Prescription opioids can be ADDICTIVE and DANGEROUS. IT ONLY TAKES A LITTLE TO LOSE A LOT. 24/7 HELPLINE 844-307-1760 ALL CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL www.alabamapublichealth.gov/pharmacy
Volume 20, Issue 10
Feature Articles
JAN UARY 2 0 1 9 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note page 14
Jason Watson
Faith @ Work
page 4
Sang Chung shares how he came to know Christ and how that faith is displayed in his work as a financial consultant with Edward Jones. You’ll also learn about his unique and wonderful family of biological and adopted children with wife, Sherry.
Pastor's Perspective Trip Healey, Ridge Church
page 12
Pondering the Journey Sam Whatley
page 20
The Intersection Bob Crittenden
page 18
page 24
Resolutions Are Not Enough
Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy
page 30
Counselor’s Corner
by David Mathis, Desiring God Ministries
Christy Holding, LPC
Learn the habits of grace that will make your desires for improvement in 2019 more likely to be accomplished.
page 32
Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
page 26
Frazer Sports & Fitness Ministry
by Angela Hardgrave
This local ministry offers so much for the entire community to enjoy, from exercise classes to a full weight room, and youth sports and activities. 1
In Every Issue page 6
Books to Read page 8
Around Our Community page 14
Faith @ Work page 26
Support Groups January 2019
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 Bob Crittenden Angela Hardgrave Pastor Trip Healey Christy Holding, LPC David Mathis Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Dr. David Steele Sam Whatley
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702
Digital Manager
From the Publisher I love that the power to change always exists. It’s a possibility that stares us in the face every day. You may not think so, but, with all respect, you’re wrong. I know... we’ve let ourselves down and others have let us down so often it can make one believe that change is impossible, but it’s not. Well, okay, I guess I need to offer a caveat. I believe in deep, meaningful, lasting change because I believe in Jesus and the power of God’s Spirit to make us new beings. I love the way the Bible shows humans acting like humans. Yes, the great apostle Paul was originally known as Saul who sought to persecute and kill Christians. The disciple Peter, who preached to the crowds at Pentecost, had only a few weeks prior denied even knowing Jesus. I’m like these guys too. When I choose to run my life according to my thoughts and plans, things don’t turn out well. Yet, Paul, Peter, me, and YOU are different people when we walk under the lordship of Jesus Christ. Our old ways of messy independence are set right. Our lives of disharmony become harmonious with the Lord, and righteousness is what we desire for His name’s sake. I hope you grabbed this month’s issue because you are looking to be changed. If so, you’ve come to the right place. We intentionally place Journey out in the community to offer you the hope of a new life in Christ. You’ll discover in this month’s issue how knowing Jesus will change the way you approach ordering your life. From finances and health to New Year goals, God wants to reorient your life around His plans and purposes. The greatest news of all is that when we yield to His plans and purposes we actually find our heart’s desire. It’s what we were created for by God Himself. I’m so happy you turned to Journey and we can’t wait to help you kick off 2019 in the right direction! And, make sure you return to read every issue so we can continue to support your walk with Christ.
Scott Davis
Ad Design
Tim Welch, Welch Designs
Distribution Manager Chris Mitchell
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 2018 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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Are My Kids On Track? Parenting Workshop with David Thomas and Sissy Goff Friday, January 25, 2019, 7:00-9:00pm and Saturday, January 26, 2019, 9:00 am-12:00pm Please join us at Christchurch, located at 8800 Vaughn Road. You may call the church office at 334-387-0566 for tickets and reservations. $20 per person
$35 per couple
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Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Coaches and Caregivers,
You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear from How to Talk to Your Kids about Sex these two amazing speakers! Taming the Tech Monster
Raising Boys & Girls Daystar Counseling Ministries Nashville, Tennessee 3
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Pastor’s Perspective Trip Healey, Ridge Church in Wetumpka
Opportunity Requires Responsibility Another year is in the rearview mirror. Just try to think back to all of those tiny, individual moments that have shaped your life over the last 12 months. There have been good decisions, bad decisions, jobs lost, jobs found, relationships that have come and gone, relationships that have gotten stronger, some that have come to a bitter end, prayers prayed, goals set, goals achieved, or not, along with thousands of other individual moments. What we don’t often realize is that how we manage all of those little moments is ultimately a reflection of how we view our responsibility as created beings and as Christians. As Christians, we believe that in the beginning, God made everything and then he put Adam and Eve, his greatest creation of all, in the garden to work it and to care for it and everything in it. And then,
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” (Genesis 1:28, NIV) Right from the start, we catch a glimpse at God’s purpose in creating you and me, and that is to “be fruitful;” to produce fruit. We have all been given the responsibility to take what has been placed into our care and to make something with it. It was as if God was saying, “Hey look, I made everything, but I’m putting you in charge. It’s all yours to manage. But I want you to be creative with it, to grow it, to expand it, to make wonderful and amazing things with what I have created.” We are called to be fruitful with whatever has been entrusted into our care. But this is where we often make a couple of wrong assumptions.
#1: We assume fruit follows fortune. We tend to think that our ability to be fruitful follows our income, our success, and our influence, our talents, our gifts, our intellect. We assume that our responsibility to be fruitful is proportionate to what we have. If you have a lot, then you’re responsible for a lot, but if you don’t have much, then you aren’t responsible for much either.
Truth
CHANGING LIVES
ONE PROGRAM
AT A TIME Prattville YMCA
• Child Care • Youth Sports • Teen Programs • Fitness Classes • Adult Programs • Adapted Sports
prattvilleymca.org • (334) 358-YMCA River Region’s Journey
January 2019
That seems to make sense, but the truth is that biblical stewardship is actually about taking responsibility for everything that has been entrusted into your care. Whether 4
you have a lot of wealth, a lot of talent, a lot of influence, or you don’t have much at all, everybody is equally responsible to be fruitful with exactly what they’ve been given.
#2: We confuse prosperity with possession. We assume that since we have it, since we earned it, since we produced it, then it is for us and our enjoyment alone. Even Christians struggle with the idea of biblical stewardship because we operate like owners instead of managers.
