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Alpha is a place to explore the meaning of life, discover the basics of what Christians believe and why and ask questions in a non-threatening, non-judgmental environment. The course will be available at two locations. Find out more by visiting us online at alphamontgomery.com.
F i n d o u t m o r e at d i n n e r , August 26 or 27 6 p.m.
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C OURSE S TAR T S
September 9 or 10 AT 6 p.m.
Explore the meaning of life alphamontgomery.com
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Volume 15, Issue 3
Feature Articles
AU G U ST 20 1 3 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note
page 14
Jason Watson
Paper Prayers
page 4
by Richard Bauman
Writing your prayers, or even typing them on your computer screen, can keep you focused and enrich your time with the Lord.
Pastor's Perspective Reverend Mike Rippy, Evangel Church
page 12
Dave $ays page 20
Update:
Dave Ramsey
Mary Ellen’s Hearth
page 18
Shine Kim Hendrix
by Rachel Fisher
One year after opening it’s doors in the Nellie Burge Center, discover how the residents of Mary Ellen’s Hearth are learning to rebuild their lives and move forward independently.
page 18
The Intersection Bob Crittenden
page 22
Grace to You
page 28
John MacArthur
Cover Feature:
Common Ground Montgomery by Rachel Fisher
Find out how this local ministry is providing a safe haven of love, grace, discipline and structure for kids and their families in Washington Park and Gibbs Village.
page 26
Counselor’s Corner Lou Priolo
page 32
Family Teams for Christ Lisa and Mike Conn
page 38
Get the Point?
On Our Cover . . .
Elaine Britt
In Every Issue
Common Ground Montgomery leaders Bryan and Delta Kelly and Kevin King are pictured with a few of the children the ministry serves in the Washington Park/Gibbs Village area of West Montgomery.
page 6
On the Bookshelf page 8
Around Our Community page 34
Event Calendar page 40
Movie Reviews 1
August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Our Mission... We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.
Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com
Publisher
Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com
Research Editor Wendy McCollum
Contributing Writers Richard Bauman Elaine Britt Lisa and Mike Conn Bob Crittenden Rachel Fisher Kim Hendrix John MacArthur Lou Priolo Dave Ramsey Reverend Mike Rippy Gail Welborn
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson, Joe Bass ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 703
Cover Photography Lori Mercer Photography www.lorimercerphotography.com
Ad Design
Tim Welch, Welch Designs
Distribution Team Kristy Brennan Wendy McCollum Chris Mitchell Manzie Moore Richard Ward Lesa Youngblood
From the Publisher Have you ever heard the slogan, “The Gospel Changes Everything?” Now, does everything mean EVERYTHING? In some circles, the Gospel may change a few things, but it’s not allowed to change everything. Someone might say, “The Gospel changes my eternal destination, but not how I raise my children or how I interact with my spouse. Yes, the Gospel changes what I do on most Sunday mornings, but not so much on the other days of the week.” We can mistakenly create two categories in our lives...the “spiritual” things that the Gospel impacts and the “real life” things where we think the Gospel has no place. If this is the road you’ve taken then you don’t fully understand the good news of the Gospel and how it absolutely changes EVERYTHING. A great example of this can be found in our cover story about the local ministry Common Ground Montgomery on page 28. For the past decade, Common Ground has been serving the needs of the Washington Park neighborhood located between Day Street and Mobile Highway. You’ll see that they’re not just holding Bible studies, but working through the Gospel to restore and empower families, work, education and more. The story of Common Ground should be the story of every Christian living out the Gospel where God has placed them in the River Region. In this month’s Pastor’s Perspective, Michael Rippy, pastor of Evangel Church, explains how the Gospel can transform our homes in a way that influences our culture and society. His article, Influencing the State of Our Unions, can be found on page 4. A Godly marriage and home is a blessing that we must strive for through God’s grace and power both for our sake and our community’s. I know you’ll be greatly encouraged by his words. Finally, the Gospel does point us to our glorious future where we will be with the Lord, free from sin and death for eternity. As we wait for that day, many of us wonder what life will be like after our time on earth ends. Monthly columnist and well known pastor John MacArthur answers the question, Will Earthly Memories Exist in Heaven, on page 22. We’re blessed to have such a great theologian with a pastor’s heart writing for us each month. His column will aid us all as we move closer to the day of our Lord. May the Gospel continue to transform all areas of your life so you will come to know the glorious riches we have in Christ Jesus.
River Region’s Journey is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region’s Journey is copyrighted 2013 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in River Region’s Journey are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region’s Journey has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.
River Region’s Journey
August 2013
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There are more suicides than murders in Alabama every year.
It’s a confidential call...no one will know you called but YOU! Open 24 hours a day if a friend has had suicidal thoughts In 2011, 82 people ages 10 to 24 died by suicide in Alabama.
Talking about suicidal thoughts help reduce the pain.
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Pastor’s Perspective
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The Reverend Mike Rippy, Evangel Church
Influencing the State of Our Unions I have been married 36 years this month, and I have noticed that the ideas and concept concerning marriage is vastly different than it was on our wedding day in 1977. I was reading the annual “State of our Unions” report which verified what I have been sensing. In this year’s essay, David Popenoe argues that long-term trends point to the gradual weakening of marriage as the primary social institution of family life. More Americans today are living together, marrying at older ages or not at all, and rearing children in cohabiting or solo parent households. Popenoe attributes the weakening of marriage to a broad cultural shift away from religion and social traditionalism and toward faith in personal independence and tolerance for diverse life styles – otherwise known as “secular individualism.” This cultural shift is a central feature of modern societies and therefore unlikely to be reversed. The Prospect for Cultural Change To reverse this trend of marriage and family decline
would take a cultural transformation of some kind, and it is interesting to consider and evaluate what this might look like, and what could bring it about. One potential source of change would be a significant expansion in influence and authority of today’s orthodox, anti-individualist religions. The State of Our Unions is a joint publication of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia and the Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values.
As Christians we are called to bring about cultural transformation. I believe it starts with the rebuilding or remodeling of our own homes as examples and influencers to our culture. Terri and I did a major remodel to a home when we lived in Florida and our children were quite young. Thankfully, our marriage survived! Two truths while remodeling that home apply to the remodeling you might need to do in your family: 1. It takes longer than expected! 2. It will cost more than you originally thought! Jesus shows us how important foundations are when we remodel. These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy
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beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. Matthew 7 (MsgB) There are a few principles in remodeling that I will draw your attention to today. • COOPERATE WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR You must have the right foundation – Jesus! Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1 (NIV) • CONCENTRATE ON THE BLUEPRINTS (Matthew 7) The blueprints are clearly God’s Word. Building on the sand simply means someone hears God’s Word and ignores it. Building on the Rock means someone hears God’s Word and obeys it. • FUMIGATE THOROUGHLY Some of us need to look at what we are bringing into our homes and then ask ourselves, does it reflect what the world believes, or is it based on a Christian worldview? Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 1 John 2:15-17 (MsgB) Christ honoring homes CAN BE the influence, the salt and light that our culture needs. The good news is YOUR HOME and YOUR MARRIAGE is where the change can begin. Mike Rippy has been in full time ministry with the Assemblies of God for 28 years and Lead Pastor for 21 years at Evangel Church in Montgomery, Alabama. He has been married to his wife, Terri, for 36 years and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
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Our Statement of Faith In keeping with Protestant theology, we believe that the Bible, as contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is fully inspired by God and therefore inerrant in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the only essential and infallible record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. The Bible is perfect in every way and shows us how to become and live as Christians. The way of becoming a Christian is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who came to us, born of a virgin, in full human form while remaining fully God. Jesus was, and is, perfect, and was crucified so that others could live. Three days later He rose from the dead, never to die again. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. Those who have faith in Jesus as their Lord in this life, and Savior from damnation in the next life, now live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, becoming more like Jesus everyday. We believe that God is one God. The one God has three persons: the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as God is one, so also, all believers are to be one. We believe in the unity and fellowship of all those that have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We are one in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. *All editorial content published must be in agreement with our Statement of Faith
Connecting http://evangelchurch.me or call 334-272-4882
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We want you to feel welcome and connected at Evangel. Our guiding philosophy is “Connecting to God. Connecting to Others.” Whether you are single, married, divorced, with kids or without – we’ve got something for you at Evangel.
3975 Vaughn Rd Montgomery, AL 36106
August 2013
River Region’s Journey
On The Bookshelf
by Gail Welborn
Making Good Habits-Breaking Bad Habits
by Joyce Meyer, FaithWords, 2013, 208 Pages, 978-1455517381, $19.99
In her newest book, Joyce teaches how to form good habits and break bad habits. Although she writes about negative behaviors her focus is on faith, discipline and healthy self-esteem. She begins with what she calls the “God habit” and writes “…without the habit of spending time with God in prayer and studying His Word…habits overtake us and rule our lives.” Throughout the book she cites Scripture and encourages readers to look to God’s Word for guidance. She defines controlling habits as “…behavior patterns acquired by frequent repetition” that soon become routine behavior. Smoking, nail-biting and cell-phone addiction might be good examples of habits that control us instead of our controlling them. The experts told Joyce both good and bad “…habits can be formed or broken in thirty days.” She cites examples from personal experience where she learned that to be true. With that in mind she encourages readers to focus on behaviors they want rather than obsessing over worrisome habitual behaviors that have seemed impossible to break in the past. Changing habits requires self-discipline, commitment, time and hard work, yet the benefits are worth the effort.
One-Minute Devotions for Couples
by Bob & Cheryl Moeller, Harvest House Publishers, 2013, 256 Pages, 978-0736952033, $9.99
Spring is the time of year most associated with wedding plans which includes the expectation of “happily ever after,” yet there is no insurance attached to any wedding vow. However, Bob & Cheryl Moeller write in One-Minute Devotions for Couples that if they sold “marriage insurance” the policy would contain just four words—“prayer and God’s Word.” The Moeller’s hope to inspire the newly married with 250 one-minute devotionals that encourage a daily habit of commitment to God’s Word and prayer. They write that couples who do this build a “hedge of protection” around their marriage that “nothing will compromise.” Their wedding vows, “… for better or for worse…” become vows of “for keeps.” As co-founders of “For Better, For Worse, For Keeps” ministries, Bob and Cheryl work to bring healing and restore marriages in “underserved communities.” In addition, Bob hosts a nationally broadcast television call-in show, Marriage: For Better, For Worse on the Total Living Network. This couple’s beliefs and ministry illustrate the meaning of the message found in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “…a cord of three strands is not quickly broken…,” a simple description of a marriage that includes God.
America the Beautiful
by Ben Carson, M.D., Zondervan Publishers, 2012, 224 Pages, 978-0310330912, $12.99
Dr. Carson, author, renowned surgeon and Pediatric Neurosurgery Chief of Johns Hopkins Hospital, questions if it’s time for America to again “…work toward liberty and justice for all…” Ben, unfamiliar with justice as an African-America boy, grew up in the slums of Detroit and Boston. He experienced “overt racism” at school and “systemic racism” within his own family. Yet his poverty stricken, hard-working single mom taught him to strive for excellence. With her love, support and “nononsense parenting” he modeled himself after Joseph of the Old Testament and worked hard to become the “best that he could be,” similar to Old Testament Joseph whose brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery. Ben couldn’t know his life path of accountability, “personal responsibility and self-reliance” would lead to: • Separating “conjoined twins at the head” in 1987. www.nndb.com/people/760/000127379/ • The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008. www.hopkinschildrens.org/newsDetail.aspx?id=4946 • Or the controversial speech at the National Prayer Breakfast February 2013 that he gave to “please God.” www.christianpost.com/news/dr-ben-carson-says-national-prayer-breakfast-speech-was-meant-to-please-god-video-90762/ He appreciates the freedoms that allowed him to excel, yet he fears America is being weakened by “political corruption,” and political correctness. Reading his words or listening to him speak is like a “breath of fresh air.” River Region’s Journey book reviewer Gail Welborn lives in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. River Region’s Journey
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River Region’s Journey
B Aldersgate County Fair
Sunday the 25th of August, 5-7 pm Enjoy live music from the Goat Hill String Band BBQ Dinner prepared by the United Methodist Men; Dessert provided by the United Methodist Women. Bring a side to share! Games for Kids! Don’t miss the food and fun! Register by calling 272.6152 or office@aldersgateumc.org.
