River Region Christians - January 2024 Issue by KeepSharing

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Volume 25, Issue 9

Feature Articles

JAN UARY 20 2 4 Columns page 6

Faith @ Work: Harvey Starling We sat down with Harvey Starling, president of Publications Plus and director of Fishers of Men Ministries. Harvey shares about his conversion to Christianity, why being a servant-leader in business is important to him and how serving on the mission field has changed his life.

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Publisher’s Note Jason Watson

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Pastor's Perspective Michael Cobb, Dalraida Global Methodist Church

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Faith @ Work page 10

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When Your Resolutions Fail

Books to Read

by Rebecca Hastings

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The Intersection

Are you hard on yourself when you fail? Do you also believe God is disappointed that you still can’t get it right? This author shares the truth about God’s unchanging, unfaltering love for you, no matter your successes or failures.

Bob Crittenden

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Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy

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Ministries for Moms by Kym Klass

Whether you are a brand new mom or a veteran, one of these local ministries has a place for you to serve, as well as connect with other women. Find details about River Region MOPS and Moms in Prayer and learn how you can get involved.

Counselor’s Corner Lennie Howard, LPC

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Dave $ays Dave Ramsey

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River Region Christians

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

Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com

Publisher

Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com

Research Editor Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers Tim Challies Rev. Michael A. Cobb Bob Crittenden Rebecca Hastings Lennie Howard, LPC Kym Klass Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy

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

Content Manager Anna Watson

Social Media Manager Scott Davis

From the Publisher Embracing Change While Being Rooted in Him Do you like change? I’ve always enjoyed the newness it brings, even when challenges might accompany it. So, with the New Year upon us, I can’t help but celebrate pivots, fresh starts, and a chance to reinvent ourselves. But let me also suggest the best change is when it’s anchored to the hope of Christ. In the Bible, we find verses reminding us of the constancy of God’s love and our hope in Him during transition and change. Hebrews 13:8 declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This verse reminds us that while everything around us may change, our Savior remains unchanging, a steadfast anchor in a world of uncertainty. There are a lot of internet gurus who push us to change. Much of what they share is practical and could be beneficial in the right setting. But what about when the next guru shows up making more proclamations for change? Then the next and the next??? Self-help seems more popular than ever, but when it’s removed from the foundation of Christ, it’s easy for us to be tossed about like a ship with no rutter. Chasing the world’s tail. Change can be daunting and exhilarating, but as Christians, we find security in knowing our hope is not rooted in fleeting resolutions or the promises of selfhelp gurus. No, our hope is in the unwavering love of Christ and the wisdom of God. We should never build a life that’s not set on His foundation. As we journey through this year, may we remember that in Christ, we have a firm foundation, a source of unchanging hope, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Happy New Year! May you find peace and purpose in the embrace of Christ’s unwavering love.

Ad Design

Tim Welch, Welch Designs

River Region Christians is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region Christians is copyrighted 2024 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in River Region Christians are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region Christians has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.

River Region Christians

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River Region Christians

Pastor’s Perspective by Rev. Michael A. Cobb, Dalraida Global Methodist Church

Will You Surrender? When you think of a word like “surrender” what comes to mind? I think about white flags with hands raised, tapping out on the mat, or essentially giving up. But I love what someone told me about surrender: “It isn’t giving up, it’s letting go.” Letting go is hard for most of us. It was hard for me when I lost my Dad’s old fishing lure; I had to let it go. It was certainly hard for Mary in light of Gabriel’s extraordinary message. But understanding it fully may change the way you feel about the idea of surrender. Gabriel is one of two named angels in Scripture. He shows up three times throughout the Bible: once to

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Daniel, with Zechariah, and then to Mary. Each time, he was sent by God and, for our context, it was to a small town called Nazareth- maybe 20 to 30 acres in size (Alabama or Auburn’s football stadium will dwarf the town). Back then it was a broken down, poor town that played host only to passersby. No wonder Nathaniel replies in the Christmas story, “Is there anything good that comes from Nazareth?” But Nazareth is where Gabriel appears to a virgin named Mary, and here’s his message: “‘Greetings, favored woman, the Lord is with you... Don’t be afraid, you have found favor with God.’” (Luke 1:28-30). In this context, God is given the Greek word Charis, which means Grace (unmerited favor). Gabriel tells her she will give birth to a son, that he will be called Emmanuel, or “God with us.” Now Mary, being somewhere between 12-15 years old, thought, “You’ve got the wrong person” or “wrong number,” or more appropriately, “How will this be, since I am a virgin.” (Luke 1:34) She doubted herself and the ability to carry it through. After all, what would Joseph or others say? She was going to have to try to explain this to Elizabeth. Will she even believe her? 4

