When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough

June 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

On a spring day in 2013, Taylor S. Schumann sat at her reception desk while daydreaming about her upcoming bridal shower. Just before lunchtime, an active shooter entered her building and randomly shot her from two feet away. She was one of 36,000 Americans injured or killed with a gun that year.

In the aftermath of her shooting, Schumann’s faith was challenged and stretched. Her rehabilitation was slow and painful, and the emotional trauma was deep. She also discovered a painful truth: the church community is far too silent and uninformed about the crisis of gun violence. Even worse, a large segment of the church is deeply entrenched in its commitment to easy access to weapons, even though the price America pays for saturating our society with weapons is the deaths of thousands of men, women, and children each year. In her new book, When Thoughts and Prayer Aren’t Enough (InterVarsity Press), Schumann shares her story in hopes that it will motivate readers to reconsider the issue from a Christian perspective. Point by point, Schumann dismantles some of the common myths and arguments Christians often believe about gun ownership and violence. She encourages the church to not only offer faithful prayers but to also do the work Christ has called us to. If something within our culture kills, steals, and destroys, then it must be repudiated and rejected by all those who profess an allegiance to Jesus.

Taylor Schumann Photo — Taylor S. Schumann lives with her family in Charleston, SC. Her book *When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough* is available at Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts in Alabaster.

Hear Schumann’s exhortation to the people of God: “Jesus said no one can serve two masters. We can make masters of anything. When we choose to remain silent and complicit in the deaths of our neighbors every year to gun violence, all in the name of individual rights – that’s a master. That’s not Jesus…I want Christians to take their rightful place in this fight. I want us to stop enabling violence and instead seek peace…We’ve tried desperately for decades to hold a Bible in one hand and a gun in the other and we have no hands left to serve each other, or Jesus. We have to choose. We have to lay one down. So I ask, who will you serve this day?”

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com

205-663-2370

June 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Parenting Points

Our current world is on edge. Division, finger pointing, and demonizing fill our news feeds. The only thing that we can agree on is our propensity to see our view as 100% correct and our opponent’s view as utterly flawed. We choose teams, draw lines, and feel justified in defending our opinion because we are clearly right. As Christians, many of us have jumped headfirst into the pool of division without even considering what being a witness of God’s kingdom could look like.

In the middle of conflict, the Apostle Paul’s frequent words to his readers, “grace and peace,” ring out as a Gospel witness in the middle of a broken world. In this simple greeting used throughout Paul’s New Testament letters, he gives the churches he shepherds a picture of kingdom realities we as Christians should be seeking to embody. We may have become so lost in the moment’s drama that we forgot the kingdom we are called to represent as Jesus’ followers. Here are two things to remember.

1. As people of grace, we begin by remembering where we would be without grace. We are not better than others because we have received grace, but we have been invited to be givers of grace to others. As we extend grace, we realize that seats of judgment are not ours to take. We seek to lead with love. We assume people’s best intentions and seek to meet them where they are. As we model grace, we point to Jesus, who embodied grace to the point of giving His life.

2. As people of peace, we seek to bring people together at a common table. If you peer beyond the headlines, we are all humans seeking to make it through life the best we can. Peacemakers seek to be leaders in conversations that bring about a better world through collaboration. As we seek peace, we can truly see the beauty in diversity that God has made in people made in His image.

What could it look like for your family to be a beacon of light shining grace and peace into our divided world? Your family could be willing to become a place where people are welcomed with love and grace, where best intentions are assumed, and where honest conversations can happen as people made in the image of God can bring about a better world that may look a little more like God’s kingdom.

-Dr. Ben Birdsong

Missions Minister at Christ Church Birmingham

Writer and Speaker

www.benbirdsong.com

June 27, 2022June 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Our House

You know when one project leads to another? That’s what happened with my recent patio refresh. It all started with redoing my outdoor furniture that got destroyed by weather over the last few years. Our pergola isn’t covered so it suffered from rain and sun damage.

I decided to use Flex Seal Liquid Rubber Sealant in black to not only freshen up my furniture, but to also protect it from any future damage. I cleaned the surface first with a wet soapy rag and then applied the product with a roller and paint brush once it was completely dry. After applying the sealant, I allowed a dry time of 24 hours before adding the second coat. The sealant has a satin rubbery finish. I am ok with that because it looks nice and totally protects it. In fact, we had heavy rain a few days ago and all I had to do was take a damp rag to wipe away any dirt and water residue. I highly recommend this to not only refresh your outdoor furniture, but to also protect it.

