ALABAMA CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY QUICK SAFETY TIPS
• RIGHT SEAT: Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. • RIGHT PLACE: Keep all children in the back seat until they are 13. • RIGHT DIRECTION: Keep your child in a rear facing position for as long as possible! When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat. • INCH TEST: Once your car seat is installed, use your non-dominate hand and shake the seat at the belt path. A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch. • PINCH TEST: Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots. Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go!
DID YOU KNOW? • Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the US.
ALABAMA CHILD RESTRAINTS LAW REQUIRES CHILDREN UNDER 6 TO BE PROPERLY BUCKLED IN AN APPROPRIATE CAR SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT. CAR SEAT RECOMMENDATIONS: • Infant only seats and convertible seats used in the rear facing position for infants until at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds. • Convertible seats in the forward position or forward-facing seats until the child is at least 5 years of age or 40 pounds. • Booster seats until the child is 6 years of age. • Seat belts until 15 years of age. *American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children remain in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat.
FREE CAR SEAT CHECK Still have questions or concerns? For help (or to even double check your work), contact:
• Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71-82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.
Michelle Richardson (Perry, Walker, Lamar counties): (205) 554-4529
• An estimated 46% of car seats and booster seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness.
Anna Odom (Washington, Clarke, Baldwin counties): (251) 946-8012
Penny Roney (Madison, Marshall, Morgan counties): (256) 533-8712 Sharon Franklin (Macon, Elmore, Bullock counties): (334) 322-8431 Elizabeth Payne (St. Clair, Etowah, Calhoun counties): (256) 533-8712 1
www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents
Volume 22, Issue 4
Feature Articles
JU LY 20 2 0 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note page 10
Jason Watson
Faith @ Work: Jamie Brown
page 4
Pastor's Perspective
Jamie Brown is a lover of people, which makes her well-suited for her role as VP of Relationship Development at MAX Credit Union. She shares how she keeps Christ at the center of her life, and how that helps her be a light in her workplace.
Michael Cobb, Dalraida UMC
page 8
Moments with Kym Kym Klass
page 15
Women Arising page 12
Pastor Kemi Searcy
What Makes Any Marriage Difficult
page 16
The Intersection Bob Crittenden
by Darren Carlson
page 21
What makes you difficult to live with? How do you sin against your spouse? These are questions to consider and areas to improve upon for your marriage to grow.
Counselor’s Corner Tarmen Siaway, LPC
page 24
Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
page 18
In Every Issue
Ministry Spotlight:
Transformation Montgomery
page 6
by Katie Blair
With the mission statement “Transforming lives one person, one family, one neighborhood at a time through affordable housing, holistic life skills training and relational community renewal”, this non-profit is growing in the North Montgomery Community of Garden Square. 1
Books to Read page 10
Faith @ Work page 22
Support Groups July 2020
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
Community Coordinator Savannah Bowden
Research Editor Wendy McCollum
Contributing Writers Katie Blair Darren Carlson Pastor Michael Cobb Bob Crittenden Kym Klass Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Tarmen Siaway Dr. David Steele
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702
Digital Manager Scott Davis
From the Publisher Is Tornado Season Over? No, not the one we monitor through local meteorologists. I’m talking about the cultural tornados twisting through our lives these past months. Debates are taking place in our homes, on our televisions, and inside the never-ceasing social media chatter boxes. Someone once told me this about change – it looks a lot like failure halfway through. That statement applies well to where we find ourselves today. Times like these naturally lead us to ask, “In the midst of everything happening, how shall I think and act?” “What is guiding my thoughts and deeds?” Thankfully, God has something to say on the matter. “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5) “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2) “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8) Our thoughts and expressions must yield to God’s truth. The world has its anti-God way of thinking and it’s not always in your face or said with hate. Often, it can be voiced with compassion, but that doesn’t make it true. “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14) The lie of racism is such an example. History shows that even in the Church was deceived in this area. The flow of information is at an all-time high. Be careful to not wade in that stream ill-prepared or it will swiftly pull you downstream into false and destructive thinking. By sharing God’s Word, Journey magazine is here to help you walk in God’s truth and not fall prey to the world’s lies. This issue is filled with great teaching that explains God’s will for your life. Please soak it all up and share your copy with a friend. More than ever, we need the light of God.
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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 2020 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.
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Worship with Us!
Founded Upon God’s Word
Liturgically Joyful
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Sunday Worship with Communion, 8:00am Join us for an outdoor service or via live-stream Wednesday Evening Worship, 7:00pm Join us for an outdoor service or via live-stream Please find our YouTube page (search for Christchurch Montgomery), which is full of sermons, teachings, and many full services!
