Volume 15, Issue 4
Feature Articles
SEPTEMBE R 20 1 3 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note
page 22
Jason Watson
A New Perspective on Anger by Candy Arrington
What really pushes your buttons? Learn what makes your anger easily bubble to the surface and how to better manage it to the glory of God.
page 4
Pastor's Perspective Terrence Jones, Strong Tower @ Washington Park
page 16
Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
page 18
Shine Kim Hendrix
page 30
page 20
Cover Feature:
Bob Crittenden
The Intersection
Agape of Central Alabama
page 24
Grace to You
by Rachel Fisher
Get the scoop on this local ministry whose mission it is to find safe and nurturing families for vulnerable and orphaned children. Also, discover how you can help support them and get involved in their efforts.
John MacArthur
page 28
Counselor’s Corner Pamela Boswell
page 34
Family Teams for Christ Lisa and Mike Conn
page 39
Get the Point?
On Our Cover . . .
Elaine Britt
Jason South and Gina (Tur) South with children: Crispin(13), Duncan(10), William(7), and Juliet(2). Through the help of Agape of Central Alabama, Juliet became a member of the South family in August 2012 when her adoption was finalized. Jason is a Children’s Minister at Vaughn Park Church of Christ and a Theatre Professor at Faulkner. Gina is an attorney and the State Director for the Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers.
In Every Issue page 6
On the Bookshelf page 8
Around Our Community page 36
Event Calendar page 40
Movie Reviews 1
September 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 Candy Arrington Pamela Boswell Elaine Britt Lisa and Mike Conn Bob Crittenden Rachel Fisher Kim Hendrix Terrence Jones John MacArthur Dave Ramsey 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
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.
From the Publisher How valuable is your neighbor? I’m not referring to their bank account, and I’m not necessarily referring to the person who lives next door. Are men, women and children valuable? “Of course!” you might say, “Everyone has worth.” If so, is that “worth” worth defending? How does a question like this apply to the large number of homicides occurring in our area this year? Should we just buy the most advanced home security system on the market and pray for God’s protection? Terrence Jones, pastor of Strong Tower @ Washington Park, offers a more biblical approach by challenging the church not to retreat in this month Pastor’s Perspective. This is a problem that the church has the answer for, but we have to be willing to not shrink back from our responsibilities of engaging the world with the redeeming power of the Gospel. These killers, the victims and those left to pick up the pieces are all valuable in God’s sight. Last year I shared the story of God calling DeAnne and me to adopt our now two-year-old daughter, Grace, from Russia. That makes this month’s cover story close to our hearts. Adoption and foster care have been getting much more attention in the church over the past few years. Having adopted ourselves, we know first hand the suffering these children go through. That’s why we’re so thankful for ministries like Agape of Central Alabama. Agape is a local foster and adoption ministry helping children to become connected with safe families, so they can know how valuable they are through the love these families offer. Agape of Central Alabama just recently became licensed to perform home studies for international adoptions, so if you know anyone considering adoption, please take them a copy of this month’s issue. Do any of you enjoy using social media like Facebook or Twitter? I do, but I also see how, even though I may have more information about my friends, I have less of a “personal” relationship with them. The more our world becomes full of tech the more we are challenged to still value what Bob Crittenden, in his Intersection column on page 20, calls The Worth of a Soul. Will we all one day be boiled down to a hard disk full of code? Sometimes, doesn’t it seem like that’s where we’re headed when you log on to Facebook? Bob does a wonderful job explaining that we are so much more. You, me and everyone around us, from one end of the globe to the other, has great value as one made in the image of God. It all begins with God. We should celebrate His creativity in creation by joining with Father, Son and Spirit to pray for His Kingdom to come on Earth as it is in Heaven. One way we can do this is by helping to redeem all the things He said are valuable in His sight for the honor of His name.
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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Pastor’s Perspective
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Terrence Jones, Strong Tower @ Washington Park
37 Homicides and Counting... When talking to people around Montgomery, all eyes seem to be on the homicide count for 2013. Will we exceed the 2007 total of 46? Will we break the 1975 record of 58? At the current rate of 37, those old marks are in plain sight! The number of homicides is particularly troublesome to me on several levels. First, it is simply horrific that lives are being taken for senseless reasons! Second, as I have looked at the mug shots of those who committed the murders, the only thing that visibly separates me from them are the orange suits. Most of the killers are young, black men from 18 to 40 years old. Third, these egregious offenses leave behind more victims than just the person who lost his/ her life. They also leave behind mothers, children, siblings, and friends who deal with a range of emotions from hopelessness to fierce anger. Finally, apart from
the grace of God, the murderer’s life is certainly an uphill battle. Will he ever get out of jail? Will he ever become a doctor, a pastor, a teacher, or a functioning father? The odds are definitely not in his favor!
How should the church respond?
Many are tempted to take the route of isolation. I detect whispers of a growing number of concerned Christians desiring to create a severed culture. One where their kind would be void of any dealings with violence, sections of town prone to violence, or people perceived to be associated with violence. Like a prosthetic limb, they desire to appear connected with the assurance of not becoming infected! They buy more sophisticated alarm systems and bigger guns...all the while, “keeping their head on a swivel.” (A common phrase for wide receivers attempting to catch passes in the middle of a ferocious defense.) It is becoming a mentality for believers, who think their life is increasingly more in danger, every time they leave their wellgated communities and protected homes.
Retreat is not an option!
The church and the people of God are needed now more than ever! It is time to act in ways that reflect the kingdom of GOD, not the kingdom of SELF. It is time for the church to act in ways that reflect the gospel. May we never forget that Golgotha was a murder scene... and it changed the world forever! Instead of being consumed with our earthly safety, we should live like we are slaves of Christ and have been bought River Region’s Journey
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with a price. Instead of only planning for longevity on earth...we should live in light of eternity! Instead of building impeccable fortresses to live in...we should steward our resources and homes for the advancement of God’s kingdom among wretched sinners. (Including murderers!) Instead of only praying that someone, somewhere would act...we should act...now! Instead of simply planning for the advancement of our own families and portfolios...we should scheme, plan, invest, pray, and execute for the advancement of the Great Commission. Isn’t this what the Bible calls us to? I’m reminded of the apostle Paul’s words in Acts 21:13, “Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” In the context of this verse, we find the apostle Paul relentlessly making his way to Jerusalem for the sake of the gospel. Twice, in the previous verses of this chapter, he is warned by loved ones not to head to Jerusalem because they were convinced that danger awaited him (Acts 21:4, 11-12). Yet, Paul was so mesmerized with Christ and advancing His name in enemy territory, he was willing to go to jail and even die! Oh, may we see the surpassing greatness of loving Jesus over everything! May we not be bound by fear of losing that which we could never keep. Christ is worthy, is He not? The need for churches and pastors willing to get in harm’s way for the advancement of Christ grows with each additional homicide. How will you respond? As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Terrence Jones is lead pastor of Strong Tower @ Washington Park, located at 1516 Mobile Road, in Montgomery. He and his wife, Thais, are the proud parents of four children...Mataya, Sophia, Anani, and Terrence Jr. You may reach him by email at terrence@strongtowerawp.com.
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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
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On The Bookshelf
by Gail Welborn
Eternity, a Graphic Novel
by Randy Alcorn, Illustrated by Javier Saltares, Kingstone Media, 128 Pages, 2013, 978-1936164257, $16.99
Randy Alcorn released his first Bible-based graphic novel of the Rich Man and Lazarus in June with Kingstone Media, largest publisher of Christian themed comics. The underlying scriptural theme reveals in words and pictures that life choices carry eternal consequences. Alcorn uses literary license to add “fictional details and dialogue” yet writes, they are “…supported by other scriptures.” Saltares artistry portrays first century Jerusalem, warrior angels, Christ’s death, resurrection, heaven’s opulent vistas and frightening images of hell with realism. His stunning imagery combines with Alcorn’s words that visually portray heaven, hell and the “great fixed chasm” that separates the two. Themes of repentance, life after death, eternity and decisions that affect them weave throughout the story illustrated by the Rich Man’s question to Father Abraham, “Do you not hear my regret?” “You regret, but you do not repent,” said Father Abraham. “Indeed you cannot, for your condition became permanent the moment you died.” Eternity is more than a comic book style novel, it’s a dramatic work of art that carries the salvation message to an unbelieving generation with skill and creativity.
Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child
by James Banks, Discovery House Publishers, 2011, 240 Pages, 978-1572934528, $10.99
Although we worry about prodigals, fear for them and pray for them when time passes without change, discouragement and fear can set in. That’s why Pastor James Banks penned Prayers for Prodigals, a small book that features 90 days of prayers for “…mothers and fathers who agonize over wayward children.” To remind readers that God “…understands exactly what you’re up against because God knows what it’s like to have a world full of prodigals.” The book, organized into 13 weekly themes, includes 90, page-and-a-half, scripturally based intercessory prayers that cover an array of “emotional and practical challenges” parents of prodigals and those who love them face. Maybe you are a parent who agonizes over a prodigal, feeling tired and discouraged, and without hope because situations or circumstances have gone on so long. If thoughts of “if only,” worry, doubt and fear consume your nights and you feel your prayers reach no higher than the ceiling, this book of prayers belongs on your bookshelf. Visit Pastor Banks at www.PrayersforProdigals.org for encouragement and to leave prayer requests.
Beautiful Battlefields
by Bo Stern, NavPress, 2013, 192 Pages, 978-1612913193, $14.99
Bo Stern’s account of the war declared on her family the day after she celebrated her 45th birthday demands to be read cover-to-cover, then slowly savored. The OR teaching pastor met “…an enemy so fierce and foul…” they named him “Goliath.” They met the giant “Goliath” in the doctor’s office when Steve returned for additional neurological tests. Bo thought it was something minor when they went in, yet soon felt a sense of dread as the doctor probed Steve. She quietly texted her sister “…Steve’s not okay. Please pray.” Eight months and multiple tests later the doctor named their “Goliath” Lou Gehrig’s disease more commonly known as ALS. The terminal motor neuron disease would affect Steve’s muscles and eventually his ability to eat, swallow, speak or breathe. The devastating diagnosis was “…an emotional and psychological minefield…” that sent Bo to her knees with the enormity of what she, her beloved husband and family faced. Their yet unfinished true story is told in Beautiful Battlefields, where Bo writes of her walk through the “valley of the shadow of death” with Christ by her side. It was there she learned “…the most beautiful things come out of the hardest times.” Visit www.bostern.com/blog/. River Region’s Journey book reviewer Gail Welborn lives in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. River Region’s Journey
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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.
334.273.4444 I baptistfirst.org
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The Gathering 2013... Restoring Hope
His Vessel Ministries is hosting a special teaching event October 18-19, 2013, at the Vessel Room located in the Historic Union Station in downtown Montgomery. The teaching will be conducted by Jo Hancock. Restoring hope and embracing the heart of God in a season of uncertainty will be the focus for the weekend teaching. The event will also offer a time of fellowshipping with other Christian women to be strengthen in the Lord. The Gathering 2013 will begin Friday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude with a Saturday session from 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information regarding The Gathering 2013 and to register you may visit the website www.hisvessel.org. You may also inquire at info@hisvessel.org or by calling 334-356-4478.
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.
Woodland UMC Holds 8th Annual Back 2 School Blast
On the fourth Saturday of July for the last eight years, Woodland United Methodist Church’s Back 2 School Blast has been blessed to share with thousands of children in the local community. During that period, over 3600 bookbags with school supplies have been given away, hundreds upon hundreds of medical screens for vision, hearing, diabetes, dental, and blood pressure have been performed, state and county social and public health service organizations have shared information, many free haircuts have been given, and prayers have been lifted up! In the life of this wonderful ministry, more than 6000 visitors have entered Woodland’s doors and experienced Woodland’s mission to “share God’s hope, love, and healing.” Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity and many, many hours of hard work of the Woodland family. Each year, hundreds of volunteers gather to welcome strangers into their church home. 2013 was the largest event ever with 997 visitors coming through the church’s doors in only 3 hours! Volunteers gave away 600 bookbags filled with school supplies to students ages K5 through 12th grades, over 700 medical screens were performed, 57 haircuts took place, and every visitor receive a bag filled with nutritious snacks. Most importantly, 72 prayer requests were shared with the Woodland prayer ministry who prayed for and with their guests. Preparations for next year’s ninth annual BACK 2 SCHOOL BLAST are already underway! To see photos from this year’s event, please go to this Facebook album https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10151749239653754&type=1. River Region’s Journey
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29th Annual Aldersgate BBQ Sale
The 29th Annual Aldersgate BBQ sale to benefit local and international missions and ministries will be held October 19. Boxes are $8 and include both pulled pork and a chicken quarter, plus beans, slaw, and bread. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the church, or boxes can be bought the day of sale. Drive thru service is provided at the front of the church on Vaughn Road. Proceeds will benefit the Aldersgate Methodist Men’s local, national, and international mission and service projects. Call the church office at 272-6152 or email aldersgateumm@gmail. com for more information.
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Good News 5K and 1-Mile Run Color Party Benefitting Child Evangelism Fellowship of Central Alabama September 21, 2013 Young Meadows Presbyterian
(Located off Vaughn Rd across from Shakespeare)
5K starts at 8 a.m., 1 mile starts at 9 a.m. Onsite Registration from 6:30 am – 7:30 am Online Registration $25 for 5K & 1 Mile Run with Color $10 Race Day $30 for 5K & $15 for 1 Mile Run To register go to cefcentralalabama.org T-shirts will be available to those who preregister. We will be throwing color in the one-mile run only. For more information call 334-213-7388. Child Evangelism Fellowship® of Central Alabama is a Bible-centered organization that is dedicated to seeing every child reached with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, discipled and established in a local church. Two of the ways we reach children are through Good News and 5-Day Clubs in the River Region and surrounding areas.
Local Agency Now Doing International Adoption Home Studies
Agape of Central Alabama was created in 1978 by dedicated Christians who responded to the church’s desire to help vulnerable children. Over the years, Agape’s ministry has included counseling women in crisis pregnancy, domestic adoption, and foster care. As Christians continue to answer the call to “defend the cause of the fatherless” there is a great desire to include not only the state of Alabama, but the world. That is why Agape began taking steps to add an International Adoption Program to our ministry. We are very excited to announce that as of June 2013, Agape is now Hague Accredited and doing international adoption home studies! We are so eager to see what God has planned for families through this addition to our ministry. If you would like more information about Agape’s International Adoption Program, please contact Megan Malinoski, at megan@agapeforchildren.org or 334-532-1657.
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Christ Community Church Releases Worship Album
Christ Community Church and Momentum Worship recently recorded a live worship album and will be holding an album release party on Sunday morning, September 8th at 10:00am during their worship service. They want to invite everyone in the community to join them as they celebrate what God is doing through worship in the River Region and beyond.
Women’s Prayer Breakfast
Agape of Central Alabama is excited to welcome United States Representative Martha Roby as the keynote speaker at our Women’s Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at the Wynlakes Country Club from 8-9:30 a.m. The prayer breakfast is a time for women to come together and empower one another to change their world through prayer, while also honoring women who have made a difference in their community. Tickets are $35 and table sponsorships are available. To order your ticket or for more details, please visit www.agapeforchildren.org/women or call 272-9466.
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“Lord, Save the Black Seed” Conference
Macedonia Miracle Kingdom and Worship Center, 3070 Selma Highway, would like to invite you, your family and your friends to fellowship with them at their conference entitled “Lord, Save the Black Seed!” beginning Friday, September 6, with a Dramatic Performance at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, September 7, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. there will be a fun-filled Family Carnival which will include an Inflatable Water Slide, Bouncey House, Food, Drinks, and much more for ALL youth. Also, at 7:00 p.m. Saturday Night, a Candlelight Vigil will be presented in remembrance of Montgomery’s 2013 slain victims. The event will climax with dynamic speakers, Sunday, September 8, at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call (334) 284-8535.
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Wyldlife Montgomery for 6th-8th Graders
2nd Annual River Region Prayer Walk
September 28th--Kick-off WyldLife Club-Breckenridge Clubhouse 6pm. All middle schoolers in the River Region are invited to come and see what WyldLife is all about. There will be food, chaotic fun, and a short message about the person of Christ. Visit http://ylmontgomery.younglife. org/Pages/What-is-WyldLife.aspx or call 334-218-3224 (office). Oct. 19th--WyldLife Club--Breckenridge Clubhouse, 6pm. November 16th--WyldLife Club--Deer Creek Clubhouse, 6pm. Oct. 8th--Young Life/WyldLife Tailgate Fundraiser-Hampstead--6pm (Parents and middle and high school students invited.) Come and hear about the ministry and have the opportunity to financially support the relationships being formed and lives being changed all across the community. We need your help! Visit http://ylmontgomery.younglife.org/Pages/Young-LifeTailgate-Fundraiser.aspx or call area director Chris Campos for more info at 314-6015.
