I wish I could see the board instead of trying to read through your vape cloud. - Sarah, 8th Grade
For more information visit AlabamaHealthyTeens.com
Volume 21, Issue 8
Feature Articles
N OVEMBER 2 0 1 9 Columns page 2
Publisher’s Note
page 12
Faith @ Work: Norman Schlemmer As a Christian, husband, father of 11, grandfather of 13 and managing partner of ARC Realty, Norman Schlemmer has quite a lot on his plate. In this month’s Faith @ Work, Norman shares how he keeps balance in his life, how he hopes his faith shines in the workplace and the practices he puts into place to remain in Christ each and every day.
Jason Watson
page 4
Pastor's Perspective Dr. Peyton Hill, First Baptist Church, Prattville
page 10
Pondering the Journey Sam Whatley
page 14
The Intersection Bob Crittenden
page 16
page 20
Ministry Spotlight:
Women Arising
Daughter by Design
Pastor Kemi Searcy
by Katie Blair
Discover a three faceted ministry aimed at extending the comfort of Christ to hurting women in the River Region through its counseling program, residential program and a catering business. Sherri Tate explains her passion for helping women from abusive situations and how you or a loved one can come to them for help. page 22
page 28
Counselor’s Corner Lennie Howard, LPC
page 36
Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
In Every Issue
Holiday Cynicism
by Pastor Scott Sauls
While many look forward to the holiday season, others dread the lonliness, having to deal with dysfunctional families, and other issues that arise this time of year. Pastor Scott Sauls shares his thoughts on messy families, the Church and grace at the holidays.
page 6
Books to Read page 8
Around Our Community page 12
page 26
Faith @ Work
Christmas Planning Guide
page 32
Local churches offer a variety of opportunities for your family to celebrate the true Reason for the Season. 1
Support Groups November 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 Katie Blair Bob Crittenden Dr. Peyton Hill Lennie Howard, LPC Dave Ramsey Scott Sauls Kemi Searcy Dr. David Steele Sam Whatley
From the Publisher You Are Now Entering The HOLIDAY ZONE!!! From mid-November through the first week of January it’s like someone flips the warp speed switch as we take off through a wonderland voyage of sweet potato casserole and pecan pie, shopping extravaganzas and manger scenes, culminating in cheers and confetti as the calendar page turns us to a new year promising better habits and better days. Blink and you might miss something. It’s a wild ride, this Holiday Zone. Food comas followed by all night shopping. Visits to Santa, house decorating, and shopping some more. Company parties, light tours, then more last minute shopping send us even deeper into the Holiday Zone. If you’re like me, by January, I just want to stay home and read a Dave Ramsey book on fixing my recently acquired debt problem. But first, Thanksgiving.
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702
Digital Manager Scott Davis
Ad Design
Tim Welch, Welch Designs
Wait, what? How can Thanksgiving be a part of these raucous six weeks? Amidst the other ornaments of the holiday season, Thanksgiving seems like a wallflower. Thanksgiving happens in stillness and reflection. How can it be the kickoff to the party? Maybe it’s right where it belongs, opening the ceremonies and informing us of a better way to go forward.
O, heavenly Father: We thank thee for food and remember the hungry. We thank thee for health and remember the sick. We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless. We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved. May these remembrances stir us to service, that thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen. — Abigail van Buren
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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Pastor’s Perspective by Dr. Peyton Hill, First Baptist Church of Prattville
The Gospel is for Christians The curlicued chip dispenser in the snack machine in my high school’s lobby had a knack for taking my quarters while refusing to give me my Spicy Doritos. The break between classes was so brief that I rarely had time to search for help from a school administrator. I usually just resorted to using my fist to pound the machine until the bag of cheesy goodness released from the rack and fell into the compartment below for my hasty consumption. If you like snacks, you’ve probably found yourself in a similar situation a time or two. These days I am not sure that there is a high schooler in the country that could locate a bag of Doritos in the school lobby. I’ve heard that the chips have been traded in for healthier options, and maybe that’s a good thing. I just hate that we have a generation of students who don’t get to learn persistence through a daily battle with the snack machine. Now, as an adult, I rarely have a skirmish with a curlicued snack dispenser. However, I have found the talent of beating the snack machine in order to dispense the chips a helpful tactic for gospel ministry. You see, as a Christian, I know the gospel. The members of our church know the gospel. In fact, we must know the gospel in order to be Christians. It is the good news of the perfect life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus that delivers us from death and brings us into God’s family to begin with. The problem is, at least for me, that the good news of the gospel stays in my head, but it takes real effort to beat it down into my heart like I used to pound the chip bag from the rack to the compartment below. I need the gospel. All Christians need the gospel. Reformer Martin Luther wrote in his commentary on Galatians, “Most necessary it is, therefore, that we should know [the gospel] well, teach it unto others, and beat it into their heads continuRiver Region’s Journey
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ally.” As Christians, we are prone to forget the gospel. Sure, we may know it intellectually, but we are easily distracted into thinking that we no longer need the gospel once we enter into the realm of God’s glorious kingdom. There are several reasons for pressing into the gospel as believers, but I want to consider four: 1. The gospel reminds Christians that we are new creations. Just as unbelievers need the gospel in order to come to faith in Jesus, believers need the gospel to remind them of their identity as new creations (2 Cor 5:17). We need the good news of Jesus in order to attack the sin of unbelief and bring about transformation. When attempting to bring about change in the life of a sinner, the only power for true change comes from the power in Christ’s gospel. Attacking the heart with the gospel, even the heart of a believer, exposes the desires and passions of the heart, ultimately offering a greater affection. 2. The gospel combats legalism in the life of the Christian. It seems that almost all people are inclined toward legalism (trying to earn favor from God), so believers need the gospel to correct the tendency to pursue works-based righteousness. Believers need to hear the message of grace often. The gospel allows the grace of God in Christ to motivate us for sanctification. When believers trust themselves or other idols to bring their ultimate happiness and security, they begin to view salvation in self-righteous terms. The gospel helps believers to see their functional saviors as the idols that they are so that, with the help of the Spirit, they can repent of their selfrighteousness and renew their full hope in the Savior sent by God. 3. The gospel provides the only true assurance of salvation for Christians. Even committed Christians may go through times of questioning God’s salva4
tion. A consistent reminder of the gospel in the life of a Christian allows the assurance of salvation to come from Christ. The message of God’s acceptance of sinners, in Christ, encourages believers to see themselves inside of Christ. Sanctification takes place when individuals rest in their justification in Christ, and out of love and gratitude for him begin to walk in the light of the gospel. 4. The gospel motivates Christians to live on mission. The gospel also advances the cause of Christ by calling on believers to join in the task of making disciples among all nations. In fact, the gospel serves as the primary motivation. After Jesus proclaimed the gospel to his disciples in Luke 24:44– 46, he immediately called them to take the gospel to all nations (Luke 24:47–48). Marinating in the gospel empowers Christians to engage unbelievers with the same message of grace that brought salvation to them. Pesky snack machines can teach us quite a bit about gospel application in our lives. Christians have a tendency to move away from the gospel toward other seemingly “more important” teachings. The problem is, when we neglect the gospel, we are unplugging ourselves from the primary motivation and source of power in our lives. When we unplug from the gospel, the lights in our lives dim and eventually go out altogether. We need the gospel. Like Luther said, it is worth beating into our heads continually. Remind yourself of the gospel daily, and when Satan tempts you to despair, remind him of the gospel, too. Peyton joined FBC Prattville in August 2019 as senior pastor. He is passionate about preaching Christ from the entire Bible and motivating believers for global missions. Peyton is married to Jordan Lee, and they have four children: Harper, Zane, Elliot and Wren. Visit www.fbcprattville.org for more information and service times.