Then, visiting her cousin Elizabeth, at the sight of Mary she cried out, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.” That, along with Gabriel’s reminder of a covenant she probably heard all her life from Psalm 89 helped Mary surrender: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38). Sometimes we need to be reminded that we are favored because moments that come and go in our life create everything we remember. Sometimes those moments create heightened sense of love, belonging, excitement, and joy. I remember God’s amazing work and goodness with helping me recall something as crazy as a $3 fishing lure. It was special because my Dad gave it to me the year before he died. Then there are other times we experience moments we hope to forget: failing that test, making a bad financial decision, or a horrible argument. As we move into 2024, if there is anything you need to surrender, think about Mary. She was chosen in her youth despite all that she would come to endure. Even then, she focused on God’s Word and promise to get her through. More than that, Mary came to realize that surrender wasn’t about moments; it was about a lifestyle.

Michael Cobb is senior pastor of Dalraida Global Methodist on Atlanta Highway in Montgomery.

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to Jesus and he and his family had started attending a small Baptist church in Shorter, AL, Cubahatchie Baptist Church. I knew I needed that and decided to visit in February 2007. I gave my life to Jesus in March 2007. I was baptized in August of 2007. My wife was also baptized with me as she rededicated her life to Jesus. We waited until August to have our best friend attend after he returned from a deployment in Iraq. RRC: How have foreign mission trips impacted your life, and what have you learned? HS: I began going on foreign mission trips in December 2014 and traveling to Nicaragua. The experience was unforgettable. I became hooked on that first trip. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus and seeing lives forever changed became my passion. I have now been to Nicaragua five times, the Philippines, Zambia, Africa, Haiti, and Brazil twice. I will go to Brazil again in June 2024 with Amazon Hope. RRC: As the owner of Publications Plus, what does demonstrating a servant’s heart mean to you in business?

RRC: What prompted you to transition to Christianity from being born and raised in the Mormon faith? HS: I did not understand the Baptism for the Dead ceremony I experienced at age 12. By the time I was 14, I had left the church. My mom and a lot of her family still attend the Mormon church, and I have many friends in that faith. RRC: You stopped attending church at age 14 and returned as an adult at 37. Why did you decide to go back? HS: I knew something was missing in my life. My brother, Jimmy, had changed his life around November 2006. I noticed the difference in his attitude, and he seemed to have found a new peace. I asked him what changed. He told me he gave his life River Region Christians

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HS: We employ about 50 people. I feel I have an obligation to show compassion to my colleagues, and when given the opportunity, I tell them about having a new life in Jesus. I have seen a positive change in many of our employees year after year. It’s nice to hear a testimony and someone tell me how I have impacted their life. I sincerely believe that this is another family for me here. RRC: How has being the director of Fishers of Men connected you to the community spiritually? HS: In 2018, I got the opportunity to become the director of the Alabama Central Fishers of Men division. My love for foreign missions sparked an interest in leading others to Christ in central Alabama. I had fished in the FOM AL Central division for years and loved the format. They have always had a meeting the night before the tournaments. A meal is prepared during the meeting, and a motivational gospel presentation occurs. In 2023, we had seven individuals give their lives to Jesus. 2024 6