Saturday, October 26 at Union Station Train Shed Registration: 7:45 a.m.; Prayer and Praise Concert: 8:30 a.m. 5K Prayer Walk Begins: 9:00 a.m. Registration Fee: $10.00 per person (includes T-shirt) Children under 12 free. Join us as we come together as the citizens of the River Region to pray over our cities, our government leaders, schools and teachers, uniformed heroes and servants, pastors and ministry leaders, and all of the people that make up the River Region. First, we will gather at the Union Station Train Shed for a praise concert and time of preparation for the walk. Next, we will walk a 5K route through downtown Montgomery using guided prayer focused on the groups mentioned above. Finally, we will conclude the prayer walk back at the train shed for a time of refreshments and fellowship. If you are unable to participate in the walk, we invite all River Region prayer warriors to bring a chair and join us under the train shed for prayer. Online Registration: http://riverregionprayerwalk2013.eventbrite.com. Like us on Facebook at: www. facebook.com/RiverRegionPrayerWalk. For more information, contact Brooke Freeman at: riverregionprayerwalk@gmail. com or 334-300-5407.
For EvEry G E n E r at i o n . Prattville First United Methodist Church 100 E. 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 T R A D IT IO N A L W O R S H IP 8 : 3 0 AM & 11: 00 A M S U N D AY S C H O O L 9 : 4 5 A M T H E W E L L 11 : 0 0 A M
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Terrific Tuesdays for Older Adults
Terrific Tuesdays is a program for older adults. They meet every Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park. People begin gathering at 10 A.M. in Room 204 of Wesley Hall for a snack and fellowship. At 10:30 we begin our meeting. Our September events are: September 3 – Dr. Martha Simmons with Red Cross Disaster Relief explains their program. September 10 – Mr. John Mitchum & Co. presents a musical program. September 17 – Enjoy the music of the Back Porch Pickers. September 24- Bingo At 11:30 we have lunch. The cost of lunch is $2.50. Please come and join us for a very good time. If you have any questions, please call Nee Nee Webb at 834-8990.
Take a Stand for Life!
From September 25 - November 3, our community will take part in 40 Days for Life ... a groundbreaking, coordinated international pro-life mobilization. We pray that, with God’s help, this will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city -- and beyond. Visit http://40daysforlife.com/montgomery.html to sign up for the vigil and to see a schedule.
ACA Three-Time Winner of Best Private School in Readers’ Choice Awards
Alabama Christian Academy (ACA) has been named “Montgomery’s Best Private School” in the Montgomery Advertiser Readers’ Choice Awards for Montgomery County for the third year in a row. The school, which teaches students from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade, provides advanced academics, high-tech classrooms and a comprehensive athletics program within a Christian environment. With elementary, middle school and high school facilities at its campus on Wares Ferry Road, ACA celebrated its 70th year in 2012.
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Fresh Grounded Faith Conference
Hundreds of Women, Many Faiths, One Event
Friday, September 27, 2013 and Saturday, September 28, 2013 Hundreds of women from numerous denominations will come together to learn about true grit and faith. Hosted by the Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, along with 13 co-host churches, the Fresh Grounded Faith Conference is designed to provide an inspiring way to connect women with each other and empower them to live a tenacious faith. At the young age of fifteen, Jennifer Rothschild, founder of Fresh Grounded Faith, was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal her sight. It was more than a turning point for the Miami, Fl, native. Her dreams of becoming a commercial artist and cartoonist faded. Words and music have replaced her canvas and palette for more than 25 years. “I can teach you something about having grit – because I must have it to survive my world,” says Jennifer. “But, I’ll also point you to God’s grace more often (because we all need that to survive our world).” Women who are seeking meaning in their lives are invited to participate in this lifechanging experience on Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27, 2013, in Montgomery, Alabama. Young women are welcome and encouraged to attend. Ms. Rothschild will lead the conference, joined by bestselling author, Stormie Omartian and Dove Award Winner, Meredith Andrews. To purchase tickets go on line to www. freshgroundedfaith.com or call toll free 800-859-7992. Early bird and group ticket pricing is available.
Email your community or ministry news to deanne@ readjourneymagazine.com by the 15th of the month! We will share it with our readers at no cost! 13
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Ladies Bible Study in Prattville
This fall Heritage Baptist in Prattville is hosting Priscilla Shirer’s video Bible Study on the life of Gideon. Come and experience a time of fellowship in the Word with ladies of various ages and walks of life as we examine the intersection of God’s strength and our weakness. In order to make the study more accessible for parents and working ladies, we offer two different times; 9:30am and 6:30pm each Tuesday. Child care is also available. To register or just get some more information please call the church office at (334) 365-2372. The study will run from September 24th through November 5th.
Community-Wide Women’s Bible Study at Saint James UMC
Saint James United Methodist Church will be offering: Rhema Community-Wide Women’s Bible Study, Fire of His Presence: a study on the tabernacle of Moses, Tuesday’s 9:30-11:00 am or 6:30-8:00 pm, Sept. 10th-Oct. 22nd. Free Bible study. Childcare available by reservation only for a.m. session $5/wk. Registration: Sarah Olsen: 277-3037 or solsen@sjlife.com.
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BSF International Studies Matthew
Day Women’s Class & Preschool Children’s Program Wednesdays 9:10-11:00am beginning September 11th. Meets at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 5260 Vaughn Road in Montgomery. 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. Men’s Evening Class with School Program (1st-12th) Mondays 6:55-8:45pm beginning September 9th Meets @ Aldersgate Methodist 6610 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery Call Tricia @ 546.1386 for information.
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Q. When is it okay to purchase a house without making a 20 percent down payment?
A. When you’re willing to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). And that’s not something you want to do. PMI costs about $75 a month per $100,000 borrowed. So, if you borrow $200,000 on a home, and you don’t put down at least 20 percent on the transaction, you’ll have to pay out an extra $150 a month as part of your mortgage payment. Private mortgage insurance does nothing for you except pay your mortgage company in the event they have to foreclose on you and they lose money. PMI is foreclosure insurance that protects the lender, and you get to pay for it if you don’t make a 20 percent down payment. In the scenario I mentioned before, that would be an additional
River Region’s Journey
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$1,800 a year on a $200,000 loan. In a sense, that’s an extra 0.9 percent on your interest rate. That’s what it feels like. So you can see that PMI is not a positive thing. Often, a first-time homebuyer will purchase a house with 10 percent down then pay the other 10 percent as quickly as possible in order to get rid of the PMI. Stay away from it. It’s nasty stuff!
Q. What do you think about predictions of a major deflation of U.S. currency?
A. I think woven into your question is another question: What do I think about the predictions of our economy completely collapsing? The truth is I don’t believe for one second that our economy is going to completely collapse. Do we have some serious prob-
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lems that should be addressed? Yes. Do we have politicians who are stupid and who don’t want to address these problems? Absolutely. But does that mean the world is coming to an end? Of course not! It does mean, however, that you and I need to demand that the people in Washington stop playing games and do their jobs. This ridiculous spending spree we’ve been on for years has to stop. Government spending on all levels—national, state and local—is ridiculously out of control. I’ve heard end-of-the-world predictions most of my life. But the truth is, we’re not going to see anything of that magnitude until Jesus comes back. No, I’m not going to predict or believe that the U.S. currency is going to collapse. Don’t spend all of your time and energy worrying about conspiracy theories and doomsday scenarios. Spend it living life!
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SHINE!