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The Pursuit of Excellence
Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat
George Sweeting (2019)
Raleigh Sadler (2019)
Our days are characterized by a general lack of discipline and lethargy. Even many Christians have afflicted by mediocrity and aimlessness. Dr. George Sweeting’s recent book, The Pursuit of Excellence is a help aide for anyone weary of these troubling trends. Sweeting is the former president of Moody Bible Institute, a true veteran of the Christian faith. I had the honor of sitting under his teaching in my doctoral program in the late ’90s in Seattle. His commitment to the faithfulness to Scripture and allegiance to the lordship of Christ has never wavered. The Pursuit of Excellence is yet an another example of Dr. Sweeting’s influence in the evangelical world. His recent work begins with a bold challenge that calls Christians to a life of excellence. Such a challenge is grounded in the very character of God who is the source of all excellence: “O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens” (Psalm 8:1). Sweeting adds, “Excellence is never cheap. It’s costly … Excellence requires desire plus discipline plus determination.” The remainder of the book is a powerful minder of this fundamental reality. The author unpacks nine qualities that help define a life of excellence. The qualities include faith, character, action, singlemindedness, love, suffering, prayer, wisdom, and staying power. These combined qualities are the building blocks that followers of Christ must pursue to lead a life of excellence. All the aforementioned qualities, of course, are grounded in the grace of God and his sovereign purposes for his people. The book concludes with an examination of Christians who emulate the qualities outlined in the book. Leaders like William Carey, C.H. Spurgeon, and Joni Eareckson Tada are presented as exemplars of excellence. Dr. Sweeting has been writing since the early ’70s and continues to encourage and bless the church with his gifts. This book is no exception. It is sure to encourage and equip many followers of Christ and help them pursue a life of excellence!
It is rare to find a children’s book that contains a combination of stunning artwork, creative writing, and orthodox theology. Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat by Andrew Wilson, achieves all three of these objectives. First, the illustrations by Helena Perez Garcia instantly capture the attention and imagination of the reader. A quick glance through the book reveals a skill that is unmatched and rivals the art found in any children’s book on the market. Frankly, the illustrations here are a breath of fresh air in a Christian market that too often peddles content that is substandard and boring. Kudos to Helena Perez Garcia for her fine work! Second, Andrew Wilson presents a story geared to children that is easy to understand and engaging. At the center of the story is girl who faces a troubling situation and is met by a talking cat who guides her on a path of biblical wisdom and truth. Finally, and most important, is that commitment to orthodox theology. The path is encouraged by the cat is one that is paved by the principles in the first question in the Heidelberg Catechism:
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Q1: What is your only comfort in life and in death? Q2: That I am not my own, but belong – body and soul, in life and in death – to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. It is disturbing that some reviewers have equated this book to “moralism.” Nothing could be further from the truth. This work is grounded in grace and beckons children to trust in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. My hope is that Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat leads to many gospel-centered discussions between parents and their children and grandparents and their grandchildren. 6
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Let’s Talk. You Matter. Suicide Awareness and Prevention Forum
This community initiative intends to bring the message of life to our young people in the community by drawing out of darkness the epidemic of suicide. Robinson Springs UMC and Millbrook First UMC are hosting an evening for the area youth, parents and concerned citizens to dialogue about suicide awareness/prevention. On Wednesday, November 13, at the Millbrook Civic Center from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, we will have featured speakers engage in the conversation. Rebecca Ellis of the Cole Ellis Foundation and Alisa Jones of Hope City Counseling will bring a powerful message of reality and hope regarding suicide awareness/prevention. This link will give you a preview of their respective organizations and experience: www.hopecitycounseling.com/the-cole-ellis-foundation.
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Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band
Friday, November 15, at 7:00 pm Montgomery PAC at the Renaissance Montgomery For more information, go to itickets.com or call (334) 481-5110.
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Grandparenting Matters
The Legacy Coalition will be having its Grandparenting Matters Seminar on Friday and Saturday, November 8 and November 9, at First Baptist Church in Montgomery in the Fellowship Hall. Friday’s session will be from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday’s session will be from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Registration includes a continental breakfast, breaks, and workbooks and may be made online at montgomeryfbc.org.
or
Reserve Your Christmas Cross
Faith Radio will be distributing Christmas crosses in Montgomery on Monday, November 25, at Faith Radio from 7:00 a.m until 6:00 p.m. These 7-foot free-standing wooden crosses can be displayed as a symbol of Christ during the Christmas season. There is a limited supply of Christmas crosses, so make your reservations now at www.faithradio.org. Crosses will also be distributed at First Presbyterian Church in Dothan on Thursday, December 5.
OF CHRISTMAS
DEC. 15 | 4PM & 6:30PM From glorious arrangements of classic Holiday Hymns from our full choir and orchestra, to Classic Carols for the whole family to sing along with, this event will be the musical highlight of your Season! Free childcare for Birth-3 years.
6000 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery | www.frazer.church 9
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Zacchaeus, Out On a Limb Many of us grew up in Sunday School class singing about the “wee little man” named Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. Jesus saw him and invited Himself to eat at Zacchaeus’ house. But the song is so catchy that years later some of us who remember the tune have forgotten the point. The tax collector made a radical change in his life and received forgiveness and redemption. But to do so, he put himself in a very embarrassing position. In Luke 19, we read that Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, something like a crime boss under contract by the occupying Roman government to bring in money. His
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territory may have been limited to Jericho and the surrounding villages, or the entire district. The term chief tax collector indicates that, after he got the bid for collecting taxes, he either hired his staff, or subcontracted out parts of the job. Zacchaeus could charge whatever taxes he thought he might collect. The tax rate was on a sliding scale. Tax collectors would slide in and take anything they could get their hands on. I have read that the lowest tax rate was 80% of a Jew’s income. Non-Jews paid less. If a citizen objected to an unfair tax, he could take it up with the Roman soldiers standing there bearing swords. Anything collected above and beyond the legal tax belonged to the tax collector. Consequently, a tax collector was regarded as a combination of thief and traitor. It was dangerous for them to walk alone in a crowd. Some rabbis taught that you could not be a witness in a court of law if you had ever eaten with a tax collector. Yet, in front of a large crowd, Jesus invited Himself to eat with Zacchaeus. Why did he do that? Was Jesus showing His followers (and us) that every person deserves respect, that every lost soul is just a person who has not yet believed? Why did Zacchaeus want to see Jesus so badly he would publicly humiliate himself by running ahead and climbing a tree? We don’t know. Perhaps he had heard 10
that Matthew, a fellow tax collector, had become a disciple and invited Jesus to a feast. Men, especially wealthy men, were expected to walk slowly with a bearing that indicated their station. A successful businessman running down the street and climbing a tree looked ridiculous. To be honest, it made him look like a fool. There was something about Jesus that made Him worth leaving the money tables to see. Once Zacchaeus accepted Jesus as his Messiah, Lord, and Savior, he chose to give half of his wealth to the poor and return four-fold anything he had stolen (which probably left him temporarily broke). However, this encounter turned out to be the best investment the tax collector ever made. Zacchaeus was completely changed by accepting Christ. Stealing money through intimidation was no longer his primary interest in life. He felt free to give money away to help others. This did not leave him poor. He still had his job. But now he could honor God in the way he chose to do that job. This was a radical idea. It still is. What about us? Would we be willing to publicly embarrass ourselves to meet with Jesus? We might look naïve, or even childish. Jesus told his disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:3-4) NIV. Are we willing to invite ridicule by sharing the gospel and showing hospitality to public sinners and the homeless? What if it endangers our job? What if it affects our standing in the community? We say we want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. But do we really? Zacchaeus climbed out on a limb to see Jesus. But he also went out on a financial limb to demonstrate his repentance for sin and his gratefulness for God’s mercy and grace. I pray that each of us would have the faith to be that vulnerable for Christ, to become like His children.
