TGIN2020- Can you read it?

February 9, 2021December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

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Legal Matters

Brought to you by: Community Partner Bradford & Holliman

If TGIN2020 were a car tag, you could have fun deciphering it before the traffic light turns green… Thank Goodness It Isn’t 2020! January is always the season for new resolutions and starting afresh with new goals. Due to the pandemic and Alabama’s Safer at Home mandate, you may have already completed some of your usual ideas for starting a new year such as cleaning out closets and learning a new sourdough bread recipe. 2021 can be the time to reduce stress in your life and to build in new stress relievers.

Many people consider estate planning a stressful or depressing topic, but it shouldn’t be. Think of organizing your affairs as a stress reliever because you have planned ahead to make things happen the way you want. Getting your affairs and paperwork in order is an excellent exercise in adulting. If you are a legal adult and have any assets, you should have at least a durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, healthcare directive or living will, and a will in place. These documents can give you and your family a lot of peace of mind.

These documents can also lead into discussing other ‘adulting’ activities such as considering guardians for any minor children, the need for life insurance, the designation of heirs if your parents don’t really need to inherit your assets, specifying bequeaths to your alma maters or favorite charities, and of course, planning for tax returns.

If you are looking for a post-holiday gift for a loved family member but can’t face shopping, consider paying for an estate plan for them. You will be less stressed, and they just might come to truly appreciate the nudge in the right direction.

-Melanie B. Holliman, JD

Partner at Bradford & Holliman

Estate Planning, Trusts & Special Needs

205-663-0281

www.bradfordholliman.com

No representation is made that the quality of the legal service to be performed is greater than the quality of service performed by other lawyers.

Click Here To Learn How To Reach A Christian Audience in Alabama.

February 9, 2021December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Business Today

A recent article in MoneyWise featured a survey ranking the perceived trustworthiness of various professions. Nurses, military officers, and doctors were considered the most trustworthy. Advertising professionals were much closer to the other end of the spectrum, coming in 6th from last, one spot ahead of newspaper reporters and one place behind state officeholders. Survey respondents were three times more likely to give advertisers a “low” honesty score than a “high” honesty score.

Why? Advertisers and marketers have earned this reputation with manipulative and misleading tactics. While some of these methods can be successful for a little while, they rarely deliver long-term value. Businesses and organizations who want to avoid deceptive and misleading advertising and marketing have alternatives. In order to be successful, they must have three key foundational elements in place to generate leads and sales with integrity.

#1: Know Who You Are. Marketing with integrity requires self-awareness. Identify the products or services you can deliver with efficiency and excellence, and focus your marketing on these areas. Organizations that try to be “all things to all people” can lose their focus and create marketing that damages the way they are perceived.

#2: Know Who You Serve. Businesses that advertise with integrity know who they serve. They understand the problems, challenges, and opportunities their clients face, and they know how they can help them achieve their goals. When you approach marketing with empathy for your client, your organization will establish trust.

#3: Define Your Brand & Your Message. Most businesses and organizations have some misalignment between how they represent themselves, who they are, and who they serve. It takes effort and intentionality to unify a team around a clear, concise, and accurate message, but it is the key to ensuring everyone on your team represents your brand with integrity.

Visit www.electromarketing.com/brand to download our free ebook on branding and design. This short ebook provides nine clear steps to improve the way you communicate your brand message.

Sharpen Your Tools. Once these three foundational elements are in place, your business or organization will be positioned to produce marketing with integrity. There are a few essential tools that are necessary to get the message out.

A website optimized for your audience AND tracking results
Active and optimized social media profiles
An email marketing tool and a contact list
A strategy for coordinating traditional and digital marketing efforts

Do you need help laying a marketing foundation or sharpening your marketing tools? Visit electromarketing.com to schedule a no-obligation strategy discussion and get your company on the right path.

-Jamie Parris

Founder, Electromagnetic Marketing

Birmingham, Ala. www.electromarketing.com

Click Here To Learn How To Reach A Christian Audience in Alabama.