Truth The caution here is to never think so highly of ourselves and our own ingenuity that we forget about the One who created it. The truth is that God created everything and for the specific purpose of reflecting his character and glorifying his name. The biblical principle of stewardship is the understanding that God owns everything and we are simply managers acting on his behalf. Yes, it is true that we have all been given different amounts of opportunity. We all have access to certain resources, wealth, talents, abilities, relationships, influence. You may not have as much opportunity as somebody else, but we ALL have the same amount of responsibility. And here’s why. Because faithful stewardship is not measured by how much you have, but by what you do with what you have. Don’t believe me? Go read the story that Jesus tells, recorded in Matthew 25. So here’s the question that every Christian should learn to ask. This is a question that has the potential to make 2019 your best year ever. The question is this. What will you do with what’s been given to you? Be fruitful this year. Trip Healey is the lead pastor of Ridge Church, a nondenominational church which currently meets at Wetumpka High School (1251 Coosa River Pkwy) at 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday. To connect with Ridge Church: Email: info@ridgechurch.com Website: www.ridgechurch.com Twitter: @RidgeChurchAL Facebook: /RidgeChurchAL
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Suffering:
The Rule of Love
Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Jonathan Leeman (2018) Submission and authority is a hot topic these days. Tragically, however, most people are not flocking to read about it, let alone embrace this important reality. Leeman’s intent is to help readers understand what love and authority truly are. As such, the main goal of the book is to “refashion our views of God’s love and authority and their relationship together.” Also in play is the responsibility of the church to administer discipline in a biblically appropriate manner – and to maintain the crucial distinctive of love and authority. “We need to remember something about love and rule that our ancestors in the garden forgot,” writes the author. “For God, love and rule aren’t two things but different aspects of one thing.” So Leeman draws the attention of readers to the magnificence of God’s love. He demonstrates first, that God’s first priority is himself. That is, God’s love is first and foremost is a God-centered love. The author adds, “The Father gives his righteousness and glory to the Son and delights in that glory above all. The Son, in turn, gives his righteousness and glory to the Father and delights in that glory above all.” This God-centered love has a series of massive implications for the church: God’s love motivates the church to evangelize and do good; God’s love motivates the church to identify church members and practice church discipline; God’s love motivates the church to teach and disciple the nations; God’s love motivates the church to worship, God’s love creates a distinct and holy culture. Second, God’s love for sinners is described in glorious detail. At the heart of this discussion is how the Father sent the Son into the world to win his bride. Leeman includes a helpful discussion on what he calls contra-conditional love (as opposed to the unconditional love of God). The takeaways for the church are crucial: Making disciples must be uppermost in the church’s mission; Christians should be a people of compassion and justice; Christians should seek to display God’s glory in their lives together and apart; To belong to a church is to belong to a covenant. The Rule of Love is a counter-cultural book that will challenge the unsuspecting to action and urge the unrepentant to be transformed. Walking away from this book unchanged is impossible. I recommend it highly!
Paul David Tripp (2018) C.S. wrote, “If I knew a way of escape I would crawl through the sewers to escape the pain.” Whether a person agrees with Lewis’s radical conclusion or not is a matter of personal opinion. However, the problem of suffering is a universal dilemma that every person must face. How we respond to suffering reveals the strength of our Christian resolve and character. Paul David Tripp’s recent book explores a weighty subject and invites readers onto a personal journey that will encourage deep humility and personal growth. Speaking personally, Dr. Tripp’s book took my breath away. The author’s transparency and humble approach spoke deeply to my heart and lifted my spirit. In the final analysis, this book has less to do with coping with suffering and more to do with how suffering can supernaturally transform the lives of God’s people. Listen to Tripp’s meditations and allow his words to sink in deeply: “Suffering has the power to turn your timidity into courage and your doubt into surety. Hardship can turn envy into contentment and complaint into praise. It has the power to make you tender and approachable, to replace subtle rebellion with joyful surrender. Suffering has the power to form beautiful things in your heart that reform the way you live your life. It has incredible power to be a tool of transforming grace.” Suffering in many ways is like pouring ice-cold water on an unsuspecting victim; a battering ram that brings even the most powerful to a place of humility and surrender. This volume is quick to remind us that all those who suffer are in desperate need of grace. Tripp adds, “This physical travail, in the hands of my Savior, is a tool used to drive me away from self-sufficiency and into a deeper dependency on God and his people.” Therefore, suffering is greatly used by God to propel his people to a place they never would have reached apart from suffering. This fundamental message of transformation stands at the heart of Tripp’s book and has the power in itself to encourage and equip a lot of people in God’s kingdom. River Region’s Journey
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Fully Alive Sunday Teaching Series Join us in Contemporary or Traditional worship at 8, 9:30 or 11am to discover what Jesus taught about living the overflowing life God intended.
Fully Alive Community Healing Nights Insights from pastors and counselors on facing some of the biggest obstacles to living fully alive. Wednesdays at 5:30-7:30pm, dinner available.
Sundays January 6-27, 2019 Or watch at www.frazer.church/live
• Overcoming Fear & Anxiety | Jan. 16 • Hope for Depression & Suicide | Jan. 23
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Family Life presents Weekend to Remember Friday, February 15 – Sunday, February 17, 2019 Embassy Suites, 300 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery, AL The two-and-a-half day romantic weekend getaway is a time to be together as a couple to invest in and strengthen the foundation of your marriage, no matter how firm or fragile it is. By getting away from the distractions of life, you can fortify your most important relationship and work toward building wonderful memories together, for decades to come. For more information visit famiilylife.com/weekend-to-remember.
Collingsworth Family in Concert
January 2019
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Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 7:30 pm Doors open at 6:30 pm Davis Theater for Performing Arts, 251 Montgomery Street Call 1-800-965-9324 or visit itickets.com for ticktes.