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No tiv ou RRJ: How did you feel different after receiving Jesus? Norman: Initially I felt a rest in my spirit because I was no longer guessing about life, but now had someone I could turn to who knew all the answers to my questions. There was also an excitement of what would be next in my new relationship with Jesus. As I continued to grow I saw my insecurities and self-image continue to change as I understood God’s unconditional love and acceptance of me. RRJ: Faith @ Work is about living your faith wherever God has placed you. In your work as managing partner at ARC Realty, how does being a Christ follower fuel your actions each day? How do your employees and coworkers know you are a Christ follower?
RRJ: When did your relationship with Jesus Christ begin? Is there anyone in particular who led you to the Lord? Norman: I grew up in a great family who took me to church and instilled Christian values. Despite those advantages it was not until my freshman year in college that I received Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. At this time, I began meeting with a local pastor to ask him questions about problem areas in my life. At one of our meetings he asked me if I had ever personally asked Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I told him I knew about God but had never heard about personally asking Him to save me. He invited me to accept Christ and led me in a prayer. I received Jesus that day. River Region’s Journey
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Norman: Hopefully my coworkers know I am a Christian by what I say and how I live. We open every staff meeting with prayer and I regularly share my experience with Jesus when it is appropriate. I use a personal mission statement in my communication. It is ethics, integrity and expertise and is based on Psalms 78:72 where David shepherded Israel with integrity of heart and guided them with the skillfulness of his hands. RRJ: What do you enjoy most about your job? Norman: I think the thing I enjoy the most about my job is being able to impact the lives of people both spiritually and professionally. The purchase or sale of a house is one of the most important financial and lifestyle decision for most people and I enjoy guiding them through the process. With the team at ARC Realty. I enjoy leading agents to develop their skills and professionalism so they can excel in serving others. 12
RRJ: You have said that your biggest challenge is focusing on the needs of others before yourself. How do you overcome this challenge? Norman: I remember that Jesus did this very thing for me when He left heaven to die in my place so I could experience the joy of becoming a child of God and experience abundant life now and eternal life in the future. Another strong daily reminder is the name and focus of ARC Realty. ARC stands for A Relationship Company. Relationships are the foundation of life whether it’s a relationship with God, your spouse, family, friends or clients... and relationships never flourish by putting ourselves first, but only when we look out for the interests of others. RRJ: Why do you believe it’s important to get connected with a church and use your talents there? Norman: A local church is like an extended family. It is a place where you can be encouraged and grow, as well as invest in the lives of other people. None of us have all the answers and we need help and support from other Christians to become all God intends for us to be. RRJ: You have a large, beautiful family, Norman. How do you balance work and family time? Norman: God has blessed me with wonderful family and a great company. Outside of my personal relationship with Jesus, family is the most important thing in my life. Our family would not be what it is today without the love and support of my wife, Rhonda. Her selfless lifestyle of service and giving has provide the opportunity for our family to succeed. Together we invest in our family through regular family dinners, Bible studies and activities. We try and have a family dinner and
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devotion every Sunday evening for our entire family. The fellowship and times of sharing together help keep us close and connected to each other. RRJ: What are activities you enjoy most with your family? Norman: We enjoy most any outdoor activity, and whatever sport or activity where our children or grandchildren are involved. RRJ: What do you feel is the most important thing in sharing your faith with others, especially non-believers? Norman: I think it is important to show that you care about them as a person and that you want them to experience the same love and forgiveness you have received. You also have to be real with them about your own experience with the Lord, and that you have not arrived and have the same problems and troubles they have. The only difference is you have found the answer in Jesus. 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?
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Norman: I have a daily time of prayer and Bible study every morning before leaving for work. I read numerous devotions and articles throughout the week and stay connected to other growing Christians through church, small groups and one on one meetings. Our family also has a Schlemmer identity that helps guide our life. To us a Schlemmer motto is truth, calling and courage. We look for God’s truth about life, respond to God’s calling based on that truth and rely on Him to be our courage to live it. RRJ: It’s clear that you’ve taken your faith beyond the church walls and a Sunday service. How would you encourage our Christian readers to do the same, and are there any particular practices that have helped you? Norman: I don’t believe we should compartmentalize our Christian life where we separate our church life from other areas of life. Jesus should be as real and prominent outside of the church walls as He is at church. Norman Schlemmer is Managing Partner at ARC Realty. He has been married to Rhonda for 41 years and they have 11 children and 13 grandchildren. Norman and Rhonda are members at Vaughn Forest Church in Montgomery.
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Redeemed...The Power of a Song Recently, I sat down with Big Daddy Weave lead singer Mike Weaver in a hotel conference room in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. That conversation can be found in the Media Center at FaithRadio.org. Little did I know at the time that just a few days before that, a young man charged with murder had made a stunning confession about a crime he committed in that same city and how a song co-written by Weaver had played a part in God’s work in His life. Christianity Today reported on August 28 that: In a murder trial last Friday, defendant Danny Holmes opened with a 20-minute testimony where he confessed to killing a man three years ago and then he recounted his spiritual transformation in prison since then, the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal reported. Instrumental to his confession was the song “Redeemed” by Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave. He brought the lyrics in a notebook to court.
The News Journal article said that Holmes “...said over a year ago, God changed his life. He felt as if God was putting pressure on him to tell the truth and confess to the murder.” The article continues: “I knew the Lord was just on me, weighing on me over and over,” Holmes said Friday. “I’m 30-years-old, and I’ve been fighting for nothing all my life. I’ve been fighting for gangs. … I ain’t never fought for anything that made sense. But I knew the Lord was telling me to fight for him this time. I just knew he was stirring on my spirit.”
The News Journal reports that: After reading the lyrics, “Then You look at this prisoner and say to me, ‘Son, stop fighting a fight that’s already been won,’” he made up his mind: he was going to tell the truth. He was going to confess to a murder. River Region’s Journey
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The redemption tale struck a chord with those in the courtroom. As Holmes spoke, the room filled as people wandered in to hear the confession. His family sobbed during his statement. “Momma, you know I love you,” Holmes said to his mother. “But Momma, I promise you, your baby boy, he’s going to serve the Lord forever.” Holmes recounted his flashy lifestyle to the court. He had money — lots of it — designer goods and expensive cars. Now he plans to tell all the young people he meets in prison about finding salvation through religion, not cash or luxuries.
Mike Weaver, co-writer and singer of Redeemed, and coauthor of the book, I Am Redeemed: Learning to Live in Grace, was “blown away,” according to Christianity Today, which reported: “Over the last handful of years, so many stories have come from God using that song,” said Weaver, who lives north of Nashville in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, just 33 miles from the site of Holmes’ crime in Murfreesboro. “It is a message that is so dear to [God’s] heart.”