Email ministry or church news to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com.
Love Worth Fighting For Marriage Event w/ Kirk Cameron and Warren Barfield
September 20 at 7:00 PM (doors open 6:00 PM) Venue: First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery The Bible repeatedly uses “father,” “husband,” “bride” and “child” analogies to demonstrate God’s relationship with the church and his followers. There is no better example of the unconditional love God has for us than what we are instructed to have for our spouse and children. Building upon these themes, Love Worth Fighting For is a marriage event, featuring teaching by Kirk Cameron and music by Warren Barfield, designed to strengthen and encourage your marriage. VIP – $35/person, includes seating in VIP section, access to the VIP-only autograph session, and a pre-event 30 minute Q&A with Kirk; General Admission – $22.50/person; Group of 10 or more – $20/person; At the door – $25/person Call 834.6310 for tickets or more info.
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For EvEry G E n E r at i o n .
R Prattville First United Methodist Church 100 E. 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 TRADI TIO NAL W O RSH I P 8 : 3 0 AM & 11 : 0 0 A M SUNDAY SCH O O L 9 : 4 5 AM TH E W ELL 11 : 0 0 AM
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*F a www.prattvillemethodist.org River Region’s Journey
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Come Study Matthew’s Gospel with
Bible Study Fellowship International Day Women’s Class & Preschool Children’s Program Wednesdays 9:10-11:00am beginning September 11th. Meets at Ridgecrest Baptist Church 5260 Vaughn Road Montgomery, Alabama 36116 Women’s Evening Class with School Program (1st-12th) Mondays 6:45-8:35pm beginning September 9th Meets in 401 Bldg Frazer Methodist 6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, Alabama 36117 Men’s Evening Class with School Program (1st-12th) Mondays 6:55-8:45pm beginning September 9th Meets @ Aldersgate Methodist 6610 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery, AL 36116 Call Tricia @ 546.1386 for information.
Coming This Month!
A New Indoor Facility Offering 2 Private Party rooms!
Rhema Community-Wide Women’s Bible Study “Fire of His Presence” A study on the tabernacle of Moses Saint James United Methodist Church Tuesdays, 9/10-10/22 from 9:30-11 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. *Free Bible study. Childcare available for a.m. session reservation only: $5/week To register: call Sarah @ 277.3037 or solsen@sjlife.com.
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Teaching Event on Spiritual Gifts
Upward Soccer Registration at Saint James UMC
K4 – through 4th grade (boys and girls welcome) Cost: $75 until August 6 then $85 until August 18. *No registrations after that. Key dates: Deadline for registration - August 18 Practice begins the week of August 26 First Game – Saturday, September 7 Awards Celebration – Sunday, October 27 Volunteers Needed! If you would like to help in any way please contact the church office. We need coaches, referees, and other volunteers to help support this ministry. Call (334) 277.3037.
His Vessel Ministries invites you to the teaching event “Spiritual Gifts” on Saturday, August 10, from 9am – noon. Please join us as Jo Hancock teaches you how to identify your gift to help you reach your purpose in life. For more information or to register call (334) 356.4478 or info@hisvessel.org. His Vessel Ministries provides Christ-centered teachings that point people to the Truth that will stir and challenge individuals to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. This is carried out through Bible teachings, yearly discipleship trainings, and special teaching events. The ministry also organizes prayer warriors that are called Watchmen to pray daily for the city and its leaders. His Vessel Ministries is located in the Historic Union Station, 300 Water Street, Suite 100, Montgomery.
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August Dance Lesson-East Coast Swing
River City Church, a United Methodist congregation, 301 Dexter Ave., Montgomery, Ala., hosts the 301 Dance Club, a Christian nightclub free of alcohol and smoking, every Friday evening in the fellowship hall. No reservation needed. $10/person; 6:30-7:30pm group dance instruction by Steve Chambers; (August lesson--East Coast Swing) 7:30-10:30pm open dance floor
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Barnabas
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A Christ centered peer based support group for those struggling with unwanted same sex attractions and family members or loved support and encouragement are available. Meets 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM - Landmark Church More information: call (334) 277.5800 OR email barnabas@landmarkchurch.net Landmark Church is a member of the Exodus International network of churches that welcomes those who struggle with unwanted same sex attractions. a ministry of Church August 2013
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Great Awakening Conference, August 23-25
Great Awakening Conference and Convocation at Fresh Anointing House of Worship, 150 East Fleming Road, Montgomery, is actually more than a conference that you might expect. It is a supernatural, miraculous move of God that pulsates with divine energy and will reach far beyond this area as the city of Montgomery and surrounding areas come together in obedience to II Chronicles 7:14. Everyone is invited-churches, families, community & sports organizations, youth groups, etc. Hosted by Bishop Kyle and Pastor Kemi Searcy. Speakers are Bishop Eugene Reeves and Dr. Steve Vickers. Friday 6PM, Saturday 10AM, Sunday Morning 10AM. This is a FREE event. Registration is required at www.anointedchurch.org or contact (334) 613.3363.
Global Leadership Summit
The Global Leadership Summit is a two-day, world-class leadership event experienced by more than 170,000 leaders around the world, representing more than 14,000 churches. It’s telecast LIVE from Willow Creek’s campus (near Chicago) every August. This event is crafted to infuse vision, skill development and inspiration for the sake of local church transformation. In Montgomery, this event will be held at Saint James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road, on August 8-9. Please call 277.3037 for more info.
Southern Gospel Quartet Concert
Join Eastern Hills Baptist Church on Sunday, August 18, at 6:00 p.m. THE ENVOYS, from Eastern Hills Baptist Church, will present an exciting night of southern gospel favorites. Call (334) 272.0604 for more info. Located at 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery.
PAUSE at Frazer UMC
August 17, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall, 6000 Atlanta Highway Press “pause” from the chaos of life and spend a day away with God this summer. Guided and group prayer experiences will be interspersed with extended time to meet with God on your own across the Frazer campus. If you’ve never dedicated a whole day to prayer, give Pause a try; you will be amazed how quickly the time will fly by as you break away from your everyday activities and enjoy focused time with Christ. Cost is $5 per person to cover materials that will be provided. Fasting is encouraged but you may feel free to bring a lunch and drinks/snacks will be provided. Free childcare available with registration for infants through 5th grade. Contact Information: 334.495.6350; jan@frazerumc.org
“Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Proverbs 22:6
C hallenging a CademiC a tmosphere in a C hristian e nvironment Accredited AISA Blue Ribbon School Evangel Christian Academy is a ministry of Evangel Church in Montgomery, Alabama.
334-272-3882 ecalions.org Evangel Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, gender and national or ethnic origin.
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Q.
Is there a downside to refinancing your home often?
A.
There’s really no downside to this, as long as each time you do a refinance you lower your interest rate enough to allow you to recoup closing costs before you move. In other words, you have to first make sure the numbers work. First, calculate the amount of money you’ll save as a result of a refinance. The way to do this is by multiplying the interest difference by your loan balance. If you have a $200,000 mortgage on a 5 percent loan, and you refinance to a 3 percent loan, that will save you 2 percent per year, or $4,000. Next, look at the refinance costs. What are the closing costs in order to refinance? If it’s $10,000, and you divide that by $4,000, that says it would take two and a half years to get your money back. If the costs are $8,000, it would take
River Region’s Journey
August 2013
you two years to get your money back if you’re saving $4,000 a year. That’s pretty substantial! What I just laid out is called a break-even analysis. Basically, it answers the question of how long it will take you to get back the money you spent on closing costs with the interest you save. That will give you the answer as to whether or not you should refinance again. So, there’s not really a “you’ve done this too often” rule. If you refinance three times in a year it would only be smart if interest rates have dropped significantly throughout that time. Doing a refinance to save an eighth of a percent won’t work out well for you.
Q. I’m following your plan, and I’ve just completed Baby Step 3. I’ve got my emergency fund of three to six months of expenses in place, and I’ve
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paid off all my debts, except for the house, so I’m ready to tackle investing. I currently have $100,000 in a traditional IRA. Should I convert this to a Roth IRA?
A.
You’ll have to pay taxes on the amount you withdraw, and that will amount to roughly a fourth of what you roll from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. If you move $100,000, it will cost you about $25,000 in taxes. If you have that kind of money saved above your emergency fund, and separate from retirement savings, then yes, I’d convert to a Roth IRA. Don’t cash out your retirement or dip into your emergency fund. And please, please don’t run out and borrow money to make it happen! The traditional IRA is growing on a tax-deferred basis, while the Roth IRA would grow tax-free. So, if you can pay the taxes out of pocket, I say go for it!
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Paper Prayers
Why writing them down can enrich your time with God
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by Richard Bauman
Praying and distraction are practically synonymous for me. Often, after only a moment or two of prayer, sometimes after just a few seconds, distracting thoughts fill my mind. At other times, I can’t seem to put into words or thoughts what I want to say to God. That’s when I resort to “paper prayers.” Prayers don’t have to be voiced aloud, or spoken in our thoughts for God to hear them. Paper and pen, or even computer and keyboard, can bring deeper meaning and enrichment to one’s prayer life. Writing prayers does more than quiet distractions. It helps us “talk” more directly to God. We can release more thoroughly what is in our hearts, and commit it to our Creator. As thoughts and feelings flow on to paper, the action of writing actually generates additional reflections that can be expressed. “Writing has the dynamic character of a movement into the unknown,” notes Joseph Schmidt in his book, Praying Your Experiences. “We can never be sure of what the writing might yield. When we take pen in hand we … open areas of…awareness that are deeper than we had imagined.” Since praying is communicating with God, that presupposes dialogue rather than a monologue. “We
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need to be reminded that prayer involves listening perhaps more than speaking,” writes Rabbi Harold Kushner in his book, Who Needs God? “It involves opening ourselves to what God wants us to hear, in a setting purified of the noise and distractions of the every day world.” Praying on paper becomes a conduit for God to reach our hearts and minds. “As our conversation continues we are startled by the truths that unfold,” notes Schmidt, in describing writing one’s prayers. “Significance and awareness reach a clarity that we had not realized consciously before.” In writing our prayers our hearts open and we give God time to show us what we already have. We not only see more clearly our concerns, pain and desires, but also God’s response to them. By consistently writing prayers, we gain insight into our real selves. “We write more than we are fully conscious of… Under our pen emerge reflections and insights …which we had not articulated before,” notes Schmidt. During one twelve-month span there were four deaths in our family, two within a month of each other. Much of my grieving for my older sister, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and her husband was done through prayer writing. One of my prayer journal entries during that time shows me how I thought that in grief I had to be “strong” and “insightful for the benefit of others. I wrote: “Dear God, I want to be so profound and say such grand things, and all I can say honestly, is I hurt. And I don’t think it should hurt so much, but it does.” As we fill journals with our prayers, we gain self-knowledge and learn about God’s relationship with us. Our prayers on paper become a part of our spiritual autobiography. Prayers often have more meaning when we write them rather than simply speak them. For instance, written prayers of gratitude, or “gratitude lists,” are powerful, and meaningful prayers. “Gratitude doesn’t come naturally to most people,” notes Rabbi Kushner. Thus, prayer shouldn’t be just an inventory of what we lack, “But a series of reminders of what we have, and what we might so easily take for granted, and forget to be grateful for.” Gratitude lists can express thankfulness for all manner of things. For instance, we can thank God for:
Prayers don’t have to be voiced aloud, or spoken in our thoughts for God to hear them. Paper and pen, or even computer and keyboard, can bring deeper meaning and enrichment to one’s prayer life. • The fact we are alive, and have a mind that works and a body that works. • Our home, jobs and other material blessings. • The beauty around us, a glorious sunrise, colorful flowers. • The blessing of good health for family and ourselves. • Our friends and family. • Being delivered from our fears.