I’ve been painting a lot black lately! Check out my Instagram to see some black accent walls I recently did. I really had a vision for my patio floor to be black. I used Deck Correct tinted black from Lowes, but I hear Deckover is just as good. I made sure the surface was clean by using dawn dish detergent and water. If you have any mildew or peeling paint, be sure to remove before starting. You can sand the surface if needed. I then rolled the deck paint on. Don’t forget to trim it out first if you have space between your boards like we do. Tip- Pour deck paint in a 5 gallon bucket to make it easier for the roller to be saturated with paint. It rolls on very smoothly and has great coverage. It does require two coats, though. It takes 4 to 6 hours to dry and then you can apply your second coat. Wait 24 hours before placing furniture back on the deck to give it time to cure.

I finished the look with some textured outdoor pillows along with some fresh flowers and plants. I am a fan of mixing old with new. You will see some old crocks, a worn terra cotta pot, thrift store basket and a new larger planter to display my flowers and ferns in. I am so excited about this refresh and looking forward to many days of hanging out here with the family!

-Charlotte Evans Russell

For more design inspiration and tips, follow Charlotte on Instagram @charlotteshappyhome and subscribe to her blog, www.charlotteshappyhome.com. To read her faith story, click here.

June 27, 2022June 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Legal Matters

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

1. If I have a car wreck, do I need a lawyer? Yes! There are many obstacles in Alabama insurance law that an experienced lawyer who deals with these issues daily needs to navigate for you. It is important to know that an insurance adjuster or even your own insurance agent works for the insurance company and not for you. He or she may be your “good neighbor” when you are paying your insurance premiums, but when you make a claim, you might not be in such “good hands.” If you hire our firm at Frank S. Buck, P.C., we will work diligently and effectively on your behalf and fight for you to get you the best result possible. Before you sign any paperwork or settle any claim, please call us to discuss your options. A call to us will not cost you anything to get you important legal advice, but not calling may cost a lot!

2. How long do I have before I need to decide if I want to have a lawyer represent me for a wreck that injured me? The statute of limitations is two years in Alabama for personal injury cases. If you do not file a lawsuit within two years after having a car wreck, you will never be able to recover any compensation for your personal injuries because your claim will be legally time barred. Just because you hire a lawyer does not mean you will necessarily be filing a lawsuit. Many personal injury claims settle without ever filing a lawsuit. However, we have a team of trial lawyers at our firm who will aggressively litigate a case on your behalf.

3. How much money do I need to pay to hire a lawyer to represent me for my wreck? We work on what is called a contingency contract, meaning that we never collect money up front, such as a retainer to hire us. Rather, we take a percentage out of the settlement once we settle your case. However, you never owe us a penny unless we collect money for you.

4. How do I know that there is auto insurance to protect me if I am hurt in a wreck from someone else? If you have full coverage on your vehicle, including uninsured motorist coverage, you will be protected. Even though it is a legal requirement for drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000.00 of liability insurance coverage on their vehicle, there are many drivers on the Alabama roads who still do not have any auto insurance. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you in the event that an uninsured motorist hits you or if the insurance policy limits of the person that hit you do adequately compensate you for the injuries you sustained. It is insurance coverage under your own insurance policy that you can look to as payment for additional compensation for your injuries to protect you.

–Frank S. Buck, P.C., Attorneys at Law have been offering professional legal services and serving Alabama citizens for over 43 years. We have experienced trial attorneys who have over 100 years of combined trial experience. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (205) 933-7533. Please call us for a free consultation. Visit us at www.franksbuckpc.com.

June 28, 2022June 21, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Healthy Living

Growing up, Dr. Lisa Franklin always had an interest in math and science. “I’ve always been interested in how the human body works,” Dr. Franklin says. After graduating from Jacksonville State University, this interest led her to attend medical school at the University of South Alabama. A native of Alexandria, Ala., she has lived in the state her entire life except for her four years of residency at Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta.

Dr. Lisa Franklin has been married to her husband Robert for 29 years. They have two daughters.

Dr. Franklin joined the Henderson & Walton Women’s Center, P.C. (HWWC) nine years ago. One aspect of her job that she especially enjoys is getting to know her patients. “I love being a part of people’s lives as they grow into a family,” she says. One of her favorite parts of being a doctor is “getting to be involved in a patient’s care from having babies and watching their children grow up.”

Dr. Franklin doesn’t just serve patients in the Cullman and Birmingham HWWC offices. She has been on medical mission trips to Malawi, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic! She strives to help women make the best choices for their personal health.

For more than 30 years, Henderson & Walton Women’s Center has been specializing in women’s health care in the Birmingham and surrounding areas. All the OB/GYN physicians, including Dr. Franklin, are board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. For patient convenience, HWWC sees patients in Birmingham, Alabaster, Chelsea, Cullman, Rainbow City/Gadsden, Jasper and Tuscaloosa. To learn more about Dr. Franklin and the team of physicians and staff at Henderson & Walton Women’s Center, P.C., visit www.hwwc.net or call 205-930-1800.