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Pastor’s Perspective by Pastor Michael Cobb, Dalraida United Methodist Church
Does Your Life Point to Christ? I was strongly motivated by my wife to finish some renovations years ago when I remembered a tag line from a Home Depot commercial: “You can do it. We can help.” I knew I could do it, but was just unsure about getting the help—until I went to my local store. Sure enough, they fixed me up with paint and trim colors, countertop and tile selections, and our kitchen fixtures. Their motto was proven true— except what I really needed was help finishing the project! “You can go do it. We can help.” Does that define the body of Christ striving together for God’s Kingdom? When those early Christ-followers
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received the Holy Spirit during Pentecost, God’s power intersected with their faith enabling the movement of The Church to continue. Whenever the Hebrew people in the Old Testament experienced God’s mighty work, they’d commemorate those encounters in a special way. In Exodus 24, receiving the Book of the Covenant, we see Moses “set up twelve pillars [stones],” each representing a tribe of Israel (v.4). Under Joshua’s leadership, after God parted the waters of the Jordan, twelve men were instructed by Joshua to get twelve stones as a memorial. Then he says, “When your children ask in time, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’” you shall tell them what God has done (Joshua 4:3, 6-7). These memorials were synonymous with one word— Massavot, or “What happened here?” Today, if we were to visit Israel and Palestine and see these stone memorials, we’d know that each one tells a story of God’s mighty power. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter understood this concept in a magnificent way when he writes, “You yourselves like living stones are 4
being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone” (1 Pt 2:5). As a Christian, you are like living stones— a marvelous display of God’s mighty work of grace and a treasured possession of the Most High. You are a Massavot demonstrating: “What happened here?” Peter goes on to say, “These living stones should live such good lives… [that] they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of his return” (1 Pt 2:12). The phrase “good deeds” in Hebrew is the word mitzvah— or sacred, God-oriented actions. In other words, Christians should live their lives in such a way that those who need the Lord would see and want to know more. Our lives should cause curiosity in the choices we make, the peace we offer, the wisdom we display, and the love we give. It should cause others to ask, “Massavot—what’s happened here?” When was the last time someone looked at your life and asked, “What happened?” Has that ever occurred? With all we have faced to date, imagine what would happen if the lives people lead matched the faith they proclaimed. It would demonstrate the love they’ve found in Jesus.
Michael Cobb is senior pastor of Dalraida UMC in Montgomery.
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Gentle and Lowly
Unified
The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
Tim Scott & Trey Gowdy We may live in one of the most divided times in American history. The cultural climate is rising without any hope of resolution in sight. Senator Tim Scott and Congressman, Trey Goudy recognize the problems in our land. Yet, they both have a realistic outlook, which is laced with optimism. Their book, Unified invites readers to pursue racial reconciliation and restoration, which will strengthen the fabric of our fractured nation. Unified is a very basic book that reads like a conversation between two lawmakers. These conservative thinkers, who have become the best of friends, bring their unique conservative perspectives to the table. Their mutual love and respect for one another are apparent from the outset. These two men, who are both committed Christ-followers model what friendship can and should look like. Senator Scott and Congressman Gowdy steer clear of politics, however. Their aim is to promote an optimistic vision of hope for the future of our nation: “We believe that our nation can be united and transformed by conversations and friendships that lead to reconciliation and understanding. As Americans, we must uphold the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and opportunity, even as we continue to work together to make those ideals a reality for all. We must come together, find solutions, and get to a point where we can see that our strength as a nation is rooted in all that is good in our world.” There are no quick fixes here. The authors understand and acknowledge that legislation will not cure the illness in American culture. True and lasting change must take place in the lives of people. In what may prove to be the most important insight in the book, Senator Scott writes, “We will change the nation only by changing the condition of the human heart.” This change, undergirded by the gospel of grace has the power to change individuals and families. Then and only then, will our nation see a renewal. Unified is a worthy read by two men of integrity; men who are striving to make America a better place. This is the first of many steps but it is a step in the right direction.
Dane Ortlund Dr. Dane Ortlund has gained a reputation for writing Christian books that are solid, edifying, and gospelcentered. His newest work, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers is no Exception. Ortlund uses Matthew 11:29 as the basis for his writing: Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The author writes, “This book is written for the discouraged, the frustrated, the weary, the disenchanted, the cynical, the empty. Those running on fumes.” Ultimately, Ortlund is jealous to draw the attention of readers to the heart of Jesus Christ. Twenty-three chapters await readers who will be captivated, encouraged, and loved by their Savior. Some readers will need to readjust what they have previously learned about Jesus and move in a more biblically oriented direction. Ideally, this book should be read one chapter at time, in a devotional sort of way. Such an approach will allow the mind to be sufficiently instructed and the heart to be filled with encouragement. A few citations will give a sense of the tone and direction the book takes: *Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. *The Jesus given to us in the Gospels is not simply the one who loves, but one who is love; merciful affections stream from his innermost heart as rays from the sun. *It is impossible for the affectionate heart of Christ to be overcelebrated, made too much of, exaggerated. *Jesus Christ is closer to you today than he was to the sinners and sufferers he spoke with and touched his earthly ministry. *If God sent his own Son to walk through the valley of condemnation, rejection, and hell, you can trust him as you walk through your own valleys on the way to heaven. Gentle and Lowly is packed with heart-warming scholarship and Christology that moves the soul. It is eminently practical and encouraging from start to finish. It will prove to be one of the most important Christian books in 2020! River Region’s Journey
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while you stay safe at home. To protect yourself and others during this pandemic, The Jackson Clinic encourages the use of telehealth visits. Telehealth is a face-to-face or by phone visit with your healthcare provider through digital technology. Call for an appointment today!
