Poiema is the Greek word for workmanship. Jaclyn Smith, one of the leaders of the Poiema ministry in Birmingham, Ala., explains that the name of the ministry name was inspired by Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in it.”
The Poiema Summer Workshop is set for July 15-19, 2024. To register, visit poiemacreativearts.com.
Poiema launched in 2017 with a desire to share the love of Jesus. “A small community of Birmingham area women from different backgrounds and seasons of life united in their love for Jesus, each other, and the next generation,” Smith says. The mission of the ministry is “to unite women of all ages and denominations, as daughters of our heavenly Father, in order to share the truth that we are worth more in Him than in anything this world has to offer us.”
Each year, the ministry hosts a week-long Summer Workshop and a one-day Christmas Workshop for girls ages 3rd-8th grade. “We use creative arts as the draw,” Smith explains, adding, “We worship and do devotional time, and the girls create art through many different modalities during the week as we breathe into them the truth that they are not unlike the masterpieces that they have created; that God made them in His image with the same intentionality and care.”
Worship is the heartbeat of the Poiema ministry. Besides the July week long summer workshop, Poiema will host a one day Christmas workshop on December 7, 2024.
The 2024 Summer Workshop is set for July 15-19, 2024. Through the years, the Summer Workshop has grown from 65 campers to more than 200 campers. The prayer of each volunteer is that “God would bring the hearts that need camp to Poiema each time the doors are open.” Both the summer and Christmas workshops exist “to spread the glory and renown of Jesus to girls who may or may not know Him using creative arts as a medium to reinforce the love, intentionality, and thoughtfulness with which their Creator made them,” Smith shares. To learn more about Poiema and to register, visit poiemacreativearts.com. †
Easter is on March 31, 2024. Here is a list of Easter Week Services and Activities happening in and around Birmingham. Click on the links for more details.
In 2014, ice covered everything in South Alabama during the dark of the night before, and just as He promises, the sun blanketed the entirety of the landscape the following day. With no power, we retreated to the den because it was heated by a wood burning fireplace. With three young girls squirming about, it didn’t take long for cabin fever to set into that little room. Sparked by memories from nearly 20 years prior at Montevallo, Hannah and I both had the same idea about getting some relief. “Bay… Cape…” I commanded with exuberance, “Get bundled up. We are going on an adventure!” Hannah was already gathering clothes for toddler Banks, and I scurried off to get suited up, too.
It can be hard to smile when your lips are numb from the icy cold of deep winter. Hard to talk too. But you know what? Numb lips and chattering teeth didn’t stop any one of us from laughing all day long! Find the joy… even in the cold.
“One leg, and then the other,” I reminded myself, as my near frozen brain wanted nothing more than to put both feet in my Long Johns at the same time. Looking back, I often refer to that memory when I need to remind myself that God does things in His time… and when we try to do them in our time, we usually topple to the ground. “You okay?” Hannah shouted from the other room. No doubt, she heard my fall… “I’m fine, I just got tangled up in my Long Johns.” I’m pretty sure I heard her giggle at that point, but I was too cold to protest. Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in our old golf cart… a trusty rusty that had at least a million miles on the same set of tires… with a rope tied to the rear bumper, and on the other end of the rope, an innertube! I made two quick circles around the cul-de-sac and felt I’d mastered the mechanics of driving a golf cart on the ice… and that doesn’t allow credit for time spent driving during the “Storm of the Century” in 1993 at Montevallo.
Banks was trying to stop her shivering long enough to take the picture. The end result… she held her breath! We do that sometimes in life too, don’t we? Trying to contain our pain… we just freeze. His Word tells us otherwise… just breathe. Job 27:3
Television news meteorologist James Spann aptly named it so… a young up and comer at the time, Spann warned that warm air from the Gulf of Mexico would clash with a frigid cold front crashing down from the artic, and the result would be rain as far south as Honduras and snow just about everywhere north of Mobile. Spann had warned us for days… but being young and impetuous college students, we opted to stay on campus. Temperatures in the single digits turned snow covered roads to ice, and, soon enough, we were using a friend’s Jeep to tow Conga lines of puffy jacketed, mitten wearing coeds on cafeteria trays down “Thrill Hill” in front of the President’s House. University of Montevallo (UM) President Robert McChesney later suggested to me that “They’ll be finding cafeteria trays in the city’s gutter system for years to come.” I think he was right!
