River Region Christian - February 2024 by KeepSharing

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Volume 25, Issue 10

Feature Articles

FEBRUARY 2 0 2 4 Columns

page 6

Faith @ Work: Eric Morgan

page 2

Publisher’s Note Jason Watson

We had the pleasure of speaking with CEO of Prattville Baptist Hospital Eric Morgan to discuss faith, raising teenagers and serving his community through his work at the hospital, on the board of the YMCA and in ministry at his church.

page 4

Pastor's Perspective Kyle Searcy, Fresh Anointing House of Worship

page 6

Faith @ Work page 8

4 Marks of a Godly Husband

page 7

Books to Read

by Tim Challies

page 11

Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy

page 15

The Intersection Bob Crittenden

page 12

page 16

Ministry Spotlight:

Counselor’s Corner

The Closet of Love

Wendy Jacobsen, LMFT

by Kym Klass

Sonya Sheets shares what inspired her to begin this ministry serving the needs of foster children and their families. You’ll find out how to get involved by volunteering, contributing financially or through donating the necessities these children and their caregivers need most.

page 20

Dave $ays Dave Ramsey

February 2024

River Region Christians

Our Mission... We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.

Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com

Publisher

Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com

Research Editor Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers Tim Challies Bob Crittenden Wendy Jacobsen, LMFT Kym Klass Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Rev. Kyle Searcy

Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702

Content Manager Anna Watson

Social Media Manager Scott Davis

Ad Design

From the Publisher True Love Many things stick out about the day I married my wife, but my main memory is when she appeared at the end of that long aisle at the back of the church. Her radiance took me aback. Adorned in her beautiful dress and her rosy cheeks blushing through her veil, I was stunned by the fact that she and I were about to become one. I’ve never received such a gift as I did that day. As beautiful of a moment as that was, it didn’t take long before things became more serious when the pastor asked us to recite our vows. Being in love feels so wonderful. It’s intoxicating to have someone say they want to be with you forever, but when that commitment gets defined better by vows that state, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part” you repeat them, but honestly wonder in the back of your mind how well you will do at fulfilling them, even though you know that’s when love takes its truest shape. Our love of others is skewed by our selfish desires. Yet again, the sin in our hearts prevents us from fulfilling what is true and good, like perfect love. But in the haze of our failures, we see the shining light of Christ’s perfect love. Cast against the brokenness of the world, only One stands without fault. Christ is the pure example of love, serving as our guiding light for how we are to love. And, for those who have placed their faith in His offer of redemption, we receive the power of His Spirit to wage war against our idol of self-love. The traditional wedding vows capture the essence of true love’s journey. Christ’s love, revealed in His life and sacrifice, mirrors this commitment at the greatest level. His love for us is unwavering, enduring through the best and worst moments, through abundance and scarcity, and in times of health and sickness. “For better, for worse” reminds us that love is not conditional. Christ’s love never falters, regardless of our circumstances or imperfections. “For richer or poorer” signifies that Christ’s love is not measured by earthly possessions, but by the richness of grace and salvation He offers. “In sickness and health” emphasizes the importance of being there for one another during physical or emotional pain. Christ’s love shines brightly in our deepest suffering, offering us comfort and hope. “To love and to cherish, until death do us part” signifies a commitment that goes beyond the temporal. Christ’s love is eternal, and nothing can separate us from His love. As we collectively celebrate love this month, let’s look to Christ’s sacrificial love and strive, by faith, to sacrificially emulate Him in our relationships by the power of His Spirit at work in us. May we be vessels of Christ’s love to one another, offering a sacrificial love that stands the test of time.

Tim Welch, Welch Designs

River Region Christians is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region Christians is copyrighted 2024 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in River Region Christians 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 Christians has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.

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February 2024

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Pastor’s Perspective by Rev. Kyle Searcy, Fresh Anointing House of Worship

A Name No One Knows But He Himself At the heart of Revelation’s depiction of Christ’s return is a profound assertion of identity and self-assurance. Revelation 19:12 depicts Jesus with “eyes like a flame of fire” and wearing many crowns, a powerful image of majesty and authority. However, one of the most intriguing descriptions is that “He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.” In biblical times, a name was not just a label but an insight into the very essence of a person’s character and nature. The notion of a name known only to oneself is emblematic of the total selfassurance with which Jesus walks. It is an assurance that comes not from external validation but from an intrinsic self-assurance. The Bible extends this concept to believers, suggesting that we, too, can possess a similar assurance. Revelation 2:17 states that those who overcome will be given a new name known only to the recipient. Although these passages speak of a future revelation, I see a present reality we can glean from this. In our modern era, marked by the pervasive influence of social media, many derive their value and worth from what others think about them. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook amplify the importance of likes, comments, and shares, influencing individuals to base their self-worth on external validation. Moreover, a shift toward individualism in our society exacerbates this trend, emphasizing personal success and achievement as a measure of value. Statistics paint a telling picture of this shift. The “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” notes an increase in narcissistic traits among younger generations. The Pew Research Center found that 55% of American teenagers feel they River Region Christians

