Worship: Sundays 8, 9:30 &11am Contemporary & Traditional 6000 Atlanta Hwy. 334.272.8622
Worship: Sundays 10am in the Pike Road School Offices 37 Bridge St. 334.801.8090
Find Hope. Follow Jesus. www.frazer.church @frazerumc
Volume 17, Issue 11
Feature Articles
APRIL 20 1 6 Columns page 2
page 14
Publisher’s Note
Faith @ Work
Jason Watson
Meet William Green, ordained minister, financial consultant and city councilman. He shares how he came to faith in Christ, how he lives that out in the market place and why he recently felt called to politics.
page 4
Pastor's Perspective Rev. Tim Meadows, Woodland UMC
page 16
Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy
page 25
Counselor’s Corner Olivia Pierce, LPC
page 18
page 30
Pondering the Journey
Affluenza:
Sam Whatley
The Spiritual Disease Ravaging Our World
page 34
The Intersection
by Tim Challies
Bob Crittenden
We may not realize just how wealthy we are in the U.S. compared to the rest of the world, or how that may affect the way we see God and ourselves. Find out the symptoms and the cure for affluenza, plus the responsibility of affluence.
page 36
Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
In Every Issue page 26
Market Town Coffee Co.
Local couple Laura and Cody Bell use something they both love--coffee--to help with a cause that means so much to them. Find out how Market Town Coffee is helping put an end to human trafficking in Alabama.
page 6
Books to Read page 8
Around Our Community page 14
Faith @ Work page 22
Support Groups
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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.
From the Publisher What do we do with what we have? That’s a question that challenges me a great deal. Regardless of what you and I have, how much of it is used to honor God and promote His Kingdom? I firmly believe God wants us to enjoy His creation and that doesn’t always mean being in Bible study. But, if I’m honest, there are many days I leave God out of my plans. Why is that? Author and blogger Tim Challies offers a great diagnosis in his article, AFFLUENZA: The Spiritual Disease Ravaging Our World. Let me
Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com
warn you, reading his article could result in your life becoming more meaningful than ever before.
Publisher
Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com
Associate Publisher Gena Hill
Speaking of meaningful, Cody and Laura Jean Bell decided to use what they have to make a big difference in the world. How? Believe it or not they didn’t travel to a far away land. This young couple used their marketing and creative talents to launch Market Town Coffee Company. This local company uses it’s profits to fight human trafficking in Alabama and
Research Editor
across the globe. Read their story on page 26 and hopefully they’ll inspire you
Wendy McCollum
the same way they inspired me...to think about how I can make a difference for
Contributing Writers Laura Bell Tim Challies Bob Crittenden Rev. Tim Meadows Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Olivia Pierce, LPC Sam Whatley
God’s Kingdom in my own backyard. Serving others is a sacrifice and in this month’s Faith @ Work interview you’ll hear from a very successful businessman who has chosen to give his spare time to serving the citizens of Montgomery’s District 5. Montgomery City Councilman William Green shares a piece of his faith journey with Christ and how that’s impacted the way he leads his company and serves his district.
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 703
We all have time, gifts and talents to give to God. I hope as you read through this month’s issue you will be as challenged as I was to not simply serve myself, but to be proactive at looking for opportunities to show others the love of Christ.
Ad Design
Tim Welch, Welch Designs
Distribution Team Wendy McCollum Chris Mitchell, Manager 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 2016 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in River Region’s Journey are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region’s Journey has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.
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Our Advertisers Matter!
Each is a wonderful resource for people in the River Region.
Please support our advertisers.
If you are interested in purchasing an advertisement email us at ads@readjourneymagazine today. 2
CHRISTCHURCH 8800 Vaughn Road
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Come Worship With Us!
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Founded Upon God’s Word At Christchurch, Holy Scripture serves as the final authority for our teaching and preaching. Indeed, over the course of three years, almost the entire Bible is read aloud and preached upon.
Warm and Loving
Liturgically Joyful At Christchurch worship involves the entire congregation, as we offer God praise, thanksgiving and adoration using worship traditions that can be traced back to the earliest days of the Church. Our worship is not designed to entertain us, but to honor the true “audience” of worship, the Lord!
Committed to Mission
By God’s grace and through His Spirit, the people of Christchurch enjoy the richness and joy of being a true family. We’d love for you to become a part of us! Regardless of who you are, you will always find a home at Christchurch.
The people of Christchurch respond to God’s Word by going out into the world, to places like Uganda, Guatemala and Montgomery, proclaiming the good news of Jesus and joyfully serving as His hands and feet!
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Christian Education for All Ages Weekly: Discipleship and fellowship opportunities abound
Find us on Facebook and visit us at www.christchurchXP.net 3
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Pastor’s Perspective
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Rev. Tim Meadows, Woodland UMC, Pike Road
Easter People Christians around the world have recently observed and celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While Easter may have come and gone, the message of His resurrection should remain with us in all times. Easter Day begins a season where we reflect on how this truth shapes our lives in all times. The proclamation that has rung throughout the generations continues to be our theme: “He is not here. He has risen” (Luke 24:5). With the echoes coming from the site of the empty grave, we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is a high and holy moment when we are allowed to participate in worship that reminds us of this foundational understanding of our faith. Though he died, Jesus was resurrected for all eternity and continues to live this very day. It is a message that pro-
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claims God’s power, grace, and love for the world. This truth of Easter may be the most formative reality in all of history. Consider for a moment the many things that have happened because of the resurrection of Jesus. Wars have been fought and peace treaties signed. The sick have been treated, orphans cared for, hungry have been fed, and homeless have been sheltered. Addicts have been rehabilitated, elderly comforted, and children educated. Policies and laws have been written, charitable institutions created, protest have been staged, and rights have been granted. Cathedrals have been erected and dark, empty rooms employed for worship. And let us not forget that daily, within the lives of faith communities, millions of people bring their gifts and service to offer transforming, life giving hope and healing to those who are burdened with the struggles of life. All of this because Jesus was resurrected from the grave. We are people whose world revolves around this truth. We are Easter people, people of the resurrection, and this truth must continue to shape all that we are and all that we do. While we see this in the grand scheme of our world, I do wonder how we allow this truth to form and shape us individually. This foundational understanding of Jesus’ ministry must influence the manner in which we live daily. It must shape our minds and our hearts, especially as we seek to be Christ’s disciples in the world. 4
We are Easter people and as such, we must remember that this truth above all others makes us who we are. As much as we see the impact of the Christian faith in the larger setting, we should remember that the resurrection gives direction and inspiration to our lives as well. Because of this resurrection we are called to live in grace, love and forgiveness. It offers hope, peace, and purpose to our lives in all times. As Easter People we have not only a story to tell, but also a faith to live through our gifts, service, witness, and worship. The message of Easter leads us to be different than the world tells us. It enables us to overcome circumstances and situations. It reminds us that Christ continues to offer guidance and direction for our personal journeys. I hope and pray that your Easter has been filled with the joy of celebrating the great work of God in raising Christ from the dead and offering salvation to the world. As we continue to live with this message resounding in our hearts and minds, allow the living Christ to make you a person of the resurrection. Be Easter people always, filled with grace and love for all the world, empowered by the presence of the living Christ, and living as a disciple of the one who conquered death for all eternity. Rev. Tim Meadows is senior pastor of Woodland United Methodist Church located in Pike Road, AL. He has served Woodland since 2011 and finds great joy in his ministry with this historic community of faith who is reaching out to a growing community. A native of Montgomery, Tim is a graduate of Huntingdon College and The Divinity School at Duke University. He is married to the Rev. Cherie W. Meadows and they have two sons Walker, a senior at St. James School and Seth, a Junior at Macon East Academy. You can contact him and find out more about Woodland UMC at Woodlandontheweb.org.
