I would rather be able to run the bases after my home run hit than have to stop to catch my breath by 2nd. - Josie, 7th grade
For more information visit AlabamaHealthyTeens.com
Volume 22, Issue 1
Feature Articles
APRIL 20 2 0 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note page 12
Jason Watson
Faith @ Work: Rick Jackson
page 4
Pastor's Perspective
Get to know the Chief Professional Officer of the River Region’s Boys and Girls Clubs. Rick Jackson shares how his family growing up shaped the man he is today, plus practices he incorporates to stay strong in the Lord on a daily basis.
Rev. Jay D. Cooper, First UMC Montgomery
page 10
Moments with Kym Kym Klass
page 18
Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy
page 20
page 20
He Is Not Dead
The Intersection
by Marshall Segal, Desiring God Ministries
Bob Crittenden
Be encouraged as you celebrate seven victories that Jesus won on Easter Sunday!
page 28
Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
page 22
Ministry Spotlight:
In Every Issue
Threads of Love
page 6
by Katie Blair
Meeting at Frazer UMC in Montgomery, this ministry is about helping the healing of the hearts of parents facing the birth of a premature baby or the loss of an infant. Use your sewing skills to get involved in this mission to show parents the love of Christ at a time when their personal pain is hard to endure and let them know that God is faithful. 1
Books to Read page 12
Faith @ Work page 25
Support Groups
April 2020
River Region’s Journey
Our Mission... We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.
Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com
Publisher
Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com
Associate Publisher Gena Hill
Research Editor Wendy McCollum
Contributing Writers Katie Blair Rev. Jay D. Cooper Bob Crittenden Kym Klass Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Marshall Segal Dr. David Steele
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702
Digital Manager Scott Davis
Ad Design
Tim Welch, Welch Designs
Distribution Manager Charles Silliman
From the Publisher Which story about my plans not working out would you like me to share? I’ve got the one where I was cut from the high school baseball team. Then the one when my job got so stressful a piece of my mustache fell off. Another one was when my mother died a few months after she was declared cancer free. I’ve got stories like these about my marriage, my kids, my job, my finances, my health and my faith. I know you do too, and I’m sorry because these real-life stories really hurt. Even now, as we all face COVID-19, you may be fearful for your job, your child’s education, even your life or the life of an older family member. As difficult and as trying as all of these things are to walk through, I want you to know there’s an anchor that holds in all storms and offers the hope that, no matter the circumstance, your life will be in a better place on the other side. That anchor is the God of the Bible. God offers us a true version of life, full of peace even in uncertain times like we’re in now. That’s because in His version, the true version, He’s the one in charge – not you or me...and He’s good. If you or I were in charge of making sure everything turns out correctly we’d be doomed. We’re just not that gifted. If you don’t believe me you can find the right answer by pulling out your phone and searching “Job 38” in the Bible app. Sadly, this hasn’t stopped us from trying to make ourselves into God. Because we’ve all at some point rejected God’s reign over our lives, thinking we know what’s best, we’ve brought upon ourselves the Creator’s judgement and wrath. But God, rich in mercy and grace, sent His Son to rescue us from our rebellion and the death penalty we deserve. That’s what we celebrate this month on Easter. Jesus, God’s Son, took the death we deserve, but in righteousness was raised back to life the victor over death. Jesus now invites you to make Him Lord over your life, accepting His sacrifice on your behalf, and coming to God to be His child, loved fully and unconditionally forever. If you want true peace that surpasses all understanding, it can only be found in the true life God offer us in Jesus. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?... For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-32, 38-39) “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?... Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25-24)
Grace and Peace!
River Region’s Journey is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region’s Journey is copyrighted 2020 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in River Region’s Journey are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region’s Journey has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.
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Pastor’s Perspective
by Rev. Jay D. Cooper, First United Methodist Church, Montgomery
Remove the Labels! How did Jesus pass all of these tests and resist so many temptations when I find it difficult to give up Diet Coke for a few days? That’s the point: where I am weak, Jesus is strong. When we fall short, Jesus fills in the gaps. In moments of inadequacy, Jesus says we are enough in God’s sight. One of the things we do as human beings is the harmful practice of labeling. We label one another. We label ourselves. We allow others to label us. Think about it: we fall into political categories, sports affiliations, school preferences, social circles, values based on possessions, and the list goes on and on. These can become identity markers, the ways by which we want to be identified or how we choose to identify others. But deeper elements of our human condition also indicate how we label ourselves and others with harmful labels such as shame, guilt, mental illness, -ISMs and phobias, broken relationships, addictive behaviors, and so forth. Are we truly content with being identified by these Fitness for Everyone • Summer Camp • Youth Sports • Ability Programs labels or by how we see others through the lenses of these labels? During Lent, prattvilleymca.org • (334) 361-0268 our congregation
Throughout the season of Lent, our congregation has been in a wilderness journey. This 40-day period of fasting, praying, examining our hearts, and purging all the spiritual bile from our lives is grueling. But we are following the steps of Jesus, who also underwent a 40-day period in the wilderness where he was tempted by the Adversary with all the sustenance, power, and relevance this world could possibly provide. Jesus resisted it all, citing the most important relationship a person can have is with God.