I forgive you.For the times you belittled me in front of others--I forgive you. The Litany of Gratitude had numerous prayers also, including: For always providing a home, clothes, food to eat and a bed of my own when I was growing up—Thank you. For my parochial school education—Thank you. For teaching me about tools and how to use them—Thank you.
Writing gratitude lists and prayers increases our joy, and keeps us sensitive to the good that fill our lives. Of all the prayers I’ve written the past few years, perhaps the most spiritually enriching have been prayers of forgiveness, especially prayers of forgiveness. For example, I grasped tightly to resentment and anger toward my father for his alcoholism and other behavior I saw as abusive. Some of my anger was righteous, much of it was exaggerated. He has been dead since 1987, and I finally realized that to grow spiritually I had to forgive him. Not knowing how to do it, I wrote prayers simply asking God for the grace to forgive, and to show me how to do it. And He did. I was led to write a “Litany of Forgiveness” for my father. That, however, wasn’t enough. I needed to thank my father, too, for the good influences he had been responsible for in my life. I felt God tell me I not only had to forgive, but also to bless my father. My “Litany of Forgiveness” and my “Litany of Gratitude” were written over several days. Here are a few words of that litany of forgiveness:
A special advantage to writing our prayers is we can literally keep what we pray, and re-read it when we want to. We can share our prayers with others when appropriate. My Litanies of Forgiveness and Blessings were read to a trusted friend who I knew would understand not only what I was doing, but its significance, too. What was the result of my litanies? A sense of releasing of my father, letting him go, and for me freeing and releasing the anger and resentmentI had held tight and close for so many years. “Something miraculous happens when people come…seeking the presence of God,” says Rabbi Kushner. “The miracle is we often find it.” And writing prayers can help us more quickly enjoy that miracle. Our prayer life can be enriched with prayer writing. Our knowledge of God’s part in our lives, His will for us and our self-knowledge grows deeper, too. These things happen, ultimately, because writing our prayers brings us to strong, intimate contact with two special persons—God and ourselves.
For the times you drove drunk with my mother, sister and me in the car--I forgive you. For the times you were physically and verbally abusive to me--
Richard Bauman is author of several books: AweFull Moments: Spirituality in the Commonplace; It Made a Difference to that One; Holy Humor— If This is Church, Why are we Laughing? and Pranks in Print. All are available at www.richardjbauman.com.
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
SHINE!
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by Kim Hendrix
Great Expectations 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” When you hear the word “expectations” what comes to mind—excitement or anxiety? Expectations is a word that brings possibilities or pressure—maybe a little of both. I heard a young girl recently say she wasn’t sure she wanted to play a sport because too many people were expecting great things from her. She’s a great athlete and shows promise in many different areas, but she’s still learning and perfecting her skills. Now because others have great expectations for her, she’s feeling pressured to perform and is fearing failure. She isn’t alone with these feelings; we can experience this as adults, as well.
You’re hired for a new job and people expect great things from you; you’re a new mom and you feel everyone expects you to know what to do; you’re facing a serious illness and people expect you to be a great witness—how will you respond? As I sat down to write this article, I read the first lines of my daily devotional and once again marveled at God’s timeliness and goodness. With “high expectations” on my mind I read these words from Jesus Calling: “Find Freedom through seeking to please Me above all else. You can have only one Master. When you let others’ expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds.” Isn’t that the truth! There’s only one person we need to work to please—Jesus Christ. When we desire to live for Him
and like Him everything else falls into place. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, our anxiety over what others expect falls away. 1 Peter 5:7-8: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be selfcontrolled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
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athletic, and to even fail at things if it will help him learn in the long run. She wants him to live with great expectations of all he can do one day rather than the pressure of others’ expectations to be great every single day. Isaiah 41:13: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” To the young girl who’s feeling pressured to perform—look up! Praise God for the gifts He has given you and ask Him to help you take each step. Ask Him to help you prepare. To the new mom who isn’t sure what to do—look up! Praise God for this precious gift in your life and let others who have walked where you are help you. Admit you need help and you might be surprised how many women share your same doubts and insecurities. To anyone who has ever felt pressured by high expectations, know you’re not alone. Let’s let go of what
others expect and live expectantly for all God has planned for us. 1 Peter 5:9-11: “Resist him (the devil), standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.” Dear Heavenly Father, Help us keep our eyes on you. Thank you for allowing us to live expectantly for all you plan for us. May the pressures of the world melt away as we give our lives to you and work to glorify your name. In the awesome name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray...Amen. Kim Hendrix is the Director of Development at Saint James School in Montgomery. She leads the Shine Your Light ministry at Frazer Memorial U.M.C. and recently ended a 26 year career in television news. Kim and her husband Scott, have a 12 year old daughter, Annie, who brings them great joy.
We don’t wonder anymore how it happened, that one summer could bring such happy memories.
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New friends are now best friends. New experiences are now the best times ever. No wonder it’s so easy to tell others about it and include them in the fun.
B ASKETBALL • S OCCER • A RTS
• H ORSEBACK R IDING • S WIMMING • T ENNIS • C ANOEING • D ANCE • A EROBICS • G YMNASTICS • B EACH V OLLEYBALL •
Welcome to Riverview Camp for Girls!
We’ve do put Itogether everything you’re looking for in a perfect“I saw camp onemy of Why choose Riverview each summer? mysetting! first river Recognized on a mountain,as I rode Golf,times Dance, Dance, Outdoor Sports, Soccer,use Beach Volleyball, Basketball, “As go,Stomp it was one of the BEST.”Skills AndClass, what child couldn’t some of that these days?
Riverview Refinement, Program, Campfires night,Recognized optional trips and more! We’ve put together everythingCIT you’re looking for in a perfect every camp setting! as one of the Southeast’s best all-around summer camps for girls, Riverview is an oasis of fun, friends and happiness. Spring and Fall &available 2 week Sessions ages to 16... Mother-Daughter Weekends1are also! Registeredfor Nurses and6 Physician on Staff. Entire full-summer staff is First Aid andand CPRFall Certified. Camper/Counselor Ratio 5:1 Spring Mother-Daughter Weekends...
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first I had campfires every night. Icamps felt close to God. giggled a lot is with friends and counselors. time flew by! thehorse. Southeast’s best all-around for girls,IRiverview annew oasis of fun, friends andThe happiness... I Exciting felt safe and secure. Iinclude: gained confidence in myselfPool,Tennis, through the world around me.” activities Riding, Heated Canoeing, Ropes Course, Climbing Tower,
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Staying self-controlled and alert comes through time in the Word, fellowship and worship. Surround yourself with Godly friends, get involved in a small group or Bible study, and share your hurts and needs with others. Will this give you a pressure-free life? Probably not. It will allow His strength to stand strong against what we often allow to become unnecessary stress. High expectations can be a good thing – a motivating factor – as long as we stay focused on the One who allows us to live expectantly! A mom shared with me recently what it was like for her to grow up in the Asian culture. She said a person’s value comes from their education—where they go to school and their grades...nothing else matters. She said she worked very hard to please her parents so she would be a daughter of great value to them. She managed to get the good grades, but she said it was a lot of pressure. Today she works hard to make sure her little boy appreciates a good education, but is also given other opportunities to be creative,
Call for FREE DVD and catalog 1-800-882-0722 Accredited by American Camping Association • Members of Christian Camping International
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
The Intersection:
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Christian Cultural Commentary by Bob Crittenden
Marriage Benefits Family life is of great benefit to us and we recognize that a home where God is worshipped and honored and His principles are placed in motion can produce a high degree of security and satisfaction. I am so grateful to celebrate this month 23 years of marriage to my lovely, wonderful, and Godly wife, Beth. We have seen the Lord bless our union and our family in amazing ways, for which I am deeply thankful! The home can be an instigator and incubator for spiritual growth, as families learn to live with and love each other in the way that God would intend. As a result, we are strengthened, our lives are more secure, and we send a strong message to our culture about the importance of family and the sanctity of marriage.
River Region’s Journey
August 2013
Psalm 103 opens with these 2 verses: Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits…The Psalmist goes on to enumerate just some of those benefits. A relationship with Christ and following His principles produces satisfaction, because His way is best! I believe that marriage carries a unique set of benefits. We’ve heard a lot about marriage and “benefits” recently, as the Supreme Court has decided that gay couples who get a marriage license in states where such relationships are incorrectly viewed as “marriage” should receive the same benefits that traditional married couples
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receive. Honestly, you might try to extend material benefits to these couples, but the benefits of real marriage are more than a check in a mail or some sort of government-granted right. Marriage is a God-ordained institution, and to be in a committed relationship predicated on love and respect for one another, recognizing that the Lord has joined the two parties together, gives a tremendous degree of satisfaction. A thriving marriage can encourage and
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support each of us, and provide a stable environment in which children can grow up. Our homes can be havens for security and habitations in which we can grow spiritually. In a recent piece that Marvin Olasky wrote for WORLD, he highlights a book by Mary Eberstadt, How the West Really Lost God. In setting up his piece, Olasky quotes from the National Marriage Project, saying that the “Great Crossover” is now upon us: the median age at which women first give birth, 25.7 years, now falls below the median age at first marriage, 26.5. That’s because 48 percent of all first births now come outside the comforting bounds of a two-parent family. He writes that one reason for this crossover is clearly declining faith in the cross—fewer people believe what God teaches about marriage. He then cites Eberstadt’s contention that the decline in family formation could lead to a further decline in religious belief. He states that she flips the conventional wisdom - first religious decline, then family decline - and argues that family formation increases religious involve-
ment but unformed or broken families lead to a broken church. She puts her thesis in italics: “Something about living in families makes people more receptive to religiosity and the Christian creed.” Olasky adds that God uses childbearing and child-raising to draw people to Himself; they learn that they are not the center of the world, that they belong to their spouses and to God. He says that self-focus is the chief obstacle to God-focus, and when family trumps self, the road to transformation providentially becomes open. These writers highlight spiritual benefits to traditional marriage, which can have enormous social implications and provide a strong foundation for a stable society. Unfortunately, the trends are moving in an opposite trajectory. The latest National Marriage Project report points out that we are witnessing a striking exodus from marriage, especially among high school-, but not college-educated, young people, for whom raising children amid unstable cohabiting relationships and serial partnerships is in danger of becoming the new norm.