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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 needs to be in agreement with our Statement of Faith
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Habits of Grace David Mathis
There are a few categories of Christian books that have hundreds of titles to choose from but only the barest handful that are actually helpful. One such category is the spiritual disciplines. Some books on the disciplines end up advocating mysticism or introducing unbiblical practices. Some completely miss the balance between the descriptive and the prescriptive, essentially calling the reader to do little more than mimic the writer. Whatever the case, there are too many genuinely bad books on this genuinely good subject. Thankfully we have been well-served by that handful of excellent titles, Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life chief among them. Today, however, we have another good one to choose from with the release of David Mathis’ Habits of Grace, a helpful, biblical, practical guide to this important subject. Mathis’ approach is to speak of “means of grace” in place of “spiritual disciplines.” The means of grace, he explains, are meant to become habits of grace in the life of the Christian. These habits of grace then become means of joy through which God is glorified and the Christian is edified. He defines three means of grace that together form the foundation of Christian life and growth: hearing God’s voice through Bible-reading, having God’s ear through prayer, and River Region’s Journey
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belonging to his body through fellowship. “My prayer for you,” he writes, “is that you would find the means of grace to be practical, realistic, and desirable in your pursuit of joy in Christ. I hope that there are many things here beneficial to a general Christian audience, but that there will be a special appeal to college students and young adults who are learning to fly for themselves for the first time in the various rhythms and practices of the Christian life.” The book is structured around those three means of grace and each of them receives six short chapters. A short “coda” offers a brief look at three related practices that are sometimes considered spiritual disciplines: evangelism, stewardship of time, and stewardship of money. The simplicity and consistency of Mathis’ format is echoed in the chapter titles which all begin with a verb: Shape Your Life with the Words of Life; Read for Breath, Study for Depth; Warm Yourself at the Fire of Meditation; and so on. Many of the chapters also follow a consistent pattern where Mathis introduces a topic, provides biblical support for it, and then concludes with a series of practical tips or steps. Examples of these practical elements include Five Tips for Bible Memory, Twelve Gospel Passages To Soak In, Five Principles for Lifelong Learning, and Five Suggestions for Secret Prayer. This proves an effective format. One element I found especially valuable in Mathis’ approach is its simplicity. By narrowing all the habits or disciplines into just three means of grace
he makes these practices seem possible, even for those for whom this is new territory. Where many books can seem overwhelming, Mathis says “My prayer is that you will not come away exasperated that you simply don’t have time to put into practice all that this book commends. Rather, in its very structure, the book aims to help you see how realistic and life-giving it can be to integrate God’s means of grace into daily habits of life.” In that regard he succeeds well. This book really could set you up for a lifetime of enjoying God through the means he provides. Mathis also succeeds in giving new enthusiasm to those of us who already have well-established patterns of participating in each of these means of grace. I read the Bible and pray daily; I am committed to my church and heavily involved in it. Yet Habits of Grace still challenged me to continue to grow in each of these ways. The biblical support was challenging and the practical tips were illuminating. Both gave me ideas and information for modifying and improving my commitment to those all-important means of grace. Allow me to conclude with the blurb I wrote when I read the book for the first time many months ago: There is not a Christian in the world who has mastered the spiritual disciplines. In fact, the more we grow in grace, the more we realize how little we know of hearing from God, speaking to God, and meditating on God. Our maturity reveals our inadequacy. Habits of Grace is a powerful guide to the spiritual disciplines. It offers basic instructions to new believers while bringing fresh encouragement to those who have walked with the Lord for many years. It is a joy to commend it to you.
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You have the power to prevent some cancers in your children. Each year in the U.S. there are 26,000 cancer cases that could be prevented with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. HPV vaccine can prevent 9 strains of cancer. Three doses of HPV vaccine should be given to adolescents aged 11-12 years before exposure to the virus. HPV vaccine costs are covered under most insurance programs, Medicaid, and the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). To prevent HPV cancers, contact your healthcare provider or the county health department. Don’t delay, call today. /IMM
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PCA Benefit Features Christian Band Rush of Fools
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Saint James UMC to Hold Benefit Auction
Prattville Christian Academy is partnering with the popular Christian band Rush of Fools to hold a benefit concert for the school on Friday, April 22. The concert, along with a dinner and auction, will be held at Vaughn Forest Church in Montgomery. The dinner and auction will begin at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. “We are thrilled to host Rush of Fools in conjunction with our annual benefit event. We could not think of a better opportunity for family fun than to enjoy the talent and message of this band,” said PCA Development Director Haley Scott. Concert tickets are available for only $20. To purchase, visit 4pca.org.
Saint James United Methodist Church will hold an auction to benefit youth and children’s missions on Saturday, April 16. The auction will begin at 4:00 p.m. and last until 6:00 p.m. Visitors may preview items on Friday, April 15, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. There is no cost for admission. Items featured include antique furniture from Pickwick Antiques, original artwork, jewelry, salon and boutique certificates, gift cards from local businesses, and vacation home rentals. Visit www.sjlifeauction.com for a preview of items. This marks the 7th year that the church has held a spring auction benefiting missions. Last year, the auction helped send youth on mission trips to Green Lake, Wisconsin and Chemax, Mexico. They were also able to work with other churches and ministries in the Montgomery area including Brantwood Children’s Home, Wesley Gardens Retirement Community, and Common Ground. Proceeds from this year’s auction will benefit mission projects in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Alabama Rural Ministry in Tuskegee, AL, Georgia Washington Middle School and other local ministries.
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...
waiting lists start early...sign up soon!... Waitingwww.riverviewcamp.com! lists start early...sign up soon!... 1
Call for FREE DVD and catalog 1-800-882-0722 Accredited by American Camping Association • Members of Christian Camping International
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www.riverviewcamp.com
Only 1 /Mountain 2 hours from Huntsville Located on top of Lookout in Mentone, AL. Only a 3 hr drive.
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Dr. Larry & Susan Hooks, Owners/Directors • Donna Bares,Asst. Director
1 & 2Week Sessions for Ages 6-16
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first I had campfires every night. Icamps felt close to God. giggled a lot is with friends and counselors. time flew by! thehorse. Southeast’s best all-around for girls,IRiverview annew oasis of fun, friends andThe happiness... I Exciting felt safe and secure. Iinclude: gained confidence in myselfPool,Tennis, through the world around me.” activities Riding, Heated Canoeing, Ropes Course, Climbing Tower,
• R OPES C OURSE • C LIMBING T O WER • OUTDOOR L IVING S KILLS • C AMPFIRE F UN • C OUNSELOR -I N -T RAINING •
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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.
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FLAG TWIRLING • CHEERLEADING • RIFLERY • ARCHERY • TRIP DAY • GOLF
We don’t wonder anymore how it happened, that one summer could bring such happy memories.
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Montgomery Prayer B’fast & Bible Reading Marathon
The 2016 Montgomery Prayer Breakfast for the City and County of Montgomery is scheduled for May 5, at 7 am, in downtown Montgomery. Mayor Todd Strange and Commissioner Elton Dean invite local citizens to join them on this day in a spirit of humility and prayer. It is an opportunity to pray and give thanks for the goodness the community experiences. A devoted time of prayer will be offered on this morning as well as special music. Also in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, the 2nd Annual Montgomery Bible Reading Marathon will begin at the Capitol Steps immediately following the Prayer Breakfast. The 72-hour Bible Reading Marathon is the reading of the Word by local citizens until the entire Bible is read aloud over the city. The Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Alabama Activity Center, located at 201 Dexter Avenue, downtown Montgomery, from 7 am to 8:30 am. A full buffet breakfast will be served. Tickets for the breakfast are $15.00 per person. Individuals may purchase tickets at His Vessel Ministries located at Union Station, 300 Water Street, Suite 100, or the You Name It shop at 5350-A Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. Seating is limited and will be available on a first come first served basis. For more information about the Montgomery Prayer Breakfast, call His Vessel Ministries at 334-356-4478. To participate in the Montgomery Bible Reading Marathon, go to www.hisvessel.org to sign up for a time to read the Bible at the Capitol steps.
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HE ONCE BEAT HIS DAD FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES IN CHESS. AFTERWARD, HE CELEBRATED WITH SOME ORANGE SLICES AND A BOOK ABOUT WIZARDS. and at Children’s of Alabama we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine.
