BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Faith Chapel Christian Center (FCCC) kicked off an exciting Christmas season initiative entitled “I Gotcha Covered” with the sole purpose of showing the love and generosity of Christ through “acts of giving.”

The church is defining the phrase “I Gotcha Covered” as follows:
- To satisfy a need for others.
- To contribute help or means to.
- To render assistance to an individual.
- To give or provide what is necessary for someone.

Congregants were asked to drop off NEW coats between the end of November and December 15th. Donated coats were distributed on December 16th  to two local women’s shelters, Pathways and the YWCA for women and children in need. And also to any congregant or visitor who indicated they had a need as well. The church sowed funds into Mission Birmingham’s Operation Warm Coat drive this holiday season and believes they reaped an immediate harvest. According to church official Debra Blaylock, “We were blessed to receive a donation of 12 new coats from Belks in the Galleria Mall. Their support allows us to help more people.”
“I Gotcha Covered” was more than a coat drive though. A team of four staff members surprised patrons of Winn Dixie (5 Points West) and Piggly Wiggly (North Birmingham) by paying for their groceries. Videos will run during the Sunday morning Christmas service to allow congregants to see how they’ve made a difference in the lives of others. The hope is for this initiative to be a spark for continued acts of giving throughout the upcoming year.
The public is invited to attend the “I Gotcha Covered” Christmas service on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Faith Chapel Christian Center, 100 Lexington Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35224.
For additional information, please visit www.faithchapel.net or call 205-785-9673.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In the spirit of the Christmas season, the first annual Rey of Hope Christmas Run presented by Shaia’s, will take place on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Co., 2616 Third Ave. South.
The 5K run benefits the students of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Ensley by raising money for the “nutrition fund” to provide lunches for students who cannot afford them. For a $20 donation, run participants will receive a T-shirt, a delicious small batch Cahaba brew and a chance to win fabulous raffle prizes. Cantina food truck will be serving meals during the event.
Join organizers for fitness, fellowship and Christmas festivities in support of a worthwhile endeavor. Registration is currently available online at www.TicketBiscuit.com or on-site the day of the event.
To learn more about Holy Family Cristo Rey, please visit  www.hfcristorey.org.

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.  Matthew 21:21

Faith is a word often heard in conversations involving “Christians.”  Have faith in God, He will work it out. Keep the faith, everything will be alright. Where is your faith? Yet when all hell breaks loose in the lives of “Christians” faith isn’t the word you hear. You hear “what am I gonna do now?” “I can’t believe this happened to me.” You see tears and frustration and most often you hear fear. Well “Christians” fear and faith cannot reside in the same place! You either trust God or you don’t. I know you get sucker punched from time to time by things you weren’t expecting and I know you go through things you don’t feel you have the strength to endure But if you really believe in God, you get up, dust yourself off and keep it moving knowing that you are not walking alone.

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18

There’s too much talk about God and how much His people trust Him but not enough action to show Him you really do. There’s too much complaining, too much crying, too much worrying and far too much doubting. GOD is the same God that brought you out last time, provided for you last time, defeated the enemy last time and saved you when you were lost. He can do all things but you must believe it enough to trust Him. Stop doing what you hate because you believe it’s your only option; stop going to that job that isn’t satisfying you because you believe you need it; get out of that relationship that isn’t providing what you need because you believe no one else wants you and don’t let another person disrespect you when God loves you, respects you, appreciates you and is waiting for you to trust Him so He can provide for you. Show your faith and walk out on the water during the storm. While you can’t see the solution WALK OUT. Even though you don’t know what the outcome will be WALK OUT. Trust God enough to STEP OUT AND WALK!