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His Vessel Ministries Offers Year-Long Discipleship Training Beginning January 2019
His Vessel Ministries is honored to begin its 18th year of Christ-centered discipleship teaching with the following year-long classes. Women’s Discipleship purposes to teach women how to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. The bi-monthly, small-group teaching beginning on January 29, 2019 focuses on taking you to a place with God you have never been before and never want to leave. Teaching topics begin with identifying and understanding your purpose in life as you learn how to develop an intimate relationship with God and the importance of living a life of purity. Other topics include identifying and using your spiritual gift, spiritual fasting, intercessory prayer, spiritual strongholds, and spiritual authority. Do you need order in your home? Do you long for your home to be a place of peace and rest? Then join us in our God of Order Discipleship as this year-long class purposes to teach women God’s order for the home. Bi-monthly, smallgroup teachings and discussions will begin with a morning class on January 29 and an evening class on January 31. Daycare is provided for the morning class with pre-registration. This discipleship training proves to set the heart of every woman on the home, making it a sanctuary where Father God can dwell. One learns how to get the home in spiritual and physical order according to the Word of God. The teachings follow Titus 2:4-6 and include such topics as ordering the home as a restful and secure dwelling place, restoring the family altar, loving and submitting to your husband, speaking blessings, loving your children, being discreet and pure women, practical home management, and making the home a place of hospitality. His Vessel Ministries provides Christ-centered teachings that point people to the Truth that will stir and challenge individuals to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength so they become the vessel that pleases God. This is carried out through Bible teachings, yearly discipleship trainings, and special teaching events. Jo Hancock, Director of His Vessel Ministries, is the teacher and author of the discipleship trainings. His Vessel Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is located in the Historic Union Station in downtown Montgomery where the Bible teachings and discipleship classes are conducted. Visit our website www.hisvessel.org or www.facebook/hisvesselministries.
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The Crabb Family Encore Tour 2019
Crabb Family, Mike Bowling, Bowling Sisters Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 7:00 pm, Doors open at 6:00 pm Frazer United Methodist Church, 6000 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL VIP ticket includes 5:00 PM early entry, a Question & Answer session with the Crabb Family, and the closest seats in the house. Early Access GA ticket includes early entry 10-15 minutes before the General Admission doors open. Please arrive no later than 5:40 PM. Order by Phone at 1-800-965-9324 or visit itickets.com. Organized by Outside The Box Events
The Alabama Baptist presents... Servant’s Appreciation Night 2019
Aaron Wilburn, Pastor Mickey Bell, New Ground Monday, January 28, 2019 at 6:30 pm, Doors open at 6:00 pm Dalraida Baptist Church, 3838 Wares Ferry Road Order tickets by phone: 1-800-965-9324 or email support@thealabamabaptist.org.
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Hurting Can Heal a Friend Sometimes, to help them heal, we have to hurt those who trust us. I took a friend to physical therapy not long ago. He had had shoulder surgery and needed to get his bones, tendons, and ligaments put back in place and healed. His painful therapy sessions went on twice a week for months. But every time he went through that torture of stretching and pulling, he got a little stronger. It took some time, but his wounds began to mend. Anyone who has suffered such an injury knows the dread of these sessions. No matter how much you desire the healing, no one is eager to experience the pain involved in corrective recovery. Being already in-
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jured, we may question the motives of those who ask us to do something that they know will hurt us so much. But without enduring this pain of correction the problem would never be resolved. The bones and sinews would connect in the wrong places, and the patient would never regain their range of motion. The same is true in our spiritual lives. Sometimes to help a friend you have to say something to them that you know will hurt their feelings. This is especially true when you see a Christian friend make choices that seem certain to damage or destroy their marriage, health, or relationships. If you see them about to walk off of a cliff and say nothing, you are not their friend at all. Yet we must always remember that we are not their judge or prosecuting attorney. We are just witnesses to the love of Christ. Christ loves them too much to keep them from healing, even when healing hurts. And we love them like that too. So, what do you do? And what will it cost your friendship? The Bible tells the story of a prophet named Nathan who had to confront David, his friend and king. David had committed murder and adultery and then tried to cover it up. He was living with guilt and remorse. Nathan’s words broke his heart, but brought him out of the darkness and into the light of God’s forgiveness. 12
In the New Testament, Paul tells the Galatians: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ,” (Galatians 6:1-2, NIV). So, this responsibility to hold our fellow believers to some level of accountability is a command, not a request. But how do you handle your wayward Christian friend without coming across as a self-righteous judge? It takes prayer ahead of time. It takes listening for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. And it takes patience to wait for God to reveal His answer. Sometimes you may lose a friend. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds of a friend can be trusted,” NIV. But their reaction may not be one of trust. Some friends just get defensive and cut off all communication with you. Their pride and shame build a wall between the two of you. But that is not your responsibility. If you have been urged by the Lord to gently confront your friend in love, you have to obey that prompting. The other person’s response is not in your hands. I’ve been on both sides of this equation. I have been the one in error and I have been the one chosen to show someone else their error. Neither side is a fun place to be. But when I was sincerely confronted, I appreciated the person who cared enough about me to explain why they thought I was going off of a cliff. I did not change my life at that time, but I trusted that that person had my best interest at heart. Once when I was the witness, I found that the other person accepted my point of view. Another time however, the erring person never spoke to me again. But on both occasions, I felt that I had obeyed what I was commanded to do. When gentle rebuke is needed, healing can come through the pain, if done in love. **Sam Whatley’s latest book, Ponder Anew, is now available at the Frazer Bookstore located inside Frazer Memorial UMC.
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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.
A Woman of Faith EASTERN HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH 7TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
JANUARY 25-26, 2019
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
WITH GUEST SPEAKER
FRIDAY 6:30-8:00PM | SATURDAY 8:30AM - NOON TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE, AT THE CHURCH OFFICE AND WOMEN’S MINISTRY SERVANT TEAM FACEBOOK.COM/EHBC.WOMENSMINISTRY EHBCONLINE.COM 334-272-0604 TICKET PRICES $30 BEFORE JANUARY 25, 2019 $40 ON JANUARY 25, 2019
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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RRJ: How does your Christian faith shape the way you approach your job as a financial adviser at Edward Jones? Sang: I am very thankful to have this position with Edward Jones Investments. Finance, the stock market, and investments have been my interest for many years, so when I retired from the USAF it was the obvious transition. This position allows me to use my talents to help people in all stages of life in meeting their financial goals whether it is retirement planning, college funding, estate consideration or just wanting to increase savings for other needs. I approach their needs with biblical values in mind. As Ron Blue, who is the founding director of Kingdom Advisors has said, “Biblical principles are always right, always relevant, and will never change.” Of course not all my clients are Christians, but I don’t have to abandon those principles as I advise. In fact, my faith in Christ and my desire to please Him calls me to a higher standard. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to form deep relationships and speak into people’s lives. RRJ: Sang, thank you so much for taking the time to share how your faith is at work in the community where God has placed you. To begin with, when did your faith in Christ begin?
