Congratulations to
Brian aiyana Velazquez Escobar winners of the second annual “ Share Your Smile Alabama Department of Public photo Health Oral Health Office with Alabama”contest
For smiles like aiyana and Brian that last a lifetime: • C hildren ages 1-17 years old need to have preventive dental visits twice yearly • Optimal levels of Community Water Fluoridation should be present where you live
alabamapublichealth.gov/oralhealth
ORAL HEALTH OFFICE Promoting Smiles Across a Lifetime
Volume 20, Issue 12
Feature Articles
MARCH 2 0 1 9 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note
page 14
Jason Watson
Faith @ Work: Gary Soriano
page 4
Pastor's Perspective
Local Chick-Fil-A franchise owner Gary Soriano explains how hard work was instilled in him since childhood and how his faith in Christ impacts his work. He also shares how Truett Cathy spoke into his life at an early age, and how that influenced him going forward in business and life.
Patrick Quinn, Century Church
page 12
Pondering the Journey Sam Whatley
page 16
Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy
page 18
page 21
Ministry Spotlight: Filter of Hope
Counselor’s Corner Lennie Howard, LPC
page 26
The Intersection Bob Crittenden
page 32
Dave $ays
by Angela Hardgrave
Providing clean water to children and families is the passion of Filter of Hope, and you can be a part. Learn about their Kids Clean Water Project and get your group involved in saving lives.
Dave Ramsey
In Every Issue page 6
Books to Read
page 22
Identifying and Forsaking Our Spiritual Mistresses by Scott Sauls
Identify the idols in your life and take steps towards placing God above all. 1
page 8
Around Our Community page 14
Faith @ Work page 28
Support Groups March 2019
River Region’s Journey
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Our Mission... We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.
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 Lennie Howard, LPC Patrick Quinn Dave Ramsey Scott Sauls Kemi Searcy Dr. David Steele Sam Whatley
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702
Digital Manager Scott Davis
Ad Design
Tim Welch, Welch Designs
From the Publisher I was recently confessing my sins to God. It was in the morning after the kids had left for school and I began praying for them. However, the more I prayed for them the more I found myself praying for me. As I prayed to God, my mind filled with verses that call me to feed my family His word. I nodded in agreement with some as I read them in my mind’s eye. “Yes, I am doing that” I thought. But, as is always the case, the more I meditated on my calling and God’s word, my nods of approval faded away and I confessed how I fail in my role of being a godly father. I prayed, “I want to be a good father showing my children your love and your ways”. Then I remembered, as I am seeking to support my children, so is God, and even more so. And as I try to honor Him in my role as a parent, He is loving and supporting me in that calling. Ultimately, as I confessed my failings, I began worshipping God who knows very well I am not perfect and that He is in all ways. He alone is the faithful one and that’s exactly what He wants me to express to my children. I am free to confess my sins and still approach God because when He called me, through the work of Jesus, He instantly made me His righteous child and co-heir together with Christ. We’re no longer enemies. When I sin and fall short, I am still safe and secure in His love. When His discipline comes, it is so good for me and delivered with love, goodness and righteousness. He is the very best Dad and I am safe with Him. We all have parents...some of us have had bad ones or times when they acted badly. They weren’t always safe, so we think our Heavenly Father can’t always be safe either. It may be hard to imagine based on the brokenness you’ve known in this life, but being a child of God is the safest place you’ll ever know. Romans 8:31, 38-39: 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us... 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. First, I pray you have confessed Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He is the way we can come to the Father and be made His children. Secondly, as you read through this month’s issue, I pray you see God’s love for you. Don’t create a false version of God based on your parental experiences. Know that He loves you like no other...that He is good and His mercies are new every morning. Walk in His grace and love confessing your need for Him daily and worshipping Him as you go. Praise to Abba Father!
Distribution Manager Charles Silliman
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 2019 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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Please join us as we celebrate
EASTER EASTER SCHEDULE
Maundy Thursday | April 18
Holy Eucharist with Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar at 7:00 pm
Good Friday | April 19
Veneration of the Cross at 12:00 pm | Stations of the Cross with Veneration of the Cross at 7:00 pm
Holy Saturday | April 20
The Great Vigil of Easter with Holy Baptism at 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday | April 21
Sunrise Eucharist in the Courtyard Garden at 6:00 am | Holy Eucharist at 9:30 am
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8800 VAUGHN ROAD, MONTGOMERY, AL 36117 | WWW.CHRISTCHURCHMGM.NET | 334.387.0566 3
March 2019
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Pastor’s Perspective Patrick Quinn, Century Church
When a Hurt Becomes a Gift The pain of your past can become the medicine of someone else’s future. Trouble comes to everyone. If you’ve lived very long, you have been through some storms, and you’ve got the scars to show for it. Often we hide those scars away, thinking that they make us less worthy. They deface us and take away our beauty. They show our weakness. Yet to a hurting person, those scars can be exactly the comfort they need. Nothing makes a greater difference in going through pain than to find someone else who has gone through the same thing, someone who can say, “You’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. I know how tough it is. But you can make it, because I did.” That’s what the Apostle Paul is talking about when he writes, “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given
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us.” (2 Cor. 1:3b-4 NLT) When God gets us through storms, we can get others through the storms. When we come alongside of others out of our hurt and our brokenness, we don’t come with a prideful spirit. We don’t show up with all the answers to tell everyone what to do. We know there’s not always a cookie-cutter answer to make the pain go away. We just know how the presence and mercy of God got us through our darkest moments, and we can offer that same mercy and presence to others. Later in that same letter Paul writes about a “thorn in his flesh,” some kind of unspecified pain or struggle that he pleaded with God to take away. But God chose not to. Instead the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a) When you don’t have what it takes to solve the problem, that’s when God’s power is made the most complete. Paul concluded, “So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (12:9b) He realized that going through painful experiences can be one more way God can use us to make a difference in the lives of others. It can be frightening to open up about your hurts. We don’t like to admit our weaknesses. We aren’t sure how people will respond, and we don’t want to be judged – we don’t want to become objects of pity. Sharing our story can also cause us to relive the pain. On the other hand, keep in mind that turning your pain into a useful tool doesn’t necessarily mean shouting it from the rooftops. It may just mean finding one single person who faces a similar challenge and opening up to him or her. Listen carefully to the voice of God. The Spirit will not push you beyond what you are able to bear, although often 4
