Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • October 2022 • Volume 24, Issue 7
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On The Cover Pictured from left to right, Chris Lane, founder and president of First Priority; Kevin Enders, president and CEO of 4KIDS; and Coach Rick Andreassen, founder and president of Saints Homeschool P.E., These nonprofit leaders and long-time friends are celebrating 25 years of ministry, serving children and families in South Florida. Read the cover article on pages 28 – 30. Staged and photographed at BrandStar Studios, South Florida’s premier state-of-the-art Production Hub and site of many Good News cover treatments. We thank BrandStar principles Mark Alfieri and Doug Campbell and this month's feature shoot coordinator, Lauren Klinge, Project Manager for their outstanding assistance. Photo credit: Justus Martin www.justusmartinphoto.com PUBLISHER 6 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15 ESV). The end. For such a simple statement, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” this verse is often exaggerated or ignored. Jesus has been reassuring the disciples as He approaches His impending death and resurrection. Part of that included encouragement — their knowledge of Him was their way to God (John 14:4–6). Those who believe in Him have the opportunity to do "greater works." There is more to be sure, but we are influenced by daily challenges. Then I start to think, we don’t live in isolation, and life itself is like a proverbial book with chapters of triumph, tribulations and temptations. Yes, temptations. I know all their songs but that’s The Temptations, the Motown version, but somewhat Biblical to a sinner like me. No, the temptations from the devil. So since I’m thinking we are shown and know the correct path, I’m curious about some notable leaders’ opinions about religion that also shape us for bad and worse. “I'd be more willing to accept religion, even if I didn't believe it, if I thought it made people nicer to each other, but I don't think it does.” -Andy Rooney formerly of ‘60 Minutes’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and legendary prolific songwriter and performer Smokey Robinson: Jesus Christ is the “Way out of this havoc and the Way Into Paradise.” NBA basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson says his faith in God was essential in carrying him through the valleys, "Faith was everything. I always lean on my faith," Elvis Presley -“He wanted to give his talent to God but the world was too tempting to resist.” Presley once said, “I believe in the Bible. I believe that all good things come from God. I don’t believe I’d sing the way I do if God hadn’t wanted me to.” Warren Buffett, the 92-year-old CEO and Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway at his annual shareholders meeting - Amid the six hours of questions directed to Mr. Buffett, the one question that caught the reporters’ attention and held it for the rest of the day was a question asked by a man probably 30 years old. This young man stepped up to the microphone and in the midst of 31,000 people asked Mr. Buffett, the world's richest man at that time, if he knew and had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Without hesitation, Mr. Buffett responded ... “No, I am an agnostic. I don't know whether there is a God or not. Maybe when I die I will find out, but I don't know.” Astronaut Alan Shepard once stated in a NASA press conference that he was not a member of any church but that he regularly attended the Christian Science Church. Shepard took microfilm of the first issue of The Christian Science Monitor from 1908 with him to the moon and in difficult situations: “When things go wrong, God will put them right.” And finally, President George W. Bush asked Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld to begin a cabinet meeting with a prayer. It came as a surprise, as he "had never been one to wear my faith on my sleeve," he admits in his memoir Known and Unknown. Still, Rumsfeld says he prayed fervently. It was, after all, September 14, 2001. "Ever faithful God," Rumsfeld began, "We seek Your special blessing today for those who stand as sword and shield, protecting the many from the tyranny of the few. Our enduring prayer is that You shall always guide our labors and that our battles shall always be just." I particularly like “We seek Your special blessing today for those who stand as sword and shield…” - Les South Florida Edition • Good News • October 2022 • Volume 24, Issue 7 Advertising: We reach over 110,000 readers each month. 