February 2024

spend too much time on social media, affecting their self-esteem. The American Psychological Association underscores the impact of social media on self-esteem, highlighting how constant online comparison can engender feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. In this social media world, can something have great value to us if we can’t share it, boast of it, or post it? For most, probably not. But we need to adjust this mindset, and we don’t have to wait until we receive an eternal name before it can change. We can begin cultivating a secret history with God now, bringing us total satisfaction, absent human affirmation. Here are three practical steps we can take to get started: Live for an Audience of One: Jesus exemplifies living to please God alone. In John 8:29, He states that He always does what pleases the Father. This principle encourages individuals to seek approval from God rather than from the fleeting and often fickle court of public opinion. Live with a Clear Conscience: Apostle Paul emphasized living with a clear conscience before God and people (Acts 24:16). This calls for daily introspection and correction, ensuring that our actions and thoughts align with biblical and moral standards. Derive Your Identity in Christ: As Colossians 3:3 reminds us, the believer’s life is “hidden with Christ in God.” This profound truth suggests that one’s identity is not rooted in the shifting sands of social media likes or societal accolades but is 4

anchored in the eternal and unchanging nature of Christ. These principles offer a counter-narrative to the self-centered and approval-seeking tendencies of our age. By living for an audience of one, maintaining a clear conscience, and finding our identity in Christ, we can experience a sense of self that is both assured and anchored, irrespective of the surrounding culture’s whims. In applying these principles, the challenge lies in moving against the current of societal norms, embracing a set of values that prioritize intrinsic worth over external affirmation. It calls for a conscious rejection of the metrics of self-worth dictated by social media and society and a turn towards a more introspective and divine measure of value. By embracing these tenets, one can forge a path marked by divine assurance and self-discovery, much like the one whose name is known only to Himself. The journey requires discipline, reflection, and a commitment to spiritual growth, but the promise of a name—and an identity—known only to the individual and their Creator offers a profound source of strength and assurance in a world that all too often tells us we are only as good as the approval we receive from others. So, what’s your new name? Don’t tell me. Just enjoy it and rehearse it with Jesus.

Kyle Searcy serves as senior pastor of Fresh Anointing House of Worship in Montgomery. As well as being a skilled writer and well sought-after speaker, he is husband to the beautiful and anointed, Kemi Searcy. They are the blessed parents of four children and six grandchildren.

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River Region Christians

RRC: Serving at a faith-based organization, what values does Baptist Health extend to the community? EM: Our AIM Statement summarizes it well: “Patients First, Compassionate Care, Pursuing Perfection.” We put our patients at the center of every decision in the framework of a faith-based organization. The Montgomery Baptist Association founded our organization many years ago to meet the healthcare needs of our community. This faith-based mission is integral to everything that we do today. RRC: How does prayer help your day begin positively? EM: I find prayer to be centering. It is an intimate opportunity to speak with God, to express adoration and thanksgiving, and to seek wisdom and guidance in decisions. Through prayer, a positive tone for the day is created for productivity and to give others around you grace throughout the day. It also deepens your connection with God and empowers you to face challenging tasks while gaining strength and courage for your day. Prayer allows individuals to deepen their relationship with God and get to know Him. RRC: As the CEO of Prattville Baptist Hospital, how has your career impacted your walk with Christ? EM: In leadership roles, we should use every opportunity to serve others as Jesus did. As a leader, you have responsibilities and desires to help others. I have the privilege of supporting wonderful teammates who serve our community daily. Working with a dynamic team of people impacts my professional and personal life in a way that shapes me as a leader to continue my personal and professional walk with Christ. There are so many ways to devote your walk to Christ. As a Christian, being open to being taught the truth about Christ, submitting everything in your life to the Lordship of Christ, and gaining strength from Him with all endeavors in life. Through this demonstration of love and service, all draw nearer to Christ. River Region Christians

February 2024

RRC: How has serving on the Board of Management for the YMCA connected you spiritually to the community? EM: I see the missions of the YMCA and Baptist Health to be very closely aligned. Both are faith-based organizations that promote the health and well-being of our community. Serving on this Board with other community leaders allows us to support and advance the mission and outreach of the YMCA and understand unmet needs in our community. The YMCA also hosts many community events focusing on growing spiritually, such as the monthly men’s prayer breakfast. RRC: How do you view your work as a vocation calling and a duty to God? 6

EM: I believe that all people in healthcare are answering a call to serve others. Our team has the privilege of serving others in some of the best experiences of their life, such as the birth of a child. We also have the opportunity to serve our patients and their families in some difficult circumstances as well, such as terminal diagnoses and the loss of a loved one. Through that sacrificial service, our team takes the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. RRC: What advice would you give someone struggling, but desiring to find God and become born again? EM: To engage in the regular study of the Bible, attend church regularly, and seek mentorship and guidance from a pastor. RRC: How do you encourage your teenage children to have a relationship with God? EM: My wife and I do this through home Bible study and devotions, regular church and youth group attendance, and by encouraging conversation about hard life topics that point us back to the Word for guidance. There are many ways that parents can encourage their children to have a relationship with God. Make prayer part of the culture in your home, inviting them to be a part of your time with God, developing a habit of reading the Word and modeling His mercy and grace. RRC: How does serving at your church help you continue being a dedicated Christian despite challenges in life? EM: The Bible is clear about corporate worship and serving others in the church. We all have different spiritual gifts and should use them to serve, particularly in the church. I think giving your time in service to the church helps carry out the mission and demonstrate an act of obedience that draws us closer to Jesus.

