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Volume 25, Issue 7
Feature Articles
N OVEMBER 20 2 3 Columns
page 8
Faith @ Work: Sam McLure
page 2
Publisher’s Note Jason Watson
As an attorney focusing on child welfare, Sam McLure relies on his faith in Christ and the words of Scripture to equip him. Discover why he felt called to serve as an adoption attorney and how he believes we can all help in the cause.
page 4
Pastor's Perspective Dr. Kyle Searcy, Fresh Anointing House of Worship
page 6
Books to Read page 10
When You Long to Know the “Why” Behind Your Sorrow
page 8
Faith @ Work page 18
by Tim Challies Deep suffering either has or will come to us all in this life, and the question of “why” is usually on the top of our minds. Discover a few ways to navigate through the questions while keeping eyes on your Loving Father.
The Intersection Bob Crittenden
page 13
Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy
page 19
Counselor’s Corner
page 14 Ministry Spotlight:
Christy Holding, LPC
Rooftop Friends by Kym Klass
Children with disabilities are precious in the sight of the Lord, and Rooftop Friends provides multiple opportunities throughout the year for these kids to receive love from their volunteer “buddies”. Find out how you can get involved, starting with a December 2 “Joy of Giving” event!
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Dave $ays Dave Ramsey
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Our Mission... We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.
Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com
Publisher
Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com
Research Editor Wendy McCollum
Contributing Writers Tim Challies Bob Crittenden Christy Holding, LPC Kym Klass Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy Dr. Kyle Searcy
Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702
Digital Manager Scott Davis
From the Publisher Thanksgiving: More Than a Feast! Did you feel that cold air that came through the area at the end of last month? Around our house, when those first few cold days show up, it’s time for fires in the backyard or screened porch. Sitting around those early fall fires, there’s a sense of warmth and gratitude that stirs within us as we sense the year coming to a close. Even more so now, with Thanksgiving upon us, it’s the perfect time to continue reflecting on what this year has brought. If you’re like me, sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and the essence of Thanksgiving can become overshadowed by the chaos around us. God’s Word always brings us back to what is good and true, and we find that Thanksgiving is more than just a day on the calendar. It’s a way of life, a posture of the heart. In the Bible, we’re reminded time and time again to give thanks. Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh GIVE THANKS to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we’re encouraged to “GIVE THANKS in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This Thanksgiving, let’s challenge ourselves to truly embrace this biblical call to gratitude. Let’s not just give thanks for the blessings that overflow our lives but also for the challenges that have shaped us. In those moments of hardship, we have an opportunity to grow in faith and character, to lean on God’s grace, and to recognize His unending love. Think of the early settlers who celebrated the first Thanksgiving. They faced unimaginable challenges and uncertainties, yet they still gathered to give thanks for the harvest and the Lord’s provision. Their faith amid adversity is a testament to the power of gratitude as they trusted in the providence of God. So, this year, as you gather around your table, consider going a step further. Please encourage your family to share not only the things they’re thankful for but also the moments that stretched their faith. Those are the experiences that, in hindsight, reveal God’s hand guiding us through the storms. This Thanksgiving, let’s look at the holiday through new eyes, not just as a day of feasting and football, but as a celebration of God’s enduring love and our journey of faith. May your hearts be filled with gratitude, and may your homes be a testament to the power of Thanksgiving. Blessings to you and yours this Thanksgiving season!
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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 2023 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.
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Pastor’s Perspective by Dr. Kyle Searcy, Fresh Anointing House of Worship
Living Fascinated I am awestruck by our God-given ability to define our inward reality. As humans, we are uniquely sovereign over our internal disposition, i.e., our frame of mind and emotional proclivity. Evidence of this ability to define our internal nature is clear throughout God’s Word. A myriad of verses portrays Jesus bidding believers to shift their emotional disposition. “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1); “Be of good cheer” (John 16:33) are just a few. God would never ask us to do what’s impossible. He asks us to adjust our internal state, which validates the possibility of doing so. I have recently come to terms with a state of being that God wants us to visit often, if not live in daily --- the state of fascination. I believe we were created to live fascinated. Fascination means to be strongly attracted and interested. When we are fascinated, biochemical reactions take place in our bodies. Let me share a few of these. First, there is a Dopamine Release. Engaging in fascination often leads to the discharge of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Another chemical reaction is a Greater Reward. Reward pathways in the brain become activated in regions such as the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area. These areas are involved in processing rewards and motivation. We also can experience Reduced Stress. An immersive, fascinating experience can reduce cortisol levels in us. Lowering cortisol regulates the body’s response to stress. Mankind’s desire to be fascinated is often exploited. For example, movies and television certainly tap into this desire. Social media, with its algorithms, constantly seek ways to keep us fascinated so that we will keep coming back. King David, however, decided to be fascinated with God. In Psalm 139:1-5 He made a striking declaration. First, he River Region Christians
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proclaimed, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.” He then declared, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:6). The word wonderful is translated from the Hebrew word meaning awe, respect, fear, astonishment, fascination. David was fascinated by the insight he received. David’s childlike wonder sparked the thought of at least three things we should allow to regularly fascinate us.
