Laurie Stroud Franklin, Publisher of Birmingham Christian Family (BCF), was a recent guest on the Kevin Derryberry Ministries podcast “Everybody’s Talking” hosted by outstanding musician and BCF past cover story Kevin Derryberry. Click on the image to listen now to their conversation about God at work in some amazing ways- plus details on the upcoming Celebrate the Family Expo where Kevin will perform!
Special Feature
At the cross, Jesus took on the penalty and punishment for sin. Not just your sin and my sin, but the sin of the entire world. Jesus became sin, yet in becoming sin, Jesus, also took on the wrath of God against sin. As a perfect and holy God, God hates sin and sinners. They stand as enemies to Him and His plan for the world. In order to be a just Judge, God must punish sin. When we think of the punishment for sin, we typically think of hell. Though defined throughout the Bible using varied images, it is clear that hell is a place where the wrath of God is poured out on sin and sinners.
At the cross, Jesus went through hell. He experienced the wrath of God due the sins of the entire world. In Matthew 27:46, we see Jesus crying out as He experiences the punishment of hell at the cross… “And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46 ESV).
God has turned His back on Jesus because Jesus is bearing the sins of the world. Jesus is actively experiencing the wrath of God due your sin and my sin at the cross. It calls Him to cry out to God and to feel forsaken by God. To be forsaken is to be feel, lost, alone, and disconnected. In this cry, Jesus experiences being forsaken by His Father as He is being punished for sin. The Father turns His face away from Jesus and brings divine wrath on the sin that Jesus chose to bear.
For those of us who have surrendered to Jesus, these words of suffering from the mouth of the Messiah are words of great hope for us. Because Jesus was forsaken, we will never be forsaken. Because Jesus took our hell at the cross, we will never have to experience hell on our own. Because Jesus took the wrath of God, we will never have to experience His wrath. Jesus’ forsakenness and suffering brought us hope, freedom, and the truth that we will never be left alone and forsaken. How can you praise Jesus for the rescue from hell that He bought for you at the cross?
-This devotion is an excerpt from Ben Birdsong’s book Words from the Cross: 7 Statements that Will Transform Your Life. It is a 7-day devotional exploring Jesus’ final words on the cross through devotional reflection and illustrations by Pete Collins. Words from the Cross is currently available on Amazon.
Our House
Spring is my favorite season of the year. It gives life to not only the outdoors, but also my soul. The sunshine beaming and birds singing are a few of my favorite things. When I think of spring, I also think of color. Flowers in full bloom make any heart happy. Think about it. Flowers are often given in a time of sickness, sadness, loss or even for a just because. Why? Because they make the heart happy!
I like to make my home happy by bringing the outdoors in, especially during spring. Florals, fresh or faux, are an easy way to decorate for spring. There are benefits to using both. Fresh ones can be free if you find them in your yard. Picking a few flowers or even a tree branch in full bloom and putting them in any type of container can instantly cheer up a room. Always remember to think out of the box with your containers. Any type of pottery, bowl, basket or jar will work. If you want to add fresh flowers to a basket, just put them in a jar with water that is smaller than basket. Faux florals are great because once you spend the money on them one year, you can use them for years to come.
If you aren’t into a lot of color, you can focus on plants. I’m loving faux plants this year. They instantly bring life to your space. If you have a room that has been missing something, try adding a plant. You will be amazed at the difference it makes. They transition beautifully into different seasons as well.
As we enter into spring, think of fun ways to bring the outdoors in. I would love to see if you put any of this to use in your own home. Tag me in stories or your post on Instagram.
-Charlotte Evans Russell Instagram: @CharlottesHappyHome For more design inspiration and tips, follow me on Instagram @charlotteshappyhome and subscribe to my blog, charlotteshappyhome.com.
Read Russell’s inspiring faith story here.
Business Today
Whether leading a family, volunteer group or business I hear from people that they are frustrated. It can be so hard to just get a team, get people, get our own children to take ownership and grow to be self-sufficient.