he will challenge you beyond your comfort zone. And you can be confident of this: when God calls you to share your pain with others, it is not to cause you more hurt; it is to open up a new pathway to blessing. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day,” wrote Paul; “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT) When you first begin, it may seem impossible to imagine that something that has hurt you so deeply could ever be a source of joy, but time and time again, that has been the testimony of those who have allowed God to use them in their brokenness. What are some other ways hurts can be turned into blessings? I’ve seen victims of abuse become counselors who help others work through their pain. One man whose child was murdered has spent a lifetime building a program for victims of violent crime. He sits with family members during tense parole hearings and advocates for victim’s rights with the legislature. A woman who struggled for years with insecurity and low self-esteem helps younger women learn to find their identity and value in Christ. A young mother whose husband committed suicide helps children memorize scripture so that their thinking will be transformed from hopelessness to life. Teenage girls who grew up in an orphanage go back to that same orphanage to visit younger children to show them they are not alone or forgotten by God. In my own ministry, the pain of a close friend’s death my senior year in high school helps me understand and identify with the griefs and hurts of the many people I am called to walk beside as a pastor. There simply is no limit to what God can do for good when we allow even our deepest wounds to be healed by the Holy Spirit and repurposed as a channel for healing to flow out to others. Where have you been hurt? Where has pain been part of your story? Are you ready for your hurts to become gifts? Ask God today to show you His plan for your pain. Go be the medicine for someone else’s pain. Dr. Patrick M. Quinn is Lead Pastor of Century Church with worship services every Sunday, 9am & 10:30am, in the Pike Road Elementary School. (Article from excerpt of Better Than You Can Imagine, Patrick’s latest book available at all online retailers.)
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Counseling Under the Cross:
The author continues, “Before he came under the influence of the cross, Luther lived life as a man terrified that he would never find peace with God because his God was not a God of peace. Luther lived with a constant sense of guilt and dread in the face of a terrifying, angry, and unforgiving God.” The only way Luther found relief is by casting all his hope and future on a sovereign God, by grace alone through faith alone.
How Martin Luther Applied the Gospel to Daily Life
Bob Kellemen (2019) One man blazed a trail in the sixteenth century that laid the groundwork for countless numbers of Christians. Martin Luther was the primary agent who God used in a mighty way as he hammered his 95 theses on the castle door at Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. He unleashed a theological revolution known as the Protestant Reformation, where the doctrines of grace were recovered and the gospel began to exert a powerful influence in the lives of people. Counseling Under the Cross by Bob Kellemen explores the life and legacy of Martin Luther and reveals how his theological framework influenced his counseling ministry.
What is the Shape of Martin Luther’s Pastoral Counseling? “Luther’s counseling reflects his theology – it is cross-shaped and gospel-centered.” Part two reveals the shape of Luther’s pastoral counseling. The author examines Luther’s approach to pastoral counseling by exploring two primary angles. First, soul care: comfort for suffering. Luther’s theology and methodology of sustaining and healing are presented with specific examples of how the Reformer encouraged and edified the saints. Second, spiritual direction: confrontation for sinning. Specifically, Luther’s theology and methodology of reconciling and guiding are presented here. Again, the author paints a pastoral portrait of Luther and shows him at work among the Body of Christ. While soul care (noted above) involves comforting and encourages Christians, spiritual direction involves a confrontation with people. EVALUATION: Bob Kellemen does a beautiful job of explaining how Martin Luther applied the gospel to everyday life. One of the most helpful aspects of the book is the emphasis on indicatives and imperatives. The author makes it clear that both are important aspects of the Christian life: “Salvation in Christ (gospel indicatives) frees, empowers, and motivates us through faith to serve others in love (gospel imperatives). Progressive sanctification is faith active in love – exercising the love that comes from faith in the grace of Christ.” I strongly urge pastors, counselors, and church leaders to prayerfully study Counseling Under the Cross.
What Shaped Martin Luther’s Pastoral Counseling? Part one explores Luther’s background and alerts readers to the oppressive environment that was so common in the sixteenth century. Luther fought desperately to find peace with God but was doomed to failure apart from completed work of Christ which is received by grace alone through faith alone. Kellemen explains how Luther’s anxiety impacted his life in his early adult years. Luther admits, “For I had hoped I might find peace of conscience with fasts, prayers, and the vigils with which I miserably afflicted my body, but the more I sweated it out like this, the less peace and tranquillity I knew.”
Why I Love the Apostle Paul
John Piper (2019) The aim of John Piper’s most recent book is to help readers get to know Paul the apostle. Piper’s motive is that Paul’s “God-entranced soul and his unparalleled vision of Jesus Christ and the authenticity of his life would move you to admire him and believe his message and embrace his Lord.” The name of the book is Why I Love the Apostle Paul. Thirty reasons are supplied in short, readable chapters as Dr. Piper unpacks the heart and soul of one of the greatest thinkers and theologians of all time. This book reveals the underbelly or the foundations of Piper’s well-known Christian hedonism. Many have fought against the very notion of such a worldview. Some have cast it aside as heretical; others have discounted it or marginalized its value. The arguments for Christian hedonism that Piper presents are not only biblical; they are robust, logical, mind-shaping, and heart-warming. The central thought of Piper’s Christian hedonism is this: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Piper’s latest offering, while not necessarily an apologetic for Christian hedonism, is a worthy defensive and brilliant articulation of the philosophy which has undergirded the author’s life and ministry. Quite frankly, Why I Love the Apostle Paul is an enthralling book. It is certain to open many eyes to the depth, breadth, majesty, and beauty of the gospel. The deep biblical realities that Dr. Piper unfolds are powerful and encouraging. This is a book that deserves to be read over and over again! River Region’s Journey
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Just Give Me Jesus Tour
Unspoken, Northpoint Inside Out, Caitie Hurst
Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm, Doors open at 6:00 pm First Assembly of God Church, 135 Bell Road, Montgomery, AL Visit itickets.com or call 800-965-9324.