That message resonated with a musician a few years ago, who was touring with a band in Spain, according to Christianity Today, which says that he “heard a portion of ‘Redeemed’ as the bus driver flipped through radio stations. The young man related on his website, “The Holy Spirit spoke to me in that moment, saying, ‘You need to quit doing what you’re doing and turn your life around...’ That was a turning point for me. I called my wife and told her I was coming home.” 14
The story says he “canceled all his scheduled tour dates, abandoned the destructive habits that had hijacked his life on the road, and reconciled with his wife.” After that transformation, spurred on by the song, Redeemed, Zach Williams wrote the Dove- and Grammy-award winning song, Chain Breaker. Later on, according to CCM Magazine, he wrote a song called, Alive, which he shared with the band while on tour, and it is the latest song released by Big Daddy Weave. We can remember a few principles as we think about the redemptive work of the Lord: We have access to the Holy Spirit, and that gives us the power to change. He also gives us the power to obey, to please our Heavenly Father. And, while we are saved when we accept Christ into our hearts by faith, we also recognize that is the beginning of a process. The power of redemption enables us to live outside what God has done inside. Our redemption experience can be used of the Lord to touch others, as well. We can be challenged to share the redemptive work of Jesus. We can consider this sentence, “Because I am redeemed...” There are many ways to complete that sentence. For one thing, we know that we are brand new in Christ Jesus - we have new life, the life of Christ, residing in and flowing through us.
Photo courtesy of godsbigshow.blogspot.com.
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Our Statement of Faith In keeping with Protestant theology, we believe that the Bible, as contained in the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is fully inspired by God and therefore inerrant in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the only essential and infallible record of God’s self-disclosure to mankind. The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine. They are totally sufficient and must not be added to, superseded, or changed by later tradition, extra-biblical revelation, or worldly wisdom. The Bible is perfect in every way and shows us how to become and live as Christians. The way of becoming a Christian is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who came to us, born of a virgin, in full human form while remaining fully God. Jesus was, and is, perfect, and was crucified so that others could live. Three days later He rose from the dead, never to die again. He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. Those who have faith in Jesus as their Lord in this life, and Savior from damnation in the next life, now live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, becoming more like Jesus everyday. We believe that God is one God. The one God has three persons: the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as God is one, so also, all believers are to be one. We believe in the unity and fellowship of all those that have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We are one in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, His Body, which is composed of all men, living and dead, who have been joined to Him through saving faith. *All editorial content published needs to be in agreement with our Statement of Faith
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Years of hurt and anguish left Sherri Tate feeling lost, defeated, and not sure where to turn for help. It was the memories of navigating those difficult times that led her to develop a ministry for women facing similar challenges. Today, Tate is the Executive Director of Daughter by Design, a ministry aimed at providing comfort to women and helping them to navigate the storms of life with a strong and affirming support group centered on Christ’s love and biblical principles. River Region’s Journey
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The Counseling Ministry
“I lived for many years calling myself a Christian, trying to pick myself up by my bootstraps, until I literally collapsed under the weight of my sins and the sins of others against me,” recalls Tate. “I could not discern the difference and did not have the wisdom or the tools to navigate the things I needed to navigate. I tried desperately to walk with Christ, but in fact, came to the end of myself, bruised and beaten by the world, thinking my life was over at 52.” But life did not end, and Tate went on to pursue a life of helping other women who are in difficult circumstances realize that they are not alone. “My life began to make sense as I looked at my sin and suffering through the grid of Scripture. I began to understand the Gospel and how to apply it to my life. The Lord delivered me out of very hard, abusive situations and allowed me to experience the love of Christ for myself, for the first time.” Since then, Tate has gone on to pursue a certification in biblical counseling, with a concentration on helping women who have experienced sexual abuse, domestic violence, and controlling/dominating relationships. “We certainly need each other to navigate through the storms of life. I know that I could not do this by myself, and in the past years have received a lot of help from the body of Christ to help me learn to walk in ways that honor the Lord, and plant my feet on Christ, the Solid Rock. It is Tate’s story of redemption and overcoming the trials of a shattered life that began Daughter by Design, a non-profit 501C3 ministry that is divided into three sections: A counseling ministry, a residential program, and a catering business.
The counseling ministry endeavors to reach women in the community by one-on-one discipleship and specific small group formats that aim to teach women what it means to be a “Daughter by Design” with God as our Father, explains Tate. The counseling program, which offers 60-75 minute sessions, also helps women grow and mature in their relationship with God, themselves, and others, while focusing on creating safe environments through small group ministry. Here women can begin to deal with past hurts and understand the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship. Women are also helped to understand the dynamics of abuse and the effect it has had on their life, specifically domestic violence and sexual abuse. Tate also offers long distance counseling. One thing Tate stresses is the involvement of the local church. “In order to achieve lasting and ongoing change, it is vital that you be established in a local church. If you do not have a church home, I would be glad to help you find one. God’s design is that change in your life take place in the context of community. Your pastor and church leaders are charged with the responsibility to oversee your spiritual growth and health. This counseling ministry is not intended to take the place of the local church, but rather to come alongside and support it by strengthening its members”.
The Residential Program
In addition to the counseling program, Daughter by Design offers a residential program with a vision of bringing order to the
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lives of women experiencing chaos due to life circumstances and personal issues. “In the residential program, we are inviting women to turn to God and allow Him to totally restructure their lives through the power of the Gospel, empowering them to know Him and to make Him known while providing them a safe and nurturing environment. We desire for Him to build His kingdom in us, and then equip us to build His kingdom in others,” explains Tate. The mission of the residential program is three-fold and includes a place for women to live in the home for 12-24 months while doing personal development work through biblical counseling and discipleship. Women also have a goal and plan that is re-evaluated every three months. The women also commit to a job, attend group Bible study, participate in biblical counseling, and work towards their individual goals in the plan. The residential program maintains six core values: Loving community, Truth in love, Disciple making, Progressive sanctification, Freedom in Christ, and Independence.
The redemptive story of God’s great love is evident in the services and support given to the local women who participate in “Daughter by Design” and that is what Tate wants women in the area to know: that they are loved and that they are valued. She reflects back on her own journey that brought her to this point and wants others to experience the love of Christ she has been shown. “This is the birthplace for Daughter by Design, turning and giving the comfort of Christ that has been given to me and others. There are many men and women who have joined in the journey, desiring to surround hurting women, and extend the love of Christ. If you or your loved one is in an abusive relationship or struggling with the long term effects of an abusive relationship, we would be honored to meet and work through the storms of life and stand with you as we ask God for healing.”
The Catering Business
If you or your loved one would like more information on Daughter by Design, you may visit them at www.daughterbydesign.org or find them on facebook at Daughter by Design. You can also reach out through email Sherri@DaughterbyDesign.org.
Getting Connected
The third component of Daughter by Design is a catering business, where the motto is “Working with Excellence”. “We would love to help with your catering needs. We do family gatherings, business gatherings, holiday cooking, bridesmaids luncheons, wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners. Daughter by Design offers a tempting array of menu options ranging from Poppy Seed Chicken, Spinach and Parmesan Quiche, Shrimp and Grits, to an assortment of mouth watering desserts such as Bananas Foster and Tiramisu Roulade with Kahlua Drizzle, just to name a few.
Katie Blair is a graduate of Auburn University in Montgomery with a degree in Elementary Education. She currently serves as the Co-Director of the Weekday Children’s Ministry for Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about family life. She resides in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, two children, and their dog, Rosie.
