As we celebrate the season, all of us at Birmingham Christian Family wanted to do something special for readers like you who read and spread Good News with your family and friends each month- either sharing a print issue or reading and sharing one of our articles on-line.
The fun started in November and continues with 2 More Weeks of Great Give-A-Waysvalued at $250 or more!
Starts on Friday afternoon December 1. To be entered for a chance to receive the Filson Backpack, LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Instagram, @cfpbirmingham. Post to your story on Instagram for an extra entry. Winner will be announced on the Giveaway Post Friday morning December 8, 2023. So be sure to FOLLOW our Instagram page.
Week 4- $250 Trak Shak Gift Card to use at any area Trak Shak, www.trakshak.com
Starts on Friday afternoon December 8. To be entered for a chance to win the $250 gift card, LIKE and COMMENT on the Giveaway Post on Birmingham Christian Family’s Instagram, @cfpbirmingham. Post to your story on Instagram for an extra entry. WINNER will be announced on the Giveaway Post Friday morning December 15, 2023. So be sure to FOLLOW our Instagram page.
A BIG THANK YOU to our advertising partners who make the gift giving possible and most importantly help us share the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ with readers and followers every day of the year!
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Faither, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Is gift giving on your mind? Here are 14 great local ministries and non-profits to consider helping before year end and throughout 2024.
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. Banks Academy- There are two ways you can partner with this n-denominational Christian school located in Huffman and help ensure the success of the school’s middle and high school students. Donate anytime at www.banksacademy.org/donate or give a student a scholarship with your Alabama State Income Tax dollars. Learn more at www.banksacademy.org/aaa-funds.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Choose Life Alabama- Support the cause of Choose Life Alabama- ensuring no unborn life is lost- by purchasing a Choose Life license plate. The funds gathered assist adoption agencies, pregnancy resource centers, and maternity homes. Donations are also accepted. Learn more at www.chooselifealabama.org/donate.
6. 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.
7. 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. There are several ways to donate. Find details at www.fostercoalition.org/donate.
8. IMD Interactive- You can help this Birmingham-based non-profit spread the Word of God through video games. Donations help IMD Interactive with its priorities of development and distribution. Learn more at www.imdinteractive.org/donate.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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. During the holiday season, your monetary donation to “Holiday Helping Hands” goes directly to providing Christmas gifts to The Learning Tree kids. Learn more at www.learning-tree.org. †
Every year the American Village celebrates the Christmas season with a series of Colonial Christmas Luncheons and Tours. This year’s dates are Monday, December 4 through Friday, December 8. This event is the perfect way for your family, club, church group, or office to kick off the Christmas season.
The American Village will be decorated in all its Christmas finery. Guests will be transported back to Colonial times, and learn how the American Revolutionary War affected families in 1776. Mrs. Eliza Hamilton will be your hostess for lunch, and had this to say, “Thank you so much. And I must say that I look forward to welcoming you into my home for lunch, and sharing with you a little about how Alexander and I are doing at this tumultuous time. We feel that the colonies are on the cusp of something extraordinary, but it is hard on our family, as it is for everyone.”
Tickets are $40 per person. You can order by calling 205-665-3535 extension 1031, or emailing [email protected]. Table reservations are also available for groups. †
Daniel Cason Ministries reaches out to the homeless, the helpless, the hurting, and the hungry in the poorest communities of Birmingham to share with them the love and compassion of Christ Jesus. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving 2023, the ministry will host its annual “I Cared Enough” event at the Bill Harris Park Arena CrossPlex.
With the help of volunteers, the ministry plans to serve 10,000 people a full Thanksgiving meal. Additionally, free can goods, clothing, toys and school supplies will be sent home with families. Free haircuts are also offered onsite. Monetary donations as well as canned goods are still needed for the event and also for food distribution and other outreach activities the ministry conducts all year long.
Daniel Cason is seen here with canned goods donated by Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Also helping this year are Pizitz Middle School and Mountain Brook Community Church. If your organization would like to host a food drive, call 205-365-1800.