Sometimes we may just do things on our own whether that’s the morning dishes or taking care of a client because the process of ensuring others take action – and do it well – can be challenging with inconsistent results. That can lead to unhappy clients and loss of reputation and revenue. Or at home it leads to a messy kitchen, and no one wants that outcome! It makes me think of a hot July morning. My son was headed to camp. I had an early morning meeting with my biggest client. So, I packed with my son the night before. One problem – his bathing suit was wet and still hanging to dry in the laundry room. I said, “Don’t worry. Tomorrow morning early I’ll put your bathing suit in your suitcase. It will be ready to go by the door.” So, what happened the next morning? In the middle of my important Zoom call, my son bursts into my home office yelling at the top of his lungs, “Where’s my bathing suit?” At this point, I’m seriously questioning my parenting skills. Why can’t my 13-year-old follow instructions?
Here’s the problem. I’m dealing with learned helplessness. I did for John what I should have coached him to do and expected him to do himself. When we do work for others, that they are able to do, and it goes wrong what happens? We are blamed for the problem! I ended up with an embarrassing interruption and a teenager who’s not taking initiative for his own packing. Translate this to your business or volunteer leadership roles. Do you ever feel like it’s easier to do work yourself because you just can’t develop others to the level where you can trust the outcome? One weary business owner told me she was tired of hiring people who just created more work and problems for her to fix. She is working nights and weekends to get it all done. Ever felt that way?
So how do you avoid learned helplessness? First, before telling someone what to do you need to understand what’s important to them. Our people work for their reasons not ours. Second, apply a self-discovery coaching process to ask them how they can solve the problem. Get them thinking first and taking ownership of the solution. Third, ask how you can help them accomplish that – draw that out of them in their own words.
Next summer I’m not telling my son what to do. I’m not taking on packing for camp. I’m going to avoid learned helplessness and coach him to pack so he can enjoy the camp he loves to go to. Looking forward to that outcome!
-Kristine Sizemore
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.
Legal Matters
Brought to you by: Community Partner Bradford & Holliman, bradfordholliman.com
Visiting your mother for Mother’s Day in May or your dad for Father’s Day in June? Consider a small spring-cleaning project in any attics, she-sheds, barns, or storage units. One lady in her seventies measures her progress by the trunk loads she takes to thrift stores. Be sure to suggest items that other siblings or grandchildren could use, and you will not come across as the greedy one. Masking tape makes great labels.
List the items and their locations and ask your parents to share their plans with the beneficiaries. These bequests do not have to be in their wills. In fact, your parents may get more pleasure by giving these items now rather than waiting for a will to be read. If they agree, update the inventory when items are given. Items could be valuable such as collectible paintings, woodturning tools, and jewelry, or nostalgic such as a grandmother’s very antique flour sifter, well-worn quilts, or notated Bibles. Your parents may enjoy an afternoon talking about the items in detail.
Executors of wills and trusts have a lot of responsibility such as making interim and final estate reports back to the Probate Court. Make executors’ lives easier by giving personal items to recipients early or by creating a separate document with the details of who gets what. One elderly lady with ten grown children made a copy of her will for each child and wrote on the back what that child was to receive from her personal effects even down to the refrigerator. There is an old saying that you do not know a person’s character until you have divided an estate with him. Estate distributions often trigger family arguments, long-term grudges, and will disputes. A well-used lawnmower triggered a will dispute in one family. That may sound ridiculous, but when grief, high emotions, and childhood grievances are involved, logic often goes out the window. We strongly recommend that our clients share their estate plans with their beneficiaries while they are here to address any questions or concerns. The same goes for personal effects.
Take a shot at spring cleaning yourself so you can be an example to your parents. And keep your estate plan current with regular reviews with your estate planning attorney. You will all have a sense of lightness to go with the lengthening days.
-Melanie B. Holliman, JD
Partner at Bradford & Holliman, LLC
205-663-0281
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.
