TO SAY THANK YOU for reading and supporting the businesses and organizations that advertise with Birmingham Christian Family(BCF) and make spreading Good News possible we have a FAMILY FOUR PACK of TICKETS to giveaway to a Birmingham Bulls Hockey Game at the Pelham Civic Complex.
The start of a new year is a powerful moment for reflection and setting intentions. It’s a time to assess what worked, what didn’t, and how we can realign our focus moving forward. 2025 is the perfect time to set intentions, create a vision board, or reflect through journaling about the year ahead. However, the key to success lies in setting simple, achievable goals that are both realistic and aligned with our values. One focus that we as certified personal trainers at Pure Fitness try to instill in our clients are simple healthy hacks that we can achieve daily. Here are our top three.
Erin Holtz and Caroline Galiano have a passion for helping people jump-start healthy habits.
1. Hydrate First Thing
Start your day by drinking a glass of water and add in electrolytes. It helps kickstart your metabolism, boosts energy, and rehydrates your body after a night of sleep. Water makes up about 60% of the human body and is crucial for almost every bodily function.
2. Move Your Body Regularly
Simple activities like walking, stretching, or taking the stairs can increase your daily movement. Strength training is incredibly important as we age, primarily because it helps combat the natural loss of muscle mass that occurs over time. Lifting weights helps maintain or even build muscle mass, which in turn improves metabolism, supports joint health, and boosts bone density—crucial factors in preventing osteoporosis and other illnesses.
From the Pure Fitness location in Vestavia, Holtz and Galiano work with clients to enhance fitness, improve nutrition, and build sustainable wellness plans.
3. Prioritize Sleep
Good sleep is non-negotiable for health. Aim for 7-9 hours per night. A consistent bedtime routine and a cool, dark room can improve sleep quality. Sleep plays a critical role in exercise recovery, performance, and overall daily function. When we sleep, our bodies repair muscles, tissues, and cells that are broken down during exercise.
By implementing even just a few of these simple hacks, you can begin to feel stronger, happier, and more energized. The key is consistency and making small changes that work for your lifestyle.
-Erin Holtz and Caroline Galiano
Certified Personal Trainers, Pure Fitness Vestavia Hills
1. Brother Bryan Mission- Help make a difference by serving meals and more. Visit www.bbmission.com to learn more.
2. Blanket Fort Hope- Volunteer roles include writing thank you notes and helping with annual mailing, enhancements and maintenance around the office or Restoration Home, and more. Learn more at www.blanketforthope.org/donate.
3. CASA of Shelby County- A CASA volunteer is a court appointed, trained and committed adult who ensures that a child’s individual needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system. As a volunteer, you get to know the child while also gathering information from the child’s family, teachers, doctors, caregivers and anyone else involved in the child’s life in order to make independent and informed recommendations to help the judge decide what’s best for the child. Learn more and apply at www.casaofshelbycounty.org/volunteer.
4. Daniel Cason Ministries- There are many ways to volunteer with Daniel Cason Ministries. Host a food drive and volunteer at outreach events. Visit www.danielcason.org to find more details.
5. Foster Coalition- You can volunteer with the foster care system in several ways including providing meals, babysitting for nights out, becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Child Advocate), and more. Find details at www.fostercoalition.org/donate.
6. Grace Klein Community- You can help rescue good food to go to those in need through the FeedBHM food rescue initiative. Volunteers retrieve good food from local restaurants, grocers, and more and reallocate the food from a trip to the landfill and onto the plates of the food insecure. Visit www.gracekleincommunity.com/volunteer to learn more.
7. Jimmie Hale Mission- Volunteer opportunities include serving/sharing a meal, mentoring a client, leading a chapel service, hosting a weekend event, and more. Visit www.jimmiehalemission.com/volunteer to learn more.
8. Sav-A-Life Vestavia, North Jefferson and Crestwood- Volunteer roles include receptionists, fatherhood leaders, baby boutique workers, baby shower hosts, prayer team members, and more. Find more details at www.savalife.org/how-to-help/#volunteer.
9. Sav-A-Life Shelby- Volunteer opportunities include areas such as sonographer, appointment setter, client advocate, church ambassador, and more. Learn more and apply to volunteer at www.savalifeshelby.org/volunteer.
10. The Foundry- There are many ways to volunteer with The Foundry including becoming a Foundry mentor, mealtime speaker, and even at home projects. You can also sign up to volunteer in a specific outreach area such as the Bessemer Men’s Program. Learn more www.foundryministries.com/get-involved/volunteer.
