Who is Jesus?

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Church Leaders

“So they were saying to Him, ‘Who are You?’ ” John 8:25

Every age, every generation, every person has to answer the question that was asked of Jesus by His generation and those of His day. Whether it was a pre-Christian era or a post-Christian nation like America, the question lingers, “Who is Jesus?”.

The Gospel of John gives us a picture of Christ and answers that question with such remarkable clarity. You have to go all the way to the end of the Gospel to find the thesis, to find the reason for the Gospel:

“. . . these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

The purpose of the Gospel writer is to show the deity of Christ, His relationship to God, and His salvific power. Salvation, for John, comes only through Jesus Christ (John 1:1; 3:16; 8:58; 10:30; 20:31). In this Gospel, the Jewish leaders stand on the riverbank and call out to John and ask “Who are you?” (1:19). The baptizer knows exactly what they are asking and he says, “I am not the Christ,” (1:20). Later the Jews themselves will ask Jesus, “Who are You?” (8:25). Jesus’ response points to the cross and to the work that the Father sent Him to accomplish.

“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He . . .” John 8:28a

We live in a post-Christian society. If you never believed that America was a Christian nation, you certainly would agree that it had a Christian underpinning. The Founding Fathers, at least, had a Christian world view and operated with that view in mind. Today, cultural, academic, and social pressure have caused many institutions to compromise and jettison their belief or adherence to the Word of God. The secularization has been so effective that many churches and most seminaries have abandoned the authority of the Word of God. When that happens, Jesus becomes nebulous, at best, in man’s mind. I find that not only are people in the world confused about who Jesus is, but many in the church have an unbiblical view of Him.

There is no better place to start than with the apostle who was closest to Jesus, with the Gospel that apologetically sets forth His deity, and with the Christological certainty that records the words of Jesus:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

-Dr. Mac Brunson

Senior Pastor, Valleydale Church

www.valleydale.org

NOTE: “Who Is Jesus?” is the topic of Dr. Brunson’s sermon series beginning August 5, Sunday mornings at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m.

July 25, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Best Books

Raised in Alabama, Rachel Held Evans is also the author of the New York Times best-selling book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood. Featured in the Washington Post, Christianity Today, The Huffington Post and the CNN Belief Blog and a guest on Today and The View, Evans now lives in Dayton, Tenn. but hails as a “lifelong Crimson Tide fan.”

One day a baby girl was born in Birmingham. Her parents named her Rachel, in honor of the beloved shepherdess who gave birth to two of the tribes of Israel. The child grew in grace and wisdom, in favor with both God and her church. Her life was filled with sermons, Sunday school and Scripture. With the Bible at the center of her existence, she was a child of the rightly divided Word. But then she grew up, started asking questions, and everything changed.

Rachel Held Evans lost the Bible, only to rediscover it and fall in love with it anew. In her recent book, Inspired (Thomas Nelson), Evans shares her journey into a new understanding of the imagery and meaning of Scripture. The ancient stories in our Bibles are designed to do far more than reveal humanity’s salvation history. The Bible is not a textbook. It is power and poetry, lament and laud. It is literature on fire, stories of people grappling with what it means to be the people of God. Inspired is a brilliant book which seeks to restore the wonder and power of the scriptural account of men and women who slew giants, raised the dead, and gave birth to prophets and kings.

What happens when you have to rethink long held beliefs about the Bible? What do we mean when we say the Scriptures are breathed by God? How can ancient stories of talking snakes and genocidal invasions and a crucified God be taken seriously in our post-modern world? Perhaps you know of someone wrestling with these very questions. If so, Rachel Held Evans has a message for them.

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

205-663-2370

July 25, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Best Books

Eight-year-old Callie Chapman has written three books, Glitter the Unicorn, Glitter the Unicorn Goes to the Beachand Glitter the Unicorn Goes to the Moon. She will be a fourth grader this fall at Crestline Elementary.

Callie Chapman is the author of the popular children’s book series, “Glitter the Unicorn,” which shares the adventures of a unicorn and her best friend Ellie. Rather than spend book proceeds on herself, Chapman decided to donated proceeds from her book sales to purchase art supplies for patients at Children’s of Alabama. So far, she has donated $10,000. “Callie is a talented author with a big heart,” said Kelly Baker, coordinator of community engagement at Children’s of Alabama. “Her generous donation will provide hours of fun for our patients who use art supplies for therapeutic activities. Each week, we use approximately 4,000 crayons and 75 art canvases. Callie’s donation will bring smiles to the faces of many of our patients.” †

July 25, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Church Leaders

If you’ve ever wanted to visit a Messianic Congregation or explore the Jewish Roots of Christianity, Beth Hallel Congregation in Hoover presents the perfect opportunity! Join us for an Open House on September 9 from 4:45-5:45 p.m. featuring traditional holiday foods, an art show and gift shop items. Then the New Year Celebration starts at 6 p.m. with dance, music worship, teachings, film and free gifts!