Trust Him today with everything in your life,
Minister Deidra Bibb

By Angela Moore
For a lot of us, times feel tough. The economy, life status changes, personal obligations, unexpected issues and other challenges have caused a lot of us a bit of chaos and cost us even more money.
In spite of, and because of all of that has gone on in life, life still goes on and must be lived with healthy doses of rest and relaxation. We need to know how to make the most of what we have and take time to be revived to handle what we have and be made ready for things to get better. I like to call that living life bigger on a budget.
So how do you do it? How do you live life bigger on a budget? I’m glad you asked.
Try out these helpful tips:
·         Vacation during the off-season. Things are always less expensive during the “down time” of travel and lodging.
·         Shop during the off-season. Items are always less expensive when they aren’t in season. Buy now. Wear later.
·         Buy in bulk with others. Share with family or friends from what each has purchased so that each has what each needs for less.
·         Pay up. When times are more plenteous pay extra on bills and other expenses.
·         Plan group trips to surrounding outlet malls. It can be fun and you can be frugal at the same time.
·         Know the deal. Utilize Groupons, coupons, discounts, happy hour specials, “kids eat free days” and BOGO deals.
·         Share what you have. Use seasons of financial revitalization to share meals with family members, co-workers and friends. You’d be surprised. A big pot of spaghetti and garlic bread can go a long way.
·         Eat out to take home. When dining out, only eat meals that guarantee leftovers for the next day.
·         Take lunch and make it tasty. One way to be the lunchtime meals out monster is to make sure what you bring from home is delish!
·         Find out what’s free. Take advantage of free concerts, festivals, seminars and workshops.
·         Polish it up. Get a matching drug store brand of your favorite salon polish to use as a touch-up in between visits for your manicure and pedicure.
·         Ask for help. Don’t wait too late to ask for help.
·         Learn to say NO. If you can’t afford it, don’t want it, or don’t need it just say NO.
·         Volunteer. Giving back is the best way to take your mind off of what you don’t have to help someone who has less.

Angela Scott Moore has sported many hats in her lifetime. She’s a former broadcast anchor/reporter/producer, a trained motivational speaker, fundraiser and marketing/PR expert. She spent nine years as a pastor’s wife working in full-time ministry before than union ended in divorce. A majority of her time in ministry was spent empowering women and girls. She’s an avid inspirational blogger and also a philanthropic community supporter who has served with more than 25 local and national organizations over her 15+ year professional career. Currently she’s working in the fields of Social Justice and Human Resources and operates the blossoming, full-service events planning venture Amazing Kreations with her business partner, offering media and event planning assistance at low or no cost to small organizations and businesses. Taking lessons learned from each phase of her ever-evolving life, Angela’s now donning the hat of a single woman on a single mission to use spoken and written words to motivate others to “thrive while they survive.”
Contact Angela Scott Moore about speaking engagements at amazingkreations2@gmail.com, follow her blog at www.angelamooreblog.wordpress.com, on twitter at @AngelaMMoore316 or check out her facebook page for people experiencing separation or divorce at I’m More Than What Happened.

Convenience has become the “coin of the realm” these days. We in the free world have become a very convenience-oriented society. Most of us want everything done fast with no problems. That philosophy in a phrase is “magical thinking.”
In a similar fashion to Paul’s remarks that we  consider negative experiences in our lives as opportunities for growth. Note James’ counsel:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).
It stands to reason that if we had a choice between positive and negative experiences, we would typically choose the path of the least resistance. However, both kinds of experiences invariably come to all people. It is important to realize that God’s purposes are never entirely thwarted by negative circumstances. His attitude remains forever the same, expressed in the most emphatic assurance of who He is: “I am the Lord.” This emphatic declaration of identity is literally self-defining. It reminds me that nothing is too hard for the Lord. It should serve as a constant reminder to you as well.

Offered by Electra Adams
electra.gethsemaneministries@yahoo.com.

A woman who evidently had a lot to learn was riding on a Milwaukee bus when she noticed the slogan, “Put Christ Back In Christmas” on a sign. “Gee,” she said to a friend, “even the churches are sticking their noses into Christmas now.”
With all the commercialism of the season of Christmas, and the media’s emphasis on red-nosed reindeer, dancing snowmen, grinches, and Santas, it is easy for the real reason for the season to become lost. That may be why more Christian churches and families are beginning to celebrate Advent.
Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “to come.” It is a time to prepare for God’s greatest gift, the birth of Jesus Christ. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day and is usually observed by using the Advent wreath. The wreath’s circle represents God’s love; the evergreens symbolize the hope of eternal life; the four purple or blue candles represent the four weeks of Advent; the white Christ candle in the center of the wreath is lighted on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A short period of worship (scripture reading, hymn, and prayer) accompanies the candle lighting each week.
There are at least three major areas within which Christians can meditate during Advent. First, we can ponder the initial coming of Jesus Christ to Earth, the historical event and its revelations. Second, we can think long and hard about Christ’s personal coming to us, forgiving our sins, and giving us new birth. This can be a time of spiritual renewal. Third, we need to meditate on Christ’s coming in power and glory, the consummation of God’s kingdom, and the end of the world.
As we observe Advent, let us celebrate God’s gift of Jesus Christ and give thanks!

Robert Wilkerson, DMin., is the founder of People for the Christian Way, and author of Characters of the Crucifixion, Lost America, and numerous devotionals and articles. He welcomes comments and questions through his email, drbobwilkerson@bellsouth.net.