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This rapid decline of marriage among the almost 60 percent of the nation who are high school-educated but not college-educated has been dramatic. As recently as the 1980s, only 13 percent of the children of moderatelyeducated mothers were born outside of marriage. By the late 2000s, this figure rose to a striking 44 percent! While I believe the Scriptures teach that the traditional marriage structure is the most effective, I applaud those single parents who attempt to raise children and provide stability in situations, often not of their own making, in which families become fractured. A basic premise that I like to share is: God’s way is best! Marriage, as defined by God, is a relationship with multiple benefits - to each individual, to the families that marriages anchor, and to the society at large. Bob Crittenden is host of “The Meeting House”, heard weekday afternoons from 4-6pm on Faith Radio, 89.1FM in Montgomery. Described as “the intersection of faith and culture”, the program features Christian music and conversation about a variety of topics. Learn more by visiting www. meetinghouseonline.info.
August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Update: Mary Ellen’s Hearth The Ministry’s Impact One Year Later
by Rachel Fisher
she calls a complete life Just one year ago, Mary Ellen’s Hearth change. The opened its doors in the Nellie Burge Cominitial shock munity Center in the heart of Montgomery. of moving With the desire to offer hope, help and healinto Mary Eling to the homeless women and children of len’s Hearth Montgomery, the staff provides an environment that allows women to focus on rebuild- caused Sharmane to ing their lives successfully. And it’s not just a shelter or a transitional home. Mary Ellen’s ask herself how she got Hearth allows women to dream and pursue here. And an independent lifestyle, one where they the answers aren’t worried about the things that pertain caused her to basic survival, like a place to sleep and food to eat. Instead it allows them to open up to enter into a depressed their minds and hearts to all that God has for and saddened state that kept her at a distance them. In this way, they can begin to pursue from the other women. those things in the comfort of a place they But it wasn’t long until Sharmane realcall home for up to two years before they beized the staff truly wanted to help her and the gin the transition to true independent living. other women shared her same plight and exSharmane Cotton is one of those periences. “I started women. Sharmane to realize all these says she took great other women were pride in being able in the same position to take care of her I was and maybe needs without help we could help each from anyone. She other and encourage held a good job one another,” she and was raised in a says. This realizaloving home. But tion allowed her to almost one year experience comago, she lost her munity and friendjob and was facing ship with the other eviction from her women and come to home where she a place of peace with and her four-yearold son Jeremiah MEH resident Sharmane making a presentation her situation. Today, Sharmane says she lived. Eventually, at a community meeting. is not ashamed of she was kicked her testimony and knows it encourages other out and living in her car. It was through a conversation with one of her pastors that she women who find themselves full of pride about their situations. found out about a place called Mary Ellen’s Through partnerships with Frazer Hearth. Memorial United Methodist Church, BB&T “I came kicking and screaming,” says Bank and a handful of other organizations, Sharmane, “but I came.” She says it was her Sharmane and women like her are being inpride and her unwillingness to let anyone troduced to a completely new way to do life. into her personal life that was the most From classes on parenting and relationships threatened. After a tearful interview with exto more intense courses like Getting Ahead, ecutive director Debbie Dobbins, Sharmane offered by Frazer, the women are learning moved in and began to experience what River Region’s Journey
August 2013
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about themselves in new ways and seeing the difference in their lives. Sharmane is pursuing her new found entrepreneurial spirit and has big dreams for her and her son’s future. She is just one example of many the staff at Mary Ellen’s Hearth is seeing transformed by the ministry taking place at the Nellie Burge Center, which currently houses eight women and 16 children. There are many ways you or your group can be involved in what God is doing through Mary Ellen’s Hearth at Nellie Burge. Visit their website at www.nellieburge.org or call their office at 334-264-4108 to learn more. Rachel Fisher loves learning what God is doing around her and writing about it. She and her husband, Chase, live in Montgomery.
MEH resident Sharda and son, Jar’keyvis, playing with a puzzle during one of the birthday parties the Jr. League gave for the residents.
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Grace to You
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by John MacArthur
Will Earthly Memories Exist in Heaven? And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) Heaven will be so dramatically different from the present world that to describe it requires the use of negatives, as well as the previous positives. To describe what is totally beyond human understanding also requires pointing out how it differs from present human experience. The first change from their earthly life believers in heaven will experience is that God will wipe away every tear from
their eyes (cf. 7:17; Isa. 25:8). That does not mean that people who arrive in heaven will be crying and God will comfort them. They will not, as some imagine, be weeping as they face the record of their sins. There is no such record, because “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1), since Christ “bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). What it declares is the absence of anything to be sorry about—no sadness, no disappointment, no pain. There will be no tears of misfortune, tears over lost love, tears of remorse, tears of regret, tears over the death of loved ones, or tears for any other reason.
Another dramatic difference from the present world will be that in heaven there will no longer be any death (cf. Isa. 25:8). The greatest curse of human existence will be no more. “Death,” as Paul promised, “is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54). Both Satan, who had the power of death (Heb. 2:14) and death itself will have been cast into the lake of fire (20:10, 14). Nor will there be any mourning, or crying in heaven. The grief, sorrow, and distress that produce mourning and its
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outward manifestation, crying, will not exist in heaven. This glorious reality will be the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:3–4: “He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” When Christ bore believers’ sins on the cross, He also bore their sorrows, since sin is the cause of sorrow. The perfect holiness and absence of sin that will characterize heaven will also mean that there will be no more pain. On the cross, Jesus was “pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). While the healing in view in that verse is primarily spiritual healing, it also includes physical healing. Commenting on Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-inlaw, Matthew 8:17 says, “This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.’ ” The healing ministry of Jesus was a preview of the well-being that will characterize the millennial kingdom and the eternal state. The glorified sin-free bodies believers will possess in heaven will not be subject to pain of any kind. All those changes that will mark the new heaven and the new earth indicate that the first things have passed away. Old human experience related to the original, fallen creation is gone forever, and with it all the mourning, suffering, sorrow, disease, pain, and death that has characterized it since the Fall. Summarizing those changes in a positive way, He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God’s Word, John MacArthur is a fifthgeneration pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four grown children and fifteen grandchildren. John’s pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You. 23
August 2013
River Region’s Journey
River Region Support Groups Adoption
Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Leaders: Chad & Betsy Emerson (334) 201-5241 Wednesday, 6:30pm in Rm. 116. The Orphan Care Group will focus on God’s call to help orphans through adoption, foster care, and missions work. The group will share experiences, study and Biblical themes regarding orphan care, and provide a support and interest network for individuals who want to support orphans.
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Alcoholic / Addict
Location: Caring Center of FBC, 52 Adams Avenue CrossRoads Support Group is for addicts/alcoholics and family members. Meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and follows a Christ-centered 12-step program. Call 264-4949.
Location: Cloverdale Baptist, 608 E. Fairview Celebrate Recovery, a Bible-based Christ centered approach to recovery from hurts, habits and hangups, meets Friday nights, beginning with dinner at 5:30 p.m., Praise and worship, 6:30, Open Share Small Groups, 7:30, and Solid Rock Cafe, at 8:30. Call 265-9223. Location: Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. 272.2190. Alanon meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Location: Grace @ Bell Road, Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy. Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6 p.m. An Open AA Speaker meeting is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. An Alanon & AA held on Sundays at 2 p.m. Location: Grace Point Community Church, 78223 Tallassee Hwy (Hwy 14), Wetumpka Celebrate Recovery- every Tuesday night- 6:15pm. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hang-ups! gracepoint.info. Location: Journey Church, group meets in Fellowship Hall at Coosada Baptist Church, Millbrook Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Mondays at 6pm (meal), 7pm (large group), 8pm (small group). Childcare available. Call Chuck at 850-723-9705. River Region’s Journey
August 2013
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Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy APAC- Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connection Support Group meets the 3rd Thursday from 6:007:30pm in room 8253 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. For information, call A. Kai Mumpfield, 409-9477 or call the church office at 272-8622.
Location: Centerpoint Fellowship, 2050 Commerce St., Millbrook. We are located one block east of I-65 just off Cobbs Ford Road. Celebrate Recovery meeting every Tuesday night at 6 pm. Call (334) 356-3076.
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Location: Santuck Baptist Church, 7250 Central Plank Rd. (Hwy 9), Wetumpka. Celebrate Recovery meets each Thursday evening at 6:15 in the Fellowship Hall. This is a Chrsit centered 12 step-program for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, and hangups. Call 567-2364. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. RSVP- This is a 12 step spiritual recovery program for overcoming addictions. Using the steps and Bible we help build self-esteem, responsible behavior, the making of amends for our destructive actions, and to fill the void in our hearts in a loving relationship with God. Wednesday @ 6:30pm in Rm. 121 of the Life Center. Location: St. James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday night from 6-8 pm in the Youth Room. This is a Christ-centered 12-step group for anyone struggling with an “addiction or life-challenging issues.” For information, call Chris Henderson at 334-215-0427. Location: Trinity Episcopal, Wetumpka (Across from Winn Dixie on HWY 231) Gamblers Anonymous-Saturdays at 7 p.m.
Alzheimer’s / Dementia
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 272.8622. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy A Dementia Daycare is held each Thursday in Rm. 24
3101 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Each participant may bring a sack lunch. There is no charge. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For info, call the LifeCare office at 272-8622. Location: Memorial Presbyterian, 2130 Bell Road A Dementia Morning Out for caregivers is offered each Tuesday from 8:45-noon. There is no charge. Each participant may bring a sack lunch (juice provided). Registration is required by calling 274-1018.
Cancer
Location: Dalraida Baptist, 3838 Wares Ferry Road. Just for Men -- Montgomery’s first and only faith based cancer support group for men is intent on providing information, Christian fellowship, and helping turn adversity into prosperity. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Please call 272-2412 email cancerpatient@ bellsouth.net. Location: ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Road Cancer Support Group for general cancer. Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm. For more info, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie at 467-4578. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group, providing education, awareness, and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family, friends or anyone interested in becoming a part of this compassionate journey, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Rm 8253. Call 272-8622 or womenofhope@charter.net.
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Depression
Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Leaders: Mike & Suzanne Greene (334-271-3331) Every other Tuesday, 6:30pm in Rm. 117. Goal is to create an atmosphere of acceptance and trust, where people can feel free and safe to discuss their feelings and thoughts without shame or embarrassment. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy A Depression/Bipolar Support Group meets on the 1st Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm in Room 3101. This group also meets on the 3rd Saturday afternoon, 12-2 pm, Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway in Church Annex. For more info, call 334.652.1431 or email dbsamontgomery@ yahoo.com.
Divorce
Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care and Divorce Care 4 Kids, Wednesdays starting August 22, 6:30 pm. Cost $15.00 (scholarships available) Contact Kathy Cooper at kcooper@ montgomeryfbc.org or 334-241-5125. Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth Street, Prattville Divorce Recovery meets Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m., Bldg. 101. Call 365.5977. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy A Divorce Recovery Support Group meets each Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m., in Fellowship Hall Lobby. 272-8622. Location: Heritage Baptist Church, 1849 Perry Hill Divorce Care Support Group meetings are held Sundays at 6:15 p.m. Divorce Care for Children also at this time. Call 279.9976. Grief Share groups are held each Sunday at 5 p.m. Call 279.9976.
Gambling
Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 5375 US HWY 231 (Across from the Winn-Dixie shopping center) Wetumpka. Saturdays @ 7pm. 334-567-7534 Location: Mental Health Association, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm. Location: St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Hwy, Mondays @ 6pm. Gamblers Anonymous Hotline number: 334-541-5420
Grief
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Location: Eastmont Baptist, 4505 Atlanta Hwy. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child meeting first Tuesdays at 7 pm. We have an annual special event on Tuesday, Dec. 4. We will hold a Candlelight Ceremony in memory of our children at 7 p.m. at Eastmont Baptist Church. Registration is encouraged and may be made by calling (334) 2842721. We will also collect Toys for Tots.