December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Every Family Deserves Hope

I recently turned forty-eight and reflected on the thought of how old fifty seemed to me as a young man. Now, as I am getting really close to fifty, it feels so much younger than I expected. Regardless of how I feel about soon turning fifty, the golden celebration is for sure a milestone. The same is true and maybe even more so for a business, church, or nonprofit that has been around for fifty years. I am thrilled to announce and celebrate in 2021 the golden anniversary of The Foundry Ministries. This year we celebrate fifty years of offering hope, rebuilding lives, and God’s amazing blessing.

Few ministries or businesses make the fifty-year mark and to reach this milestone we acknowledge that we did not arrive here on our own. We have had one mission but have been known during these years by several different names like The Bessemer Rescue Mission, The City of Hope and ultimately The Foundry Ministries and so many have supported us over the last five decades. Countless numbers of men, women, children, and families have been impacted by the work and service of The Foundry. I have to say on behalf of these thousands of men and women, thank you to every person who has ever donated financially or who has offered a prayer over us. I want to say thank you to everyone who has donated items to our Thrift Stores and to those who have given of your time. We would not be able to serve the men and women that reach out to us if it were not for your generosity and support.

Each year we have a theme within our organization and the theme for 2021 is “The Year of Gratitude.” As we rejoice in the goodness of God and the faithfulness of those who have partnered with us, we want to begin this year with an attitude and a posture of thankfulness and gratitude. Please join us throughout this year in honoring and celebrating the mighty work that the Lord has established. You can join the party by following us on social media and by visiting us online at www.foundryministries.com.

-Micah Andrews

When you donate to the Foundry,

you’re supporting a charity,

you’re saving a life,

you’re restoring a family.

Every Family Deserves Hope

FoundryMinistries.com

December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

father with daughter in consultation with doctor i G2ZQ7S4

Healthy Living

Is it flu or COVID-19? That’s a question many parents and caregivers may be asking when a child shows signs of illness.

Symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and a cough are similar in both viral illnesses, so a phone call to the child’s pediatrician or primary care provider will help determine next steps regarding testing for flu or COVID-19. Doctors may also recommend that children who are ill stay home from school and take a break from extracurricular activities, so they don’t spread germs to classmates and teachers while they wait for test results. Getting a flu vaccine- combined with masks, hand washing and social distancing- is the best way to reduce the likelihood of getting sick. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.

Children’s of Alabama physicians treated more than 70,000 ill and injured patients in its Emergency Department (ED) last year, an average of more than 200 a day. Physicians remind parents that with that kind of volume, visiting an emergency room can be counter-productive if you have a non-urgent concern. Visiting an ED with a viral illness like flu or COVID-19 also exposes children with underlying conditions who can’t fight infection as well as others. The Children’s of Alabama Emergency Department is not a COVID-19 testing site. If your child needs a test, you should contact your pediatrician or primary care provider.

However, Dr. Kathy Monroe, a professor of pediatrics at UAB and the Medical Director of the Children’s of Alabama Emergency Department, said children who are laboring to breathe, have concerns for dehydration such as a low urine output or children who are sick and have a pre-existing medical condition- like asthma, sickle cell disease, diabetes or cancer- should be treated in an ED immediately. “We advise visiting an emergency department if your child is experiencing respiratory distress, is dehydrated or has an illness when the child also has an underlying medical condition,” Dr. Monroe said, adding that both Children’s and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children be in the regular care of a primary care physician (pediatrician or family practice physician). †

December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Healthy Living

Did you know that 1 in every 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime? While that number is staggering, Garland Stansell, Chief Communications Officer at Children’s of Alabama and Advisory Board Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama (EFA) says there is hope for people with epilepsy.

Garland Stansell's Family at the 2019 Walk to End Epilepsy — Advisory Board Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama, Garland Stansell, is seen here with his wife Anne, and his parents Thurman and Linda at the 2019 Walk to End Epilepsy.

