January 2024 Giveaways

December 28, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

January Reader GIVEAWAYS!

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 TWO Great Giveaways this month!

Enter to win a FAMILY FOUR PACK of TICKETS to a Birmingham Bulls Hockey Game at the Pelham Civic Complex.

To enter simply LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Facebook @Birmingham Christian Family.

For EXTRA ENTRIES:

TAG a friend in the comments you would like to take with you.
SHARE the post on Facebook
FOLLOW US on Instagram @cfpbirmingham
SUBSCRIBE to receive your free digital issue of BCF at www.birminghamchristian.com.

Offer ends Thursday, 1/18/24. Winners announced 1/19/24 on the Facebook Giveaway Post. So be sure to FOLLOW our Facebook page, @birminghamchristianfamily.

Enter to win TICKETS to see Comedian and BCF Cover Story Ellen Skrmetti on stage at the Stardome Comedy Club in Hoover on Friday February 2, 2024!

2 Winners, 2 Tickets Each! To enter simply LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Instagram @cfpbirmingham.

For EXTRA ENTRIES:

TAG a friend in the comments you would like to take with you.
POST to your story on Instagram
SUBSCRIBE to receive your free digital issue of BCF at www.birminghamchristian.com.
FOLLOW US on Facebook @Birmingham Christian Family

Offer ends Wednesday, 1/24/24. WINNER will be announced 1/25/24 on the Instagram Giveaway Post. So be sure to FOLLOW our Instagram page, @cfpbirmingham.

December 28, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

The Family Pet

Over the holidays, Two by Two Rescue saved over fifty puppies. You read that right – fifty! And while nothing is better than puppies sleeping under the tree or snuggling near the fire, the true Christmas Miracle comes when we send them off to their forever homes. The puppy palooza begins this January as they become ready to meet their new families! If you’re looking to kick off the new year with puppy breath and adorable shenanigans, then we can most certainly help you out.

Blue eyed puppy at Two by Two Rescue — Here are just a few of the adorable puppies available for adoption at Two by Two. Click here to learn more.

The perfect applicant for these youngsters would be loving and patient and take our promise of “No More Bad Days” to heart. While it’s true that puppies come with unique challenges such as potty training and teething, they also have the uncanny ability to warm the coldest hearts and bring smiles to the grumpiest of faces. There is nothing quite so endearing as pot-bellied puppies as they experience new things, like the burst of energy accompanying their first case of the zoomies or the pure bliss of their first pup cup.

Two by Two is a faith based, no kill rescue whose mission is to give life to abandoned, abused, stray and distressed animals. Saving animal lives for more than 20 years, Two by Two operates out of Birmingham, Alabama, and has coordinated the rescue and adoption of cats, dogs, horses and even a few pot-bellied pigs. Two by Two has placed dogs in almost forty states and even a few abroad! To learn more about Two by Two visit www.twobytworescue.com. †

December 28, 2023December 28, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

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Legal Matters

Presented by: Frank S. Buck, P.C., Personal Injury

Alabama drivers are stunned when another vehicle smashes into them, but he or she will become astounded if that driver keeps on going and does not stop. The normal procedure after a motor vehicle crash of exchanging automobile insurance information will speed away with that driver. So, do you have any legal recourse for your injuries when someone hits you and flees the scene?

If you have full coverage under your own automobile insurance policy, including uninsured motorist coverage, the answer is yes. Under Alabama law, your own insurance company stands in the shoes of that unknown driver and compensates you for your pain, suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages or other damages out of your own uninsured motorist coverage. Therefore, it is important to check with your automobile insurance agent to ensure that you have uninsured motorist coverage to protect you if you are injured by a hit and run driver.

In the event that you are hit by a driver who does not stop, pull over and gather all information about that vehicle that you can, including any portion of license tag number, make, model and color of a vehicle, names of any company or business which is written on the vehicle, a description of the driver, damage from the wreck which was sustained on that vehicle and note the direction that the vehicle continued traveling.

Immediately call the police to inform them of the incident and where the car was headed. Sometimes the police can track the hit and run drivers down if you act fast enough. Also, be sure you have a police report made, giving all the information you have gathered to the investigating officer, including the description of the car, what occurred in the collision as well as information for any and all witnesses that can provide further details of the wreck. It is important to document the damage to your vehicle by promptly taking photographs. You must notify your automobile insurance company of the wreck so that they can begin their own investigation as well. It is also important to have a lawyer who can navigate these intricate areas of the law and help get you the best possible result for your injuries. Please call us, we would love to begin helping you today.

-Frank S. Buck, P.C., Attorneys at Law have been offering professional legal services and serving Alabama citizens for over 49 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.

December 27, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

My father was a preacher for the entirety of his adult life. One of the things I remember most about his preaching was his ability to quote Scriptures from memory throughout his sermon. Although he always quoted from his King James Bible, he developed an interest in his later years in a version far removed from the classic KJV. The Message by Eugene Peterson is a paraphrased version that uses artistic, idiomatic, and powerfully poetic language to emphasize the point of a passage. My father found The Message to be both intriguing and thought-provoking. Sometimes, after reading a passage in his Bible, he would reach for a copy of The Message and say, “Let’s see what Eugene says.”