First, be fascinated by creation.
Psalm 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” There is so much in creation that is jaw-dropping. From the grandeur of the stars and planetary bodies to the complexity of DNA, creation is packed with awe-provoking matter. For example, some scientists say there are more stars than sand on the Earth. If true, this is amazing. Scientists have tried for a thousand years to understand the wonder of gravity and its mystical pulling power. Also remarkable is the complexity of genetic coding. One DNA cell has more than 500,000 letters of code. And incredibly, the human eye can distinguish 10 million colors and process them in 100 milliseconds. God’s creation is fascinating.
properties:” omnipresent (everywhere), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (sum of all power) all at the same time. We should continually gawk at these phenomenal qualities.
Third, be fascinated by how much God knows and loves us.
Psalm 139 displays this better than anything I have ever read: God has searched us. The word search here means to penetrate, examine intimately: find out, search out, seek out, try. God also knows us, meaning to perceive, acquire knowledge, be acquainted with and arrive at a full knowledge of our condition. He knows our sitting down and getting up. This refers to all that I do from one end of the day to the other. God knows our thoughts far off while a thought is just forming—long before it is fully developed, God already knows it. He is acquainted with all of our ways, not just our deeds but our ways. He doesn’t just know what we do but why we do what we do. He is fully acquainted with the motives of our hearts. He knows every word about to be framed on our tongue before it emerges in our mind to be spoken. He has locked us in – hedged us behind and before. This can refer to proactive protection or predestination. This is profound care from the Almighty. But the beauty of these verses is how David allowed himself to be fascinated by these realities, and so should we. There is so much negativity in a world where we could live in a plethora of awe. Now, let’s aim to look for and live in the wonderful place of fascination.
Second, be fascinated with God.
His attributes and ways are astounding. His uncreated, eternal nature is mind-blowing. How could One have no genesis? Then there is His transcendent swag, surpassing all of His creation. Consider His “omni 4
Kyle Searcy serves as senior pastor of Fresh Anointing House of Worship in Montgomery. As well as being a skilled writer and well sought-after speaker, he is husband to the beautiful and anointed, Kemi Searcy. They are the blessed parents of four children and six grandchildren.
C nin fri du c
Big Daddy Weave // Heaven Changes Everything Tour with Tasha Layton and Hannah Kerr
LIVE at Troy University’s Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts in Montgomery, AL on Thursday, November 2. This will be an unforgettable night of inspiration and joy featuring your favorite songs from Big Daddy Weave, including their latest hits Heaven Changes Everything and God Is In This Story, Tasha Layton’s Look What You’ve Done, How Far, and her newest song Never, Hannah Kerr’s Same God and Warrior, and more. Visit www.ticketwebb.com.
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Stay Strong Tour with Danny Gokey
Coming November 19, Vaughn Forest Church will host an evening with the “Stay Strong Tour” with Danny Gokey, along with his friend Austin French (“Born Again,” “Freedom Hymn”), and introducing Natalie Layne. Together, they are excited to be hitting 20+ cities nationwide for these acoustic nights of stories and song. Visit vaughnforest.com/events for details and tickets.
Movie Nights at Capital City Church of the Nazarene
The community is invited to a free, family-friendly Movie Night at Capital City Church of the Nazarene on the third Friday of each month (September 15, October 20, November 17, etc.). Registration begins at 6:30, and the show begins at 7:00. Concessions will be available. No RSVP needed. Capital City Church of the Nazarene is located at 4450 Vaughn Road in Montgomery. For more information, call 272-8176.