Stansell saw firsthand the impact epilepsy has on those who experience it. His mother, Linda, was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was around 11 years old. “I remember a lot of my young years her having seizures and the effects the seizures had on her and my family,” Stansell said, recalling that when his mother had active seizures, she was unable to drive for six months at a time. This affected the mobility of the family during the day- since his father, Thurman, was at work- and caused them to have to rely on neighbors and friends to take them places like music lessons. “It changed the family dynamic a good bit,” he adds.

“Being the oldest child- and perhaps a bit because of my personality- I ended up being a lot of my mother’s sounding board and counselor in many ways,” Stansell remembers, adding that it was an odd spot to be in as a child. He was also called upon to help his mother with seizure first aid when she was having seizures and he was at home. “My mother was diagnosed in the 1950s. As far as treatment, medication, and overall understanding and acceptance of those with epilepsy, things have changed a good bit in that time,” Stansell shares.

2019 Walk to End Epilepsy — While the 2020 Walk to End Epilepsy went virtual, Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama looks forward to the day in person walks can resume!

When asked what encouragement he would share with someone who has epilepsy, Stansell says, “There is hope. There is still a lot of great work being done looking for cures and to end epilepsy.” He adds that his experiences as a child led him to be passionate about making a difference in the lives of others- which ultimately led him to his career at Children’s of Alabama and volunteer service with EFA which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month! On January 26, you can join the celebration by participating virtually in a livestream birthday party starting at 6 p.m. “We are excited to kick off the 50th anniversary celebration of Epilepsy Foundation Alabama,” said Sara Franklin, Executive Director of EFA. “Since the nonprofit’s founding in 1971, many people have benefited from the services offered by the Epilepsy Foundation. As we enter 2021 and beyond, we are committed to fighting epilepsy together.” Learn more about the party and other ways to help end epilepsy at www.epilepsyalabama.org/50th.

-Melissa Armstrong

January 13, 2021December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

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

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Shocco Springs Aerial Image — For more than 70 years, Shocco Springs has been providing lodging, meeting space, recreation, support services and meals for events held by Christian and nonprofit groups and organizations.

Before Hurricane Zeta’s arrival, Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Ala. was scheduled to host a few groups on campus. With the overall lack of guests so far in 2020, this was a weekend we were all looking forward to. However, the storms came and wrecked those plans. The power went out Wednesday night when trees were down across multiple power lines on our campus as well as the lines feeding to campus. We scrambled staff and moved food to generator-powered freezers, cleared the roads, and made all the preparations possible for the power to be restored quickly, in hopes that our campus would be ready for guests.

Friday morning, I contacted a former board member who is affiliated with Alabama Power Company to see if he could do a little research and give an estimate on when power would be restored. Based on his response, there was no possible way we would be ready to host guests on Friday afternoon. Our power was not restored to central campus until late Saturday night. Sunday morning, as my family was on the way to church, I shared my frustrations with God. We worked so hard to be ready for guests that we desperately needed, and now we couldn’t host them. Why wasn’t the power back on earlier on Friday? WHY?

Shocco Springs Receiving a Generous Gift — Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center Exec. Dir. Russell Klinner humbly accepts a generous donation from Florida Power and Light linemen. Recalling that moment, he says, “I was overwhelmed. I had no idea it was coming. I have no doubt God’s hand was right in the middle of it.”

As I walked into Sunday School, downtrodden, I received the following text that began to open my eyes to His plan and answered my WHY: “Good morning Russell. Do you have 100 beds?” It was from one of my other friends at Alabama Power who works with disaster restoration. What has happened since then has been nothing short of God’s will at work. Beginning Sunday night, we were able to host about 180 linemen from Florida Power and Light. The gentleman heading their group, Michael, came onto our campus frustrated. He was reluctantly pulled in the middle of the afternoon from working in Georgia to move 180 crew, trucks, equipment, and support staff to Talladega. When he arrived, his frustration turned to relief. Instead of the usual logistic problems with multiple hotels, he found that our staff was ready to house all of the linemen at Shocco. As I shared with him about Shocco’s ministry, I discovered that Michael is a true brother in Christ who considers his job with disaster restoration a ministry.