Confident from my once a decade experience driving on ice, I told Bay and Cape to “hold on tight!” Likewise, Hannah clutched tight to Banks in the seat next to me. We made a few circles around the cul-de-sac and a run or two down an adjacent dirt road, and all I heard was laughter and revelry from the caravan that followed close behind. Hannah and I both grinned from ear to ear… relishing both the joy of what is and the fondness of the Montevallo memories of what was…
When our cheeks were bright red, and our lips numb from the tingle… we retreated back to the warmth of the fireplace. Certainly, our days at UM taught us lessons outside of the classroom. And clearly, God had a planned way back when… but how little did we know that He was preparing the way for us as parents and as partners in the Storm of the Century all those years ago.
-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.
God sure can surprise you with what I like to call God Winks! I know He has surprised and delighted me many a time. Like my antique measuring cups…yes, He sure has proven Himself to me over and over again.
I love old things! I love to cook with old kitchen items from years ago, and I love to have old kitchen paraphernalia beautifully displayed in my kitchen. I have many family items from long ago polished and shined in my kitchen because it makes me happy. And every time I come across a new “old item” I say to myself, “What a treasure!” And sometimes I get a hankering* for something that fits right in with my wants and desires for my kitchen. I admire something as I go antiquing and thrifting with my husband, and I add it to My List. My List is the official “Danna sure would like to have it” list. Now I learned a long time ago that the Good Lord gives his children surprises, sometimes calledGod Winks, just like we do our earthly children. Our Heavenly Father loves His children and wants them to be happy. As it says in 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
Seen here are the measuring cups that remind Danna of God’s love for her.
As I was praying to the Good Lord one morning, I let it slip that I sure did like those brown and beige sets of measuring cups and wouldn’t they look good in my kitchen? And I never said a word to anyone else about them. No one knew I wanted those beautiful old measuring cups except the Good Lord. And then, I forgot all about it. Until one rainy hot summer day, my husband had a bee in his bonnet* to get out of the house for a little while. You know, God uses others to answer prayers. “Let’s go antiquing,” he said. It was so wet and rainy that my heart just wasn’t in it, but David talked me into it. Even though we had very little time before the antique places closed, I agreed. We ended up in one of our regular spots which was a piled-up cacophony of beautiful but dusty old items. As we roamed the crowded aisles, we left the troubles of today and got lost in the world of yesterday. Then, I saw it! It was a beautiful little brown and beige measuring cup sitting so charmingly on a very cluttered shelf all by itself. Well, my sweetie bought that one just for me. I wanted to stay and look around to see if the rest of the set was hiding in there somewhere, but I was suddenly the object of desire to a swarm of mosquitoes. I’m telling you, my legs were, as we say in the South, “eat up with skeeters.”* I was so disappointed. I really wanted to stay in there and look. But those mosquitoes were making me so miserable, so David whisked me off to another place down the road, and I went along – scratching all the way.
And low and behold, as we were looking around at all the treasures, we found the answer to my one little prayer to my heavenly Father one morning a while ago. There was a whole set of those beautiful brown and beige measuring cups. As they were announcing on the loudspeaker that it was almost time to close up for the night, David scooped them up and rescued them to live out their days all shined up on my kitchen counter as a blessed reminder of the marvelous love my heavenly Father has for me. God sure can surprise you! Like the antique measuring cups…yes, He sure has proven Himself to me over and over again. And, my friend, He will do that for you too when you become His child.