80,000 in print and 30,000 via our online digital edition. Placing an ad in our publication is affordable and effective to help grow your business. Call us today! Distribution: Available inmore than 800 locations throughout South Florida. To become a free distribution point for the newspaper, please contact Shelly. The Good News is published by Good News Media Group, LLC, Reproduction in whole or part strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Good News Media Group, LLC. PO Box 670368, Coral Springs, FL 33067 954-564-5378 • www.goodnewsfl.org Publisher: Leslie J. Feldman [email protected] Editor: Shelly Pond [email protected] Advertising & Marketing: Robert “Buddy” Helland Jr. V.P. Sr. Marketing Manager [email protected] Al Lehman Sr. Marketing Director [email protected] Art Director: Milton McPherson [email protected] Social Media Manager: Ariel Feldman [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Eric Solomon [email protected] Cover Photography: Justus Martin [email protected] Keep it Simple PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . .8 The Mission and The Storm – by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . .10 We Can Still Turn Back – by Franklin Graham REFLECTION . . . . . . . . . . .12 Be Prepared – by Newton Fairweather YOU ASKWHY? . . . . . . . . 14 Liberated from the Incarceration of “IF ONLY” – by Dr. Tommy Boland INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 How to Lead Through a Recession – by Rob Hoskins PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . .18 It’s Not About the Election. It’s About Training Leaders! – by Dr. Bob Barnes & Torrey Roberts THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 The Second Mile – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins HEART AND SOUL . . . . .22 Steve Forbes to be Honored on American Free Enterprise Day at Palm Beach Atlantic University – by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . . . . .24 – 26 What's the top item you would like to check off on your bucket list? COVER STORY . . . . . .28 – 30 First Priority, 4KIDS and Saints Homeschool P.E. Celebrate 25 Years of Ministry – by Shelly Pond OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Important Down Ballot Judicial Races – by H. Collins Forman, Jr. LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . .34 New to Florida or Headed Here? There Are Benefits to Establishing “Residency” VILLAGE HYMNS . . . . . . .36 The Trinitarian Mystery – by Krislyn Placide CALENDAR . . . . . . . .42 - 43 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . .44 - 47 Leslie J. Feldman C O N T E N T S Good News • October • Volume 24 Issue 7
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PERSPECTIVE 8 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition I was falling asleep the other evening and thinking about all the “storms” we have been facing over the past few years. Many of the storms have caught national and international attention. Some of the storms are personal and private. However, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and depressed…. perhaps a bit exhausted with the relentless waves of heavy and painful stories. I ,once again, like to reflect on a very familiar story that has been with me all my life (I originally published this a few years ago…..so, I guess it’s as relevant today as it was then). Jesus says to his disciples, “Let’s go to the other side.” Jesus was on a mission then, and He is on a mission today. Where is He taking us? I remember as a young boy having a picture hanging in my bedroom that depicted a young man piloting a boat at its helm in the midst of a storm. Jesus stood behind the young man with one hand on his shoulder and the other showing him where to steer in the the high seas. Today that painting hangs on a wall in our house that is full of paintings, each with a story behind it. I typically have not paid much attention to it until the other day, realizing how prophetic that picture was hanging over my bed as I was that young boy (and still am). Recently, I was drawn to a story in the New Testament about Jesus and his disciples (I call them interns). The story is found in the Gospel of Mark in the 4th chapter. Jesus has just finished a series of teachings and talks regarding faith and His Kingdom, using a lot of parables. The day has been long, and He says to His interns that it’s time to get into the boat and go to the other side. Various Bible scholars will argue that the other side represented a Gentile (nonJew) region and that a good Jew would not be caught dead on the “other side.” However, Jesus is on a mission. The eight-mile journey occurred during the night, and while traversing the lake, a violent storm hits the occupants. The stormwas so violent that these hardened men, many fishermen, actually feared for their lives. The one that appeared unafraid and was actually fast asleep was Jesus, not the least bothered by this terrible storm. The interns, in utter fear, wake up their teacher with an accusation that it was obvious He didn’t seem to care. He first responds with action; He calms the storm, and He does this by commanding it. He then turns to His interns, now that the storm has subsided, and asks them two questions (that’s what Jesus does best, He asks really good questions). Why are they so afraid and where is their faith? I have reflected on this story over the past few weeks, and there are a few things that have caught my attention. Let me share them briefly. We are in a storm There is no question about it, and it’s global. The storm you and I are in is universal though it is affecting us all differently. We are walking within the shadow of death…not simply the loss of life, but also the death of the economy, organizations and frankly, a way of life. We wake up every day looking at a death statistic. We are in a storm, and we are afraid we may die. Several