September 9, 10.The New Year is called Rosh HaShana , (head of the year) and in Israel, this date is the equivalent of America’s New Year’s Eve as the beginning of the secular calendar year. But in the Bible, this event is called the Feast of Trumpets, which in Hebrew is Yom Teruah. (Leviticus 23:24-25; Numbers 10:2-10, Numbers 29:2-5, Nehemiah 8:2-6)

As one might expect, one highlight of the Feast of Trumpets is the melodic sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) and the blowing of long silver trumpets as well. Traditional foods include honey because the Bible is sweet and presents the opportunity for a sweet new year. At Congregation Beth Hallel, many traditional foods will be offered to guests. The holiday celebrations are always free of charge and include child care and holiday experiences and explanations for ages 0-12.

You may hear these Fall Feasts also referred to as the “High Holy Days”. In Hebrew, these special events are called “Moadim” (moe-ah-DEEM), which translates as “Appointed Times”. In Deuteronomy 23, God says to keep these appointments for all time. Says Rabbi David Schneier, “We look at it like, the Bible says God made some yearly appointments with us, and God always keeps His appointments. We fully expect God to show up, as we celebrate the wonderful things He has done.”

And don’t think these joyous gatherings are just for those of the Hebraic persuasion, because Jesus celebrated these moadim during his life on earth. Some Christians even contemplate that the Feast of Trumpets might be the timing for Jesus’ return on the Bible’s reference to the “last trump.” Beth Hallel will also have a Rosh HaShana day service starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 10.

September 18, 19.The days immediately following the Feast of Trumpets are called the “Days of Awe” and are times for reflection, repentance, and dedication, leading up to the Day of Atonement, the second in the lineup of High Holy Days. This is Yom Kippur, translated “Day of Covering.” Jesus’ blood provides a covering or an atonement for our sins. Though Christians are cleansed of sin upon accepting Jesus, it is still meaningful to participate in a set time to transact with God, as in 1 John 1:9. Yom Kippur is a day to do just that. It is traditional to fast, and to pray on Yom Kippur. At Beth Hallel there is an evening service on Tuesday September 18 at 7 p.m. and a Day service on Sept 19 at 11 a.m. After a short service that evening at 7 p.m., there will be a break-the-fast potluck gathering.

September 23.The third fall feast is called the Feast of Tabernacles, in Hebrew “Sukkot.” This is characterized by building tent-like structures outside and eating or even sleeping in them. The significance is to remember that the children of Israel once lived in tents as God delivered them. The Bible says that Jesus “tabernacle” among men. This Feast, Israelis and people of Nations would go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Lord.

At Beth Hallel Congregation, a Parade of Nations with flags and foods from around the world are part of the pageantry and celebration. There will be two outdoor structures to eat and drink within, and a musical extravaganza of worship and Israeli dance. All visitors are welcome to participate, or to just enjoy. The Feast of Tabernacles event will be Sunday September 23 at 6 p.m.

September 30.A final celebration is Simchat Torah (SIM-haht TO-rah), or Joy of the Torah. This is a day of rejoicing that God gave the first 5 books of the Bible, which constitute the Torah. At Beth Hallel, the Torah scroll is unrolled for all to pass by and see up close the detailed Hebrew letters written on skins or parchments – a rare opportunity. On this day, the scrolls are rolled up to start another year of weekly scripture readings beginning at Genesis 1:1. Candy and sweets are in abundance to signify that the Word of God is sweet on our lips and in our life.

And if you make it through all the High Holy Day Celebrations in September, come December, you can look forward to 7 days of Hanukah, the Feast of Dedication mentioned in the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, Verse 22! In fact, even though Hanukah is thought of as an exclusively Jewish holiday, the only place in the entire Bible it is mentioned is in the New Testament!

Come visit Beth Hallel this September and taste and learn of your rich Jewish roots. All are welcome, and all events are free of charge. Childcare available for ages 0-5. Happy Holidays!