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Following God’s Lead Out of Your Comfort Zone There have been times in my life when change forced me out of my comfort zone. Yours, too, I’m sure. When we take that new challenge, accept the new job we’re not quite confident we’re actually qualified for, or walk in a new direction we had never envisioned for ourselves before. We’ve all sat in the comfort and familiarity of our lives – perhaps wanting more but not willing to take risks or walk away from all we know. Even if we’re feeling that push to change. Or hear that voice from God telling us it is time to move. Growth doesn’t occur when we’re stagnant. It doesn’t blossom if we don’t take those steps. If we maintain the same habits and relationships. “Growth requires pruning; trust Him, and the garden of life will flourish.” Trust Him, and also your abilities. Trust Him, and take that leap. Listen to Him, and He will provide. There are no promises that the change will be easy, but there is promise He will stand at your side. And you’ll know you’re following his command. “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalms 143:8 How often do we actually do this? How often do we give ourselves to Jesus River Region’s Journey
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and simply trust that next step? You’re not alone if this is something that fails to happen daily. We all try to make our own way in our own time – and in our own comfort instead of stepping out of it. Letting go of the familiar is tough. Changing careers or colleges or moving to a new city can take an emotional toll on us. It’s even more difficult to leave behind old habits, attitudes and behaviors. It is difficult to leave the familiar behind, even when God himself is saying that it is time to move on. We all struggle with the difficulties of letting go of the old in order to grasp the new. God understands that letting go of the familiar is hard, yet he has called us to move on to new life in Jesus Christ by letting go of our old worldly lives, our old habits, our old dreams – to boldly move forward without looking back. When you feel God’s call to move, allow Him to guide you. He will give you the grace to do whatever He has asked. How do we go about doing this? We pray. We hold firm to the belief that God is good all the time, and that He won’t forsake us. We vehemently trust that. We go about doing this by allowing ourselves to become vulnerable and sharing our vision with others. We do this by trusting God. We take that deep breath and when we exhale, we know that God is in control. That He will lead us. And it can be difficult. But... let go, let God. Let Go. Let. God. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46 For years, I felt called to write a book. We’ve had so many experiences in our family that I knew there would be 8
enough content to fill the pages, but I wasn’t sure what message I would want to bring forth other than survival. And despite the calling, I had an immense amount of self doubt. I wasn’t sure who would care. Still, I kept hearing God say, “Write a book.” But who would want to read it? Who would buy it? What publishing company would want to publish the words of so much pain and heartache? Of a lost faith? “Write a book... write a book.” Writing one wasn’t out of reach for me because I’m a writer. And I’m a 20-plus-year veteran journalist, so putting words on paper isn’t a chore. It’s a passion and it’s a privilege. It is a calling God provided me – a direction he took me while I was in college. I let His guidance lead me, and I fell in love with journalism. I allowed myself to leave the comfort of simply existing and surviving to fulfilling a purpose. What a reward! “Growth requires pruning; trust Him, and the garden of life will flourish.” I’m not even sure where this quote originated, but it holds value and truth. Trusting Him allowed me 25 years ago to find myself walking into my university’s student newspaper and ask for my first writing assignment. And two years ago, after years and years in newsrooms, I trusted God to carry me through as I sat down to write my first book. When we step out of our comfort zone, when we’re able to shed our fear and rid habits that aren’t directing us to God’s calling, we have the opportunity to find the most magnificent life. The road is worth it. Letting go and trusting changes lives.
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nity to meet so many people so I do hope that they see Jesus in me through my interactions with them. Prior to his retirement, I had a conversation with my predecessor and he said to me, “Think about all of the people you’ll be able to minister to in your role.” He was so right and I’ll cherish that conversation with him, especially since he passed away earlier this year. RRJ: For most of us, family plays an important role in our lives. In what ways has your family been instrumental in your faith journey? Jamie: My grandmama FOR SURE was instrumental in my faith journey. Prior to her passing, I always thought she was a Saint on earth. She truly lived her life for Jesus and was a foundational influence for me and my sister. RRJ: For Christians who struggle to live their faith beyond the church walls, what encouragement would you give them?
RRJ: Thank you so much for taking the time to share how your faith is at work out in the community where God has placed you. To begin with, how long have you been a follower of Christ? Jamie: I’ve been a follower of Christ as long as I can remember…there’s never been a time that I can recall not being a Christian. I developed a deeper relationship with Christ about 10 years ago (after experiencing the Walk to Emmaus) and it’s been so awesome! RRJ: As Christians, our primary purpose in life is to glorify God. In what ways are you able to glorify Him in your occupation or while at work? Jamie: I remind myself almost daily that everything I’m doing is all for His glory and to be a light in this world (my life verse is Matthew 5:16). I have an amazing opportuRiver Region’s Journey
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Jamie: Be the light, be the church and be who God created you to be…we ALL have a purpose to fulfill. We are called to make disciples, so what better way than to provide an example and help others grow in their relationship with Christ. RRJ: We have been living in strange times lately. What are some tools of the Christian faith that keep you focused on loving God and loving others? Jamie: Prayer for sure! Sometimes I say, “that’s way above my pay grade” because it’s just too big to (humanly) handle. I just have to give certain things to God…and be okay with it. Really, He’s got it! RRJ: What do you enjoy most about your job? Jamie: EVERYTHING!! Being the “Face of MAX” is not something that I take lightly. I’ve been given a tremendous opportunity to be a positive force in our communities and it’s truly been a blessing to serve in this role. 10
RRJ: How does your Christian faith shape the way you approach your job? Jamie: It’s such a huge part of who I am that I really don’t “think” about it…it just comes naturally. But there are times when I feel God has cracked the door for me to share my faith, and I’ll open it a little more. It’s those times when I feel God is nudging me. I do my best to be obedient to that nudging…even when it’s uncomfortable. There have been times that I could just tell a co-worker needed prayer, so I just ask them if we can pray. If they are comfortable doing so, we may join hands and I just let the Holy Spirit do the rest. RRJ: The Scriptures say that if we want to bear fruit we must remain in Christ. What are specific things you do to remain in Christ? Jamie: For me, prayer and spending time in His word daily helps me. I dedicate time each morning (while feeding our outside cat) to reading and sharing devotionals on Facebook (I use that as a ministry). In addition, I’m making my way through the Bible in One Year through the YouVersion Bible app and reading the daily scripture to stay focused. I also lead a small group at my church. I have a responsibility to them to provide a positive role model, but I do it because I feel led, not just to do it. God called me to serve Him by leading our small group. RRJ: What are some key things that have sustained your faith on the tough days? Jamie: I can’t say enough about prayer, really. I’ve been reciting The Lord’s Prayer prior to saying my evening prayers before going to bed. But also having faithful prayer warriors plays a part, too. In the end, God is in control and I’m not…that is something I’ve had to learn over time. Jamie is married to Gary and they will celebrate 24 years of marriage at the end of the year. She attends Coosada Baptist Church where she serves as a Grace and Light small group leader, a Praise Kidz leader for grades 1-6, and a member of the Celebration Choir. She serves as the VP of Relationship Development at MAX Credit Union. Photo credit: Nick Drollette Photography.