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“I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.” — Jeremiah 32:39 —
Prayer Opportunities for the City of Montgomery Mayor-Elect Steven Reed and City Government Sunday, November 10 | Day of Prayer in the Church Prayer Focus: • Pray for One Montgomery. Jeremiah 32:39 • Pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding for the Mayor-elect and local government. Proverbs 2:6-9 • Pray for the peace and prosperity of the city. Jeremiah 29:7
Tuesday, November 12 | One Montgomery Prayer Service 8 to 9 AM | The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church
Tuesday, November 12 | Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony for Mayor-Elect Steven Reed and City Council 10 AM | Montgomery Performing Arts Center (MPAC), Downtown Montgomery
Sponsored by Pastors of Montgomery Churches For more information contact: His Vessel Ministries | info@hisvessel.org | 334.356.4478 | hisvessel.org 19
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3
Children Can Experience God, Too! A children’s director was modeling a new kind of children’s church for the adult children’s leaders. The children and adults were gathered in a large room for worship. After they had sung a few songs, the children’s director said, “Everyone, we have been singing to God. Now He wants to talk to us. Open your spiritual ears and listen for Him to say something to you in your heart.” One little girl in the front raised her hand and came to the microphone. “I just heard God say that I don’t have to obey my Mom and Dad anymore.” The children’s director heard a gasp from the adult leaders as they wondered how the director could get out of this sticky situation. The director calmly said, “Hmm…that is really interesting. I never heard Him say anything like that before. Did anybody hear anything else?” Another child raised his hand and came to the microphone, “That’s not what God would say, because His Word is the Bible and the Bible says we are to listen and obey our parents.” Some of the kids nodded their heads. The children’s director heard a sniffle from another child and asked the child what was wrong. The child spoke to the rest of the kids, “That’s right…we are supposed to obey our Mom and Dad. And I didn’t this morning. I went into my mom’s purse when she wasn’t looking and took out her lipstick and it got all over the River Region’s Journey
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living room rug. I have to tell her I’m so very sorry.” There were more sniffles as more kids began sharing wrongs they had done. A spirit of confession came over the room and after a time of repentance, the Holy Spirit moved among the children with forgiveness. This was no longer the same old children’s church! Many people believe that children are not ready to participate in intense worship, repentance, or great acts of service for God. But...
Creating an Environment for Christianity 1. Let your children experience God. When God answers your prayer, let your children in on the celebration. When you have prayer requests, involve them in the prayer. I have found children are especially able to pray for healing. 2. Let your children understand God. Our kids can learn much more than for what we give them credit. Do a study on “grace” with your children, so they can see how awesome God’s grace is. Work through the 23rd Psalm, relating the picture of the shepherd to how God cares for us. Instead of you teaching them, have the children teach you what they think it means. 3. Let your children explore who God is. Children are going to find it exciting to 20
discover who God is rather than being told who He is. Mistakes like the kid in the children’s worship service made are to be expected. It is how you help the children make their own corrections to their inaccurate theology that either quenches their spirits or fosters further exploration. 4. Let your children serve God. Don’t let them wait to be an adult. Children’s Evangelist Dian Layton, says, “Children are soldiers with little feet.” Help at a community center, visit a retirement home, make cards for nurses in the pediatric unit of the hospital, or host a honor party for the children’s workers. 5. Let your children attend the adult service sometimes. Coach them during the service so they can understand what is happening. Have them participate in the offering. Help them understand words the pastor is preaching. The age of your children is important in determining what you say. Younger children need more concrete pictures of God than older ones. Yet, all have souls that need to be reached to become solid believers. The seeds you plant during the first eighteen years of your children’s lives will reap bountifully. Your goal is to see your kids become brothers and sisters in Christ. Your child’s idea of God will be most often tied to what they have seen of your relationship to the Lord. Do you have fun with God? Are your devotional times exciting, full of love, satisfying and energizing? Don’t model a boring, religious, stagnant, or impractical relationship with God. Be zealous, be excited, and enjoy Him!
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While being “the most wonderful time of the year” for some, the holidays can be lonely, alienating, and isolating for others. Loneliness, alienation, and isolation often come from struggles related to family. Many of us have at least one “Cousin Eddie” (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation) situation that confronts us during the holidays, and that tempts us to look at our nuclear and extended families with cynicism, anger, and even despair. With Thanksgiving upon us this month, I want to reflect on the solution Jesus provides for the fractured relationships—family and otherwise. Not only is his solution good for us; it also provides an empowering resource, one that enables us to move toward “Cousin Eddie” in ways that heal instead of perpetuate the wounds.
So then, what is Jesus’ solution to our holiday woes? I believe it’s this… Jesus gives us himself. He also gives us a family… in the local Church. To disciples who had left everything to follow him, Jesus responded with these words: Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30). Did you hear that? Who is your mother and father and sisters and brothers? Even if your earthly family is a train wreck, if you are with Jesus then you have another anchor family—mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who, like you, are united to Jesus by faith. The Church is God’s redeemed society, a family of surrogates united together by one LORD, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father (Ephesians 4:4-6). In the Church is a solidarity that transcends all other loyalties while also demolishing divisions. Peter, a loud and intense man with low emotional intelligence, and John, a gentle and contemplative man, become
as inseparable brothers through their shared union with Jesus. Simon, an anti-government zealot and Matthew, a government employed tax collector, are transformed from enemies to friends by that same union. David and Jonathan, the son of a shepherd and the son of a king, become the dearest of friends through a shared faith. These are merely a sampling of what theologian Donald Carson has said about the family of God in his book, Love in Hard Places: The Church itself is not made up of natural “friends…” What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything of the sort. Christians come together, not because they form a natural collocation, but because they have been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance. In the light of this common allegiance, in light of the fact that they have all been loved by Jesus himself, they commit themselves to doing what he says—and he commands them to love one another. In this light, they are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake. This solidarity around the experience of loving Jesus—or, rather, of being deeply loved by Jesus—has also made the Church the most inclusive community in the history of the world. This was felt deeply especially in first century Jerusalem, where Rabbis openly and often prayed, “Thank you, God, that I am not a woman, a slave, or a gentile.” In a culture of social pecking orders where Jewish men ran things and everybody else’s role was to support them in their privilege and treat them as important, Jesus came in to level the playing field, and to re-affirm that all people are equal in dignity and value. The Holy Spirit then punched the Rabbi’s prayer in the gut, ensuring that the first three Christian converts were a woman, Lydia, who hosted a congregation in her house, a slave in Philippi, and a gentile prison guard (Acts 16:11-40). Inspired by God’s stance of showing no partiality, the Apostle Paul would 23
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write these words about God’s family, the Church:
SHE ONCE BUILT A FORT SO LARGE, THAT IT UTILIZED EVERY BLANKET, TOWEL, AND CHAIR IN THE WHOLE HOUSE.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
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In the Church God has given us a family—a first and anchor family—where healing from the dysfunctions and sorrows and losses experienced outside the Church can occur. What many have been denied in their nuclear families—a loving spouse, supportive parents, honoring children—existed for Jesus and also exist for us inside the family of God. But like the nuclear family, the Church will also live with dysfunction until Jesus returns. But because we know that Jesus will complete the work he has begun in us, because we are his workmanship, because resurrection and new life are in our future, we can treat ourselves and each other with hope instead of cynicism. We can live in confidence that we are not yet what we will be. We can look at the caterpillar in front of us—whether in the mirror or face to face with another— and envision the butterfly. Jesus will soon present his family, the Church, to himself as a radiant bride without spot, wrinkle or blemish. It’s already settled (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:10; John 11:25; Ephesians 5:27).