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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
IRT-2735F-A EXP 31 JUL 2023 © 2021 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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The Devoted Mind
Street Smarts
Seeking God’s Face in a World of Distraction
Using Questions to Understand Christianity’s Toughest Challenges
by Kris Lundgaard
by Gregory Koukl
We make a lot of all the distractions that come with life in the modern, alwayson, electronic world. And certainly it can be hard to have minds that remain focused for any significant stretch of time before the next beep, the next buzz, the next little burst of dopamine. Yet we do not need to look far into the annals of church history to find that distraction—and especially the kind of distraction that keeps us from being spiritually minded—has always been a challenge and that God’s people have always had to take action against it. Centuries ago, John Owen wrote a book about issues like this. The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded is not one of his better-known works, though perhaps it should be. But there is a legitimate concern when it comes to reading it today: while Owen’s works were never particularly easy to read, the intervening years have made them harder still. Some of his language has become antiquated and many of his illustrations have become opaque. Thankfully, Kris Lundgaard has done us a service by bringing the best of Owen’s old work into modern times in The Devoted Mind. This is not a line-by-line paraphrase of the original work as much as it’s a thematic update or modernization. Lundgaard represents the content of the book under three dominant themes or motifs—the devoted mind, the seeking of God’s face, and the Beloved. By devoted he means a mind that has been set apart to the Lord and given over to him and his service. By seeking God’s face he refers to the pursuit of God’s intimate presence and to the sense of closeness or personal knowledge we can have of God in which we experience a deep assurance of his love and acceptance. And by the Beloved he refers to our Triune God—the one who is the object of the devoted mind and the one whose face or presence we most earnestly seek. Much of the teaching involves three related and progressive acts of devotion—contemplating God with the mind which then leads to an inclination toward him and a satisfaction in him. And to foster that kind of labor—and, make no mistake, there is labor involved—Lundgaard includes an extensive section at the end of each chapter meant to promote reflection and praxis. The purpose of Owen’s book, and therefore the purpose of Lundgaard’s, is to draw our attention to the Beloved—to the triune God. It is to draw our attention to him not so we can admire him from a safe and comfortable distance, but so we can truly draw near to him. That practice, and therefore this book, will take some effort, but it is effort that will be richly rewarded.
When we speak to people who are not Christians, we have not failed if they make no profession of faith in Jesus Christ. While that may be our ultimate desire for them, a good and noble goal for any spiritual conversation is to simply put a proverbial pebble in their shoe—to give them something to think about, something that will challenge their worldview, something that may nag at their souls in the days or weeks to come. Where some people understand evangelism only through a “harvesting approach” in which anything less than conversion means failure, the “gardening approach” means we are content to do the planting or watering, trusting that God may give someone else the joy of harvesting. The purpose of Street Smarts is to provide training that will equip readers to address the most common contemporary challenges to their convictions. It is to give Christians a greater degree of confidence as they engage with people who do not share their Christian faith and who may be antagonistic toward it. The way Koukl does this is not to provide responses to every criticism or answers to every question. Rather, he teaches a technique that he has used for years and taught to many others. How effectively does he do this? Quite, I would say! The book would fail if it was meant to teach a specific response to each challenge to the gospel. That would simply be too much content to remember when it was needed. The reader would have to remember a precise series of facts, know when to bring each one to bear, and be left silent when the conversation didn’t go his way—an issue we have probably all run into at one time or another in the past. But Koukl teaches a technique, a way to listen attentively and then ask questions meant to expose flaws. This simplifies the task of the evangelist or apologist and accounts for fluidity in conversation. Those who read this book will be better equipped to have productive “pebble in the shoe” conversations with people who hold to atheism, who insist that the existence of evil disproves the existence of God (or, at least, of a God who is good and merciful), who believe science and faith contradict one another, who spurn Christianity because it denies the morality of abortion, and who are convinced that Christianity is evil because of its positions on marriage, sex, and gender. They will be equipped to understand what the Bible says about those issues and to have productive conversations about them—conversations that will use respectful questions to expose flaws and, hopefully, promote further thought, further questions, and, potentially, saving faith. For those reasons among others, it is a book well worth reading.
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a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” We often want to stratify vocation in a way the Lord doesn’t. Work done for the glory of God is spiritual work. Work done for the glory of self is not. RRC: How did you and your wife become involved with cross-cultural missionaries, and how has it impacted your personal life? SM: My wife grew up in a family and a church that always had eyes and hearts open to God’s work and people. She went on international mission trips from a young age, and her family housed missionaries around the world. My interest developed in college as I was drawn into Eastwood Presbyterian Church and started meeting missionaries from all over the world and realized how intensely Christians become persecuted across the globe. I wanted to run towards that and towards people who are so sure of Christ that they will lose their homes, jobs, families, and lives before they forsake Him. RRC: You’re passionate about orphan care and adoption. How can the community become more involved in that sector?
