Fine Art Assists First Priority to Share Christ

October 1, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Youth News

Internationally renowned artist Steve. R. Skipper recently unveiled his latest work, “Intercession in Washington” and announced a portion of the proceeds from limited edition prints of the oil painting will benefit First Priority of Alabama. “We are excited about being a benefactor of this particular work because of the bold, yet humble example that JK Scott and other National Champion Alabama football players gave all of us, particularly to our young people,” said First

Priority of Alabama President Greg Davis whose ministry reaches and disciples youth with the love and message of Jesus Christ. “In Steve’s painting, we see the boldness exhibited by JK to ask the President of the United States if he and other players could pray for him, not as a President but as a person. We see the great humility in this painting as they all bow their heads before almighty God.”

“JK Scott stepped up boldly and did exactly what God told him to do,” says Skipper who was inspired to share Scott’s story on canvas. “It’s not new for God to use young people and this is a great example of that.” Skipper estimates he invested about 1400 hours in completing the painting.

First Priority is celebrating thirty years of working with youth to establish and maintain student-initiated, student-led, non-curricular clubs on school campuses in Alabama and across the nation. To learn more visit www.firstpriorityal.com. Visit www.steveskipperstudio.com to purchase “Intercession for Washington” prints. †

September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock School Girl Is Studying Onlin 361797427

Education Extra

Putting the words parenting, pandemics, and peace into the same sentence seems unimaginable as we take on what we now call our ‘new normal.’ Despite what last spring showed us, virtual learning does not have to be stressful. Here are four easy to implement tips that can help parents, who are now stand-in teachers, find some peace.

1. Create a productive learning space with your child. Yes, we’ve all seen the impeccable home classrooms on Facebook, but as an experienced educator, I’m here to tell you that all you need is your child’s device, a clean desk, and school supplies. Put the desk in a quiet area that your child can personalize and ensure that all needed supplies are in or near their desk to eliminate unnecessary hunting. Also, no, your house does not need to be perfectly clean or organized at all times, but the learning area should be in order to maximize productivity.

2. Plan out your week. Find a blank weekly calendar that your child likes and print it off. At the beginning of the week, go to your child’s online learning management system (i.e., Schoology or Google Classroom) and write down the times of their video conferencing classes and their assignment due dates. You can even set labeled phone alarms and develop reward systems to increase independence and peace of mind.

3. Practice simple technology skills with your child. Trust me, eventually your child, whether they are 6 or 16, will know how to access and submit assignments online. Just use the “I Do, We Do, You Do” method that teachers use in the classroom. First, model it for them. Then, hand them the mouse and guide them. Finally, give them a few chances to complete it with you as a silent nearby guide. I also recommend teaching them how to use text-to-speech and speech-to-text tools on their devices. This way, you will only need to be within earshot instead of sitting beside them all day.

4. Pace yourself and seek help. You might feel like you have to do it all alone, but you don’t have to. Contact your child’s teacher if you are starting to feel overwhelmed or find a virtual private instructor if you notice any skill regression. You weren’t doing it all before March, and you don’t have to now. Just remember: Finding peace while parenting during a pandemic is possible; just accept that it won’t look perfect.

-Mandy Jayne Antwine, M. Ed.

Owner/Instructor of Antwine’s Academics LLC

Private Instruction & Consulting

September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Usa And Christianity Christia 251286517

Parenting Points

“Unprecedented times,” “polarization,” and “new normal” have become favorite words from the mouths of CNN and Fox News commentators. We are in a world of racial turmoil and a pandemic virus as we prepare to decide as a nation of who will be the best candidate to navigate these stormy waters.

When I served in student ministry, it was always fascinating to hear students talk about politics. Their dogmatic views of the heroes and villains of Washington were way beyond their age and personal research. These views being so passionately shared were simply being parroted from mom and dad at home. How did Jesus respond to politics in His day, and how should we in ours?

After Jesus performed a miracle and fed 5,000 men plus countless women and children, the crowd erupted, and the moment changed. John 6:15 says, “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” The crowds wanted Jesus to be a political patriot, yet He ran away because He knew that His mission was much greater than mere politics.

