Keeping Up with the Joneses: The Trap of Comparison & the Beauty of Grace

September 1, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Portrait Of Happy Family In Pa 13909304

Parenting Points

We have all heard of the proverbial Jones family – the family that every other family aspires to be. The Joneses frequently fill social media with pictures of their perfect family, HGTV award-winning house, and vacation pictures straight off the Travel Channel. The Jones kids only fight over who gets to say the blessing at dinner, and the parents are frequently praised for their servant’s hearts. Deep down inside, every family strives to be the Joneses.

But what are we to do if our family looks much more like the Dunphys, the Pritchetts, the Johnsons, or the Hecks than the Joneses? We can find encouragement and grace for ourselves because we know that God uses each and every family in His own special way for His own special purpose. When Paul’s ministry was being compared to other people’s ministries, he responded with these words in 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 ESV, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence that God assigned to us, to reach even you.” Here are three truths about comparison to remember.

1. Comparison Is a Trap. Paul described those looking to others to define their own status and worth as being “without understanding.” They are missing the point. When we fall into the hole of comparison, we define ourselves by others and do not take the opportunity to understand our place as God’s special creation.

2. Comparison Leads Us to Miss the Blessings in Front of Us. Theodore Roosevelt described comparison as “the thief of joy.” When we are lost in social media looking at others, we miss the fact that God has given us influence and opportunity that only we have. We have been blessed with our family, and though that family may not be picture-perfect, ours is a family that God is doing His work in.

3. Comparison Distracts Us from Our Mission. Paul writes that there are certain people that only he could have reached with the gospel message. In the same way, there are people that only your family can reach and influence.

When we want to compare, we must remember that God is at work by His grace in us and our family. It is in our imperfections that we can most display the beauty of His great grace as we rely on Him to mold us and use our family for His mission.

-Dr. Ben Birdsong

Writer, speaker, and minister

www.benbirdsong.com

June 20, 2023September 1, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

church leader photo fun st george backpack buddies 3

Church Leaders

In Shelby County alone, there are over 10,000 public school children on the free meal program at their school but what happens over the weekends? During long holiday breaks and weekends, The Backpack Buddies Program helps meet the need by providing public school students with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food that they can take home when other resources aren’t always available. Saint George Melkite Greek-Catholic Church has a receptacle in the Narthex to place the items and this collection will continue for the next several months. The church is located at 425 16th Avenue South, Birmingham, 35205. †

church leader photo fun st george backpack buddies — Saint George members, Dr. Eddie Thomas and his son Stephen, deliver food for the Backpack Buddies program which is run by Vineyard Family Services, www.vfsdads.com.

church leader st george backpack buddies — Stephen Thomas delivering food for the Backpack Buddies program.

September 1, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Church Leaders

Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) parish hosted a blood drive organized by the Knights of Columbus Council 4304 (K of C) and facilitated by the American Red Cross. The August 9 campaign collected 42 units — surpassing the goal of 35 units. K of C member John Corso was on hand to supervise the five-hour blood donation project and was grateful for the turnout. OLS parishioner Michelle Galloway was happy to be one of the donors. †

September 1, 2020September 1, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Parking lot, car park, parking area. These are references to an area where cars or other vehicles may be temporarily left to go inside a nearby building to work, shop, attend a meeting, or conduct other business. Well, that’s what the typical definition used to be anyway. That is until the Coronavirus invaded our world. Parking lots became sparse as businesses, doctors’ offices, and churches closed or limited their staff and hours of operation.

Over the past few months, however, parking lots have begun to transform. They have become drive-through COVID-19 testing centers with cars parked in line waiting for their turn. They have become drop-off and pick-up points for food boxes and bags for school-age kids and needy families. Eager-to-serve restaurants have expanded their parking spaces for more take-out customers. But what I like most is how business and church parking lots are being converted into unique ministry outlets. For example, a truck-loading warehouse in Sylacauga offered their parking lot to ChristPoint Church for drive-in services. The loading bay gave protective cover and a raised platform on which to conduct the service. A local radio station provided audio of live music and the sermon. Offerings were collected through cracks in the window.