During the week, my staff and I had the opportunity to have true Gospel conversations. The union leader shared that as a kid he had come to Shocco and experienced what we do firsthand. As a result, he and the crew took up a very generous offering to support Shocco’s ministry. I was so frustrated we weren’t able to host the groups we expected during the week, but I realized that if they had been on campus, it would have been nearly impossible for us to serve those incoming linemen. So many times, I take for granted that God’s walking this path with me. When I get out of the way and let God fulfill His plans, it’s so much easier and better!

-Russell Klinner

Executive Director of Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center

Talladega, Ala.

If you have a Miracle that you would be like to share with us to give hope to others, email [email protected]. Subject Line: Miracle Moments or call 205-408-7150.

January 11, 2021December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Our House

Are you drooling over black windows these days, but can’t afford to replace all the windows in your house? I have good news for you! It’s pretty easy to DIY them by painting them black! This was a quarantine project for me so I wanted to use what I already had. In this blog, I will tell you how I did it and give you another option that most people choose to do.

What I did: We have really old metal windows from the 40s that have been painted multiple times already by hand. Because of that, I chose to use Black by Behr matte paint that I already had on hand. I simply hand painted them like I would anything else. I first cleaned the surface, sanded the existing paint some and then painted with a paint brush. Pretty simple, huh?

What Most People Do: I have seen multiple friends use this technique and it’s the most practical since it can be done to any type of window. First, tape off window. Then use 3M Masking Film to cover entire area that could catch overspray. Paint. Rust-Oleum Painters 2x Spray Paint is great for metal, plastic and more making it great to paint windows. I like the matte, but it comes in other finishes as well. Remove film and tape and enjoy your new black windows!

—Charlotte Evans Russell

For more design inspiration and tips, follow Charlotte on Instagram @charlotteshappyhome and subscribe to her blog, charlotteshappyhome.com.

Read Charlotte’s faith story here.

December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

In 2013, Pastor Chamron Phal told me that God had told him I was going to write the story of his survival in the Killing Fields of Cambodia. I laughed. “You’ve made a mistake,” I told him. “I’ve never written a book. I can’t even type!” “Go home and pray about it,” he said. So, I prayed.

Actually, it was more like an argument, with me listing to God all the reasons this was a crazy idea. God was silent in response. He let me argue. I imagine He was smiling. After a few days, when I stopped arguing, I listened. Then I heard Him speak. Do it. So Chamron and I spent the next five years meeting every week. We started each meeting with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to enable him to remember these traumatic events that happened over forty years ago. It was painful to revisit the torture, sickness, and fear during the three years in the Killing Fields.

Chamron didn’t have the English words to communicate his feelings and details of what had happened. I wanted to tell the story in his words as faithfully as possible. By sharing his story through drawings, pantomime, and the use of his Cambodia – English dictionary, the manuscript took shape, and his miraculous survival was told.

Best Books Escaping the Tigers Claws Chamron Phal — Pastor Chamron Phal’s miraculous and gripping story of survival is told in *Escaping the Tiger’s Claws* by author Susan Burke.

The story begins when the Khmer Rouge soldiers marched into the streets of Chamron’s hometown. His family members were separated and forced to leave Battambang under threat of death. During this time of extreme trial, Chamron called out to God and experienced the gift of repeated miracles. He promised from within the Killing Fields that if he survived, he would serve God all the days of his life. He began his ministry in the refugee camps in Thailand in 1979. He is now serving as Pastor at First Covenant Church in Oakland, Ca.

Right now, Covid-19 has put each of us in unsettling and unprecedented circumstances as we shelter from family and friends. Our “Tiger” is Covid-19. The isolation, loneliness, fears, and loss of our freedoms, mirrors Chamron’s experience in the Killing Fields. Chamron’s determination and his trust in God’s plan for his day-to-day survival as told in this book will inspire us in our struggle today during this worldwide pandemic.

-Susan Burke

Author of Escaping the Tiger’s Claws, available wherever books are sold.