So then, what if the Church became the first place, instead of the last place, that people went looking for family? What if the Church was filled with unmarried people but had no “single” people, because unmarried people were as family to each other, and surrogate brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers and sons and daughters to the rest of the Church? What if the Church was the place where no parent felt the burden of having to raise children alone, and where every child had hundreds of mothers and fathers and grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles and big sisters and brothers? What if it were true that God sets the lonely in families? (Psalm 68:6) What if the Church was the place where anyone in the world could find refuge and solace
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from the age-old malediction—first uttered into Paradise—that it is not good to be alone? This is exactly what God intended for the Church to be. And do you know what else? When we “leave” our earthly families for the anchor family that God provides in the Church, we actually end up “cleaving” better to our earthly families. Why is this so? Because in the Church, we are taught first to know God as a Father who protects, defends and provides, and as a Mother Hen who gathers us under his wings to shelter us. In the Church, we are taught to know Jesus as a Brother who is not ashamed of us, and as a Husband who repeatedly forgives us, empowers us, holds us, and lays down his life for us. In the Church, we are taught to know the Holy Spirit as a Comforter, Counselor, and Guide. The more we come to know Father, Son and Spirit in these ways, the more equipped, empowered, and energized we will be to protect, defend, provide, shelter, bless, forgive, empower, hold,
lay down our lives, comfort, counsel and guide in our earthly families. In short, through the character formation we experience through hardfought love inside the Church, we are better equipped to love and bless our earthly family members who may be outside the Church. Rather than a pain in the neck, Cousin Eddie becomes a target of our love, a chief beneficiary of our kindness. Because of the influence of the anchor family, the family of Jesus, we will start thinking creatively how we can love Cousin Eddie well in spite of his offensiveness, abrasiveness, low emotional intelligence, and painstaking awkwardness.
Don’t let your earthly family be your Jesus. Instead, let Jesus and his Family be your anchor family. When you do, your earthly family will be better for it. Scott Sauls is an author, blogger and pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN.
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1 5/17/17 11:08 AM Page 1
me rship h Us!
hip: 9:30 a.m.
:00 a.m. on Sundays Wednesdays
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Dalraida UMC ad on page 17
Aldersgate UMC 6610 Vaughn Road Christmas Song Musical & Live Nativity 10:30 a.m. Sunday, December 15, in the Aldersgate Sanctuary. The Christmas Song Musical by the Aldersgate Chancel Choir, Orchestra and Drama Team Featuring a Live Nativity with the Actors and Animals on the Liturgically front lawn of the Church Founded Upon God’s Word Joyful At Christchurch, Holy Scripture At Christchurch, worship involves serves as the final authority for our the entire congregation, as we after theIndeed, worship service. teaching and preaching. offer God praise, thanksgiving and over the course of three years, adoration using worship traditions almost the entire Bible is read Eve that canCandlelight be traced back to the Service aloudChristmas and preached upon. earliest days of the Church. Our worship is not designed to entertain us, but to honor the true “audience” Tuesday, December 24, 3 pm and 7 pm. of worship, the Lord! For more information, call (334) 272.6152 or visit www.aldersgateumc.org. Warm and Loving
Committed to Mission
By God’s grace and through His Spirit, the people of Christchurch enjoy the richness and joy of being a true family. We’d love for you to become a part of us! Regardless of who you are, you will always find a home at Christchurch.
The people of Christchurch respond to God’s Word by going out into the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus, and we joyfully serve as His hands and feet whether in places like Uganda and Guatemala or within Montgomery.
Christchurch ad on page 3
8800 Vaughn Rd Candlelit Service of Lessons and 8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117 Carols www.christchurchmgm.net 334.387.0566 Thursday, December 5, 6:30 p.m. Featuring Madrigal Voices of Montgomery, Montgomery Brassworks, and conductor Thomas Hinds. For information call (334) 387.0566, ext. 203 or visit www.christchurchxp.net. Church at Chantilly 9299 Vaughn Road, Pike Road Christmas Eve Worship Service Tuesday, December 24, 5:30 p.m. For info call (334) 279.1372 or visit www.chantillychurch.com. Church of the Highlands 4255 Taylor Road Joy to the World Dates to be announced on website. Come join us for a service full of worship, prayer, and celebration as we honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Call (205) 980.5577 or visit the website at www.churchofthehighlands.com. River Region’s Journey
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3817 Atlanta Highway Christmas Cantata December 22, 11 a.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Tuesday, December 24 at 5:30 Call (334) 272.2190 or visit them at www.dalraidaumc.com. Eastern Hills Baptist Church 3604 Pleasant Ridge Road “Celebrate the King,” Sounds of EHBC at Christmas December 8, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Featuring soloist, instrumentalists, preschool choir, Celebration Singers & more. No Admission. Childcare provided for birth through 5 year olds. Christmas Candlelight Service December 24, 5:00 p.m. Call (334) 272.0604 or visit them at www.ehbconline.com.
First Baptist Church ad on Back Cover
305 South Perry Street The Joy Singers Christmas Program Sunday, December 1, at 6:15 p.m. Stakely Sanctuary; Come join us as the JOY Adult Choir leads us in worship celebrating the birth of Christ. The Living Christmas Tree December 13-15. Performers will delight you atop the 40 ft. set resembling a Christmas tree on stage. Tickets go on sale beginning of November. Candlelight Service, Christmas Eve December 24 at 3:30 and 5 p.m. Call for details at (334) 834.6310 or visit www.montgomeryfbc.org. 26
First United Methodist Church 2416 West Cloverdale Park Hanging of the Greens Sunday, December 1. Come with unwrapped toys or monetary gifts for families in need as we dress our Sanctuary. Festival of Christmas Worship Services Sunday, December 15, 8:45 am and 11 am. Our annual concert featuring our music ministry and a professional orchestra. Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24 Communion and Candlelight Services from noon-8 p.m. on December 30 Call (334) 834.8990 for info.
Frazer Memorial UMC ad on page 9
6000 Atlanta Highway Hanging of the Greens November 24 from 3-7 p.m. Women’s Christmas Brunch Saturday, December 7 from 9-11 a.m. Christmas Musical: Glorious Carols of Christmas Wesley Hall, December 8 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Glorious arrangements of classical Holiday Hymns to Classic Carols for the whole family to sing along with. Candlelight Worship Sunday, December 22 at 5:30 or Tuesday, December 24 at 3:30 for Contemporary or 5:30 for Traditional. Call for details at (334) 272.8622 or visit www.frazerumc.org
Gateway Baptist Church ad on page 15
3300 Bell Road Candlelight Service and Communion Tuesday, December 24, 5 p.m. Calll (334) 272.9494 or visit gatewaybaptist.com.
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St. Thomas Aquinas ad on page 8
ad on page 27
1849 Perry Hill Rd Christmas Musical December 15 at 10:15 am Christmas Eve Service December 24 at 5 pm. Call (334) 279.9976 or visit hbcm.net. Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 East Washington Street Annual Christmas Production “A Christmas Story” December 8 at 9 a.m. service Hosted by the Youth Dept. Join them as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Call (334) 462.3048 for more info. Saint James United Methodist Church 9045 Vaughn Road Christmas Musical December 8 at 6 p.m. in the Worship Center. The service will feature the Chancel Choir. We hope you can join us for this marvelous musical event. Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24 Candlelight and communion 12 noon - Traditional, Sunday Service 4 p.m. – Worship Center 6 p.m.- Worship Center For more information call (334) 277.3037 or visit www.sjlife.com.