NOT A CLUB... A COMMUNITY
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has been making the journey by removing labels—from ourselves, others, our community, the world—because at the end of this season, Jesus will stand before the world and say, “Behold, I make all things new.” In other words, no more labels. It is time to see people as people! Because of Jesus the Christ we have the freedom to resist harmful labels. We have the power, actually, to resist all evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. Through the power of resurrection, we are invited to be identified by only one set of labels, a new set—as children created in God’s image, redeemed by Christ, and gifted by the Holy Spirit. How do you view yourself? How do you see others? I invite you to remove whatever labels this world has attached to you or you have attached to yourself. See people as people. You are enough just as you are. Others are enough in God’s sight, too. You are a child of God. Others are created in God’s image, too. If no one has told you today that God loves you, then on behalf of First United Methodist Church, God loves you, and so do we.
Rev. Jay D. Cooper received his Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and will complete his Doctor of Ministry in May 2020. A devoted member of the community, Rev. Cooper serves on the board of the Samaritan Counseling Center, the Board of Trustees at Huntingdon College, and the Knabe Scholarship Board at Faulkner University. He is also an active part of ONE Montgomery. Jay and his wife, Susan, have been married for 25 years and have two adult daughters, Caroline Dunn (Joshua) and Ella Cate Cooper. In his spare time, Jay enjoys staying active, enjoying the outdoors, woodworking, visiting art galleries, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
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MAUNDY THURSDAY APRIL 9 | 7 PM
Our pews may be empty, but so was the tomb! Watch live as we journey through Holy Week and celebrate the resurrection of Christ the King on Easter Sunday morning!
Watch Live:
GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 10 | 7 PM
enquire today!
@FUMCMontgomery www.fumcmontgomery.org WSFA Channel 12 FUMC Montgomery
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(334) 834-8990 | 2416 W CLOVERDALE PARK 5
EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 12 | 11 AM April 2020
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Steal Away Home
The Way Forward
A Road Map of Spiritual Growth for Men in the 21st Century
Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey (2017) Church history is filled with stories of courage, adventure, adversity, and persecution. From the exile of Athanasius, the martyrdom of John Rogers and William Tyndale, or Luther’s trial at Worms, these stories are wellknown and we are quick to pass them along to the next generation. Steal Away Home by Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey is a tale that will be new to many readers, however. It was certainly new for me! The story involves two men from backgrounds that have very little in common. C.H. Spurgeon was the Prince of Preachers, a refined man with a rich theological heritage who occupied the pulpit in Victorian England. He was well-known around the world. He was a best-selling author and recognized by thousands. Thomas Johnson was a simple slave boy who was unjustly shackled in colonial America. He was known by few and treated like an animal. His slave master worked him to the bone on the Virginia tobacco fields. Jesus Christ liberated Thomas Johnson. He freed him from the power and the penalty of sin. President Abraham Lincoln rescued Thomas Johnson from the sin of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation, which Lincoln regarded as the crowning achievement of his presidency, liberated Thomas from his slave master. Jesus Christ liberated Thomas from the slave master of sin. Through a series of Providential events, Thomas Johnson found himself at the front door of C.H. Spurgeon in London. After his training was complete, he and his wife made their way to Cameroon, West Africa in 1879. Steal Away Home is a work of historical fiction. It becomes clear at the outset, however, that the authors spent many hours researching the details of this intriguing story. This book encouraged me personally and moved my soul in ways that most books only hope to do. Matt Carter and Aaron Ivey stepped up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park. I commend their work wholeheartedly! River Region’s Journey
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Joe Barnard (2020)
The Way Forward: A Road Map of Spiritual Growth for Men in the 21st Century by Joe Barnard addresses the unique spiritual needs of men in a way that is thoughtful, engaging, and biblical. Much like a skilled surgeon, Barnard diagnoses the problem and offers a deeply encouraging solution. The author holds that an accurate diagnosis is an essential ingredient in moving men forward in a way that honors the Lord. With that in mind, he presents seven factors that contribute to the weak spiritual growth that is epidemic among Christian men. In the end, Bernard points out that men are failing to achieve their potential in Christ for a variety of factors, which prove to be complicated. The prescription is a process of spiritual development that includes five characteristics – captivation, clarity, competences camaraderie, and self-control. The sum total of these qualities will help Christian men move in a Godward direction. The first characteristic, captivation is worth focussing on. The author adds, “I am convinced that no man will make serious progress toward spiritual maturity until he is captivated by the glory of Christ … Being captivated by the glory of Christ is the secret to mounting a coup against a false god … no amount of willpower can shove an idol out of the heart.” These statements provide the fuel for the remainder of the book as the author is set on moving men toward spiritual maturity. Additionally, Bernard is quick to recommend other key books that should be required reading for men on a trajectory of spiritual growth. The Way Forward is a valuable book, one that should be in the arsenal of every man committed to growing in the Lord. 6
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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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Now Visit the Ark and Creation Museum … By Visiting On-Line With the rapidly changing coronavirus situation, Answers in Genesis (AiG) announced it had to temporarily close its two attractions, the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. While the museum and Ark are closed, AiG will be offering special programs streamed live from the attractions, providing programming for families. With so many students and parents remaining at home right now, they will be able to view free livestreams of science labs, behind-the-scenes tours, live animal encounters, lectures, and more. With millions of Americans essentially confined at home, AiG will provide them and others a livestream four times a day on CEO Ken Ham’s Facebook page, every weekday, with some special programs on the weekends. 10 a.m. EDT—Science experiments for kids at the Creation Museum’s laboratory with Roger Patterson and others 12 p.m. EDT—AiG speaker to give a Bible/science presentation from the museum 3 p.m. EDT—Live animal encounters from either the Ark zoo or museum zoo with a specialist zookeeper 7 p.m. EDT—Ken Ham will conduct special behind-thescenes tours to reveal places and information not normally available to the public and also give sneak peeks of new exhibits being planned. *Times are subject to change, as are speakers Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, the ministry behind the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, said, “With so many children, teens, and adults staying at home during the coronavirus situation, viewers will receive wonderful teaching on-line, right into their homes.” Ham added: “Since people can’t visit us during the temporary closing of our two attractions, we can come to them, via the great technology tool of Facebook Live. We will also give kids an opportunity to ask questions during each broadcast.”