will be my 6th year as director in Central Alabama. I am very excited to see what God has in store this year. RRC: What advice would you give someone who is struggling and desiring to find God and become born again? HS: The “old” you must die and be born again in Jesus. God loves you so much that He does not wait for you to climb the mountain (get good enough) to come to Him. On the contrary, He has come to us right where we are at our worst and offers forgiveness, grace, and mercy that we cannot understand. All we need to do is accept the gift and acknowledge that Jesus gave his life for us, was resurrected, and lives today. Quit trying to fix your problems on your own and turn to Jesus! RRC: What core Christian values are important to you serving as a deacon for Coosada Baptist Church? HS: Servanthood. I love to help out. As a deacon at CBC, I am on the Hospital Visitation Committee. I love encouraging others going through surgeries or illnesses and sharing the blessings of members who might have a new baby. Being able to pray for these people is a blessing. Being part of a larger body of believers is a powerful feeling. I also love leading a small group at Coosada Baptist. RRC: When your faith goes through difficult times, how do you find the strength not to give up? HS: Life is not easy for anyone. I sometimes find myself in hard times or even in difficult situations. I always take these to prayer, and I search the Bible for answers. I have yet to deal with a problem that has not been solved using prayer and reading my Bible. Having a quiet time so you can hear God is vital. The Bible is a living document. I think many people do not see it like this. RRC: Many men have come to know Christ through Fishers of Men, and how do you provide a safe space for them to receive Christ? Harvey Starling has been married to Amanda for 30 years. He is the president of Publications Plus.

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Like A River

You Are Still a Mother

by Granger Smith

by Jackie Gibson

So many parents are familiar with the agony of losing a child they never truly got to know, yet loved with their whole heart. Writing specifically for mothers who have become members of a club that no one wants to join, Jackie Gibson’s message to them is this: You are still a mother. Jackie and Jonny Gibson know the pain of losing a child. When their daughter was just a week away from reaching her due date, Jackie began to realize that little Leila was moving less than she had before. Though she called the hospital, she was told to stay home and rest. By the next morning she was certain something was wrong and, sadly, was soon told, “I’m sorry. There is no heartbeat.” “My heart cracked open,” she writes, “and a terrible grief spread through my whole body. I didn’t make a sound, but the tears increased and I started to shake. Jonny wept loudly, crying out ’No! No! No! It cannot be!’ But it was.” This was the beginning of a time of deep grief and now, seven years later, Gibson has directed that grief into a sweet book meant to offer encouragement to mothers who have experienced the same sorrow. “This book is the story of the death of my daughter Leila. I’m sure as you read there will be parts that feel familiar, details that you recognize in your story, the ‘What? You too?’ moments. There will also be parts that are different from yours. As I have heard my husband say many times, ‘Each person’s valley is each person’s valley.’ But there is one character who is the same in all our stories. It is the God who made our precious children, and who called them home. This story is about him, and how he is always good, even in the darkness.” And in the pages of this book she shows just how good God is even—or perhaps especially—in the darkness of loss. She begins by telling her own story and then turns to a series of brief chapters that celebrate the character of God, that express confidence in the acts of God, and that share the good news that God gives us through the gospel. She tells how God comforted her in her sorrow and how he taught her to trust him more. She tells of her confidence that her daughter is waiting for her in heaven. She tells of her joy in knowing that God is as active in times of pain as in times of joy. She offers hope—hope that will minister to other brokenhearted mothers. You Are Still a Mother is a brief book but one that is full of godly wisdom and helpful insights. Weaving together Scripture, poetry, quotes, and her own insights, Gibson has written a book that is sure to bless and comfort mothers who know the pain of a stillbirth or the grief of a miscarriage. It would be hard to recommend it too highly.