In the moment where Jesus had a shot to become the political King of the Jews, He leaves the scene. He does not meet with the leaders of the political party. He does not become a lobbyist. He doesn’t pick a candidate to endorse. He simply moves on. Jesus cannot be contained by a party, side, or political persuasion. The priorities of Jesus are seen in a heart for humanity and a love for neighbor that raises hard questions that no single political system can adequately answer. As we approach politics with our kids, we need to remember that our kids are listening to what we say and watching how we respond. We should seek to have thoughtful conversations with our kids about politics and ideas that matter, yet we must remember that Jesus refuses to take sides, that faith must impact our decisions, and that the Gospel that unites us is much more important than the aisle that divides us.

We should equip our kids to engage with ideas instead of demonizing people and to look beyond temporary conversations to seek to talk about eternal things. Our kids are watching, the world is watching, and how will our Christian faith be defined in this moment in history?

-Dr. Ben Birdsong

Writer, speaker, and minister

www.benbirdsong.com

September 30, 2020September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Elderly Hands Helping Hands O 365834089

Legal Matters

Brought to you by: Community Partner Bradford & Holliman

October 29 is World Stroke Day. We certainly hope a stroke never strikes you or your loved ones, but you have to be prepared. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) references a study from the American Heart Association Stroke Statistics Committee that says strokes are the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S., and the highest death rates from stroke are in the southeastern United States. Too bad so much delicious food is fried. About 17.6% or 140,000 individuals literally die of strokes each year, but even that’s way too many. Strokes can strike without warning and at any age, and 25% of the strokes each year are not the victims’ first strokes.

From a legal perspective, Alabamians need to make sure that their healthcare directives, healthcare power of attorney, and wills or trusts are in order to deal with long-term care situations caused by strokes. The focus here is not who will inherit your antique fishing lure collection. It’s about how you want to be cared for if you are temporarily or permanently incapacitated by a stroke.

Survivor Stories on the CDC website give insight into the long-term care and recovery of stroke victims. These stories are great background for thinking through how to define the care you would prefer before there is a need. Once you have a strategy, work with an experienced estate planning attorney to develop the right legal documents with the right signatures, witnesses, and/or notarizations.

Review your draft legal paperwork for long-term care with your healthcare power of attorney and financial power of attorney who can be two different individuals. If you have medical and accounting expertise in the family, assign the right person to the right role. Just be sure they are willing to accept the roles before you finalize your legal documents with your attorney. Make sure your powers of attorney have copies of everything they would need if you were both temporarily and permanently incapacitated. Remember that estate plans are for the living, not just the heirs.

-Melanie B. Holliman, JD

Partner at Bradford & Holliman

Estate Planning, Trusts & Special Needs

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.

October 8, 2020September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Congratulations to our Readers’ Choice Winners for Fall Family Fun!

Dining: Ashley Mac’s
Entertainment: The Great Pumpkin Patch
After School/Extracurricular Activity: Jackie O’Neal School of Dance
Recreation: The Great Pumpkin Patch

Thank you to all our readers who participated in our Readers’ Choice Survey. As a thank you for taking the survey, reader Taylor Granger won a trip for four to Dollywood!

Congratulations to Jackie O’Neal School of Dance for being the 2020 Readers’ Choice for after school/extracurricular activities! Jackie O is where over 25,000 students have not only learned to dance, but have also developed a strong work ethic, self-confidence, discipline, and grace. The studio promotes dance excellence in a very nurturing and caring environment. Classes are available for children ages 2-19 with multiple levels in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pointe, Lyrical, Acrobatics, and Hip-Hop.

The Great Pumpkin Patch is the Readers’ Choice for both fall entertainment and recreation activities! At The Great Pumpkin Patch, admission and parking are free! Come take your entire family on a hayride in our covered wagons to the patch to choose your favorite pumpkin, you can even bring your leashed furry friend along. The kids will enjoy a pony ride under our new shaded pony gazebo, an inflatable park and bungee jump. A train ride can be taken to see miniature horses with views galore. Adults and kids alike will enjoy the zoo that features animals that live year-round on the farm.

Ashley Mac’s is the Readers’ Choice for fall dining! Although Ashley Mac’s is known for its Signature Chicken Salad and Strawberry Cake, with 5 locations, catering options, a bakery and gourmet-to-go, there is so much more! Stop by any of the locations in Cahaba Heights, Downtown at the Pizitz Food Hall, Inverness, Homewood or Riverchase to find a variety of casseroles and sides along with a full cafe menu to make mealtime easy. The Family Meals for 4 are a great option for a delicious, hot and ready meal. †

September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

In the Genesis narrative, Adam and Eve spent their time skipping about in a sinless garden. All was as it should be, and it seems that God was in the habit of walking with the couple in the cool breeze of the day. Walking with God is a common metaphor in the scriptures, used to describe not only the patriarchs of old but also everyday people of faith – people like you and me. We are to “walk humbly with our God” and “walk in the way of love.”