RRJ: Before your career as a financial adviser, you retired after 26 years in the Air Force. How did your experience serving your country shape you spiritually?
Sang: My faith in Christ began when I immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea as a young boy. When my family settled initially in Philadelphia, PA, I did not speak one word of English. One day my sisters and I were playing in the cemetery by a Catholic Church and a nun took interest in us. She taught us English and started us in the Catholic school. That is where I first received my introduction to Jesus. Fast forward to me as a young adult, I met a beautiful young lady in Oklahoma City where I was stationed as an Airman in the USAF and Sherry was there attending Oklahoma Christian College. With her encouragement, I searched and found a deeper relationship with Jesus the Christ and was baptized.
Sang: My mother was always thankful to God for the opportunities we have in the U.S. She felt this country is blessed by God and should be valued. That value was instilled in me and motivated me to serve in the armed forces to help protect it. The time I had in the USAF was a memorable and rewarding experience. As we traveled across the US and to other nations, we met some deeply devoted brothers and sisters in Christ. They walked beside us and lifted us up when we needed it. Especially being overseas and alone in a uncertain environment, the gathering of likeminded believers gave us comfort and encouragement. At one location, we didn’t have an established church
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with a preacher, so we took turns preaching and teaching one another, which is a wonderful way to grow in knowledge and spiritually. RRJ: What do you feel is the most important thing in sharing your faith with others, especially non-believers? Sang: I think the most important thing to consider is that they may not comprehend nor accept the teaching in the Bible, so quoting scriptures may not move them. I think the best way to approach them is to meet their needs where they are and build a relationship. The Holy spirit will guide us throughout the way to move the non-believer to the next step. RRJ: In what ways have you seen James 1:17, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows, played out in your life? Sang: The ultimate good and perfect gift is, of course, Jesus, whom we have access to through grace which gives us salvation. I truly believe God puts people in our lives to help us walk with Him. Looking back on my life, the perfect gift of Jesus was introduced to me through the nuns in the city of Philadelphia and through my wife whom I met in Oklahoma City. Sherry has been that person God has put in my life so that we can walk together with Him to establish a home that follows God’s word in Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” RRJ: After four adult children and three grandchildren, you and your wife decided to adopt, which has led you to three more young children with special needs. What led you to make that decision? Sang: When our biological children were in their teen years, my wife had a strong calling to provide a forever family for a
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child through adoption. I was initially against the idea; thinking about the current needs of our four children at home and their college education expenses. Additionally, I was overwhelmed with the cost of the adoption. But as I mentioned earlier, God will put people in our lives to help us walk with Him. Over the next two years, I encountered people who were in the process of adoption or who had adopted and my perspective was changed. God has always been faithful to provide all we need and now it was time to trust Him. So, my wife and I joined together to start the adoption process of a special boy on the waiting list from Korea, Joshua Luke. Bringing home Joshua at 15 months old was such a blessing to our whole family. We then decided to adopt a little girl from Korea for Joshua to grow up with. A couple months after Joshua’s adoption was finalized, we were matched with Savannah Faith. My wife and I brought Savannah home at 18 months of age. Three years later, our lives and home were definitely full, yet God had another little boy waiting on us in China. Aaron Levi was 4 years old when we brought him home. Now we can’t imagine our family without them.
RRJ: You mentioned that you (and all of us) go through peaks and valleys in our spiritual journey. What do you do when you are in a “valley” to find your way back to the Lord? Sang: I think it all starts with having a strong foundation of why you believe. In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Satan has been at work from the very beginning to persuade us from God. He will put doubts in our mind about all things that are good and true. So when those doubts creep into my mind and I feel myself sliding down into the valley, I fight back up by focusing on what I know to be true. I pray for clarity and review the teaching on apologetics from well-known reputable scholars. There is overwhelming evidence for our faith that has been written. The truth of God pushes the doubts that creep into my mind out and invite the words of God back in, which takes me out of the valley and onto a new peak (growing stronger). As Paul mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished
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the race, I have kept the faith.” It is an ongoing battle to stand firm through the valleys and finish well. RRJ: Sometimes fellow Christians struggle to continue living out their faith beyond Sunday morning. How would you encourage all of us to allow our faith to be a constant force in our lives? Sang: Sunday morning worship with fellow believers is great and needed. That is where we can come together as one body to sing and worship our Savior. However, our worship shouldn’t stop there. It should be continuous in everything we do Sunday through Saturday, whether at work, school, or home. I try to start my day as soon as I wake up with a reading of the Bible and reflecting on those words. It is my quiet moment with God to get my mind and spirit in tune for what the day may bring. At bedtime, I end my day with His words again. By being in the word, I find myself closer to Him and have His desires on my mind. Sang and his family attend Landmark Church in Montgomery. He has been married to Sherry 30 years next month, and they have seven children, four adult, biological, three adopted: Joshua, 9 (Korea), Savannah, 8 (Korea), and Aaron, 6 (China).
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2600 Bell Road Montgomery, Alabama 334.277.6690
460 McQueen Smith Road Prattville, Alabama 334.358.6411
Dr. John H. Payne IV • Dr. David Stanley • Dr. Davis Denney • Dr. Rob Owen 15
January 2019
River Region’s Journey
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New Year’s resolutions can be an important first step, but they are a far cry from real, lasting change. The ringing in of a new year brings with it the possibility of a fresh start, or at least a fresh reminder to turn the page on some (or many) ways we’d like to grow and mature in the next season of life. But haven’t we all tried this enough times by now to know how futile mere resolves are if not accompanied by more? River Region’s Journey
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Whether it’s eating and exercise, or Bible-reading and prayer, the God-created mechanism we call “habit” is vital for seeing our earnest resolutions through to enjoyable realities. If we really are resolved to see our hopes for 2017 become life-enriching habits, we will do well to keep several basic truths in mind at the outset of a new year.