Not too long ago a friend asked me, “Hey, did you hear that Granger Smith is now a student at Southern Seminary?” “No, I hadn’t heard that,” I replied. Then I surreptitiously Googled “Who is Granger Smith?” I learned that he is—or was, at least—a country music singer, and apparently a tremendously successful one. But he had chosen to leave touring behind to focus instead on becoming a pastor. In 2019 Granger Smith was flying high. His career was booming, his albums were selling, and his fan base was building. He was filling concert halls and performing in stadiums. It was all he had ever dreamed of. And it was just then, at the height of his success, that he encountered a terrible tragedy. One day he was playing outdoors with his children when he suddenly noticed that his three-year-old son River had disappeared. He sprinted to the pool and found his son face down. Despite his efforts and the efforts of paramedics and doctors, there was nothing that could be done. River was gone. River was gone and his father soon realized he was not equipped to deal with such a loss. A self-professed “Dog-Tag Christian”—someone who was just Christian enough to have it stamped on his dog tags if he was a soldier being sent to war—Granger quickly turned to a rigorous regimen of self-help techniques and life on the road. “The truth is, I had no idea how to deal with this kind of pain. It broke into my world like a thief and stole my joy, my passion for life, my sanity, and it replaced them with something far more sinister: guilt.” He found some comfort in marijuana and alcohol, but only some. It did not take long before the sorrow and guilt caught up with him. One evening, drunk and high and alone, he got within moments of taking his life. A gun was in his mouth and his finger was on the trigger when suddenly he became aware of the presence of evil around him. “There was an intruder in my presence. I was paralyzed by this new realization—I wasn’t alone in the room that night. I had been hunted, ambushed, flanked, surrounded, and put under attack by an enemy far beyond my ability to defeat.” He ripped the gun from his mouth and spontaneously cried out to Jesus. “My God, my Jesus! Save me! Save me, Jesus!” And that was the start, the prequel perhaps, of a whole new chapter in his life. I will leave it to you to read Like a River and learn why and how he stepped away from touring to prepare for pastoral ministry. And I’ll leave it to you to read his reflections on God’s purposes and comforts in grief. I’ll leave it to you to read about how God blessed him and his family in the aftermath of their great loss. Whether you’ve heard of Granger Smith before now or not, and whether you know him as a multi-platinum recording artist or a Greek-memorizing seminary student, I think you’ll be blessed by reading his story. 7

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Three Words I want you to think with me about three words - sometimes they are used interchangeably, but there are distinctions, I believe. The words are: Spiritual. Religious. Christian. Now, all three can be used to describe a person who is a Bible-believing Christfollower. But, there are spiritual people who are not even religious, in other words, they don’t have a formal faith practice. There are different types of spirits - not all of them good. There are religious people who don’t know God or even claim to follow a god. In Mark 7:13, Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of the day and charged them with “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. (NKJV)” I believe that the Bible teaches that religion can be an enemy of Christianity. The life and ministry of Jesus can tell us plenty about that. I wanted to mention those distinctions as I address a recent Gallup survey. According to the organization’s website: Nearly half of Americans (47%) describe themselves as religious, another 33% say they are spiritual but not religious, and 2% volunteer they are “both.” Although the vast majority of U.S. adults have one of these orientations toward the nonphysical world, the 18% who say they are neither religious nor spiritual is twice the proportion Gallup measured when it first asked this question in 1999. Over the same period, the percentage identifyRiver Region Christians

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ing as religious has declined by seven percentage points. Just an aside: earlier Gallup data indicates in 2022, less than half of respondents to a survey said that religion was “very important” to them. Also, in 2022, 21% indicated that they had “no religion.” 34% described themselves as Protestant, 11% as “non-specific” Christian, and 23% were self-described Catholics. And, 70% had not attended a church or synagogue in the seven days prior to the survey. Back to the recent survey: the summary report states: Americans of all age groups are less likely today to say they are religious than people in the same age groups did in 1999, with declines ranging from five to 13 percentage points. All age groups also show increases in the percentages saying they are neither religious nor spiritual. Larger proportions of Americans in older age groups identify as spiritual today than did so in 1999, while there has been little change in spiritual identification among those younger than 50. The summary of the recent Gallup survey about religiosity or spirituality contained this conclusion: It is well-established that Americans are less religious than in the past. Still, the vast majority of Americans describe themselves as being either religious or spiritual. Some people who were formerly religious may have found nonreligious forms of spirituality to address their nonphysical needs, while others may have turned away from any type of spiritual or religious practice entirely. Being nonreligious and nonspiritual is most common among young adults; however, only about one in four young adults describe themselves this way. This suggests that in the future a diminished but 8