Eric Morgan is married to Miranda Morgan since 2005. They have two children, Chase (15) and Jesse (13). The family lives in Prattville.

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Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy

Envy: A Big Problem You Didn’t Know You Had

by Jamie Dunlop

by Mike Fabarez

An election year is upon us and with it all the debate, suspicion, and rancor that is sure to accompany the culmination of another four-year cycle. Though the election is still months away, I’m already dreading the inevitable interpersonal struggles that will come with it and even the strains it may bring to the unity of my local church. My concern is less for the unity of my nation than the unity of my church. In so many ways Christians are challenged to maintain a strong unity despite deep differences. But I wonder if we often think wrongly about the challenges to our unity, and especially our unity within the local church. In Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy, Jamie Dunlop insists that our differences are not so much a bug within the local church, but a feature, and not so much a problem but an opportunity. “The differences and disagreements that threaten to tear your church apart are filled with potential to proclaim the glory of our good and gracious God.” That’s the burden of his book. That’s the burden of his book and he defends his position well. Leaning heavily on the words of the Apostle Paul, he shows that God means for the unity we have in Christ despite our differences to be a primary means God uses to display his goodness and glory. This means that the differences that threaten to tear your church apart are opportunities to demonstrate that being “in accord with Christ Jesus” is all we need to be in “harmony with one another.” That’s how “with one voice” we “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Dunlop unfolds his perspective and his challenge across eight chapters, each of which provides a thematic examination of a different section of Romans. He shows that unity has a unique way of displaying the glory of God; that the kind of love we must extend toward others flows from the mercy God has shown to us; that disunity in the local church tells lies about Jesus; that divine justice empowers us to extend full forgiveness; that people we dislike often act in faith and our worthy of our love and friendship; and so on. “Jesus is creating a stunning picture of his glory in your church, and no matter your flaws and failings, he will succeed,” he insists. “Jesus is creating a stunning picture of his glory through the faith of those you struggle to love, and he will succeed. Jesus is creating a stunning picture of his glory through your faith-filled love, as imperfect as it may be. And he will succeed. This is the hope we have through faith in Christ.” I would be hard-pressed to find a book that is more likely to benefit you and your church in the year ahead.

I still remember, and may never forget, the first time I stopped to consider envy. I was reading a book by Os Guinness and was blindsided by a section on that particular sin. I immediately understood that it was prominent in my life and immediately began to take steps to address it. The process took some time and the sin still lingers, but its power has been broken and its grip diminished. I am still prone to occasional bouts of envy, but, by grace, I have learned to identify it and counter it. Because I know I am prone to the sin of envy, I find value in pausing to consider it from time to time. Most recently this took the form of Mike Fabarez’s new book Envy: A Big Problem You Didn’t Know You Had. That one little word envy, he says, “represents an injurious threat to your sanctification. It has probably already racked up a multitude of hits in your life. And much of the pain it has caused has been lamented and grieved. But I find we all too often fail to connect the dots.” It is, after all, a sin that has a way of flying under the radar. We identify its consequences and lament them, but rarely identify the sin, admit its presence, and put it to death. Every book on envy makes it clear that envy is a particularly insidious sin. They all make it clear that it has long been considered among the worst when it comes to the evil it works within our hearts and lives. They all make it clear that Christians of bygone eras were far more concerned about it than we are today and far more dedicated to dealing with it. It’s for good reason that it appears on the list of the “seven deadly sins” and that it is the father of many other transgressions. Fabarez’s purpose is to provide some biblically guided exposure to this sin—to show where it may exist in our lives, how it may be manifesting itself, and where it may be reaping evil consequences. For it is only when we are familiar with the sin that we can identify it and put it to death. He calls Christians to diligently examine themselves to see if and how this sin is present in their lives. Then he calls them to combat the sin with love and rejoicing—to love other people and to rejoice in their happiness, joys, and successes. This is a short book, but one that packs a punch. It is a helpful examination of a particularly deceptive and odious sin and it offers a biblical solution to it. Those who read Envy may just find themselves grappling with a big problem they didn’t know they had. Even better, those who read it will be equipped to repent of that problem and to put to death that sin. 7

February 2024

River Region Christians

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by Tim Challies

River Region Christians

February 2024

ing cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish,” (Eph. 5:26-27). “If we follow this progression we see the Christian gospel in terms of Christ’s preparation of a bride for himself.” Christ is actively sanctifying his people through the word to cleanse us from sin and make us holy. Paul now says that a husband is to see this as his model for the way he relates to his bride. “As Christ’s love redeems us for glory, a husband’s love ought to be directed toward the spiritual growth of his wife. Notice, too, that this ministry is associated with a husband’s words. The Greek word used here is thema, which signifies actual words, rather than the more common logos which speaks of a message in general. This makes the point of how important a husband’s words are to his wife. Far from badgering or tearing down his wife with his speech, loving husbands are to remind their wives of God’s love and minister for their blessing and increased spiritual maturity.”

“Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25a). On the one hand it is such a simple statement, a simple command. Simply love. On the other hand there is not a husband in the world who would say that he has mastered it. Behind the simple command is a lifetime of effort, a lifetime of growth. How is a husband to love his wife? What is the kind of love that he owes her? I am tracking here with Richard Phillips as he explains in his commentary on Ephesians.

A Self-Sacrificing Love

A husband’s love is self-sacrificing. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” (Ephesians 5:25). Every husband knows that he is called to love his wife to such a degree that he would be willing to die for her. But God calls for far more than this. “It is easy for men to think of dying dramatically—and bloodily—for our wives in some grand gesture. But what Paul specifically has in mind is for husbands to live sacrificially for their wives. This means a dying to self-interest to place her needs before your own. It means a willingness to crucify your sins and selfish habits and unworthy character traits. I remember a husband who told me he had always thought that if a man came into the house with a knife to attack his wife, sure, he would be willing to die defending her. ‘Then I realized,’ he said, ‘that emotionally and spiritually, I am that man who assaults my wife and threatens her well-being. What God calls me to do is put my own sinful self to death’.” Exactly so. You would die for your wife, but will you live for her?

A Caring Love

A husband’s love is also a caring love. “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body,” (Eph. 5:28-30). A man’s care for his wife should be as careful and intimate as his care for his own body. Paul offers two key words to describe this: nourish and cherish. A husband cares for his wife by nourishing her heart much like a gardener nourishes his plants. “This requires him to pay attention to her, to talk with her in order to know what her hopes and fears are, what dreams she has for the future,

A Redeeming Love

A husband’s love is, like Christ’s love, redeeming. Christ “gave himself up for [the church], that he might sanctify her, hav-

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February 2024

River Region Christians

where she feels vulnerable or ugly, and what makes her anxious or gives her joy.” A husband cherishes his wife “in the way he spends time with her and speaks about her, so that she feels safe and loved in his presence.” Phillips offers this warning: “In my experience, a husband’s caring love is one of the greatest needs in most marriages. [A] wife’s heart is dried up by a husband who pays her little attention, takes no interest in her emotional life, and does not connect with her heart.”

Dajialyn

A Committed Love

Heart Transplant Survivor

The path to mending her heart began Dajialyn was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and at 3 months old was placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant. When her foster parents got the call to care for her, they never hesitated – and in July 2021, they received the call with the news she would get her new heart. Within hours she was at Children’s of Alabama in surgery. Her transplant was a success, and Dajialyn is walking, talking and doing all the things that keep parents of any toddler on their toes.

ChildrensAL.org/heart 1600 7TH AVE. S.

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Finally, a husband’s love is a committed love. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,” (Eph. 5:31). In the same way that Christ is utterly faithful to his church, a husband is to be completely faithful to his wife. This is signified in the one flesh union which is “the sharing of a whole life in the safe bounds of committed love.” One great barrier to this kind of love is when a husband does not transfer his allegiance from his parents to his wife, thus not fully leaving his father and mother. “A husband who shares marital secrets with his parents or who cannot break free from his family’s control is not able to offer his wife the devotion she needs.” Another great barrier is sexual sin. “Marriage involves forsaking all others in favor of an exclusive, intimate, and indivisible bond. In Paul’s pagan world, as in our own, marriage was undermined by insecurity, as men and women exchanged partners the way they changed clothes. But a Christian husband offers his wife the security of a committed love, in which she can blossom emotionally and spiritually.” A husband commits to his wife to the exclusion of all others. In all of these ways a Christian marriage is a portrait of Christ’s union with his church. “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” When we see this intimate connection between marriage and the gospel, we understand that “There is nothing more profound in all this world than the sacred bond of marriage, and no more solemn duty than those owed by a wife to her husband and a husband to his wife.” So husband, do you love your wife? In what ways do you need to love her better, to love her just like Christ loves his church?

Tim Challies is an author, blogger and book reviewer. Visit him at www.challies.com.

River Region Christians

February 2024

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Your Anthem of the Day Did you ever wonder why a song showed up in your head randomly? Maybe, like me, you awoke with an oldie from your teenage years when you listened to music from the top 40. Or perhaps you started humming a tune and spent half the day trying to figure out the words to the song. My friend’s grandmother, who had a major stroke, could not say “yes” or “no” but could sing ”Amazing Grace” from start to finish. What is happening? Music, particularly music with words, is remembered in a different way than speech or what we read as prose. This is because music uses both sides of the brain. The left hemisphere decodes speech and its content. The right hemisphere decodes the music, including melody, harmony, and rhythm. Because the music is decoded simultaneously on both sides of the brain, it can be accessed even if one side is damaged or is inoperative for some reason. Each side can strengthen the other for random access. This is important to you because the music you have in your memory core can influence you as you remember it – the positive messages as well as the negative messages. How important is musical praise in your life? It says in Isaiah 42:21, “…the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” Here is our job description, our purpose in a nutshell. Yes, we can praise