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If my wife and I have learned one thing in our marriage by now, it is how to sin against each other. We know how to inflect our tone of voice, how to look at each other in a way that hurts, and what words to use for maximum impact. Our marriage has revealed more about us, in our sin, than even we ourselves knew. Now, we also know how to give one another joy. We know how to make life easier and how best to serve each other. And we are still learning. To still be loved by someone who knows me for who I am is an act of sheer grace. Being one flesh is a wonderful challenge. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, I’m not sure we would still be married. In one of our downturns, my wife and I enlisted a friend to help us diagnose our problem. It took one dinner discussing three questions to begin to dislodge the unexplainable sticking points in our relationship. Perhaps sharing the three questions will provide others with practical tools to help strengthen their marriages as it did ours.
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1. What makes you difficult to live with? All of us have personality traits or preferences that are not sin, but can make us challenging to like. These are compounded when we have to live with someone who cannot escape our idiosyncrasies. When answering this question, the first item I listed was “I lose things and can never find my stuff.” Two hours after saying this, my wife and I returned to the rental car, and when I reached for the keys in my pocket — nothing. For my super-organized wife, this is more than an annoyance. We walked two miles back to the hotel in the dark. She was gracious. Those who know me best know some of these weaknesses; my wife knows them all. Living with someone leads to the unavoidable exposure of one’s shortcomings. Pride tells us we are good at everything, that we are not the issue, that it’s really our spouse who has all the weaknesses. Be careful: God stands against people like this (Proverbs 16:5; James 4:6). Love is not proud (1 Corinthians 13:4). Humility allows us to be aware of the ways we make things hard on our spouse.
You do not need to answer these questions exhaustively to begin making real progress with your spouse. Three answers to each question is a manageable starting place. When you do answer these questions and bring them to your spouse, take time to discuss whether you are in agreement. It also enables us to serve her better, undermines more opportunities for misunderstanding, and makes her feel listened to and cared for. Confessing nonsinful weaknesses allows for healthy expectations as the spouse knows that you know yourself and desire to grow. It also helps me as a husband love my wife as myself (Ephesians 5:33) — I now know the things that make it hard on her.
2. How do you sin against your spouse? Now we get to the heart of the matter — your acknowledgment of the way sin is ruling in your heart. Jesus instructed us, “What comes out of the mouth proceeds
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from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:18– 19). Your spouse doesn’t make you sin. You sin without his or her help. As James argues, your unmet desires drive you, and when they are not met, you quarrel and fight (James 4:2). So we must drag our sin into the light. My wife once told me that I was good at saying I was a sinner and terrible at naming the specific sin. She was right. To actually name the sin, and not just say that you are a sinner by nature, is to shine light on your sin (1 John 1:7). Consider the fool of Proverbs as you consider your life. The fool:
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• Is convinced that he is right (Proverbs 12:15) • Quickly shows his annoyance (Proverbs 12:16) • Is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16) • Spurns discipline and correction (Proverbs 15:5) • Wastes money (Proverbs 17:16) • Delights in airing his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2) • Is quick to quarrel (Proverbs 20:3) • Scorns wisdom (Proverbs 23:9) • Is wise in his own eyes (Proverbs 26:5) • Trusts in himself (Proverbs 28:26) • Rages and scoffs, and there is no peace around him (Proverbs 29:9) • Gives full vent to his anger (Proverbs 29:11) You can quote Paul — “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). You can say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38). But can you name your sin?
was discussed. We all agree to them, hence agreeing to what was discussed and how to move forward. As a husband, it’s one thing to generically say I will love my wife as Christ loved the church, but how can I practically do this? It’s one thing to say we will glorify God in our marriage, that our marriage has been created by Christ for his glory (Colossians 1:16), that we do not want to conform to the pattern of the world (Romans 12:1–2), or that we do not want to indulge the sinful nature (Galatians 5:13). These are all good things to say. But it’s quite another for both spouses to be clear on what exactly that looks like. Maybe it will be a concerted effort not to misplace everything, or a commitment to overlook weaknesses. Maybe it is a commitment to confess sin regularly to each other, even in front of your children. Maybe you pledge to ask questions, or to affirm your spouse more than you criticize. Maybe it’s asking a close friend to help audit your marriage.