11. Vapor Ministries- One practical way you can support Vapor Ministries is by volunteering at their thrift stores. Ongoing volunteers are needed in areas such as sorting clothing, organizing books, stocking and organizing merchandise, and more. Learn more at www.vaporthrift.com/volunteer.
12. The Learning Tree- Volunteer opportunities include reading to the children, designing classroom materials, painting children’s furniture, and more. Find more details at www.learning-tree.org. †
What is the best gift we could ever give? One of the best gifts is wisdom.
It is important to know and understand what wisdom is, in order to understand its value. The Hebrew word for wisdom is “chokmah,” and the translation is “to have a skill and expertise in living.” This should cause each of us to stop and ask the question, how valuable would it be if I was an expert in living?
Wisdom enables us to interpret the world and how we should live in it. A person who lacks wisdom lives without direction and is lost in a world that does not make sense.
This book is a collection of short essays on practical wisdom. One of the definitions of the word “practical” is “an idea or plan that is likely to succeed or be effective in real world circumstances.” You will find that there is practical wisdom in each essay that can easily be applied to your life. My hope is this book serves as a guide to help you walk in wisdom on your journey toward a healthy and meaningful life. – Richard E. Simmons III
Endorsements for Practical Wisdom – The Art of Living Well
“The root of human flourishing is wisdom, and Richard Simmons provides dozens of relatable examples of how each of us can pursue success and happiness by practicing wisdom in all areas of life.” —Dr. Beck A. Taylor, President, Samford University
“I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to excel in life.” —Miller Gorrie, Founder and Chairman of Brasfield and Gorrie
“Richard Simmons’ Practical Wisdom is an insightful and transformative guide, blending timeless principles with practical advice for navigating life’s challenges. His profound wisdom and compassionate approach offer readers a clear path to personal growth.” —Lee Styslinger, Co-Chairman, Altec
“Richard Simmons’ new book, Practical Wisdom, demonstrates that “practical” can also be deeply thoughtful and profoundly meaningful. There is much to learn and embrace from this collection of short essays.” —Dr. Rob Pearigen,Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the South
“In Practical Wisdom, Richard Simmons masterfully provides guidance for a life well-lived. The valuable lessons learned from this book are applicable to each of us and I highly recommend anyone striving for a life of fulfillment to read it.” —Craft O’Neal, Chairman and CEO O’Neal Industries
Richard E. Simmons III is the best-selling author of Reflections on the Existence of God, The True Measure of a Man, The Power of a Humble Life and his newest book Practical Wisdom. In 2001 he founded The Center for Executive Leadership, a faith-based ministry focused on counseling business executives, teaching and writing. Richard and his wife Holly are the parents of three children in their twenties. When Richard isn’t teaching or writing, he enjoys golf, snow skiing, and travel – his favorite being the family’s recent trip to Italy.
Get your copy of Practical Wisdom on richardesimmons3.com/books, on Amazon and locally at Seibel’s and Little Professor in Homewood.
Watch the video below to learn more about why Simmons wrote Practical Wisdom and more. †
The best part of waking up… If you are old enough, you remember that “the best part of waking up, is Folgers in your cup.” You may also remember the Folgers commercial where the college-aged son came home from college early one morning and made coffee for his parents. The mom was ecstatic, the dad was grateful, and the son grinned from ear to ear. I also remember Messy Marvin commercials with the grandiose treehouses. And I remember how all of the commercials that aired around Christmas always seemed to be the best- electric trains zoomed around the Christmas tree as the whole family ate Tollhouse cookies in front of the fire.
Author Walt Merrell is seen here on Christmas morning with his wife Hannah, his three daughters, and his mother-in-law Brenda Gantt.
Wouldn’t it be great to have one of those ‘made for TV’ moments? Except they don’t really exist. Try as I might, through the years, I’ve never managed to recreate that perfect moment. My treehouse never looked nearly as impressive. My coffee is pretty good, but I have never found a morning where everyone in my family was in a good mood at the same time. If someone makes Tollhouse cookies at our house, they are eaten by a pack of ravenous wolves long before any fireside chat has time to transpire. My point is- life is real. We can’t compare ourselves to television or the internet. We will likely never measure up. Instead, let’s find joy in the imperfection of what we have: each other.