1. Focus on a Few, Not Many. Better than big emotional, private resolves about the many things you want to “fix” about your life is dialing in just one or two realistic, and really important, resolves with a concrete plan and specific accountability. The excitement of a new year, and ease with which we can desire change, often leads us to bite off way more than we can chew for a new year. It’s much better to focus on just a couple new habits — even better, just one. And if you’re going to narrow it to just one (or maybe a couple or three), you might as well make it count. Identify something important that will give your new-habit-forming particular focus, even while this one resolve will reap benefits in other areas of your life. Soul-strengthening “habits of grace” are precisely this. Going deeper in God’s word,
prayer, or your local church will produce an invaluable harvest. Consider a specific focus for the new year, or just the first three months of 2019, or even just January. A year is a long period of time in terms of habit-forming; typically we would do much better to just make one resolve at a time, and do so every few months, than to attempt many things and for so long a period as twelve months.
neglect your meeting together “as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25), whether that’s making Sunday mornings more nonnegotiable or prioritizing your midweek investment in life together in community group. Resolve in 2019 not to let silly last-minute excuses keep you from faithfully gathering with the body of Christ, which will be a priceless, long-term means of God’s grace both to you and through you, to others.
2. Make It Specific.
3. Craft a Realistic Plan.
Bible intake, prayer, and Christian community likely are too broad in and of themselves. Give it more specific focus like reading the whole Bible this year, or not just reading but daily meditating on a short passage or verse, or even just a word or phrase (in context). Don’t keep it general at “prayer,” but make it more particular: private prayer each morning, or bedtime prayer with your spouse or family, or punctuating your day with “constant prayer,” or some new prayer initiative as a community group or church. Perhaps as the old year is coming to a close, you’re realizing how spotty your church commitment has been, and how thin your relationships are as a result. You might resolve to deepen your commitment to not
However earnest your resolution, you need a corresponding amount of realistic planning. Let’s be honest, you don’t really want to enrich your prayer life if you’re not willing to give it even just a few minutes of creative thought about where, when, and how you will pray in 2019. Map out clearly and concretely what it would take for a full month to cultivate the habit. Think long term and make sure it’s realistic. Part of being realistic is accepting a measure of modesty to your goals. Don’t try going from no regular devotions to an hour every morning. Start with a focused fifteen minutes a day, perhaps even ten, but make it genuinely nonnegotiable, and see what God does. Grow your duration and depth as
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Over the years, I have found the most transformative reward in cultivating habits of grace to be, not being stronger and holier as a Christian long-term, but knowing and enjoying Jesus today. Having my soul satisfied in him today. The point of daily spiritual discipline isn’t first and foremost being holy or obtaining growth, but knowing and enjoying Jesus and having our souls satisfied, imperfectly but powerfully, in him. The final joy in any truly Christian habit or practice or rhythm of life is, in the words of the apostle, “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). “This is eternal life” — and this is the goal of the means of grace — “that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Fly Hosea 6:3 as a banner over your 2017 spiritual resolutions: “Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord.”
5. Enlist Regular Accountability. One of the flaws in so many resolutions is that they stay private. When we really mean it, we draw in real and regular accountability. We are sinners. Our heads are not always screwed on straight. We need others to speak into our lives, and hold us accountable for who we’ve said we want to be, and what we’ve said we want to do. Perhaps talk through some of these principles for forming good habits and consider a monthly calendar reminder to check in with each other. It is a great means of God’s grace that he has not left us alone in forming spiritual habits.
6. Cover Your Efforts in Prayer.
Scripture intake becomes a fixture in your schedule, and you learn to wake up each day even more hungry for the Bible than for breakfast.
4. Identify the Reward. Runners will tell you that being hearthealthy in their old age is not their driving motivation. It’s a nice added benefit, of course, but a reward that is nondescript, and a long way off, won’t get you out of bed in the morning and into your running shoes on for long. Rather, what motivates most long-term runners is feeling great today, whether it’s the River Region’s Journey
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endorphins, or the sense of accomplishment or clear-headedness, or all the above. Trying to draw on the same long-range motivation each morning to get out of bed and hear God’s voice in the Scriptures will soon run dry. And God doesn’t mean for us to be motivated merely by distant, future rewards, important as they are. God supplies bountiful motivations for today. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23). He means for us to taste and see his goodness right now (Psalm 34:8). He can meaningfully satisfy our restless souls in real, life-transforming measure right now. 18
At the end of the day, and the end of another, the Holy Spirit is decisive, not our spiritual habits, for producing any lasting, spiritual fruit. Cultivating wise habits are not our attempt to work for God’s acceptance, but to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12–13). In prayer, we re-consecrate ourselves again and again to pursue our resolves “by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). We would be foolish to pour fresh, regular efforts into new spiritual habits without explicitly asking God to make it truly fruitful. Resolutions are not enough. But God has not just left us to resolutions. David Mathis (@davidcmathis) is executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He is a husband, father of four, and author of Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.