-Danna Standridge
Author of Happiness is Homemade Y’all! and 2024 Sweet Grown Alabama Ambassador
It’s March for goodness sake, so let’s make some Corned Beef and Cabbage to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day!
Ingredients:
Corned beef, 2 lbs, cooked according to package directions and sliced
2 heads of cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
½ lb bacon
½ stick butter, and more if needed
Salt and Pepper
Instructions: In your large Dutch oven or skillet, cook bacon and set aside. Use 2 tablespoons bacon grease and ½ stick butter in pan. Add half of the cabbage. Add salt and pepper. Cover with lid. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for even cooking. Add the remainder of the cabbage. Add salt and pepper. Add more butter to suit your taste and add richness. When the cabbage is cooked to your liking, taste it. Adjust your seasonings as needed. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Serve with sliced corned beef and a pan of cornbread.
In January in Ala., the days are cold and dark. So, when our team of ten boarded our flight to Nicaragua on January 13, 2024, we were all in for a happy surprise when the plane wheels touched down with a high of 97 and not a cloud in sight. Each time I return to Nicaragua, I look forward to spreading the love of Christ and reuniting with our friends there who are continuing to do the Lord’s work even when we are far away.
During the time the team from The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills was in Nicaragua, they provided children with a VBS-type experience with songs, dancing, Bible stories and more.
Project H.O.P.E, the international ministry of The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills, has the goal of offering H.O.P.E for tomorrow and for eternity through Christ to those who live in impoverished nations. The ministry works to address the health needs of the people, fund projects that offer income for congregations and individuals, and promote education for young adults and children. The ministry also encourages the participation of people being served. What I love about this ministry is that even when we aren’t in Nicaragua on our week long mission trip, Bible studies, food distribution, and homes are still being built by volunteers who are constantly on the ground there in Nicaragua.
Pictured here is the family in front of their new one room house that the Project H.O.P.E team helped construct.
During our group’s time in Nicaragua, we provided a VBS-type Children’s ministry in six different communities. The theme of the program was Come and See – Go and Tell based on the story of Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter 4. We began each morning with songs, dancing, and the Bible story, all led by our Nicaraguan volunteers. Then, we divided into groups and rotated through different activities that focused on our lesson. Our Nicaraguan volunteers will continue to bring this powerful message to the rest of the villages we support in the weeks to come. We also participated in the construction of a one room house for a family in need while we were there. Their previous house consisted of tree branches and a black plastic tarp that had been blown over in a storm. Despite the differences in language, relationships were built and love was shared. The house was not finished while we were there, but that will happen soon.
Our time in Nicaragua always goes by too fast, and I always pray that, Lord willing, we will be able to return year after year to see friends and spread the love of Christ. But, my favorite part of our ministry in Nicaragua is that even if we aren’t there, Christ is still moving, people are still getting fed, and weekly activities are still happening thanks to our incredible Nicaraguan volunteers. Each year when we return home from Nicaragua, I know we are all so thankful to be able to play a small part in the Project H.O.P.E Mission Statement: Offer HOPE for a better tomorrow and for eternity through Christ.
Spring is almost here, which means it’s time for spring cleaning. This year, in addition to tidying your home, you might want to consider sprucing up your financial environment. Here are some suggestions for doing just that.
Improve your vision. Once the days are warmer and longer, you may want to get outside and clean all the winter grime and smudges from your windows. You may want to bring more focus to your financial vision by asking some key questions: Is my investment strategy still appropriate for my needs, goals, and family situation? If not, what changes should I make? And am I prepared for changes in my life, such as health challenges or a need to retire earlier than planned?
De-clutter. As you look around your home, you may find things such as expired health care products, ancient cleaning solutions, and so on, in addition to duplicate household items (how many blenders do you really need?). Most people find that eliminating this clutter gives them a good feeling – and a more livable space. As an investor, you can also find clutter in the form of redundant investments. For example, you might own several nearly identical mutual funds. You might be better off selling some of these funds and using the proceeds to find new investments that can help you further diversify your portfolio. As you may know, diversification is a key to investment success, but keep in mind that it can’t prevent all losses.