God with our words and our obedience, but songs are a significant way to communicate our praise, thanksgiving, worship, and love to Him. Obviously, prolific songwriter King David knew this to be true! You can use a song to transform your daily life from merely going through the motions to conducting a powerful conversation between you and God. Psalm 59:16a says to start the day with something even better than a good breakfast! “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love.” Can you imagine a stressless morning getting the family off to school, work, etc., because you sing to yourself while readying the troops? As major influencers of the next generation, women can set a standard for how family members will learn to praise through music. Psalm 40:3 says, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” I have witnessed very young children singing their favorite movie music. What about favorite songs about God? Living a life of praise is supposed to be as regular as any other habit. Ephesians 5:19 says, “As you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.” God can commune with you while you work. Psalm 147:1 declares, “How good it 11

is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” To avoid having family members or co-workers wonder what has happened to you, you can always hum a tune. I have often heard this excuse as to why someone doesn’t sing praise: “I can’t hold a tune in a bucket!” Yet Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” I reason that if trees praise God (it says so in 1 Chronicles 16:33) just by being trees, if dolphins praise God just by being what God created them to be, then we should praise God, especially because we have a soul and a spirit that can go beyond our mere physical existence. Don’t feel like praising? During trouble, the strongest testimony you have as a Christian woman is to live your life by faith. Psalm 32:7 promises, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” I heard a testimony of a young teenage girl who experienced open racial discrimination at school and whose dad was dying slowly from disease. She came home from school most days feeling like a worn-out, defeated nobody. But she would sit at the piano and begin playing chords she knew. Sometimes, she would remember a song from church and begin singing it to the Lord. Sometimes, just like David, she just sang from her heart what was happening. By dinnertime, her transformation was evident to her family. It was a witness to them, a living testimony of her closeness to God. Pull out your mental “songbook” so you can regularly and deliberately alter your outlook through a special song for the day. It’s as natural to all of creation as taking a breath. Woman of God, watch your 24/7 change as you minister your anthem of the day! February 2024

River Region Christians

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Sonya Sheets took her passion to care for children and turned it into a growing ministry that offers compassion to those in the foster care program and throughout the department of human resources.

River Region Christians

February 2024

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Closet of Love, founded in 2019, collects new and gently used infant, child, and teen-related items and gives them to those in foster care. The nonprofit is a donation and volunteer-driven organization that partners with churches and businesses throughout the region. Driven by Proverbs 31:8 – Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves – the ministry knows those partners who walk alongside them help make it possible to give and to serve. On December 23, Sheets posted in a public Closet of Love Facebook post: 534 children in foster care and protective services were fully sponsored for Christmas. (With amazing gifts!) 40 individuals in Adult Protective Services received baskets full of presents. We helped 149 more children this year than last year. My heart is so full and happy. Not only did every wish list I receive get sponsored, but these children received amazing gifts. I saw so many PlayStations, Nintendo Switches, shoes, clothes, and popular toys being given. I saw so many sponsors carefully choose each and every present they bought. I work so hard to make sure each child receives amazing presents... because children in foster care deserve to have nice things and know how much they are loved. Here, Sheets shares about the ministry, what she loves about serving, and how the community can help. Kym: For those learning about your ministry today, please share what Closet of Love is about. Sonya: Closet of Love is a foster closet that provides for children, adults, and families who are involved with the Department of Human Resources. The donations vary from diapers and wipes to beds and mattresses, depending on the need. Throughout the year, I provide necessities to these groups and to try to support DHR in assorted ways as well. For Christmas, Closet of Love fulfills wish lists for all children in foster care, child protective services, and adult protective services. This massive undertaking cannot be met without the support of individual sponsors, businesses, and local churches.

coming into care with nothing but the clothes on their backs. I’ve always been a smart shopper and knew I could make the most out of every dollar. I decided to align my three passions of helping children, being a foster parent, and shopping to start Closet of Love.

Kym: Why is this ministry important?

Kym: How many foster families have been served over the years?

Sonya: In college, I studied social science and have always felt a passion for helping children. Twelve and a half years ago, my husband and I became foster parents. I witnessed first-hand children

Sonya: There is a very small community of foster parents in the River Region who foster most of the children entering care. I have helped hundreds of families and thousands of children. This Christmas 13

alone, 534 children in foster care and 40 adults in protective services were fully sponsored through the Closet of Love. We helped 149 more children this Christmas compared to the previous year. Kym: How many articles of clothing/toys/ furniture have been donated? Sonya: Thousands of items have been purchased or donated. When a child comes into care, I try to give them a large bag that includes clothing, socks, underwear, shoes, diapers, wipes, books, and toys. While this may be the typical provided solution, I have also furnished a February 2024