-Melissa Armstrong

June 28, 2022June 15, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Special Feature

On October 24-25, pastors, worship leaders, visual artists and musicians are invited to join in learning from and interacting with a diverse group of experienced practitioners and speakers who will focus attention on the beauty of the Triune God whom Christian people gather to worship and adore. Worship, informative talks, breakout sessions, meals and informal conversations will provide opportunities to deepen your understanding on how the beauty of God’s love is manifested through the ministries of preaching, worship, and the arts. Conference guests will hear from several featured speakers including:

Daniel Cason is an ordained minister, concert pianist and a former high school music teacher. He received his formal education at the Cleveland Music School Settlement (Rainey Institute), the renowned Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Southern California (ISOMATA), where he studied master classes with Lee Thompson of the Julliard School of Music. Cason holds two earned music degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Masters) from MTC School of Theology.
Joe Cory is associate professor of art and design for Samford University’s School of the Arts and faculty fellow of the Center for Worship and the Arts. He is an accomplished artist and educator who has been using a mix of traditional and innovative teaching methods for over 15 years to help students learn artistic skills and think creatively. As an educator, practicing artist, former gallery director, and leader of the non-profit CIVA | Christians in the Visual Arts, he’s gained extensive experience in all facets of the art world.
Cliff Duren is the worship pastor at First Baptist Church Woodstock, GA. He also writes, arranges, orchestrates and produces music resources for various publishers while also producing various artist recordings. He is a five-time Dove Award winner for his contributions in Christian music.
Matt Papa, a veteran songwriter and Christian musician, has carved an even more unique space for himself as one of the world’s top modern-day hymn writers. With songs like, “His Mercy Is More,” “Christ Our Hope In Life And Death” and “Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery,” Matt tours regularly across the U.S. as a songwriter with Getty Music and frequently guests on their tours. A two-time Dove Award nominated artist, Matt is on a mission to write songs that are singable, beautiful, and timeless. He serves as an artist-in-residence at Cedarville University and Marco Presbyterian Church.

Other featured speakers include John D. Witvliet, Kevin Twit, Debra Dean Murphy, Overflow, and Tyshawn Gardner. Early bird rates of $59/individual or $47/person for a group of 3 or more are on sale through August 31, 2022. General admission of $89/individual or $71/person for a group of 3 or more starts Sept. 1, 2022. The conference will be held at Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35229. To purchase tickets, click here.

June 14, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Mission Makers

For over 40 years, Sav-A-Life has been committed to empowering women in Alabama to choose life. Each year, 9,000 women in Alabama believe that abortion is the only solution to an unplanned pregnancy. Sav-A-Life is the largest pregnancy care center in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area and is dedicated to putting an end to abortion, not by legal and public policy, but by supporting one woman at a time, to spare her and her child from abortion. Sav-A-Life works to accomplish this goal by offering free and confidential services, counseling, education, and support to empower women to carry their babies to term. Sav-A-Life can provide resources for these women until the child is 3 years of age.

In 2019, Sav-A-Life, Vestavia and the North Jefferson Women’s Center (NJWC) in Fultondale joined forces to help more families in our community. And once again, Sav-A-Life locations are seeing the maximum number of clients each week. Since 2021, Sav-A-Life has been working on renovating a space off of Montclair Road to open its third clinic location — The Alabama Pregnancy Test Center Crestwood. The new clinic’s grand opening and dedication service was on May 5, 2022.

Sav-A-Life Executive Director, Lisa Hogan, said, “We are all so excited to see the hard work of preparing this space come to fruition as we dedicate the space and begin serving clients. God has been so good to Sav-A-Life in allowing us to serve men and women facing unplanned and crisis pregnancies in the Birmingham Metro. We cannot wait to begin meeting the physical and spiritual needs of clients in Crestwood.”

The new location takes residence in the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association’s building on the third floor above several other ministry partners. Sav-A-Life will begin by offering a free clinic for pregnancy testing and ultrasounds as well as STD/STI testing for both men and women, with hopes to add educational resources in the future at this location.

Sav-A-Life, Inc. is a faith-based nonprofit 501c3 and is supported by donations from individuals, private businesses, churches, and community organizations and partners. For more information about Sav-A-Life, please visit savalife.org or contact Lisa Hogan at [email protected]. †

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Joyful Noise with Russell P and Jessica Banner

Music Notes

Triumphant new morning and afternoon shows are premiering on legacy Christian music radio station, 93.7 FM WDJC, on June 13! After two years, A Closer Look with Russell P and Jessica is getting a new name and time. The award-winning afternoon duo will permanently move to mornings, Monday-Saturday from 5 a.m.-10 a.m., making a Joyful Noise! Keeping afternoons homey, comes fresh talent with compelling charisma, Lauren and Jenks. The brand-new team will be right At Home in Magic City, Monday-Saturday from 2 p.m.-7 p.m.