Urgency of the Ticking Clock
 
Rev. Joseph R. Reid

A woman dies and goes to heaven. She is greeted by St. Peter, who offers to give her a tour of heaven. As the woman walks around, she notices many clocks. Some go very fast, while others move very slowly. When the tour is done, the woman asks St. Peter why some clocks move at varied speeds. St. Peter replies, “Each clock represents a person on earth. Every time we lie, or miss an opportunity to contact our Spiritual self, our clock speeds up. As you can see, people’s clocks are separated by committed believers and Hypocrites. Over here are the faithful who trust God and are on a sincere spiritual journey, and over there are people who attend church and claim to be religious but have not found God yet.” The woman nods. “Where are the Hypocrites’ clocks?” she asks. St. Peter replies, “We’re using them in the back as air conditioners.”
This may sound humorous but the ticking clock is urgent in our life. Daily awareness of this internal clock reminds us to be watchful how we live, to utilize every moment of life’s precious gift and to always seek God’s will for our life. The problem is we fail to live our life in full awareness of the internal clock that ticks daily toward our transition or death. If we fail to see, use and seek God’s will in full awareness of the urgency of the ticking clock in our life we will miss our opportunity in this and the next. Awareness of our internal ticking clock reminds us to beware of the urgency of NOW. Jesus’ message is urgent! And to follow Him is costly!  Luke 9: 57-62 speaks to this urgency and the cost of following Jesus. It says, “As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Jesus made it clear that this world is not our home. “He said to another man, ‘Follow me.”’ But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” This seems like a reasonable request. But Jesus was aware of the importance of Kairos or God time in our life. “Jesus said to him,’Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’” This is an amazing statement of the necessity of the finding our soul salvation right now.
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-bye to my family.” “Jesus replied ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”
The eternal clock of the Kingdom ticks only in present time! Awareness of our internal ticking clock reminds us to do three things on a daily basis. First, it reminds us to be careful how we live our lives. We should be watchful at all times. The Bible says,“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise.” A sure way of being careful and wise is by watching what we say and do. Not in a fearful way but trusting God for the outcomes in our lives. Second it reminds us to be aware of our inner spiritual regulator. This manager reminds us to make the most of every second of life and not waste time on temporal things. It is important for us to be reminded that things of this world are short lived. Jesus said in Matthew 6:20 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” When we suffer as Christians, these things are temporal. When we’re excited and things are going well, that is temporal. That’s not to say that we cannot have joy in our hearts with the Lord. We can. But we cannot expect things to always go exactly the way we want them. Our text says,  “Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” We should not lose a moment of the ticking clock!
Finally it reminds us to seek to do God’s will daily.  The scriptures say, “So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” The only way to understand God’s will is to seek God’s will. Our internal clock tells us to seek God’s will every moment we live.

WITHIN
What do you mean by using the word ‘within’?  The word ‘within’ is a masterpiece, and just why?  Within man lies a treasure, if he has given his life to the Lord, but if he has not, within man lies nothing but void useless information that the enemy has placed in him. What on earth do you mean? God created man a free moral-person. Man is free to live his life how he chooses. Now if man’s choice is to spend eternity with the Lord, and accept Jesus as his Lord and Master, within him is a “treasure”, but if his choice is to spend eternity with his enemy, within man is “destruction.” How is this so? Well, if you want to know, please allow me to try highlighting what must happen.
When you accepted Jesus to be your Lord, God placed the Holy Spirit within your heart, and the Holy Spirit is God, and God is “beyond comprehension”, therefore He placed within you “ASSURANCE”, which is faith and confidence that you are saved and safe in Jesus. As you read, study, and obey the Word of God, He will show you the meaning of the Cross of Jesus clearer and clearer. Confidence never stop growing as well as how to forever look to the cross and realize what He did and has for you. As you grow in Him more and more, your dependence on the Cross of Jesus to keep you will become a way of life each day. As you obey, you will see the richest of Heaven.  WORDS ARE INADEQUATE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU – HOW WHAT YOU KNOW – IS REAL.  HALLELUJAH!
To those who choose not to accept Jesus, eternal damnation awaits them. They live a life here and now, filled with hostility, bitterness, envy and jealousy. They spill it out in every position they attain. Can you not see it everywhere, even in your children?  IT IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS BULLYING, but it is the work of the enemy transforming himself into different forms of destruction, which leads to eternal damnation.  “CHOOSE JESUS TODAY.”
 www.thealmightyeyes.com