theologians make the case that the stormwas not simply a weather-related storm, but demonic forces at work. Perhaps that’s true and if so, that adds another dimension to the storm we are in (more on that later). Rembrandt van Rijn depicts this scene in his beautiful painting (which by the way has been stolen and yet to be found), where you can feel the wind and rain, the angst, the fear, the chaos. However, we find Jesus in the boat sound asleep. We may think that He is simply detached, aloof, too distant to understand our emotions and our pain. However, He has chosen to be PRESENT. He could have simply asked the interns to meet Him on the other side or watched from afar. No, He decided to journey through the storm by choice. He knew a storm was coming and still chose to join them. He knew they would need Him because He knew they had little faith. I find it almost comical that Jesus is actually asleep. I am not sure what kind of sleeper Jesus was, but as far as I know this is the only time in scripture that we see Jesus aslee. Many times we read that Jesus was an early riser, seeking time to pray, but asleep in a crisis? My cynical and sarcastic side reads this wrong. Jesus appears selfish, more concerned with His needs then mine. However, this is not true. He is demonstrating to me that He is at PEACE. Jesus never knew fear; it’s not in His vocabulary. Howmany times in scripture do we hear the phrase, “fear not” …a lot? Once Jesus is awakened from his sleep, His first action is to quiet the storm, and He does this simply with a command. I’m not even sure He yelled it (it’s hard to yell coming from a deep sleep unless you are frightened). I believe He simply said, “Peace be still.” Wow, no wonder Jesus never knew fear since He had that kind of power. He demonstrated to His interns that He is a God of POWER. A teaching moment Jesus as the consummate teacher and shepherd uses this as a teaching moment. I don’t believe He is angry, but He is corrective in His tone as He asks two questions around fear and the lack of faith. Faith and fear have an interesting relationship since faith is the antithesis of fear. Satan uses fear as his weapon all the while Jesus uses faith. Recently, Dr. Tim Royer, a friend and neuropsychologist remarked that as humans our greatest fear comes from anticipated fear. We use our God created and given imaginations to imagine what could be and, in our fear, we can often abandon our faith. Think about sin itself. James talks about sin being sourced within our evil desires (imaginations), and sin is designed to drive a wedge between us and Jesus. Fear is designed the same way. Jesus is with them in the boat, yet they ignore Him and default to fear. Jesus is teaching them that faith will always overcome fear. Lastly, yes, we are in a storm, but there is no reason to be afraid because Jesus stands at your back, one hand on your shoulder and the other pointing to where He wants to take you. Jesus is taking the interns to the other side, where they are met by a demon possessed man who has been terrorizing the whole countryside. Jesus had a reason to go to the other side; He wanted to start something. He wanted to demonstrate His presence, peace and power in a dark place. I believe that when the storm ceases and it will, we will arrive on the other side. Due to the storm, our faith will have increased, and that will give us the power to overcome the evil that will affront us. Our faith in Jesus will break the chains that bind culture. We pray for revival – it’s coming, but we first must weather the storm. I believe this will be the beginning of a new season of His healing in a dark world. I believe that is why Satan sent the storm, because if he could have taken the disciples out there would have been no conversion on the other side. Actually, what an insult to the anemic power of Satan, that Jesus chooses to actually take a nap during Satan’s vicious storm. Lately, when I have found myself afraid, I have visually put myself in the boat and will intentionally look over at the sleeping Jesus, where I find a calm. One last thought shared by my friend, Jason Upton. Isn’t it interesting that in the Garden of Gethsemane, while Jesus was awake, the disciples slept, an antithesis to the story of Jesus in the boat. Perhaps a lesson for us is to rest when Jesus is at rest and be awake when He is awake. Have faith, the best is yet to come. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the president and founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. - Stephan N. Tchividjian - National Christian Foundation President The Mission and The Storm