Plant seeds of opportunity. Whether they’re planting camellias and crocuses or carrots and cilantro, gardeners are busy in the spring, hoping their efforts result in lovely flowers and tasty foods. And when you invest, you, too, need to plant seeds of opportunity in the form of investments that you hope will grow enough to enable you to make progress toward your goals. So, you may want to review your portfolio to ensure it’s providing this growth potential, given your individual risk tolerance.
Reduce dangers. You may not think about it that much, but your home and surroundings can contain potential hazards. You might have sharp cutting instruments protruding from shelves in your garage or heavy, cracked tree branches hovering close to your roof. Spending some time on a spring-cleaning sweep can get rid of these dangers — and devoting time to consider the possible threats to your financial security, and those of your family, can pay off, too. For starters, review your life insurance to determine if you’ve got enough. Your employer may offer some coverage as an employee benefit, but it might not be sufficient, so you may need private coverage.
Spring is a great time for brightening your physical space — and your financial one, too.
Watch the video below to learn more about financial spring cleaning.
A hit and run wreck occurs when the driver of a vehicle hits another vehicle or pedestrian but leaves the scene of the crash. Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle wreck is illegal in Alabama and is a felony if it results in personal injury or death. Occasionally, the injured driver or an independent eyewitness is quickly able to write down the license tag number of the fleeing driver. With the tag number, the investigating police officer can track down the other driver to make a police report. Then the injured party will be able to see if the other driver that left the scene of the wreck has auto insurance coverage that can be used as compensation for the injuries and damages to his or her vehicle. However, if the fleeing driver cannot be tracked down, the injured party could still be compensated for his or her injuries, if he or she has an automobile insurance policy with full coverage, including uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage would kick in and pay for injuries when the other driver cannot be identified and is therefore an uninsured motorist.
Many people in Alabama have liability automobile insurance only but do not realize the importance of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in case of an injury. Liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are two separate coverages under a policy with separate premiums. Liability insurance protects other people if you cause a wreck and injure another person. However, if another driver hits you and either does not have enough insurance to compensate you for your injuries or does not have insurance at all, that is when your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is supposed to pay for your injuries and medical bills. Underinsured coverage comes into play when the other driver has liability insurance, but the policy limits are not enough to compensate the injured party for injuries. Uninsured motorist coverage is used when the other driver does not have any liability insurance.
Alabama law requires automobile insurance companies to automatically add uninsured motorist/underinsured coverage to policies unless the insured specifically rejects that coverage in writing when applying for a policy. Please do not reject uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage does not cost much and can go a long way if you are injured in a hit and run.
-Frank S. Buck, P.C., Attorneys at Law have been offering professional legal services and serving Alabama citizens for over 43 years. We have experienced trial attorneys who have over 100 years of combined trial experience. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (205) 933-7533. Please call us for a free consultation. Visit us at www.franksbuckpc.com.
“You came near when I called You, and You said, “Do not fear.” You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life.” Lamentations 3:57-58
I remember one time when I was a little girl, I was at a friend’s house, and we were out on a lake in a canoe. She told me if you make a wish and let a feather go floating across the water, it will come true. Now, I don’t believe in wishes coming true- but I like to think that day I was sending up a prayer. I’ve never told anyone this story, but that day I wished for a dad.
Max and Jessie Anthony are seen here with their four children.
I came to Big Oak Ranch a few days after my 12th birthday. Prior to that, I grew up with a single biological mother and an older brother. My brother and I have different biological fathers. Mine was never in the picture – I have never even heard the man’s voice. My twelve years of life before I moved to the Ranch looked like many days spent living with families other than mine. I remember my biological mother in and out of rehab programs. My brother and I lived with relatives at times and with friends of our family other times. Looking back, I am so grateful for each person who took us in and loved us. Drug addiction is a vicious cycle. It leaves the ones you love wondering why they are never enough. Some nights I woke up alone having no idea where my mother was. I remember the stove being on to heat our house. Necessities were sold. Messages were written on our front door when money was owed.