December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

A few weeks ago, I was reading the acknowledgment section in the back of a new book. Embedded within the acknowledgments was an expression of appreciation for one book/author in particular – a book that had deeply influenced the author’s spiritual development. It was Mere Discipleship (Brazos Press) by Lee Camp. I smiled when I saw the reference. It felt as if a new acquaintance and I had discovered we have a mutual close friend. I read Mere Discipleship for the first time seventeen years ago, and I still consider it to be one of the most important books I’ve ever read about the Christian life.

Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World is a call for God’s people to take seriously what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The Great Commission of Jesus was not to simply preach the gospel but to preach the gospel in order to make disciples. The goal is not converts, but followers. Mere Discipleship is a thought-provoking manifesto that challenges the reader to allow the teachings of Jesus to completely govern our words, thoughts, and deeds. What would happen if God’s people genuinely leaned into our calling to live as Christ taught us to live? What if we turned the other cheek, welcomed the stranger, and loved our enemies? What would happen if we placed as much importance on the ethical and social demands of the gospel as the orthodoxy of our doctrine?

Mere Discipleship is a prophetic call to reimagine a church attuned to the teachings of Jesus, a church which is a threat to ungodly powers and a beacon of hope to those who walk in darkness. Recently a politician created a firestorm of controversy when she asserted that if Christ came to Congress and began teaching that we should love our neighbor and our enemy, that we should welcome the stranger and fight for the least of us- He would be maligned as a radical. Perhaps one day the same could be said of more of his followers, including myself.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com

205-663-2370

December 28, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Senior Scene

Continuing Education Series: Care Partnering versus Caregiving

Join us for a real-life examination of the difference between caregiving and care partnering. In this session we will not only hear from Brookdale’s dementia care expert, Juliet Holt Klinger, on the latest research on the caregiving role but we will hear directly from a person living with dementia and his care partner. We will explore the dynamics of a care partnership and how this relationship can be structured and nurtured to work for both. International Alzheimer’s Advocate, Brian LeBlanc, and his care partner will lead us through their daily journey and some of the “musts” to making this partnership a success. If you’d like to participate in this informative webcast, email Leanne Messer at [email protected] for the registration link and list of days and times it will be shown. Continuing education credits will be offered for nurses, social workers, case managers and nursing home administrators.

Not So Secret Ingredients for Senior Health Nutrition

Wanting to improve your health in 2021? Brookdale nutrition experts are ready to share with you some delicious ways to add some simple ingredients to your diet that can help improve your overall health. To join one of Brookdale’s virtual Chef’s Showcases, email Leanne Messer at [email protected].

Age knows no bounds: Optimum Life

Brookdale created Optimum Life, because we know your unique dreams and passions continue to grow regardless of age. This philosophy guides everything we do. Beyond physical support, it’s a socially connected community with opportunities to challenge the mind, lift the spirits, revitalize purpose and nurture the heart. Optimum Life balances six key dimensions of wellness research that have shown to positively impact health and well-being:

√ The Intellectual Dimension- Live well by challenging your mind.

√ The Social Dimension- Live well by connecting with others

√ The Spiritual Dimension- Live well by cultivating gratitude and mindfulness.

√ The Purposeful Dimension- Live well with a sense of purpose.

√ The Physical Dimension- Live well by staying active.

√ The Emotional Dimension- Live will with a positive outlook.

An Invitation to Experience Brookdale

Residents of Brookdale University Park enjoy an engaging lifestyle with a selection of care options to meet changing needs. The community conveniently located off Lakeshore Drive offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Brookdale offers virtual visits and tours, live video chats as well as in person visits in which safety measures are taken to protect you, residents and staff. Face covering required (if you don’t have one, one will be provided), six-foot social distance maintained during visits, hand sanitizing stations throughout areas, temperature and health screenings at entrance of the community, 205-870-0786, www.brookdale.com.

-Leanne Messer, Brookdale University Park

Contact Leanne to participate in upcoming Brookdale educational offerings as well as to schedule a tour, [email protected], 205-613-0688.

TGIN2020- Can you read it?

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