me be ins co the ba rai bu wo we W is t see
by Kim Hendrix
Living Outside the Lines Psalm 25:4: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.” It wasn’t the first time I had seen this particular man walking his dog, but it was the first time their path, or lack of it, really stood out to me. While the rest of us were busy keeping our pets moving along the sidewalk in the park, this man was going from tree to tree in a grassy field, at times waiting for several minutes as his little dog tried to stare down a squirrel some 15 feet high. It was a familiar scene I had witnessed many times before, but on this day I decided to say something. “I like the way you let your dog go wherever she wants,” I said to the man. He replied with a smile, “Yeah my wife gets on me, but I say it’s her walk, so I’m going to let her go where she wants!” That scene and his comments stood out
to me on this particular day. I thought of parents and children and how we often try to get our children to do things our way. When they’re young we work hard to show them where to walk and where to ride their bikes so they won’t get hurt. Throughout life we share with them what we’ve learned, what worked well for us or possibly didn’t, so they won’t suffer the same mistakes. All of this is good and necessary. But at some point we have to realize this is their “walk” and we should let them go where they want! Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”
Ac pa We have to surrender our loved ones to God and realize that, in his loving care, the immeasurable will happen! It may not go as we planned. Their way of doing things may take them outside the lines, lines we’ve established for ourselves, but now it’s their turn to find their way. Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
“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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18
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Sometimes staying on God’s path means taking a different road than what’s been laid out before you. Take worship for instance--our 13-year-old daughter loves contemporary worship--the praise bands, the themed videos all blended into a message based on God’s word. Her father and I were raised going to very traditional services, but when we see how our daughter freely worships and the depth of her faith, who are we to tell her she’s stepped outside the lines? What may feel uncomfortable for us at times is the path He’s given her, and we can surely see the joy it brings. Acts 2:28: “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” I heard a preacher sharing about the story of Jesus telling Peter and the other disciples, who were having a bad fishing day, to cast their net on the other side of the boat. This preacher said that was probably totally opposite of what they had known and done for years, but when they obeyed God and tried something different, they brought in a tremendous catch. Staying on God’s path doesn’t mean the road you’ve known never changes. The Christian life is one of twists and turns, steep climbs and sudden drops, but the path of trusting and knowing our Father is ever steady, sure and certain to bring great rewards. Whether we’re watching our children step outside the lines we’ve always known in worship, extracurricular activities at school, study habits or in their service to others, just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. So instead of always trying to pull them back to our ways maybe we should realize this is their walk and let go a little bit more, allowing God to do his work. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for knowing what’s best for each of us. May we share our love and your word with our children, but also give them the freedom to find you as you see fit. Thank you for lighting the way and showing us that the road to staying on your path isn’t always what we’ve known, but when it’s revealed by you, it’s always just what we need. In your awesome and mighty name 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 13-year-old daughter, Annie, who brings them great joy. 19
September 2013
River Region’s Journey
The Intersection:
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Christian Cultural Commentary by Bob Crittenden
The Worth of a Soul In 1st Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul writes, Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV) I believe we have to regard ourselves as spirit-beings, made in the image of God, and we have a choice whether or not to follow Jesus and to be born again, to have our spirits brought to life by Him, and to allow our souls to be shaped and activated by the presence of the indwelling Christ. We are uniquely created by God, and He has given us a distinct personality - emotions, character traits, and brain functions that cannot be reduced to mere
intelligence or information. We are complex, fearfully and wonderfully made, and designed to have a relationship with our Creator. I came across an interesting piece on the U.K.’s Daily Mail website and when you stop to consider what some particular futurists can have in mind, one could savor - and shudder at - the possibilities. There is a concept called singularity, also referred to as “digital immortality”, contending that brains and a person’s intelligence will be digitally stored forever, even after they die. A futurist who embraces the concept of singularity, Ray Kurzweil, Director of Engineering at Google, made some rather
unbelievable claims recently. He said that in just over 30 years, humans will be able to upload their entire minds to computers. He also claims that the biological parts of our body will be replaced with mechanical parts and this could happen as early as 2100. He has written that, “We’re going to become increasingly non-biological to the point where the non-biological part dominates and the biological part is not important any more.
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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.
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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Call for FREE DVD and catalog 1-800-882-0722 Accredited by American Camping Association • Members of Christian Camping International
D RAMA
www.riverviewcamp.com
Only 1 /Mountain 2 hours from Huntsville Located on top of Lookout in Mentone, AL. Only a 3 hr drive.
AND
Dr. Larry & Susan Hooks, Owners/Directors • Donna Bares,Asst. Director
1 & 2Week Sessions for Ages 6-16
C RAFTS • C HORUS
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,
AND
FLAG TWIRLING • CHEERLEADING • RIFLERY • ARCHERY • TRIP DAY • GOLF
We don’t wonder anymore how it happened, that one summer could bring such happy memories.
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 •
• R OPES C OURSE • C LIMBING T OWER • O UTDOOR L IVING S KILLS • C AMPFIRE F UN • C OUNSELOR -I N -T RAINING •
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“In fact the non-biological part - the machine part - will be so powerful it can completely model and understand the biological part. So even if that biological part went away it wouldn’t make any difference.” If you think this really sounds like science fiction, well, you’re right, but it is clear that those of this thought stream really believe this stuff. Plus, as you look at rapidly developing technologies, one could project that the parts of our bodies that don’t function properly could be replaced by machine parts and contend that our brains could be scanned, “cloned”, our intelligence loaded on to a hard drive or server and essentially kept alive forever. From the perspective of a Christian worldview, I think there is no shortage of issues that could arise from this way of thinking, and I’ll spare you an abundance of ethical arguments for today. But, there is a concept that must be considered as you embrace futuristic science - the worth of a soul.
Because of our souls, formed by our Creator God, we are unique in the universe. We are not merely bytes and bits of intelligence, with a brain that can be interchanged and loaded on a shelf. We have a unique identity and personality that far transcends what a machine, the creation of man, can duplicate or express. With our minds, we have the ability to make choices that activate and release the supernatural in our lives, and our souls can be aligned with the Spirit of God. Certainly, there is a tendency of man to skew toward the immortal – we want to live forever, we want to extend our lives and, in essence, to cheat death. And, unfortunately, some live their lives as if they were immortal. The promise of Scripture is that we will live forever, or more accurately, we will exist forever - either in eternal life with Jesus Christ by virtue of accepting Him as Lord and Savior or in eternal death apart from God in a place of eternal punishment. And, it is not determined by strictly information in our brains or our biological makeup, but by
the choice we make to allow the Spirit of God to regenerate our spirits, the core of who we are, and to redeem our souls as we experience the new birth. We are spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. While technology can help in so many ways in the scientific realm, even helping to improve our mental capacity in instances where the brain is adversely affected, or to improve our physical bodies when there is severe injury, we cannot ignore the spiritual components of our very beings and recognize that we have a soul - mind, will, and emotions - that is energized by what flows from our hearts. Our souls are extremely valuable, unique, and designed to be sensitized to the presence of God. Rejoice in that, cherish that our souls are so much more than just mere intelligence or information. 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.
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act lef wh ass im to dea
A New Perspective on Anger...
• E del loo kn tow her thi bet
• A do af ins
And How to Handle It by Candy Arrington
Jada and Laura had been friends for years, but recently, their relationship had changed. Laura had new friends and excluded Jada from their activities. Yet she still expected Jada to be available when she called. When Laura asked Jada to lunch, it seemed their friendship was about to get back on track. They chatted until the waiter brought their food, then Laura changed the subject. “I asked you to have lunch with me because there is something I want to discuss with you. I’ve been asked to head up a community fundraiser and I need someone to handle publicity. The job would involve contacting local media, arranging interviews, and making sure the press spotlights the event. Although I’m not sure you’re the best person for the job, after all, you don’t have the social skills of most of my friends, I’m offering you the job. You’d be totally responsible for this effort. If you don’t stay on top of things, it will make a lot of extra work for me and jeopardize the success of the fundraiser, so don’t accept the job unless you’re sure you’re River Region’s Journey
September 2013
capable. I really have concerns about whether you can handle the job, but I discussed it with my committee and they told me to ask you, so I am.” Jada stared at Laura. Her mind whirled. What did you say to someone who asked you to take a position and insulted you at the same time? “Give me a few days to think about it...pray about it,” Jada finally managed to mumble. In the days that followed, as she replayed Laura’s words in her mind, a tiny flame ignited inside Jada. Like a match to dry kindling, the spark of anger grew into a roaring fire. Jada forgot to pray about the situation as the inferno of anger consumed her. The next time Jada saw Laura, she screamed her answer. “You can forget about my help with the fundraiser. I wouldn’t work for you if my life depended on it!” Jada stomped away. Those standing nearby wondered what had prompted such an angry outburst from an otherwise calm, quiet woman. 22
Know the Sources of Anger
Jada’s anger stemmed from several sources. Laura offended her by excluding her from activities, but still using her when she needs help. Anything positive the offered job might have caused Jada to feel was immediately negated by Laura’s assertions that Jada was incapable. Compounding the insult was Laura’s implication that the only reason she asked Jada to take the job was because others prompted her to. You really can’t minimize anger until you know the sources of your anger. Take time to discover the motivating factors behind anger. Knowing the root of your anger can help you work through it. Here are some sources of anger: • Offense – Offense takes many different forms, from outright meanness, to gossip, to insults, teasing, or bullying. No matter what the type of offense, once the hurt grows, anger usually flares. • Exclusion – None of us enjoy feeling left out, and being ignored or excluded from
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activities or groups causes hurt, which leads to anger. When you’re left out, it’s a blow to self-esteem. We immediately start wondering what’s “wrong” with us. Instead, ask yourself if you really want to be associated with the person or group that is excluding you and why it’s important to you. Make an honest assessment. Then shift your focus to gaining your identity and self-worth from who you are in Christ—a dearly loved son or daughter of the King.
2416 W. Cloverdale Park Montgomery, AL 36106 334.834.8990 www.fumcmontgomery.org
• Embarrassment – One of my high school classmates used to delight in embarrassing me. She twisted anything I said to make me look like a fool. Eventually, I was afraid to talk around her because I knew she’d rearrange anything I said. I harbored a simmering anger toward her until I finally realized she embarrassed me because it gave her a sense of control and drew attention to her. Once viewed from this perspective, I realized she embarrassed me in an attempt to feel better about herself. My anger lessened.
grass withers
The flower fades but the
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• Abandonment – Our world is full of those who have been abandoned. Feelings of abandonment may occur following divorce, when a friend lets you down, or someone we trust fails to protect us. While insecurity may be the initial reaction, anger often brews.
word of our God
will stand forever.