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Finding Thankfulness My flight landed in Atlanta from California recently, and I had a full 10 minutes to get from Concourse A to Concourse D to make my connecting flight to Montgomery. I walked, fast. Ran a couple of steps. Waited patiently on the train – deep breaths, pray, deep breaths – and even more patiently on the escalator after the train. There were hundreds of us in the same hurry. And I then walked briskly to almost the last possible gate in Concourse D. I made it in 12 minutes, glanced up and saw we were delayed by 10 minutes. I softly whispered, “Thank you.” Because, God. I live this thankfulness daily: when I don’t trip stepping up onto a curb; when I make the green light; when I wake up in the morning. When my teenage daughter and I resolve a problem. When we avoid an accident while driving. Psalm 103:2 reads: Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. You know when I forget this the most? During dark times. When my sister died by suicide four years ago, I did not pray for a solid seven days. My life was void. My insides, empty. There were no praises, there was definitely no thankfulness – even though, even though – God is the only one who got me through those days. When I lost a job two years ago, I initially didn’t see it as an opening to larger and more expandable opportunities. There were a lot of whys, but it took River Region’s Journey
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a while to praise. It took a while to find the thankfulness. “Paul says it this way: Don’t worry about anything, pray about everything, and along with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God,” said John Schmidt, senior pastor at Centerpoint Fellowship Church. “And then the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” The idea is simply this, he said: “If I make my requests known, along with thanksgiving, is when I experience peace. And there’s a logic behind this. When I thank God, as well as ask for things, I’m doing two things. “When I’m asking, I’m saying, ‘This is a need,’ and when I’m thanking Him, I’m reminding myself of needs He’s already met.” And that’s something we need to remember. Looking back to those seven days after my sister died, there was one small moment of prayer I prayed before giving the eulogy at her funeral service. I asked for strength to deliver what I wanted to say. And for those few minutes speaking before hundreds, I had that strength. I’ve hung on to that over the years, remembering how God delivered when I asked. “...and when I’m thanking Him, I’m reminding myself of needs He’s already met.” That’s the power of thankgiving. “Every time that we pray about something, then when we get an answer to it and we remind ourselves of that -- the next time we ask for something, we don’t forget what He’s already done,” Schmidt said. 10
He said if he brings a request to God and gives thanks, “bringing the request allows me to organize my thoughts and even check my own motives. Giving thanks reminds me of who I’m talking to and how good He has been in the past, and then I’ll have a peace about it. But I won’t have peace if I don’t do those things.” Giving thanks has a lot to do with trust. It’s one of the greatest gifts God gives us. Giving thanks builds our faith. Faith and trust, Schmidt said, are used interchangeably in the Bible. “The same Greek word can mean both faith and trust,” he said. “Because if I trust you, I have faith in you. And if I have faith in you, I trust you. “I always trust that God will see me through. Some people have very hard lives, but I found that if we are grateful for the food in our stomachs, the clothes on our back, if we’re grateful for the opportunities that God does give us, it helps us gain a better perspective.” I pray we can all use this going forward. I pray we can find ways to give thanks in our daily lives – our daily moments. That we can find the smallest and biggest ways to praise God for what He does for us. Whether that’s helping us make a connecting flight, or providing strength in the time of immense grief. And I pray we can use that thanksgiving – and trust and faith – to seek Him more.
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I was supposed to do.” All I saw my father do influenced me more and more to do the same. My mom, also an educator, taught Sunday School, and every Sunday she would recruit/bring about four kids from our neighborhood to attend our church. I also saw my mom tutor not only me and my siblings, but kids from the neighborhood during the summer… and she did this at no charge. Our home was a loving home. We went on trips, ate as a family during dinner time, celebrated as a family during holidays, and supported each other in various activities. I saw how my dad loved and treated my mom and I saw how my mom loved and treated my dad. I saw that my parents also treated everyone else with love and kindness. With that said, they were very kind and loving to us children, but if we did wrong we were disciplined. Seeing all this love, caring and good discipline made me want a Christ-centered family and home. RRJ: Who, besides your parents, was instrumental in helping your faith grow?