C H I L D R E N A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY
1600 7TH AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org
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April 14, Noon-1 p.m. Join Franklin Graham on the Alabama State Capitol Front Steps. He is traveling to all 50 states in 2016 to hold prayer rallies, to preach the Gospel, and to challenge believers to take a stand and take action. Franklin has said that America is in trouble, and no political party or politician is the answer. He’ll be urging Christians to vote, to live out their faith in every part of their lives, and to pray for our nation just as Nehemiah cried out to God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore hope to His people. For more info, visit decisionamericatour.com/tour/alabama/. 9
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Local Summer Mission Opportunity for Teens
Women’s Conference in April Women In Ministry International (WIMI) along with Senior Pastor, Bishop Kyle and Kemi Searcy will host Fresh Anointing House of Worship annual women’s conference “Women Arising: A Call To Destiny” on April 14-16, beginning nightly at 7 P.M., at 150 E. Fleming Road in Montgomery, Al. The conference speakers include Dr. Jevannah “Lady J” Ellison of New Life Church of God In Christ; Pastor Kemi Searcy, Founder of Women In Ministry International; Mrs. Jo Hancock, CoFounder of His Vessel Ministries; Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, Alabama State University President, and Apostle Valarie Carter of Harvest Time International Ministries. This conference is designed to empower women to arise to their destiny and fulfill their God- given mandate in their church, families, business and community. For more information call (334) 613-3363.
Teens ages 14-19 interested in participating in local missions to children, called Christian Youth in Action, please contact Child Evangelism Fellowship of Central Alabama before April 15 at 213-7388 or cefcentralal@gmail.com. At training you will learn how to present the gospel within a Bible story, conduct clubs with games, songs, Scripture memory and more. Training will take place June 4-10 at Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham, AL. After training you will be sharing the gospel with children by teaching 5-day clubs in the River Region and surrounding areas with a group of teens from our area for 4-6 weeks. There is no greater joy than letting God use you to reach others! Contact us today!
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Email ministry or church news to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com.
Car Wash & Fund-Festival
Let us wash that pollen off your car! Come to Cornerstone Christian Church at 301 Dalraida Parkway on Saturday, April 23rd from 12 noon until 3:00 pm. Car Wash, Bake Sale, Craft Fair, Music, Food, Games and more! Please come help us raise funds needed to send two of our members to the Mambajao Province of Camiquin Island in the Philippines and have a fun afternoon at the same time! For more information, call Dianna Stover 334-799-3576. See you there!
The Mambajao Church of Christ in Mambajao Province, Camiquin Island - Philippines
Also, Cornerstone Christian Church has adopted this small church in Mambajao as our sister church and we are joyfully led to provide for Arvin Alumious and his church. Pastor Alumious not only serves fellow brothers and sisters in Christ through his teaching of the Gospel, but has formed a jail ministry which also receives some blessings through our giving. Arvin has brought several souls to Jesus and they have regular Baptisms with a portable pool at the Jail. This summer, Kelley and Meranda Thompson (mother/daughter team) will be traveling to the small island of Camiquin to serve with the “Christ To The Nations” Mission team. Through CTN Ministries, church buildings are being built, clothes, food and toys are distributed, and the love of Jesus Christ is spread among his people. While there, they will not only visit with the church members in the community, but they will be visiting the jail inmates and a small orphanage as well. River Region’s Journey
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Missons Awareness Sunday at FUMC
Third Day with Steven Curtis Chapman
Below are the flag presenters for Missions Awareness Sunday on March 6, 2016, at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery.
Thursday, April 21, at 7:00 pm Alabama Theatre, 1817 3rd Avenue North, Birmingham For information call 800-745-3000 or visit itickets.com.
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Frazer Flea Market
The 19th Annual Frazer Flea Market for missions will be held Saturday, May 7 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot across S. Burbank Dr. from Frazer. Call now, 334-495-6368 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org to reserve your booth space.
Grace @ Bell Road Serving the Community
Continuing our work with House2House a crew from Grace@ Bell Road was joined by folks from 2Cities Church to tackle a newly acquired house. In a morning’s time these 20 volunteers were able to strip the house in preparation for renovation.
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Common Ground Ministries Annual Volunteer Banquet
It’s back! Our annual combined Volunteer Appreciation Banquet is Tuesday, April 19, from 6:30-8:30 PM. This is for volunteers for Common Ground Montgomery, YES Montgomery, and House to House. Mark your calendars, volunteers, to come out for dinner and fun as we give you a shout out for all your help! CGM main building: 1516 Mobile Road
First UMC Sweet Potato Drop
Sweet potato bagging project for Society of St. Andrew at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. On March6, potatoes were bagged and sent to food pantries to feed those in need.
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WLBF Faith Radio is listener supported. Your support matters! 800.239.8900 | mail@faithradio.org | www.faithradio.org
Mail your donation to: Faith Radio, P.O. Box 210789,April Montgomery, ALJourney 36121 2016 River Region’s 13
RRJ: How has your relationship with Christ and the works it produces changed since you first became a Christ follower? In the beginning, I was very strict on everyone. I mean, after all, if I was reading 10 chapters a day and witnessing to everyone 24/7, then how come everyone else was not doing the same thing? I did not understand that there is a journey God has for everyone. As I got older and more mature in the Lord, I was forced to accept that I was also human. I have learned to be more understanding of where we all are in the process. I allow the Lord to lead me more than when I was out in front. It is not about me, but about lifting up the name of Jesus. RRJ: I know you’re heavily involved in your church, Fresh Anointing, but as a business owner and new City Councilman you carry your faith far beyond the church walls. Can you tell us the name of your business and the types of services you offer?