• Envy – The Bible records numerous stories of envy as a motivating factor for actions. Jealousy is an emotion that fuels anger, but often we don’t take time to analyze this emotion and discover it is the root of anger. When you feel envious, stop and think about all the ways God has blessed you. Then realize God chooses to bless each of us differently.
Isaiah 40:8
Join us for worship, fellowship, and service.
Preventing Anger 1) Understand personal anger triggers – All of us have “hot button” issues that cause an immediate angry response. Mine are feeling excluded or embarrassed. If you take time to analyze and know your personal “hot buttons,” you’ll be better prepared to diffuse anger.
Sunday Morning Worship 8:45 & 11 a.m. Worship Service at Cloverdale School Sunday at 6 p.m.
2) Wait to respond – Often the best thing to do when someone or something makes you angry is to simply walk away without speaking or acting. While this may seem like the coward’s way out, stepping away from a volatile situation is the most courageous and wise thing you can do. It shows a great deal of maturity and self-control and requires you to lean on God for strength. 3) Think from another point of view – While difficult to do, get in the habit of thinking about situations from the other perspective. What is the other person feeling? What is the motivating factor for her actions? 4) Confess anger – Tell God about your anger and allow him to help you process it. It’s not always necessary to tell the person with whom you’re angry because they may feel they’ve done nothing to cause your anger and that may result in a bigger rift between you. At some point, you have to decide whether to forgive the offender. Harboring anger and resentment toward someone doesn’t fix anything or punish the other person. You are the only one who is hurt by continued anger. Anger affects your relationship with God and others and prevents you from being open and receptive to God’s voice. None of us can totally eliminate anger from our lives because anger is a God-given emotion. But the Bible makes it clear that we need to deal with anger and not allow it to rule us (Ephesians 4:26). If anger is controlling your life, stop now and pray, asking God to help you begin the process of changing your perspective on anger.
Dr. R. Lawson Bryan Senior Minister
Candy Arrington is a contributing writer. 23
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Grace to You
of de lie an sal de lif be
by John MacArthur
Can Believers Forfeit Their Salvation? Because they believe the warning is addressed to Christians, many interpreters hold that the passage (Hebrews 6) teaches that salvation can be lost. If this interpretation were true, however, the passage would also teach that, once lost, salvation could never be regained. If, after being saved, a person lost his salvation, he would be damned forever. There would be no going back and forth, in and out of grace. But Christians are not being addressed, and it is the opportunity for receiving salvation, not salvation itself, that can be lost. The believer need never fear he will lose his salvation. He cannot. The Bible is absolutely clear about that.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27–29). Paul is equally clear. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? … For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other cre-
ated thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:35, 38–39). “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). We are “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven,” and we “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:4–5). If the power
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of God cannot keep us, nothing is dependable or trustworthy or worth believing in. A Christian has no reason at any point in his life to believe that his salvation is or can be lost. If by Christ’s death we can be saved, certainly by His life of power and intercession we can be kept saved (Rom. 5:10). It is unbelievers who are in danger of losing salvation—in the sense of losing the opportunity ever to receive it. The unbelieving Jews were in great danger, because of their spiritual immaturity and sluggishness, of turning back to Judaism and of never being able to repent and come to Christ. They would be lost forever, because they had rejected, at the most vital point in knowledge and conviction, the only gospel that could save them. There is no other salvation message they could hear, no evidence of the truth of the gospel they had not seen. These particular Jews had even heard the apostles preach and had seen them perform signs and wonders and miracles (Heb. 2:4). They had been privileged to behold virtually all the manifestations of His saving Word and power that God could give. They had heard it all and seen it all. They even had accepted it all intellectually. Any who are so informed, so witnessed to, so blessed with every opportunity to know God’s gospel, and who then turn their backs on it—for Judaism or anything else—are eternally lost. They not only reject the gospel, but crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame. They had either to go on to full knowledge of God through faith in Christ or else turn away from Him, to become apostate and be lost forever. There was no other alternative.
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. 25
September 2013
River Region’s Journey
River Region Support Groups Adoption
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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.
8pm (small group). Childcare available. Call Chuck at 850-723-9705. 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Trinity Episcopal, Wetumpka (Across from Winn Dixie on HWY 231) Gamblers Anonymous-Saturdays at 7 p.m.
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), River Region’s Journey
September 2013
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Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy and Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville APAC- Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connection Support Group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer UMC. For information, call Hannah Taylor at 409-9477 or the church office at 272-8622. Autauga/ Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For more info, call 409-9477 or e-mail htaylor@childrensaid.org.
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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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. 26
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 second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the conference center. Please call 272-2412 email stan.hurst@knology.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
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. Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Recovery, Thursday nights at 7 p.m., in Wesley Hall Room 104. Call 365.5977. 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. 27
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. September 2013
River Region’s Journey
Counselor’s Corner
by Pamela Boswell, Eastwood Counseling Center
Eat All You Want Are you hungry? Have you tried ‘munching’ on several things but just don’t seem satisfied? Do you find yourself stopping and reading ads that say “eat all you want and still lose weight?” Maybe it’s not your body that’s starving; maybe it’s your soul. “For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things” (Psalm 107:9). The Bible is one of the best selling books in history. Because men were willing to sacrifice their lives, it is available in your spoken language. Just 500 years ago this was not true. The Bible is the very Word of God. He breathed it (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the only place where He reveals Himself specifically to us and explains the purpose of life. In it you can find wisdom for daily living and comfort in times of trouble. You may look elsewhere in the world for wisdom and comfort, but God’s ways are contrary to the world’s and your efforts will be frustrated. God’s Word shows us just how much God loves us (John 3:16), and it is because of His love that we are drawn to love Him in return (1 John 4:19). Perhaps you agree with all I have said, but don’t know where to start satisfying your hungry soul with the Word of God. Here are a few suggestions. The beginning is always a good place to start. Genesis introduces the Godhead and lays out the foundations for the rest of the story. The entire Bible is about Jesus--from the Old Testament which shows our need for a redeemer and gives prophecies of His coming, to the New Testament that tells of His life and ministry on earth. Reading your Bible regularly helps you know and love Christ, and enables you to become more like Him. By the age of 12, He was well acquainted with Scripture, which enabled Him to respond to Satan’s temptations later with the written Word. Read the gospels for information on Jesus’ life and ministry River Region’s Journey
September 2013
on earth. Matthew refers to the Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment. The book of John was written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 20:31). Those who knew Him and lived with Him give their accounts in the gospels. Reading the Bible may keep you from wasting years of your life on things that really do not matter and will not last (Matthew 7:24-27), as well as keep you from making mistakes that will cause heartache and regrets. Go to Proverbs for wisdom which can be applied to daily living. With 31 chapters in Proverbs, it is perfect for reading one a day each month. The New Testament letters were written to the early Church and are filled with instruction for dealing with the situations of life that you face. Don’t wait until you need to make a decision. Fill yourself with Godly wisdom and you will be prepared for daily decisions. “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). When you are in times of trouble and need comfort, look to the Psalms. This is where you will find others who have cried out to God. See the path of reasoning they take to come up from the depths of troubled waters. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). “Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart “ (Jeremiah 15:16). Without a doubt there are passages in the Bible that are difficult to understand. Have a Study Bible or commentary on hand to help you -- the effort is worth it. For those of you who prefer electronic, there are many apps and resources readily available. To search and study specific topics, use a concor28
dance. This will take you to the passages that deal with specific things you are encountering. Prayer is not a substitute for reading the Bible. Relationships require two way conversations. Would you be okay with emailing or texting your friends and never hearing from them in return? The Bible is God’s way to clearly speak to you. It is where He has specifically revealed Himself. You can know God’s thoughts so that you can love what He loves and hate what He hates. To have a wrong impression of God is to worship an idol or false god. You are worshiping something that He is not. Time with God in prayer is important and sweet, but it is written, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). Some say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but as you are feeding your body, don’t forget your soul. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). God created the heavens and the earth with His Word. His Word is powerful and available to us. Enjoy your time with God and live life to its fullest. You are made for relationship with Him, nothing else will satisfy. **If you would like to get in touch with this or any counselor at Eastwood Counseling Center, please call 334-386-2384.
Pamela Boswell is a native of Montgomery. She pursued a Master’s degree in Counseling from Auburn University Montgomery, which she received in 2001. She has 8 years experience in a nonprofit organization obtaining extensive experience with troubled children and their families. She has recently received certification from the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors having been supervised by Lou Priolo.