Throughout the year, Daniel Cason Ministries provide those in need in our community with:
Thanksgiving Outreach: Thanksgiving Meal, Groceries, Clothing, School Supplies, Toiletries
K.I.D.S. – Kids in Divine Service Music & Arts Training
K.A.S.P. – Kids After School Program
Our Daily Bread hot meals to those in need
Bread of Life Feeding & Clothing
GED Preparation Classes
It’s easy to donate and keep track of your contributions. The Daniel Cason ministry has an administrative system with the National Christian Foundation to help more efficiently process your donations and provide the tax receipts you desire and need.
Make check payable to National Christian Foundation
Mail to- National Christian Foundation/Alabama 400 Office Park Drive, Suite 201, Birmingham, AL 35223
In Memo Section of Check Write- K.I.D.S./Daniel Cason KIDS Ministry #1171757
You can also donate online at www.DanielCason.org. “Remember, people really don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” explains Daniel Cason, adding, “One person can’t do everything, but everyone can do something. Please help us!”
— Rev. & Mrs. Daniel M. Cason, Daniel Cason Ministries
Jeremiah Castille is the chaplain of the University of Alabama football team and was an NFL cornerback for six seasons. Castille played for Coach Bear Bryant at the University of Alabama in four Iron Bowls—1979 through 1982—with three wins and one loss. In an interview in October 2022, Jeremiah made these comments about the nature of this famous game.
How important was the Iron Bowl to the players? Why? The in-state nature of this game provides “bragging rights.” So naturally, there was an intensity and desire to win that is unique to the Iron Bowl. Yet, there was tremendous emphasis from coaches on both sides to “win with class” even in this game. In fact, in particular with this game.
Jeremiah Castille is the Chaplain for the University of Alabama football team.Castille played for Coach “Bear” Bryant in four Iron Bowls. Learn more about him here.
Did you know the players on the other side? How did you meet? The high school players that I competed with and against were split in loyalties between Alabama and Auburn. This increased the rivalry once we played against each other at college. We had grown up playing with the players on the other side! They were not strangers. These longstanding friendships made the game more intense.
What was the attitude of the opposing coaches toward each other? What did they teach you about your attitude toward the game and opposing team? The coaches knew each other well and respected each other and had the same philosophy on character. We learned under Bryant to have respect for the opponent. We didn’t bad mouth. There was no trash talk. Instead, we practiced harder.
The fans can be hostile to each other, but how was the attitude of the opposing teams toward each other? The attitude of opposing players toward each other was, “I want to beat you.” It was simple competition. The players do not make it derogatory because players compete. However, the fans can make it personal and derogatory. If fans had ever competed on the field maybe they’d have more respect for the other side from the stands.
Do you have any advice for Iron Bowl fans?
Have a respectful attitude toward the opponent. They are people too. They have a life.
Treat people the way you want to be treated. Practice the Golden Rule.
Remember, at the end of the day, it is “just a game.”
Treat opposing fans well. Fans represent the team too.
Have the attitude “I’m going to enjoy this game, win or lose.” Losing is not the end of life.
Colossians 3:17 says in whatever you do, in word or deed, do it as unto the Lord. To me, that means to do it with all your heart.With all your heart means to feel or believe it very strongly. It also suggests being all in, not holding anything back, and being committed. This should describe our relationship with God. As people of God, we should love God, seek God, trust God, and serve God with all our hearts.
Love God. In Mark 12:30, the greatest commandment says to love God with all our hearts. This kind of love (agape) is unselfish, unconditional, unwavering, unfailing, and unending. Revelation 2:4 says that Jesus should be our “first love.” Are we in love with Jesus?
Seek God. Jeremiah 29:13 says that we will find God when we seek Him with all our hearts. Seek means to search, look for, attempt to find, desire to obtain, and pursue. Matthew 6:33 says make it a priority to seek God and His will. And Matthew 7:7-8 says to make it a practice. Continue to ask, seek, and knock. Are we seeking God’s will for our lives?
Trust God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says,“Trust in the Lord with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Trust means to believe in, rely on, have confidence in, and place your faith in. We are to trust God and not ourselves; to yield to God and follow His path. Trust God no matter what!
Serve God. Joshua 22:5 says we are to serve God with all our hearts. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua tells the people that he and his house will always serve the Lord. Serve means to perform duties or services for another and to put the needs of others before our own. 1 Samuel 12:24 says,“Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.” Let’s follow Jesus’ example by being a servant.