RRC: As an attorney, how does your faith allow you to have a servant’s heart within the community? SM: The Lord Jesus set the example and gave the instructions for all of his people, no matter our vocation. He humbled himself and was patient in the face of weakness and foolishness. His Father’s glory was His unrelenting goal. RRC: Was it a spiritual calling to establish an adoption law firm? SM: I think so. All work is a spiritual calling. I may as well invoke the Apostle Paul again, this time from the book of Colossians: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as River Region Christians
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SM: There are a lot of ways. We are each called to good works, but not all for adoption. The foster children in our communities need foster parents who will love them and will wrestle a bureaucracy for them. I call foster parents the Navy Seals of Orphan Care. Those foster families need support. They need meals, prayer, and help with their bio kids. Family mentoring programs are great ways to help children avoid foster care. RRC: What advice would you give to someone potentially facing challenges with adoption? SM: My advice to someone facing challenges in adoption is to get advice. There is a lot of uncertainty in adoption. Some of that can be reduced or eliminated. Adoption isn’t war, but if wise guidance can win a military campaign, surely it can help with the challenges of an adoption plan. RRC: You mentioned God says in his word how to resolve conflict. What can you share
with someone struggling beyond the church walls? SM: I would say there is a God who lovingly designed us, whether an individual believes in Him or not. This loving designer God both knows and has ordained how humans flourish. He understands us. He understands conflict and has given us some helpful instructions, particularly in the Proverbs and Matthew 18 and handling conflict righteously. The book of James offers some specific, timeless counsel that we are to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” I can’t count the number of conflicts that I could have avoided by heeding that instruction more carefully! RRC: How do you maintain and nurture a constant relationship with God? SM: In our circles, we use the phrase “employing the means of grace.” An older way of saying that we take advantage of the food and water the Lord has ordained to grow us in maturity. Those means of grace are consistent personal Bible reading, prayer, public worship, the Lord’s Supper, and close friendships with people who love the Lord. These graces are best practiced daily not to check a box or make ourselves feel righteous but because, as with food and water, we start weakening after just a day without them. RRC: Practicing law for over a decade, what has it taught you as a Christian? SM: Practicing law for over a decade has taught me that I don’t know anything worth resting on. The profession of attorning (stepping into the pain of another and advocating for them to the seat of power - amid an adversarial system) necessitates humble learning. As a child welfare attorney, my firm steps into some of the most horrific evils perpetrated against children, and we advocate that suffering for justice and mercy. The Proverbs says, “By wise guidance, you can wage war, and in the abundance of counselors there is victory.” Sam McLure is the Founder of The Adoption Law Firm and married to Mary Beth McLure, and they have four children. They are members of Eastwood Presbyterian Church.
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TUNE TO 89.1 FM • DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP LISTEN LIVE ON FAITH RADIO.ORG • TELL YOUR SMART HOME DEVICE “PLAY WLBF”
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We have a natural longing to know why. It is the question a child first asks her parents. It is the question an inquisitive toddler asks at every turn. It is the question that has spurred a world of exploration, invention, and innovation. Why?
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It is no surprise, then, that when we encounter troubles, when we experience tragedies, and when we find ourselves in situations that grieve us, we ask why. When the pain comes upon us and cannot be dulled, when the illness takes over our bodies and cannot be cured, when sorrow settles deep within us and cannot be comforted, we want to know the reasons. It is not hard to see what has happened—the evidence is stamped upon our bodies, imprinted upon our souls, and etched upon our minds. But it’s very hard to see why it has happened. Why would God allow this unremitting pain? Why would God permit this distressing sickness? Why would God take that person I love? If God cares and God loves and if God ordains and God controls, why would this be his will? How could this ever make sense? Yet the answers are rarely forthcoming. We may know the general answers—“all things work for good” and “for my name’s sake” and find some comfort in them. But when we scour the Scriptures and devote ourselves to prayer in search of the particulars—or even go further and appeal to prophecies, coincidences, or inner feelings—we are met with silence or uncertainty. I offer four responses to those who long to know the why to their sorrow or their suffering, their time of illness or of loss.
not merely entrust your soul to God, but also your life, your times, your health, your loved ones, and everything else. “God, I have trusted you for salvation,” you may pray, “and now I trust you with my suffering.” If you can confidently place your soul in his hands, so too your health, your safety, your children, and all you count dear. And even if he chooses not to answer your why questions, you can know that he is eminently trustworthy and that he must have very good reasons and a very good plan.
#1 Trust God With It
#3 Steer Your Mind Towards What God
You have been graciously saved by faith—faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Yet faith is not a one-time reality—“express it and forget it.” You need faith for all of life. This faith calls you to
Instead of searching for the reasons for your tragedy, look to the character of God—all the things he has revealed about
#2 Consider What Answer Would Actually Satisfy You
You may think you want to know why, but it is worth asking if you actually do. What answer would satisfy you? And do you have a mind capable of grasping it? Because the answer may reach deep into the past and extend far into the future. God may be up to things that require knowledge far beyond your ability and capacity far beyond that of your limited, little, sin-tainted mind. And then even if you could understand, are you confident that you would judge it worth it? That you would hear God’s explanation and receive it with joy? Consider if you actually want to receive an answer and if any answer would satisfy you.
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himself. Where your temptation may be to interpret God through what you know about your tragedy, it is infinitely more important to interpret your tragedy through what you know about God. So as you endure your time of suffering, bring to mind the glorious reality of who God is and what God has done. Then consider your circumstances in light of those truths.