RRJ: Being raised in a Christian home, how did your upbringing mold and inspire you to live a solid life for the Lord? And can you see your parents’ influence in you as you are leading your family? RJ: Both of my parents, Richard & Voncile Jackson, were huge role models for me living for the Lord. I saw my dad loving us, taking care of our home, attending church, paying tithes, and being a total follower of Christ. I wanted to be a man of God like my dad. My dad was a coach and teacher in LaGrange, GA, where I saw him mentor many young men. He took countless young men home after sporting practice who didn’t have a ride (who didn’t have a father at home), encouraged them to do better in school and helped them apply to college. At no time did I see my father wanting an award or pay back for what he had done for these young men. If you asked him about it he just would say, “That is what River Region’s Journey
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RJ: I know God put many people in different stages of my life to help me grow in Christ. First, my parents were creating that Christ-like home. Next was my Coach/ FCA ADVISOR John Reveere who kept me grounded during those teen school years. Third was my Christian group in college led by Rev. Jerome Sims and Rev. Johnny Dumas. They were my light during my college days. At my workplace was my former Boys & Girls Club supervisor Sydney Boyd, and coworkers Terry Mitchell and Luella Giles. During my everyday life I have good friends Courtney Cortrell and Quincy Leonard and, at home, my beautiful wife Michelle Jackson. Last, but not least, my Pastor Thomas Jordan of Lilly Baptist Church. God put all these beautiful souls in front of me so that I could continue to grow in faith. RRJ: How does your Christian faith shape the way you approach your job as Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the River Region? 12
RJ: My Christian faith shapes me because as a Christian leader I have the responsibility to do what is right no matter what. I strive to treat everyone with kindness, respect, and love... just as Christ would. RRJ: It’s clear that you’ve taken your faith beyond the church walls and a Sunday service. How would you encourage our Christian readers to do the same? And are there any particular practices that have helped you? RJ: I would encourage believers to pray continuously, read the Bible daily, let their daily life be example of Christ, and attend Bible study or Sunday school. RRJ: What do you feel is the most important thing in sharing your faith with others, especially non-believers? RJ: That Christ is our Lord and He is our Savior. Another important fact that people should know is that Christ is here to help us in every part of our lives. RRJ: Why do you believe it’s important to get connected with a church and use your talents there? RJ: By being connected with a church, you get encouraged by the spoken word and you are uplifted by other believers. By using your talents it may encourage others to participate in church and inspire others to join church. RRJ: In your walk with the Lord, what are some tools and/or resources that are vital in keeping your faith strong? RJ: I listen to the Tony Evan’s app, Joyce Meyer’s app, Ralph Douglass West’s sermons online and Pastor Steven Huntley’s sermons (True Divine Baptist Church online).
Rick Jackson has been married to Michelle for 22 years. They have a daughter, Morgan (20), who attends Tennessee St. University. The Jacksons attend Lilly Baptist Church, where Rick serves as a deacon.
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“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5–6)
The believers who saw the risen Christ with their own eyes and touched him with their hands spent the rest of their lives talking about the resurrection. For sure, they preached crucifixion and propitiation — the central hinge of the gospel message — but the message of the cross was not the most controversial thing they had to say in their day.
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God had promised everlasting life centuries before, but the resurrection revealed it was certain for his chosen, redeemed, and adopted sons and daughters. Though many had lived and believed and died before him, Jesus was the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18). And if there is a first, God means for more to follow him.
The claims the apostles made about Jesus’s death were wildly controversial, but they were persecuted and martyred not because of what they said about his death, but because of what they said happened next. The sermons in Acts are filled with the resurrection, showing over and over what it means for those who follow Christ. Almost no one debated that Jesus died, but the Jews violently refused to believe that he rose just three days later. The Jews were not as offended by the two blocks of wood as they were by the empty tomb. The largest stumbling block was in fact a boulder, rolled away and preaching the resurrection of the Christ. Jesus is not dead. And when he rose from the grave, against all of Satan’s lies and schemes, he guaranteed for you the greatest realities in the world. Two thousand years later, the resurrection still preaches God’s relentless commitment to win every victory for you, including these seven for Easter Sunday.
2. God has purchased all his promises for you.
Jesus rose to prove the Old Testament promises and warnings were truly from God. God’s promises have always been the only lifeline of hope for those of us living under the supreme death penalty. But the resurrection brought those promises into fuller and higher definition. “They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. . . . To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:39–43) The promises simply seem too good to be true — until we see God raise Jesus from the dead. Suddenly, what seemed so impossible to man was wonderfully possible and guaranteed with God.
1. God has defeated death for you.
Satan conspired with Judas, Pilate, and the Jewish leaders to kill the Author of life, but God raised him from the dead (Acts 3:15), “loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24). And if you believe in him, death cannot hold you either: “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live’” (John 11:25). Jesus rose to prove that he had defeated death. Until he rose, death seemed to swallow up every ounce of life and hope from generation after generation. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “none is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). So, how could sinners have any hope of escaping death?
3. God will judge every sin committed by you or against you. While the apostle Paul was waiting in Athens, he preached, “[God] now commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in
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righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30–31). Jesus rose to prove that he would one day judge all sins. Every sin we have committed, and every sin committed against us, brings God into question. Will justice prevail? Will we all be wiped away and thrown into hell? When God raised Jesus from the dead, he made clear that every sin would be punished — on the cross for all who repent, and in judgment for all who refuse. If you are alive with Christ, there is now no condemnation for you (Romans 8:1), and no sin against you will be overlooked or excused by God.
5. Your bondage to sin is great, but God really can set you free. Peter healed a man lame from birth, inviting him to finally walk after all these years, in the healing name of Jesus. The priests came to arrest Peter and John, “greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). In custody and under trial, Peter boldly says, “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead — by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10–12) Jesus rose to prove that you really can be saved from your sin. You do not deserve salvation, and you could never achieve it in your own strength and resolve. If Christ did not rise from the dead, hope would have lain next to him in the grave. But he is not dead, and therefore we have hope. Sin condemns us to everlasting judgment and never-ending torture (Matthew 13:41–42; Revelation 14:11). And sin mercilessly enslaves us to death (Romans 6:16–20; Ephesians 2:1). But God. Christ rose to cancel our debt, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14), and to set us free from sin for God. Paul preaches about the resurrection,
4. God will restore everything wrong or broken in front of you.
The apostle Peter calls his fellow Jews to Jesus, saying, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago” (Acts 3:19–21). Jesus rose to prove he would eventually return and make all things right. This last year provides another twelve months of evidence that this world is broken and breaking. And this Easter is another statement that our hope is as alive as Jesus. The world will be rid of sin, including all its causes and consequences. In God’s wise and loving plan, that day is not today. But today is a great day to stop beside the empty tomb, and remember what will be one day.