RRJ: When did you come to the realization that you needed the salvation offered by Christ? I was 17 or 18 years old. I was watching a PBS special that was showing the U.S. targets of Russia during the Cold War in 1980 or 1981. Maxwell AFB was number two or three on the list due to their war college. I had been having a recurring dream that everyone was being raptured and I was being left behind. When I saw that PBS special, I knew that I was not saved and I needed to do something quick or I would go to hell. I jumped on my sister’s bike and rode to a house around the corner that had the word “Pastor” on the mailbox. All the while looking in the sky for nuclear bombs. I believed that nuclear war was eminent. I did not know the person on whose door I was knocking. I knocked on his door crying, begging to be saved. He opened the door and looked shocked. I asked him what I needed to do to be saved. He invited me in. I kneeled on the floor and accepted Jesus as my Savior. I have been on the journey ever since. River Region’s Journey
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I am an Oracle applications financial consultant. I implement and manage financial systems for Fortune 500 companies. I also build mobile applications for small businesses. RRJ: In your business, how is your faith revealed to those you serve and work alongside? The simplest way that my faith is revealed in my line of business is by saying grace over my food. I know that sounds silly in the Bible Belt. But outside of Alabama, I was warned not to ever say grace over my food because it would offend many people in business situations. I made my mind up when I first started consulting that I would never choose a client over God. Also, since we are charged with great responsibility and given a lot of control over a client’s finances, there is plenty of opportunity to take advantage of the client for personal gain. As a Christian, I must always put the client’s needs before my desire to bill more hours. The client puts total trust in me that the advice I am giving them will lead to the most cost effective solution with their best 14
interest in mind. I have seen plenty of consultants only concerned about billable hours over the client’s best interest. As Christians, we must resist the urge to be dishonest with those who put their trust in us. RRJ: God doesn’t just show up somewhere because you reveal Him in that place. God is everywhere and meets us across His creation. How has God specifically revealed His power and sovereignty in the marketplace? He revealed His power and sovereignty in my run for public office. I was a huge underdog in my campaign against a threeterm incumbent. He was very well funded and had the support of many people in public office as well as many businesses. I had no political experience. However, at all turns, I asked God what to do next and He revealed to me a clear strategy to win. He also brought the right people to help at the right times. He touched the hearts of the people to turn out on the day of the election. I was amazed to see all of the things that fell in the right place along the way. Had one of those things not been in place, I would have lost. I won by the slimmest of margins, 20 votes. I am still amazed even to this day how it all came about. I know that it was God and not me that made this victory possible. I am convinced that my decision to give the election to God and allow Him to direct my path was a prime example that God will take care of the outcome as long as you are obedient to Him and not concerned about the outcome. RRJ: This year you took your elected seat as the City Councilman for District 5. What led you to serve your neighbors in this role? About a year before I decided to run for office, I was involved in the fight for traditional marriage all across the state of Alabama. We would contact several pastors and elected officials and none of them would come out and speak. As a result of us not being able to get leaders involved, I would end up being the speaker at many of these events. This led to my concern that there were no Christian leaders speaking up to
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defend Christianity in the marketplace. I wanted my voice to have a bigger impact than just an individual speaking. Therefore, I sought a way to elevate my voice in the public square. I knew that it could take decades to build a church, so the quickest route was to run for public office. It just so happened that the city council race was coming up. A group of us took an oath that it was not about winning or losing. It was about interjecting the Christian conservative voice in politics during the campaign. One thing lead to another and I won. The funny thing was that I never gave any thought to anything after election day because I only focused on the primary objective. I honestly thought that, for a brief moment at least, it would be enough if I could speak to people about the serious threats to religious freedom and the spiritual deterioration of society during the campaign. Now that I am in office, I must pray and seek opportunities to be used by God as a city councilman. RRJ: Do the Bible’s teachings inform and equip your decision making as City Councilman? Yes. The primary Bible verse that drives my approach is Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” It is the verse that got me there and it will be the verse that guides me while I am there. RRJ: A faith well lived comes by grace alone through Christ’s work and the Holy Spirit’s power, but the treasures of our inheritance are accessed by the consistent practice of spiritual disciplines. Can you share what you have found to be the greatest practices for walking out your faith and experiencing the freedom of holy living? What helps me get through the day is reading the Bible everyday and praying. Through this, I am closer to God. The Bible says pray without ceasing. Through constant prayer during the day, I find that I stay closer to God. I have to be careful for nothing. I cannot take anything for granted. I am nothing special. I know that it is by God’s grace that I am in office and it will be by His grace that I stay. Nothing is guaranteed. We must be willing to die on the cross for our faith. There is no political power or any amount of money that is more important than my faith in God and my eternal soul. William is an ordained minister at Fresh Anointing House of Worship and is married to Marla Green. He is the father to two lovely daughters, Nichole and Spencer Green. Nichole is getting ready for an internship at Google and Spencer, at 3, is plotting to take over the world.
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Stop the Hurting Pamela was married to the man of her dreams. After 10 years and 3 kids, she knew their romance would be a legacy. But something happened during year 11... maybe midlife crisis or a mental breakdown, but her husband became a totally different person. He stopped helping the kids with homework. He had been the chief cook and did most of the laundry, but no more. Pamela tried to get him to counseling as their relationship began to increasingly suffer. Then Pamela’s husband announced that he just didn’t want to be married anymore. He had found a man that he had begun a relationship with and wanted out. Pamela was devastated. She was beyond hurt – she felt like a part of her had died. Do you think Pamela will think she can stop herself from hurting? She might even believe that no one could ever understand the way in which she hurt. But there are many women who laugh on the outside, but sigh on the inside; they sing words of rejoicing while a cry of lamentation permeates their souls. I know personally what it means to be sexually harassed by an authority figure whose responsibility was to protect me. I have suffered rejection, compounded illnesses, poverty, and the loss of loved ones. I know pain and suffering very well. Hurt occurs when unfavorable events happens that affect our emotions negatively. River Region’s Journey
April 2016
Hurt can feel like a dagger piercing our soul. If healing is not applied quickly to the wounds, they can result in intense chronic sores. Yet Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Nobody can hurt me without my permission.” You see, if I feel hurt by someone or something it simply means I made an agreement to be hurt. Although everyone is entitled to their opinion, those opinions need not define who I am. I am sovereign over my emotions, just as I alone decide if I am going to be hurt by a circumstance and how deep I will allow the wound to fester.
We Can Stop Hurting... With God’s Help!
If you haven’t been deeply hurt yet, I expect that sometime during your life you will be. But I have a directive: push through and keep on living. As long as you live in a fallen and a depraved world, you will contend with flawed humanity, whose propensity is to rub you the wrong way. When we suffer death, divorce, separation, incarceration etc., we can’t just flick on a switch to stop ourselves from hurting. You may need a pain management consultant; I personally know the best one, the greatest physician of all times – Jesus. He came purposely to heal the brokenhearted. Begin by telling Him your hurts, and start trusting Him to deliver.
To Stop Hurting: 1. Accept that You are Wounded. Healing cannot begin when you are in denial. When I first got married I would always say “no” when asked by my husband whether or not I was 16
hurt by something he did. I soon realized that not dealing with the issue caused him to keep repeating the offense, and continued the hurt. 2. Maintain Self Control. Proverb 25:28 says that a person without self-control is like a city with a broken-down walls. Most of our actions go through four stages: We see
We think
We meditate
We act
Most actions can be stopped at the thinking level because God has given believers the power to choose what we think. You have an awesome ability within the grace of God to switch off and on what you do and don’t allow to set in your spirit. (See Philippians 2:5, Philippians 4:8) In Proverb 25:28 God uses a city without walls as a metaphor to describe the condition of uncontrolled human emotions. If you don’t filter what you meditate on, you will take in whatever the devil throws at you. The result will be a damaged heart. 3. Don’t Dwell on the Hurt. Forgiveness is a must for the healing process. When you count and recount events that hurt you, it only keeps the pain alive. You must let it go and move forward. 4. Think Positively. A negative disposition swings the door wide open to hurts. Do your best to find a silver lining in every situation. Live knowing that the situation could be worse than it is now. Assure yourself with the knowledge that God will help you through as every day is a fresh opportunity. William W. Purkey gave us a picture of how to carry ourselves beyond our hurts: “You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, Love like you’ll never be hurt, Sing like there’s nobody listening, And live like it’s heaven on earth.” I am praying you experience heaven on earth wherever you are.
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April 2016
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Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these,” Jesus said as He recalled the beauty of a common lily (Luke 12:27). And I suspect that even Solomon in all his splendor could not have imagined the sheer affluence that you and I enjoy today. The lily is here today and gone tomorrow, so fleeting and commonplace that we overlook its intricate beauty and fail to acknowledge the glory of the God who made and sustains it. Is it possible that we have grown so accustomed to our affluence that we have lost the wonder of it, too? Is it possible that our affluence harms us even as it blesses us? Those of us who live in the developed world today enjoy a measure of wealth that is almost beyond understanding. This is the kind of wealth that billions of the world’s population can only dream of. This is wealth that previous generations could not have imagined. And it is not merely money that we enjoy in such abundance, but also comfort, influence, and so much else. We are incredibly, unbelievably, divinely blessed. And yet, many of us can identify that this wealth brings with it a kind of illness, a spiritual malaise that some have labeled “affluenza.” Are we sick with affluenza? And if so, is there a way that we can use and enjoy our affluence without succumbing to this ugly disease?
