Scholarship Finalist: Virginia Balogh

August 9, 2022March 23, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Virginia Balogh attended Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Ala. and is attending The University of Tennessee.

Over the course of my life numerous people have taken the time to invest in me. Teachers, camp counselors, babysitters and neighbors blessed me in multiple ways as I was growing up. I took it for granted that all kids have people in their life to encourage and mentor them. When I was a freshman at Vestavia Hills High School, I learned about a wonderful program called Youth Leadership. Through this program, students are provided with leadership and community service opportunities to help them develop the skills needed to be an active member of their school and their community. As a member of Youth Leadership, I have had the opportunity to be a mentor to an elementary school student. Often these are students who have experienced life struggles at an early age that could benefit from a positive role model in their life. One day each week, I travel to the elementary school and spend time with my “rebel buddy.” I came to look forward to these Wednesday visits each week and often found myself wondering about my “rebel buddy” throughout the week. I found myself pondering ways to connect and I felt such joy when he remembered my name each week and said he had been looking forward to my visit. On one of my visits, my “rebel buddy” told me he had received a huge bag of dice for his birthday. He was so thrilled with this gift that admittedly seemed not that exciting to me. At our visit the following week, he brought several of his favorite dice from his new collection. He reached out and gave me one of the die. As I held it in my hand, he said it was our friendship die and he wanted me to keep it. I still have that die in my coat pocket and remember him each time I put on my coat. It was such a simple gesture but I knew how much his dice collection meant to him and was so honored he wanted to share it with me. I must confess that when I initially decided to be a part of this program, I did it with the intention of blessing a child. While I certainly hope and pray I have been a blessing to the students I was matched with the last two years, I am convinced that the biggest blessing was mine and I have a friendship die to always remind me.

March 18, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Business Today

Former major league pitcher and World Series Champion Dan Naulty will be in Birmingham to share his incredible story at the Young Business Leaders (YBL) Spring Breakfast on May 6 at The Harbert Center. Naulty was a major league pitcher with the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees. With the Yankees, he played with the likes of Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens, and Derek Jeter. In 1999, they won a World Series, defeating the Atlanta Braves in a four game sweep.

It was after those events that his story gets really remarkable. Come and hear his journey through professional sports and his battle to be a man of integrity. Tickets are $20 for individual seats and $150 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, click here.

The mission of Young Business Leaders (YBL) and Women Business Leaders (WBL) is to transform the marketplace by winning men and women to Christ, building them in their faith, and sending them out locally, nationally, and internationally for God’s glory. If you are interested in building community, getting involved with a small group, or being connected with a mentor call 205-776-5450 or visit www.ybl.org or www.ybl.org/wbl. †

March 17, 2022March 16, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Samford School of Ed 2021 22 Education Corts Social Graphics Twitter 1

Special Feature

Samford University’s Orlean Beeson School of Education will host New York Times bestselling author Charles Martin for the 11th annual Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series on April 5.

Beginning at 7 p.m. in Samford’s Brock Recital Hall, Martin will share the one thing he wants his son, a Samford freshman, to know. Pulling from his exploration of biblical truths in his book What If It’s True?: A Storyteller’s Journey With Jesus, Martin will share key moments from the life and ministry of Jesus, as well as key moments from his own journey as a disciple of Christ. In his book, Martin addresses fundamental questions of faith to challenge readers to not just think differently, but live differently.

When asked what inspired him to write What If It’s True?, Martin says, “Pretty simple. If scripture is true, and Jesus really said what scripture says He said (and I believe He did) then who does that make Him, who does that make me and why don’t I live like I believe it?” Martin hopes that through his journey of exploration readers will experience true belief, freedom and real intimacy with the Father.

Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of 16 novels. One of his novels, The Mountain Between Us, was adapted into a major motion picture by 20^th Century Fox in 2017 and another, Long Way Gone, is in the pre-production stage to be made into a film. In addition to: What If It’s True?, Martin is the author of another non-fiction book titled They Turned the World Upside Down. His work has been translated into more than 35 languages in more than 40 countries around the world. He and his wife Christy have been married 28 years and live in Jacksonville, Fla.

Special Feature Samford School of Ed Corts Charles Martin — Hear from Charles Martin on April 5 at Samford University. Click here for tickets.

Martin will be joined by friend and fellow New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry. Henry was the 10^th anniversary Corts Distinguished Author and will return to introduce Martin and share insights from her new book Once Upon a Wardrobe released in October 2021.