#4 Turn Your Focus to How God Is Using It
You do not need to know God’s reasons in order to praise him for the results. Yet you need to be careful that you do not assume the results are the reasons. Is the reason Jim Elliot died so that Elisabeth could have the ministry she did? Maybe. We can’t know because God doesn’t tell us. What is one of the ways God used Jim Elliot’s death? By raising up Elisabeth and allowing her to have a long and powerful ministry. These are two very different ways of looking at the issue and you are on much firmer ground when you focus on the second. In your own life, as you set aside “why did God do this?” you free yourself to ask, “How may God wish for me to use this in a way that brings him glory and shows love to my neighbor?” You can begin to ask questions like these: How has God proven his character in this? In what ways has he been true to his promises? How have I grown in faith and love through it? How have I seen others become more like Christ? How has this hardship loosened my love for the things of this earth and lifted my eyes to heaven? You can rejoice in how God is using your sorrow and suffering even though you do not know the reasons. Times of suffering are a tragic reality on this side of heaven. And as you endure them, I plead with you not to cheapen your tragedies by being too quick to assume you know God’s purposes in them. Rather, entrust them to the One who has proven worthy of your trust, your confidence, and your deepest devotion. Entrust it to him, look to him with faith, rejoice in every evidence of how he is using it for good, and wait for the day when he will make it all clear.
Tim Challies is a pastor, blogger and book reviewer living in Canada.
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Have you ever had someone say to you, “Thanks, a lot!” in a sarcastic tone? They really meant to tell you, “What you did was so wrong, I want to hurt you by saying thanks and not meaning it.” In other words, the person twisted the words into a curse. Perhaps you have experienced this misuse of thanks. You may have carefully chosen a present for a family member. When they open the box, their face says, Why would I want one of these? But they exclaim falsely, “Thank you, so much!” And the item goes to the Goodwill store the next week. When the Lord God created the concept of thanks, it was planned to be a way for our hearts to connect with others and Him. When our heart is not thankful, it can keep us from receiving from God His blessings beyond what we can even ask or think. When Jesus healed a blind man, He made mud by spitting on dirt and smearing it on the man’s eyes. What if the man reacted by sarcastically saying, “Thanks a lot, Jesus. If I wanted mud in my eye, I could have done it myself!” Thankfully he didn’t and the miracle became his reality! (John 9:1-19) Have you rejected God’s process because you didn’t like what He was doing? Try being thankful He is your God and He knows better than you what to do! When Jesus saw a funeral procession go by and a widow woman grieving her son’s death, He interrupted the solemn occasion. She could have been incensed
by the interruption, saying, “Thanks so much for creating a scene during the second funeral I have had in a short time!” But He took charge and she silently watched her son rise from the funeral pallet. (Luke 7:11-17) Have you ever felt that no one understood your pain and so you wallowed in it rather than thanking God for seeing you through it? When Jesus entered Jairus’ house, the mourners were fully engaged in their religious activity. More than one of them must have scoffed at Jesus when He announced that the girl was not dead. When the little girl was healed and the parents jubilant, the mourners must have rued their shortsightedness. (Mark 5:21-43) Have you ever stuck to your incorrect beliefs so that God had to prove you wrong? Embarrassment then made your tongue silent instead of thanking God for the truth! Thanksgiving is not necessarily easy. In fact it can cost you something. 1. Your pride 2. Your desire to be right 3. Your act of lifting someone up who you think doesn’t deserve it 4. Your comfortability 5. Your unbelief When I think of the group of lepers who were healed in Luke 17:11-19, it is amazing to me that only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. Yet, when I 13
examine my own life, do I only thank Him one-tenth of the time? Is there an atmosphere of thankfulness around me or do I exude a spirit of entitlement? Thanksgiving is a once-a-year event, yet I am not sure who most people are thanking. Perhaps they just think that gratefulness is merely when a heart is pleased. But God’s idea of thanksgiving involves communication with Him. Thanks must be received by someone….and that Someone should be God Almighty. He is the only One entitled to our thanks! He made us. We have breath and life and the goodness of the Lord as we flourish in the land of the living. Take your month of November and create a continual Thanksgiving that transforms how you think and act. Listen as God speaks to you through your times of gratitude. By daily communicating beyond your incidental thanks to God, you will change your mind and heart toward the world around you. In other words, you will receive God’s perspective instead of your own. You will set an atmosphere of thanksgiving wherever you go. Thus, those around you will experience an overflow from your communion with God. Some ideas for your month of thanksgiving: 1. Thank someone who you normally would not thank, find something for which you can truly thank them. 2. Be sure to thank your children every day, for who they are more than what they do. 3. Show thankfulness to your spouse or BFF by writing them a note telling them why you thank God for them. And you can think of many more. Let thankfulness flow in November until it becomes a habit and part of your nature. Go, woman of God! I am so very thankful for you! November 2023
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Rooftop Friends provides caregivers the freedom to sit alone with a cup of coffee, while at the same time, offer joy, laughter, and new “buddies” for children and young adults with disabilities.