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CEF Summer Missions Training
April 27, 9 am to Noon, CEF is seeking churches who are interested in being part of an ongoing effort to see those children consistently discipled and plugged into a local church body, in a way that roots the child in the teaching of God’s Word and the fellowship of His people. This lasting relationship with the local church can dramatically increase the impact had on the child, the family, and the community. CEF® offers meaningful training, quality materials, assistance with recruitment and networking, as well as legal benefits such as liability insurance and background checks for all volunteers. If you or your church would like more information about this event you can email us or call the office and speak to one of our summer staff, Teree Solomon or Isaac Ritchie. Phone: 334.213.7388 Email: tsolomon5@yahoo.com
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Dr. Jim Burns Heads Up Powerful Weekend on Parenting
On February 8th and 9th, nine churches came together in a united effort purposing to build effective biblical families in the River Region area. Dr. Jim Burns from
Encounter Women’s Conference 2019
2/25/2019
April 11-13 Fresh Anointing House of Worship Price is $35 and registration is at www.anointedchurch.org. Call 613-3363 for more info. Resized_Resized_womensconference_copy.jpg
HomeWord taught on Confident Parenting, being the Transition Generation, The Lesson of the Shema, Creating a Gracefilled Home, Building Morals and Values Into the Lives of Your Kids and Creating a Media Safe Home.. It was a powerful weekend together!
GirlTime at East Memorial Baptist Church in Prattville
A women’s Bible study and time of fellowship meets once a month on the 2nd Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 at various locations. GirlTime is open to ladies of all ages. Check website at eastmemorial.org or call the church office at 334-365-7500 for info. Childcare is provided at the church.
Email your ministry news to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com! https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?pli=1#sent/FMfcgxwBVqRJxkkfmPkmSTfHcKmzwGrN?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1
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Clay Shoot Fundraiser for Summer Missions
with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Central Alabama • Friday, March 29, 2019 • 8:00 AM 1:00 PM • Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sports Club 4758 Lower Wetumpka Road, Montgomery • RSVP @ https://www.cefcentralalabama.org/ events/032919clayshoot • cefcentralal@gmail.com or (334) 213-7388 As the weather warms, we are setting our sights on summer. To begin raising funds for summer missions, we are hosting our annual Clay Shoot. Join us for this day of fellowship, fun, and food, while also partnering with the Gospel and impacting the lives of teens and children this summer. The cost is $100 per person. Bring a team of four or join a group when you get there. You can register by calling or emailing the local office or register the day of the event. Various supplies can be purchased, rented or borrowed at the venue, such as shotgun rentals, shells, eye wear and earplugs, etc. Lunch will be provided. This year we are also offering the opportunity for corporate sponsorship at two available levels. A signage sponsorship costs $150 and includes the benefits of your brand and logo being promoted at a designated shooting station during the event. A table sponsorship costs $250 and includes a table at the event where you can promote your business to the participants. All corporate sponsorship also includes the benefit of your business being promoted in all our event promotion, as well as on our social media.
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APRIL 27 WE’VE HELPED OVER 95,000 GET SCREENED ONE STEP AT A TIME. REGISTER NOW AND HELP US KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING! The Walk of Life creates awareness for breast cancer, celebrates survivors, and raises money for those who cannot afford mammograms and breast cancer screenings. Bring the family April 27 and run, walk, donate or volunteer with us at 8:30am in Downtown Montgomery!
5K RUN/WALK & KIDS ZONE & PARTY Register at JOYTOLIFE.ORG
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FUNDR AISE VOLUNTEER
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GIVE HERE. JOY TO LIFE P R O V I D E S L I F E S AV I N G M A M M O G R A M S A N D B R E A S T S C R E E N I N G S I N E V E RY C O U N T Y I N O U R S TAT E . 11
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What Might Have Been Don’t let yesterday ruin today. In 1993 a country band called Little Texas released a romantic ballad and music video entitled “What Might Have Been.” The music, words, and images captivated the hearts of millions who had been in love, or had memories of a loved one no longer there. Many people, men and women, cried when they heard this song. The scenes in the video flash back and forth between the present and the past. An old man in a retirement home remembers being an American soldier leaving his European (French?) girlfriend in the final days of World War II. The enchantment of young love combined with the sorrow of being separated
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by events beyond anyone’s control is dramatic and unforgettable. A deep sense of loss floats on the singer’s lilting voice. It’s a song of regret, not only for what they might have meant to each other, but for the future that the world took from them. One line of the lyrics says, “Yes, they might be the best days we will ever know, but we’ll have to leave them in the past.” Most of us can relate. There are places that we “can’t go back again.” We’ve “moved on,” and not just in the world of romantic love, but in many situations. Marriages don’t seem as stable as they once did. Careers change overnight. We have all suffered loss and wondered “what might have been.” Questions plague us about what might have happened if circumstances had been different. “What if I had finished college? What if I had accepted that job? What if I had married that other person? What if they had not moved away?” Dwelling on such questions can only cause us pain. Logically we know that, if a ship has sailed, we shouldn’t go down to the dock every day to mope about it. It’s gone. But God is merciful. Eventually, you realize that this situation is not the end of your story. Although you might be able to somehow recover what was lost, sometimes that is not God’s plan for you. He may shut that door to prepare you for something better. The key is in surrendering our will to follow His. He is the one who knows all things. 12
Many times, the treasure we are reminiscing about was not exactly as we remember it. We tend to look through rose-colored glasses when we think about the past. How did the Israelites describe Egypt to Moses soon after they fled from the slavery of Pharaoh? “There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve…” (Exodus 16:3) NIV. That was just before God provided enough quail and manna for forty years. Instead of wondering “what might have been,” let’s ask God what might be. He has a will for all of us. He will use our past with its regrets, hurts, and disappointments to motivate us to move out into the unknown. Part of our moving on involves repentance, forgiveness, and faith. Regret may be the beginning of repentance. Repentance is the admission of guilt, the desire to be forgiven, and the genuine determination to allow God to change your heart. Forgiveness is letting go of the hurt someone else has caused you. Faith is relying on God to provide the will and the resources to accomplish what He wants done in your life. It’s hard to focus on the future if we are constantly reminiscing about the past. Paul writes to the Philippians, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:13-14) NIV. We have a job to do for the Lord. There is a ministry that He has called each of us to fulfill. Jesus says in Luke 9:62: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God,” NIV. That applies to all of us. No matter what might have been, we have to let go and move on in Christ. Sam Whatley’s latest book, Ponder Anew, is now available at the Frazer Bookstore located inside Frazer Memorial UMC.