-Rabbi David and Leslye Schneier

Leaders of Beth Hallel Messianic Synagogue

2230 Sumpter Street, Hoover, 35226

www.shalombirmingham.com

July 26, 2018July 25, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Love protects and forgives Congregational Security Featured Image for web

Special Feature

How and why would anyone kill an innocent victim? The answer is in the first recorded murder;

“Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?” Genesis 4:5

Then, in the New Testament;

“Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.”

1 John 3:12

Man (and even sometimes, woman) can be evil. Add anger and you get a volatile potion. In 187 years of American liberty there had never been a mass murder at a faith-based organization in the U. S. That ended in Birmingham on September 15, 1963. That Sunday, church services were under way at the 16^thStreet Baptist Church. It was Youth Sunday. Children were to lead the morning service. As they prepared around 10:20 a.m. for the service (titled, “The Love That Forgives”) dynamite exploded. 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Addie Mae Collins were killed.

The November 5, 2017 massacre at a Texas church was the 14^thmass murder at a U.S. faith-based organization. No mass murders before 1963; now 14 in 54 years. Most were domestic spillover. Some were racial, robbery, mental, religious bias (mostly against Christians) or some mix. All were evil. There is a lesson learned in this trend which started in Birmingham; that is the need for intentional protection. Birmingham was the wake-up call.

As Cain set the pace for murder, the Birmingham cowards set the pace for murder in sanctuary. Like Cain, they got their feelings hurt because their brother’s actions were accepted as righteous, while the evil in their own heart was exposed.

The civil rights message of the 1960’s was right. The intended message that Sunday (the Love That Forgives) was right too. But, let’s learn another lesson from this story. We should embrace the principles of Matthew 6:25. We shouldn’t worry about life, food and clothes. But confidence doesn’t replace action. We trust God for clothes, but they don’t fall on us from heaven and God doesn’t fold the laundry. The procurement and management of clothing requires intentional actions on our part.

Providing for safety and security of congregations, staff and volunteers is like that. Yet few faith-based organizations are intentional about security. This is especially true of churches. Many still say, “God will provide.” He does, but He expects a little participation. The people in our care are worthy of intentional safety. Let’s be intentional about the safety of our congregations. First Corinthians 13:7 tells us that love always protects. Let’s move forward with the love that forgives and protects.

-Carl Chinn

NOTE: Carl Chinn, along with other nationally recognized experts in safety ministry, including Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Jimmy Meeks, will speak at the Sheepdog Seminar, September 28-29 in Birmingham. Learn more at www.sheepdogsafetytraining.com/birmingham-alabama-september-28-29-2018/

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Healthy Living

We all know how great it feels to get away, but do you know how important those vacation days are for your health and well-being? Trips away are good for our body and soul.

And as it turns out, adding mileage to your vacation can also increase your longevity.

According to an article published by U.S. News & World Report, putting real distance between you and your workplace could very well add years to your life. It isn’t enough just to take time away from the office – we need to advance toward new and faraway destinations. Experiencing new places is invigorating, refreshing, and boosts our creativity. By stimulating feelings of awe and admiration, taking in new sights (and sites) can even make us more compassionate and help us better connect with others.

A change of venue is good for your body too. Breaking away from our regular routine frees us up to take on unique, invigorating activities. The more distant our adventure, the more physically active we tend to be. For example, most of us are more likely to go hiking among exotic ruins than we may be to go walking around our own neighborhood.

We cannot overlook the benefits of reducing our stress levels either. Crossing oceans or long lengths of blacktop not only stirs our sense of adventure – it helps us relax at the same time. Changing our backdrop removes us from our regular stressors of job, house, and mundane responsibilities. In addition, planning for a special trip gives us something amazing to look forward to throughout the year, keeping our focus on better, wondrous things ahead. Improve your scenery. . . and extend your expectations for life down the road.

-Jean Bowick

YMCA of Greater Birmingham, www.ymcabham.org

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

For children who have experienced abuse or neglect, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) can help make a difference by helping them work their way through the court and child welfare systems in search of a loving home. Each time a child is paired with a CASA Volunteer, their chances are greater to have the best possible outcome. CASA recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for the child’s best interest in the court process. They work with judges, lawyers, social workers, and families to ensure each child has an advocate in court, the child welfare, and foster care systems.

