Good News - October 2019

What biblical character do you personally associate yourself withor relate toandwhy? Nehemiah is my guy. The way he let a God-given burden lead to a life-long calling is an ongoing inspiration to me. He led with his life. He helped peo- ple who were stuck, get un- stuck. He did this not just by rebuilding a wall, but by rebuild- ing a culture. It took courage, vi- sion, tenacity, humility and sacrifice to give his life to God's work -- and at the end of it all, I hope to say with Nehemiah -- "God and His People are worth it!" DougSauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale No doubt about it - Esther ! Each year my identity, as a daughter of the King (who happens to also be my Father in Heaven), deepens. I relate to Esther in- creasingly each year when it comes to the way she served her peo- ple by leading them to fast & pray while courageously approaching the throne, bringing her husband and King the requests of her heart. This is really for all of God's children to rise up for "such a time as this" to make an IMPACT for the Kingdom. Dr. Andrea Hazim , President and Founder, Elev8Life Educational Foundation I would like to associate myself with Abraham —God’s friend, for whom it is said: “against all hope, Abraham in hope, believed.” His faith and obedience in believing and acting without delay when God spoke are an example of the Hebrew’s 11:1 faith that the Bible teaches: believing when we do not see and we will ultimately see what we believe. However, I regularly find myself associating more with Thomas saying: Lord, my hope is waning, my faith is weak. Please let me see, even a little bit of the positive result that I am praying for, then I’ll believe. William “Bill” C. Davell , Director, Tripp Scott Attorneys At Law I think of St. John the Apostle . He was always the youngest but grew the oldest because he was the only one of the Apostles not martyred! He was close enough to Christ to put his head on Jesus’ chest and hear his heart beat at the last supper. He was also given the chore of taking care of Mary, Jesus’ Mother at the Cross and later he wrote the Gospel of John and the Book of the Apocalypse or Revelation while exiled on the Island of Patmos. Maybe the best reason is that His symbol is the eagle, which I find fascinating as the prologue to his gospel is like the flight of an eagle in words about God and God’s relationship to us as his children. The eagle is also the symbol of our country and reminds me of the service and how in my 50 years, I have had the privilege of serving as St. John did. I try to seek the best for those who rely on me, and not only teach the truth but live the truth through our laws as an involved citizen. Another interesting fact about the eagle is that it will fly with its babies on its wings then let them fall off and swoop down and get them, again and again until the baby eagle learns to fly on its own. That is something that I try to do in mentor- ing young people that I serve and that work with me - until they can fly on their own! Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 93 Modacai , Hadassah’s Uncle, is a Biblical character whom I seek to emulate. He trained his niece, also known as Esther, to know and fear the LORD, and he encouraged her throughout her life to seek the LORD, supporting her in prayer as she undertook a dangerous mission on behalf of herself and the Hebrew people. Modacai‘s focus was raising up his young person to walk in rela- tionship with the one true God. O, that I could be like him with my own children, their friends and other young people whom He brings across my path! H. Collins Forman, P.A. I relate to Paul , the missionary/church planter, because I was a missionary myself and traveled to over 40 nations. I was blessed to pioneer a Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base in the Dominican Republic where I got to plant a few churches as well and, like Paul, I often return to encourage them. I also helped start two vibrant churches in Boca Raton. Paul (unmarried as I am) inspires and challenges me with his exhortation, "One who is unmarried is con- cerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord." Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Wants to Know… Dr. Andrea Hazim William “Bill” C. Davell Chip LaMarca Doug Sauder H. Collins Forman Deborah Cusick Kevin Enders