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September 2013
River Region’s Journey
Finding Safe Families for Vulnerable & Orphaned Children of
Central Alabama by Rachel Fisher
A simple Google search for adoption and foster care will harvest millions of results filled with articles, blogs and websites that represent the hundreds of thousands of people who are part of the movement to care for orphaned and at-risk children...a movement that has taken off in the last few years. With so many voices, attitudes and perspectives it can be overwhelming for any family thinking about becoming foster parents or an adoptive family to know where to begin. Agape of Central Alabama is one of those voices which has been advocating for children in Central Alabama since 1978. A little more than 30 years ago, a group of Christians decided to stand in the gap for children in Alabama. With deep conviction and a belief that followers of Jesus should be doing more for children across our state, they began to reach into churches and recruit foster care and adoptive parents under the banner of Agape. Working as a licensed child placing agency, which meant they were licensed by Alabama to provide foster care and adoption services, Agape began serving the Montgomery area, and later expanded to the Birmingham, Wiregrass and Mobile areas over the next 15 years. River Region’s Journey
September 2013
been counseled by the staff and chosen life for their unborn child. And it doesn’t stop there. These women have been given opportunities to make the best choice for both them and their baby’s future. Operating as a non-profit agency whose staff and board are all followers of Jesus, there is a resounding passion for the gospel to be shown through the families and lives of all they touch. Currently, Agape has 16 staff located in all directions of Alabama, with Montgomery as their home base. The only real limit on Agape’s ability to serve is the number of churches and individual Christians who step forward to involve themselves in the lives of the hurting children, the vulnerable young women who are pregnant, and the burdened families. This is what Agape hopes to accomplish over the next five years as they seek to help more children and affect more families. With this in mind, Agape has launched a new five year plan where they hope to triple the number of women
Since its inception, Agape has placed an emphasis on walking with families through the process of foster care, adoption or unplanned pregnancy and making sure they are supported, no matter what comes along. Their mission statement is simple, yet embraces all they hope to be to the individuals they serve: As a ministry of Jesus Christ, Agape’s mission is that vulnerable and orphaned children find permanency in safe, nurturing families. This mission has led them as they have served and ministered to more than 2,000 children through foster care and more than 250 The Greers are just one of many local families who have adopted a child children through with help from Agape of Central Alabama. the adoption process. and families they serve and increase their Hundreds of women who have found services in every area by 2017. themselves pregnant and in crisis have 30
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A New Step: Going International One of these areas Agape is committed to growing is international adoption. A couple of years ago, Agape started getting calls about international adoption.
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House painting by 7-year-old boy who found his home with one of Agape’s foster families.
“We kept saying no because we weren’t licensed for international adoptions,” says Emily Thames, Director of Operations. Tired of turning families down, the staff felt God was calling them to care for more children and take a giant leap of faith. The process for international licensing is long, crazy and unpredictable, but Jimmy Dobbs, Agape’s Executive Director, said yes to the call. For the last few years, Jimmy has made huge leaps to get Agape to the next step. “Jimmy has truly answered the call to revive Agape and start us down a new path,” says Emily. Megan Malinosk is heading up this arm of Agape. According to Megan, many families use two agencies when going through the adoption process. For instance, a family may want a local agency to do their home study and want to adopt through another agency’s Ethiopia program. Since there is still a long process until Agape knows what countries they will partner with, Megan’s current focus is to develop a strong home study program. She believes this is a critical part of the process because they have an opportunity to walk alongside the families providing education and support throughout the process. As far as what countries Agape will partner with, Megan says they are researching and looking for areas where they can really invest and serve families. “We want to go deep and not wide,” says Megan. “Our goal is not to spread ourselves so thin that we are all over the globe, but pick a handful of places we can partner with the orphanages, families and countries to make a difference.” One of the things that sets Agape
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ommitted to a Cu re!
In Alabama, approximately 2,000 children suffer from childhood cancer or serious blood disorders such as sickle cell disease or hemophilia --- and 90% receive their care at the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's of Alabama. These children and their families are counting on a cure. That's why we've brought together a team that includes some of the brightest minds and most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine. We're committed to finding cures, and you can be too.
Learn how you can help. Call 205.638.9285 or visit ChildrensAL.org/committedtoacure
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September 2013
River Region’s Journey
Septem
apart according to Megan is that they are committed to family preservation across the board. “We are asking ourselves what we can do to empower families to stay together and how we can not just find babies for families, but safe homes for children who need them most.”
Serving Children & Families
Emily says what truly makes Agape a ministry and not just a business is their genuine desire to allow families to walk in the direction they feel led to, whether that be foster care or adoption, and not let anything stand in the way of that call. They Julie Johnston and daughter, Katy, participated also know the true meaning of success. “We are not judging success on in Agape’s Run for a Mom 5K in May 2013. how many kids, for instance, we can it because you’re into parenting.” Agape bring to the United States,” she says. knows the process of either doesn’t end “If we can keep a mother from having to when a child becomes your own or goes send her child to an orphanage through a back to their birth mom. “It’s a long road food program then that is success.” This and lifelong journey and when you open goal is the same in every other facet of the your home to a child your family changministry of Agape. “We just want to serve es,” says Megan. “Agape is here to walk families,” says Emily. “We want families with families through it all.” to know what will be the best fit for their family and not just to place kids with Get Involved whoever, wherever, but help families get There are several ways to be involved on the path for success.” in what Agape is doing in our state: The staff at Agape believes there are Donate! Visit their website at www. many ways to be involved in the orphan agapeforchildren.org to see all the ways crisis, and adoption is just one piece of your financial contributions can make that puzzle. The families who have lived waves across our state! this journey are living proof of Agape’s Volunteer: From fundraisers to adtremendous passion to help empower the ministrative help there are many ways to body of Christ to serve the least of these. help Agape fulfill their mission! Julie Johnston has been a foster care Feeling led to foster or adopt? Call and adoptive mom to two girls in MontAgape or drop by their office: gomery and has experienced Agape be all Montgomery Office (Main Office) that they say they are, and more. P.O. Box 230472, “The support system they have Montgomery, AL 36123-0472 provided has set them apart from the 3800 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106 beginning,” says Julie. “The training and info@agapeforchildren.org the resources they provide for foster and Women’s Prayer Breakfast adoptive parents to best navigate the speed Join Agape on September 4, 2013 at bumps associated with bringing children Wynlakes Country Club for this exciting into your home have kept issues that could women’s prayer breakfast with keynote have resulted in a crisis from happening. speaker, Rep. Martha Roby. The goal of Agape has been a voice for the kids who this breakfast is to encourage women to need a voice, and in our case, helped us rechange their world through prayer. Tickets alize we had a voice as well.” This wealth are $35 and can be purchased via the of knowledge and support has helped emwebsite. power families like Julie’s to be effective parents and better followers of Jesus. “You shouldn’t adopt or do foster Rachel Fisher loves learning about what God is doing in the world around her and writing about it. care because you’re into adoption and She and her husband, Chase, live in Montgomery. foster care,” says Megan. “You should do River Region’s Journey
September 2013
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September Paster Appreciaton 2013_Layout 1 8/9/13 12:16 PM Page 1
OCTOBER...
is Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month! Do not forget to honor your pastor and the staff of your church or ministry this October. Faith Radio team members want to have lunch with members of your church staff during October! Go to FaithRadio.org and share how God is working through your pastor or church staff member. Listen for your words of appreciation to be shared on the air. Throughout the month, we will choose churches to receive lunch from us and Chick-fil-A! Another effective way to show thanks to your pastor or staff member is by sharing a gift to the ministry of Faith Radio in his or her honor.
The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. - 1 Timothy 5:17
2012
WEEK 1 WINNER: First Baptist Church, Eclectic WEEK 2 WINNER: Lakeview Baptist Church, Auburn WEEK 3 WINNER: Carmel Assembly of God, Bonifay, Florida WEEK 4 WINNER: Fairview United Methodist Church, Montgomery WEEK 5 WINNER: Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, Montgomery
Don’t forget! Food, fun and fellowship! F O U R T E E N T H
A N N U A L
Golf Tournament Tuesday, Septembe r 17, 2013 ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB
800.239.8900 • www.faithradio.org 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 September| 2013 River Region’s96.9FM Journey 33
Family Teams for Christ by Lisa and Mike Conn
Dealing with Depression as a Christian In 1999, at 42 years old, I discovered I was pregnant. Our two children were 15 and 13 years old; it was unexpected, but my husband and I were thrilled! Our joy turned to devastation, however, when I suffered a miscarriage weeks later. Our dreams and expectations were suddenly shattered, and we found ourselves crying uncontrollably every day for several weeks. Never before had we fully understood the pain parents suffer when they lose an unborn baby. As time passed and healing began, I discovered two things: friends I never knew had experienced miscarriage came forward to help us, and God wasted no time using our pain to make us more effective ministers of grace, understanding, and support.