still large majority of U.S. adults will have some religious or spiritual connection in their lives. While that may be true based on the data, it’s important to draw the distinction between those three words: spiritual, religious, and Christian. Spirituality without the gospel cannot save you. Neither can religion. A Christian, a true Christ-follower, certainly has a spiritual life, because we have been born again by the spirit of God. We are called and empowered by the Spirit. There are, however, all sorts of spirituality out there - and because there are a variety of spirits that are out there, spirituality can be a poor counterfeit for a relationship with God. It has been said that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. When you speak in terms of “world religions,” certainly Christianity is named among them. When we speak of “religious freedom,” or “freedom of religion” under the Constitution, that certainly includes the practice of Christianity. To be religious, though, is not necessarily to be Christian. The so-called “religious” leaders of Jesus’ day were certainly not His followers; in fact, their hearts were hardened against them. It is certainly permissible for Christians to consider themselves “religious,” but we recognize that our passion and our practice come from our devotion to our Savior. It is personal: Jesus died for me - and He’s alive today. The word, “religion,” would also be an apt description of a number of philosophies and practices today - secular humanism is certainly a “religion,” so is cultural Marxism. Godless movements have set up idols that drive their devotion. We have to be so careful that we are not participating in idolatry to put something, anything, anyone above the service to and love for our God.

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Regrets? - GONE! At the beginning of a new year, many of us look back to what we had hoped to accomplish in the last 12 months but we regret that we have failed. I know someone who is stuck…stuck in regrets. At age 40, she has a failed marriage and three kids who she only gets to see once in five years. She started a business that flounders because she has long-term health issues. She has lived out of her car, with a friend, at a cheap hotel, surrounded by debt and poor choices. In the midst of her anguish, her mother passed away and she can’t quit grieving. Every time I check in on her, her negative words show her hurt but also reveal a heart full of regret. Can she move from her past, through the present and to the future with any kind of joy and fulfillment? Focusing on the past is unproductive. Learning from our mistakes does not need to take forever. But when we nurse and feed our regrets emotionally and mentally, we put up a block to our future. Giving your past mistakes power cripples you from moving forward. To put away our regrets, we first must deal with our current reality. What in your life is worthy of your praise to God?

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“…whatever is excellent, whatever is worthy of praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8b)

The reason we need to consider where we are now, is that our future is determined by what we do now. Here is a process you can use to get rid of any regrets from your past. This journey uses the acrostic REPAIR.

Repent and receive God’s forgiveness. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Engage with anyone with whom you need to make amends. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16) Purpose to forgive yourself. “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) Ask the Holy Spirit to give you counsel as to what you can do to not repeat your error. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) Intentionally live above guilt or fear from your past mistakes – because your slate is clean. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3) Release your future to the Lord trusting you are in His hand. “Trust in the 9

LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) If you work through this process now, you can be prepared for a positive future. A future that can come as soon as tomorrow! A pastor once told his young mentee, “All God wants in us is a teachable spirit and an obedient heart. With just those two things, He can do anything!” You have everything you need to have a regret-free future. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday today, and forever.” He lived His life steady-on. Yes, He was God, but He was also man. He felt every issue you have felt, whether during His life or on the cross. We need to imitate His example of living our lives steady-on. Some of the directives in Hebrews 13:1-7 that lead up to that statement are: 1. Keep on. 2. Do not forget. 3. Continue. 4. Keep pure. 5. Keep your lives free. 6. Say with confidence. 7. Remember. The subjects in these verses range from leadership, to marriage. to money, to hospitality, and to loving others…kind of all over the map. Don’t make this next year harder than it is by trying to fix all your regrets. He’s got them all, so REPAIR and give every regret to God. During 2024 live regret free, and become a true representative of the only Kingdom that is eternal. Steady-on, woman of God. Keep on keeping on! January 2024

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We move through life setting goals to become better versions of ourselves. But what if you don’t need to be better to be loved? What if we believed we are loved right now in our imperfect, resolution-breaking state? “No, no,” we say. We’re just setting goals. Trying to serve God better. Trying to be better. And maybe that is where we falter. God never asked us to be better. He isn’t tallying our achievements and shaking His head at our failures. God is not a scorekeeper. He’s there, fully aware of all that we are, and He smiles. He opens His arms welcoming us. He’s ever patient, kind, and loving, cheering us on in grace. Yet, somehow we tie invisible strings to God’s love.