This morning, I coughed mightily as I wrestled with a cold. Banks has the State cheer competition next week, so Hannah promptly evicted me from the house at the first sign of a sniffle. I admit, it caused a bit of a fuss between us. Though we rarely go to bed mad, the truth of the matter is, sometimes we do. I spoke with Bay yesterday on the phone. She is nearer to graduating from Ole Miss now and wrestling with the reality of life that comes next. As is Cape, in her freshman year of college full of trial and tribulation. Banks, our youngest, is upset too because we are going to be late for school and she gets in trouble. And it will be my fault. All the while… I drank my Folgers.
It’s beginning to feel like fall. A cold front passed through during the night and it’s a bit cooler outside this morning, which is nice. Banks just used most of the hot water though, taking a 30-minute shower so the cool fall air won’t be so nice in a few minutes when I shower. Soon enough, we will all depart for work and school. I’m certain Banks and I will have at least one fuss before I feel how cold the water is. For in my selfish imperfection, I intend to tell her of my displeasure. Someone will be running late. Someone might even cry. It might even be me. We will eat breakfast too fast. We will forget a belt, a purse, or a lunchbox. And when I walk out the door, I will still be drinking my Folgers. Yes, I probably drink Folgers because that commercial resonated with me. I always wanted those perfect family moments. It took me 45 years to realize that I have always had them, every morning, no matter the circumstances. I like Folgers, but it is not the best part of waking up. My family is.
Thank you, Lord, for the coffee, but most especially for the beans of life that are my family. I love them in their perfect imperfection. I am especially grateful that they still love me despite my imperfections. I even love them when they make me wear ridiculous pajamas on Christmas morning even when the older girls refused to wear theirs for the picture. Remember friends, life is not a fairy tale. It is simply life. The best part of waking up is knowing Jesus lives. Beyond that, there will never be perfection. Don’t read social media posts or my stories and think we are the perfect family- unless you understand that the only perfections we have are in our imperfections. God is great. The coffee is pretty good. Hot showers are too. And my girls are too.
-Walt Merrell
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. His most recent book is available at shepherdingbook.com. Read his faith story at www.BirminghamChristian.com.
Our Southern grannies are such jewels. We love, honor, and cherish them for their wisdom, wit, and knowledge. We eat delicious food when our shoes are under their table, too. And they sure do love their grandchildren with a mighty big heart. But just because they love us doesn’t mean they don’t give us a good lesson now and again in amongst all the feedings.
Granny Dera Standridge, who was famous for her sweet potato pies, is seen here.
Granny Dera was one of the best cooks around. We always loved eating her good Southern cooking. Some of my best memories of my husband’s grandmother, Dera Standridge, are her sweet potato pies, candied yams, divinity, and fried apple pies. On Christmas Day every year, David and I would load up our three children and see Granny Dera around midday. We would take her a Christmas present, and she would pull out all of her homemade treats. She spent a lot of time making delicious goodies for her numerous children and grandchildren to enjoy throughout the holidays. It was a joy to visit with her at Christmas time, and we always devoured her goodies. Now, our Christmas routine for years was very scheduled. David and I were both blessed with large families on all sides and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins to love. When we first got married, we had nine Christmas stops to make! Many of our great-grandparents were still living at the time, and we visited them all at Christmastime with lots of hugs, kisses, and presents to open, surrounded by big families loving on all the babies. And if you disappointed them and didn’t appear at their Christmas event, you heard about it later, too, for the rest of the year. Major guilt trip, just saying. Yes, we were truly blessed to have many generations to visit. It was a scheduling feat to drive to all of these family get-togethers over the course of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We would spend both days taking them their gifts and enjoying their cooking. And you couldn’t miss one. Heavens no! It was frowned upon and considered disrespectful toward our grandparents if we didn’t grace them with our presence at the allotted time at Christmas. How they would fuss over us and love on us. Oh, how I miss those days!
Danna’s three children, Lonna, Caleb and Joshua, are seen here with Santa Claus circa 1990. The stale candy from Granny Dera didn’t hurt them. They survived and are currently a middle school teacher, an aerospace engineer, and a veterinarian respectively.