355 Bell Road The Vigil of the Nativity December 24, 6 pm Call (334) 322.1626 or visit them at www. aquinaspck.org. Taylor Road Baptist Church 1685 Taylor Road The Longest Night December 21, 7 p.m. A service of remembrance if grieving the loss of loved ones. Candlelight Service Tuesday, December 24 at 5:30 Call (334) 271.3363 for details or visit www.taylorroad.org. Vaughn Forest Church 8660 Vaughn Road Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, December 24 at 5 p.m. Call for info at (334) 279.5433 or visit www.vaughnforrest.com.
East Memorial Baptist Church 1320 Old Ridge Road “Sing, Praise Christmas” December 15 at 10:30 a.m. Our Celebration Choir, Orchestra, and Drama Team will present “The Songs of Christmas,” an East Memorial Christmas Favorite. Call (334) 365.7500 for details or visit www.eastmemorial.org.
First Baptist Church, Prattville ad on page 21
138 South Washington St. Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 24, time TBA Call (334) 365.0606 for more info or visit www.fbcprattville.org.
First Presbyterian Church, Prattville ad on page 13
220 South Chestnut Street Thanksgiving Service November 28 at 9 a.m. Lessons in Carols
Prattville Centerpoint Fellowship Church to be held at Prattville Christian Academy Christmas Eve Services We will be having our Candlelight Service on Tuesday, December 24 at 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at PCA. Call for details at (334) 356.3076 or visit www. centeringlives.com.
Musical December 8 at 10:45 a.m. Call (334) 365.6387 or visit their website at www.fpcministries.org.
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BE KIND REWIND If you recall going to the video rental store, you will remember the sticker on each VHS tape with the words, “Be Kind, Rewind.” This was a reminder to rewind the video before returning it because it
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was an act of kindness to the next person who would rent the video. Be kind. Maybe this is a virtue we need to rediscover in our society today. Saint Paul wrote “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance,” and he includes “kindness” as a “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) because we are expected to show kindness to others. A kind heart leads us to see the goodness in others from God’s perspective. Psychology Today reported that researchers have discovered “devoting resources to others, rather than having more and more for yourself, brings about lasting well-being” (December 2017). The researchers went on to report that kindness is the “most important predictor of satisfaction and stability in a marriage.” If you search the Internet, you will discover over 28 million hits for “kindness.” Most people would probably agree that being kind is a good thing to do; however, the prevailing world view today focuses primarily on taking care of self which leads to selfishness. What is kindness? Kindness is the willingness to be friendly, generous, and considerate. Kindness may require us to put down our cell phones and look into the face of another and actually be available to hear the pain of another. Kindness may require no more
than a smile, a kind word, holding a door for someone, or offering to help carry a heavy load for someone. Kindness can be the celebration of someone you love by sharing a compliment, an email that simply says, “you were on my mind” or letting another know how much you appreciate them. Psychologists John and Julie Gottman’s research concludes that “your response to someone’s successes my determine more about your relationship than how you respond when times are difficult.” Do you celebrate with family, friends, or co-workers in their successes? One place where much more kindness is needed is on the roadways. Allow the person trying to merge into traffic or exit a parking space to go in front of you. Kindness towards others would certainly be a solution to the road rage so evident today. Kindness may not always be a pleasant task. There are times showing kindness may entail telling the truth to help someone when they may not want to hear it. To share loving concern for someone who is making unhealthy decisions can be a wonderful act of kindness. Having someone willing to share such kindness can be a significant benefit to our growth and maturity. If you find yourself struggling with how to show kindness to others, look for suggestions on sites such as, www. randomactsofkindness.org or https://kindness.org. The writer of Proverbs instructs us to “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.” (Proverbs 3:3, NLT) 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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Proclaim your love of Christ Jesus this Christmas season by displaying a wooden
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A Faith Radio donor and neighbor is providing hundreds of 7-foot
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freestanding wooden Christmas crosses for us to distribute to our listeners for a generous donation. This donation helps Faith Radio
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crosses available on Monday, November 25, at the Faith Radio Studios. There is a limited supply of crosses. Reserve your cross or magnet today by calling 800-239-8900 or visit www.faithradio.org.
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The ministry of Faith Radio/WLBF is supported by individuals in the Christian community. You can participate in strengthening families as we provide spiritual encouragement with your financial support. Contact us at www.faithradio.org, call 800-239-8900 or by mail at P.O. Box 210789 Montgomery, AL 36121-0789. 29
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November 2019
River Region’s Journey
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Adoption
Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery APAC, Alabama Pre/ Post Adoption Connection Support Group: This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call Jill Sexton at 409-9477.
Alcoholic / Addiction Location: Caring Center of FBC, 52 Adams Avenue CrossRoads Support Group is for addicts/alcoholics and family members. Meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and follows a Christ-centered 12-step program. Call 264-4949. Location: Dalraida United Methodist Church 3817 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery An Alanon meeting is held at 9 am on Saturday mornings. Call 272.2190 for details.
River Region’s Journey
November 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. Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for
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anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues. Mondays beginning at 6:15 pm. Childcare available. Call John Pearse at 303-243-4308 or visit myjourneychurch.com. Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. RSVP- This is a 12 step spiritual recovery program for overcoming addictions. Using the steps and Bible we help build self-esteem, responsible behavior, the making of amends for our destructive actions, and to fill the void in our hearts in a loving relationship with God. Wednesday @ 6:30pm in Rm. 121 of the Life Center. Location: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 E Main St. CASA - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions. Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334-365-4201 for additional information.
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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.
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Location: First United Methodist Church, Wetumpka 306 W. Tuskeena Street ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background. All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. For any information contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428. Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 pm. For more information email riverregion@ route1520.com, visit http:// www.route1520.com/men/ groups-for-men or call 877-2000-1520.
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Alzheimer’s / Dementia
Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 495-6350 for more information.
Cancer
Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us. Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week. Please call Debbie D at 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: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesday nights @6:30-8:00 pm in
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Room 405B. Child care is available. Contact Kathy Cooper at 2415125 for information. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Divorce Care meets each Tuesday from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Come to the Library area. This group will provide support & guidance to assist you in working through the issues, pain & pressures surrounding divorce. Call 495-6350 or e-mail jan@frazerumc.org.
Gambling Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community. The church is 1 1/2 miles past Tutweiler prison. Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. and Mondays at 6:30 pm. Call 567-0476. Location: Mental Health of America, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm. For more information about the GA meetings call 334-399-6918. For information about counseling services or to request a guest speaker please call the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling at 334-277-5100.
November 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 3655977. Location: Frazer UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Grief Recovery Support Group meets Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Rm 3105. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group
for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754 or e-mail mourningtomorning@gmail. com. Join us on Facebook. Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@ mfumc.org. Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief support group meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M. For additional information, please contact Alice Glover at (334)281-2754.
Mental Health Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Mental Health - NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) meets 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 pm in Room 7205. Group provides understanding, education & information to family members & friends of those who suffer mental illness, Call Pat Cobb at 334-2798331 for more info. NAMI Connection Support Group for individuals with mental illness meets every Thursday evening, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, room 3104. Call Pat Cobb at 334-279-8331 for more information.