The Symptoms of Affluenza
Ironically, the most common symptom of affluenza is discontentment. Many of us have discovered that as our wealth and our possessions multiply, so too does our discontentment. There is an inverse relationship between how much we have and how much we are convinced we need to be content. Just think about Adam and Eve. They had the whole world before them. The whole world, that is, but for one little tree that God had decreed would be off limits. And somehow they determined that they could not possibly be content unless they had the fruit from that tree. And like Adam and Eve, we can have great abundance and still feel empty. We can have great abundance while still feeling the gnawing discontent that we do not have more. Just one more dollar, just one more gadget, just one more vacation, just one more upgrade—joy is always that close, but that far away. If you suffer from affluenza, you will know it when you look at all you have and still believe that just a little bit more will really bring the joy you crave. Another common symptom of affluenza is self-dependence. Our abilities multiply alongside our wealth, and when we are most able, we tend to be least dependent. Why would I pray to God for my daily bread when I have millions in my savings account? Why would I pray for God to give me wisdom when I can already see the fruit of my hard work and good decisions? The man with little prays much; the man with much prays little. If you spot self-dependence in your life—self-dependence manifested especially in prayerlessness—you may well be suffering from affuenza. Allow me to point you to one more symptom of affluenza: ingratitude. The Bible makes it clear that all the good we enjoy is a gift from God (James 1:17). The Bible makes it equally clear that we are to return thanks to God, gratefully and specifically, for each one of those good gifts. But ingratitude is a grave challenge to the person suffering from affluenza. Why should I give thanks to God when I am the one who has worked so hard for what I have? Why should I give thanks to God if what I have is only the smallest portion of what I actually want or deserve? Your lack of gratitude may prove that you have a bad case of affluenza. 19
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The Cure for Affluenza
might say, “Let the affluenza sufferer no longer squander his affluence, but rather let him use it generously to do good to others and to glorify God.” Finally, ensure that you are living for eternity, not just for today. Understand that you are not the owner of your wealth but only the steward of it. It is God’s wealth, God’s influence, and He intends for you to use it responsibly in the knowledge that He will call you to account. You faithfully steward all of this affluence when you use it with a view to eternity. God’s Word tells us that we are to live in such a way that we store up treasures in heaven. Whatever we acquire here will be left here, but whatever we invest in God’s cause will endure for all eternity. From an eternal perspective, we see that affluence is meaningless if it is not directed to those purposes that last forever.
To one degree or another, we all suffer from affluenza. We are all shaped by the incredible wealth and influence we enjoy. But your case is not hopeless. While your symptoms may be pronounced and your case may be advanced, you are not beyond cure. The power of God to heal you is far greater than the power of affluenza to destroy you. Overcoming affluenza is much like overcoming any other sin. It begins with owning and identifying that sin before God. Overcoming affluenza first requires confession. Confess to God that you have failed to thank Him for the gifts He has given you, and confess that you have failed to use your affluence with godly wisdom. Confess that too often you have preferred the gift to the Giver. When you have confessed to God, confess to another Christian, obeying God’s command through James: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). Having confessed your sin, prepare to do battle against that sin. The Bible tells us that there are always two parts to overcoming sin. First, we must put an end to patterns of sin, so work hard to turn aside from discontentment, self-dependence, and ingratitude. But not sinning is not enough. We must also replace those old, evil patterns with new, holy ones. Affluenza is not addressed through poverty or frugality, but through generosity. To whom much is given, much will be required. And in all the world and in all of history, few have been given all that we have. In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul said, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Eph. 4:28). To the affluenza-stricken Westerner of the twenty-first century, he
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April 2016
The Responsibility of Affluence
Satan specializes in transforming blessings into curses, and we see undeniable evidence of his handiwork in the world around us. Affluence is meant to be a blessing, not a curse. Wealth is meant to be a joyful responsibility that frees us to do good to others and bring glory to God. It is a curse only when it turns into full-blown affluenza, when we shift our allegiance from the One who gives the gift to the gift itself. When we live with full-blown affluenza, our possessions promise contentment but deliver only emptiness. Our wealth promises joy but delivers only obsession. Our abundance promises freedom but delivers only captivity. But when we flee from affluenza, we are able to enjoy the Giver through His gifts. We are able to invest our affluence in the only cause that endures forever. Tim Challies is an author, blogger and book reviewer at www.Challies.com.
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Adoption
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy and First UMC, Millbrook APAC- Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connection Support Group This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer. For information, call Monica Russell at 409-9477 or email mrussell@childrensaid.org. Autauga/Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., First UMC, Millbrook. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For info, call Hannah Taylor at 409-9477 or e-mail htaylor@childrensaid.org. 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 network for individuals who want to support orphans. Location: Millbrook First United Methodist Church, 3350 Edgewood Road Adoption Support- Will meet 4th Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m.
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.
days at 5:30pm (meal-CrossTalk Cafe), 6-6:55 pm (large group), 6:55-7:45 (small group). Childcare available. Call Larry at 334-832-5714 or visit myjourneychurch.com. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. RSVPThis 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: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 East Main St. RSVP - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse-CASA) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions. Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334365-4201 for addition information. 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 hang-ups. Call 567-2364. Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is open to all struggling with addictive sexual behavior. If you believe you have a problem with sex addiction (or are wondering if you might) and you want to change your behavior, we recommend you visit our group. For locations, please visit- https://saa-recovery.org/ or please contact – MontgomerySAA@outlook.com. Meetings are held: every Sunday night - 7:45 p.m, men only. Every Monday night - 7:30 p.m, men and women. 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 lifechallenging issues.” For information, call Chris Henderson at 334-215-0427.
Location: Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. 272.2190. Alanon meets at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Location: Trinity Episcopal, Wetumpka (Across from Winn Dixie on HWY 231) Gamblers Anonymous-Saturdays at 7 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church (Huff Community Ministries Bldg., 200 S. Perry Street) Celebrate Recovery, a Bible-based Christ centered approach to recovery from hurts, habits and hang-ups, meets Friday nights, from 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. For more information, contact Jane Ferguson at 241.5141.
Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step-Christian process to help you cope with hurts, hang-ups, and habits on a weekly basis. Led by Jeff McFarland on Wednesdays from 6-8 pm. Call 279-5433 for more info.
Location: Grace @ Bell Road, Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy. Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6 p.m. An Open AA Speaker meeting is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. An Alanon & AA held on Sundays at 2 p.m. Location: Grace Point Community Church, 78223 Tallassee Hwy (Hwy 14), Wetumpka Celebrate Recovery- every Tuesday night- 6:15pm. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hang-ups! gracepoint.info. Location: Journey Church, 2960 East Cobbs Ford Road across from The Catfish House in Millbrook Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Mon-
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April 2016
Location: First United Methodist Church, Wetumpka 306 W. Tuskeena Street ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. Format used is the Holy Bible. For any info contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428.
Alzheimer’s / Dementia
Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Wesley Hall Bldg. An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990.
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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. 3101 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Each participant may bring a sack lunch. There is no charge. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 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.
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Cancer
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us. Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week. Please call Debbie D at 467-4578 or Ben W at 202-1912. Location: Dalraida Baptist, 3838 Wares Ferry Road. Just for Men -- Faith based cancer support group for men. 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, and friends, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Rm 8253. Call 272-8622 or womenofhope@charter.net. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. The Central Alabama Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month in Room 3105. We have guest speakers, video presentations, printed information and a group that welcomes sharing their journey with myeloma in an informal setting. Refreshments are provided.. Contact Lorenzo and Elaine Duncan at 334-281-8158, or at duncan6563@gmail.com.
Depression
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 Hwy in Church Annex. Call 334.652.1431 or email dbsamontgomery@yahoo.com.
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Divorce
Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care is held Wednesdays, 6:30-8 pm. Childcare available. $15 for workbook. Dinner at 4:45 ($5 adults, $3 kids). Call Kathy Cooper at 241-5125. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Divorce Care meets each Tuesday from 6-7:30pm. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. This group will provide support & guidance to assist you in working through the issues, pain & pressures surrounding divorce. Also, Divorce Care for Kids meets each Tuesday from 6-7:30pm. For information, contact 495-6385 or email singles@frazerumc.org. Location: Millbrook First UMC, 3350 Edgewood Road DivorceCare- Will meet Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org.
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Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road DivorceCare fosters a weekly supportive and caring environment to heal the hurt of separation and divorce. Facilitators are Todd Smith, Wendy Timbie, and Becki Harrison. Call 279-5433.
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Gambling
Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/ Wetumpka community Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. 567-0476 Location: Mental Health of America Bldg, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm. Location: St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Hwy, Mondays @ 6pm.