10 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD On Nov. 8, tens of millions of voters will head to polls acrossAmerica in themost crucial midterm elections in recent history. To say that much is at stake is a gross understatement. It isn’t just control of Congress; it may be our last chance to stop the immoral and ungodly policies that have brought our great nation to the moral brink of disaster. The floodgates of SodomandGomorrah have seemingly swung wide open in the past two years. The spirit of antichrist is pervading our nation, hating the things of God. Many of our leaders now advocate for and defend such abominable behavior as same-sex marriage and gay rights. They are staunch supporters of transgenderism, which is nothing but a lie from hell. Those who flaunt this ungodly lifestyle are sold out and devoted to taking this lie as far as it can go, and reaching our children, the next generation, through our education system. They don’t care if a biological male goes into a girl’s public bathroom under the disguise of being a female. I say disguise because there is no such thing as “transgender.” It’s a made-up word by a godless culture that openly defies God’s unique creation of male and female. Every infant in every hospital in every state, and indeed the whole world, is born genetically a “boy” or a “girl.” Look at what’s happening in our schools. Children are the battleground of culture change. Textbooks that talk about altering gender identities for children as early as first and second grade are out there spreading the perverted agenda of the LGBTQ lobby. Can you believe the uproar that came from a company like Disney when the state of Florida banned such horrendous material? What kind of people want the minds of innocent young children who have no idea of what sex and gender even mean to be exposed to such garbage? If a child in elementary school buys into such lies and desires to be the opposite sex of what God created them to be, counselors and teachers are told to accommodate and even encourage such a tragic choice. Lots of powerful people in themedical field think that assigning puberty blockers to these young people is perfectly acceptable. Do you think it’s any accident that a biological man pretending to be a woman is now the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services? When the newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was before the United States Senate and was asked by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee to define a woman, her answer was, “I’m not a biologist.” Can you believe that? It’s really simple—a woman is a person with two X chromosomes (which is what every biologist would say), who is made by God in His image to display His particular glory, especially in child-bearing (No, men cannot become pregnant), a complementary partner in holy matrimony, and a person with a God-designed emotional, physical and spiritual makeup. Nowhere, however, are the immoral policies of this White House and Congress more prominent than on the issue of abortion. Thanks be to God that on June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned one of the most wicked rulings this nation has ever known. Roe v. Wade was struck down as the justices voted in favor of the state of Mississippi against a Jackson abortion center, and then went on to strike down Roe v. Wade. I am so grateful that the three justices appointed during the Trump administration—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh andAmy Coney Barrett—all voted to abolish the evil precedent that opened the doors for more than 63 million children to be murdered by abortionists. The outcry from Washington was immediate and vociferous. President Biden went on national television to decry the ruling. He promised that his administration would do everything in its power to protect the “right to abortion” for every American and would ensure that women could move across state lines for the procedure. He then issued a series of orders to protect abortion-seekers. The Democratic speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, also stood from the House platform to declare the ruling an “evisceration ofAmericans’ rights” and that Democrats “will keep fighting ferociously to enshrine Roe v. Wade into law of the land.” In other words, those in power will continue to rail against the decision andwill work as fervently as they can so that women can sacrifice their children on the altar of convenience and choice. There is nothing that happens during an abortion that results in anythingother than theannihilationof ahumanbeing, yet the voices of themost powerful group in our country will stop at nothing to see that it continues unabated. And just look at the growing violence that has swept over our land—states like California, New York, Illinois and others are run by leftist progressive governors and prosecutors. The states are overrun by criminals, who—because of leftist progressive polices—are put right back on the street to commit yet more crimes. They do not understand that evil must be dealt with quickly and decisively, and that criminals deserve punishment, not protection. Though I am grateful that the defund the police crowd has diminished in many areas, the damage done to themorale andmakeup of our police force is lasting. Hundreds of law enforcement personnel in cities like Seattle, NewYork and Portland have resigned or retired because they no longer feel valued. What happens to a nation that continues in its wicked ways with no repentance? If we take Israel as an example, then we know that God will not have His Name or honor defiled by such immorality and will in some way bring His temporal judgment. Israel and Judah both went into captivity and exile because they refused to abide by God’s laws and principles and embraced a hedonistic lifestyle contrary toGod’s