God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul (Zondervan Books) by Mark Buchanan is a wonderful new book that explores the practice of physical walking as a catalyst for spiritual formation. Whether it’s a spiritual pilgrimage, a prayer-walk through your neighborhood, or simply walking your pet through a forest, Mark draws out the spiritual lessons we encounter when we roam this earth as a people who walk with God. All we have to do is be attentive and watchful, for Jesus may show up at any moment, just as he did on the road to Emmaus on Easter Sunday.

Best Books God Walk author Mark Buchanan credit Sarah Buchanan Photography — Mark Buchanan is the author of eight books including his latest *God Walk*, *Your God Is Too Safe*, *The Rest of God*, and *Spiritual Rhythm*.

We no longer skip about in a sinless garden, but Jesus still bids us to “follow him” as we walk by faith into God’s kingdom. God is always present, walking with us even when the cool breeze isn’t blowing, when our long, hot summer is wrecked by a pandemic, and when the world is anything but sinless. There are seasons when we should be still and know that He is God. God Walk reminds us that there are also times when Jesus calls us to “rise up and walk.” Perhaps it’s time to get moving.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

205-663-2370

September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

It’s interesting to read the Biblical accounts of some of the people God called to do things and to see how there was no hesitation in them. For example, there’s Noah. God employed Noah in the huge task of building an ark strong enough to withstand a 40-day rainstorm, sturdy enough to endure a year’s voyage, and large enough to transport his own family, two of every unclean land animal, and seven of every clean animal. All we read of Noah’s reaction is found in Genesis 7:5 (NKJ), “And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him.”

A Woman God Can Bless is available wherever books are sold.

Then there are the first four disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John. In Matthew 4:18-22, we read that while walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw these guys going about their daily work as fishermen. He said to them, “Follow Me,” and immediately they left everything they were doing – they didn’t even finish that particular task – and followed Jesus.

Neither Noah nor the disciples had any way of knowing all that their commitment would bring their way. I can’t imagine that Noah totally envisioned the enormity of the ark-building task (it took him and his sons 100 years to build that boat), nor the discomfort of a year’s journey in smelly, closed, dark, and possibly cramped quarters with dozens of animals to feed. And I’m sure the disciples never dreamt they’d turn the world upside down and gladly die as martyrs (except for one, John) for the cause of Christ. (See Acts 17:4-7.) Even so, their reactions were clear, quick, and decisive.

What about us? God has called us to be disciples, and He’s given us instructions in the Bible of how to live as such. A Woman God Can Bless lays out some of those instructions from Ephesians 4:17-32. In this passage, God not only clearly explains what attitudes and actions we are to “put off,” but He also suggests what we are to “put on” in their place. When we get busy with the business of following these instructions, we effectively place ourselves in the position to receive God’s choicest blessings.

Of course, we obey God’s Word because we love Him, but let’s be real: it’s great to know that our loving heavenly Father delights in blessing our obedience. Let’s be like Noah and the disciples; without hesitation putting off what God rejects in us and putting on what He expects of us. We’ll soon find ourselves living, moving, and operating as women God can bless.

-Sharon Norris Elliott

September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Our House

I think, sometimes, as women we forget the power we have in setting atmospheres. I believe God has gifted us to provide a place of comfort and joy in our homes. Other than always speaking words of encouragement to our family, creating a cozy home is a great way to do that. Here are some of my favorite things to do:

Light a candle. Think seasonal.
Add throw blankets to the living room. This serves as decor and is functional as well. We love to grab a throw and cozy up on the couch and watch TV.
Cook a meal together. There’s just something special about gathering in the kitchen with one another.
Eat at the dining room table as a family. We believe in always sitting down together for dinner. That’s where we catch up and chat about our day.
Keep the house picked up and dishes out of the sink. This may be a little hard with small children, but having a designated place for toys makes it easier to put them all up at the end of the day. We keep the dishwasher loaded to keep dishes out of the sink during the day.

These are a few things I try to do to keep a cozy home. They are simple but so helpful!