answers to each question is a manageable starting place. When you do answer these questions and bring them to your spouse, take time to discuss whether you are in agreement. Does your list of things that make you hard to live with align with the things your spouse would say about you? If you say, “I lose things,” and your spouse replies, “That doesn’t bother me at all,” then you may not understand your spouse. The end game of all of this is that your marriage would glorify God: that husbands would reflect more clearly the love that Christ has for his people (Ephesians 5:25), and that wives would joyfully submit to and respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:24, 33). Gospel-centered marriages are not perfect marriages. They include dependence on God while acknowledging weaknesses, confessing sin, and offering forgiveness to each other. As you discuss these questions, then, remind yourselves of God’s commitment to you, to your spouse, and to your marriage.
3. What can you do to improve your marriage?
Married to Glorify God
Darren Carlson is the Founder and President of Training Leaders International. He has written on issues relating to short-term missions, missionary care, trends in global theology, missiological discussions, and the effective use of financial resources to relieve poverty. Used by permission of desiringgod.org.
After nearly every meeting I lead, I like to give action items based on what
You do not need to answer these questions exhaustively to begin making real progress with your spouse. Three
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A Mother’s Intuition My friend “Janet” told me how once she became overwhelmed by a great sense of uneasiness. It was the kind of feeling you get when something is not quite right. She couldn’t put her finger on anything in particular, when she suddenly had a strong inclination to check her young son’s book bag. As she ransacked the backpack, she found an E-Cigarette. When I was growing up, my mother said she had “eyes in the back of her head.” She seemed to know what we kids were doing even if she wasn’t in the room. We knew if we parted her hair we wouldn’t see eyes, but it made us wonder how she could have a sixth sense about us. I wondered if I would inherit the same intuitive ability when I became a mother. The question remains: how do mothers do it? Whether they are believers or not, so many women have a sense of knowing things that goes beyond normal human ability. I believe intuition is a gift from God to protect the next generation. God has given many gifts to humanity, whether they acknowledge Him or not. He does so in order that His will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. As believers, however, we can actuate our intuition on a different level than nonChristians. We can engage in a dialogue with God that can have a far-reaching impact on each child we raise. Many of us may think some of these thoughts are just based on our own experiences and logic, and some may be. So how can we be sure these blips of thought are from God? To receive the pure words from God, we must be consistently focused on Him. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. We can’t just pull on His coat tails when there is a need and expect to recognize His voice. Some entrepreneurs use an online marketing tool called Constant Contact. That is what we must be – in constant contact with our Source. We also need to be sure what we hear doesn’t come from our own issues. God may
not feel very spiritual or sense a full episode of the presence of the Holy Spirit when our intuition is needed. Yet, if our relationship with Father God is open and active, we can spontaneously intersect with Him when His thoughts are needed most, no matter what the circumstances that surround us at that time. Let your female intuition rise to a new level. While basking in His presence, ask God to grow your sensitivity to His voice during times of crises and time of peace, during chaos and order, or during life-altering situations and everyday tasks. You may not have eyes in the back of your head, but the eyes you do have can be fixed on Jesus. Let the intuitive juices flow!
be talking, but we can’t hear it because of the cloud of self. If we fix our eyes in places like our own desires and needs, what we hear can be tainted with our own history. Is this special sense that mother’s have limited to them and their own children? This female intuition can go beyond one’s own family. I have a friend who is a piano teacher. Her job involves seeing children (and parents) weekly around a scheduled one-on-one lesson. My friend prays each week for her students and asks God to allow her to sense what they need musically, but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Each week there are some students who come to lessons with their problems on their sleeves. My friend can either take the time to be part of the village that raises the child or ignore the prompting of the Lord to ask the exact question that will open the child up to share. She has many testimonies as to how one small question has led to a breakthrough for a child. Are there children in your sphere of influence that could use your godly intuition? We can count on God’s sustaining grace for our role in children’s lives around us. It may surprise you to know that one of the words for intercesf bcprattville.org sion, paga, means “a chance encounter @fbcprattville or an accidental intersecting.” We may
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July 2020
River Region’s Journey
Look Up, Look Around, Look Beyond The initial weekend after the tragic and brutal death of George Floyd, media coverage of nationwide protests related to his death was put on pause by another event on that Saturday afternoon: the launch of the SpaceX rocket, with two astronauts aboard. Spectators looked to the skies for encouragement and inspiration, harkening back to the days of the Apollo missions to the moon, in which humanity was looking for something greater at the conclusion of the turbulent decade of the 60’s. Over that weekend, people were looking up - for a moment. People were also looking around – those watching saw protests, certainly, but they also saw senseless violence, fueled by anger over the death of someone who did not deserve to die. People digesting the news saw, unfortunately, what the news media wanted them to see; but there was more to the story, a reminder to us to look beyond. That Saturday was a cleanup day in Minneapolis, where days of rioting had resulted in the destruction of area businesses. The local newspaper, the Star Tribune, reported that “Twin Cities nonprofits, community organizations and churches are gathering donations and coordinating cleanup efforts in areas damaged by the rioting.” That article featured a listing of area organizations stepping in to help. Prayer also occurred in the Twin Cities. Baptist Press reported on the actions of a local pastor, W. Seth Martin, a pastor who founded The Brook Community Church in Minneapolis and Chris Reinertson, director of missions for the Twin Cities Baptist Association in Bloomington, who organized a prayer event in a local park. The article said: River Region’s Journey