commandments. The Bible is clear that we reap what we sow. If we continue on our current path, and refuse to turn from our wicked ways, then the harvest of immorality, violence and godless culture will be bitter. While we focus on what pronouns to use, and what gender we are, nations like China, Russia and Iran are flexing their military and political power around the globe. There is talk of a new world order, and if America wants to once again be a shining city set upon a hill for the world to see, then we’d better get our own house in order. That’s why it is so critical that you go to the polls on Nov. 8 and vote for candidates who best align with godly, Biblical principles. We can’t let the spirit of antichrist reign any longer. I believe that with God’s help, we can see our nation turn to Him once again in repentance and faith. We do not have to continue down this destructive path, but if we have two more years of ongoing open defiance of God’s laws from our elected leaders, then we are truly in a precarious position. It wasn’t so long ago that Judeo-Christian principles formed the foundation of our republic. God’sWord and His ways were esteemed and obeyed. Perhaps God in His grace and mercy will give us yet another season to do what is right in His eyes, and not like those who continually disobeyed when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, NKJV). I fervently hope and pray so for the sake of my children and grandchildren. I want themalong withmillions of others to say humbly and thankfully, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12, NKJV). Decision magazine, SEPTEMBER 2022; ©2022 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Franklin Graham: We Can Still Turn Back It may be our last chance to stop the immoral and ungodly policies that have brought our great nation to the moral brink of disaster. ” “ If we continue on our current path, and refuse to turn from our wicked ways, then the harvest of immorality, violence and godless culture will be bitter ” “
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REFLECTION 12 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition The sign The greatest lesson that you will learn in life often occurs right before your eyes in real time. There are billboards and bulletin boards that points us to what we need to do and see. This is not an accident. Let me give you an example in real time that I am sure you can relate to. Notice the picture of the sign. This sign has been placed near my neighborhood in the same spot every year. What I want you to pay attention to is the part that says, “BE PREPARED!” This sign was design to alert the community to begin preparing for the season that we were about to enter. Like many people, I had chosen to ignore the sign.After seeing it for so long, I had become numb to this warning. It had just become a sign like all the other political signs along the road during this time of the year. However, what I do know is that sometimes God will use a physical sign to get your full attention, to give you a spiritual message. The delay A couple of weeks ago, when I initially heard the news that hurricane Ian was headed toward Florida, my mind flashed back to the sign near my neighborhood. No matter how many times I saw the sign, I was convinced that I still had enough time to prepare. Truth is you never have as much time as you think. Things had changed in a matter of days. I delayed going to my favorite gas station, and when I finally decided to go, I realized the original price was no longer available. I found myself in a line around the block. Trying to avoid the same mistake of being unprepared, I immediately went to my local grocery store, and again there were lines with some empty shelves. I became upset with myself, knowing that I was like so many people in that store. We were not prepared; we were preparing. It was here, in the mist of the chaos, where I found a seat and sat down. It was a teachable moment for me, and I was not the teacher. I observed the tension and anxiety on the faces of the people. All of us were in the same boat. We had a need, but we had to wait. This process raised many questions for me. Why do we ignore the preparation process in our life? Is it because we want to get back to our normal life as quick as possible? We see things as a one-off event. Even if it occurs year after year, we act as if the event is new. We will see crisis coming and just ignore it. Often, we have not prepared because of the “here and now” mindset. Some things will either happen sooner or later. However, regardless of this fact, we need to be prepared. The preparation I can tell you that for those of us who are pastors/teachers, sermon preparation is not an option but a must. It usually takes one to three days to prepare and write what you are going to present.After that, you need at least a day to pray andmediate on what you have prepared. This is the part where the Holy Spirit breathes on what you have written. When you go to the dental office, there is a preparation process before you can see the dentist. You must prep for surgery before you see the surgeon. Before the construction of a house or building, the soil must be prepared, along with other required building