One year, things took a turn. Our plans were unexpectedly altered. On Christmas Eve, we found that Granny Dera was at our Christmas Eve breakfast at David’s parents’ house. Well, we scurried home and got her gift so she could enjoy it as we opened our gifts. She loved the gift, and we enjoyed her delectable treats after the commotion of the gifts being given and received. One less place to visit on Christmas Day… or so we thought. We thought we were in good standing with Granny Dera until March of that year on her birthday visit. We had visited with her at David’s parents’ house on several occasions since the holidays, and we thought everything was just fine and dandy. But on her birthday when we went to her house to visit, she lowered the boom on us. Granny Dera said that on Christmas Day, she missed us so bad and waited all day for us to visit. When we didn’t show up, she told herself she would just save the homemade goodies for us to eat when we finally came for a visit. So, she took those three-month-old goodies out of the pantry and served them to us. And let me tell you, we ate with as much gusto as we could manage considering that they were made three months ago. A little stale, yes indeed. We didn’t know if we would ever get on her good side again, so we ate that stale candy for all we were worth. But, after a few bites, we knew all was forgiven when she pulled out one of her wonderful, freshly made, delectable sweet potato pies and sent it home with us with lots of hugs and kisses. Granny Dera was famous for her sweet potato pies.
It’s funny how our Southern grannies can teach us a lesson. They have the knack for delivering lessons that you won’t forget. We left there that day with a yummy sweet potato pie and a sincere vow that we would never, ever miss another Christmas Day visit with Granny Dera no matter how many other events she showed up at during the holiday festivities. And we never did. I hope you enjoy her delicious sweet potato pie.
-Danna Standridge
Author of Happiness is Homemade Y’all! and 2024 Sweet Grown Alabama Ambassador
Boil the sweet potatoes in their jackets until done. Peel and mash. Add butter, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg. Combine eggs and milk. Mix with sweet potatoes until well blended. Pour into pie crust. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes till set.
Giving Tuesday is December 3, 2024. Here are 13 great local ministries and non-profits to consider helping on Giving Tuesday and beyond.
1. American Village- Help this nationally pioneering classroom and American History and civics education center in Montevallo, Ala. continue to engage and inspire students in experience-based academic programs related to American history, civics and government. Visit www.americanvillage.org/donate to make a tax-deductible donation and learn more.
2. Brother Bryan Mission- Donations to the oldest mission in Birmingham directly support Brother Bryan’s work of serving the economically, emotionally, and spiritually impoverished men in the city. Donations can be a one-time or recurring gift. Learn more at www.bbmission.com/donate.
3. Blanket Fort Hope- Restoring child sex trafficking survivors is the heartbeat of Blanket Fort Hope. There are many ways to give. Learn more at www.blanketforthope.org/donate.
4. Daniel Cason Ministries- There are many ways to support this ministry that serves those living in the poorest communities in Birmingham. Host a food drive, volunteer at outreach events, and monetarily donate. Visit www.danielcason.org to find more details.
5. Foster Coalition- Focused on uniting advocates for foster care, Foster Coalition is a place for foster care collaboration to help support Alabama’s foster children. Helping churches establish and maintain a foster care ministry is a key component to Foster Coalition. Find details at www.fostercoalition.org/donate.
6. Grace Klein Community- With the purpose of providing relief to the poor, disadvantaged and underprivileged, Grace Klein minsters to those in need in several ways including the FeedBHM food rescue initiative. Through this initiative, volunteers retrieve good food from local restaurants, grocers, and more and reallocate the food from a trip to the landfill and onto the plates of the food insecure. Visit www.gracekleincommunity.com to learn more.
7. Jimmie Hale Mission- Support the Mission in its efforts to provide lasting recovery from the root causes of homelessness by donating monetary gifts. There are also many volunteer roles to choose from. Learn more at www.jimmiehalemission.com.
8. Power of Life Foundation- Founded in 2020 with the mission of helping the underserved population to empower themselves economically and socially, enhance their health and well-being, and assist them in overcoming hardships. This population includes those living at or below the poverty level, women/children, senior citizens, veterans, transients and at-risk youth. Visit www.poweroflifefoundation.org to learn more.
9. Sav-A-Life- Dedicated to serving women and families experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, Sav-A-Life Crestwood, North Jefferson, and Vestavia provide free and confidential services, counseling, education, and support women to carry their babies to term. You can support this mission by donating financially or by donating your time through volunteering. Learn more at www.savalife.org.
10. Sav-A-Life Shelby- With the mission to develop a culture of life where abortion is unnecessary and undesirable in Shelby County while offering the hope of the gospel, Sav-A-Life Shelby accepts donations in a variety of forms including monetary and material (diapers, wipes, baby wash, etc.) donations. There are also many volunteer roles available. Visit www.savalifeshelby.org to learn more.