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“We’re praying that God answers our prayers, God brings us peace, God brings His love, God brings His justice,” said Reinertson, adding they would pray that “God brings His Kingdom, God rescues people from their selfishness and sin, God brings people to the reality of who they are in their situation,” that God would bring “massive healing to that Floyd family,” and for “racial healing.” Martin noted that around 90 percent of the protestors are peaceful; he and church
members had attended the protests and engaged in conversations. Unfortunately, across the nation, violent protestors hijacked the protests and deflected from the meaning of them. Media willingly covered the deflection. But, there were protestors who protected police officers, as well as police and protestors praying together. We can look around to see acts of charity and clarity in the midst of these turbulent situations in American cities. Burning neighborhoods and destroying businesses undercut the message, but Biblical responses of compassion and unity can produce long-lasting change and healing in our communities. We can look up to our Creator to find answers in the midst of the confusion. There are a number of things we can agree on, and the first thing is that George
Floyd’s death was brutal and unnecessary. I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who would disagree. This has presented an unprecedented chance for unity, especially in the Church, but we recognize in the midst of unity, the enemy will try to bring division. The Church has to lead the way and guard against disunity that can so easily derail our message. There is division and chaos that has been seen, which overrides the deeper messages that can be taken from this event. Outside “agitators” have likely been motivating and manipulating the crowds to behave badly - we can ask the question, are you an agitator or a peacemaker? George Floyd was known as a “man of peace” in his Houston neighborhood. Are you known as a man or woman of peace? We can consider what each of us can do to promote racial harmony. We can pursue Biblical justice, not by embracing the world’s systems, possibly leading to the perpetuation of division, but the Lord’s ways, which are centered on healing and restoration. The image of a white police officer, a representation of authority, with his knee on the neck of a black man, activated a sense of real anger, fueled by the unjust treatment of African-Americans throughout the years. Now, through prayer and positive interaction with a Biblical focus, we can do better. So, what can you do? I would encourage you to ask, “What do you have?” I myself have a voice; I have a microphone. What has God given you? A Christian has the heart to serve Him and to be His representative - we can each pray how we can contribute to living out the commandment to love our God and to love our neighbor. Remember, in the midst of the turmoil, we can look up, look around to see what God would have you to do, and look beyond in order to see the future He has in store.
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July 2020
River Region’s Journey
4/19/20 5:22 PM
an ev into of Tra cu nity “Tr on ab rel is g mu
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by Katie Blair
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July 2020
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What began as a way to rehab homes and rent them at a reasonable price with the eventual goal of home ownership has grown into a ministry that has transformed the lives of those in the Montgomery area. Known as Transformation Montgomery, the ministry currently serves the Garden Square Community in Chisholm. With the mission statement “Transforming lives one person, one family, one neighborhood at a time through affordable housing, holistic life skills training and relational community renewal”, the non-profit is growing in the North Montgomery Community of Garden Square. The work began in 2012 when a group from Frazer Church started putting together plans and doing research about areas in need of restoration around Montgomery, says Cody Hager, who serves as the Director of Missions for Frazer. “They began establishing relationships and raising funds to start purchasing homes,” says Hager. “The initial goal of our non-profit was just to focus on rehabbing homes and renting them at a reasonable price, then moving to home ownership after a good rental record. As the work progressed and through the incredible generosity of Frazer members and other donors, we had the opportunity to purchase the building at the entrance of the community and transform it into what we now call the Transformation Center. It currently houses
our state-funded Pre-K program for our residents where we offer financial coaching and physical fitness classes. The Pre-K and adult programs have become an integral part of our mission at Transformation Montgomery and are part of our goal of community transformation for Chisholm and Montgomery.” According to Transformation Montgomery’s website, the ministry utilizes a three-prong approach to holistic, sustainable life-change for families, individuals, and communities in poverty. The first prong is Affordable Housing where vacant houses are purchased, rehabilitated using mostly volunteer labor, and then made available at an affordable cost to the working poor. The second prong is Life Skills Training where participants in the program are matched with a Transformation Team who will walk side by side with them through holistic training designed, not to tell them how to live their lives, but rather to help them identify their own goals and objectives, and then bring resources and support networks around them to help them achieve those goals. This holistic approach includes an introductory Getting Ahead workshop, followed by personalized modules in financial, practical, educational, job skills, family relationships, and spiritual components. The third prong is Community Renewal which reaches out to the entire neighbor-
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hood, not just the individual homeowners. Transformation Montgomery seeks to work together with community leaders to create an environment for positive change. A key component of this approach in Garden Square is the Transformation Center, a 7,500 square foot commercial property used for education, recreation, and micro-enterprise opportunities. Transformation Montgomery also seeks long term community renewal through education with the state funded Pre-K program where 4 year olds from the local community get a head start on their education and prepare for kindergarten in a loving and nurturing environment. It’s a transformation that has happened slowly and steadily over time, explains Hager. “I will say it’s difficult to see a large scale change in an entire neighborhood unless you look at change over a larger period of time. It takes time and although there are many individual stories that have come out of our housing and Pre-K programs, the one story that stands out to me is from a conversation with a former Montgomery Police Officer. He said that for years, the Garden Square Community was simply known for crime. It was not known as a good place to live. He went on to say that over the years, he and others he’s spoken with have seen the crime rate lower in the community and