General admission tickets are $25 for the public and complimentary for Samford students and employees. A book signing will follow the presentation. VIP tickets are $75 and include a private reception, special seating, a book by each author and a book signing with Martin and Henry at 5:30 p.m. Prepare to be captivated as Martin and Henry share inspiration that will encourage you to engage your faith in new ways. Tickets are available here. †

March 9, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

chelsea big kaboom music 2 CityofChelsea ABC 0012 1

Are We There Yet?

The City of Chelsea hosts several annual events with lots of family fun in mind. April 2 the City will celebrate its 26^th Anniversary while hosting its annual Fire at the Foothills BBQ & Dessert Cookoff at the Chelsea Community Center. From 1-4 p.m. enjoy free samples of delicious BBQ and desserts while listening to live music. The children will also have fun in their own Kids Play Area.

chelsea fire in the foothills bbq — April 2 the City of Chelsea invites you to the Chelsea Community Center, 11101 Hwy 47, 35043, for Fire at the Foothills- an afternoon of family fun from 1-4 p.m. Learn more at www.facebook.com/fireatthefoothills.

“We are going to have bounce houses, lots of barbeque to snack on, and music provided by the radio station,” Scott Weygand, City of Chelsea Councilmember says, adding, “We even ordered perfect weather!” Proceeds from the event benefit Chelsea Fire and Rescue and The Chelsea Kiwanis Club-serving children in need in the community.

Then on the last Saturday in June, you won’t want to miss ChelseaFest and the Big KaBoom. This annual event boasts a night full of fun- including live music, vendor tents and food trucks and concludes with a spectacular fireworks show. The festivities take place at 100 Chelsea Corner Way (behind Dairy Queen/Highway 280). Learn more about these events and other great aspects of the City of Chelsea at www.cityofchelsea.com.

chelsea big kaboom fireworks CityofChelsea — ChelseaFest and the Big KaBoom takes place Saturday July 2 and concludes with a fireworks show.

July 21, 2022February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Mission Makers

Have you ever wondered what is involved for a missionary to leave their home and move to another country? I met with David and Shannon Brown, members at Meadow Brook Baptist Church to find out. They are scheduled to leave on March 5 to serve in Eastern Europe as Team Associates for a minimum of one year. Unlike Team Members, their self-funded position through the International Mission Board enables them to have flexibility in their schedule. While the Browns will be living and ministering on the field just like any other missionary, they will have specific duties to support the Team Leader in carrying out the overall vision for ministry. So… what are some things the Browns did to prepare for this new chapter in their lives?

David Digging a Hole — David Brown digging dirt for a mudhouse he is helping to build.

1. House. Since their commitment is for one year (but could be extended), they decided not to sell their house. They plan to return to the States for quick trip(s) during the year. Family and friends will check on the house regularly. A Ring camera was installed for added security.

2. Cars. The Browns sold both of their vehicles rather than leaving them dormant.

3. Mail. A temporary forwarding of First Class mail can be done for six months with options to extend.

4. Bills. Utilities were not disconnected. All bills and insurance statements were converted to electronic billing and automatic payments.

5. Financial issues. Adjustments were made for stateside accessibility to finances through a family member liaison. However, an established bank account on the mission field is required to verify proof of income.

6. Legal issues. Passports were checked for valid dates. A VISA will be applied for upon arrival in Eastern Europe. A criminal background check is required.

7. Church responsibilities. David was a volunteer at the Jimmie Hale Mission each month as well as a teacher for an adult Life Group class. Shannon was a member on the Women’s Committee, and they both served on the Missions Committee at their church. Each of these roles will be filled by other church members. The Browns also met with their Discipleship Pastor, who is a former missionary, to take a refresher course on evangelism.

Shannon reading to the children from the Bible — Shannon Brown shares the story of Jonah with children gathered from the community.

8. Business concerns. The Browns are no longer in the workforce. David consulted for a local charity after retiring but has since stepped away from this role.

9. Communication. Contacts with sources on the mission field were made to help pave the way before their arrival in Europe.

10. Packing. Each will be taking two large suitcases plus three duffle bags. Shannon plans to take her favorite pillows and her grandmother’s quilt while David will be taking a digital picture frame with family photos including their grandchildren, of course.

The Browns are quick to note that combined and individual prayer and time in the Word have been key to their preparations. They also say that “even though we are the ones going, many are involved. They are part of our team.”

–Karen Allen is a freelance writer with a heart for missions. Check out her journeys in her ministry website at www.ewerblessed.com and be sure to sign up for her blog.

February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Parenting Points

One of the most important days on the Christian calendar is Easter. We remember the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and celebrate the truth that without it, Paul reminds us, “our preaching is in vain and our faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV). If the resurrection and remembering the resurrection are essential, how do we pause, reflect, and engage with this good news?