River Region’s Journey
September 2013
Depression, like miscarriage, is often best understood by those who have experienced it. Affecting about 25% of our population, depression is a painful and debilitating medical illness that affects how you think, feel and behave. Dr. Edward T. Welch, licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, describes depression: Never has so much been crammed into one word. Depression feels terrifying. Your world is dark, heavy, and painful. Physical pain, you think, would be much better—at least the pain would be localized. Instead, depression seems to go to your very soul, affecting everything in its path. So many things about your life are
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difficult right now. Things you used to take for granted—a good night’s sleep, having goals, looking forward to the future—now seem beyond your reach. It may surprise you to know that many Christians are suffering, often silently, from depression. It’s not something you can just “snap out of”, advice which can make the sufferer feel alone, ashamed and misunderstood. Feeling depressed may cause a Christian to question their faith and even doubt the existence of God- “If I really believed in God, I wouldn’t be feeling so sad.” After all, God could remove the pain, but He hasn’t.
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Dr. Welch, in his article, When It Seems Like God Has Abandoned You, says, “If you think God is far away and indifferent, here is the surprising revelation. From the foundation of the world, God knew your sufferings and declared that He himself would take human form and participate in them (which means that we too could share in His). This is not a distant, indifferent God.” (Familylife. com) In the midst of depression, cling to the truth of God’s word, trusting your faith instead of your feelings of
Beating Depression as a Stay-at-Home Mom
from Sabrina Beasley (Familylife.com) 1. Always take a shower and get ready for the day. Taking the time to shower and put on makeup makes a mom feel clean, refreshed, and prepared for the day. If an unexpected visitor comes, it takes away the embarrassment of not looking the best. If your husband wants to take you to lunch at the last minute, you’re ready to go. You don’t have to look like you’re ready for the opera; just a t-shirt and blue jeans will do. But a shower and a ponytail will do wonders for your self-esteem. 2. Stop watching too much TV. There is very little to be gained from watching television. It is a time thief and a brain washer. Look at any study done on television, and they all say the same thing—stop watching it. It seems that our grandparents weren’t too far off when they told us that it was rotting our brains. Instead, use that time to learn a new skill, read a book, go for a walk, read to your baby (even a newborn), go to a park, visit a friend or relative. 3. Create a schedule for yourself. This is probably the most important piece of advice. Schedules for moms are just as important as schedules for babies. They give structure to our days, space to enjoy activities, and time to get work done.
despair. The Bible tells us that God’s ways are not our ways, nor can we have a full understanding of His ways (Isaiah 55:8, 1 Corinthians 13:12). God allowed Moses, Job, David, and even Jesus to suffer, knowing they would become stronger as a result of it. Cry out to your Father, praying the words of others
who have suffered before you, beginning with Psalm 84 and Psalm 86. Be aware of spiritual warfare and pray Ephesians 6:10-18, putting on the full armor of God each day. Finally, remember Jesus wants us to come to Him with our pain--His arms are always open: “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest . . . for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). If depression won’t go away, be wise and see your doctor. Don’t be surprised if medication is required to help conquer your depression. Remember, it’s a medical problem, not just something in your head! Your primary care provider can help, and no one will judge you. If you’re depressed, don’t keep it to yourself. Reach out to someone who can listen, pray, and help. Remember that the One who made you loves you with an everlasting love and has a wonderful plan for your life! 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.
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
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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
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September 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
September 2013
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 36
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 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
contact the church at (334) 277-0011 or john@ rbcmontgomery.com. For information on Frank Jones, www.frankjonesministries.org. Tailgate Sunday at Harvest Family Church! We will have a locker room pep talk with Pastor Bill McNeese during the 8:45 and 10:30 AM services. There will be a tailgate meal following the 10:30 AM service. The meal includes hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixin’s. You can wear your favorite team jersey or team colors. We are located at 7245 Copperfield Drive in Montgomery, AL. For more information, please call (334) 277-1156 or visit our website at www.harvestfamilychurch.com.
Friday, September 20
Wednesday, September 4
Love Worth Fighting for will be held at 7:00 PM (doors open 6:00 PM), at First Baptist Church, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery. 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. Call 834.6310 for tickets or more info.
Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8
Good News 5K and 1-Mile Run Color Party benefitting Child Evangelism Fellowship of Central Alabama will be held at Young Meadows Presbyterian, located off Vaughn Rd across from Shakespeare. 5K starts at 8 a.m., 1 mile starts at 9 a.m. Onsite Registration from 6:30 am – 7:30 am. Online Registration $25 for 5K & 1 Mile Run with Color $10. Race Day $30 for 5K & $15 for 1 Mile Run. To register go to cefcentralalabama.org. T-shirts will be available to those who preregister. We will be throwing color in the one-mile run only. For more information call 334-213-7388.
Agape of Central Alabama is excited to welcome United States Representative Martha Roby as the keynote speaker at our Women’s Prayer Breakfast at the Wynlakes Country Club from 8-9:30 a.m. Tickets are $35 and table sponsorships are available. To order your ticket or for more details, please visit www. agapeforchildren.org/women or call 272-9466.
Macedonia Miracle Kingdom and Worship Center, 3070 Selma Highway, would like to invite you to fellowship with them at their conference entitled “Lord, Save the Black Seed!” beginning Friday, September 6, with a Dramatic Performance at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, September 7, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. there will be a fun-filled Family Carnival for ALL youth. Also, at 7:00 p.m. Saturday Night, a Candlelight Vigil will be presented in remembrance of Montgomery’s 2013 slain victims. The event will climax with dynamic speakers, Sunday, September 8, at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call (334) 284-8535.
Tuesday, September 10
Eastwood Counseling Ministry is offering its fall marriage and family counseling course, Tuesday nights, 6:30-9:30 pm, taught by Lou Priolo. Call 386-2384 for more information.
Sunday, September 15
Frank Jones will be in concert at Ridgecrest Baptist Church at 10:45 a.m. Frank has served as pianist for the Alabama Singing Men, a group of ministers from Alabama Baptist churches, since 1983. For the past eleven years, he has been conference pianist for the Jubilee Conferences in Gatlinburg, TN, and Myrtle Beach, SC. Frank is convention pianist for the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is pianist for the Alabama Baptist Evangelism Conference each year. The church is located at 5260 Vaughn Road. For more information 37
Saturday, September 21
Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28
Fresh Grounded Faith Conference with Jennifer Rothschild will be hosted by the Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, along with 13 co-host churches, and is designed to provide an inspiring way to connect women with each other and empower them to live a tenacious faith. Ms. Rothschild will lead the conference, joined by bestselling author, Stormie Omartian and Dove Award Winner, Meredith Andrews. To purchase tickets go on line to www.freshgroundedfaith. com or call toll free 800-859-7992. Early bird and group ticket pricing is available.
Saturday, September 28
Kick-off WyldLife Club--Breckenridge Clubhouse, 6pm. All middle schoolers in the River Region are invited to come and see what WyldLife is all about. There will be food, chaotic fun, and a short message about the person September 2013
River Region’s Journey
Calendar of Christ. Call Young Life Area Director, Chris Campos, for more info at 314-6015.
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October 18-19
The Gathering 2013...Restoring Hope is a special teaching event hosted by His Vessel Ministries is hosting a special teaching event October 18-19, 2013, at the Vessel Room located in the Historic Union Station in downtown Montgomery. The teaching will be conducted by Jo Hancock. Restoring hope and embracing the heart of God in a season of uncertainty will be the focus for the weekend teaching. The event will also offer a time of fellowshipping with other Christian women to be strengthen in the Lord. The Gathering 2013 will begin Friday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude with a Saturday session from 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information and to register visit www. hisvessel.org. You may also inquire at info@ hisvessel.org or by calling 334-356-4478.
Coming This Month!
A New Indoor Facility Offering 2 Private Party rooms!
Saturday, October 26
Please send your calendar events to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com by the 18th of the month for FREE print. September 2013
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Saturday, October 19
The 29th Annual Aldersgate BBQ Sale to benefit local and international missions and ministries will be held at 6610 Vaughn Road. Boxes are $8 and include both pulled pork and a chicken quarter, plus beans, slaw, and bread. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the church, or boxes can be bought the day of sale. Drive thru service is provided at the front of the church. Call 2726152 or email aldersgateumm@gmail.com for information. Angel Fest will be held from 9am-2pm at St. Michael and All Angels Church, 5941 Main Street, Millbrook, Alabama. We are celebrating 16 years of Angel Fest with a bake sale, silent auction, children’s carnival, great concessions, entertainment, and loads of vendors selling unique wares, and the sale of the best cooked Boston Butts in the River Region. Family fun, no admission charged. Come out and help us celebrate Angel Fest. All proceeds go to outreach for the church! 2nd Annual River Region Prayer Walk begins at Union Station Train Shed. Registration: 7:45 a.m.; Prayer and Praise Concert: 8:30 a.m.;5K Prayer Walk Begins: 9 a.m.; Registration Fee: $10 per person (includes T-shirt) Children under 12 free. Join us as we come together as the citizens of the River Region to pray over our cities, our government leaders, schools and teachers, uniformed heroes and servants, pastors and ministry leaders, and all of the people that make up the River Region. Online Registration: http://riverregionprayerwalk2013.eventbrite.com. For information, contact Brooke Freeman at: riverregionprayerwalk@gmail.com or 334-300-5407.
