homeschool, tutor. What should you do? Where should you live?
How can you give your child their best education?
Make an intentional choice. Rather than defaulting to the type of education you received, prayerfully consider your plan for your child. Decide purposefully. Whatever you choose, enjoy your freedom of education options and make an intentional choice.
Tailor the education to fit your unique child. Choose experiences to bless this unique person God created. Your child’s education is not merely math, science, and literature. Extra-curricular activities, family experiences, and unscheduled free time form your child’s education just as much as academics. Your family’s choices outside school will also form your child’s unique education.
Help your child gain skills of learning. Every student’s education will have gaps. Rather than fear those gaps, help your child learn how to learn on their own. Skills like observation, memorization, outlining, research, and writing are learned through practice. View their assignments as opportunities to practice skills and preparation for lifelong learning.
Foster learning conversations in everyday life. Think outside the typical academic box. Consider how learning is constantly occurring in daily life with your family. Your toddler learned to talk simply by listening to you. As they grow, they continue learning through every conversation with you. So be intentional. Ask questions, observe details, play games, listen.
Stay involved through high school. Regardless of where you child attends school, stay involved with them all the way. Teenagers still desperately need their parents. The instruction from Proverbs to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6) is given to parents – not schools, churches or other organizations. Choose who will help you but stay involved.
Classical Conversations equips parents to meet these educational goals in a home-centered educational environment. More than 18 Classical Conversations communities serve homeschool families in the Greater Birmingham area. Communities meet once per week throughout the school year. Visit www.classicalconversations.com for more information.
-Aimee Smith
Homeschool mom and team leader for Classical Conversations in Trussville, Ala.
Join Aimee at www.aimeesmith.com where she encourages moms to cultivate victorious rest for their hearts.
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