River Region’s Journey
April 2020
“For David . . . fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone
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Jesus rose to prove God had chosen people from everywhere in the world — not only from Israel, but from Asia, Africa, and America, too. His blood was sufficient to purchase people from every tribe and language and people and nation (Revelation 5:9). His death not only reconciles us to God, but reconciles us to one another across every conceivable barrier and boundary. And his resurrection is powerful enough to hold out hope to people everywhere on earth.
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7. No evil can disrupt God’s good plans for you. The death of Jesus looked like the single greatest defeat God’s people had ever experienced. Instead of ascending to a throne and conquering his enemies, the promised King had been humiliated and crucified. But at the precise moment when it looked like evil had won, God was wielding every ounce of wickedness to accomplish his greatest victory. As Peter preaches to the Jewish officials, “Jesus of Nazareth . . . delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22–24) Jesus rose to prove that God is sovereign even over the worst evil in the world (Acts 2:23). In the ultimate act of rebellion and injustice, God was pivoting all of history, with love, to save and satisfy his people. And by raising his Son from the dead on Easter, he promised to work all things, including the hardest and most painful things in your life, for the good of all his sons and daughters.
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who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:36–39) For our forgiveness and freedom, Christ has died, risen, and set us free (Galatians 5:1).
6. God will not only rescue you, but people from all over the world.
Jesus was the promised Messiah of Israel, but he did not die and rise only for ethnic Israel. Again, Paul preaches, “I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22–23)
Marshall Segal (@marshallsegal) is a writer and managing editor at desiringGod.org. He’s the author of Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness & Dating. He graduated from Bethlehem College & Seminary. He and his wife, Faye, have a son and live in Minneapolis.
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Enjoying Your Time with God Part 1 A Bible school professor once asked his class of students, “Which of you has ever fallen asleep when they pray?” Only one of the students raised his hand. The professor pointed to the student and told the others, “I believe this person probably prays more than all of you.” How could the professor say such a thing? He knew that a prayer warrior who prays long enough to see breakthrough, at some time or another, will fall asleep due to the emotional or physical toll of intense prayer. I wonder if the rest of the class began to ask that one student what he did in his prayer time? Have you wondered what people do when they spend extended time in prayer? How do they maintain a sense of God’s presence and deep communion with the Father? Does God express His total personality when communing with the saints, or is prayer restricted the reverence, awe and obeisance side of who God is? Great books have been written to help create an overall plan for an hour of prayer. These are helpful guidelines to make sure prayer covers the aspects of our humanity and its needs as well as exploring God’s divinity and His desires for us. I would like to focus on shaking up your prayer time and turning it inside out. Let God arise and let religious rituals be shattered! First, let’s look at the concept of prayer. One of my friends was serving at a church that met each day for early morning prayer. After the corporate prayer time, she would go into her office and look over her day’s agenda. Next to her office was the senior pastor’s office. River Region’s Journey
April 2020
The pastor would engage in prayer and she could hear some of it through the walls, especially when he would hit the wall in excitement and exclaim, “That’s it!” She knew he was getting a breakthrough. She envied his prayer so much that she decided to never call her devotional prayer “Quiet Time” again. She used the sanctuary after corporate prayer to sing new songs to God. None of them would make the Top 40 in Christian music, but God and my friend had the best time. Have you ever had a “best time” with God? Next, let’s look at where prayer takes place. Matthew 6:6 (KJV) says, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy. closet, and when thou hast shut thy door…” I have used my clothes closet for personal times of prayer, and probably every room in my house! Find places that stimulate you to entertain the Almighty. My husband likes to go outside and walk in nature during talks with God. It energizes him to see God’s creation. Two ladies would meet for prayer in the sanctuary of a church when no one else was around. They climbed into the pulpit area and covered themselves with a Sherpa blanket (It was cold in there!) whispering wondrous things to their Father. Another person prayed in the local aviary. She kept her eyes open so visitors would not get spooked, and she 18
spoke in her mind rather than out loud, but the birds ministered to her soul as she journaled her prayers to the Almighty. Last, let’s see what is “appropriate” for our communication with the God of the Universe. Obviously, the Bible mentions many topics for discussion: thanksgiving, praise, confession and repentance, worship, needs, victories, defeats, and so on. Using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide can be helpful. (See Matthew 6.) But also consider that God created humor. He decided what “funny” would be. His creation included a duckbilled platypus…come on, that had to give the angels a smile! Another friend of mine tells me that instead of prophetic visions, God gives her prophetic cartoons. These cute drawings keep her from getting too intense over what God is saying. He wants her to enjoy the process. If we are to come to the Father just as a child (see Matthew 18:2), then can we have fun with Him? Does He get a twinkle in His divine eye when we laugh in the face of stress? Can we roll around on the throne floor in victory after a fight with the devil? Children haven’t pushed God away, like we religious adults. It might be good if we learn something from them! Don’t worry about getting too familiar with your Maker. The awe of Who He is will be easier to embrace once you know all about Him…even the fun side. Enjoy His presence this week!