Lights A Lovely Mile Cover Image — *Lights a Lovely Mile – Collected Sermons of the Church Year* is available for purchase at Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts in Alabaster.

Before the publication of The Message, Peterson served as a pastor for many years to a small congregation in Maryland. After his death in 2018, a collection of his sermons was compiled and has been recently published for the first time. Lights a Lovely Mile – Collected Sermons of the Church Year (Waterbrook) is filled with words of grace and peace. Over forty of Peterson’s sermons are offered, providing Scriptural insight, spiritual enhancement, and practical advice for all who aspire to be faithful followers of Jesus. The sermons are arranged in sequence with the church calendar, beginning with Advent and proceeding through all the various seasons. Lent and Easter are quite appropriately emphasized. Lights a Lovely Mile – Collected Sermons of the Church Year is one of those uncommon books that I believe every Christian can benefit from. Peterson was a wonderful writer, and his sermons reflect a true pastoral heart.

My father and Peterson are now residents in the kingdom of heaven. Both pastored small churches, shared a profound love and respect for the Scriptures, and served faithfully for decades. Although I am uncertain as to what the interval between death and resurrection looks like, I think it’s possible they are aware of each other. I’d like to think they’ve met. Perhaps, one day in heaven, my dad read a passage in his King James Bible, contemplated the text for a moment, and then said. “I think I’ll go over and see what Eugene says.”

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com

205-663-2370

December 29, 2023December 27, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

How You Act Matters. Many churches struggle with the impact of the dramatic and sweeping changes that mark our time. People identify as nones (no religious affiliation) or dones (formerly churched but now dechurched). So how do we reach people and disciple believers in this cultural shift? How does the church have a positive impact for Christ in a broken world? The answer is found in history!

Sharing Jesus Showing Kindness cover — Click here to learn more about *Sharing Jesus, Showing Kindness*.

Go back to what the early church did: show kindness to a broken world- the Great Commandment. Go back to the church’s mission: share the good news of Jesus Christ- the Great Commission. Filled with practical applications and stories of real impact, Sharing Jesus, Showing Kindness will encourage and equip you and others to get out of the church building and into the community. You’ll be inspired to make an impact with the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Author Alvin “Doc” Reid is the Director of Life Bible Study, an imprint of Iron Stream Media. A popular author, teacher, coach, and speaker, Reid has written over 20 books and has spoken or taught on four continents. He loves to encourage and add value to leaders. You can connect with him at www.docreidcoaching.com.

Sharing Jesus, Showing Kindness releases on March 5, 2024, and is available for pre-order wherever books are sold. †

December 27, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham

“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” Psalm 33:11

My dad was always in and out of prison. My stepmom ended up taking my brother and me, but she didn’t plan on keeping us. It wasn’t long until she learned about Big Oak Ranch.

It was summer and we were 11 years old. I could clearly see that our new home at Big Oak was safe and that I didn’t have to look over my shoulder anymore, and that was a huge relief. There were clothes for me at the Ranch, and I felt confident that I was going to get three meals a day. I could tell it had a completely different atmosphere than any place I had been. It was comfortable and positive. Upon meeting with John and Tee Croyle at Big Oak, they made me four promises: They would love me. They would never lie to me. They would stick with me until I was grown. And there would be boundaries.

The boys I lived with at the Ranch were my brothers, not just guys that lived with me. They knew I loved and cared for them. They were and still are my family. Through life, it has stayed constant. I carry all these things with me and implement it with my family. Responsibility, hard work, and learning to navigate life in a Christ-like manner. My wife, Katie, and I met through mutual friends, dated for two years and married in 2017. I’m thankful Christ brought her into my life. She is a committed Christian, caring, smart, responsible and has always been my greatest gift. We are blessed with three children: Monte (15), Harrison (5) and Emerson (1). I took Katie to the Ranch while we were dating as it was important that her and her family see how much my home means to me. My brother, Jim, and I have been able to take what the Ranch taught us and pour it into our families, careers and serving others. From owning our own companies to being in upper management positions with multi-million-dollar companies, we’ve worked hard to provide for our families and maintain successful careers. Both my brother and me, and our families, are still very involved with the Ranch. We both have a close relationship with John Croyle, and we each regularly share about life with him. The Ranch is my home and my family, and it always will be!

-Julian Meloni

January 2, 2024December 27, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Here’s to Your Health

Dr. Brandy Patterson is the newest member of the six physician team at Brookwood Women’s Health, P.C. but a veteran when it comes to helping women in Alabama with their OB/GYN healthcare needs. Her career journey is inspiring and anything but typical.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Mississippi State University with plans for a PhD and career in math. “God just kind of completely changed my path. Just try to have your own plan. He will change it every time. And He did.” She explains how God gave her a new pursuit that included completing her Master’s of Mathematics while fulfilling pre-med requirements and teaching high school Algebra, Calculus and Geometry. She applied and was accepted into Medical School at UAB where she served as Chief Resident. God also opened the door for her husband Greg, a high school football coach, to continue his career in Birmingham as well.