Many life goals and achievements that our culture considers normal rites of passage do not occur for children who are in foster care. Statistics show that 40% do not graduate from high school, 20% become homeless within one year and 25% will be incarcerated after leaving foster care. In contrast, children with CASA volunteers spend 7.5 months less time in foster care, experience fewer out-of-home placements, have significantly better educational performance, and are 90% less likely to reenter the system. By working to reduce the length of time a child spends in foster care, CASA saves the state thousands of dollars while drastically improving the quality of a child’s life, one child at a time. Every child that CASA helps to find a safe, permanent home is one more future adult who has a chance to thrive and succeed in our society.

In 2015, there were 10,279 dependency proceedings in Alabama. Currently, we only have the capacity to serve 10% of the children who need a CASA Volunteer. We must serve more but we cannot do it without the help of caring individuals willing to be trained to serve. You don’t have to be “qualified,” just a caring, compassionate and concerned person willing to be trained.

CASA is presently recruiting volunteers to work with abused and neglected children in all areas of Shelby County and parts of the Hoover area. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.casaofshelbycounty.org or call Beth at 205-243-8753. †

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Faith @ Work

Brought to you by: State Farm, www.ThomasWaters.com

“By God’s grace I am here. I have been the beneficiary of God’s ocean of grace,” explains Thomas Waters as he remembers the bike ride he took through Irondale in June of 2017. “I felt the car’s front end hit me and the next thing I knew I was lying in the middle of the road.” With a low back fracture and a severe soft tissue injury to his shoulder, Waters struggled to get out of the road. With help from fellow cyclists, he did and avoided being hit by on-coming traffic. The driver of the vehicle that hit Waters never stopped and has not been caught. “At first, I had a lot of anger,’ says Waters. “I was angry and grateful at the same time.” As a State Farm Agent, Waters team focuses on living out their mission to “be there for you in life’s toughest moments.” Waters confesses it was hard for him to understand how someone could leave the scene of an accident not knowing the well-being of someone else. “The accident has refined my personal ministry to give out more grace. Be kind to everybody even though sometimes that kindness isn’t easy to offer,” explains Waters adding, “Al Schlosser and Rex Seaborn were examples of God’s grace to me as they called for the ambulance and came to check on me in the emergency room.”

<em>While riding his bike June 26, 2017, Thomas Waters was struck by a hit and run driver in Irondale. Fellow cyclists, Al Schlosser and Rex Seaborn, helped Waters to safety.</em> — *While riding his bike June 26, 2017, Thomas Waters was struck by a hit and run driver in Irondale. Fellow cyclists, Al Schlosser and Rex Seaborn, helped Waters to safety.*

For twelve years Waters enjoyed cycling, but after the accident he struggled to ride again. “Every time a car passed I would think, this could be the next hit.” The only thing that kept him riding was a commitment he made with his cycling team to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). “I had so much mental pressure not to ride, but my friends gave me the confidence to ride to help people who really needed it.” Three months after the accident, Thomas and his team rode two, 80-mile rides in one weekend and raised $11,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “I thought, as soon as the ride is over, I will quit,” says Waters. “Anxiety and fear are crippling, but that ride restored my soul and my desire to ride. My friends lifted me up. Two of them, Adam Hodges and Jonathan Schaefer, escorted me into the end of the race the second day. I was struggling and they both sacrificed good positions to help me cross the finish line.”

September 15-16 Thomas Waters and his team will ride again in Bike MS. Help them reach their team goal of $15,000 to help those affected by MS.

Waters and his team are preparing for the MS Ride again this fall. Bike MS: Tour De Beach is September 15-16, 2018 in Orange Beach, Ala. The team goal is $15,000 and Waters personal goal is $5000. To learn more about how you can support or participate with Waters’ team visit, www.main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/StateFarmBikeTeam2018

Brought to you by: Community Partner www.ThomasWaters.com, 205-879-1988.

July 25, 2018 by Birmingham Christian Family

Alabama Statistics about Opioids:

The number of overdose deaths(OD) climbed by 82% from 2006 to 2014 (and this is with little consistency around ER’s not reporting on OD deaths)
In 2016, there were 756 drug-related deaths in Alabama, the majority of which were opioid related
In 2016, Alabama doctors wrote 121 prescriptions per every 100 persons, which is equivalent to 1.2 prescriptions for every man, woman and child in our state.
Governor Kay Ivey established the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council in 2017. The Council is charged with developing a comprehensive strategic plan to abate the Opioid crisis in Alabama.