t a O i r B l t a a t s t t w i b
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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.
PHYSICIANS TO CHILDREN
welcomes
DR. MALISSA HOY Now accepting new patients ages newborn to 18 years P H YS I C I A N S TO C H I L D R E N Taylor Medical Complex 470 Taylor Rd, Suite 210 Montgomery, AL 36117 (334) 293-5033 P
P H Y S I C I A N S TO C H I L D R E N
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.
C h i l d re n s A L . o rg / p hys i c i a n s - t o - c h i l d re n
*All editorial content published needs to be in agreement with our Statement of Faith
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high school challenged me daily with his speed and the quality of his work. My creative writing teacher handed my assignment back to me twice with notes and red marks until I turned in a paper that represented what I was capable of doing. My first boss at Chick-fil-A, Jeff Vines (now my father- in-law), would challenge me daily with more responsibility than I thought I could handle because he knew that I could. And of course, our teams at Chick-fil-A who keep me energized by showing me that great things can be accomplished through teamwork and belief in one another. RRJ: You’ve known about Jesus for a long time, but when did you come to know Jesus and what would you say is different? Gary: I came to know Jesus as my Savior in my 20s. He has taken me on a journey of discovery of who He is and His purpose for my life. I know that as I seek Him, he brings me peace and joy. He replaces negative thoughts with positive ones. He’s pruned out much of the bad in my life and helped nourish my soul.
RRJ: Gary, you have been working hard since you were a teen. Where do you think your work ethic stems from? Gary: I’ve been fortunate to have many people pour into my life in this way. Early in life, I had teachers, parents, grandparents, and friends who all had a part in teaching me the value of a job well done. I can remember instances, too many to mention here, where people have spoken into my life and told me I could improve. The lady who I trimmed shrubs for when I was 12 would stand over my shoulder to make sure I did it properly. She would point out anything that was not perfect until I had the bush perfectly round and trimmed just so. My buddy Danny who I went into the lawn business with in River Region’s Journey
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RRJ: The corporate purpose of Chickfil-A is: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.” In what ways has working with one of the largest family-owned businesses in the country with that purpose guided you in your professional and personal life? Gary: I’ve spent my entire adult life with Chick-fil-A, first as a team member, then as a franchisee. This has given me the opportunity to partner with people who see no conflict between Biblical principles and good business practices since I was 17. This alignment in how we live at home, worship on Sunday, and work throughout the week is healthy. It is good for our soul. Truett Cathy challenged us 14
to be at our very best, and encouraged us to integrate our work life with our faith. RRJ: You had the privilege of spending some time with the founder of Chick-filA, Truett Cathy. How did he speak life to you? Gary: Truett drew upon his faith for wisdom. His life verse was Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold”. This was a biblical principle that he operated his business under. When I was a junior in college at AUM, I decided I’d learned what I needed to in college and wanted a Chick-fil-A franchise. I quit school and interviewed with Truett for my own restaurant. I interviewed poorly. I just wasn’t ready yet and he could see that. However, rather than just sending me away, he was kind enough to invite me to the Annual Seminar a couple of months later at his expense, over $2,500, I would guess. I was so inspired by the content of the speakers. Truett arranged for a private meeting with me on the last day to tell me that I needed to finish school before I applied again. He said that I should always finish what I start and finishing school would set a good precedent for my life. He told me that when I got my diploma, he wanted to see me apply again. Wow! He brought me all the way there to tell me to get back in school. He chose a good name over great riches and taught me to do the same. RRJ: The Scriptures say that if we want to bear fruit we must remain in Christ. What are specific things you do to remain in Christ? Gary: One of my passions is the work I am doing in Southeast Asia. God has positioned me for the past 10 years to lead teams to Southeast Asia to teach Servant Leadership. Our mission is to help Chris-
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tians there incorporate their new faith in Christ into their work life. This is especially challenging in the country we travel to for many reasons. As I see the faith of the people we serve there, it strengthens my faith and challenges my daily walk. RRJ: You come from a home where family is important. Who in your family has had the most influence on you? And can you see those influences in you as you are leading your family? Gary: I had wonderful grandparents. Both of my grandfathers spent a lot of time with me and in their own ways helped to build me up and create a loving environment for me. I just enjoyed being around them as a kid, going fishing with one and playing cards and pool with the other. Those relationships were such an important part of my upbringing and I do my best to replicate that for our five wonderful grandchildren: Sydney (10), Gracie (9), Levi (6), Pearson (5), and Ford (3). They are so much fun and a joy to spend time with. RRJ: If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? Gary: I would say to slow down the pace of life a bit. 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? Gary: This is a big question and there is so much that could be said here. I would start by saying that our work matters to God, as does the condition of our heart toward our work and the people we work with. We should strive to work in a way that is pleasing to God. This begins with approaching our work with proper character, doing our very best each day, and having a serving spirit. If we can conduct ourselves honorably and with excellence, and serve those around us with humility and love, we are living out our faith and glorifying God through the work of our hands.