I stood there, face to face with the decision I had made. A few weeks ago my calendar page was clean and the only thing I had written was in bright pen and block letters. The resolution, written bold and hopeful on January 1, weeks later only looked like a reminder of my failure. I wanted to turn the calendar page so I wouldn’t have to see it anymore. Have you been there? It doesn’t matter what the decision was. It could be a resolution for the New Year or a pledge to start that diet on Monday. (My favorite thing about starting a diet on Monday is the weekend before). Maybe you decided you would spend time in the Word every morning and then the baby was up all night and you couldn’t bring yourself to crawl out of bed even a minute before it was absolutely necessary. Maybe that one morning turned into two, turned into weeks. I’ve been there. I had let myself down. In my mind I did not fail; I was a failure. And somehow, deep inside, I just knew that meant I could not be really loved. A failure couldn’t possibly be on God’s favorites list. A failure doesn’t deserve love. This was the soundtrack playing in my head. The leap from failed to failure is only the tiniest step in my heart. I made that step a thousand times over, pushing myself further and further from a love I thought I didn’t deserve. My broken resolution became the framework for how I saw myself. I had tied my actions to God’s love and now I was face to face with that broken resolution, pushing myself further away from God and grieving the loss of even more love.

He’ll love me more if I pray better and read the Bible more. I will matter more if I’m thinner. If my house is cleaner I’ll be a better person. We may not voice these ideas, but they burrow deep and they’re easy to believe. Lies usually are. But God wants us to know the truth. He longs for us to walk in freedom, no strings attached. He could never love you more or less than He does right now. You, my friend, are not a failure. God doesn’t see you as a resolution breaker. You haven’t let Him down. You are loved fully and completely by a God who never changes. Rebecca Hastings is a contributing writer.

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Moms who pray together, and for each other – and who understand the spiritual and community benefits of gathering – find that connection matters. They meet locally in groups – large and small – and find ways to give to each other and the region, and do so through prayer, outreach, and through the hopes that they will grow closer to Jesus in their journey, and lead others to Him as well. Two area groups, River Region MOPS and Moms in Prayer, set this example, providing a support network for women on their journeys as moms and their walk with Christ.

River Region MOPS (Anna Sweet, coordinator) KK: Briefly describe your ministry. AS: MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. The group previously was geared towards mothers of children prenatal to five, but now as we transition to the MomCo by MOPS (International), we are open to mothers of any age or stage. We meet as a whole group twice a month to build community, connection, and support for each other. During these meetings, we host a variety of speakers on topics including women’s health,

spiritual growth, and connecting with local community organizations that support parents. We also set aside a certain number of meetings to participate in craft projects and service projects together. Monthly playdate meet-ups and Mom’s Night Out events are also offered in addition to the regularly scheduled meetings. KK: Why is a ministry like yours important for moms? AS: Motherhood is hard, but it doesn’t have to be lonely! So much of mothering is often done alone with your children. For moms who don’t have a local support network of family or close friends, it can be incredibly isolating and overwhelming. MOPS provides easy access to a group of women who are all going through similar struggles and life experiences. It provides a group to lean on when you just don’t know how to solve a specific parenting problem, need some advice, or just need to vent and be encouraged. KK: What do you hope moms gain from your ministry?

AS: Our hope is to meet moms wherever they are in their journey and to encourage them to take that next step towards a closer relationship with Jesus, however that may look. While many of the moms in our group come from solid faith backgrounds, we also have several who are new to the idea of what it means to trust in Christ and to have a personal relationship with Him. Just this year, we have had a few moms who were not attending church on a regular basis decide to start attending services at our host church, Young

Schedule your retirement review today. It’s been said that we spend more time planning vacations than planning for retirement. Let’s set aside some time to create positive change for you and the people you care about and understand: • How much you’ll need to retire • If you are on track for your retirement goals • Which IRA is right for your retirement needs – Roth or traditional • The importance of asset allocation and how it can help as you work toward your long-term goals