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River Region’s Journey
The War of Bullet Points The words “civil war” have been used regarding the state of our culture. Many decry the political polarization that has taken place, but the fact is that we are in a civil war, of sorts, of ideas that have polarized our nation. I disagree with those who say that the culture war is over – it certainly is not! The good news is that Biblical truth has not been vanquished. I want to look at the dynamics and the ideas at play in which Americans have significant disagreement; issues to which the Bible speaks. There’s the sanctity of life vs. abortion on demand...this is key; to me, it seems that people who are in favor of abortion tend to be more liberal and less Biblical on other positions, as well. We are in a day where the taking of the lives of pre-born children has been redefined into a woman’s right, and politicians and influencers have completely gone off the deep end in making sure this so-called “right” is preserved up until and perhaps even past the moment of birth. A living human being cannot be reduced to a human right and this issue has generated passionate conflict in our nation. You see that God’s view of sexuality is being challenged by the attempt to legitimize homosexuality and other forms of perversion, such as transgenderism. Those that pursue the LGBT agenda do not wish to consider the truth of the Bible and, in fact, are attempting to soften the Church’s stance on these sinful practices. The legalization of gay marriage and other so-called “reforms,” such as the Equality Act, stand in direct contrast to the Biblical worldview perspective, causing deep division in our nation. Civil war? Not bloodshed, but certainly a war of ideas and rhetoric. The enemy recognizes if he can keep Christians divided, then our witness is diminished. There is a fierce conflict between River Region’s Journey
April 2020
identity in Christ and identity politics, even in the Church. Our unity in Christ is threatened by division based on race, gender, and more. Southern Baptists, at their 2019 annual convention, had a chance to repudiate Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, ideas that divide people into oppressed and oppressor, victims and victimizers. In a hasty procedure, they actually affirmed that these could be used as “analytical tools,” with the caveat that these “tools” should be submitted to Scripture. This major issue among Southern Baptists was a factor in the recent establishment of the Conservative Baptist Network, which is calling members of that denomination to embrace Biblical teaching in these and other areas. The Bible is a book of justice, but certainly not what is popularly called “social justice.” Social justice seems to be based on blame and hostility, rather than the Biblical concepts of mercy and forgiveness. There are misguided attempts to hold people and groups alive today accountable for actions that were taken decades ago. Rather than relive the past, we can seek God’s help and apply His principles for the future. The view of government is also a key issue and I want to highlight some ideas that have been discussed by guests on my radio program, The Meeting House. The Biblical concept is that the government does not grant rights, those are determined by God. The government, through our Constitution, protects those rights that have been
granted. That’s the beauty of that founding document. There are those, however who believe we need to try something else: socialism, a system that removes the concept of submission to God our Creator and concentrates power in an authoritarian way in the determination of how the resources are to be shared. The Bible assigns government two responsibilities: to maintain order and to punish evil - the principle of limited government is consistent with the Scriptural view. Conversely, there are advocates for an overreaching government that would attempt to control our lives in multiple ways. Back to the concept of the protection of rights: The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion; not freedom of worship, as some have described it, where faith is practiced in the four walls for church. No, we are called to have a robust practice of our faith, which has been so influential in our nation. There are people and groups who want to suppress the practice of faith, including Christianity, because the teachings of Christ stand in stark contrast to the ideas that are being pushed that do not value the worth of the individual (including the unborn), the sanctity of marriage, and other concepts. You could say, in a sense, that it’s a civil war...not with bullets, but with bullet points - a war of ideas and rhetoric, and unfortunately, even violent action in our nation. We need to regard God’s truth as the standard around which we can unify.
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April 2020
River Region’s Journey
3/11/20 9:34 PM
Spreading the Love of Christ One Stitch at a Time by Katie Blair
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The room is filled with light chatter and a few laughs, underscored by the steady hum of a sewing machine. Around lunchtime, delicious aromas of homemade casseroles and desserts start to envelop the space at Frazer Church in Montgomery, Alabama, but the work does not slow down. An air of importance to the task at hand is apparent as small groups of women huddle together around tables surrounded with their latest projects, including impossibly tiny crocheted hats, booties, blankets, and exquisitely sewn day gowns that appear as if they were meant for a small babydoll. These are the ladies whose handiwork has blessed families of premature babies and newborns who die due to stillbirth, miscarriage or infant death throughout the River Region. These are the members of the Montgomery Chapter of Threads of Love, a ministry dedicated to the healing and binding of hearts through their compassionate creativity. The ministry is about helping the healing of the hearts of parents who are facing a difficult time of uncertainty, explains Sharon Hall, who serves as the coordinator for the Montgomery Chapter of Threads of Love. “Parents who are facing the birth of a premature baby or the loss of an infant is our focus. Our mission is to show parents
the love of Christ at a time when their personal pain is hard to endure and let them know that God is faithful.” Threads of Love, which began in 1993 when a pediatrician from Earl K. Long Charity Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana contacted Reverend Russ Stevenson at First Presbyterian Church with a request for help. She saw the need for tiny burial gowns for patients who were born prematurely and were too sick or too tiny to survive. Regular newborn clothing was too large for those babies, so several ladies from the church joined the endeavor in making the little dresses. Through a donation of one hundred dollars, the ladies were able to purchase the material and the only things the ladies needed to furnish was the thread and the love. Since then, Threads of Love has been ministering to families and helping them say their good-byes to their babies. Today there are 130 chapters across America, with two in Canada, all with the mission of showing parents the love of Christ at a painful time in their lives.