Birmingham’s MountainTop Community Church modified its drive-in by erecting a tent for outside services. They also created a prayer wall at the church entrance where homemade crosses dangled from the overhang. Members could drive up to the wall and pray at any time. Children enjoyed VBS kick off this summer in the parking lot with food trucks and ice cream. And Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church on Valleydale Road in Birmingham got creative with its Ash Wednesday service by hosting drive-through ashes.

Parking lots across the Birmingham area have seen numerous prayer gatherings – some to celebrate cultural diversity and social justice and others to pray for our nation and God’s guidance. People either remain in their cars or practice social-distancing with face masks.

The parking lot at Meadow Brook Baptist has hosted several Sunday School social gatherings where masked members brought their own snacks and lawn chairs. Fans blew as they laughed and talked with one another for an hour or two. A parking lot Bible study for men is currently being discussed.

There’s only one answer to the question in Psalm 30:9, “Can my dust praise you?” The answer is yes – even dust from the parking lot!

-Karen O. Allen

Author of Confronting Cancer with Faith, www.confrontingcancerwithfaith.com, which has encouraged survivors around the world. Read her bi-weekly ministry blog at www.ewerblessed.com/blog.

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Mission Makers

Rachel Shaneyfelt started the God is Bigger Movement to encourage others with the thought, “When life gets big, God is bigger.”

In 2011, Trussville native Rachel Shaneyfelt was diagnosed with mesothelioma and was given only nine months to live. Shaneyfelt was in nurse practitioner school when she was given this devasting news but decided to continue to pursue her degree. While working as a nurse practitioner, she was scheduled for a lung biopsy. Because the lesion had shrunk 70%, the doctors would not conduct the biopsy. She later told another doctor, “You’re not going to believe this, but my lesion has shrunk 70%. Praise God!” The doctor, who was an atheist, said, “That’s great, get yourself a t-shirt.” She bought and gifted 130 God Is Bigger t-shirts to nurses and staff, which led her to purchase 1,000 God is Bigger silicone bracelets, designed to point people to God instead of their circumstances. Within months, the demand for bracelets went global! Over the next seven years, with the proceeds from the God is Bigger Movement merchandise and fundraisers, over 500,000 grey silicone bracelets were given out worldwide to missionaries, charities, abused women, the homeless, those hurting or lost, and total strangers as a reminder that, “When life gets big, God is bigger.” The ministry is based on Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” On August 26, 2017, Shaneyfelt went home to be with her Savior. She desired that the God is Bigger Movement continue after her passing.

So grab your fishing rods! The 3^rd Annual God is Bigger Movement Bass Fishing Tournament is on September 12 at Lakeside Park in Cropwell, Ala. $4,930 in guaranteed prize money will be paid to 12 winning places, plus a “No Weigh-In Drawing” for a chance to win $100. The entry fee is $110 per boat, which includes $10 for Big Fish. Proceeds from the tournament will be used for the sole purpose to continue to spread the God is Bigger Movement worldwide. Learn more at www.gibmovement.com. †

April 25, 2023August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Miracle Moments

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

Throughout the Bible, God used specific individuals and unique circumstances to bring about ultimate good for His people. In some of those circumstances, His people likely were feeling something less than blessed. From Heritage Christian Academy’s (HCA) purchase of the campus of Grace Life Baptist Church in McCalla to the navigation of the process of starting school in the midst of a pandemic, God has used unique people and circumstances to bless HCA. Part One of HCA’s miracle story involved the provision of a home when all options seemed to have failed. Part Two involves the provision of needs HCA couldn’t have imagined having.

As the process of transforming fifty thousand square feet of church building into a school over the course of a summer began, the scale of the project became apparent. Priority number one became painting offices, classrooms and hallways. HCA began seeking estimates for painting needs; estimates that came in at just under $50,000. To say that this was an absolute impossibility would be one of the greatest understatements of all time. HCA’s first miracle came in the form of someone whose company was in the middle of a work slowdown due to COVID-19. Determined to keep paying his employees even though there were weeks where there were no available projects, he offered their services as painters. Within a week and a half, HCA’s offices and almost all of the classrooms had been painted for a total cost of $0. It seems that God’s bid came in significantly lower!