Gary Soriano is owner of Chick-fil-A, Eastchase and RSA Tower. He’s been married to Susan for 38 years and they are active members at Highlands Church. The couple has two children and five grandchildren.
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Rejecting Rejection Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul and financial investor, is undeniably successful today, yet her career began somewhat unfavorably. When she was 22 years old Barbara was a waitress whose boyfriend gave her a loan to launch a real estate firm. Initially, they built the company together, but after seven years, the boyfriend pulled out of the business. Barbara felt blindsided, even more so when he told her that he was marrying her secretary. Years later, Corcoran was being considered to become one of the judges on Shark Tank. She initially did not get the job, losing it to another female entrepreneur. Undaunted, Barbara wrote a letter to the production team telling them what they would lose out on if they didn’t hire her for the team. She won the spot on the show. “I said that all the best things happened to me on the heels of rejection, and I considered his rejection a lucky charm,” Corcoran told Entrepreneur. “I cited a half dozen similar situations throughout my career where obstacles turned into my greatest opportunities.” Donna Partow, online Bible teacher, says, “What feels like rejection is often God’s protection when you’re heading in the wrong direction.” Rejection, when handled properly, can turn into the greatest opportunity in a person’s life. God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives, and a divinely chartered road map that leads us on to that purpose. But when circumstances and choices derail us, God often halts and recalculates, in order to put us back on the right track. River Region’s Journey
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The action taken to get us back on track sometimes involves removing certain people from our lives, closing specific doors that shouldn’t be open, kicking us out of jobs, or creating discomfort in relationships. All these actions and processes result in some degree of discomfort and a feeling of rejection. Rejection can hurt effusively, as it can cut deep, knock the wind out of us, and bring broken heartedness and disappointments. Certainly, we all have had our share of rejections and have stories to support the facts. Despite how rejection can be devastating to us, we must keep guard against giving in to feelings associated with rejection. Being rejected and feeling rejected are distinctly different. Rejection is a desire for love, but does not believe that anyone really cares. Those people feeling rejected find it difficult to give love or receive love. They feel left out and do not have a sense of belonging. This can lead to a multitude of emotional issues such as insecurity, low self-esteem, unworthiness, and self-pity. Feeling unwanted can open the door to lust in an attempt to try to please others, to receive love and acceptance. Once a spirit of rejection sets in, no matter what others do, the person will not feel love and acceptance. Often a person who has suffered rejection will inwardly rebel against her situation and eventually manifest an attitude of rebellion. Rejection is one of the main causes of teenage rebellion. Kids between 13 and 16
18 crave a great amount of attention and acceptance. When they feel like they are not getting enough recognition from their parents, they feel rejected and rebellion sets in. Similarly, when wives feel like their husbands are not being responsiveness or giving them the affection they crave, the women display an attitude or a spirit of rebellion, defiance, anger, bitterness, distrust, stubbornness, and control. The rejected person will often swing from periods of rejection to periods of rebellion, unsure of how to think or feel. You can imagine the problems this could cause. Rejected/rebellious souls are fraught with doubts about themselves and as to whether God loves them. James 1:6-8 tells us that a double-minded person is unstable in all her ways. Jesus was rejected by many people, but never felt or acted rejected. The Bible tells us that He came to His own people, but they did not receive Him, but as many as received him to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, even as many as believed in His name. (See John 1:11-12) “When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me,” Ps 27:10. This scripture implies that even if a parent rejects her own child, God will never forsake the child. I don’t care who has rejected you. Take comfort in the fact that God will never forsake or reject you.
The Cure for Rejection • Is to know how much God loves and accepts you. • Is to frequently listen and meditate on God’s Word regarding who you are in Christ. • Is to live a life of worship. Could it be that God allows the rejection because He has a better plan?
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by Angela Hardgrave
River Region’s Journey
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What if instead of opening a bottle or turning on a tap to get a drink of fresh, clean water, you had to bring water to your home from sources that are often dirty and filled with bacteria? Water is an essential part of life, but imagine your water, that should be life-giving, could actually make you seriously ill or even cause your death. Most of us have a hard time picturing ourselves in that situation, but for so many people across the globe, those scenarios are their reality. One non-profit organization, based out of Tuscaloosa, AL, Filter of Hope, is working to change that reality by sharing clean water and the love of Christ with those that need it most. Filter of Hope, whose mission is “Clean Water for Life,” began four years ago, but their leadership has been involved in international missions for over twenty years. Cheryl Ashurst, who recently began working with Filter of Hope, said, “Almost ten years ago, the leadership team launched a missions organization that would be focused on total community transformation. They surveyed the people in these communities as to their greatest needs. They discovered that clean water was the #1 need, before job training, micro lending, or any other ways to improve their communities. The community needed a stable source of clean water.” That need was the catalyst for the organization to work to find a sustainable water filter model that they could donate to these communities. Ashurst said, “Founder, Bart Smelley, researched almost every type of filtration method available. He first began with bio sand and ceramic filters before discovering the technology we are currently using today. The filter uses the same technology as kidney dialysis and wastewater treatment, using hollow fiber membranes to clean even the most contaminated water. We have continued to make small modifications to improve the flow rate, which is the amount of water generated by
the filter, the life expectancy of the filter, and other factors. This inexpensive household gravity-fed water filter requires no electricity and produces over 150 gallons of clean drinking water per day. It can also last up to ten years. The demand for the filters has grown rapidly worldwide. One of the greatest needs in developing countries is the lack of access to clean water to drink. This filter solves that problem! We now have our filters in 62 countries across the world.” Filter of Hope is passionate about their mission and are accomplishing their vision of helping families break the cycle of poverty by giving them access to clean water, as well as providing opportunities for education and jobs. “I learned that in countries with extreme poverty the families bathe, cook, and drink from rivers and streams alongside cows and pigs. When I found out that 4,000 children die every day from drinking dirty water, and over 90% of those children are under the age of five, I couldn’t get that out of my mind,” said Ashurst. “I wanted to be a part of an organization that was making a difference. These filters are easy to assemble, user friendly, and low maintenance— all for only $40! We are all so blessed, and I am very thankful for all that God has given me. I take that for granted many times.