A Closer Look premiered April Fool’s Day 2020, but it was no joke to listeners how much they immediately loved Russell P and Jessica. With years of friendship and decades of radio experience under their belts, this pair can’t wait to take on the sun and your morning commute. After an outstanding response to their filling this role for the past few weeks, we easily decided to make their move to mornings permanent.

Russell P and Jessica reflected on the transition, “We have so much fun doing the show together! We are beyond excited to start our day fellowshipping with each other and our listeners, who we truly love so much. We have an absolute blast together and we think the new morning show will be a bright, cheerful, and fun way for people to start their day.” Mornings with Russell P and Jessica: Joyful Noise, is live 5 a.m.-10 a.m., weekdays on WDJC.

Lauren and Jenks may be new to Birmingham, but they are no outsiders to Southern hospitality. The pair already feels right At Home with one another, and so will everyone who tunes in, June 13. Get ready to get to know the fresh sound of faith in Alabama, with lighthearted stories and powerful examples of God working in their own lives. Both Southern natives and veteran radio hosts in their own rights, Lauren and Jenks bring the sweet, the sass, and the soul to afternoons. Afternoons with Lauren and Jenks: At Home, is live 2 p.m.- 7 p.m., weekdays on WDJC. †

June 6, 2022June 2, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Looking for Vacation Bible School (VBS) opportunities happening this summer in and around Birmingham? Check out the great options in the list below! Click on the links for more information.

June 3-5

HayDay VBS at Indian Springs First Baptist Church

June 6-10

The Hope Awakens at Shades Mountain Baptist Church

June 6-10

Treasured, Discovering You’re Priceless to God at The Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills

June 6-10

VBS at Briarwood Presbyterian Church

June 6-10

VBS at Meadow Brook Baptist Church

June 13-16

VBS at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church

June 13-17

Monumental VBS at Double Oak Community Church

June 27-July 1

Created for a Purpose VBS at Vestavia Hills UMC

July 18-20

Family Vacation Bible School at Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster

Don’t see your church’s VBS listed? Email details to [email protected], Subject Line VBS/Summer.

June 1, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Business Today

Conflict. We all deal with it! When it comes to resolving conflict, the first place we must look is ourselves because that’s all we have control over.

While work isn’t the only place we deal with conflict, and our reaction to it, a past work situation I dealt with came to mind. When I was 28 years old, I was promoted well beyond my abilities to manage a team with more in common with my parents than with me! One thing I heard over and over from that team, and my own manager, when she gave me feedback was that I was clearly comfortable with conflict.

She didn’t mean that as a compliment. I was very direct- at times blunt- in how I communicated with the team and it was causing conflict and problems. Some of my team didn’t feel comfortable talking about difficult situations with me. I wanted to lead the team well and drive great results for all of us, but as a new manager, I had no idea what the root of the problem was or how to begin to fix it. Frameworks and models can help us understand the root of our problems so we can change. The model of human behavior called Transactional Analysis developed by Dr. Eric Berne in the 1950s has helped me understand where my behavior’s coming from and how to change. The ego states aren’t personality, they are postures we operate from.

1. The Parent Ego State: From birth to about 6 years old we recorded the messages received from a parent, older siblings, teachers, and more. Those experiences developed the two segments of the Parent Ego State:

2. The Nurturing Parent Ego State: This is the voice that’s encouraging, think of a parent with a warm tone of voice, holding their arms out and cheering a child on to their first steps.

3. The Critical Parent Ego State: This is correction; the judgments we received from parents and parental figures at that age. For example, the messages to not touch the hot cookie sheet, or not to run into the street. Any messages that come from us that are judgmental or start with “should” are coming from this state.

Here’s what I didn’t realize as a new manager. I was almost always operating out of my Critical Parent Ego State. The one that focused on correcting others, telling them what to do to fix problems. What happens when people are talked to in that judging tone? They don’t like it! This awareness helped me see where I was allowing my “Critical Parent” to influence my communication and I learned how to change to the “Adult” ego state. Even though it’s uncomfortable to change it’s helped me work more effectively with others. Next month we’re going to talk more about the other two Ego States (adult and child) and how understanding those egos started can help us change and get past conflict to better outcomes.

-Kristine Sizemore

[email protected]

205-306-8164, www.ksainc.sandler.com

Sizemore lives in Hoover, Ala. and is a Consultant, Coach, Trainer and Speaker focused on the subconscious psychology of Human Interaction and Motivation. Her firm specializes in Sales, Management and Leadership Development for Proactive Business Growth.

When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough

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