In some church traditions, people have used the church calendar to connect to the story of the Bible more deeply. Though this may be foreign to you and your past church experience, your family could pause to engage with the message of Easter by observing the season of Lent.

What is Lent? Lent is a 40-day time beginning with Ash Wednesday (March 2) and ending with the Thursday before Easter (April 14). It is modeled after Jesus’ time of fasting in the desert found in the Gospels, where He set aside time to seek God and grow deeper in His relationship with the Father. Lent is intended to be a time of reflection and grief about our sin and the brokenness of our world. This season is broken by the great celebration of Easter with a resurrected Jesus who conquered sin and death and will come again to make “all things new” (Revelation 21:5 ESV).

How would pausing for Lent strengthen my family’s faith? Taking time to pause would allow your family to seek to connect with God in this season intentionally. As Jesus went to the desert to commune with God, we create a place of desert in our own lives and families. We give up some things to create a space for God to speak to us and for us to commune with Him. We choose to adjust our family priorities for a season to remember our need for God and to prepare to celebrate God’s great rescue of us.

What are some practical ideas on how to celebrate Lent? As a family, decide something that you will give up to connect more deeply with God. You could give up the extra TV show, desserts at dinner, or get up a few minutes early to add a family prayer time or Bible study. There are also several family Lent devotionals online which may be helpful.

In this season of preparation, let us journey into the wilderness to be reminded of who we are, our need for God’s grace, and experience the power of the resurrection this Easter Sunday.

-Dr. Ben Birdsong

Missions Minister at Christ Church Birmingham

Writer and Speaker

www.benbirdsong.com

February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

OLS Students with Library employee holding gift basket

Education Extra

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School(OLS) recently celebrated Catholic Schools Week focusing on the school’s high-quality, faith-filled education while honoring those who contribute to the school’s success. The week included theme-filled days as they celebrated students, families, faculty and staff, in addition to volunteers, community supporters, and local leaders.

OLS Tree with children — Special trees were decorated on Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School’s campus with handwritten notes from the children and staff.

OLS takes pride in providing the opportunity for academic excellence and achievement, orienting its students toward service and love of neighbor, and establishing a family-friendly environment. As a part of the week’s festivities, the students participated in a special service project. They performed chores at home to earn money for the purchase of books for Better Basics. The nonprofit organization provides books, literacy intervention, and enrichment programs to Birmingham and Fairfield City Schools and Talladega Schools. The children and staff also decorated two trees on the school campus with handwritten notes. Their prayer petitions were written on paper petals and placed on a Prayer Tree, while notes of thanks and blessings were place on another, they call the “OLS Tree.” †

February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Our House

The weather is warming up and the flowers are blooming. With the coming of spring, many homeowners are heading up their spring-cleaning checklists. Make sure to protect your home by cleaning hotspots for spring pests in and around your property. Here are four areas to cover.

1. The Yard. Infestations start outside, so tackling your yard needs to be at the top of your to-do list.

Take time to check the outside of your home for any damage, cracks, or crevices. These can be common entry points for spring pests.
Repair your roof where necessary, addressing any winter damage, broken tiles, or shingles. Be on the lookout for rotting wood or moisture.
Clean out all of your downspouts and gutters. When these are left unaddressed, they can lead to moisture buildup.
Check seals around your windows and foundation and apply sealant where necessary. Cut and trim shrubbery and branches that are close to your home. Remove rotted wood or tree stumps around your home as these are a favorite among termites.

2. The Basement. Basements are a destination spot for many spring pests and rodents because they usually have clutter, dark corners, and moisture.

Clean out your basement thoroughly. Go through your storage containers and clutter, discarding where possible.
Replace cardboard boxes with plastic counterparts. These are harder for spring pests to penetrate and help eliminate a common hiding place.
Check your walls and floors for cracks or crevices and seal up any you find.

3. The Kitchen. Spring pests, like ants, love kitchen spaces because of the availability of potential water and food sources. Crumbs, spill residue, and food left out are some of their favorite snacks.

Clean out all of your cabinets and pantry. Discard stale or outdated foods and spices.
Thoroughly clean the inside of your cabinets and replace old shelf paper.
Vacuum behind your appliances.
Clear off your counters and give them a good scrub, looking for any sticky spots or residue in hard-to-reach areas.

4. The Bathrooms. Spring pests are attracted to moisture, making bathrooms a likely place you’ll find them lurking.

Check for any leaky faucets, pipes, or water spots and fix/replace where needed. Make sure to look around your shower or tub for any water buildup.
Remove and wash your liner and shower curtain.
Clean out and scrub down bathroom cabinets.

For the best spring pest prevention, your home needs to be professionally protected. Vulcan Termite and Pest Control, Inc. offers expert care combined with professional experience and service. Contact us today and protect your home from spring pests this year!