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Are We Living in Reality? Perhaps in an attempt to create a “new reality,” people are literally attempting to take outrageous steps in order to deny what is real and factual and enter into some substitute world, a parallel universe, of sorts. When you start saying that a person can change their gender simply by declaring a new identity, and when gender is regarded as fluid rather than fixed, you are, in a sense, denying biological reality. A sense of fluidity has led to extreme consequences; for instance, consider this from a report at The Guardian: A 69-year-old Dutch “positivity guru” who says he does not feel his age has started a battle to make himself legally 20 years younger on the grounds that he is being discriminated against on a dating app. Emile Ratelband told a court in Arnhem in the Netherlands that he did not feel “comfortable” with his date of birth, and compared his wish to alter it to people who identified as transgender. The article went on to say: Doctors had told him his body was that of a 45-year-old man, Ratelband argued. He described himself as a “young god”. The judge conceded that the ability to change gender was a development in the law. “I agree with you: a lot of years ago we thought that was impossible,” he said. Ratelband says his age is an impediment to “love.” A Japanese man has decided that he loves - an animated character and spent thousands of dollars to marry her recently. Business Insider reports: River Region’s Journey
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Akihiko Kondo was determined to never marry after being bullied by female seniors at his previous workplace. He picked Hatsune Miku instead – a hologram who won’t “cheat, age or die”. The 35-year-old school administrator has certainly married into fame. Miku is an animated 16-year-old with saucer eyes and lengthy aquamarine pigtails, known as a vocaloid. The virtual reality singer is one of the most popular pop-culture icons in Japan, known for selling out live concert performances. Kondo has a desktop version of Miku, which is a home device likened to Alexa or Google Home. He sleeps with the doll version, which has its own wedding ring. Apparently, Kondo apparently is not alone in this type of arrangement. The article states that: “Hologram device manufacturer Gatebox has distributed 3,700 marriage certificates for these ‘cross-dimension’ marriages, according to Geek.com.” And, the desire for love and intimacy has resulted in the opening of brothels around the world, using robots. Fortunately, the city of Houston has resisted the dubious distinction of being the host city for the first such place in the U.S. The Houston Chronicle reports: A Toronto company’s plan to open a sex service in Houston offering “adult love dolls” available “to rent before you buy” has sparked opposition from city leaders and an online campaign to keep so-called robot brothels out of the city. The article says that the mayor is reviewing city ordinances or could be looking
at new ones to prevent such an enterprise from opening in the city or at least to regulate it. These are some extreme versions of departures from objective, Biblical truth and from biology. A person cannot identify with an age different than his or her real age. A person cannot “marry” an animated character and call it marriage. And, having some form of relations with a robot is a twisted departure from true intimacy. I think there is certainly an element of desperation here, and desperation can bring delusion. But, even in our own lives, we have to watch out for ways the enemy would deceive us and draw us away from reality. We can become captive to our own thoughts - our ideas and perceptions of situations can be inappropriately distorted because of errant thinking. We have to stay grounded in reality. Worry and anxiety can result in developing the incorrect view of situations. Jumping to conclusions based on uninformed observations can harm relationships. God’s Word is a powerful force in order to renew our minds. The Bible warns against fear, which can produce departures from truth - we are told that instead of a spirit of fear, we are to possess power, love, and a sound mind. We must think Biblically and stay grounded in reality. The enemy would try to get us off course and we can adopt ideas that are patently contradictory to Scripture. That’s why the spiritual disciplines of Bible study and prayer help to keep us on track. These instances I cited show what happens or what can happen when a culture adopts ideas that are contrary to God’s standards. And, we remember that a departure from God’s laws and standards is at one’s own risk. We must remain devoted to upholding His truth in a culture that is willing to accept less.
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There is a special ministry at Frazer United Methodist Church that not only focuses on renewing your spirit, but also your mind and body.
sports programs year round. Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading, which focuses on spiritual development through devotionals, coaching, and athletic skills, is August through October for rising 1st through 6th grade boys and girls. Sonshine Soccer is offered in the spring for boys and girls ages five through twelve, with the emphasize on sportsmanship and skill development in a Christcentered atmosphere. Upward Basketball is January through February for children K5 through 8th grade. The Sports and Fitness ministry also has a summer volleyball league for rising 6th through 12th grade girls. They also host the Special Olympics for their state basketball tournament. Hendrix said, “To make the ministry run successfully, we need volunteers. Through this ministry, many people in the community are involved in youth sports programs to teach Christian values. We use volunteer coaches (who have had background checks) to share their heart and skills with our youth.” Those wanting to help can volunteer at the John Ed Mathison Activity Center’s control desk, or with the sports teams such as volleyball, Upward Basketball, Sonshine Soccer, and Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading. They also need volunteers as Half-time Witnesses, which is leading a fiveminute personal testimony or uplifting devotional during half-time. For more information or to volunteer, you can contact Craig McKissick, Sports and Fitness Ministry Director, Liz Craig, Recreation Ministry Assistant, or Emily Spear, Fitness Coordinator at 334-495-6459, or you can check our their website at Frazer.church.
Frazer Sports and Fitness ministry began in 1992, and it exists to win people to Christ through providing various recreational activities where people can meet and fellowship with each other. Their objectives are to create a fun environment for building relationships with both church members and the community, to promote physical and spiritual health and well being, and to provide a training ground for children to develop character and discipline through athletics. Kim Hendrix, Outreach Director at Frazer, said, “We are passionate about this ministry because we believe it is our mission field where people come to us to begin the fellowship process. We were created as physical, mental, and spiritual beings to be in an intimate relationship with God and in loving fellowship with others. We hope that people feel the love of Christ at Frazer and with each other as we grow closer through activities spent honoring God.” Frazer Sports and Fitness ministry has a number of organized recreational activities for all ages and a fully equipped activity center for personal fitness and fun. Their activity center has weight and cardiovascular workout rooms available to any church member, 16 years old and up, after completing a training class, as well as a 1/13th mile walking/running track above the gym. The services they offer to the community are CPR and fitness classes, men’s basketball, and Temple Builders fitness classes for their senior population. They also provide several children and youth
Angela Hardgrave is a graduate of the University of Mobile with a degree in journalism and currently works in the Marketing Department of Faulkner University as a graphic designer. Angela is also a freelance writer for several publications in the River Region. She resides in Montgomery, Alabama, with her three awesome daughters and her dog, Emmy.
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PARENTS
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Exemplifying Christ at the Workplace I am a woman who deals with multiple environments in the ministry. People in ministry are still just people and I have had my experiences with those who have “worked me” the wrong way. I wonder if you face challenges in your workplace. Should you take a look at how this year can be different…starting with you? How do we women take our place in our places of employment without becoming part of the problem? How can we make a difference where sharks and minnows are expected to produce a common goal? Before we lose heart, let us understand principles from God’s Word that can make the difference, if we but heed them and put them into play where we work. Scripture says: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16.
Face The Issues From the Perspective of Being the Light Every business, from the Government to Fortune 500 businesses, from small companies to churches, all have problems – disagreements, arguments, grudges, and ambition are a part of the sin of humanity – no matter where they work. Just as cancer is in every person, but is only dangerous when activated, so the propensity to be petty or greedy is in the soul of fallen man but becomes lethal when activated. God can increase your understanding of relationships on any level. You don’t have to River Region’s Journey
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relate to your fellow workers on a personal level. But you do need to have a working relationship with them
1. Cultivate a Professional Attitude Treat everyone fairly and equally. Appreciate those who are different from you. There are many types of personalities who process situations differently than you. Allow people to be who they are. When you see office politics coming to play, help your workers see and feel your confidence. You are working, “… heartily, as unto the Lord,” (Colossians 3:23 ESV).