River Region Christians

new apartment for a teenager aging out of foster care. I have provided beds for families to keep sibling groups together. I try to provide a combination of brand new and gently used items because these children in need deserve quality products like any other child would want. Kym: Aside from the items provided to foster families, how else do you feel this ministry serves them? Sonya: Closet of Love provides a community of people who are all interested in helping children. Being a foster parent is very lonely at times, (and) I think it’s so important for these families to have a place to feel supported and loved by others. Kym: Why should the community invest (even prayerfully) in Closet of Love? Sonya: One person caring can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life. The more people know about the needs of local children, the more they want to help. The more people know about my closet, the more children and families I can help. Most of my requests are for simple items like diapers, wipes, shoes, or new clothes. These are items that someone already has or knows someone who has

them available. If not, they are reasonable in price and a donation can meet the need. Most people can spare $5 to help. When I find a great deal, I will ask for donations and people can see directly what their donations are going towards. Sometimes it’s baby blankets I found for $1, or around Christmas time, I found basketball goals on sale for $50. With the help of donations, I was able to purchase six. Kym: What do you love most about serving? Sonya: I love helping children in need. When you’re passionate about something, it doesn’t feel like service. I love knowing that these children are getting quality, new items that they need. I also love seeing people come together for a common goal of helping local children.

To volunteer: Join Closet of Love on Facebook. Needs and volunteer opportunities are posted throughout the year. For Questions or to contribute financially:

Message on Facebook, or email Sonya Sheets at ssheets14@gmail.com.

DHR: Did you Know?

A total of 770 children from Alabama’s foster care system were adopted in FY 2022. They were among 3,628 children who exited DHR care during the year, having achieved their permanency goals. (2022 Alabama Department of Human Resources Annual Report)

Currently in Alabama, there are approximately 6,000 children in foster care. Some simply need foster care for a matter of days. Others may need foster care until they are reunited with their biological family or a plan is made for them to be adopted. (Alabama Department of Human Resources)

Who are the Children Needing Foster Care?

* Children from all ethnic and economic groups. * Children with backgrounds or experiences that have placed them at risk. * Brothers and sisters who need to stay together. * Teens with various degrees of mental, physical or emotional problems. * Children of all ages who cannot currently live with their birth families due to the risk of neglect, physical or sexual abuse. (Alabama Department of Human Resources) Kym Klass is a contributing writer and Communications Director of the Media Ministry at Frazer Church in Montgomery.

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Topics Impacting

Christians in 2023

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Each year on The Meeting House program, heard weekdays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Faith Radio, I highlight topics impacting the Christian community from the preceding year, including comments from Meeting House guests during the year. In 2023, there was a clear contrast between the Christian worldview perspective and the advance of worldly ideas that are not consistent with Scripture. In examining some of the trends, it is apparent that there are influential people who desire to see the Christian messages muted and silenced. I wrote in an article in the most recent Faith Radio Ministry Magazine, which explores the theme, Seeing Cultural Trends Through a Biblical Lens: Cancel culture, combined with the increase in technology being used to monitor personal behavior, is a potentially toxic mix for Christians. Investment and banking decisions that do not line up with unbiblical, “progressive” points of view, as well as employment decisions that prevent Christians from obtaining or maintaining job status, are becoming more prevalent. Christians find themselves excluded from expressing their faith in the workplace.

I described this current atmosphere as “unprecedented.” I have seen instances of Christians who desire to have a voice in the culture ridiculed and criticized for loving God first, as well as loving their country. We should be engaging in robust and respectful discussions about issues that

count in our culture, yet too often, Christians become involved in arguments that are not centered around substance and find themselves on the receiving end of attempts to silence them. In two of the major developments in 2023, Christians seeking to express their faith publicly found relief at the U.S. Supreme Court. In Groff v. DeJoy, the high court determined that a former postal worker who was not allowed an accommodation from having to work on Sunday did not receive the proper treatment, resulting in a declaration that employment law should provide for greater sensitivity for faith in the workplace. Another ruling, in 303 Creative v. Elenis, it was determined that a graphic designer should not be forced to communicate messages that violated her deeply held religious beliefs. The Christian perspective has received a greater voice in the arena of sexuality. Throughout the years, the agenda to normalize transgenderism has found more space to proliferate in our society. This has been seen in areas from the participation of biological males in girls’ sports to the availability of treatments and surgeries that falsely promise that a child can change his or her sex. Parents are finding that information has been hidden from them regarding their students’ sexual struggles, and educators are being forced to hide information and use “gender” (not biological) pronouns. The sexualization of small children, including indoctrination regarding LGBT activity, continues to be a concern. But there is good news: there has been pushback in all of these areas. Legislatively, according to The Washington Stand, the news arm of Family Research Council: In all, 23 state legislatures passed 84 separate laws this year preventing minors from being subjected to transgender surgeries, securing parental rights, shielding kids from sexually 15

explicit drag queen shows, safeguarding the privacy of women’s facilities, ensuring fairness in women’s sports, and strengthening religious conscience rights. As 2023 comes to a close, 193 more bills are currently advancing through the legislative process nationwide, and legislators voted down another 227 bills, according to a tally from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