The couple are parents to two daughters and Patterson shares how being a mom of teenage girls helps her better relate to her younger patients. “Life experience teaches us the most really…. So, I think that definitely helps.” Patterson adds that what is most rewarding about her medical career is how she has the opportunity to get to know her patients at a young age and follow them through life changes. “In medical school, I fell in love with OBGYN… you get to know a person and their entire family and go with them through the journey of life. And then delivering babies was like the bow on top of a Christmas package.”

Patterson’s faith in Christ is an integral part of what drives her to serve as a physician, wife and mom. “Faith is the most important thing to me. He’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing, and I love what I’m doing,” says Patterson adding it is particularly meaningful to be able to pray with patients before surgeries. “I always ask permission. And it just gives a sense of comfort to myself and to them that they know where I stand and who’s overall.”

In her role at Brookwood Women’s Health, she is able to serve patients in both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. To learn more about her and the team of physicians at Brookwood Women’s Health visit brookwoodwomenshealth.com or call 205-397-8850.

-Laurie Franklin

Learn more about Dr. Patterson and Women’s Health by watching the video below.

December 27, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Karen Allen and Sharon Atwood with book contract

Here’s to Your Health

Prayer changes things, and sometimes that “thing” is us! I prayed to have a close spiritual friend. God answered my prayer in an unusual way through a surprise encounter at church. He brought a woman fifteen years younger than me into my life. She had a mental illness and a dysfunctional background. I knew little about mental illness, and she knew little about how to live without chaos.

One in five people in the U.S. are affected by the symptoms of mental illness every day. Society is often quick to stigmatize those individuals. But God opens our eyes to new perspectives, leading to unexpected outcomes. After twenty-five years, Sharon and I have learned from one another and experienced the highs of mania, the lows of depression, and the difficult journey of recovery. Our friendship has seen many challenges, but it has also seen rewards. Maintaining a friendship with someone who has a mental illness takes work and commitment.

Sharon and I’s history could fill the pages of a book. So that’s what we did! We wrote a devotional book to challenge the stigma of mental illness and throw a lifeline to the mental health community and their advocates. Anxiety, depression, mania, suicide, and societal fears are not beyond God’s reach. Every scenario in the book is real. Sharon shares her viewpoint, and then I share my perspective as an advocate; the goal is to look beyond ourselves and our circumstances to embrace God’s guidance and compassion.

Sensitive topics are addressed in the devotions that are often glossed over. With stories and insights from the Word of God, every devotion offers hope and encouragement amid the difficult trials pertaining to mental health issues. Readers will discover a different style with reflective questions, journaling opportunities, and a variety of coloring pages. You can learn more about Outta My Mind, Into His Heart at www.amazon.com and purchase your copy.

-Karen O. Allen

Ewe R Blessed Ministries

www.ewerblessed.com

January 18, 2024December 27, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Publisher’s Note

The application portal opened on Friday January 12, 2024 for area high school seniors to apply for the 6th Annual Birmingham Christian Family Scholarship Awards. Students are asked to submit a short essay on the following prompt: “How has your Christian faith impacted your decision making in your high school career.”

This year we will again have at least three scholarship recipients who will be able to use their award at the college or university of their choice- $2000 to winner, $500 to the top 2 runner ups. In their own words, here’s a look at how the program is impacting award recipients. Click here to read how the 2023 scholarship recipients are making a difference.

A big thanks to our scholarship sponsors who help make this program possible each year- including Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, Alabama Credit Union, and American Village. If your business would also like to partner with us on this program, please let me know. Scholarship details and the 2024 application can be found at www.BirminghamChristian.com/Scholarship.

-Laurie Franklin

Founder, The Christian Family Publication, Inc.

www.BirminghamChristian.com

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Celebrating 24 Years of Good News!

December 11, 2023December 7, 2023 by Laurie Stroud

Education Extra

Help bring history to life by applying for the American Village Junior Interpreter Program. Each summer, up to 25 students ages 12-17 (rising 7th – 12th graders) receive professional training at the American Village in Montevallo and assist our educational interpreters in presenting the customs and times of the 18th Century.

American Village is looking for students who are motivated, adaptable, mature, and also possess performance skills, along with an interest in American history. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2024. Auditions will be held in February and the program will run from May 28-July 4, 2024. Apply now at americanvillage.org. There is no fee to be a junior interpreter. Participants do need to purchase an 18th Century costume (usually $250). For more details, click here or contact Rebecca Evans, Co-Director, Junior Interpreter Program at 205-665-3535 x1048 or [email protected]. †

January 2024 Giveaways

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