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Helping bereaved parents isn’t the only focus of the ministry. After noticing the small gowns, nurses began requesting clothing for the babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit who survived, but remained in the hospital for months. Parents seeing their babies dressed up like “real” babies was important and Threads of Love stepped in to help meet that need. Today, Threads of Love has a long sewing list, including day gowns, caps, booties, blankets, wrapper shirts, keepsake bonnets and miscarriage wrappers. Packets containing the items are distributed to the parents of the premature or sick babies as a gesture of saying silently, “God loves you and He is with you.” All of the items made by Threads of Love include a written prayer. Threads of Love has one goal: to use these clothes
April 2020
River Region’s Journey
as a tool for reaching parents and families at a time in their lives when they need to be reassured that God is there and that He is always faithful. The work the ladies do is an outward pouring of love that comes from the work of their hands, many of whom say that the ministry is just as much a blessing to them as it is to the families that receive the items. “It’s fun. We worship with the other ladies. We took a tour of Baptist South’s NICU and I had the opportunity to meet a man whose child was preemie and is now 15,” said member Carole Frizzelle as she and others helped to carefully package the gowns and other items that were headed to local hospital NICU’s for distribution by the nurses. “It’s a blessing that we do this. It makes my heart feel good.” “It’s good to get together with others with the same goal,” explaisn Delores Miller. “I’ve been coming to Threads of Love for seven or eight years now. I have my nephew to thank for introducing me to this ministry. He saw a display for it at a grocery store and thought I would like it, and he was right, I did!” While sewing and crocheting skills are an important part of the ministry, there are opportunities for anyone with willing hearts and hands to serve, said Hall, who first heard of the ministry when she lived
in San Antonio, Texas and brought the ministry to Montgomery sixteen and a half years ago when she moved to the area. Hall, along with the other chapter coordinators believe that all Christians have been given a gift and are expected to develop and use it to collectively support and comfort one another. “Through all circumstances we serve God and He has been continually faithful, providing all the necessities of this ministry as it grows, chapter by chapter, to bring God’s love and comfort to others.” “Sewing skill is not a requirement to join our group. There are several projects that we make that require minimal sewing skills. Without the willing volunteers, we couldn’t do this.” The group also makes “Lovie Dolls” for the mothers of preemies to take home with them and then return it to the hospital so that the baby will have mom’s scent in the bed with them. Additionally, the group provides covers for mothers and fathers who wish to provide skin-to-skin contact called “Kangaroo Care” to their children while in the hospital. “I sew 60 teddy bears each week and have been with Threads of Love from the beginning. I love being a part of it!” said Fay Self, as the group wrapped up their
work for the day and prepared to sit down for a potluck lunch consisting of some homemade recipes that have quickly become group favorites. It is apparent that their handiwork is a reflection of the volunteers’ hearts as they ready the sets of handmade items for delivery to the local hospitals, along with a neatly printed prayer tucked in each package. The group is always open to anyone who would like to volunteer with the ministry. All are welcome and the group meets the first Tuesday of each month at Frazer Church located at 6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery. You can help by making a gown or dress to be donated to one of the hospitals within the local community. If you do not sew, tell a friend who does or come and allow one of the ladies with Threads of Love to teach you. Donations of fabric, ribbon, lace, or funds are always appreciated. For more information, please contact Sharon Hall (334) 514-3383 or visit the Threads of Love website at www.threadsoflove.org.
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Katie Blair is a graduate of Auburn University in Montgomery with a degree in Elementary Education. She currently serves as a Children’s Ministry Partner with Frazer Church. She is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about family life. She resides in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, two children, and their dog, Rosie.
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River Region’s Journey
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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: Caring Center of FBC, 52 Adams Avenue CrossRoads Support Group is for addicts/alcoholics and family members. Meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and follows a Christcentered 12-step program. Call 264-4949. Location: Dalraida United Methodist Church 3817 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery An Alanon meeting is held at 9 am on Saturday mornings. Call 272.2190 for details. Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy. Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6 p.m. An Open AA Speaker meeting is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. An Alanon & AA held on Sundays at 2 p.m. Location: Grace Point Community Church, 78223 Tallassee Hwy (Hwy 14), Wetumpka Celebrate Recovery- every Tuesday night- 6:15pm. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hang-ups! gracepoint.info. Location: Heritage Baptist Church 1849 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets: Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM CST. No Childcare Provided. Email montgomery@route1520.com, visit http://www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men/ or call 877.200.1520. Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Mondays beginning at 6:15 pm. Childcare available. Call John Pearse at 303-243-4308 or visit myjourneychurch.com. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. RSVP- This is a 12 step spiritual recovery program for
overcoming addictions. Using the steps and Bible we help build self-esteem, responsible behavior, the making of amends for our destructive actions, and to fill the void in our hearts in a loving relationship with God. Wednesday @ 6:30pm in Rm. 121 of the Life Center. Location: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 E Main St. CASA - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions. Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334-365-4201 for additional information. Location: St. James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday night from 6-8 pm in the Youth Room. This is a Christ-centered 12-step group for anyone struggling with an “addiction or life-challenging issues.” For information, call Chris Henderson at 334-215-0427. Location: First United Methodist Church, Wetumpka 306 W. Tuskeena Street ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. For any information contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428. Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 pm. For more information email riverregion@route1520.com, visit http:// www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men or call 877-2000-1520.
Alzheimer’s / Dementia
Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 495-6350 for more information.
Cancer
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us. Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week. Please call Debbie D at 4674578 or Ben W at 202-1912.