And, this summer during so-called “Pride Month” in June, companies faced economic reprisals by customers for embracing that agenda. The advance of this trans agenda has been met and opposed by parents who wish to be informed by education officials regarding their children’s possible struggles in the area of sexuality. Some school districts in California have passed parental notification policies, with one district facing legal action by the state. A topic that I covered on The Meeting House gives us hope for the future of our nation and the advance of Biblical Christianity: a move of God’s Spirit occurred for a two-week period at Asbury University in Kentucky - people came from across the nation to see how God was touching the hearts of students, who were engaging in worship, confession of sin, and public proclamation. Other campuses experience unusual expressions of the presence of God. In September at Auburn University, an event at the basketball arena drew thousands, with hundreds moving to another location - a local lake - to be baptized. Even though there are discouraging signs and there are many who would want to snuff out the light of the gospel, there are God’s faithful people who desire to live their lives according to the Bible and to radiate the life of Jesus within them. As long as God has His people living and speaking the truth, there is hope for our nation. February 2024

River Region Christians

Cultivating Resilience Whether it is grief, addiction, a broken relationship, debilitating anxiety, or depression, there are parts of us that hurt so bad sometimes we do not know how we will get through another day. The ability to persevere through unimaginable challenges and trauma is resilience. Resilience: Many of us walk through life feeling overwhelmed. We begin to cultivate resilience by working to feel calm and safe in our bodies. Often, in therapy, we begin this by engaging the vagus nerve through diaphragmic breathing. This slows our heart rate and the release of adrenaline into our nervous system when we are frightened, stressed, overwhelmed, or experiencing any of the symptoms of flight or fight. By slowing down our autonomic nervous system in this way, we can begin to engage our parasympathetic nervous system. When in the presence of an emotionally safe person who listens and understands our story, perspective, and feelings, we come down from flight or fight nervous state reactions and engage with the world in a new and calmer state. We then learn coping strategies to manage living in the world in a variety of contexts that previously felt overwhelming. Arielle Schwartz defines resilience as an ability to adapt to challenging, adverse, or traumatic life events. Developing this ability to adapt and be resilient requires intentionalRiver Region Christians

February 2024

ity. As we start to take the steps toward healing, we begin to hope that growth is possible. It is an iterative process; the positive change accumulates. After learning how to feel calm and secure in our own bodies, we are better able to integrate our other sources of strength that together form resilience. The first source of strength I will highlight is faith. Faith: Our belief that God is with us through this pain, strengthening us and comforting us, helps carry us through these difficult times. David states in the famous Psalm 23, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” In our suffering, God is with us. We pray, we meditate, and we seek the presence of God in the midst of our pain. We demonstrate spiritual resilience. God shows his love to us by placing people into our lives to abide with us through these hard times. Kindness shown to us amidst suffering can bring incredible strength to our spirit. Mental Game: Another source of strength that we can grow is our mental game. One of the most prominent researchers on resilience is Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University. She developed the term “growth mindset.” A person with a growth mindset believes that their abilities are not fixed, not set in stone. Our abilities can be grown and developed by incorporating better approaches and strategies. For instance, in educational settings, sometimes children think they are unintelligent because they have earned low grades. Sadly, this perspective might stick with them for years. Rather than a consequence of a lack of innate intelligence, often the grades earned were due to other factors, like not having a quiet, set place to study and do homework. A fixed mindset 16

says, “I’m just not smart; I give up.” A growth mindset says, “I am smart; I just need to try something different.” A growth mindset contributes to resilience as we learn to adapt our approach to deal with challenges. Using a growth mindset to deal with hardships is the mental part of resilience. Physical Health: The third source of strength I will highlight is the physical aspect. Somatic (body-based) movement helps release stress and calm our nervous system. Whether it is playing a musical instrument, dancing, exercising, or painting, creative somatic expression helps calm our nervous system and release positive feelings (due to endorphins and dopamine) into our bodies that help us feel good, empowering us to face our challenges with strength. Sleeping well and eating well help heal and fuel our bodies, decreasing our stress and increasing our strength. Trauma Treatment: The final source of strength is trauma treatment. Our brain, body, emotions, thoughts, and spirit are all connected. Trauma experienced throughout our lives is stored in the brain and throughout the body. Untreated trauma can cause deep emotional stress that research has shown contributes to many types of health issues. Using evidence-based trauma treatment methods alongside verbal processing, trauma in the body and brain can be worked through, healed, and learned from. Working through trauma and finding healing and freedom can be an incredible source of strength. Wendy Jacobsen is licensed as an LMFT in Alabama and California. She has also worked extensively with couples and in community mental health with people of all ages. She is a Level 1 trained PACT therapist. Wendy’s therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, humanistic, and multicultural. Therapeutic modalities she utilizes are trauma-informed, evidence-based and incorporated as determined by the client’s needs. These include Trauma-Focused CBT, psychobiological approach to couples therapy (PACT), somatic mindfulness, and attachmentbased therapy.

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February 2024

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Adoption

Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery APAC, Alabama Pre/ Post Adoption Connection Support Group: This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call Jill Sexton at 409-9477.