Opioid Abuse among Teens:

23% of students who had used opioids less than 40 times reported using heroin
7% of those who use heroin admitted to also having used prescription opioids non-medically
Half the teenage Medicaid patients in Alabama prescribed opioids in 2016 got them from dentists or oral surgeons
About 1 in 6 patients between age 13-18 on Medicaid received an opioid from a provider in 2016

Common Signs of Opioid Misuse in Teens:

Negative changes in grades
Skipping classes or school
Dropping longtime friends
Loss of interest in usual activities
Changes in appearance
Changes in general behavior, including sleeping and eating habits

Things parents can do to help teens avoid risks:

Take inventory of prescription and over the counter (OTC) drugs you have at home. Properly destroy unused or outdated medicine
Monitor and safeguard any and all prescription drugs that a child is currently taking.
Role model care and careful use (not misuse) of any and all prescription drugs you use. Use opportunity to educate.
Openly discuss the risks of use and the importance of medical supervision and proper disposal.
Understand motives behind signs of use or misuse (i.e. weight loss, pain, grades) and speak compassionately first.
Be honest (come clean) if your child challenges your own use.
Discuss how avoidance of addictive substances is part of health consciousness

-Information provide by Addiction Prevention Coalition

100 Union Hill Drive, Suite 150

Birmingham, AL 35209

www.apcbham.org

August 15, 2018June 27, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Enjoy a Cool Adventure Close to Home! Alabama Splash Adventure!

<em>Dan Koch and his mom Pat, the “The General,” welcome you to a great day of family fun at Alabama Splash Adventure</em> — *Dan Koch and his mom Pat, the “The General,” welcome you to a great day of family fun at Alabama Splash Adventure*

Alabama Splash Adventure in Bessemer, Ala. opened the 2018 summer season with the largest expansion in park history. Enjoy six new amusement attractions, the Pirates High Dive Show, and many more enhancements to provide more fun all summer long. Depending on your mood, enjoy a relaxing lazy river ride or amplify the excitement with monster slides and waves. On the amusement end, check out the Rampage Wooden Roller Coaster that reaches speeds of 56 mph for a family thrilling ride.

Owners, Dan Koch and his mom Pat, also called “The General,” have over 60 years of experience in the amusement and waterpark industry. Over the past five years, the Koch family has added numerous amusement attractions to the park, restored the world-famous Rampage wooden roller coaster, and introduced many valuable extras such as free parking, free unlimited Pepsi drinks, free sunscreen, free inner tubes and free Wi-Fi. Both Dan and Pat Koch are at the park daily from open to close greeting customers, cleaning, and you may even see them in the restaurants making funnel cakes. Pat Koch 86 years old says “We have an incredible staff and you really feel like family when entering, everything must be spit spot clean and all you have to do is relax and have fun.”

Alabama Splash Adventure has received a series of positive rankings including being chosen in 2017 as one of the top five friendliest parks in the world by readers of Amusement Today, a national amusement industry news leader. The park was also named as one of the best theme park values in the USA by MSN News. “We will build upon these honors. We are definitely moving in the right direction,” says owner Dan Koch. “Thank you, guests, team members and the great state of Alabama.”

<em>The Rampage Roller Coaster at Alabama Splash Adventure is ranked as one of the top 25 wooden coasters in the world. A season pass to the park has been lowered, check it out at <a href="http://www.alabamasplash.com">www.alabamasplash.com</a>.</em> — *The Rampage Roller Coaster at Alabama Splash Adventure is ranked as one of the top 25 wooden coasters in the world. A season pass to the park has been lowered, check it out at www.alabamasplash.com.*

The park’s new attractions include the Scrambler/a spinning frenzy family ride, the Yo-Yo/experience the feeling of flight in open air seats, the Tilt-A-Whirl/encounter a series of spins and twists, Rocking Tug/enjoy rocking and spinning motions in this wild ship, Royal Express/gentle train ride off the rails throughout the park, and Splash Island/kids slides and play area. New enhancements to the park include a renovated Island Cafe Restaurant, additional lockers, more seating and dining tables, more shade structures and additional premium cabanas.

What are you waiting for? To say THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with Birmingham Christian Familymagazine and make spreading Good News possible, we are offering an easy way to be entered towin 4 tickets to Alabama Splash Adventure and enjoy a full day at the park.

Follow Birmingham Christian Family magazine on Instagram @cfpbirmingham for a chance to receive 4 tickets to Alabama Splash Adventure. Tickets good through the 2018 summer season! (September 3, 2018) Offer Ends 7/18/18. Winner Announced 7/19/18 on Instagram and Facebook.

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