I longed for a dad, but I did not realize until I came to the Ranch that I longed for much more. I did not just need a dad but a mom too. I needed a support system. I needed someone to hold me when I cried. I needed someone to cook me a meal every day. I needed structure. I needed someone to pray over me. I needed a chance to simply be a kid.The Ranch gave me those things and so much more – it gave me my parents. My parents were always there for me and still are to this day. The Ranch gave me a huge family – a super loud and sometimes annoying family, but I love every single one of them. As a result, I graduated high school. I purchased my first car. I made lifelong friendships. I was encouraged to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I was taught how to be a hard worker. I learned how to be humble and thankful. I was taught how to be honest and how to be a loving parent. Growing up at the Ranch gave me a chance to rewrite my story. I have been married to my husband, Max, for 10 years, and we have four amazing children. Our days are spent raising our kids and just doing life with them. I pray that Max and I take the things I learned from living at Big Oak and apply them to our everyday lives. Because of the Ranch, my life was changed.
For Christians, history is divided by the life of one person – Jesus of Nazareth, the Messianic Son of God. What happened before and after Jesus may be important, but it pales in significance when compared to the events surrounding Jesus. His life, His teachings, His death, and His resurrection were not just world changing – they changed even the nature of eternity.
Susan Hill’s latest devotional A Savior is Risen is available for purchase at Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts in Alabaster.
Holy Week is the annual observance of the story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, His crucifixion by Rome, and His resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week. A Savior is Risen- An Easter Devotional (Zondervan), by Susan Hill, is a collection of forty devotions designed to enhance this season of reflection on the final days of Jesus. Bible verses and prayers accompany each devotion, offering thoughtful meditations of hope and love.
In A Savior is Risen, Hill reminds us that, “It is because of the physical resurrection of Christ that you can have hope. You can have faith. You can have freedom…This is not just a feel-good story. This is the story that rewrites your story…His relationship with you is ever-fixed and abounding in steadfast love.”
May your Easter season be filled with peace as we embrace the message of Jesus, contemplate His death, and rejoice in the power and promise of His resurrection.
Golf is one of the most difficult sports to play well. But practicing the sport can promote honesty, integrity, and patience. Golf can be enjoyed in an afternoon with your buddies, your family, or even business partners. A golfer can experience both euphoria and disappointment on the same hole.
Click here to find a preview of Birdies, Bogeys & Blessings.
Birdies, Bogeys & Blessings author Del Duduit says, “Everyone—even professional athletes—face similar struggles and successes like everyone else. It doesn’t matter if you have won a major championship in golf or you clock in at 7 a.m. at your office job, you will face challenges and you will also enjoy victories. But it’s how you deal with the problems and how you celebrate the wins that matters. And in the end, the only thing that really matters is your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Trophies are great and job promotions are fabulous, but none of that matters if you don’t know Christ.”
Del Duduit is an award-winning sportswriter and author.
Being good at this sport requires endurance, humility, and practice. The same can be applied to your daily walk with the Lord. Duduit adds, “This book is not about golf. It’s about hope and what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can do for you. I just happen to use well-known golfers and their personal stories to drive it home. They face struggles like you and me, but they also rely on their faith to get them through struggles.” Read about what some of the most famous golfers to play the game have to say about the sport, the God they love, and the faith required to hit a hole-in-one on and off the course.
The author of the Stars of the Faith series, Duduit has been published in Clubhouse Magazine, Sports Spectrum, and on ToddStarnes.com. He is a contributor for Athletes in Action, The Christian View and more. He also covers the Cincinnati Bengals for the Portsmouth Daily Times and is a regular guest on My Michelle Live podcast and on PJNET.tv.
Birdies, Bogeys & Blessings releases on March 12, 2024. Learn more at shop.ironstreammedia.com. †
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