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The ministry of Young Meadows Presbyterian Church in Montgomery serves families by providing respite times for caregivers in conjunction with activities and events for their children with disabilities – as well as their siblings. It is through this effort, said Hope Cassidy, who serves as the spokesperson for Rooftop Friends, that caregivers are offered a chance to breathe. To feel refreshed – to do something solo. It is a needed break for them to recharge. For the children, it is a time for fellowship, to spend time with “buddies,” to high-five new friends.
Rooftop Friends provides this care throughout the year through several events, including a water event in May that includes a waterslide, activities, and a lunch at Young Meadows. They also gather with Miracle League and Dream Court. As parents register their children for these organizational sport teams, the children are paired with “buddies” and run around baseball bases or tennis courts. “It’s a chance to be friended, to have some normalcy in a very abnormal world,” Cassidy said of pairing up with “buddies” at respite events. The largest event through Rooftop Friends is “Joy of Giving,” which allows children with disabilities and their siblings to “shop” for their family. At this year’s December 2 respite event from 9 a.m. until noon at Young Meadows, parents drop off their children for a morning of shopping, arts and crafts, Christmas carols and to hear the story of Jesus. “It’s a respite event, and it is so that caregivers get a morning break,” Cassidy said. “It gives them the chance to have some downtime, some free time to get to do something for themselves. To shop for Christmas, eat a meal out with a friend. 15
November 2023
River Region Christians
Rooftop Friends events “Some moms will go to a are open to families in the coffee shop and sit by themAnd many were gathered together, so that there was no more greater River Region area. selves simply because they room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. The ability to minister to have the freedom to do that.” And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And families is because of generFor their children who when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed ous support received from attend “Joy of Giving,” Roofthe Young Meadows church top Friends sets up Santa’s the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down family and partner churches workshop. All year long, the the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he including Christchurch and non-profit receives donations of said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the Trinity Presbyterian Church. gifts for people of all ages. scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this “As we grow and reach “We do require preout, adding additional partregistration, so we know who man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God ner churches, we envision children are shopping for,” Casalone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus the scope of our ministry to sidy said of those who attend questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question grow in the River Region,” the event. these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Cassidy said. What Rooftop Friends Special needs ministries ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? needs this year are “buddies,” are relational, by nature, for as one buddy is partnered with But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to all people, according to a each child and another with sibforgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, “Why we do the things we lings. Those age 15 and older pick up your bed, and go home.” (Mark 2:2-11) do” statement on the Young can work with children with disMeadows website. People abilities, and age 10 and older with disabilities are the can “buddy” with the siblings. one Saturday out of the year that they can glorious image-bearers of God, just like “We need buddies for gift-wrapping come and be blessed. the rest of us. Ministry to, and alongside tables, shoppers, helping at snack tables, “They have a blast,” Cassidy said of the people with disabilities, matters to us craft buddies, volunteers to sign people in children. “They love being able to pick out because it matters to Jesus. Jesus very in the morning,” Cassidy said. “Usually, we presents – and it’s a party. Some children intentionally engaged people touched by have upward of 50 to 60 volunteers. We have sensory issues, and they sometimes disability with the good news of the comhave members of our church who volunkeep their headphones on. We do have a ing of His Kingdom. teer, and also community members. This is sensory room – a quiet area – for them.”
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Hundreds have been served through Rooftop. Its primary plan almost 15 years ago was outreach to the community and respite events. Now, they keep their focus strictly on the respite opportunities they can provide – and training “buddies” to work alongside the children. “If anyone is uncomfortable being a buddy, they can be trained prior to,” Cassidy said. “We want to answer any questions, any concerns. For our buddies, we ask for an army of loving volunteers. People with disabilities want to be as normal as anyone else. Just have a loving heart. Be an encourager. It’s a pretty happy time, because people are able to do a lot of what they love, including a shopping trip. The respite events throughout the year help children, Cassidy said, as “they are the center of someone’s world. And it is a chance to form a friendship. For the ‘Joy of Giving,’ it’s a chance for the children to give back to their families with the shopping and gifts, and to feel good to give back after all that is done for them.” Volunteering with Rooftop, Cassidy said, is an opportunity to give “to the least of these. We are based on the story of Mark, where the friends lower a person with a disability to see Jesus in the rooftop – we want people to get involved because of that experience” in the Bible.