It’s more than just money. Investing is about realizing the possibilities of your future. Sang Y Chung, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor 1951 Berry Chase Place Montgomery, AL 36117 334-271-9573

edwardjones.com Member SIPC

January 2024

River Region Christians

Meadows Presbyterian, and other local congregations that the moms in our group attend as well. KK: What Bible verse best represents your work? AS: Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25) KK: What do you hope moms take from your ministry in ways that can help or serve others? AS: (Mission Statement) MOPS encourages and equips moms to realize their potential as mothers, women, and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church. MOPS focuses on building a safe, encouraging space that will help our members realize the potential they have in becoming better women, mothers, and leaders in the group and the local community. Part of the beautiful thing about how MOPS runs is that we are a ministry by moms for moms. The leadership team is comprised of ladies who step up from within the group and take on additional

responsibilities to ensure that the group can keep running no matter what. Many of our military moms are only here for a few years, and they are able to be involved in a MOPS group pretty much wherever they end up. The similarity in group structure worldwide allows them to step directly into serving even when they will only be somewhere for a short period. We want to continually be raising up the next generation of leaders from within to ensure that this ministry will thrive for many years in the future. Another important part of MOPS is our focus on giving back to our local community. Each year, we facilitate at least one major service project, as well as meet any other needs brought to our attention to the best of our ability. Some examples of recent projects we coordinated include: helping a newly single mom find a job, childcare, and securing her housing and transportation; raising funds for a local family whose child needed open heart surgery; providing meals for a family while their newborn infant was in the local NICU following a premature emergency birth; hosting a diaper drive to stock Closet of Love (a local fostering ministry); and stocking the freezer for a family in need during the Christmas season.

Interested in learning more about River Region MOPS? They meet September through May, first and third Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, 5780 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery. Website: https://www.mops.org/ groups/riverregionmops Email: riverregionmops334@gmail.com

Moms in Prayer (Hannah Jones, Regional Coordinator) KK: Briefly describe your ministry.

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HJ: The Moms in Prayer ministry provides support and encouragement to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children. The one hour of prayer we spend together

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each week gives us hope as we “stand in the gap” for our children. Because if we aren’t praying for them, who else is? KK: What do you hope moms gain from your ministry? HJ: We hope that moms experience a greater glimpse of God’s glory and a greater understanding of who He is. God’s power is released as moms pray God’s word over their children and are able witness answers to their prayers through His promises. KK: What Bible verse best represents your work? HJ: The founder of Moms in Prayer, Fern Nichols, was compelled by the Holy Spirit to begin praying for her two boys as they were entering junior high school. God gave Fern the scripture verse from Lamentations 2:19 to claim for her boys, our founding verse for Moms in Prayer.

Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner. KK: What do you hope moms take from your ministry in ways that can help or serve others? HJ: We pray that moms develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of how prayer matters. Prayer it is not something just simply said at a meal or with our children at bedtime. As daughters and sisters of Christ, we have access to the throne room of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We hope that moms experience their greatest joy as they lay their children at Jesus’ feet and desire to tell others what He has done! Interested in learning more about Moms in Prayer? Moms in Prayer meets at Trinity Presbyterian School, Thursday mornings, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Group Leader: Vickie Wilson Email: thequeen_victoria@yahoo.com Moms in Prayer Regional Coordinator Hannah Jones Email: hannahjonesmip@yahoo.com Website: https://momsinprayer.org

Kym Klass is a contributing writer and Communications Director of the Media Ministry at Frazer Church in Montgomery.

January 2024

River Region Christians

A Time for a New Beginning Entering my office, you are greeted by a picture with a caption reminding us of an important truth: “What appears to be the end, may really be a new beginning.” We are often more focused on the year behind us than the new one which is beginning to blossom before us. Which of these can we most influence? Have you ever searched the Internet for “new beginnings?” There are thousands of organizations that proclaim new beginnings as a part of their name, but can any one of these organizations give you “a new beginning?” Some may help give us direction, but unless we are ready to declare our readiness to make a new beginning from right now, little change will occur in our lives. Are you beginning this new year grieving the loss of a loved one or a broken relationship? Are you struggling with financial trials during these difficult times? Are you feeling overwhelmed from the stress of a relationship or job? Are you willing to believe it is possible to change your thoughts from the helplessness and frustrations you feel to one of hope as you face a new beginning? Can you begin to see these challenges as “life’s detours” and not “life’s dead ends.” River Region Christians