Parenting Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 S. Washington Moms LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug - May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting. For moms of all stages and ages of life. Childcare provided by reservation. Call April Scott at 828-446-6666. Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy Frazer mom2mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of ages birth to 5 at Frazer UMC to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. Email Mom2mom@ frazerumc.org for more information.
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Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800. Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174. Location: Redland Baptist, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com. Location: St.James UMC, 9045 Vauhgn Road Moms in Prayer International: This is a Christ centered interdenominational prayer ministry made up of moms, grandmothers, aunts or any woman who wants to gathers to pray for their children and schools. Meets every Sunday afternoon from 3:004:00. Call Annette Jones for more information on joining us or training to start your own group. 850529-4730 or email Montgomerymipac@gmail.com
Physical Challenges Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Road Visually Impaired Support Group – Meets monthly on second Thursday 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. The group is called Outward Sight - Inward Vision and is for those with vision loss and their caregivers. Our mission is to assist those experiencing vision loss to maintain their independence. Call 272-6152. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Parkinson’s Support meets 4th Thursdays at 6 pm in Room 8114. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Ostomy Support meets every other month on the 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in room 3101. In 2018: Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct., Dec. Call 495-6350 for more info. Location: Vaughn Park Church, 3800 Vaughn Rd. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group meets 2nd Friday of each month from 6:308 PM. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare is provided. Please visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com or our Facebook page (MADSOG) for information. Please contact MADSOG at montgomeryareadownsyndrome@gmail.com.
Send support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com 33
November 2019
River Region’s Journey
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When my father was young, my grandfather lost his business and their home when our country experienced an economic crisis. My grandfather was forced to move his family of eleven to a tiny rental house on the edge of town and grow vegetables in the backyard to feed them. While he eventually managed to rebuild his business and another house, this experience of loss reminded them that while things can disappear, certain qualities remain. As a result of their losses, my grandfather told his children, “Your name is all you’ve got. Don’t do anything to tarnish our name.” The family name stood for integrity in town because my grandfather had been honest and fair with his customers. When he experienced loss, people watched this man with a big family to see how he responded, just as they watched him before to see how he lived with prosperity. In the same way, others observe us to see if our actions and words equal integrity and to see if we live out Christian values when things aren’t going well in our lives.
When we compromise personal integrity, we tarnish our witness and the name “Christian.” River Region’s Journey
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Here are 4 ways to Guard Integrity: Value Honesty. On the surface, telling
the truth seems simple enough, but often ego and pride take center stage, and before we realize it, we’re enhancing the truth to elevate ourselves or escape reality that may diminish our image. The same grandfather who said, “your name is all you’ve got” also said, “tell the truth and you don’t have to remember what you said.” If you tell a lie, you have to remember what you said, who you said it to, and in what context. And unless you keep a detailed list of untruths, you’re bound to slip up, at some point, and say something different. So, tell the truth. You expect others to be honest, so hold yourself to that same standard. “Don’t tell lies to each other; it was your old life with all its wickedness that did that sort of thing; now it is dead and gone. You are living a brand new life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you” (Colossians 3:9-10 TLB).
Remain Trustworthy. Have you
every shared a concern with someone, asked them to keep what you discussed in confi-
dence, and then heard your words come back at you from multiple people? It hurts, doesn’t it, to have someone betray you by talking to others about what you told them in private. “Trustworthy” means you are worth trusting with information or a requested action. Some people have a hard time being trustworthy because they just can’t resist the feeling of power it gives them to have information and then share it. But it only takes one time of breaking a promise to lose the trust component of integrity. “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13 NIV).
Accept Responsibility. The
current trend in our culture is to accuse and blame others rather than accept responsibility for our mistakes. When someone fails to read directions and misuses a product, she blames the manufacturer and sues for damages. A person who is diagnosed with a disease, blames his employer, claiming the illness resulted from job stress rather than admitting years of unhealthy living. The list could go on, but the point is most people don’t want to take responsibility for their actions. Sidestepping responsibility goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden: “The man replied, ‘It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it’” (Genesis 3:12 NLT). However, unlike Adam, people of integrity admit mis-
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takes without putting a “spin” on the event that implies others are really at fault.
Avoid Corruption. Satan has a way
of tricking us into thinking no one will know if we compromise integrity. But remember, Satan is all about enticing us to do things that will reflect poorly on the name “Christian.” Corruption usually refers to someone who accepts money or something else of value to perform a dishonest action. Another definition of corruption is decay. If you’ve ever taken a walk in the woods in the fall, you know the smell of decay—rotting leaves and berries. Corruption stinks. It damages your reputation and it doesn’t just happen in the business world or to government officials. Corruption happens when a person writes a paper for someone else, texts an answer to a test question,, or implies something about someone that damages their reputation. No matter how careful you are, this type of activity eventually becomes public. “Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:7 NIV). Integrity honors fairness, by-passes selfish motives, and mirrors Christ-like qualities. It is more valuable than any financial gain, fame, or position. Integrity is worth preserving and guarding.
Candy Arrington is a contributing writer.
November 2019
River Region’s Journey
Strategy for Paying Off Debt Q. I’ve heard lots of different theories and
recommendations when it comes to paying off debt. Why do you advise paying off debts from smallest to largest?
A. A lot of people wonder the same thing when I bring up the debt snowball. Some think paying off the debt with highest interest rate first is the best approach. This may seem to make sense mathematically, but I realized a long time ago debt is not a mathematics problem—it’s a behavior problem. Personal finance is 80 percent behavior, and only 20 percent head knowledge. Besides, if all those people were so great at math, they wouldn’t be up to their eyeballs in debt in the first place! The reason the debt snowball pays off debt from smallest to largest is that modify-
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November 2019
ing your behavior and providing inspiration to get out of debt is more important than the math. Your probability of becoming wealthy is more closely connected to your behavior than your financial “sophistication” or academic pedigree. When you pay off a small debt you experience success, and that gives you hope. Then, you move on the next debt. When you pay that one off, and you’ve wiped out two debts, it really energizes you. At that point you start to get excited, and you begin to believe in yourself and in the fact you’re actually on the road to becoming debt-free!
It’s Not Easy Money Q. I’m 35, and I’ve always wanted to own
rental property. I think I’ve found a deal that
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would work for me. I want to take $20,000 out of my thrift savings account to use as a down payment on the property. I could rent the place for $1,400 a month, and my loan payment would be $1,100 a month. What do you think about this idea?
A. I love real estate, so I understand the allure. But what you’re telling me is you want to cash out part of your retirement, get hit with a penalty and take on debt, to buy an investment property. I wouldn’t do it. I’ve got a feeling you’ve never been a landlord before. Bringing in $1,400 and paying out $1,100 may seem like a good place to be, but you haven’t figured all the risk into your equation. Rental properties just sit there empty sometimes. Other times you have renters who don’t pay, repairs, and people who just tear up things. In other words, you won’t be able to count on an easy $300 in your pocket every month. Like I said, I totally get your fascination with real estate. But my advice is to save up, and pay cash for one decent rental property to see if this game is really for you.
The
Living Christmas Tree December 13 • 7 pm December 14 • 4 & 7 pm December 15 • 4 & 7 pm Tickets available online beginning November 6.
Call 334.241.5156 or order online
at www.thelivingchristmastree.org No offering will be taken during the presentation. $5 per ticket suggested.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH montgomery
305 South Perry Street Montgomery, AL 36104