Money Matters
Hays Latimer, a Senior Lead Advisor for OneAscent Wealth, has been serving clients for over 17 years. Here he shares with us tips for finding a financial advisor that will best meet our needs as well as five timeless principles to guide our financial decision making.
Choosing a Financial Advisor. Not everyone will be a good fit everywhere. It’s not just about choosing a good advisor, but one that fits your needs. Most importantly, do you believe they’re trustworthy and a person of integrity? If you don’t, the rest won’t matter.
Rely on your gut feelings, but also ask yourself if you believe the advisor would be willing to tell you hard truth. Sometimes we must deliver bad news, and it’s important that the relationship is strong enough where we can be compassionate but honest, and the client can be receptive. You also want an advisor who is a good communicator. It really doesn’t matter how smart or how good they are if they cannot communicate well. It might take some time to figure these things out, but a great way to learn more is by asking questions.
Five timeless financial principles for every income level.
1. Spend Less than You Earn. If you have a negative income every month, it’ll be impossible to reach any financial goals.
2. Avoid the Use of Debt, When Possible. Mortgage payments are perfectly reasonable. Highly avoidable debt, such as consistent credit card debt, can be a pitfall.
3. Give Generously. We’ve found that our most financially content clients are the ones who are generous. They see money as a tool, not only for their own needs, but to glorify God and meet others’ needs.
4. Plan for Financial Margin. Ensure you have cushion in your monthly cash flow, so you are well-equipped to handle unexpected opportunities or expenses.
5. Set Long-Term Goals. I firmly believe that we cannot focus on the long term if our financial house isn’t in order today.
Finding Peace and Contentment In Your Financial Life. My hope is that every one of our clients feels peace and contentment because they worked with us. It’s so encouraging for me to hear clients share how thrilled they are about the position they’re in because of what we’ve done together. If you’re looking for more clarity, confidence, and contentment in your financial life, I would love to talk with you! Contact us to learn more about how we can help you reach your financial goals.
-Hays Latimer
CFP®, CRPC®, Certified Kingdom Advisor® Senior Lead Advisor
205-313-9142
Best Books
Long ago, a group of women walked through the darkness of night into a garden. As the first hint of dawn began to breach the horizon, they neared their destination. Confusion and fear clung to them, but love compelled them forward. Suddenly, an earthquake shattered the silence, announcing the advent of a new world. Within minutes the women became the first evangelists of the good news that the tomb was empty, Jesus rose, and the Kingdom of God was still at hand.
In a beautiful children’s book, ‘Twas the Morning of Easter (Zonderkidz), the story of Mary Magdalene and the women who accompanied her to the garden tomb of Jesus is wonderfully offered by writer Glenys Nellist. Perhaps even more impressive is the artistry of the illustrator, Elena Selivanova. Rich in color and detail, every page is lovely enough to capture the appreciation of a child. With its artistry and rhythmic writing, ‘Twas the Morning of Easter reflects the joy and hope that is deeply embedded in the Easter story.
The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. Easter means that the brutal powers of this world will be shaken, that despair will give way to joy, that darkness must yield to light. Rome doesn’t win, hatred and sin and injustice will not stand forever, the resurrection will conquer death. ‘Twas the Morning of Easter joyfully reminds us that in the end, Jesus wins.
Christ has risen. He has risen indeed.
-Darrel Holcombe, Owner
Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts
Colonial Promenade, Alabaster
www.sanctuarychristianbooksandgifts.com
205-663-2370
Best Books
Distractions can steal your joy. They can definitely steal your purpose. Billie Jauss tried to overcome a season of feeling unsettled and uncertain by simplifying her schedule and taking control of life’s chaos. It didn’t solve all her issues.
Jauss realized it wasn’t the external distractions but the emotional barriers producing feelings of discouragement and defeat. Through detoxing from the emotional toxins, realigning priorities, and creating a spiritual health plan, she claimed confidence and found fulfillment not in adding one more thing but in realizing God’s best things.
Distraction Detox: Release Emotional Barriers, Restructure Priorities, and Realize God’s Best will help women:
Determine their internal distractions.