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ways. First you can take them on an existing mission trip or send them to a missionary partner. Second, you can send them on a Filter of Hope trip, and you will receive photos and testimonies from where they go. Finally, Filter of Hope can plan a mission trip for your church or school. To be successful, Filter of Hope relies on their existing partnerships and is seeking to cultivate new ones as well. You can partner with them through a variety of ways, such as Community of Hope, which is where individuals, families, businesses, and corporations donate money on a monthly/annual basis; or mission trips, where churches, schools, individuals, and groups commit to go on a Filter of Hope led mission trip and distribute filters. “These partnerships allow us to continue to grow and strengthen our projects and programs carried out using our U.S. and international staff and missionaries. It is estimated that Filter of Hope will lead 1,400 to 1,500 people from colleges, high schools, churches, and other organizations across America on short-term filter distribution trips in 2019,” said Ashurst. “There are so many ways to get involved with us! I would love to talk with you, your group/business, school, or church about how you can use your time, treasures, and/or talents to get clean water and the good news of the Gospel to people in need.” You can contact Cheryl Ashurst at 334.224.8222 or cheryl@filterofhope.org, or you can visit their website at www.filterofhope.org.
Working with Filter of Hope reminds me how God is working and changing lives in such dramatic ways.”
Get Involved in Kids’ Clean Water Project
Ashurst expressed that not only can the leadership of Filter of Hope be involved in saving lives through clean water, but so can families, churches, and schools. One of their projects that they are excited about is the Kids’ Clean Water Project. Ashurst said, “This is an exciting, practical, fun missions project that your kids will love! We provide you with a free kit with all the supplies you’ll need. Your kids will learn about the global water crises and how kids just like them are so desperate for clean water. They will learn about the water filter that is literally saving lives every day. Many are using the Kids’ Clean Water Project in schools and churches, and even as a mission component to Vacation Bible School. Contact me at cheryl@filterofhope.org to get your free kit today!” The Kids’ Clean Water Project works like this: you receive a free kit that includes a bucket, a filter, cups, brochures for parents and teachers, a bracelet for each child and adult, and the curriculum. The curriculum is totally customizable to meet your program’s needs. The children involved in the project will raise money for filters, and your church or school decides where the filters will go. For each $40 the children raise, one filter will provide a family with up to 150 gallons of water per day for 10 years, and each family will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. The church or school can distribute the filters in one of three
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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What is a Christian to Do About Anger? There are those who would say, “If you are a true, committed Christian you would never get angry.” The truth is everyone experiences anger at some time. Anger is possibly the first emotion we learn, but the last emotion we learn to manage effectively (if we do). Paul tells us, “In your anger, do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26 NIV). He is telling us not “if” you are angry, but “when” you are angry. We need to understand that “anger” can be seen as a whole range of emotional responses from irritation, aggravation, frustration to the other extreme of rage and hostility. If the lesser anger is not resolved it will possibly manifest as a more extreme form of rage or hostility. For the Christian, we can agree anger is a normal human emotion, and the challenge is dealing with the anger in a way that is healthy and not sinful. Dr. Andrew Lester in his book “Coping With Your Anger (A Christian Guide)” says that our anger comes as the result of a real or perceived threat to people, things, or beliefs that are important to us. This is important in helping us to recognize the root of the anger we are experiencing. Let’s look at three basic steps to use in dealing with our own anger that focuses on healing and reconciliation: First, name it. The best way to decrease our anger is to increase our awareness of the anger we will experience. To increase awareness we need to begin recognizing the warning
signs of approaching anger. These warning signs may be physical (clenched fist, headache, flushness in the face), emotional (moods, depression, frustration),or behavioral (withdrawal, sarcasm, escaping into a TV program). Recognizing the signs enable us to acknowledge (name) what we are experiencing. Secondly, we need to claim it. It is easy to blame others for our emotional response. We commonly say, “You make me angry” as though we have no responsibility for our response to situations. We need to learn to simply say, “I am feeling angry because…” or “I felt angry when you….” Blaming others for our feelings makes the resolution of the anger dependent upon someone else to change something. And, lastly, tame it. Seek solutions. Attack the problem and not the person. It does no good to resort to name calling or condemnation. Explore options. Help the other person to understand how someone, something, or a belief we value has felt threatened. Remember the purpose of expressing our anger is for resolution not assigning blame! We should also understand that it might not be possible to resolve our anger with the person with whom we are angry. In some situations, the other may be deceased. At other times it may not be safe to confront the other person by ourselves or perhaps not at all in cases of physical abuse or violence. In 21
these cases, we might choose to express our feelings through a letter whether we mail it or not. However, when possible we need to address the issue with the person we have the anger towards. Anger does not have to be divisive, but we do need to name it, claim it, and tame it. Resolving the anger will strengthen our relationships!
Rev. Dr. Lennie Howard received is M.S. from Troy UniversityMontgomery, M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. He has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for 32 years, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 21 years. He has served as Chaplain at Tutwiler Prison, and pastored Southern Baptist and United Methodist Churches. Lennie counseled for 20 years at the Frazer Counseling Center.
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God’s intention is to restore believers in Christ and turn them into new people. “If anyone is in Christ,” the Scripture says, “he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come.” As Christians, it is our job to cooperate with this “new creation” vision for our lives. Our motivation for embracing newness of life in Jesus is quite different than moralistic motivation. Religious moralists “obey” God’s rules to feel morally straight and morally superior, and also to earn applause from God, from others, and even from themselves. Christians, on the other hand, are able to obey God precisely because they don’t have to. Let me explain that one...