In the little moments and major milestones of childhood, we are here for our patients and their families – helping, healing, teaching and discovering.
ChildrensAL •org
How to give: Visit online at www.youngmeadows.org and click on “Give”
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How to volunteer: To volunteer for “Joy of Giving,” call Young Meadows Church at 334-244-1385.
For more information: Email: bmaw2020@hotmail.com or hopecassidy@aol.com Message: Rooftop Friends on Facebook
Kym Klass is a contributing writer and Communications Director of the Media Ministry at Frazer Church.
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Why Keep Digging? Recently, some astonishing archaeological discoveries have lent credence to the pages of the Scriptures and provided evidence of the authority of Scripture. I would say that we regularly hear, see, or read of discoveries, in a variety of scientific areas, including archaeology, where there are conclusions that can be drawn that affirm Scripture. Perhaps you’re familiar with the account in John chapter 9 of how a blind man, at Jesus’ instruction, went into the Pool of Siloam and was healed of his blindness. According to Focus on the Family’s Daily Citizen news site, actual steps of the pool have been recently uncovered. An article notes: The pool’s exact location was a mystery until 2004, when archeologists first made the discovery of the site. Digging has been a slow process, but the revelation of the actual steps – which have been covered for thousands of years – marks a turning point in the project. “Theologically, it affirms Scripture,” said the Reverend Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders. “It affirms Scripture, and politically, it affirms Israel’s unquestionable and unrivaled link to Jerusalem. Some discoveries are theoretical. This one is undeniable. It is proof of the story of the Bible and its people, Israel.”
Another recent archaeological discovery on which The Daily Citizen reported, citing Smithsonian Magazine, is relevant to the early Church; the Daily Citizen states that “archeologists have unearthed four Roman swords in an Israeli cave near the Dead Sea. Each between 24 and 26 inches long, it’s believed they were used in a Jewish uprising against the Romans in the second century.” River Region Christians
November 2023
A third discovery was made at what could be the site of the city of Sodom, which was destroyed by God for its sinfulness. The Daily Citizen also reported: Earlier this summer, Steven Collins, Dean of the College of Archeology at Trinity Southwest University, discussed how pottery that he and his team dug up at a site in modern-day Jordan, added credence to the theory the area was the biblical city of Sodom. Collins told popular author Joel Rosenberg the material had been impacted by “flash heat” – which would match up to the biblical account of God raining “down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah” (Gen. 19:24). Also, there was the discovery of human skeletons, which bore the signs of having been scorched and severed.
The writer of the article, Paul Batura of Focus on the Family, related: Christians don’t rely on physical proof or archeological evidence to firm up their faith. After all, it was Jesus who said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). But it’s always affirming and encouraging when the material nevertheless matches up with our deeply held religious convictions. These discoveries are also a good reminder for us to be patient and never panic when scientists suggest that evidence is either lacking or inconsistent with our faith. Hold on. Just wait. Science will always eventually catch up with the Bible.
Batura reminds us that our faith is not based on what we see, but it is apparent that discoveries can certainly reinforce what we believe and can send a message to a 18
skeptical world of the work of God around us. These archaeological discoveries reflect evidence that has been buried for years and years that is now coming to light. Interestingly, the word “uncovered” was used to describe the Pool of Siloam. There was an initial discovery, and further digging yielded greater discovery. In Proverbs, the Bible addresses pursuing wisdom like the process of searching for silver. We can certainly be reminded that God has incredible discoveries for us contained within His Word. What He teaches us can be built upon so that we can grow deeper. We have to be willing to follow the thread, to walk down the path of knowing Him. These discoveries also can help us to think about the evidence that we are leaving. We can consider if the seeds we are planting here and now will have any effect on this world in the years to come. We can even consider how our works here might be rewarded in eternity. The Bible teaches that our faithful service will be recognized when we stand before God. The Bible’s real-life stories echo throughout the years and remind us about the faithfulness of God to and through His people. Even during times, such as that of the Judges, when a generation came that did not know the Lord, or the 400-year period after the last prophet, Malachi, a time of supposed silence, God was still working His plan, still fulfilling His Word to His people. He has given us a Savior and given us the Scripture, and we can be thankful for His great love for us.
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Watching actors on stage bow at the end of a play as the audience applauds and noticing their exuberant faces has always touched me deeply. Knowing there had been many hours of collective effort, I could sense their camaraderie, feel their sense of accomplishment, and see their pride in being part of something bigger than any individual. All of this was done to accomplish a common goal: for each performer to work hard to provide an excellent product that would bring value to each person in the audience, whether it was learning something from the play, experiencing sheer delight, or both. In effect, each actor chosen for a role has to slay their own Goliath to achieve a collective triumph. Maybe it was a fear of failure and embarrassment or of disappointing all who came to view the performance. David was “just” a shepherd boy, but his action led to a collective victory for all of Israel. In my case, I had not been chosen to face my Goliath when, with great trepidation, I risked trying out for a play after already being rejected a few times before. When I decided to try again anyway, it was for a play with a heavy emphasis on youth, singing, and dancing, none of which are qualities that leap into my mind as ones I possess. I arrived at the audition and sat in a reception room with beautiful young girls who had their portfolios, music sheets in hand, and dancing shoes on while I had my reading glasses, car keys, and Tums! The girls were seasoned and prepared. I was neither!
