Good News - December 2019

The movie that we watch over and over again every year is the movie “ELF.” “Smiling is my favorite”... That’s the line that gets me every time… I think in every scene buddy the elf does something kind, and I really believe that kindness is a super power that gives us x-ray vision to see past peoples rough exterior and melts down the walls that have been built up in relationships. That’s why I consider Buddy the elf is super hero. Julie Mullins , Pastor, Christ Fellowship Christmas movies: Besides the classics, I love the Downton Abbey Christmas special. It includes many family dynamics. The best scene — when Matthew pro- poses to Lady Mary surrounded by falling snowflakes. KarenGranger, Community Relations Director, 4KIDS PalmBeach County One of my all-time childhood favorites is “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” I like the scene with the island of misfit toys and how Rudolph with his special light brings hope to the toys who feel like they are forgotten and have no value. We all need a Light to point the way and to give us Hope. Thank you Jesus. Kevin Enders , President, 4KIDS of South Florida I love to watch the movie “Elf.” My favorite scene is when Elf hears that Santa is coming to Macys, and he screams out, “I know him, I know him!” I like to think of it as when we hear about Jesus - can we scream out “I know Him, I know Him!” Dr. MaryDrabik, President, South FloridaBibleCollege&Theological Seminary I am both kind of proud and kind of ashamed to admit that I do not own a TV. I’ll stop for a moment while you wrap your mind around that. I can’t say that I have a movie or special I watch over and over again. Years back when the kids were in the house, “Home Alone” was great. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is also a favorite. Unfortunately, or fortunately in my mind, growing up I had three brothers and we were always playing baseball, tennis or doing something else strenuous before eating a big Christmas meal. Often in the street. After the meal when we sat down in front of a TV, we all passed out. Hahaha MatthewD. Weissing , BoardCertified Trial Attorney, Edwards Pottinger LLC My favorite Christmas movie has to be “It’s A Wonderful Life.” The scene that touches me the most is the outpouring of love George experiences at the end when everyone shows up to give him the money. It’s a beautiful example of sowing and reaping – all the sacrifice, heartache, and effort he poured into the people of Bedford Falls resulted in a completely unexpected 100-fold return on the lost money. Most importantly, it showed George that his life had impact beyond what he could have imagined. That’s the thing I love the most about that movie – the timeless lesson that a truly happy and fulfilling life is one that impacts the lives of others. Oksana Horton , Artistic Director, Torch & Trumpet Theater Company, a subsidiary of Revelation Ministries We don’t normally have a particular movie that we watch over and over again during the Christmas holidays. What we normally try to do during the Christmas hol- idays is to tune in to Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) to watch their Christmas special program about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We love the Christmas songs that they play during the program. Watching TBN during the Christmas holi- days is very good because it helps us keep Christ in Christmas. O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center There are many classic movies that we watch during Christmas-time. One of my favorites is “The Grinch.” I love how the heart of someone so hateful and scary can be changed when someone reaches out to them. It takes the love of an innocent child to see what is possible. Oftentimes we meet people that seem so unreachable and despicable that we may not even try to reach out to them. Jesus gives us a great example when He reached out to the Samarian women, one seen by the Jews as an outcast. Patricia Colangelo , EdS, Director of Operations – Florida, Trinity International University You’regoing to think I’mreallyweird, but I don’twatchholidayTVstuff. I listen tomusic instead, especially Handel’s Messiah. Listening to music turns one’s focus and attention inward where the Spirit runs free; watching TV fills my head with holiday clutter. Dr. Patrick Wrisley, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale My favorite Christmas movie is “Charlie Brown’s Christmas.” I had the privilege to play the leading role of Charlie Brown in my 6th grade class play! As this year the movie celebrates its 50th year, I can still recite all of Charlie Brown’s lines as I watch the movie. The greatest part of all is that it tells the real meaning of Christmas as Linus recites from the book of Luke. “The Savior was born in Bethlehem....” Thank you God for sending your son Jesus!! Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder/President, SAINTS of Florida P.E. and SAINTS International Sports Ministry “Die Hard” is the perfect holiday movie (this isn’t debatable), and I easily could watch it every Christmas. It’s the story of a husband and wife (Holly and John Mc- Clane) who are separated by both geography and marital strife reuniting to not only foil the nefarious plans of an international terrorist organization, but also to begin the hard work of reconciling their marriage. My favorite scene is where Hans Gruber dangles 30 stories above the ground, but ultimately loses his grip and falls to his death from the top of Nakatomi Plaza. Rick Hunter, “The CityChurch Project” In lieu of movie watching at Christmas, our family has been either participating in or just attending the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant for 35 years! We usually go a few times with both family, friends and new acquaintances, and as everyone knows who has seen it, you get to experience the real meaning of Christmas. It is hard to beat the opening scene of the Second Act (biblical) with the birth of Jesus, but the crucifixion and resurrection scenes are very powerful and, of course, put an explanation point on the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us. If you are reading this and have not yet seen the Pageant, make it a point to do so this year. Performances run through December 15th. For tickets go on line at www.Christmastickets.com or go to the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale an hour or so early and try and get tickets there. Merry Christmas to All! Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP Wants to Know… Bob Denison Chris Lane Collins Forman Deborah Cusick Dolores King-St. George Don Campion Fred Scarbrough George R. Moraitis Gita Santangelo Gregg Wallick John Novoa Julie Mullins