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Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Recovery, Thursday nights at 7 p.m., in Wesley Hall Room 104. Call 365.5977.
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Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Grief Recovery Support Group meets Tuesdays
at 5:30 p.m., Rm 3105, in Fellowship Hall Lobby. 272.8622. Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief Ministry is a grief recovery support group that meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M. The ministry is designed to help anyone through the hurt of losing a loved one by successfully traveling the journey from mourning to joy. Alicia Glover is the coordinator. For more information contact Glover at 334-2812754.
Homosexuality
Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. The Barnabas Group, created to address the needs of those in conflict with homosexual thoughts and feelings meets first, third and fifth Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m., in the library at the Life Center. 277.5800.
Mental Illness
Location: Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway 1. NAMI Montgomery will host General Membership meetings on the 4th Monday of the month at the Dalraida UMC annex building. Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone who is interested in issues concerning mental health. 2. The NAMI Montgomery Family Member Support Group continues to meet on the 2nd Monday of the month, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Dalraida UMC annex building. Call Mary Jo Logan (271-2280) for directions/details. 3. NAMI Montgomery will offer the 12 week NAMI FAMILY TO FAMILY education program (free) on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Bell Road Lowder Regional Library. Call Mary Jo Logan (271-2280) to register for the course.
Parenting
Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 S. Washington Moms LIFE (living in faith everyday) Meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug - May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting. For moms of all stages and ages of life. Childcare provided by reservation. For more info and to reserve your spot, call Kelley Manning at 361-7919. Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road Are you in need of a time-out? MOPS joins mothers together by a common bond, to be better wives, moms, and friends along this journey in the trenches of motherhood. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 9:30—11:30 a.m. Childcare is provided. For information e-mail VFCMOPS@ gmail.com. Location: First Baptist Church, Montgomery 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) If you are a woman who is pregnant or has a child birth through kindergarten, desires to make new friends, wants to share the challenges and joys of motherhood, is looking for opportunities for personal growth through trusted resources,then MOPS is for you. Call Kristi Gay at (334) 233-8989 for more information. 25
Physical Challenges
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Road Visually Impaired Support Group – Meets monthly on second Thursday 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The group is called Outward Sight - Inward Vision and is for those with vision loss and their caregivers. Our mission is to assist those experiencing vision loss to maintain their independence by providing access to valuable information and spiritual support. Call Aldersgate UMC 272-6152. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy A Fibromyaligia Support Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm in room 8114. Call 272-8622. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An MDA/ALS Support Group will meet Tuesday August 10 6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in room 3101. Anyone who is affected by a neuromuscular disease or family members of those affected are encouraged to attend. To receive information, please call 396-4534. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy A Parkinson’s Support Group will meet the 4th Thursday at 6 p.m., in room 8114 at Frazer UMC. This group is for those who have Parkinson’s disease and the family members. 272-8622. Location: Taylor Road Baptist Church, 1785 Taylor Rd., Montgomery Gluten Intolerance Group of Montgomery meets on 2nd Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Check the blog for special “alternate site” meetings and other info at www.glutenfreemontgomery.blogspot.com.
Pregnancy Loss / Infertility
Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth Street, Prattville Hannah’s Prayer--for women dealing with pregnancy loss/infertility issues. Meeting 2nd Thursday and 3rd Sunday of each month. Call 365.5977.
Singlehood
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Singles’ Small Groups meet each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy T.N.T. (Tuesday Night Together) for Singles meets Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, bldg. 7000. A meal ($5.00) and program are provided. For reservations, call the Singles office at 272-8622. Location: Cornerstone Christian, 301 Dalraida Rd. Unavoidably Single Again (USA) Fellowship, a support group for widows and widowers. Informal meetings for fellowship and fun are held on the third Saturday of each month starting at 10 AM. Contact Lynda at farauthor@aol.com or 354-8869.
Veterans
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Highway Veterans OEF/OIF Caregivers Support Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday from 11am-1pm in Room 3108. Contact LaQuana Edwards, Caregiver Support Coordinator at CAVHCS (334) 727-0550 ext. 5350. August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Counselor’s Corner
sm we w ju th s
by Lou Priolo, Eastwood Counseling Center
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Good News! Many people believe that getting to heaven is accomplished by doing good things and relatively few bad things. The truth is, however, that even one sin is enough to keep you out of heaven. It really doesn’t matter how much good you do, any sin— regardless of how great or small—is enough to keep you out of heaven and send you straight to hell. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. (James 2:10–11)
River Region’s Journey
August 2013
Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12) According to the Bible, for a person to be saved and go to heaven, there must first be the realization that his sin has caused a separation from God. God, who is both holy and just, must deal with sinners and their sin appropriately. God’s holiness disposes Him to hate sin. His justice requires Him to punish sin. The wages or punishment of sin is death (cf. Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12, 6:23). For Him to simply overlook sin without requiring the proper punishment would go against His holy and just nature. How just would you consider a judge to be if he, out of partiality to a convicted serial murderer, sentenced him to only a few days in jail rather than sentencing him to the minimum sentence required by the law?
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Well, what kind of magistrate would God, “the judge of all the earth” (Genesis 18:25), be if He didn’t punish sinners who transgress His law? For God to let sinners off the hook without demanding that they pay at least the minimum penalty for their crimes would render Him unjust (and unfit for the bench). Since the minimum sentence for sin (according to the Bible) is death, God must punish sinners. His justice requires Him to do so. And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the
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small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11–14) Now, there are other elements of God’s nature that dispose Him to be loving and merciful. In fact, the Bible says that God “is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “But how can He forgive sinners in love and mercy when His justice requires Him to punish them for their sins?” God had to find a substitute—someone who was willing to pay the penalty in the place of sinners. Men of Israel, listen to these words; Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know -- this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge
of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. (Acts 2:22–24) On the other hand, if God could find someone willing to pay the price for men’s sin, yet who did not have to die for his own sin, He could punish that substitute in the sinner’s place. But, who is without sin? Only God. So God, in His love and mercy, took upon Himself the form of a man in the person of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:7). The Lord Jesus lived a sinless life and then sacrificed Himself on the cross as the substitute for sinners who were incapable of redeeming themselves. After He was buried, He rose from the dead, and in so doing demonstrated His power over death and sin and hell. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. (1 Peter 3:18) This resurrection power is available to those who truly are willing to let go of their sins and believe the gospel (the good news about what Christ did by dying on the cross).
The gospel of Jesus Christ provides power not only over death and hell, but also over sin—the very sin that has enslaved them and caused them so much misery. Have you ever turned away from your sin and asked God to forgive you once and for all on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross? If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For “whoever will call upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10: 9, 10, 13) This article has been adapted from the author’s book entitled, Getting a Grip: The Heart of Anger Workbook for Teens, published by Calvary Press. **If you would like to get in touch with this or any counselor at Eastwood Counseling Center, please call 334-386-2384. Louis Paul Priolo is the director of the Center for Biblical Counseling at Eastwood Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of Calvary Bible College and Liberty University, he is the author of several books, including The Heart of Anger, The Complete Husband, Teach Them Diligently and Pleasing People. Lou is a Fellow in the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors and instructor at the Birmingham Theological Seminary. He travels frequently throughout the United States and abroad teaching at Christian marriage, family and counseling conferences.
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Common Ground Montgomery
A Safe Haven for Children & Families in West Montgomery by Rachel Fisher
Deep in the heart of the Washington Park neighborhood in West Montgomery stands what was once an old mill building with a tower stretching toward the sky – a landmark of sorts for this historic neighborhood that housed Civil rights activists and leaders of the 1950s and 60s. It’s been over 50 years since those days and much has changed. Due to numerous circumstances too complicated to hash out here, the Washington Park community went from thriving to dying. Crime, drugs and failing schools made headlines. The once thriving neighborhood was wilting away. Decades passed and businesses closed. River Region’s Journey
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Boarded up buildings and homes lined what was once a bustling street. West Montgomery, and more specifically Washington Park, became a place not just anyone would go, much less move their young family. But Bryan (above left) and Delta Kelly, along with Kevin (above right) and Nicole King, saw Washington Park as fertile ground for a work only God could do. In 2006, they moved into the neighborhood and began to lay the foundation for what is now Common Ground Montgomery (CGM). “The vision for CGM is to see the Washington Park/Gibbs Village community transformed into a healthy, thriving and 28
nurturing community for our neighbors, that is led by, and produces, thriving and sustainable leaders of families, neighborhoods and our city,” says executive director, Bryan Kelly. The current context for CGM is a distressed and under-resourced neighborhood plagued by epidemic rates of teenage pregnancy, high school drop outs, fatherless households, drug addiction, joblessness, gang and domestic violence, prostitution, generational poverty and government dependence. Simply put, it’s the perfect place for a group of likeminded and committed people with a heart for the kingdom of God to see Him do the impossible.
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D.G. Markwell, the board chairman for CGM, says he believes Common Ground is the biblical answer to neighborhood decay. “After six years in the Washington Park neighborhood, we are seeing real tangible fruit of lives changed, relationships restored, and children nurtured through the loving outreach of our staff, after school tutoring program and exposure to healthy life choices,” D.G. says. “Common Ground shows that when you take a biblical approach to “wholeness” and when the body of Christ is intentional and willing to do it God’s way, great things can happen to a neighborhood.” Common Ground Montgomery’s mission is, “to create a safe haven of love and grace along with structure and discipline for the children of the community when they are most vulnerable to the destructive influences of the streets of West Montgomery.” They concentrate on investing in the youth by focusing on what Bryan and Kevin term “holistic development.” This is accomplished in three main ways that, after six years, are proving to result in lives changed and new pathways forward for the kids and families of the Washington Park and Gibbs Village community.
Life on Life
The CGM staff, with assistance from godly neighbors, is devoted to “life on life” training of the youth. The main way the staff accomplishes this is by actually living in the neighborhood they serve. While the staff realizes they are not the “Saviors” of the community, a handful of them choose to live in the community because, as Kevin says, it gives them a chance to physically become a neighbor and love people in a way they normally
ships maintain a consistency rooted in their core values of love and grace.
RelationshipBased Programs
would not be able to if they drove into the neighborhood and left at five o’clock every night. “Living in Washington Park isn’t a mandate, but a calling,” says Kevin. “We saw a time when most who could afford to get out of the neighborhood did just that. Not only did the people in the neighborhood leave, but so did some of the churches. Some saw the neighborhood demographic change and deemed this place dying, dangerous and probably God forsaken and pulled out over the years. We had an opportunity to move here, become neighbors and choose not to run away because we believe God’s Spirit lives within us and he wants his followers here. We are able to be a part of an investment that will touch hearts and open eyes, plus experience Jesus’ love and compassion in ways that constantly change the lives of the staff and also our neighbors.” Opening up their homes to the neighborhood kids and training them through biblically-based discipleship relationships that last is at the heart of the ministry. The practical ways this is carried out is by creating a “safe haven” to walk alongside the kids and their families. Letting them know they are safe and treating them with the dignity the staff at CGM believes they deserve, trust is earned as these relation29
Relationshipbased programs that focus on character, social and life skills development in the areas of academics, art, sports and entrepreneurship are the backbone of CGM. These programs are important because they provide a safe place for the neighborhood youth to escape some of the negative influences in the community. “Some may think everything that encompasses our community outside of Common Ground is negative,” says Kevin, who serves as Program Director, “but this is far from the truth.” Thankfully, God has the staff of CGM working alongside other neighbors who want to see God’s Kingdom lived out in the community, too. It’s with the combined efforts of neighbors, families, and staff these programs are possible.