—Charlotte Evans Russell

For more design inspiration and tips, follow me on Instagram

@charlotteshappyhome and subscribe to my blog, charlotteshappyhome.com.

Read her faith story here.

October 26, 2020September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

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

What do blankets and a dog named Ralph have in common? For Derek Walker and Maria Gilbert, both Ralph and the blankets were used by God to help their family escape a house fire on September 8, 2020.

House Fire — Derek Walker and Maria Gilbert are thankful God spared their family from the house fire and pray God uses their story to encourage others that- no matter what- God is in the midst of the fire with you.

Around 2 a.m., after an evening spent barbequing, Walker shares he heard the family’s Great Dane, Ralph, bark. He thought the bark sounded different and he also heard a noise in the kitchen, so he went downstairs and was shocked to find flames out of his window. He immediately screamed “fire” to wake up his wife, Maria, and two children, Jack (12) and Ella (9). Gilbert woke up and raced to get Ella, since her room was on the same level. After making sure she was safely outside, she went back in to get her son, Jack. Gilbert says that when she got to her son’s room, “it was full of black smoke. I couldn’t see into the room.” She adds that she managed to get to his bed, screaming for him to get up, and had to get under the covers and pull him out to get him to wake up. Once he did, they ran back outside. During this time, Walker was trying to rescue their two miniature pigs, Pearl and Mia. He says he was able to coax Mia out of the sunroom that was aflame but couldn’t get to Pearl. He then went to rescue Ralph, who was in his latched kennel. It was around this time, when Walker got outside with Ralph, that the fire alarms started going off. Gilbert adds that at this time, the fire was already in the kitchen, through the sunroom and living room, and into the dining room. “If it wasn’t for Ralph, if God hadn’t worked through him to have him bark, we would not have made it,” Gilbert said, adding, that the firemen confirmed that if they had woken up even a minute later, they wouldn’t have been able to rescue their son Jack.

As they look back, Walker and Gilbert can see God’s hand of protection throughout the experience. A firesafe, that was given to Gilbert when she was thirteen, was used by God to protect their most important documents. Their neighbors and church community at Valleydale Church immediately surrounded them with practical support and prayers. Even though they lost everything that morning, their family- all that truly mattered- made it safely out. And the next night they had clean clothes, food and a roof over their heads because of the people God had placed around them.

Not much of their earthly possessions survived the fire, Walker explains. However, he adds, “Every single one of our Bibles made it through.” Even through this trial the family is still facing, they know- without a doubt- that this was God’s plan and that He will see them through. Gilbert said she is reminded of Isaiah 43:2, “…When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

How can you help? Walker and Gilbert ask for your prayers in discerning what the next steps should be for their family and also that God will work through them to help others in their faith journey.

-Melissa Armstrong

If you have a Miracle that you would be willing to share, please email [email protected]. Subject Line: Miracle Moments or call 205-408-7150.

September 29, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Mission Makers

Brought to you by: Community Partner www.ThomasWaters.com, 205-879-1988

“Our mission is to bring God’s grace to those less fortunate and when a person receiving a meal in the serving line said, ‘Thank you for bringing us the joy.’ I thought we had accomplished our goal. We brought much more than meal,” says Thomas Waters about the value of an evening volunteering at Changed Lives Christian Center (CLCC), www.cl-cc.org. Since October of 2014, every third Tuesday of the month, Waters with friends and members of his State Farm team arrive at the center with food for about 55 people to cook and serve to residents and homeless people in the area.

CLCC opened its doors in 2010 and, as the name implies, began a life-changing Christ-centered outreach to Birmingham’s homeless and poor. Since affiliating with The Foundry Ministries in 2014, CLCC serves as a pathway to independence for more than 175 men every year and provides essential care and services for the homeless from Birmingham’s streets. CLCC offers transitional housing for homeless men for up to two years as well as classes that teach life skills, job readiness, and spiritual development.

Waters says volunteering at CLCC was the result of a prompting he felt and read. “I felt a calling in my heart, but the book A Same Kind of Different as Me sealed my commitment. I cried uncontrollably after immersing myself in the book. It prompted me to answer the calling to help the folks in my community that cannot help themselves.” For those considering volunteering with CLCC or another ministry Waters says, “Try giving your money and time to those who need a lift and see what it does for you!”

-Laurie Stroud

Fine Art Assists First Priority to Share Christ

Subscribe FREE and be the first to get our good news - delivered right to your inbox.

Connect on Facebook