Gamblers Anonymous Hotline: 334-541-5420 or you can call 2-1-1 and ask for meeting information. Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling: 277-5100
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. Call (334) 284-2721 for info. Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Share, Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm in the church parlor. 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: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754 or e-mail mourningtomorning@gmail. com. Join us on Facebook--Mourning to Morning Group. Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org. Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief 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 information contact Glover at 334281-2754. Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road GriefShare is a support group that meets Wednesdays from 6-8 pm. This program is non-denominational and features biblical concepts for healing your grief. GriefShare will be led by Howard and Carol Payne and Jim Williams. Call 2795433 for more information.
Miscellaneous Location: 5500 Ash Grove Circle, Montgomery. OCD Support Group (obsessive- Compulsive Disorder) Long showers, multiple hand washing, rituals, checking stove, hoarding and symmetry. This support group is open to anyone who has struggled with OCD. You’re not alone anymore. Call Donald: 220-7555. Location: Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Highway Take Heart is for women dealing with infertility and/or miscarriage. The group meets the first Monday of each month at 6 pm in room 116. Contact Melissa at (205) 9132667 for more information.
Parenting
Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 S. Washington Moms LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting. For moms of all
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Sunday Morning Worship Services | 8:45 & 11 am Chapel Service & Holy Communion Wednesdays | 5:30 pm View live stream of Sunday services at www.fumcmontgomery.org/livestream W. C P M, AL .. ..
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stages and ages of life. Childcare provided by reservation. For more info and to reserve your spot, call April Scott at 828-446-6666. Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Moms, need a little break? MOPS is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Frazer mom2mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of ages birth to 5 at Frazer United Methodist Church to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. Email Mom2mom@frazerumc.org for more information. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For more information call 277-5800. Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174. Location: Redland Baptist, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com . Location: 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 info e-mail VFCMOPS@gmail.com.
Physical Challenges
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Road Visually Impaired Support Group – Meets monthly on second Thursday 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The group is called Outward Sight - Inward Vision and is for those with vision loss and their caregivers. Our mission is to assist those experiencing vision loss to maintain their independence by providing access to valuable information and spiritual support. Call 272-6152. 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 affected by a neuromuscular disease or family members of those affected. To receive information, call 396-4534. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy The Montgomery Ostomy Support Group is for people who have had or will have urinary or intestinal diversion surgeries such as colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy. Family members are welcome to attend. Meetings are held every other month on a Sunday afternoon. For info, call Paul at 271-3563 or www.montgomeryostomy.info.
Same Sex Attraction
Location: Huff Community Ministry Building of First Baptist Church at 305 S. Perry Street Pathway Support Group for those dealing with unwanted same sex attraction. The group meets at 6:30 pm every first,
third and fifth Tuesday evenings. For more information about the Pathway call (334) 241-5141 or (334) 241-5140.
Singlehood
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Boundaries study for singles meets each Tuesday from 6-7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. This study will help singles learn to set boundaries with emotions and help avoid the harmful behavior of others. For more information, call 495-6386 or email singles@frazerumc.org. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Single and Parenting! A New Group for Single Mom’s. This group meets every Tuesday from 6-7:30pm for hope & encouragement & guidance & parenting ideas. For information, call 495-6386 or email singles@frazerumc.org. 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 Hwy 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.
Email your support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com!
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Grief
Jeremiah cries out feverishly as he inquires why healing is not occurring amongst his people. Since my people are crushed, I am crushed, I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Jeremiah 8:21-22 (NIV) Both the grieving and onlooker often wonder the same thing: why does grief persist? Grief is a normal, necessary reaction to a significant loss that does not have a predetermined ending point. The individual nuances of grief are often misunderstood, causing misgivings, hurt, and sometimes shame. Jeremiah’s grief is described as horrific, which validates that the expression of grief is not a one-size-fits-all phenomenon. Unfortunately, some mourners are perceived as not grieving enough or too long, as if there is some mathematical formula that exists to calculate how long someone should be grieving. Other mourners may be perceived as not grieving the right way, displaying either too little or too much emotion. Understanding one’s temperament can quell these misinterpretations. Based on Hippocrates’ four humors, temperament theory provides insight into how we most comfortably approach our world, gather/ process information, and make decisions. We can view the spiritual gifts and talents referenced in the Bible as constructs
of temperament. Paul validates the diversity and paradoxical unity of the body of Christ through these gifts in I Corinthians 12:4-14 and Ephesians 4:11-16. In using author Gary Smalley’s temperament analogies (Making Love Last Forever), he likens Hippocrates’ four humors to a Lion, Golden Retriever, Beaver, and Otter. Lions analyze grief. They are cool, calm, collected, strategic, and self-reliant. They take a logical, rational approach to their world. During bereavement, one might observe a Lion as unemotional, setting their jaw, and taking calculated steps in moving forward. Onlookers might become frustrated with this temperament more than others due to the Lion’s desired independence and perceived emotional disconnect, which is misinterpreted as being cold, distant, and stubborn. They appear more robotic than human, yet they are experiencing pain and hurt like anyone else. Lions loathe redundancy, so it makes perfect sense that a Lion is more apt to step out of the redundancy of grief patterns and move forward more quickly than others. When a Lion observes others in mourning, they expect similar rational reactions. Golden Retrievers feel their grief. The exact opposite of the Lion, a Golden Retriever desires close proximity during grief. They are strong relational beings, who are loyal and deeply connected to the human condition. They are compassionate, nurturing, and excellent listeners. To the onlooker, they may appear emotionally dramatic, clingy, and weak. Golden Retrievers take their time with grief, which can be rather frustrating for others but instrumental for them. When Golden Retrievers observe others in mourning, they absorb their grief as well, just as Jesus demonstrated with Lazarus and his family in John 11:32-36. Beavers compartmentalize their grief. They are highly organized, well25
planned/prepared, practical beings. Their approach to grief is structured. Due to their detailed, precise, and scheduled nature, they are more likely to follow the five-stage model of grief. To the onlooker, they may appear perfectionistic, inflexible, and rigid, leading someone to believe they are out of touch with reality, yet placing their emotional chaos in order calms their anxiety. When Beavers observe others in mourning, they desire to teach them how to grieve. Otters act out their grief. The exact opposite of the Beaver, the Otter lives in the moment, seizes the day, enjoys spontaneity, and thrives on the unknown. To the onlooker, they may seem impulsive, reckless, disorganized, foolish, scattered, distracted, and bored. Due to their high need for variety, however, they experiment with their grief, which means they are more likely to try several avenues in soothing their pain. When Otters observe others in morning, they attempt to help them escape. This article is not meant to pigeon-hole but to free people from the idea that there is only one way to grieve. When caught up in grief, consider your temperament and others’. Validating how a person naturally responds to grief can be instrumental in healing, giving them permission to grieve the best way they know how. Let us be the balm of Gilead for one another, a soothing emotional salve during moments of grief.