Alcoholic / Addiction

Location: Christchurch Anglican, 8800 Vaughn Rd Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday night. Dinner at 6:00, nursery available for children 4 and under. Large Meeting starts at 6:30. For information, contact Dolly McLemore 334-301-3490. Location: Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery An Alanon meeting is held at 9 am on Saturday mornings. Call 272.2190 for details.

or life-challenging issues.” For information, call Chris Henderson at 334-215-0427. Location: First United Methodist Church, 306 W. Tuskeena Street, Wetumpka ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. For any information contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428. Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Awaken is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets Thursday from 6-7:30 pm. For more information email riverregion@ route1520.com, visit http:// www.route1520.com/men/ groups-for-men or call 877-2000-1520. Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is open to all struggling with addictive sexual behaviors which may lead to guilt, shame, depression, anxiousness, and loneliness. Examples included use of pornography, adultery, fantasy, reckless sexual behavior, and more. Meetings are Sunday nights. For meeting times and location, please contact – MontgomerySAA@outlook.com or call 334245-1686. For more resources on sex addiction, please visit - https://saa-recovery.org/.

Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy. Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6 p.m. An Open AA Speaker meeting is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. An Alanon & AA held on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Alzheimer’s / Dementia

Location: Heritage Baptist Church, 1849 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets: Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM CST. Email montgomery@route1520. com, visit http://www.route1520.com/men/groups-formen/ or call 877.200.1520.

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 495-6343. for more information.

Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990.

Cancer

Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Mondays beginning at 6:15 pm. Childcare available. Call John Pearse at 303-243-4308 or visit myjourneychurch.com.

Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us. Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week. Please call Debbie D at 467-4578 or Ben

Location: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 E Main St. CASA - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions. Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334-365-4201 for additional information.

W at 202-1912.

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

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.

River Region Christians

February 2024

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Central Alabama Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month in Room 3105. Contact Joe Crowley at 334-207-4385 or jpcrowl46@yahoo.com Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group, providing education, awareness, and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family and friends, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@ charter.net

Divorce Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesdays, August 16 — November 8 | 6:00 PM | Room B405 Find help and healing in the hurt of separation and divorce. This class is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. The seminar will feature videos of top experts on divorce and recovery, followed by support group discussion. Facilitated by Robert Gassman Location: Centerpoint Fellowship 1200 McQueen Smith Road South, Prattville, AL Divorce Care Sundays @ 9:00 am in the Conference Room. Child care is available. Contact Angie Davis at 730-2566 for information.

Gambling

Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community. The church is 1 1/2 miles past Tutweiler prison. Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. and Mondays at 6:30 pm. Call 567-0476.

Location: Mental Health of America, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm. For more information about the GA meetings call 334399-6918. For information about counseling services or to request a guest speaker please call the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling at 334-277-5100.

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Grief Location: Cornerstone Christian, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. Welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com. 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. Location: Church of the Highlands, 4255 Taylor Rd. Eryn’s Embrace offers hope and healing to children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one through peer support groups. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4-5:15. More info: www.erynsembrace.org; erynsebrace@gmail.com; Erin Camp 334-657-1871. Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St. A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way. Wednesdays, August 16 – November 8 | 6:00 PM Room B415. Facilitated by Ben Kelley & Cathy O’Dell

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy GriefShare, Wednesday mornings 10am -12pm in the East Sanctuary. Spring group meets through April 26. Fall group from Sept. 6 through Nov. 29. For information call the church 272-8622. Dian Sims (facilitator) Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka, AL 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. 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.

Parenting Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 South Washington Moms LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting. For moms of all stages and ages of life. Childcare provided by reservation. Call April Scott at 828-446-6666 for more information.

Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800. Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174. Location: Redland Baptist Church, 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: Young Meadows Church, 5780 Vaughn Rd River Region MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am (September-May). Interested moms can reach out to riverregionmops334@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. riverregionmops334@gmail.com.

Send support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com.

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February 2024

River Region Christians

It’s a Credit Card Addiction Q. I think my mother-in-law has a serious credit card problem. She can’t afford stuff, but she shops anyway, chalks up more and more debt, acquires more credit cards, and thinks she’ll pay for it all later somehow. Her ex-husband has bailed her out a few times, but he’s unwilling to help anymore. My wife and I, and my wife’s sister, want to address this issue, but we’re all worried about her reaction, and we don’t know where to start. Do you have any advice?

A. First, everyone involved should understand they’re likely to receive an angry response from this lady if she’s confronted over her actions. Sometimes people get ticked off when they hear the truth, especially when it’s connected to their own misbehavior. It may even be a good idea for your wife and her sister to

River Region Christians

February 2024

get some advice from a family counselor beforehand. Really, what we’re talking about here is an intervention. Also, you need to stay out of the discussion. This is something for her daughters to handle. Support your wife and her sister through it all, but if you’re in there asking questions and probing around, you’re liable to come off as the evil son-in-law. And you folks don’t need to add any more problems to the mix. They need to sit down with her in a quiet setting, one where there are no interruptions, no television and no one else. Start with the fact that they love her and

care about her deeply. That’s very important in a situation like this. But they also have to walk through what’s really going on, and let her know they’re tired of watching her destroy herself, and her finances, with her irresponsible behavior. If she had a drinking problem, you’d want to try to make her see how alcohol was hurting her and the relationships she has with her family. In this case, she basically has a credit card addiction. And it’s wreaking havoc on her financial well-being and people who care about her. So, show as much love and understanding as possible. But someone needs to say something soon.