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If you are a Christian—that is, if you have anchored your trust in the perfect life and substitutionary death of Jesus on your behalf, then you need to know that God smiles over you before you lift a finger to do anything good. Christianity is different than moralism in that unlike moralism, God’s embrace comes to us at the beginning of our journey versus at the end of our journey. He approves of us not because we are good people, but because Jesus was a truly “good person” in our stead. His moral straightness, his righteousness and beauty, have been laid upon us as a gift. That, and that alone, is the reason we obey…because it makes us want to obey. God does not decide to love us because we first loved him. No, we love God because he first loved us. That is biblical Christianity.
How Idolatry Works
Imagine you are married woman and your husband tells you he wants to start dating around. “It’s not that I don’t love you,” he says. “I’m not saying that I want a divorce. You are extremely important to me. We have been through so much together. But I just think that my life would be more complete if I could also date some other women—play the field a little bit, you know?”
Absurd as this may sound, this is precisely what we do to God whenever we disobey Him. Every act of disobedience flows from a desire for something or someone besides God to be our first love, our true north, our reason for being. Each of us has his/her own unique potential “mistresses”—whether money, power, cleanliness, control, a relationship, material things, entertainment, or even a spouse or children. Whenever anything becomes more essential to us than God Himself (by the way, “anything” is usually a good thing), it becomes an idol. According to God, our true and everlasting Husband, we become spiritual adulterers. An idol is any person or idea, any created thing that captures our deepest affections and loyalties and will—and in so doing steals our attention away from God. An idol is anything that becomes more precious to us than Him. It’s not that we love the thing (whatever it is) too much. Rather, it’s that we love God too little in comparison to it.
The Sin Beneath Every Other Sin
Idolatry is the root beneath all sin and beneath every choice we ever make to go our own way instead of following Jesus in faith and obedience. Sin, ultimately, is
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not a matter of behavior, but a matter of desire. We always obey that which we desire the most. When we desire something more than we desire God, we will obey that something if ever and whenever we are faced with a choice to obey God or to obey it. So this is what keeps us from being good in the purest sense. Our distorted over-desires escort us into the arms of adulterous lovers, pseudo-saviors, counterfeit Jesuses that put a spell on us and make them appear more life-giving than Jesus, our one true love. How do we do this? Thanks to David Powlison and his insightful essay, Idols of the Heart and Vanity Fair, there are several diagnostic questions that can help us effectively identify and name our specific spiritual mistresses: What do I feel I cannot survive or function without? What do I feel I must have in order to enjoy life, be acceptable as a person, etc.? What are the things I am terrified of losing or obsessed about having? Where do I spend my time and money with the least amount of effort? The things we give time and money to most effortlessly are absolutely the things
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that we worship and serve. They are the things that we believe in our hearts will give our lives the most meaning. What do I think and talk about the most? Where do my thoughts go most quickly and most instinctively when I am alone in the car, when I awake, when I am alone in a quiet, undistracted place? As Archbishop William Temple once said, “Your religion is your solitude.” Which biblical commands am I most reluctant to obey? What do I treasure so much that, if it is threatened, I will disobey God to keep it? What is so essential to me that I will disobey God to get it? What things anger me the most? What kinds of people, things, or circumstances irritate me the most, and what about these people, things, or circumstances give them this kind of power over me? What, if it happened, would strongly tempt me to curse God or push Him out of my life? Remember Job’s wife. See Job 2:9. How would I fill in the blank? I cannot and will not be happy unless _______________.
Dismantling Idols After They Are Identified
Idols are dismantled when they are first exposed and then replaced. Dismantling our idols requires that we labor in our study and meditation of Scripture to understand the many ways that Jesus fills our emptiness in a much more adequate, life-giving way than any Jesus-substitute we may be tempted to worship and serve. Replacing our spiritual mistresses means giving them a back seat to Jesus in our hearts and lives. Basically, every idol (and every sin) traces back to a selfsalvation strategy. We use this strategy every time we attempt to replace something that only Jesus can provide, with a counterfeit. What does this mean for us? It means that we must face head-on our own idols, and humbly admit exactly how the things we love more than Jesus will reduce us, empty us of ultimate meaning, and even destroy us. We must admit that our “over-desires” cannot bring us the lasting wholeness, happiness, or fulfillment (salvation!) we desire. Only Jesus can. Ironically, only when we love Jesus more than these things, we actually end up enjoying these things to a much fuller extent! As CS Lewis once said, “Aim at heaven and you will get
earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.” When our love for Jesus exceeds our love for other things, we end up loving, cherishing, and enjoying these other things even more than we would if we had loved these other things more than we love Jesus. However, if we put the gifts in the place of the Giver, our enjoyment of the gifts ends up being spoiled. Why is this so? It is so because we are made in the image of God. The human soul is so magnificent that only God is big enough to fill it. As Pascal is famous for saying, only God is able to fill the God-shaped vacuum in the human heart. Be possessive of anything but God— a romantic interest, a career, a net worth, a life goal—and you will never possess that thing. Instead, it will eventually possess you. It will have you and it will hold you…around the neck! This is why we are much better off when we learn to pray like the Puritan who had nothing to his name but one piece of bread and a glass of water: “What? All of this and Jesus Christ too!”s fro mt to human approval. fo Scott Sauls is a pastor and author living in Nashville, TN.
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Faux Masculinity I believe the concept of “gender” is being challenged today, and the very essence of what it means to be male and female is coming under fire. In another step in this gender deception, the American Psychological Association, according to National Review…
with men as being “traditional masculinity,” which they define as “anti-femininity, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, and adventure, risk, and violence.” That’s not how I define traditional masculinity.
...has drafted new guidelines for psychological practice with men and boys that declared “traditional masculinity” to be harmful. According to the guidelines, “traditional masculinity ideology” has been show to “limit males’ psychological development, constrain their behavior, result in gender role strain and gender role conflict, and negatively influence mental and physical health.”