The After School Program
With two out of three of the schools kids in the Washington Park neighborhood attend on the latest Montgomery County failing schools list, the After School Program is seeking to continue to create an environment where accountability and motivation are at the core, as well as supporting the public schools in the neighborhood. The 100+ kids, eight teachers and staff work together to focus on academics, Bible and electives like basketball, gymnastics and guitar. “We see kids throughout the week and summer,” explains Dr. Leslie Cowell, who oversees the academic portion of the program. “In the coming year, we hope to gain permission from the parents to access August 2013
River Region’s Journey
CGM, is a mentoring ministry that focuses on redeveloping homes in the Washington Park neighborhood for families of the youth of CGM. Headed up by Mike Bunce, the mission of H2H is to partner with CGM to transform Washington Park by building up families through intentional Christian discipleship which comes from living in Christian community and participating in many forms of neighborhood redevelopment. Meeting the core need for better housing is the means to which they work to accomplish this end.
student’s grades and have direct communication with their teachers. This will allow us to hold the students accountable for their school work, as well as provide motivation.”
Urban SEED Xchange
Headed up by Josh Conley, Urban SEED Xchange is a relationship-based entrepreneur and mentorship program that focuses on character, social and life skills development for a select group of high school students from the neighborhood. USX stands as its own non-profit under the umbrella of CGM. Business education, interpersonal skills, graphic design, financial literacy and hands-on job training through their t-shirt business is at the heart of this program. Josh and the USX staff desire to create opportunities for high school youth to use their gifts and abilities in a way that benefits their community and makes a positive impact in the lives of others.
House 2 House
House 2 House, which is also it’s own non-profit under the larger umbrella of River Region’s Journey
August 2013
Mentor Relationships
The third way CGM focuses on “holistic development” is through mentor relationships. The goal is to connect the youth of CGM with a loving Christian mentor from across the city. These relationships prove to be mutually beneficial and encouraging and start when the child is in the fourth grade and continue through high school graduation. The mentoring program is just another layer to the mission of CGM that shows the youth another way to do life and further provides a support structure that can guide them through the complexities of adolescence and high school. While all of these programs are making a huge impact on the lives of the kids and their families, they are only effective due to a loving staff, plethora of volunteers, neighbors and mentors who have chosen to invest and build meaningful relationships. “High school students who we’ve know since they were in elementary school back when they repeated Bible stories that were taught to them are now trying to figure out life and how to exist in a culture where appearance and social 30
status matters,” says Kevin. Bryan and Kevin along with the staff have had the opportunity to see students from elementary to high school surrender their lives to Jesus and choose to stay away from the streets, ask the hard questions and become transparent and display an unashamed authenticity as they wrestle with reflecting the image of Christ to their community and beyond. The programs extend far beyond any programs they could ever create, says Kevin. “We’ve been recipients of God’s grace as he has shown His love through being served and encouraged by many families in this community. Everything isn’t perfect by any means, but we are convinced that God’s love and heart resides in this community.”
Be a Part of the Story
There is a story God is writing in the city of Montgomery, and this story includes the Washington Park community and many other under-resourced areas in our city. While there are many ways to be involved, the heart of the staff is that true, real, life-changing relationships will be forged that show our city a picture of the gospel of grace and reconciliation. You can gather your friends, small group or business to be involved in mentoring, volunteering and building relationships with the youth and their families and discover a life-changing experience that will effect more than you expected. There are many ways to be involved, but the areas below are the most needed: • Support a child through providing a scholarship to one or more of our 100 + kids to cover the expense of the program for a year. • Tutor with the After School Program. • Mentor a parent of our youth through House 2 House. • Sponsor a home through House 2 House. • Have your business be a part of training and mentoring kids through Urban SEED Xchange. • Bring your small group to spend a weekend with CGM serving in the community. • Give monthly to support the far-reaching work of CGM. • For a complete list of volunteer opportunities contact Delta Kelly at delta@cgmlife. org or visit the website at cgmlife.org. Rachel Fisher loves learning what God is doing around her and writing about it. She and her husband, Chase, live in Montgomery. **Photography by Lori Mercer.
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HEAD SOUTH AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A
STROKE Get To The Area’s Only Nationally Certified Stroke Center
The first moments after stroke symptoms appear are critical. Receiving the right treatment quickly could save your life and minimize brain damage. That’s why you should immediately get to Baptist Medical Center South. As the area’s only Nationally Certified Stroke Center, Baptist South has a specialized Stroke Team on site 24/7, with the expertise to provide the fastest, most effective treatment. So in case of symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness in one arm, slurred speech, blurry vision, or sudden severe headache, head south…call 911 and get to Baptist Medical Center South.
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August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Family Teams for Christ by Lisa and Mike Conn
Protecting Our Wives and Daughters When We Can’t Be There! It’s a Tuesday night in Montgomery, Alabama. I’m lined up against a wall in a large room with our teenage daughter and 15 other women. We watch closely as a young man is being attacked by a much larger man. With a simple twist of his arm, the victim breaks free from his attacker’s vice-like grip. After demonstrating the technique several times from different angles, our instructor invites us to practice what we’ve observed, taking turns being the victim and the attacker. Amazed at how simple yet effective the technique is, we eagerly stand back to learn another. Before the evening is over, we’ve learned several important self-
defense techniques and can’t wait to begin again Thursday evening! Welcome to the self defense class for ladies known as “Women Empowered” taught by Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Instructor John Fleming at Fleming’s Martial Arts on Atlanta Highway. Law enforcement officials and survivors of sexual assault have helped Gracie Academy (http://www.gracieacademy.com/ women_empowered.asp) identify the 15 most common attack strategies that a male assailant is likely to use on a woman. As a result, Gracie outlined the 10-lesson program, teaching how to neutralize the most common attacks ranging from having your
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At the Y, there is a group of neighbors getting together this week to enjoy a cup of coffee and a stretch or two! Yes, they are exercising together! The Y has saved a spot just for you in their water and group exercise classes! Sign up today! MakE THE Y’s CHOiCE JOiN ONE LOCaTiON aND ENJOY aLL 13. FOR MORE iNFORMaTiON CONTaCT East YMCa p 334 272 3390 Bell Road YMCa p 334 271 4343 ymcamontgomery.org
River Region’s Journey
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hair grabbed to being pinned to the ground by a weapon-bearing assailant. Mike’s reaction to the course was much different from ours. While Aimee and I were having fun learning self-defense techniques and gaining confidence, Mike recalled the men of sword and stone in Nehemiah, chapters 3 and 4, who were armed to protect their families as they rebuilt the stone walls of Jerusalem. Mike said, “God gave husbands and fathers the job of protecting our wives and children, but we can’t always be there; this is especially true for our military husbands who have been deployed numerous times to war zones
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husbands attending Squadron Officer School for eight weeks. Here are comments from two military wives who took the course with us in June and July: Outstanding . . . Enjoyed the time and experience. Will definitely find a course and continue to take back home.
Master Instructor John Fleming poses with SOS wives Jessica Bridgeford, Amber Hoffman with her daughter Casey, and Aimee and Lisa Conn after class.
around the world since 9-11. That’s why I’m excited about this! It gives us a way to help our wives and daughters protect themselves when we’re not there, whether at the mall, on a college campus, or in our own home.” We are so excited about this class that for the first time, we have included this program as an option for couples participating in our marriage and family training programs at Maxwell AFB Chapel. Participants are wives who accompany their
Outstanding . . . I learned a lot from self-defense. I am definitely more confident in my ability to fight off an attacker if needed in the future.
You can start the program at any time and participate in any class without previous experience. Unlike most self-defense systems that rely heavily on strength, speed, and coordination, the techniques in the Women Empowered program employ leverage, technique, and timing, so anyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can make them work against larger opponents. Husbands, fathers, moms and daughters, don’t wait until an attack occurs,
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follow the example of Nehemiah and the families of ancient Jerusalem and make time today to learn how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Women’s Self-Defense Program Includes:
• Critical “Street Smarts” principles to reduce your risk. • How to avoid the “Triangle of Victimization.” • How to break free from an attacker who grabs you without warning. • How to avoid being taken to the ground by a determined attacker. • How to escape from underneath an attacker who has you pinned Fleming’s Martial Arts•4315 Atlanta Highway •www.flemingsmai.com•(334)277-5425
Lt. Col Mike Conn and wife, Lisa, founded Covenant Family Ministries when Mike retired from the Air Force in 1997. CFM is an independent marriage and family education ministry committed to partnering with churches, organizations, and individuals in Montgomery and across Alabama to build Family Teams for Christ. Married for over 30 years, Mike and Lisa have three wonderful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two precious grandchildren.