With all our hearts, let’s love God, seek God, trust God, and serve God.
The issue of downsizing is one that many retirees will consider. If you have children, and they’ve grown and left the home, you might find yourself with more space than you really need. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean you must pack up and scale down yourself. You might love your home and neighborhood and see no reason to go. But if you’re open to a change, you could find that moving to a smaller house, a condo or an apartment may make sense for you. Let’s consider some of the advantages of downsizing.
You could save money. Moving to a smaller space could lower your utility bills and upkeep costs.
You could save effort. A smaller home will mean less maintenance and cleaning.
You could de-clutter. Over the years, most of us accumulate more possessions than we really need. Downsizing gives you a chance to de-clutter.
You could make money.If you’ve had your home for many years, it’s certainly possible that it’s worth more- perhaps a great deal more- than what you paid for it. So, when you sell it, you could pocket a lot of money- possibly without being taxed on the gains. Generally, if you’ve lived in your home for at least two years in the five-year period before you sold it, you can exclude $250,000 of capital gains, if you’re single, or $500,000 if you’re married and file taxes jointly. (You’ll want to consult with your tax advisor, though, before selling your home, to ensure you’re eligible for the exclusion, especially if you do own multiple homes. Issues can arise in connection with determining one’s “primary” residence.)
While downsizing does offer some potentially big benefits, it can also entail some drawbacks. First, it’s possible that your home might not be worth as much as you had hoped, which means you won’t clear as much money from the sale as you anticipated. Also, if you still were paying off a mortgage on your bigger home, you may have been deducting the interest payments on your taxes — a deduction that might be reduced or lost to you if you purchase a less-expensive condo or become a renter. Besides these financial factors, there’s the ordinary hassle of packing and moving.
So, as you can see, you’ll need to weigh a variety of financial, practical, and emotional issues when deciding whether to downsize. You will also want to communicate your thoughts to grown children or other family members who may someday have reason to be involved in your living space. In short, it’s a big decision- so give it the attention it deserves.
Watch the video above to learn more about the benefits of downsizing.
Probate is the court supervised process by which a decedent’s debts and taxes are paid, and a decedent’s assets are transferred to the decedent’s heirs. For people unused to legal terminology, a decedent is someone who has died.
Chapter 8 of Section 43 of the Code of Alabama is known as the Alabama Probate Code. That chapter has two underlying purposes and policies: first, to simplify and clarify the law concerning the affairs of decedents; and, second, to discover and make effective the intent of a decedent in the distribution of his property. The probate process is overseen by county probate courts.
In Alabama, there are two types of probate: intestate, where the decedent did not leave a will, and testate, where the decedent left a will. In intestate probate, when someone dies without a will, a decedent’s assets are distributed according to Alabama statutes. In a testate probate, the decedent’s assets are distributed according to the decedent’s intentions, as stated in the will. Also, the terminology of intestate and testate probates is different.
Testate probate provides the name for the entire process. The word probate likely derives from the Latin verb probare, meaning “to prove.” Testate probate is, quite simply, the process of proving a will. What does that mean? When a person executes a will, it is signed and witnessed. When a will is presented to a probate court, the court will want to verify that the will presented was properly executed, and is the will of the decedent. Only after the will is proven to the court’s satisfaction may the process move forward.
As part of the probate process, a probate court will appoint a personal representative to settle the decedent’s affairs. Personal representative is a general term that includes both administrators, who work with intestate estates, and executors, who work with testate estates. In this context, an estate is the property that belonged to the decedent. The court will grant the personal representative letters that show that the personal representative has the authority to act to settle the estate. After receiving those letters, the personal representative has the duty to use the decedent’s estate to pay any debts and taxes owed by the decedent and to distribute the remainder of the estate to the decedent’s heirs.
–Mitchell McNaylor
McNaylor Law, LLC
Shelby County, Ala.
205-419-7377
Watch the video below to learn more about probate.
This joyous time of year is full of excitement as we scurry around to the various holiday events of churches, friends, coworkers, and family. However, the holiday season is also a time of increased travel on the roadways, due to the hustle and bustle of wrapping up the end of the year.