River Region’s Journey
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Get the Point?
by Elaine Britt
The Point of the Passage:
God Knows
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139: 1-6 Ready for a challenge? Close your eyes and concentrate on books, movies, TV shows… use your imagination! Sorting through every image, label one as ‘the most outlandish/extraordinary thing I can think of.’ Ready for a revelation? Nothing in your mind, in visual media, or in a work of fiction can begin to rival the bizarre occurrences in the non-fiction pages of the Bible! From a stick turning into a snake and back into a stick, water gushing from a rock, a sea parting and a talking donkey to battles with outrageously overwhelming odds being repeatedly won and countless miraculous healings, a more exciting and unconventional book does not exist. Wisely stated is the truth that, considering man’s ego, had Scripture been written by men without Divine inspiration, humanity would have been painted in a more favorable light! Accurate documentation therein, however, realistically reveals the authentic liaison between God and his people, supernatural events therein ordained by our Almighty Lord. One underlying theme among many and perhaps the most exhilarating - is that God our Creator and Lord discerns, recognizes, and comprehends our every thought and action. The above verses from Psalms 139 leave no portion of our lives untouched. Sitting, rising, thinking, going out, lying down, every word spoken, going before and behind…what part of your day escapes that list?
Beyond being Omnipresent and knowing us comprehensively, God is never taken by surprise. What a comfort to know beyond a doubt that regardless of what we encounter – whether life-changing, life-threatening, or simply life-in-the-fast-lane – God is never wringing his Divine Hands and saying, “Oh, My!” God knows. His gracious choice for us is freedom, intervening when necessary to accomplish his purposes in his Holy timing. Such was the case with an often revered Biblical character, namely Moses. Enjoying more ‘face time’ with the Lord than anyone in Scripture besides Jesus, Moses was human to a fault with murder and deception – among other things – on his resume. Called by God from a burning bush to a great work and offering every possible excuse to circumvent the ‘call,’ avoidance was added to the file. Moses did not go willingly. On the people’s behalf while leading Israel, Moses found himself ‘bargaining’ with God repeatedly to spare them from God’s justified wrath. One glaring example places Moses on a high mountaintop meeting with the Lord, receiving instructions for the people. These same people decide that he has been gone too long and task Aaron, Moses’ brother, with fashioning for them a ‘new god’ out of gold. Interrupting their Divine meeting God, aware of this travesty, tells Moses, “Go down, because your people…have become corrupt. They…have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf…they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” (Exodus 32:7-10) What an opportunity for Moses to shirk his responsibilities. God has just offered to eliminate the near-one-million rebellious people in his care and start over with Moses! Talk about altogether conflicting emotions – from face-to-face with God on a fiery mountaintop to willful defiance in his ‘charges’ toward said Holy God at the same time on 39
the same day! A. W. Tozer offers, “Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and to bring Him nearer to our own image.” Angrily confronting Aaron, Moses’ jaw must have dropped as Aaron concluded his speech with … ‘Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!’ (Exodus 32:24, emphasis mine). Prior verses expose casting of the calf and Aaron …fashioning it with a tool… but you gotta love Aaron’s reckless abandon. From Adam’s declaration that “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree…” to Eve’s assertion, “The serpent deceived me…” (Genesis 3:12-13, emphasis mine), to Aaron and still today, little has changed, humanity having mastered the ‘blame game.’ Consummately cognizant of it all, praise God that he loves us anyway! Moses grumbled regarding the people, his responsibilities, and the burdens of leadership. Regardless of human frailty, however, God knew Moses’ heart and mind and utilized every fiber of his being to do a mighty work. So it is with us. As God’s created and loved children, we each have unique gifts and, within God’s guidance, the potential to affect his Kingdom work in a mighty way. God already knows, so let us be receptive, advancing his Kingdom through guided giftedness. 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. September 2013
River Region’s Journey
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.
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
The Butler Production Quality: *** Moral Acceptability: -2 (Extreme Caution) Starring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Robin Williams, Clarence Williams III, Jane Fonda, Alan Rickman, John Cusack Genre: Historical Drama Audience: Teenagers and adults Rating: PG-13 Content: About 29 obscenities, 10 strong profanities, and three light profanities; brief but strong violence such as white man shoots father in the head in front of father’s son after white man took the mother to a woodshed to rape her (the rape isn’t shown), protestors being grabbed and taken away, water hoses and dogs used on protestors, KKK members surround bus full of civil rights protestors in a tense scene, food products dumped on protestors at lunch counter that was off limits for black patrons; no depicted sex but talk about wife’s adultery and one scene shows her sitting on couch with lover but nothing salacious happens, plus brief kissing and an implied marital sex scene but not salacious; no nudity; much casual alcohol use and protagonist’s wife has a drinking problem but overcomes it; smoking; and, racism but rebuked. LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER is an elegant and compelling but fictionalized historical drama about Eugene Allen, the longest-serving black butler in White House history, and the historic changes he saw. The movie changes Allen’s name to Cecil Gaines to give it more leeway in telling its story. It begins with the murder of Cecil’s father by the white farmer paying them to pick cotton. Cecil learns how to be a house servant. Eventually, he becomes a kitchen servant in the White House in 1952 and an eyewitness to history until the mid 1980s. His job’s economic benefits don’t translate into a positive relationship with his politically active eldest son. THE BUTLER is absorbing but seems to keep undercutting its more positive dramatic points. The political conflict between the butler and his son takes up too much of the movie. Though it treats Republican and Democratic presidents even-handedly, the movie has some politically correct revisionist history. For example, it underplays the Christian influence behind the civil rights movement. There’s also too much foul language. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong caution for LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER.
Production Quality: *** Moral Acceptability: -2 (Extreme Caution) Starring: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Leven Rambin, Nathan Fillion, Stanley Tucci, Sean Bean, Jake Abel, Missi Pyle, Daniel Cudmore, Robert Maillet, Brandon T. Jackson, Douglas Smith, Paloma Kwiatkowski Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Audience: Older children to adults Rating: PG Content: Very strong pagan, polytheistic worldview in a world with many gods and demi-gods (half-human and half-god), an occult dead witch prophesies, with some Christian, biblical values such as self-sacrifice, teamwork, loyalty, and faith, and a positive Christian reference; three obscenities and two light profanities; some action violence that includes young children getting attacked by giant one eyed monsters, a giant mechanical bull attacks a camp and destroys buildings, three eyeless monsters, a giant monster in the sea swallows the main characters up and other monsters including zombies, someone is shot by an arrow and a giant satanic looking “god” is unleashed and must be fought by the heroes, and hero gets bruised and bloodied; no sexual content. PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS is the sequel to the fantasy franchise about Percy, the half-human son of the Greek god, Poseidon. Percy’s nemesis, Luke, threatens the special camp for demi-gods. Percy, his friends and his half-brother, Tyson, a Cyclops, go on a dangerous mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece. The fleece has healing power to restore the camp’s safety, but Percy’s nemesis Luke plans to use the cloak to take control of the world. Also, the fleece is guarded by a giant Cyclops in the Sea of Monsters, also known as the Bermuda Triangle. PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS doesn’t progress the story or the characters that much and is full of plot holes. There’s also a major problem revolving around the world being set in a polytheistic universe with many gods and demi-gods. This element is confusing for young children. That said, there are many biblical virtues portrayed in SEA OF MONSTERS, including teamwork, self-sacrifice, faith, and even a nod to Jesus, but the pagan worldview overshadows many of those virtues, so Movieguide® advises strong or extreme caution for media-wise viewers.
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
September 2013
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Friday, September 20 7:00 pm Featuring Kirk Special Music Guest
Cameron and
Warren Barfield
Tickets available at FBC Montgomery, www.feedyourfaith.org or by phone 800.965.9324.
MOPS Meeting Dates for 2013/2014 September 10 & 24 • October 8 & 22 • November 5 & 19 December 10 • January 14 & 28 • February 11 & 25 March 11 & 18 • April 8 & 22 • May 6 Join us for a fun time of fellowship and learning with great speakers and activities. MOPS is a place for encouraging relationships, practical help, and support. Join us on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Childcare provided. Contact us at montgomerymops@gmail.com
Join us for these events plus many more! First Baptist Church Montgomery
305 South Perry Street | Montgomery, AL 36104 334.834.6310 | www.montgomeryfbc.org