-Vulcan Termite & Pest Control

Serving the State of Alabama Since 1965

www.vulcantermite.com

205-663-4200

Thank you to Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, Inc. for being a sponsor of BCF’s 2022 Scholarship Opportunity for graduating high school seniors living in the five-county area of Birmingham. Apply at www.birminghamchristian.com/scholarship. Deadline 03/16/22.

July 27, 2022February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

Legal Matters

Brought to you by: Community Partner Bradford & Holliman, www.bradfordholliman.com

Do you understand your finances? Here are four reasons to know your finances even if your spouse usually manages them.

1. Since women live longer than men and often have older spouses, women are likely to be the surviving spouses impacted by their husbands’ wills and property law.

2. Divorces trigger the division of assets. Overall, the divorce rate in the U.S. is falling, but the divorce rate of couples over 50+ is increasing, and that means there are more assets to divide.

3. If you are considering a second marriage and have children from your first marriage, you may want to consider a prenuptial agreement and estate plan that protects those children’s inheritances. In the U.S., 19% are second marriages.

4. Setting up your estate plan so that both parties can manage affairs easily on their own when needed due to the incapacity or demise of one spouse.

Know how all your assets are titled. Your attorney needs to know how assets’ titles and beneficiaries to advise you for your estate plan. Individual ownership can be more advantageous than joint ownership due to direct gifts, grants, inheritances, and assets a spouse may have before marriage. But it was not always this way.

Did You Know? Women’s Rights Related to Assets Have Really Changed!

In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s take a quick view of how women’s rights relating to assets have improved:

1846- Women could own, but not control, property in their own names.
1849- Married women could own and manage property in their own names during the incapacity of their spouses.
1867- Married women were granted separate economy which meant they could have a separate estate.
1870- Women were no longer considered property of their husbands or fathers.
1960s- Women could open their own bank accounts.
1974- Women could have their own credit cards with no co-signers.
1974- Women could buy a house alone.
1981- For a husband to have sole control of marital property became unconstitutional by a U.S. Supreme Court case.
1981- Alabama’s intestate or probate law was changed to be gender neutral.

A couple’s finances require day-to-day management, long-term strategic plans, and estate plans. You and your spouse should talk about finances on all these levels to make sure you are both “rowing in the same direction…” and then make sure your estate plan is in line with your direction.

–Melanie B. Holliman, JD

Partner at Bradford & Holliman, LLC

www.bradfordholliman.com

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.

February 27, 2022 by Laurie Stroud

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Money Matters

In Matthew 19, a rich man approaches Jesus and tells Him that he has kept all the commandments of the law and asks if this is enough to earn eternal life. Although this man believed that he had never sinned, Jesus knows this is not true and challenges him to “sell what you possess and give to the poor….and come follow me” (Matthew 19:21 ESV).

What Jesus saw in this man was that he was breaking the commandment against idolatry by worshipping his wealth instead of God. Jesus invites the man to turn from his idolatry and follow Jesus instead. The rich man instantly realizes he cannot do this because he loves his possessions too much and so he simply walks away.

We may look down on the rich man for his idolatry of wealth, but the truth is that many of us are guilty of the same thing. Whether we consider ourselves rich or not, we can fall into the trap of worshipping possessions and money. It can creep into our lives slowly and eventually become the main driving force behind everything we do. Even if we are doing other “good things” like the rich man was doing, we can still be sinning in our hearts by worshipping something besides God. Jesus reminds us in this story that what matters is the attitude of our hearts, not just our external behavior. Unfortunately, idolatry can be hard to notice because it is a matter of the heart. So how do you know if you are idolizing money and possessions? I’d encourage you to begin searching your heart by asking yourself these four questions.

1. Do you regularly dream about having more or are you satisfied with what you have?

2. Do you joyfully give to God and others as He leads, or do you tend to make excuses and put off giving?

3. Do you feel a twinge of jealousy when others get something you don’t have, or are you able to celebrate and enjoy their happiness?

4. Do you often worry about losing what you have, or do you trust God to be your provider in all circumstances?

Following Jesus means leaving behind every idol and directing all our worship, trust and love to God alone. It means obeying Him and being willing to do whatever He calls us to do with our wealth. We may forget it at times, but Jesus is worthy of all our devotion, love, and praise. Following Him is a great adventure that is so much more fulfilling than amassing wealth for ourselves. May each of us leave behind the idol of wealth and follow Jesus with our whole heart.

-David Hinshaw, Wealth Management Certified Professional® Advisor, OneAscent

[email protected], 205-313-9142

Scholarship Finalist: Virginia Balogh

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