2. Hostile Co-workers Are Not the Enemy Enemy is a strong word. Remember you were once called an “enemy of God” before you received salvation. Yet God loved you…enough to call you to be His own. Rise above the differences and pettiness and ask God to give you His perspective. Many times the hostility is really not aimed at you, but due to negative circumstances the other person is facing. You just happened to be in the way of misplaced anger.
3. Ask Forgiveness If you truly love, you issue forth complimentary virtues like patience, kindness, grace, and forgiveness. Were you wrong in anything you did? Be sure to ask forgiveness where it is due. Your model of humility will speak volumes to those who need to learn how to do the same. 24
4. Be Inclusive Cliques are immature groups where needy people feel validation. These unhealthy groups are not limited to high school. Offices can produce a hierarchy or class structure based on those people who gravitate toward each other. Pulling these structures apart can only be done when people feel secure on their own. You can help bring security into the environment of your office by representing everyone truthfully and with care. Be careful of gossip mongers who will take anything shared in open transparency to others and perhaps your boss. Discern what issues people have. You will need God to help you identify correctly who is fearful, who feels guilty, or other issues. Don’t avoid anyone, even those who seem the most needy. Be ready to embrace everyone.
Those in Authority Over You Bosses are often placed in position for which they are not qualified. “Qualified” does not have to do with years of tenure, and it does not mean that people know more than anyone else. A boss is to be a leader of others, yet many have never been trained or had experience being a leader. This puts them at a disadvantage and it can affect how they work with those under them. What can you do to make a difference? Identify those that trigger negative responses and determine how you will deal with them ahead of time. Anticipate what you might be asked to do. Being proactive can eliminate impatience or micromanagement by your boss. Romans 13:1 (ESV) says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Wherever you work, God can use “You” to create a place where His Spirit can work on the hearts of each employee. You need to be open to His voice and given to making a difference. Take courage, woman of God, You are God’s secret weapon! Be the light in that dark place.
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Adoption Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy and First UMC, Millbrook APAC, Alabama Pre/ Post Adoption Connection Support Group: This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer. 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 Christ-centered 12-step program. Call 264-4949. Location: Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. 272.2190. Alanon meets at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Location: 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 for more information.
Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christcentered 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
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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.
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.
PHYSICIANS TO CHILDREN
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Cancer
Now accepting new patients ages newborn to 18 years
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 W at 202-1912.
P H YS ICIA N S TO C H IL D R E N Taylor Medical Complex 470 Taylor Rd, Suite 210 Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 293-5033
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 further information.
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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. Also, Divorce for Kids is available. Call 495-6350 or e-mail jan@ frazerumc.org. Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road DivorceCare fosters a weekly supportive and caring environment to heal the hurt of separation and divorce. Call 279-5433.
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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 Church, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. This is an open group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com with questions or for more information. Location: Eastmont Baptist, 4505 Atlanta Hwy. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child meeting first Tuesdays at 7 pm. Call (334) 284-2721 for info. Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Share, Wednesday evenings at 6 pm in the church parlor. Led by Michael Beatty. Call 365-5977. Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Grief Recovery Support Group meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Rm 3105. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754 or e-mail mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook. Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org.
Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief support group meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M7:00 P.M. For additional information, please contact Alice Glover at (334)281-2754.
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.
Mental Health
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Frazer mom2mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of ages birth to 5 at Frazer UMC to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. Email Mom2mom@frazerumc.org for more information.
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy NAMI Montgomery (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meets 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Room 7205. Group provides understanding, education, & information to family members & friends of those who suffer mental illness. Call Pat Cobb at 334-451-0207 for more info. NAMI Connection (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Support group for individuals with mental illness. Meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Room 3103. Call Pat Cobb at 334-451-0207 for more info.
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
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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
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every Sunday afternoon from 3:00-4:00. Call Annette Jones for more information on joining us or training to start your own group. 850-529-4730 or email Montgomerymipac@gmail.com Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road Are you in need of a time-out? MOPS joins mothers together by a common bond, to be better wives, moms, and friends along this journey in the trenches of motherhood. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 9:30—11:30 a.m. Childcare is provided. For info e-mail VFCMOPS@gmail.com.
Physical Challenges
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Road Visually Impaired Support Group – Meets monthly on second Thursday 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The group is called Outward Sight - Inward Vision and is for those with vision loss and their caregivers. Our mission is to assist those experiencing vision loss to maintain their independence. Call 272-6152. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Parkinson’s Support meets 4th Thursdays at 6 pm in Room 8114. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Ostomy Support meets every other month on the 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in room 3101. In 2018: Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Vaughn Park Church, 3800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group meets 2nd Friday of each month from 6:30- 8 PM. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare is provided. Please visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com or our Facebook page (MADSOG) for information. Please contact MADSOG at montgomeryareadownsyndrome@gmail.com.
Same Sex Attraction
Location: : Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, 5780 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Upstream Support Group for those dealing with unwanted same sex attraction and family members or loved ones of those who are gay identified. The group meets at 6:30 pm every first, third and fifth Tuesday evenings. For more information call 334.244.1385.
Singlehood
Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Boundaries study for singles meets each Tuesday from 6-7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. This study will help singles learn to set boundaries with emotions and help avoid the harmful behavior of others. For information, call 495-6386 or email singles@ frazerumc.org. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Single and Parenting! A New Group for Single Mom’s. This group meets every Tuesday from 6-7:30pm for hope & encouragement & guidance & parenting ideas. For information, call 495-6386 or email singles@frazerumc.org.