August 2013
River Region’s Journey
Community Calendar Christian Community Calendar Christian Ongoing Happenings
AGLOW International meets every third Thursday, 9:30 at the Montgomery House of Prayer. All women welcome to join together for praise, prayer and an anointed message. Contact mboudousquie@yahoo.com. Bridge of Life Assembly of God, 9000 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, holds Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. each week. Sunday school classes meet at 9:30 a.m. We offer classes for all age groups and childcare is provided. Our goal is to build bridges...not walls. We invite you to come join us if you need to learn how to build those bridges. For directions or information call 334-396-0208. Email jon@bridgeoflife.tv or visit www.bridgeoflife.tv. Central Community Christian Church, 981 South Perry Street, Montgomery, holds new members training classes on Sundays at 9 a.m. Sunday School (9:30), morning worship (11:00), Tuesday night Bible study (6:30). Every fourth Sunday of the month is our youth Sunday. For more information please call (334) 269-0457 or by email at centralccchurch1@ gmail.com. We are a church where you can be you, you can be loved and where you can grow! Christchurch, 8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, offers a Women’s Enrichment Bible Study led by Jeanne Dean on Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in Canterbury Hall. All women are welcome. Childcare for ages birth-4 years is provided. Call 387-0566 x 201 for more info. Christchurch offers a men’s Bible study led by Fr. John-Michael van Dyke, on Thursday mornings on the 11th floor of Goode Medical Bldg, Jackson Hospital. Breakfast is served beginning at 6:45 a.m. and teaching begins at 7:15 a.m. Call 387-0566 x 201. Church of the Highlands meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. downtown Montgomery in the MPAC theater located in the Renaissance Hotel, 201 Tallapoosa Street. Visit churchofthehighlands.com or call 1-205-9805577. Chisholm Baptist Church, 2938 Lower Wetumpka Road, Montgomery, holds Sunday morning Bible study (9:30), Morning worship (10:45), Tuesday prayer breakfast (8:30) Wednesday evening prayer service (6 pm) and Senior Body and Soul Group (every 1st Tuesday at 1 pm). Email jbass9784@charter.net or call 262-6437. Christ Center Church, 1324 Airbase Blvd, Montgomery. Preparing Christians to be Spiritual Soldiers for the Lord. Sunday School 9 am, Sunday Worship 10:15 am, and Wed. night Bible Study at 7pm. Path to Renewed Strength, a Christ centered recovery meeting is Thursdays 6-7pm, Clothes Closet is every 3rd Saturday from 8am-12pm. For more information, call 334-239-8603. First Presbyterian Church, 9299 Vaughn Road, hosts Family Night every Wednesday beginning at 5:20 p.m. with supper, followed River Region’s Journey
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by a study on prayer. Everyone is welcome. For more information call (279-1372). First Presbyterian Church, 9299 Vaughn Road, hosts a Men’s Prayer Breakfast every Friday morning, 6 a.m. The Youth of First United Methodist Church, Montgomery every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. for Wednesday Night Live, a time of praise and worship in “the attic”. Also, every Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. is MYF which includes a snack supper $3.00 followed by activities, small groups and lots of fun! Visit www.fumcmontgomery.org or call 334-8348990. First United Methodist Church will host Terrific Tuesdays. Please come and join us for fellowship, a program and lunch. Terrific Tuesdays will meet each Tuesday in room 204 of Wesley Hall. Fellowship time will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a program at 10:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. The cost of lunch is $2.00. Every fourth Tuesday the time will extend until 3:00 p.m. for bridge, games, and other activities in room 203 in Wesley Hall. For additional information please contact NeeNee Webb at 834-8990. Good News @ Noon is an interdenominational Bible study, held at the First Baptist Community Ministries Building on Adams Street, Thursdays, at noon. Small cost for hot lunch. Call 272.1133. Hall Memorial CME Church, 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery, offers Bible Study Tuesdays at 5:30 P.M. and Wednesdays at 6: 30 P.M. For directions or information call 334-288-0577. Email HallMemorialCME1@ aol.com or visit www.HallMemorialCME. blogspot.com. Hall Memorial CME Church says: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Tutors, prayer-warriors, and office/clerical volunteers needed for the Montgomery City Jail Ministry & G.E.D program. Opportunities are ongoing. No experience or certification necessary. Contact Pastor Anderson T. Graves II, at hallmemorialcme1@ aol.com. Call 334-288-0577. The City Jail ministry is an in-reach ministry of Hall Memorial CME Church, 541 Seibles Road, Montgomery. www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com. iConnect.coffeehouse provides a place for women to experience meaningful fellowship with women seeking genuine connection. Meetings will be held in the Atrium at Frazer UMC 3rd Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. For more info, call Frazer’s Women’s Ministry at 495-6391. Macedonia Miracle Kingdom & Worship Center (MMKWC), 3070 Selma Highway, Montgomery, services are Sunday School and New Members Class, 9:00 a.m., Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m.; Tuesday Night Bible Class, 7:00 p.m. and Friday Night Prayer, 6:00 p.m. (BOTH at The Pattern-Mt Meigs Road) Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Road, invites all to Wonderful Wednesdays starting with a $3-5 meal at 5:30 pm (RSVP 277-4213 by Monday noon), worship with 34
eucharist 6:15-7:00 pm, and adult choir rehearsal and Catechism class for 7th-9th graders at 7:00 pm. Please call for Wednesday schedule due to seasonal breaks. For information, call 277-4213. Mt. Gillard Missionary Baptist Church, 3323 Day Street, holds Wednesday Bible Study in the church Fellowship Hall and lasts for one hour. Please come and participate in roaming the Bible learning God’s word through teaching. The Rev. Henry M. Carnegie, Jr. is the teacher and pastor. Mid-day Bible Study begins each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Evening Bible Study begins each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Call 233-8750. New Freedom Worship Center, 6004 –A East Shirley Lane, Apostle T. Briggs~ Pastor; Sunday Worship Service 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:30 p.m. Open Door Christian Faith Church, 1601 Dewey St. Montgomery, offers Women’s Prayer Mondays at 5:00, Men’s prayer Wednesday at 5:00, followed by bible study at 6:00. Couples ministry held every 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00. Pastor William Cromblin, and the Open Door Church family invites you to “come experience the move of God. For more info, call the church at 334-269-6498. Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Rd, sponsors a Bluegrass Jam in the Church Fellowship Hall on the third Saturday of each month from 9AM - 12AM. All Bluegrass Artist plus Fans are invited to attend. Attendance is FREE. For information call Kathy@ 272-3174. Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Rd, hosts a Wednesday Night Supper and Revive! program each week from 5:30pm til 7:00pm. Reservations are required by noon on the Monday prior to the supper. Cost is $4 per person or $12 per family. Call 334-272-3174 for more information. River City Church, 301 Dexter Avenue, offers a Friday Christian Night Club (free of alcohol and smoking) with Ballroom Dancing every Friday at 6:30 P.M. Cost is $10 for a one hour lesson, devotional, and 3 hours of DJ music. People of all denominations are welcome. 7:30-10:30 open dance floor. The River of Life Church, located at 116 County Road 40 E (in the Pine Level Community Center) Prattville. Pastor Nick Edwards invites you to a “Place of New Beginnings”, where families come and grow together. Church Service Schedule: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sunday School; 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship; 5:00 p.m. Evening Worship. Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study, Teens (Genesis Project), Jr. High (Limitless), Royal Rangers, MPact Girls, Rainbow’s/Noah’s Zoo Club. Thursday 9:00 a.m.Women of Grace Bible Study. Nursery provided. We invite you to”come experience God in a personal way, feel loved by all and know that you belong”.
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Community Calendar Christian Community Calendar Christian Office 334-657-0392 or visit www.theriveroflifechurch.net. River Region Contra Dancing-Everyone school-age through adult is invited for a little exercise and a lot of fun. Singles, couples, and families are welcome. All levels of experience – including no experience. Dancing is on the 1st & 3rd Friday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 5260 Vaughn Road. For more information check out the website: www.riverregioncontradance.com or call Katherine Thomas at 334-361-6572. Saint James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road, offers S.N.A.G. (Sunday Nights About God!) This program starts at 5:00p.m. and ends at 6:30p.m. Childcare is provided for small groups until 7:00p.m. Don’t forget this program is available for all children! Saint James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road, offers Wild & Wacky Wednesdays! Wednesday night supper starts at 5:15p.m. We will start checking children in at 6:00p.m. This program ends at 7:30p.m. and childcare is provided until 8:00p.m. for small group participants. Call 277.3037 for more info. Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 706 E. Patton Avenue, “Clothes Closet” is open to the public each Thursday morning from 10 a.m. – Noon. The Men of Saint Paul host a free Men’s Prayer Breakfast
the Third Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall. The Men’s Prayer Breakfast is open to all men of all ages. Come and share your concerns and needs of our Men of today. For more information, please contact (334) 354-1897. Bible Study is held each Wednesday, 6-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Farrell J. Duncombe is the teacher and Senior Pastor of the church. Come and join us for Sunday School each Sunday at 9 a.m. and Morning Worship at 10 a.m. Need transportation, call (334) 264-7618. For info call 286.8577 or www.saintpaulamemontgomery. com. S-STOP, a commUNITY Bible study for Singles. Souls Strengthened Together for One Purpose. Psalm 46:10 “BE STILL and know that I am God.” Meets at Prattville Christian Academy on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. For info email sstop04@gmail.com. Vision Full Gospel Ministries, 163 Rifle Range Road, Montgomery, holds Bible Study Tues. Night 7:00 p.m., Pray & Praise 2nd & 4th Thurs. Night 7:00 p.m., Sunday School 9:30 am, Sunday Worship Service 10:45 a.m., Internet radio-homecominggospel.com Sunday 3:00p.m. Central & 4:00 p.m. Eastern. and Satellite Radio -wlsg 1340am Sunday 3:00p.m. Women at The Well Ministry invites you to attend its women’s fellowship at 1 pm every 1st
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and 3rd Saturday. We are women who desire and have a heart to see broken, crushed, hurting women be transformed through the one man who can fulfill their every need... JESUS...THE POTTER. All women of all denominations or race are welcome. This ministry is available to teenagers as well. Come join us as we lift, encourage and build each other up through the Word of God and the words of our testimonies. For more information contact Evangelist Dr. Linda McCall, 334-220-1924. Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, 5780 Vaughn Road, invites you to attend its Sunday Respite Care Program on 1st Sundays from 4-6 pm. Children with physical and cognitive disabilities (and their siblings) ages 6-18 are invited for a time of activities and a light dinner so parents can have a night out. Call Susan Clements at 301-0355 for information and to make a reservation, or email rooftopfriends@ gmail.com.
This Month August 1-2
Central Community Christian Church will be having an outdoor revival from 6:30
Building the lives of young people on Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone.
Join us in welcoming our new families and faculty members Brittany Bugeja and Kyle Boerstler! At Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy, our goal is to equip students with the knowledge, skill and vision necessary to be effective leaders and servants for our Lord Jesus Christ. Morningview Baptist Church • 125 Calhoun Road • (334) 356-7788 • www.ccamontgomery.org 35
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Calendar pm to 8:30 pm on both nights. The church is located at 981 South Perry Street (just past the governor’s mansion on the right). All ages are welcome to attend. For more information please call (334) 269-0457 or by email at centralccchurch1@gmail.com.
August 1-3
MOTION CONFERENCE, Hillsong Live with Crowder, Judah Smith will be held in Birmingham. For info call (205) 458-8400.
Saturday, August 3
Central Community Christian Church will be having Back to School Festival from 9 am until 12 pm for children of all ages. We will be giving away bookbags (to the first 200 children), school supplies, food and drinks. There will be also be games, prizes and other giveaways. Everything is FREE! The church is located at 981 South Perry Street (just past the governor’s mansion on the right). For more information call (334) 269-0457 or by email at centralccchurch1@gmail.com. The Resident Council Association of Montgomery Housing Authority’s Paterson Court Community, 609 Winnie St, is hosting a Back 2 School Festival & Community Barbecue in honor of our late resident Alicia Scott at 12 p.m. For more information call 334-324-4369. Enjoy activities, games, live music, songs, positive energy, etc. For more information, call the Resident Council President, 334-324-4369.
Thursday, August 8
Evangelist Del Smith of Evangelize The World Ministries will be conducting Bible Study every Thursday. Noon Day Bible Study Snack starts August 8 from 12 noon to 12:15 by joining conference call at 218-632-1017 passcode-71997# or study in person from 7-8 PM from 4315 Lawnwood Drive, Mtgy., AL 36108. We will teach and study the Foundational Truths of the Word of God as recorded in His Holy Word. For more information please call (334)425-9371.
August 8-9
Willow Creek Leadership Summit Simulcast will be held at Saint James UMC, in Montgomery. For more info call: (334) 277-3037.
Saturday, August 10
His Vessel Ministries invites you to the teaching event “Spiritual Gifts” from 9am – noon. Please join us as Jo Hancock teaches you how to identify your gift to help you reach your purpose in life. For more information or to register call (334) 356.4478 or info@hisvessel.org. River Region’s Journey
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Calendar His Vessel Ministries provides Christ-centered teachings that point people to the Truth that will stir and challenge individuals to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Located in the Historic Union Station, 300 Water Street, Suite 100, Montgomery.
Saturday, August 17
PAUSE at Frazer UMC will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, 6000 Atlanta Highway. Press “pause” from the chaos of life and spend a day away with God this summer. Guided and group prayer experiences will be interspersed with extended time to meet with God on your own across the Frazer campus. Cost is $5 per person to cover materials that will be provided. Fasting is encouraged but you may feel free to bring a lunch and drinks/snacks will be provided. Free childcare available with registration for infants through 5th grade. Contact: 334.495.6350; jan@frazerumc.org.
Sunday, August 18
Join Eastern Hills Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m. THE ENVOYS Southern Gospel Quartet, from Eastern Hills Baptist Church, will present an exciting night of southern gospel favorites. Call (334) 272.0604 for more info. Located at 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery.