Sometimes a person’s mind wanders off to checklists of the demands of the season, causing one to be more focused on the Thanksgiving grocery list rather than the road on which he or she is driving. If that person’s car veers into your lane and does not actually hit your car, but runs you off the road, causing you to crash and sustain injuries, but keeps driving and does not stop, you still have a valid auto insurance claim for personal injury if you have full coverage under your automobile insurance policy, including uninsured motorist coverage. In Alabama, if the identity of the driver cannot be determined for various reasons, including leaving the scene of a crash without someone obtaining the license tag number, and that driver causes injury, death, or damage to another person, that driver is called a phantom driver, driving a phantom vehicle in insurance terms.As in the example above, physical contact is not required between the vehicles to have a phantom vehicle claim.
Alabama law also allows pedestrians to have a phantom vehicle claim if they are injured by an unknown driver. Another example of a phantom vehicle claim is when a driver is injured when he or she hits something in the roadway that has fallen off a vehicle such as a mattress, boxes, trashcan lid, large pieces of trash, tire, air conditioning unit, or any other foreign object that came off a vehicle, but the vehicle or the driver’s identity of that vehicle cannot be determined. In a phantom vehicle claim, the injured driver’s own insurance coverage would kick in and pay any injury or property damage claims under his or her uninsured motorist policy. If the injured party has liability insurance only, not full coverage, including uninsured motorist coverage, he or she could not collect any compensation for injuries or property damage from a wreck caused by a phantom vehicle based on the terms of the policy.
Many people in Alabama have only liability automobile insurance but do not realize the importance of uninsured motorist coverage in case of an injury. Alabama law requires automobile insurance companies to automatically add uninsured motorist coverage to policies unless the insured specifically rejects the uninsured motorist coverage in writing when applying for a policy. Uninsured motorist coverage does not cost much and can go a long way if you are injured by a phantom vehicle.
-Rachel Buck, 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.
You may have played a driving game when you were younger in which you looked for license plates from the state furthest away. In 1996, Randy Harris, a county commissioner in Florida, saw something else when he noticed car tags on the road: an opportunity.
As a pro-life advocate, Harris knew that getting the message out would take more than just wishful thinking. It would take visibility and word of mouth – and the vehicles around him on the road offered just that. That moment was when Choose Life license plates were born. In 2000, the first plate was approved in Florida. Since then, the movement has spread to 33 states and the District of Columbia and has raised millions for the fight for unborn life.
Your Choose Life license plate is a symbol: that you are a proud supporter of Choose Life Alabama’s (CLA) mission. By selecting Choose Life car tags, you’re giving a gift in honor of the greatest gift: life. Learn more here.
Choose Life Alabama (CLA) is proud to be among the ranks of pro-life advocates who want to bring more unborn children into the world. Officially called the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition Education Fund, CLA takes resources gathered from selling the Choose Life tag to assist adoption agencies, pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes. Every year, untold numbers of precious unborn children are put at risk in a broken world full of broken choices. CLA is an organization that believes in encouraging people to make the right choice: to protect the unborn who are made in His image, for His glory. CLA depends on funds raised from Choose Life license plate to help promote their cause and distribute much-needed funds and resources to adoption agencies, pregnancy resource centers, baby safe havens, and other qualified organizations who affirm life and oppose abortion. With your help, adoption agencies and pregnancy resource centers will be able to reach more pregnant women and give them the love and encouragement they need to give birth and either turn to adoption or keep their precious child in their family.
Today, you can make a choice to buy a tag made for CLA by the Alabama Department of Revenue and ensure that no unborn life is lost. For every $50 purchase of a car tag, $41.25 goes to pro-life agencies in Alabama. In 2022, 5,933 Alabama tags were purchased, $244,781 funds were raised in Alabama, and $234,781 funds were granted in Alabama. If you have already renewed your tag for the year, you don’t have to wait a whole year to switch- you can do so at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To learn more, visit www.chooselifealabama.org. †
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Week 3- Fabulous Filson Dryden Backpack ($265 value) from Mark’s Outdoors Vestavia, www.marksoutdoors.com.
Week 4- $250 Trak Shak Gift Card to use at any area Trak Shak, www.trakshak.com
-Laurie Franklin 
Today, you can make a choice to buy a tag made for CLA by the Alabama Department of Revenue and ensure that no unborn life is lost. 