January 2024

Paul affirms this in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG): “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” Let me offer three suggestions you might want to consider as you spring forth into this new year. 1. Celebrate the victories along the way. You may not be where you want to be, but are you further along the path today than you were a year ago, or even a month ago? If so, celebrate the process. Celebrate the obstacles you have already overcome. You do not have to wait until you reach your destination. 2. Give more grace to yourself and others. You will not please some people, or succeed in completing some tasks, but that does not make you a failure. It is not unusual to experience unrealistic expectations from others, and we are even more likely to place unrealistic expectations upon ourselves. Remember what Anne Sullivan taught Helen Keller: “Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over again, and you will grow stronger until you have accomplished a 16

purpose — not the one you began with perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember.” 3. Consider that the roadblocks you have been experiencing may be God’s way of telling you it is time to consider another path. Take time to evaluate the roadblock to see if it is selfimposed by a lack of self-confidence, or if you have not been patient to explore other directions or a better time to move ahead. New beginnings do not begin just at the start of a new year, the beginning of a new day, or at the beginning of a new week. New beginnings start when we decide to no longer be trapped by the chains of the past and proclaim the freedom of a new day and a new adventure. As we look towards a new beginning, Paul directs us to “focus on this one thing: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Rev. Dr. Lennie Howard has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for 32 years, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 21 years.

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Adoption

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

Alcoholic / Addiction

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

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

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

Alzheimer’s / Dementia

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

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

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

Cancer

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

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

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

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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

Location: Christchurch, 8800 Vaughn Road Cancer Support Group for general cancer. Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm. For more info, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie at 467-4578.

River Region Christians

January 2024

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

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

Gambling

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

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

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Grief Location: Cornerstone Christian, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. Welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com. Location: Eastmont Baptist, 4505 Atlanta Hwy. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child meeting first Tuesdays at 7 pm. Call (334) 284-2721. Location: Church of the Highlands, 4255 Taylor Rd. Eryn’s Embrace offers hope and healing to children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one through peer support groups. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4-5:15. More info: www.erynsembrace.org; erynsebrace@gmail.com; Erin Camp 334-657-1871. Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St. A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way. Wednesdays, August 16 – November 8 | 6:00 PM Room B415. Facilitated by Ben Kelley & Cathy O’Dell

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy GriefShare, Wednesday mornings 10am -12pm in the East Sanctuary. Spring group meets through April 26. Fall group from Sept. 6 through Nov. 29. For information call the church 272-8622. Dian Sims (facilitator) Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka, AL Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754. Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org.

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

Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd. Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800. Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174. Location: Redland Baptist Church, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com. Location: Young Meadows Church, 5780 Vaughn Rd River Region MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am (September-May). Interested moms can reach out to riverregionmops334@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. riverregionmops334@gmail.com.

Send support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com.

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January 2024

River Region Christians

What Kind of Life Insurance Do You Recommend? Q. My wife and I are both 36 years old, and we have two children. Our son is six, and our daughter will be four next month. We’ve been walking through the Baby Steps, and we should have our home paid off sometime next summer. We realized the other day the one thing missing from our financial picture is life insurance. We both work outside the home. She makes $60,000 a year, while I make $80,000 a year. At our age, and in our current situation, do you think we should we get 20-year or 30-year level term life insurance policies?

A. You guys are doing a great job of getting control of your finances and planning for the future. Speaking of the future, do you plan on having more kids? If you do, you might want to go with 30-

year policies. If you’ve decided two are enough, then based on your present situation I think 20-year policies would work out fine. I recommend folks have 10 to 12 times their annual income in life insurance coverage. That means you’d need between $800,000 and $960,000 in coverage, while your wife needs a policy in the $600,000 to $720,000 range. But let’s take a deeper dive into all this. Your kids will be in their midtwenties in 20 years. Ideally, they both should have finished college by that time, or at the very least, be working and living on their own. If you continue to follow my plan, you and your wife will have

paid off your home in a few months and be completely debt-free. And, you’ll have been saving 15% of your income for retirement over those 20 years. On average, that alone should give you more than a half-million dollars for retirement. Do you see where I’m going with this? Eventually, you two will become self-insured by getting out of debt, staying out of debt and piling up cash. So, if you’ve got $500,000 or more in a retirement fund, no debt and your children are grown and out of the house, even if you or your wife were to die unexpectedly at that point, the other would still be taken care of and in great shape financially. Keep up the good work!

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January 2024