Olivia Pierce is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She works with adolescents, adults, and couples. She provides traumabased psychotherapy that addresses multiple anxiety disorders, such as acute stress, posttraumatic stress, and generalized anxiety. She enjoys providing couples and organizational workshops, certified in the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, Bringing Baby Home Program, 4 Lenses™, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®, and Seven Habits of Highly Effective People®. April 2016
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Human trafficking and all of its forms of exploitation has become an epidemic around the world, creating a heavy problem not only in the United States, but in the state of Alabama. The cities with the intersecting interstates are the most affected by this horrific problem and it seems to only grow by the day. Most Americans have been blinded by the idea that this type of issue is merely happening overseas, when in reality it is occurring right under their noses. Laura and Cody Bell got wind of this horrific epidemic in the Summer of 2012 and were never able to release it from their minds. Throughout college the two prayed about ways to help the cause of human trafficking, but felt like their career track was not something they could use to help the cause. With Bachelors Degrees in Business Administration and English Literature, Laura and Cody graduated from college and married in May 2014. Together they decided to use what they know and love well to help end human trafficking: Coffee. Cody with his business mindset and Laura with her marketing creativity, the two began forming an idea to create a non-profit coffee business that gave its profits to organizations that were fighting human trafficking. “It was a startling reality when we found out that human trafficking was a heavy issue in Alabama. We knew that we needed to help our home state before searching anywhere else!” Cody said. “We found two organizations that have been working around us: Blanket Fort Hope, who works with child trafficking victims, and The WellHouse, who rescues, counsels, and houses women who have been trafficked.” Laura and Cody continued to figure out how they could make this idea become a reality. For months they looked at property to open a coffee shop, they made budget lists, counted costs, met with endless mentors, and eventually decided to take a leap of faith and do something different than a coffee shop, with a lot less complication and a little more mobility. They wanted their business to be simple, low maintenance, and something that s stood out to passersby. After many visits to Pinterest, the two found a company out of Portland, Oregon that created business bikes according to the product of your choice. They knew they wanted to sell hot coffee and cold brew so they ordered the bike with some neat details to it and got to work getting certified to sell coffee on a sidewalk. When the couple decided to start their business as a coffee cart, they began thinking of what they wanted to name their business. Weeks went by as they went through all the different name ideas. “We read about the history of Montgomery. 27
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Actually, the name of the book was The Early History of Montgomery and Incidentally of the State of Alabama. We read that Montgomery was once a “market town” for trade. “We thought how cool would it be to name our business after the city of Montgomery!” Laura said, and so it happened. They named their business Market Town Coffee Company. This non-profit missional coffee company was created to give back to the cause that Cody and Laura held so dear to their hearts. On August 3, 2015, Cody and Laura Bell set up a coffee cart on the corner of N. Lawrence and Monroe Streets in Downtown Montgomery. The two started something that nobody had offered before them in their hometown...a coffee cart on a corner with hundreds of passersby, within the early morning rush hour. To most who walked by, they would be led to think that this was just an ordinary coffee cart, but the aim of this cart was higher and deeper, rooted in an idea that we can use every
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day things to give back to others. The cart was an absolute hit! Lines were down the sidewalk to get a taste of Market Town Coffee. People were insanely curious as to why this business was placed downtown, what the coffee tasted like, and asking how they could help. “We were able to create so many new relationships, share the stories of people suffering in our home state, and do all of that sipping on really good coffee,“ Laura said. “We have a coffee roasting business, Goat Hill Coffee Roasters. Our roasting business is the provider for Market Town Coffee, so the coffee is freshly roasted everyday.” They spent weeks working on that corner, selling coffee and treats to morning traffic. Within the first month, Market Town was able to give away a large check to Blanket Fort Hope to help them rescue children being trafficked in and around the state of Alabama. Later, Faulkner
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University partnered with Market Town to help give wish list items to the WellHouse. Over Christmas, Market Town was able to travel to Birmingham to distribute the items to the rescued women. To say that this journey has been wild for Cody and Laura Bell is an understatement. They started this business in the midst of working other jobs. They would set up the cart before the sun was up to make sure they had plenty of time to help their employees before heading off to work. “It has been worth it,” says Laura. “Being able to give away money and items that others need has been such a blessing and to know that we are giving back to something that we are so passionate about. Market Town is more than incredible coffee, it serves an important cause that more need to know about!” Since the winter months, Market Town has been doing events instead of sidewalk business. The business is continuing in great success, giving back to a greater cause. If you are interested in Market Town for your event or simply want more information on how to help, you can read more at markettowncoffee.com or email them at markettownco@gmail.com.
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Two Families Jesus had two families. So have we. The Gospel of Mark gives us a hint of Jesus’ relationship with his earthly family. Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him for they said, “He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:20-21 NIV). Now, we don’t know what Jesus’ family was thinking. Perhaps they figured Jesus had gotten in over his head. He was healing people and casting out demons so fast that crowds were closing in on him. He didn’t have time to eat. Somebody needed to sit him down and explain that he had to slow
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down. He couldn’t keep healing everybody right and left. Where would it all end? Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:31-34 NIV). So there is His second family, the family of God. The Apostle John would say it this way: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12 NIV). Jesus made it plain that His spiritual family was His real family. That’s because his relationship with the Heavenly Father was more important than anything else. If we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, it will be that way with us, too. As much as we love our flesh and blood and the one we marry, we love God more. Our parents and our brothers and sisters usually remember the way we were as 30
children. It’s natural for them to do so, but it can keep them from seeing who we are in Christ. When Jesus went back to his hometown we see another interesting scene: “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” (Mark 6:2-4 NIV). We, too, have two families. The bonds of blood and marriage that hold us so tightly to people now are temporary. People pass away; people move; people wake up one morning and decide not to speak to you again. But the spiritual bonds that hold us to our Lord and to other believers are eternal. We live forever with those who love the Lord and love each other. Earthly families are important. We are to honor our parents and show respect to our brothers and sisters. But the question of who we are changes when we accept Christ. We are not just so-and-so’s spouse, son, daughter, brother or sister anymore. If we are in Christ, He is our brother, and we share in His holy family. We become bonded to His people of other cultures, races, and ways of life. And we feel a kinship when we are with them that is beyond what we can feel for our own relatives who do not know the Lord. Jesus’ relatives misunderstood him. And don’t be surprised if your earthly family misjudges you, especially when you are called to do or say something for Christ. When we take a stand for truth and decency, when we stand up for Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we need to be prepared for pushback. Someone we really care about may say, “He is out of his mind.”
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2600 Bell Road Montgomery, Alabama 334.277.6690
460 McQueen Smith Road Prattville, Alabama 334.358.6411
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Establishing Boundaries in
Ministry by Candy Arrington As Marc helped his wife clear the dinner dishes from the table, he realized he was weary. It had been a long, stressful week and he was looking forward to Friday evening at home with his family. “Dad, let’s play a game,” his son called from the family room. “Great! Set up the board and find your sister while I help Mom finish in the kitchen.” Marc loaded the remaining plates, closed the dishwasher, and gave the control knob a spin. He slipped his arms around his wife as she clicked off the stove light. As they walked toward the family room, the phone rang. Marc stepped back into the now darkened kitchen, and grabbed the receiver without checking the caller ID. “Hello” “Marc, I’m so thankful you’re at home! I was afraid you’d be out since it is Friday night. I really need to talk to you. I’m very River Region’s Journey
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upset. This has been the worst week of my life. You just won’t believe what my son said to me. I wish he was more like you. You are the only one who cares about me.” Marc stifled a sigh. The vision of spending a quiet evening with his family vanished. The caller was Lydia, and Marc knew there was no quick escape. When Marc, a member of a large church, was elected to the deaconate and received the names of those in his district, he contacted each family. His phone conversation with Lydia was longer than others, but he wasn’t too concerned, assuming this widow was lonely and needed a sympathetic listener. But over the course of the next few months, Lydia took Marc’s offer to “call if you need me” seriously, and soon, she was calling his home several times a week to report on her health issues, complain about how disinterested her children were in her 32
welfare, or agonize over her finances. Now, Marc dreaded these prolonged conversations with Lydia, and cautioned his wife and children to let him make the decision about answering calls when her number appeared on caller ID. This night, when Marc finally extracted himself from Lydia’s over-long recitation of woes, his family had scattered, the game board abandoned. “Just how far does servanthood extend?” Marc mumbled as he locked up and headed for the bedroom. His question is a valid one. When a position in your church places you in a ministry role, you may encounter people who expect, and require, more time and effort than is normal in a healthy relationship. If you find yourself in that situation, here are some things to remember:
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You can’t meet all needs – There are
some situations that are beyond your personal scope of knowledge and ability to fix. While you can provide encouragement, often, those with emotional or relational issues are so tied to having their needs met by caring individuals that they don’t take steps to improve their situation. They feel affirmed by the compassion, concern, and attention of others and fail to see, or work on, personal issues that need to be addressed. In many cases, they have alienated friends and family members with their clinginess, constant requests, and complaints, and have moved their focus to others who are willing to listen and affirm.