One by one, I listened as they went into the audition room and belted out some of the most beautiful music. What in the world was I doing here? I was many years their senior and not as experienced in acting or music (to put it VERY mildly). Three times, I got out of my chair to leave, and three times I made myself sit back down. There was a risk in showing up to audition, but it felt a bigger risk to my sense of self-worth and pride if I left. I decided to “throw my rock” at Goliath if I had the chance because it was all I had. It would have been a ridiculous thing to compare myself to these young ladies. Doing so and leaving before even auditioning would have robbed me of the possibility of getting a small part in the play. I did get a small part, and in hindsight, if I had given into my fears, I would have lost this wonderful opportunity. This story reminds me of the kingdom of God. Not everyone can have a star role, but it takes all the participants of a play working together to make the play a success. It takes all of us in the body of Christ participating in our “roles” that God has given us. Paul reminds us of the analogy of the kingdom of God and the human body. It takes all parts to make a whole, and no one part is more important than another. I Corinthians 12 says, “Just as a body, though one has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. Now, if the foot should say, because I am not a hand, I don’t belong to the body, it would not, for that reason, stop being a part of the body. And if the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has place the parts in the body every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is there are many parts, but one body.” 19
Many of us do not know the importance of our God-given role in the body of Christ. It is so easy to compare ourselves with someone seemingly with a more important role. May we all understand that each of us is important to God’s story. His story is important, and He has invited us to partner with Him in showing the world His glory. Just like David, we may only have a “rock to throw,” and I encourage you to be willing to throw it. Saul was from a tribe that was known for their skills on the battlefield. But their skills did no good that day at the battle of Goliath because they did not use them. Then along came David, the youngest of eight brothers. His older brothers were part of the king’s army, but they were not willing to use what they had, and instead, the fear of Goliath stopped them. David came on the scene and could not stand seeing the Lord being mocked. He took what he had, used it, and became part of something much bigger than himself. As we know, he later became the king of Israel. God has a plan for you in His kingdom. We often do not know specifically what that is, but let me challenge you to get out there and “throw your rock” and see what happens.
Christy Holding, LPC is a long time resident of Montgomery. She received her undergraduate degree at Liberty University in 1976 and obtained her master’s degree in Counseling from Georgia State University in 1984. She graduated a BS in nursing in 1996 and has worked in hospice dealing with grief and loss. Christy’s practice at The Samaritan Counseling Center is primarily with those struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, and self-harming behaviors including eating disorders. Christy has a passion to see people walk in wholeness and freedom and experience the life they were created to live.
November 2023
River Region Christians
Should I Create a SmallBusiness Budget? Q. I know when it comes to personal finance, you’re a big fan of living on a written, monthly budget. Should you do a small-business budget the same way you do your household budget?
A. The concept you’re working with is the same, but they’re still a little bit different. When it comes to a small business, you’re trying to project your income and expenses, thereby projecting your profit for the month and the next two months after that. Those three months make what we call a quarter. If you’ve been in business for a while, you can reach out further than that and usually do a reasonably accurate job of projecting the entire year. It all really just comes down to this: You still have to plan your income and your outgo. Some small-business owners
tend to forego long-term planning and live hand to mouth and crisis to crisis. Sure, they may look at the profit and loss statements, but that’s kind of like looking in the rearview mirror while driving. Budgeting’s not rocket science. The budgeting and planning don’t have to be super sophisticated, as long you’re realistic about how much revenue you’re generating and your operating costs. A lack of planning and handling money properly— making money behave by projecting revenue, expenses and those kinds of things—are the main reasons most small businesses fail. Then, the owners turn around and blame “cash flow problems.” That’s a pretty vague term, and in most cases, it’s
a bunch of double-talk. It’s usually coming from someone who borrowed money and couldn’t make the payments or had too much money going out and not enough coming in. You’ve got to project into the future and think about what you’re going to do and how you’re going to make it happen. That’s really all a smallbusiness budget is. You’re saying, “Realistically, this is what we should make this month, and this is what we should spend this month.” It’s what I tell my team when they’re doing budgets. And when you think about it, it’s not even goal setting so much as it’s having a knowledgeable and informed conversation with the marketplace.
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