Jenna Ellis of the James Dobson Family Institute, at the DailyWire website, states:
David French, who wrote the article, stated:
Bible-believing Christians hold that not only are the biological differences observable between male and female obvious, but these differences extend to soul and spirit. The differences between men and women in all these areas are part of God’s intended complementarity of design in creating us “male and female.” Because God intended us to be male and female, these differences are designed to be good.
In fact, the assault on traditional masculinity — while liberating to men who don’t fit traditional norms — is itself harmful to the millions of young men who seek to be physically and mentally tough, to rise to challenges, and demonstrate leadership under pressure… John Stonestreet, in a Breakpoint commentary, acknowledges some of the negative trends involving men and boys: They’re diagnosed with ADHD at twice the rate of girls, they perform worse on standardized tests, they’re suspended and expelled from school at a disproportionate rate. As they get older, men use drugs and alcohol more often. They don’t seek help for mental health issues like depression as frequently as women do. They commit 90 percent of homicides, and make up 77 percent of homicide victims. But, Stonestreet points out: Faced with all of these troubling realities, the APA identifies the problem River Region’s Journey
March 2019
While some men may be overly competitive, aggressive, or domineering this can also be true of some women. These are not properly defining traits of “masculinity.” Ellis also writes:
She closes out by saying, “The problem is not with masculinity. Biblical truth is timeless and pre-political and pre-cultural. Men should desire to be biblically masculine and demonstrate those traits that make them men. Women should cherish femininity and the innate characteristics and outward design given by God, and women should also stand up firmly to defend biblical masculinity in men.” She adds, “We need more real men. Real men embrace and exhibit biblical masculinity. And it isn’t toxic. It is essential.” “Toxic” masculinity has been explored in a razor commercial. Another DailyWire story, by Ashe Schow, comments on the ad, which reportedly shows examples 26
of men behaving badly, including the phrase, “boys will be boys.” Then… …the Gillette narrator says, “We believe in the best of men.” We then see a clip of actor Terry Crews saying, “Men need to hold other men accountable.” Then we’re shown scenes of men intervening when other men tell women to smile, or walk after them on the street, or stopping bullying. Truly, men should step up and be positive role models, show respect for women, and set a good example for our children, but Schow, a woman, points out a problem with the premise: “Until no man, anywhere, does anything bad ever again, we can continue to shame all men for the actions of a few is the apparent message here.” Manhood itself is being held in contempt for the mistakes of the few; we all can do better. Regardless of gender, we are all sinners and need the grace and mercy of God. We can do more than be better people, we can choose a better life, the abundant life serving the Savior, who enables us to walk in a manner that pleases our Heavenly Father. The Church can speak out boldly and clearly about the importance of walking in our God-given roles. He has created and gifted men and women differently, this has many implications, and we should celebrate that. The Scriptures teach us how people are to treat one another, and provides principles that we can follow in our relationships, including marriage. Men are called to treat women with respect and honor. The enemy has sown confusion and deception about what it means to be a man. Errant teaching on sexuality and socalled gender identity have crept into the Church. We can rediscover who we are in Christ and realize that God made us different for a reason, and we should never use those differences as an excuse to demean someone else.
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River Region’s Journey
March 2019
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.
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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.
have anyone (patient or family member ) join us. Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week. Please call Debbie D at 467-4578 or Ben W at 202-1912. Location: 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: 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.
Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesday nights @6:30-8:00 pm in Room 405B. Child care is avail-
Cancer
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to
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able. Contact Kathy Cooper at 241-5125 for further 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. 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.
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.
March 2019
River Region’s Journey
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.
Mental Health
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 Prat-
tville, 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.
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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.
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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
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March 2019
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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.
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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 3:00-4:00. Call Annette Jones for more information on joining us or training to start your own group. 850-529-4730 or email Montgomerymipac@gmail.com
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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.
Send support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com 31
March 2019
River Region’s Journey
College Kids and Debt Q. My daughter is in college, and I’ve always warned her to stay away from credit cards. Recently, I learned she got a department store credit card despite my advice. She has stayed within her credit limit, but she has never made any of the payments. At this point, she owes about $3,500. She’s a good student, and I want to look at this as a young person’s mistake. Should I pay it off for her this one time? You’re right, this is a typical young person’s mistake. Like a lot of mistakes our kids make, it’s one that’s bad and wonderful at the same time. It’s bad because, if she had just listened to dear old dad, she would’ve avoided a mess. It’s wonderful, though, because it gives you the opportunity to provide her with a real world, teachable moment. I understand you wanting to help her out “this one time.” It means you have a good heart, and that you care about your daughter
A.
River Region’s Journey
March 2019
and love her. There’s a reality here, though, I hope you won’t overlook. It’s her debt, not yours. She knew what she was doing when she signed up for that credit card. She knew what it meant, what was expected, and she is the one who should have to make good on the repayment. At this point, my advice is to put your arm around her, talk to her, and lovingly explain where she went wrong and why it was a bad idea. You can even help her find a part-time job if she doesn’t have one right now, so she can pay off her debt and get out of this mess. But leave the payments to her.
Borrowing From Family Q. My father-in-law wants to help us with our mortgage. We’ve been working hard to pay off our home early, and we’ve reduced what we owe to around $35,000. His idea is to pay off the remainder, then let us pay him back over time. In the past, he has loaned us much
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smaller amounts and everything has worked out fine. What do you think about this?
A. I’m sure this seems like a winning proposition all the way around. My concern is there’s a big spiritual and emotional issue that has been left out of the equation. The borrower is always slave to the lender, and nowhere is that more true than in a family. I understand, too, you have a solid track record with this kind of thing. But anytime you borrow money from family you’re playing with fire. When you do something like this, especially with such a large amount, the money issue is likely to be a shadow hovering over your relationship. I assume your father-in-law is doing well financially, since he can afford to make this offer. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a very kind and generous offer. If I were in his shoes, I might offer instead to pay off the mortgage as a gift No strings attached. If you have a nice, stable family, this debt will always be there in the back of your mind. If you have a dysfunctional, control-freak kind of family, it’s going to be right there in front of you constantly. Either way, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.
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