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New Year Journey John 1:14 The Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only . The word became flesh and dwelt among us. He came and moved in to the neighborhood. He pitched His tent among us. The above are several different translations of the verse that we find in John 1:14. The verse that really changed everything in history! He came and lived among us! What an incredible sacrificial thing that God (the Trinity) decided to do. They were willing to break perfect union and harmony to come and live among us so that He could redeem us unto Himself. During Christmas, the idea that struck me most profoundly was that there was a lot of “traveling” and “journeying” involved in the Christmas story. Involved in traveling and journey is the thought that one is mobile, can move about freely and that there is also a spirit of adventure. The first “journey” was the journey from heaven to earth. God (the Trinity) in infinite wisdom, love and mercy determined to “travel” to earth. Jesus was willing to come and make His home among us. The verse in John 1:14 means that He came to pitch a tent. Apparently this has reference to the Old River Region’s Journey
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Testament readings where God was contained in the tabernacle (which was a tent). But this was really different, whereas before there was certain protocol one had to go through before entering the tent, now Jesus came to be one of us! He wanted to equal the playing field so that we could begin to see Him as a relational God, not just one to be obeyed and feared. What better way to do that than to become one of us and dwell among us. It occurs to me that He chose the human body to be His house and His temple. That still is the case today, we are His temple...yes, you and I in the form of this human body, we are His temple in the modern world. His presence is not limited to a building, a church or tabernacle. His presence is all around us because He is in you and me. I wonder what might change in my life if I remembered to view myself and others as occupants of the living God. That might really change the way I regard myself and others. The next journey we see is the journey of the angel coming to speak to Mary and sharing with her the good and terrifying news that she had been chosen to carry the Son of God. In response to those words she and Joseph set out on their own journey to go to Bethlehem to be counted for the census. That could not have been an easy journey! Pregnant, uncertain and away from home. But that journey had to be fulfilled for the Christ child to be born in Bethlehem. The next journey was the angels again coming from heaven to deliver the good news to the shepherds that the Christ child was born. In response to that message, the shepherds followed (traveled) to Bethlehem to see the baby that had been born. This could not have been an easy journey either. We do not know (at least I don’t) what that journey was like for these shepherds. These were men that were out doing their work and the whole course of their lives changed after they had an encounter with the angels. What if they had not been willing to take that journey? They would have missed out on seeing the Christ child and we would not be able to read 30
of their great faith and willingness to follow the message they received. They would not have been a part of the most beautiful and well known story in history. Then, of course we cannot forget the journey of the wise men. From what we understand it must have taken the wise men about two years to even get to Jesus. By the time they found him He was not living in the manger anymore, but in a home. That was a long journey. I wonder if we would have had the determination to travel that long and hard to find the Christ child. It seems that in our world today access to Christ is much easier and sometimes I am not even willing or engaged enough to take a journey that would be much shorter to meet with Christ. Sometimes that journey might be in my own home, in my own heart. So all of this “traveling” part of the Christmas story caused me to reflect on what I am willing to do to become part of the story. What keeps us, what keeps me, from being able or willing to go on the journey that God has set before me. As we enter the new year I invite you to go on the first important journey, and that is the journey of your heart. Ask the Lord to gently help you decide the things you need on your journey for the upcoming year. I would also invite you to consider when you are thinking of packing and repacking your suitcase that you don’t do it with resolutions and declarations, but consider a more gentle word like “intentions”. What are your intentions for this year? Intention implies a desire of your heart and that you recognize you want to be a partner with God on the journey. Let’s dwell and journey with Him this new year. Christy Holding, LPC is a long time resident of Montgomery. She is a graduate of Trinity Presbyterian School. She received her undergraduate degree at Liberty University in 1976 and obtained her master’s degree in Counseling from Georgia State University in 1984. She graduated a BS in nursing in 1996 and has worked in hospice dealing with grief and loss. Christy’s practice at The Samaritan Counseling Center is primarily with those struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, and self-harming behaviors including eating disorders. Christy has a passion to see people walk in wholeness and freedom and experience the life they were created to live.
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Short Term Planning Q. My husband and I are completely debt-free, and we’re saving up for our first house. We currently have about $90,000 in savings, and we’d like to buy a home with cash in the next few years. Where should we put our money, so it will work for us while we save more? It’s a great feeling when you don’t have any debt hanging over your head, isn’t it? With the path you’re on now, just imagine how incredible it will be in a few years to have a new home and still be debt-free! If I were in your shoes, and maybe looking at a three- to five-year window, I’d just park the cash in a good market account. You won’t make a lot off it, but your money will be safe. Besides, all you’re looking for is a wise place to stash it for a little while. When it comes to long-term investing I’m a big fan of growth stock mutual funds. The problem with that in your situation would be the volatility of the market. By the time you’ve saved up more money, and spent time deciding on a house, the market may be down. It sounds like you two are doing a fantastic job with your finances. Congratulations!
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A. Congratulations on being debt-free at such a young age! I appreciate the credit, but the truth is I just pointed you in the right direction. You made the sacrifices and did all the hard work. I’m really proud of you! Yes, my advice is to temporarily stop making contributions to your 401(k) until you save up an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses. It shouldn’t take a year, though, to set aside an emergency fund if you’re debt-free
Put retirement on hold temporarily Q. Should I stop making contributions to my 401(k) account for a year in order to save up an emergency fund? Thanks to you, I’m 33 and debt-free. River Region’s Journey
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and making decent money at your job. Just make it part of your monthly budget plan, and get that emergency fund set up in a few months. Here’s the way I look at it. If you don’t have an emergency fund, but you’re contributing to a 401(k), there’s a good chance you’ll end up cashing out your 401(k) if something happens that leaves you with a large, unexpected bill. When you cash out a 401(k) early, you get hit with a penalty plus your tax rate. That’s not a good plan! And that’s just one of the reasons I tell people to have an emergency fund in place before they start investing.
GET A GRIP ON YOUR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. DR. CHUA CAN HELP.
JACQUELIN CHUA, MD Rheumatologist
Swollen joints or painful swelling? Chronic fatigue or widespread inflammation? These symptoms may be a sign that you need to see a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in both musculoskeletal disorders and certain autoimmune conditions. At Jackson Clinic, Dr. Jacquelin Chua specializes in rheumatism, arthritis, and other disorders of the joints, muscles, and ligaments. Using the latest diagnostic and treatment options she can help you get the upper hand on your condition.
Now accepting patients. To schedule appointment, call 334-293-6904. 1722 Pine Street, Suite 801 Montgomery, AL 36106
RheumatologyatJackson.com
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