Next, as the financial effects of businesses temporarily closing because of COVID-19 became more pronounced on HCA families, the very real issue of a potential loss of tuition revenue arose. While, separately, either covering the costs associated with a move or ensuring that faculty and staff continued to be paid didn’t present a problem during such a slowdown, doing both of them at the same time was going to be a challenge. So, HCA’s second miracle came in the form of a banker bringing to HCA’s attention the loans associated with the CARES Act. Through her painstaking communication prior to the process even starting, HCA had all the necessary documentation ready in advance and submitted the application within fifteen minutes of the SBA website going live. Because of her assistance, within a week HCA received the funds to cover payroll for the next two months, freeing up funds to more than cover all of the moving costs. Amid the financial uncertainty created by a pandemic, HCA teachers received the first salary bonus in years. His provision was more than enough.

A few people have asked, “Aren’t you ready for the day where financial concerns are the last thing on your mind?” And, while HCA faculty’s mind certainly wants to say, “Yes”, there is a growing place in their hearts that say, “You know, we don’t ever really want to be in a situation where we aren’t constantly looking to Him for provision.” We’ve certainly been there before, and we’ve never left that place of need. As David says, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”

HCA has filled this space for two months with the sharing of some of the miracles they have witnessed to this point. They are open for the new school year and are accepting applications for new students. If you would like your child to be a part of a school that has God in the center of it, please contact the school at 205-978-6001. †

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.

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

Recently I launched two books that are based on an intense rivalry. Over the years, I have either played, covered, or watched rivalries in the sports world. I remember the battles between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. There were the competitive encounters between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I remember leaving my high school graduation party early to catch Game 7 between the two in the NBA Finals. It was THAT important.

But many of the rivalries have a story behind them and a long history. And that is one reason I enjoyed writing about the rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. I learned about the feud between the two powerhouse football programs and how they play each other in the Iron Bowl every year. The first Iron Bowl was played on February 22, 1893. Since then, the Crimson Tide and the Tigers, whose home stadiums are only about 90 miles apart, have met 84 times with Alabama leading the series 46-37-1.

Rivalries are good. Competition is productive and can bring out the best in a person. Proverbs 27:17 KJV says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Best Books Ironstream BamaBeliever 9 368 5 300dpi RGB — Bama Believer and Auburn Believer are forty-day devotionals that will have fans cheering as each chapter relives key football moments. Learn more at www.newhopepublishers.com.

Rivals- when met with humility and mutual respect- will make you better. There is a different motivation other than dominance. For the Christian, it means practicing our behavior for the approval of the head Coach, rather than trying to defeat another person. Whatever you do, make sure it is done to serve God. Don’t let the rivalry bring out the worst. Instead let it reveal the best.

Meet your rival under these four conditions:

With honor.
With respect.
With integrity.
Not hatred or guile.

The battle will make you better, so get in shape and be prepared. There will be sacrifices to be made. But you must have the determination. How?

Give up some of your time to read the Word.
Give up a small portion of your day to get in God’s huddle and pray.
Give up precious hours to visit His stadium, the church.

This way all can be victorious. Bama Believer & Auburn Believer are available for purchase today from your favorite book retailer.

-Del Duduit

Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

A few years ago, I sat in a pastor’s living room and he asked me a question. “Darrel, how are we going to fix our churches?” He was referring, of course, to the national decline in church attendance. Since then, disinterest in church has not slowed – it has accelerated. It doesn’t matter if you’re progressive or conservative, mainline or evangelical, small or large – the overall trajectory of church activity has been worrisome for over twenty years. The pastor died a couple of years later. He never found an answer to his question.

Author Tim Soerens believes we are at a unique moment in church history. Churches are either entering a new movement of God or we are at a moment of meltdown. In Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church Right Where You Are (IVP Publishing), Soerens asserts that the direction we go will be determined by what questions we are asking. The fundamental question is not: What do we do to revive our church? The question is: Why does the church exist? What is it for? What does God want to do? Perhaps our churches have become an end unto themselves rather than the medium through which God works as He establishes His kingdom. Soerens believes that if we prayerfully ask such questions, the Holy Spirit will use us in the work of God. That may, or may not, look like the church of the past. Jesus doesn’t care about our nostalgia for the good old days when our pews were filled. He cares about bringing good news to the poor, releasing the captive, healing the blind, and letting the oppressed go free.

In addition to being an author, Tim Soerens is a pastor and social entrepreneur. He lives in Seattle with his wife and sons.