Evaluate their emotional barriers.
Terminate the toxins to hear, trust, and go.
Outline a plan to identify God’s best things.
eXecute the plan.
The rewards of Distraction Detox are discovering God’s best for our individual lives and releasing confidence, peace, and fulfillment within us. Known for her passion for inspiring women in their spiritual growth, Jauss provides practical and useful biblical guidance for Christian women to find peace and fulfillment. In addition to Distraction Detox, she’s the author of Making Room: Doing Less So God Can Do More. Jauss is also a speaker with Compassion International. Her podcast, start small BELIEVE BIG, offers guidance to live life with meaning, one step, decision, and action at a time.
Pick up Distraction Detox from your favorite book retailer. †
Special Feature
“I don’t know where I’d be without him,” Little Brother Mandrell Horton said about Big Brother Josh Randolph. “I can ask him anything. He’s like my real brother.”
In 2014, Josh and Mandrell were matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham. Since then, the two of them have bonded in numerous ways. Since Mandrell began playing basketball, Josh has attended all of his games and even worked out with him at the YMCA; Josh has also passed on his love of fishing to Mandrell and taken him on several trips, including a fly-fishing lesson. Additionally, Josh has always taken an interest in Mandrell’s schoolwork and has helped him with his academics over the years. Mandrell was even included in Josh’s wedding and has become an “uncle” to Josh and his wife’s child.
Josh has also instilled a sense of philanthropy in Mandrell. Josh, a dedicated board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham, has also served for many years as a pet-assisted therapist for Hand in Paw along with his dog, Gus. With Josh’s support, Mandrell applied to become a volunteer assistant. Together, Josh, Mandrell and Gus have visited local hospitals, schools and organizations to provide pet-assisted therapy. “It is an honor to be Mandrell’s Big Brother,” Josh wrote in his letter of support on Mandrell’s behalf to Hand in Paw. “It is amazing to build a relationship with such an outstanding young man.”
Josh and Mandrell’s dedication to the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission has rubbed off on others around them. Both of Mandrell’s siblings, Mantrell and Ja’Asia, have since matched with Bigs and performed in the organization’s annual gala, A Night of Big Stars. Mandrell and his mother, Rotesha, have even spoken at a United Way meeting about the impact the program has had on their lives.
Josh and Mandrell’s relationship has been instrumental in shaping Mandrell into the man he is today. From sparking his interest in volunteerism to helping him flourish in school, their match has undoubtedly been and will continue to be an incredibly positive influence in Mandrell’s life. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham is pleased to announce that Josh and Mandrell have been awarded Big and Little Brother of the Year for the entire state of Alabama. To learn more about the Big and Little program and how you can positively impact a child’s life, visit www.bbbsbhm.org or call 205-939-5590. †
Easter is April 17! Here is a list of Easter Week Services and Activities happening in and around Birmingham. Click on the links for more details.
April 10:
Palm Sunday Service at Vestavia Hills United Methodist
Easter Egg Hunt at Vestavia Hills United Methodist
April 11-13
Holy Week Lunches at Vestavia Hills United Methodist
April 14
Maundy Thursday Communion at Clearbranch UMC
Maundy Thursday at CrossPoint Church
Maundy Thursday at Vestavia Hills United Methodist
Maundy Thursday at Double Oak Community Church Mt. Laurel
April 15
Good Friday at Shades Mountain Community Church
Good Friday Worship at Clearbranch UMC
Good Friday at Vestavia Hills United Methodist
Good Friday at Double Oak Community Church Mt. Laurel
April 16
THE BIG HUNT at Clearbranch UMC
April 17
Easter Services at Clearbranch UMC
Easter at Vestavia Hills United Methodist
Easter Sunday at CrossPoint Church
Easter at Shades Mountain Baptist Church
Easter Sunday at Indian Springs First Baptist Church
Easter at Shades Mountain Community Church
Easter at Double Oak Community Church Mt. Laurel
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