11. The Foundry- For more than 50 years, The Foundry has brought hope, healing, and restoration to those fighting addiction. Help them continue to provide faith-based substance abuse recovery by shopping at The Foundry Thrift Stores, donating, or volunteering. Visit www.foundryministries.com to find more details. Read one example of how God changes lives through The Foundry here.
12. Vapor Ministries- With the vision to meet needs, feed souls, and elevate God, Vapor Ministries establishes sustainable centers for alleviating poverty and multiplying disciples in third-world environments. Support this mission by donating, shopping at Vapor Thrift stores in Vestavia, Greystone and Westover, sponsoring a child, and volunteering. Learn more at www.vaporministries.org.
13. The Learning Tree- For over 40 years, this non-profit has provided educational and residential programs and applied behavior analysis clinics for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, including those with autism. The Learning Tree offers services here in Birmingham and across the southeast. Learn more at www.learning-tree.org. †
John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” What qualifies Jesus to make such a statement? How is He unique? Why are Christians so dogmatic, unwavering, and convinced regarding Jesus?
Jesus can make such a statement because He is:
The only way to know God
The only way to have your sins forgiven
The only way to live a Christ-like life
Jesus revealed God to us so we can know Him. Reveal means to make known, to discover, to allow something to be seen, or to make something known to humanity by divine (supernatural) means. Let’s look at what the Bible says. The Word (Jesus) was God (John 1:1). Jesus became flesh (John 1:14). Jesus is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
Jesus is the only way to have one’s sins forgiven. Sin is universal (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from God (Romans 6:23). Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8). Jesus took on our sins and reconciled us to God (II Corinthians 5:20, 21). Jesus paid for our sins (I John 4:10). One must repent of their sins and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). Receive Christ and be saved (Romans 10:13).
Jesus gives us an example of how to live. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to remain focused on Jesus in our walk of faith. I Peter 2:21 says that Jesus is our example, and we should follow His steps. In John 13:15, Jesus said that He gave us an example and we should do as He did.
The question was, “Why Jesus?” Hopefully, these three reasons will help answer the question.
6th grader Annie Getty’s inspiration for her unique dress was God’s creation.
Over 40 area young women, who created and hand-designed their own dresses, recently walked the runway as part of the third annual Runway 2:10 fundraiser to benefit Birmingham based Created for a Purpose Ministries.
Edgewood Elementary’s Welden Gamble is seen here in her one-of-a-kind 50s-style dress.
Annie Getty was one of the young women who walked the runway at Birmingham’s Covenant Presbyterian Church. She is a 6th grader at Pizitz Middle School and says the inspiration for her dress was God’s creation. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” She says this verse means so much to her because it reminds her that even when she is scared and weak, God is holding her and strengthening her and will always love and help her. One thing Getty has learned this year through Created for a Purpose Ministries is her identity is in God and not in the things of this world. Welden Gamble is a 4th grader at Edgewood Elementary. She loves the flow of 50s-style dresses because they are fun. When she saw the ruffles on the pattern for her shirt, she said she had to have it. Gamble’s favorite project at Created for A Purpose was sewing the pencil pouch. She learned that God is always working even when she can’t see it. Her favorite Bible verse is Romans 5:8- “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
More than 40 young women created and hand-designed dresses to walk the runway during the recent Runway 2:10 fundraiser benefitting Created for a Purpose Ministries.
Created for a Purpose Ministries was founded in 2006 by a group of Birmingham mothers with a vision to bring their daughters and friends together to learn about Jesus in a fun, creative, and hands-on environment. By 2008, the ministry had outgrown its home setting and moved to Covenant Presbyterian. The program’s rapid growth highlighted a unique ministry niche that resonated deeply with girls, sparking their excitement and enthusiasm to be a part of it. Through a week-long creative arts summer day camp for 3rd through 8th grade girls, Created for a Purpose provides a unique framework to churches desiring to nurture girls within their congregation in the Gospel, as well as share the good news of Jesus Christ with visiting and non-believing families. Through daily art projects, dedicated time for worship, solid Biblical teaching, and small group discussion, each girl who attends a Created for a Purpose art camp is taught that she is created by God in His image, wonderfully gifted with unique talents to be used for His glory and His purposes. The beautiful art projects she completes serve as tangible reminders of these truths. In addition to summer camp, Created for a Purpose one day Christmas Workshops are also being held this month at Covenant Presbyterian and The Church at Liberty Park. For more information, visit www.createdforapurpose.org. †
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-Danna Standridge