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Location: ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Road Cancer Support Group for general cancer. Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm. For more info, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie at 467-4578. Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Central Alabama Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month in Room 3105. We have guest speakers, video presentations, printed information and a group that welcomes sharing their journey with myeloma in an informal setting. Refreshments are provided. Contact Joe Crowley at 334-207-4385 or jpcrowl46@yahoo.com Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group, providing education, awareness, and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family and friends, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net
Divorce
Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesday nights @6:30-8:00 pm in Room 405B. Child care is available. Contact Kathy Cooper at 241-5125 for information. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Divorce Care meets each Tuesday from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Come to the Library area. This group will provide support & guidance to assist you in working through the issues, pain & pressures surrounding divorce. Call 495-6350 or e-mail jan@frazerumc.org.
Gambling
Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community. The church is 1 1/2 miles past Tutweiler prison. Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. and Mondays at 6:30 pm. Call 567-0476. Location: Mental Health of America, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm. For more information about the GA meetings call 334-399-6918. For information about counseling services or to request a guest speaker please call the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling at 334-277-5100.
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Grief Location: Cornerstone Christian Church, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. This is an open group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com with questions or for more information. Location: Eastmont Baptist, 4505 Atlanta Hwy. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child meeting first Tuesdays at 7 pm. Call (334) 284-2721 for info. Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Share, Wednesday evenings at 6 pm in the church parlor. Led by Michael Beatty. Call 3655977. Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Grief Recovery Support Group meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Rm 3105. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group
for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754 or e-mail mourningtomorning@gmail. com. Join us on Facebook. Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@ mfumc.org. Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief support group meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M. For additional information, please contact Alice Glover at (334)281-2754.
Mental Health Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Mental Health - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meets 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in Room 7205. Group provides understanding, education & information to family members & friends of those who suffer mental illness, Call Pat Cobb at 334-2798331 for more info. NAMI Connection Support Group for individuals with mental illness meets every Thursday evening, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, room 3104. Call Pat Cobb at 334-279-8331 for more information.
Parenting Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 S. Washington Moms LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug - May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting. For moms of all stages and ages of life. Childcare provided by reservation. Call April Scott at 828-446-6666. Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Frazer mom2mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of ages birth to 5 at Frazer UMC to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. Email Mom2mom@ frazerumc.org for more information.
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Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800. Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174. Location: Redland Baptist, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com. Location: St.James UMC, 9045 Vauhgn Road Moms in Prayer International: This is a Christ centered interdenominational prayer ministry made up of moms, grandmothers, aunts or any woman who wants to gathers to pray for their children and schools. Meets every Sunday afternoon from 3:004:00. Call Annette Jones for more information on joining us or training to start your own group. 850529-4730 or email Montgomerymipac@gmail.com
Physical Challenges Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Road Visually Impaired Support Group – Meets monthly on second Thursday 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The group is called Outward Sight - Inward Vision and is for those with vision loss and their caregivers. Our mission is to assist those experiencing vision loss to maintain their independence. Call 272-6152. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Parkinson’s Support meets 4th Thursdays at 6 pm in Room 8114. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Ostomy Support meets every other month on the 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in room 3101. In 2018: Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Vaughn Park Church, 3800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group meets 2nd Friday of each month from 6:308 PM. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare is provided. Please visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com or our Facebook page (MADSOG) for information. Please contact MADSOG at montgomeryareadownsyndrome@gmail.com.
Send support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com 27
April 2020
River Region’s Journey
Mortgage Protection Insurance?
Q. My husband and I had our first child in December. We bought a house not long before the baby was born, and since then we’ve been getting mail and phone calls about buying mortgage protection insurance. We’re both 27, we have good jobs, and our mortgage is $105,000. Would it be a good idea to get this insurance?
A. Mortgage insurance is really nothing more than a life insurance policy with the word “mortgage” stuck on the front. They make it sound like a specialized product, and they jack the price up. The truth is it’s just a big rip-off in most cases. If you two are healthy, you both could easily get $250,000 on 20-year level term life insurance policies, for around $12 a month. Then, if something happened to one of you,
the other could pay off the house with the insurance money and still have a nice chunk left over. However, I recommend going a little further. My advice is for each of you to get good, level term life insurance—not just to cover your mortgage—but for 10 to 12 times your annual incomes. Both of you should have sensible plans in place to take care of your family now, and in the future, should something unfortunate happen.
Protecting Your Assets
Q. My wife is a teacher, and I’m a nurse. We make around $180,000 a year combined, and we’re set to pay off our home next month. We also have two teenagers who are both driving, so we were wondering about the best way to protect everything if one of them has an accident
and we get sued, or something else tragic happens.
A. With your income, and the stage you’re in when it comes to wealth building, I think it’s time to add an umbrella policy. This is a liability policy, and you could probably buy an extra million in liability coverage for around $250 a year. It attaches to the liability policy that’s already part of your homeowners and car insurance. With a couple of teenage drivers in the house it might run a little more than $250, but I wouldn’t think it would be much more, if any. It would just add an extra million to the mix, just in case someone decided they were going to come after you because of a bad situation. As you continue building wealth later, like if you get into real estate and start buying rental properties, make sure you put those in a limited liability company (LLC). You’re not there quite yet, but it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and do whatever you can to keep the size of the target on your back relatively small.
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The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not in order to aid in the development and assessment of programs designed to identify high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard!
“Happy to be part of this survey.”
“Thank you for checking on us!”
Actual comments from survey responses.
Moms who complete the PRAMS survey receive their choice of a cooler bag, diapers, or manicure set! Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information, please call us at 334-206-2923 or go to alabamapublichealth.gov/PRAMS ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, genetic information, and other federal, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, Tel. 334-206-5226, o r email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.