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River Region’s Journey
have been impressed with the transformation in the look and ‘feel’ of the community. Although we still feel there is a lot of work to do in our community, we know that Transformation Montgomery has made a lasting impact to the community at Garden Square.” There has also been a lasting impact on those individuals who become involved with serving in the program through the relationships formed with the members in the community. For anyone looking to become involved with Transformation Montgomery, Hager says that there are two books that are recommended to potential volunteers. “When Helping Hurts and another book called Toxic Charity have been the two mainstays for us as an organization and a church. I would love for everyone in the River Region to at least understand the principles put forward in these books. True community renewal and transformation can only happen when everyone comes together and shares what they want to see for their context. The best way to serve someone is to walk beside them in a struggle. With Transformation Montgomery, we’ve tried our best to provide services and economic relief through education programs and affordable rent and rent to own programs, but since the beginning of the project, the goal has been to walk alongside the community in Garden Square. To listen to needs and respond with a focus on empowerment.” While there would normally be a calendar filled with events for the summer months, the concerns of COVID-19 have altered the schedule for the time being. “We would normally have many summer programs for our children in the community and serve initiatives throughout our church to help with various Transformation Center and home construction projects,” Hager says. There remain numerous service opportunities available to get involved with Transformation Montgomery. “We are always in need of financial donations to continue rehabilitating homes throughout the community with the long term goal of leaving the community and starting another community in the city. We are also in need of volunteers to work on homes,” says Hager. Transformation Montgomery is also in need of volunteers to help with after school tutoring, adult life coaches, construction volunteers, and Pre-K helpers. For more information on these opportunities, please visit http://frazer.church/ missions/transformation-montgomery or you may email Cody Hager at chager@frazerumc.org You can also find Transformation Montgomery on Facebook. Katie Blair is a graduate of Auburn University in Montgomery with a degree in Elementary Education. She currently serves as a Children’s Ministry Partner with Frazer Church. She is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about family life. She resides in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, two children, and their dog, Rosie.
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One Size Does Not Fit All There has been extensive research conducted to identify the most effective interventions and populations which respond best to these approaches. In addition, clinicians are traind to understand the various schools of theoretical application such as Psychodynamic, Behavioral, Cognitive, and Person-Centered. Cultural competence and the therapeutic relationship between the clinician and client has shown to be the strongest indicator to promote change over the course of therapy. Clinicians and clients must both be involved in order for this therapeutic alliance to form. We all have biases and prejudices based on personal experiences or tradition. Counselors are prohibited from working with clients based on ther religious, cultural, gender, or any beliefs that may differ from the counselor (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014) furthermore, counselors should address any personal biases they may have that may interfere with the therapeutic relationship. Clinicians should take time to educate themselves about various backgrounds, cultures, and worldviews. Clinicians should be aware that approaching therapy with a monolithic view can cause more harm than good. Clients can also help formulate a strong therapeutic alliance by telling their
story and educating the clinician about their personal experience. In addition, the client should be open to questions the clinician may pose to gain a better understanding of their life experiences furthermore, clients should not prejudge their clinician based on their race, gender, or any other demographic or historical experience with a specific group. Clients should also inform their clinician if they feel an intervention is ineffective or culturally inappropriate. This dialogue can help the clinician better address the client’s issue for coming to counseling. The phrase “I don’t see color, I only see the person” is meant to be inclusive, but with further investigation this phrase actually demonstrates a blindness toward recognizing the person for who they are and how their life experiences may make them different from you. Studies have shown even if the therapist is the same race as the client clinical outcomes are more effective due to the clinical intervention, but also because of the cultural responsiveness being provided by the clinician. Below are questions to ask yourself as a client or clinician to foster a strong therapeutic alliance.
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Clinician • What are my biases and how can I address them? • Am I allowing the client to educate me about their personal background and experience? • Am I using interventions that are culturally appropriate?
Client • Am I allowing myself to be open to the clinician even if they are a different cultural background or race? • Am I open to educating them about my own personal experiences and how my cultural background may influence my experiences? • Am I making the clinician aware that a prescribed intervention is culturally insensitive or inappropriate? Reference: American Counseling Associatioin Code of Ethics,. Tarmen Siaway is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Addiction Counselor. Tarmen attended Jacksonville State University and earned a BA in English and a MS in Community Agency Counseling. He also earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University. Dr. Siaway served two terms as president - 2013 and 2017 - of the Alabama Mental Health Counselor Association. Dr. Siaway has conducted numerous workshops on the local, state, and national level. He enjoys working with adolescents, adults, families, couples, and is enthusiastic about working with diverse clients.
July 2020
River Region’s Journey
Adoption
Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery APAC, Alabama Pre/ Post Adoption Connection Support Group: This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call Jill Sexton at 409-9477.