Use discernment – Employ wisdom in assessing the situation with someone who seems overly needy. Spiritually, they may express underlying doctrinal misunderstandings or confusion about the concept of grace. Frequently, they view God as a vengeful, fire-breathing entity and fear retribution for their sins. Observe patterns in what the person says. Often, there is reference to unfairness, unworthiness, lack of self-esteem, and victimization. Be aware these individuals are usually skilled in twisting the truth in order to paint themselves in a more favorable light. Realize that what you are hearing probably
isn’t the whole story. Unless you’re a trained counselor, you don’t have the ability to help sort through these problems. Allowing the person to talk about the same issues over and over doesn’t resolve anything.
Understand personalities – Some have
a melancholy personality that makes them more prone to complaining. While you can offer encouragement and point out blessings, you’re not going to change their personality. Be aware of the areas of vulnerability in your personality, also. Are you a people pleaser? If so, be aware that despite your best efforts to help, there are some people who are never satisfied. Sometimes, we gain a “high” from feeling we are needed, thus creating a cycle of doing for others to feel good about ourselves, or fulfill an unmet need in our own lives. If your spiritual gift is service, it is easy to overdo good works. But keep in mind that if one person or family is sapping all your time and energy your ability to effectively minister to others is diminished.
Resist the guilt factor – Guilt is one of Satan’s greatest tools. Don’t allow guilt to cause you to get sucked into an unhealthy relationship that robs you of personal and family time. Even if the person says you are
the only one who cares, you are not responsible for the happiness, emotional health, or financial status of another.
Protect yourself and your family – Use
discretion in giving out all your personal contact information. Most people will respect your privacy, but giving out all your phone numbers or too much personal information about your family isn’t always wise.
Pray – Ask God to give you wisdom on how
to handle the situation. Spend time reading your Bible. Often, we gain insight and answers through Scripture. God’s perspective is always better than our best wisdom.
Know when to call in reinforcements– Eventually, Marc realized he needed additional help regarding the situation with Lydia. He contacted the associate pastor in charge of pastoral ministries and senior adults at his church, and learned that Lydia, indeed, had long-standing emotional issues and had exhausted the resources of not only his church, but other churches and agencies in the community. The pastor gave Marc advice for backing away from Lydia’s clinginess without making her feel rejected. Candy Arrington is a contributing writer.
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A Perilous Path The Bible warns us against empty pursuits - the thirst to have more money, to gain more material resources, and perhaps to “hit the jackpot” in life. Proverbs 13:7 offers: “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” (NKJV). In Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV), the Bible says: “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.” That verse says in the New Living Translation: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” I did a series of commentaries on The Meeting House on Faith Radio on the perils of gambling, which I believe is a clearly unscriptural practice. I wanted to share some comments here. There is evidence that even those who “win” become losers. An NBC News story about the lottery quotes Paul Golden, a spokesman for the Denver-based non-profit National Endowment for Financial Education: “The perception is that you’re never going to worry about money again. In fact, you’re going to have to worry about it more than you ever, ever have before.” Ron Riggio, a Claremont McKenna professor of leadership and organizational psychology who has studied past lottery winners, said: “Everyone believes that money is going to bring them happiness, but there’s no real evidence of that.” The story also points to research from the University of British Columbia, which found that when people prioritize to have more time at the expense of having less money, they’re happier. The story also quotes Gary Buffone, a psychologist and expert on happiness and money, who told the TODAY show in response to those findings: “People who prioritize time over money make more effort to invest in activities that are expected to River Region’s Journey
April 2016
generate a more stable sense of happiness or enjoyment, such as developing strong social relationships, finding enjoyable hobbies and exercising.” The article did highlight a winner who had carefully managed her finances and things went okay, but also focused on a winner who became a loser, who is quoted as saying five years after his win, “Everybody dreams of winning money, but nobody realizes the nightmares that come out of the woodwork, or the problems.” Financial expert Dave Ramsey says on his website: Perhaps the quickest way to ruin your life is to win the lottery. Don’t laugh. Lots of people think that instantly coming into a few million dollars means life on easy street, money that will be around forever, and no need for responsibility or work. The truth is very rarely does it work out like that for a lottery winner. Unfortunately, a new study published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making finds that people who feel poor are more eager to spend money in an attempt to get rich (this is a good “duh” moment). One recent report found that families who make under $12,400 spend about $645 a year on lottery tickets. Dave says that, “When you are feeling the money crunch, the last thing you want to do is spend what little money you have on a super-long shot for money. The odds of winning a lottery are literally about one in 125 million. He points out: You are 66 times more likely to die from a snake bite.
You are 2,001 times more likely to die in the electric chair! You are 2,201 times more likely to die from a hornet, wasp or bee sting. You are 1,488,095 times more likely to die in a car wreck on the way to the gas station to buy the lottery ticket. He adds, “Banking on winning the lottery is about as ridiculous as it gets!” Ramsey also says, “Forget the lotto. Working hard and saving money is the only surefire way to make money...” There is one of our takeaways right there! The Bible has a prescription for sound financial well-being, and it doesn’t involve the “get rich quick” approach that the lottery and casino gambling offer. The Bible also teaches that the accumulation of wealth does not purchase happiness. We are taught to seek Christ as our sufficiency, to set our desires on the things of His Kingdom. We are instructed not to love money, but to be content in Him. It’s been said that God doesn’t want us not to have things, but He does not want things to have us. Finally, it is unconscionable that there are lawmakers in our state who would suggest using this type of scheme as a fundraising measure for a cash-strapped state government. As people of faith, it is important that we continue to speak out - you can pray and encourage state legislators to resist the temptation to abandon sound monetary principles and embrace an unstable revenue source. 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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2/5/16 10:40 AM
4 Reasons No One Wants to Buy Your Home (And How to Fix It) You’re downright stumped. After months on the market, you’re no closer to a home deal than the day you planted a For Sale sign in the yard. Buyers come. Buyers go. And still no bite. It’s easy to chalk it up to the weather. But we’re here to let you in on a little secret: That may not be the case. Here are four reasons your home may be sitting on the sidelines—and how to get it back in the game.
It’s in Bad Shape
No one wants to drop six figures on a place that’s dingy around the edges. Every corner and crevice should pass the whiteglove test. If you surface cleaned and called it a day, that’s not good enough. Put the wet wipes away and break out the heavy-duty tools. It’s time to scrub your home inside and out! Pay special attention to nitty-gritty details like baseboards, window blinds, ceiling fans and even bathroom caulk. With a little extra
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elbow grease, you can make your home look like new again.
It’s Uninviting
After a month with no interest—despite a strong market and a desirable location— Elizabeth B. realized her dad’s condo left something to be desired. So she helped him transform his bachelor pad into a place that made buyers want to sit and stay a spell. They started by decluttering all the rooms and applying a fresh coat of neutral paint. Then Elizabeth added a few tasteful accents, including pillows and a throw for the living room and lamps and a new duvet for the master bedroom. By the time they deep cleaned and removed personal items, it was ready for show time. “On the first open house after these changes, I put cookies in the oven so that they were cooling when buyers walked through, and we took the cats with us in the car for a couple hours,” Elizabeth says. “The condo sold within 24 hours of this open house.”
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It’s Too Pricey
We know you love your home and you want to want to make as much money on it as you can. After all, you probably need that cash to fund your next home. But if your home has never looked better and still won’t sell, you might be asking too much. A price adjustment may be the only thing standing between you and a snappy home deal.
It’s Not a Priority
The perfect price and condition don’t mean much if buyers don’t know your home’s there in the first place. Sure, most folks these days may conduct their own online searches. But if your listing isn’t actively being marketed, it’s dying a slow death. That’s why it’s so important to have a high-octane agent on your side. A true go-getter won’t sit back and wait for buyers to come. They know how to find and reach the best prospects for your home—and they won’t stop until you have a deal!
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pm pm pm pm pm
First Family Dinner Sanctuary Orchestra Rehearsal First Family Prayer Time Powerhouse (Student Ministry) Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Bring them in... Build them up... Send them out... 305 South Perry Street | Montgomery, AL 36104 334.834.6310 | www.montgomeryfbc.org
Jay Wolf, pastor