The church exists wherever humanity and the kingdom of God cross paths. It isn’t bottled up in a building under a cross, it’s in our homes and businesses, in our streets and schools. The church truly is all around us. This is good news, especially in a year like 2020 when every pastor is overwhelmed with questions. Christ is risen and the Holy Spirit has been unleashed upon the earth. He is not looking for a remnant of followers to hold on until the bitter end. He is looking for a people willing to collectively re-imagine what being a faithful disciple of Jesus looks like, a church that will prayerfully create an uprising against the disorder of the world. May a new uprising begin.

-Darrel Holcombe, Owner

Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts

Colonial Promenade, Alabaster

205-663-2370

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Every Family Deserves Hope

I’ve been studying the book of Joshua lately and the Israelites conquest for the Promised Land. Ultimately, I know that as a believer my promised land is eternity in Heaven, but is there a place in my life where His promises are full and alive? I believe there is, and I believe there is a place of peace, promise and hope for my life here on earth. It is not a perfect place (because it’s earth) but is a place that feels somewhat promised for me. When I read the first chapter of Joshua, I see the instructions given to Joshua and quickly realize how they apply to my promised land.

Joshua 1:6 says –

“Be strong and courageous” – This reminds me that in order to live in my promised land, I must BE DETERMINED.
“Obedient to instruction” – Encourages me to SEEK GODLY WISDOM. This is why we have instruction when we purchase a trampoline. Without following the directions, I end up with remaining parts and pieces. Seeking Godly counsel and following such advice leads me down the right road toward that promised place that God has for me.
“Do not turn to the right nor the left” – This requires me to STAY FOCUSED. I have often thought that if the enemy knows he cannot destroy me, then he will just do his best to distract me. Once distracted and over a period of time, I will simply stray away on my own. Staying focused is essential for me to reach my promised place in Christ.
“Meditate on God’s Word” – Simply put this is an instruction to REMAIN ENGAGED. God’s desire is to be in communion with us, and therefore we must remain involved and engaged in our walk with Him.
“Be successful” – WE WIN.

The place in life that God has in store for each of us is not a hidden place. He wants us to meet Him there, however, we will not just end up there. We too must follow the instructions like Joshua because the truth is everyone ends up somewhere, but few end up somewhere on purpose.

– Micah Andrews, MPA

The Foundry believes Every Family Deserves Hope and helps hundreds of families each year through Christ-centered, addiction recovery programs. To support this life-saving ministry, please donate at FoundryMinistries.com.

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

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Legal Matters

Presented by: Bradford & Holliman, Estate Planning

Grandparents Day is September 13. If you are lucky enough to have grandparents who are alive, give them a call (maybe even by video!), send a card or letter, or go visit them… from a healthy distance. Find ways to help them whether it is running errands or organizing old photos or organizing their estate paperwork.

No matter how young or old grandparents are, they need to have their “affairs in order,” particularly with a pandemic attacking people of all ages. And that paperwork needs to be readily available to your grandparents’ power of attorney and future executors. Ask your grandparents to explain their plans so you can learn, and if possible, read the plans yourself making sure that the primary and backup representatives on healthcare powers of attorney, trust documents, and wills are still willing and able to serve.

We advise clients to review their estate plans every three to five years because new descendants are born, family members divorce, chronic illnesses develop, or family members die. One couple’s wills designated three couples as guardians and backups for their two minor sons; five years later, two of the couples had divorced, and the wife in the third couple had died. These changes impacted their executors and healthcare power of attorneys as well as their guardian plans.

Depending on the health and availability of your parents or aunts and uncles, your grandparents may want to consider designating adult grandchildren to key roles in their estate plans. Many wills designate the spouse as the executor, but if a couple dies in a bad car wreck, the backup representatives should be ready to step in. Many experienced estate attorneys now work with clients via video conferences, email, and phone calls. You might be the right technology-savvy grandkid to help your grandparents update their estate plans now.

And as an adult yourself, check your own estate plan as well – power of attorney, living will, healthcare directive, will or trust with designated guardians if you have minor children. Next, make sure your representatives have current lists of medications, allergies to medications, preferred doctors, copies of insurance cards, and more. These activities are seriously needed and can make a dent in any cabin fever you or your grandparents may have due to staying at home more.

-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.

Keeping Up with the Joneses: The Trap of Comparison & the Beauty of Grace

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