Alcoholic / Addiction
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 Christcentered 12-step program. Call 264-4949. Location: Dalraida United Methodist Church 3817 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery An Alanon meeting is held at 9 am on Saturday mornings. Call 272.2190 for details. Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, 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: Heritage Baptist Church 1849 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets: Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM CST. No Childcare Provided. Email montgomery@route1520.com, visit http://www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men/ or call 877.200.1520. Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Mondays beginning at 6:15 pm. Childcare available. Call John Pearse at 303-243-4308 or visit myjourneychurch.com. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. RSVP- This is a 12 step spiritual recovery program for
River Region’s Journey
July 2020
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: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 E Main St. CASA - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions. Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334-365-4201 for additional information. 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: First United Methodist Church, Wetumpka 306 W. Tuskeena Street ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. For any information contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428. Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 pm. For more information email riverregion@route1520.com, visit http:// www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men or call 877-2000-1520.
Alzheimer’s / Dementia
Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 495-6350 for more information.
Cancer
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us. Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week. Please call Debbie D at 4674578 or Ben W at 202-1912.
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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 UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Central Alabama Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month in Room 3105. We have guest speakers, video presentations, printed information and a group that welcomes sharing their journey with myeloma in an informal setting. Refreshments are provided. Contact Joe Crowley at 334-207-4385 or jpcrowl46@yahoo.com Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. 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 and friends, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net
Divorce
Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesday nights @6:30-8:00 pm in Room 405B. Child care is available. Contact Kathy Cooper at 241-5125 for information. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Divorce Care meets each Tuesday from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Come to the Library area. This group will provide support & guidance to assist you in working through the issues, pain & pressures surrounding divorce. Call 495-6350 or e-mail jan@frazerumc.org.
Gambling
Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community. The church is 1 1/2 miles past Tutweiler prison. Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. and Mondays at 6:30 pm. Call 567-0476.
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Location: Mental Health of America, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm. For more information about the GA meetings call 334-399-6918. For information about counseling services or to request a guest speaker please call the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling at 334-277-5100.
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Grief
Location: Cornerstone Christian Church, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. This is an open group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com with questions or for more information. 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. Call (334) 284-2721 for info. Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Share, Wednesday evenings at 6 pm in the church parlor. Led by Michael Beatty. Call 365-5977. Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Grief Recovery Support Group meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Rm 3105. Call 495-6350 for more info.
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Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754 or e-mail mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook. Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org. Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief support group meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M7:00 P.M. For additional information, please contact Alice Glover at (334)281-2754.
Mental Health
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Mental Health - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meets 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in Room 7205. Group provides understanding, education & information to family members & friends of those who suffer mental illness, Call Pat Cobb at 334-279-8331 for more info. NAMI Connection Support Group for individuals with mental illness meets every Thursday evening, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, room 3104. Call Pat Cobb at 334279-8331 for more information.
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. Call April Scott at 828-446-6666.
Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Frazer mom2mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of ages birth to 5 at Frazer UMC to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. Email Mom2mom@frazerumc.org for more information. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800. Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174. Location: Redland Baptist, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com. Location: St.James UMC, 9045 Vauhgn Road Moms in Prayer International: This is a Christ centered interdenominational prayer ministry made up of moms, grandmothers, aunts or any woman who wants to gathers to pray for their children and schools. Meets every Sunday afternoon from 3:00-4:00. Call Annette Jones for more information on joining us or training to start your own group. 850-529-4730 or email Montgomerymipac@gmail.com
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. Call 272-6152. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Parkinson’s Support meets 4th Thursdays at 6 pm in Room 8114. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Ostomy Support meets every other month on the 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in room 3101. In 2018: Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Vaughn Park Church, 3800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group meets 2nd Friday of each month from 6:30- 8 PM. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare is provided. Please visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com or our Facebook page (MADSOG) for information. Please contact MADSOG at montgomeryareadownsyndrome@gmail.com.
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Saving for college Q. What percentage of our income should we save for our kids’ education? We know you recommend setting aside 15 percent for retirement, but do you have a similar rule that applies to paying for college? A. I don’t really have a rule, or percentage, for how much you should save toward a college fund. If you’re following the Baby Steps, I recommend getting 15 percent of your income going toward retirement before saving for college. After you’ve got your retirement savings rolling, put what you can, based on your own unique situation, toward college funding. If you’ve got teenagers in the house, you need to get serious about college funding soon—like right now. There’s no
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rush if they’re toddlers, but you might want to start looking at things like a 529 or an ESA (Education Savings Account). The thing is, there are just too many variables, the main one being the ages of the kids, to set a strict percentage. You’ve also got to consider things like where you’re thinking about them going to school, how much you want to save up, and other factors.
Don’t put your home on the line! Q. We’d like to start preparing for the future, but our debt is preventing us from investing for retirement. Would it be okay to use a home equity line of credit to start investing? We were thinking the eventual returns might justify doing this. A. No! Never put something as important and meaningful as your home on the line
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just for the sake of investing. Do not borrow against your home! I’m guessing you’re new to my way of doing things, so let’s start from the beginning. First, follow the Baby Steps. Getting $1,000 in the bank as a starter emergency fund is Baby Step 1. Next, pay off all your debts from smallest to largest—except for your home—using the debt snowball method. That’s Baby Step 2. It’s time then to revisit your emergency fund, and bulk it up to a full three to six months of expenses in Baby Step 3. Now, it’s time to really start thinking about your future and retirement. In Baby Step 4, take 15 percent of your gross household income and start investing it for retirement. Start with your company’s 401(k) plan, up to the full employer match. Then, invest the rest into Roth IRAs. One for you, and one for your spouse, if you’re married. Here’s the thing. Investing becomes easy at this point, because you’ve freed up your income. And that’s the most important wealth-building tool you have!
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