August 23-25
Great Awakening Conference and Convocation will be held at Fresh Anointing House of Worship, 150 East Fleming Road, Montgomery. It is a supernatural, miraculous move of God that pulsates with divine energy and will reach far beyond this area as the city of Montgomery and surrounding areas come together in obedience to II Chronicles 7:14. Everyone is invited--churches, families, community & sports organizations, youth groups, etc. Hosted by Bishop Kyle and Pastor Kemi Searcy. Speakers are Bishop Eugene Reeves and Dr. Steve Vickers. Friday 6PM, Saturday 10AM, Sunday Morning 10AM. This is a FREE event. Registration is required at www.anointedchurch.org or contact 334 613-3363.
Sunday, August 25
Join Aldersgate UMC for their County Fair event from 5-7 pm. Enjoy live music from the Goat Hill String Band, BBQ Dinner prepared by the United Methodist Men, Dessert provided by the United Methodist Women. Bring a side to share! Games for Kids! Don’t miss the food and fun! Register by calling 272.6152 or office@aldersgateumc.org. Located at 6610 Vaughn Road in Montgomery.
Please send your calendar events to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com by the 18th of the month for FREE print. 37
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Get the Point?
by Elaine Britt
The Point of the Passage:
Don’t Worry...Be Peaceful Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7) What is WRONG with that title? Just as my mind was welcoming the humming and the familiar reggae tune…just as I am on the cusp of being temporarily transported to the islands with ‘Don’t Worry - Be Happy,’ and the needle scratches across the vinyl of the album…zzzzz… Peaceful? While ‘happy’ is a positive sentiment, it realistically denotes a temporary state of mind based on current circumstances. As soon as those circumstances shift, ‘happy’ can turn to sad, mad, woeful, etc. “In the Bible anxiety is frequently depicted as the common human reaction to stressful circumstances. Anxiety is portrayed in the Scriptures as being inconsistent with trust in God. Jesus’ command, “do not worry,” which occurs six times in the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt 6:25-33 ), is coupled with admonitions to trust in the heavenly Father. Paul urges: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Php 4:6 ). Anxiety frequently manifests itself in ungodly concern about provision, performance, or reputation, and appears to be rooted in incomplete knowledge, lack of control over circumstances, or failure to take an “eternal” perspective on things.” (BibleStudyTools.com) Conversely, peacefulness is a condition of the soul, eclipsing any and all ‘moods’ that we may experience, the opening verse informing us that this peace transcends human logic and understanding. Notice what the verse does NOT say. Do not be anxious about anything…present your requests to God… and he will be by your side; and he will tell you exactly what to do next; and he will inform you of what is to come. Perhaps God’s wise and gracious choice for us here River Region’s Journey
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as we ‘present our requests’ is to overshadow us with his Divine Presence, assigning our concerns their appropriate priority. Our Lord knows - and cares - about our every thought and action as we are reminded in Luke 12: 6-7, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Internalizing even one drop from God’s ocean of peace is akin to returning to the womb where all is well and the world cannot intrude. What practical application, you may ask, does this have for my life? In answer to your valid question, let us play fill-in-theblank. When encountering an underlined area, you may choose one or insert something personal. Things are fine in my life and I am glad that I don’t have problems like him/her! I am struggling, having endured illness, loss of a relationship/job; family/job/relationship strife. As a result, I am forced to rearrange/ rethink everything in my life; face unlearning old habits and forming new ones; try to acclimate what has happened/realize and grasp the ramifications/figure out my next move. No two fill-in-the-blank pages will match as our lives unfold differently. What we do share, however, is the freedom to choose how we will respond, and it is at this juncture that we must acknowledge the enormity of these decisions. It is here, also, that we run headlong into the fact that our anxiety and God’s peace cannot coexist – it is one or the other. We now approach the multiple choice portion of our test. Note: Each question includes an additional answer – ‘All of the above at some time.’ 1. All is well - better than others. I will: a. keep things as they are b. be glad I don’t have problems like him/her c. take care of/keep things to myself d. thank God daily and pray for/help others 38
2. Facing a health challenge, I: a. am angry and irritable b. am hopeless and helpless c. will handle it my way d. will pray, include others, and trust in God’s wisdom 3. I lost my job/relationship. I will: a. assign blame appropriately b. share my exasperation with everyone c. move on and find another one d. pray confidently for God’s guidance 4. I give up…I see no viable options. I guess I will: a. feel sorry for myself b. bemoan my life to whoever will listen c. look for someone as miserable as me d. request prayer support from friends/a church As we reflect on each question and each answer, varying emotions will surface. Selecting earthly solutions will likely lead to more questions offering no rest, no peace, and no answers. Opening ourselves to God’s everavailable wisdom and guidance is the only solution that saves, offering Divine answers that include …the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. The outward sign that flows from this inner peace is joy. Adam Hamilton offers, “Joy, unlike happiness, can come to us independent of our circumstances. It comes not from changing our circumstances but from viewing them through the eyes of faith… Joy is a choice we make…trusting that God is at work and that he will never leave us nor abandon us.” Elaine Britt and her husband, Tim, reside in Montgomery, with son Bryan at UAH in Huntsville and son Kevin at the University of Montevallo. She counts her family as a great blessing. By profession, Elaine is a 33 year veteran Interior Decorator and owner of Carriage House Interiors, now freelancing from home. By God’s calling and to her great joy, she is a writer, whose published works include stories in A Cup of Comfort Devotionals; Lord, I Was Happy Shallow; and Heavenly Patchwork; one book, Messages, as well as various e-zine and magazine articles.
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food, fun and fellowship!
F O U R T E E N T H
Golf Tournament
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Tuesday, September 17, 2013 ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB
It’s time for some fun and
we NEED your help!
The ministry of Faith Radio/WLBF is supported by individuals in the Christian community. You can participate in strengthening families as we provide spiritual encouragement with your financial support. Please contact us for more information on our 14th Annual Faith Radio Golf Tournament by visiting www.faithradio.org, calling 800-239-8900 or by mail at: Faith Radio P.O. Box 210789 Montgomery, AL 36121
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23
Listen LIVE Now at www.faithradio.org | Montgomery WLBF 89.1FM | Andalusia WSTF 91.5FM Dothan WDYF 90.3FM | Eufaula 91.9FM | Alexander City 94.1FM | Sylacauga 94.1FM | Thorsby/Jemison 96.9FM 39
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Movie Reviews Reviews provided by MovieGuide: A Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment Ratings are based on production quality and moral acceptability. See details below. ***Reviews do not necessarily reflect views of the publishers of River Region’s Journey.
The Wolverine
Blue Jasmine
Production Quality: *** Moral Acceptability: -2 (Extreme Caution) Starring: Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Hiroyuki Sanada, Will Yun Lee, Rila Fukushima, Famke Janssen, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Haruhiko Yamanouchi Genre: Science Fiction Audience: Teenagers and adults Rating: PG-13 Content: 15 obscenities (including one “f” word) and one profanity; very strong action violence includes soldiers killing themselves with swords, a whole city is nuked and Logan’s grotesquely burned body heals itself, a man’s hand is stabbed into a table with an arrow, a man’s throat is stabbed with a pen, lots of action violence involving swords and Logan’s claws, with men getting stabbed, sliced and shot by bullets and arrows, many times with gore, a mutant spits acid on people’s faces to burn them, a man is hit by a car, Logan also gets stabbed, shot and sliced many times, and the wounds heal quickly, a girl tries to kill herself, a father tries to kill his daughter, and a daughter kills her grandfather; a man and woman lie in bed and kiss, implied fornication, and two woman in their underwear party with an engaged man in his apartment; upper male nudity, partial rear male nudity when a man bathes, two women are seen in their underwear. THE WOLVERINE is the sixth film in the X-MEN franchise. It tries to take a deeper look at one of the most popular mutants. Logan, the self-healing, claw-baring Wolverine, goes to Japan. There, he must protect a young woman, who’s heir to her grandfather’s industrial empire. During attacks on the woman’s life, Logan discovers his body is losing its ability to heal itself. He must overcome this weaknesses to stop this new evil force. THE WOLVERINE tries to show a deeper, darker, more emotional side to Logan. Sadly, the filmmakers fail to do this on almost every level. THE WOLVERINE lacks substance and values, and the characters are weak and uninspiring. The movie also has a mixed worldview with several Buddhist elements. Also, the characters act immorally. That said, Logan does fight evil and is always willing to sacrifice himself for others. This redemptive aspect of heroism aligns with the biblical worldview of standing and fighting for others. Ultimately, however, THE WOLVERINE is marred by some gruesome and even graphic violence, implied sexuality, and foul language. Movieguide® advises extreme caution for THE WOLVERINE.
Production Quality: **** Moral Acceptability: -2 (Extreme Caution) Starring: Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Cannavale, Andrew Dice Clay, Louis C.K., Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tammy Blanchard and Max Casella Genre: Drama Audience: Teenagers and adults Rating: PG-13 Content: About 21 obscenities (including two or three “f” words), 21 strong profanities, 25 light profanities, and an obscene gesture; angry man tears phone off wall and throws it, angry man pushes/throws lamp, and brief verbal references to one man’s suicide after he’s put in prison; implied fornication turns out to be adultery on part of woman’s new lover who turns out to be married, passionate adulterous kiss by another married man, and talk about that man’s marital infidelity (no one tells man’s wife about it, even her own sister); no nudity; alcohol use; smoking; and, woman informs on her husband out of revenge, shady deals gets man in trouble, lying, ingratitude, conceit, woman puts on airs, and a tone of no hope for recovery for troubled heroine who destroys her own life, with help from her cheating husband. BLUE JASMINE is a serio-comic movie by Woody Allen about a troubled woman, her sister, and her memories of her failed marriage. A penniless socialite named Jasmine arrives in San Francisco to live with her sister and her sister’s two sons. Jasmine has lots of problems trying to create a new life in Frisco. Meanwhile, her memories about her life in New York with her husband, Hal, haunt her. Many of the memories are happy ones. However, memories of the downfall of her marriage and Hal’s arrest and subsequent suicide eventually shatter Jasmine’s attempts to pull herself together. BLUE JASMINE is Woody Allen’s best-acted movie in some time. Cate Blanchett does a brilliant job portraying Jasmine. The rest of the cast is also excellent. However, there’s nothing particularly religious or moral about BLUE JASMINE. It’s mostly a compelling, but humanist, character study told in a riveting manner. Even so, it does show the personal destruction people can create when they deny reality or act out of anger and revenge. BLUE JASMINE also contains plenty of strong foul language, so extreme caution is advised.
The previous reviews are a selected sample of informative reviews from MOVIEGUIDE: A FAMILY GUIDE TO MOVIES AND ENTERTAINMENT, a syndicated feature of Good News Communications, Inc. To subscribe to MOVIEGUIDE which includes a complete set of at least 10 reviews of the latest movies as well as many informative articles, please visit our web site at www.movieguide.org or write or call:”MOVIEGUIDE,” P.O. Box 190010, Atlanta, GA 31119 (800) 899-6684. What the ratings mean: Production Quality: (1 to 4 stars) Moral Acceptability: -4 (Abhorrent), -3 (Excessive), -2 (Extreme Caution), -1 (Caution), +1 (Wholesome), +2 (Good), +3 (Moral), +4 (Exemplary) River Region’s Journey
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Gospel Sing Capital City
First Baptist Church Sunday, August 25 6:15 pm | Main Sanctuary An evening of Southern Gospel music that you will not forget! Come hear soloists, trios, quartets and choirs share timeless gospel music and sing along with treasured favorites in old-fashioned homecoming style.
305 South Perry Street | Montgomery, AL 36104 | 334.834.6310 | www.montgomeryfbc.org