permits, all which are a part of the preparation process. Most teachers always have a lesson plan. These plans are looked over and fine-tuned prior to presentation to the students. This is part of themeat and potatoes of teaching, hence themany teacher planning workdays. Politicians prep before they debate, and even athletes prep before they compete. The main reason to prepare is so that you can have a road map of where you are going and how you are going to get there. Being prepared gets you ready for the potential unexpected, and there is always something you do not expect. Back to the sign. Notice it never said that a stormwon’t come. It just emphasizes to be prepared. The next crisis is always just around the corner. The reality is that we can never be completely one hundred percent prepared. Just like some people will choose to ride the storm out, we often will make choices in the preparation process to ride out our own storms. The cone of uncertainty Hurricanes are real and should be taken seriously, but at the same time they are not unusual. I always had a sense of confidence when I was prepared for anything that I had to deal with - personal or public. There will always be some storm in our lives, and each will have its own category. However, here is what will change the direction of your storm: your faith, your prayer life and the promises of GOD. This is how you prepare! Remember the story of Jesus speaking to the wind and the rain. These elements heard the voice of our master and ceased (Matthew 8:23-26). Some storms are designed to stretch your capacity to handle what God has in store for you. Your preparation indicates to what degree you are paying attention to the directions given on the signs in the journey of your life. Preparation strengthens the belief that success is not only possible but also probable; therefore, BE PREPARED! Newton Fairweather is the pastor of Faith and Joy Church and the CBMC Fort Lauderdale Board Chaplin. Be Prepared - Newton Fairweather - Pastor, Faith and Joy Church, and CBMC Fort Lauderdale Board Chaplin
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14 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition YOU ASK WHY Liberated from the Incarceration of “IF ONLY” “You keep him in perfect peace whosemind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). We all have an inner critic that must be kept in check if we are going to live lives for the glory of God and the good of others, including ourselves. Because we are broken people living in a broken world with other broken people, our lives will inevitably be marked by brokenness, personally, professionally and relationally. Our inner critic One of the favorite focal points for our inner critic comes under the heading of If only. Satan loves to stir up our inner critic by feeding us a seemingly endless supply of “If onlys” designed to drive us into despair over our past, dissatisfaction with our present and disillusionment about our future. ✓ If only I had more education . . . ✓ If only I had a better job . . . ✓ If only I had seized that opportunity . . . ✓ If only I had tried harder . . . ✓ If only I hadn’t gotten in that argument . . . ✓ If only I had studied more for that exam . . . ✓ If only I hadn’t waited so long for . . . ✓ If only I had taken better care of my health . . . This list, of course, is virtually endless. Now, to be sure, these two words can indeed be an accurate assessment of our activities in the past, and theBible encourages us to self-examination. Perhaps, “if only” you had a better nutrition and exercise plan, you would be healthier today. That can be a positive take-away to help you course correct in the future. However, when these words are marked with mournful meaning and gnawing guilt, it can keep you prisoner to your past, causing you to grow only into a fraction of the person God is calling you to be. So, if you took amoment of prayerful consideration, what would be the top five “If onlys” marked by mournful meaning and gnawing guilt on your list today? These two seemingly innocent words weaken our will, water down our witness, and lay waste to our faith in Jesus. “If only” has the ability to keep us from living the promised abundant life Jesus purchased for us on the cross, a life marked by freedom, forgiveness and faithfulness. Chained to the past Every “if only” looks achingly back to a past that cannot be changed . . . but if it somehow could be changed, we tell ourselves, life would be so much better than it is at present! We would be happier. We would be healthier. We would be holier. Every “if only” incarcerates our imagination and chains us as a prisoner to our past, causing us to live in our past rather than learn from our past. And when our “if onlys” go silent for a moment, the troublesome trinity of would haves, should haves and could haves, rears its ugly head. But there is hope for all of us today! Jesus will rescue us from our “IF ONLYS” ONLY IF we give them to Him. Jesus knows everything perfectly — including the beginning of our story right straight through to the end and all points in between. Jesus not only knows everything perfectly, He is in sovereign control of everything perfectly. Because of these twin truths, we can give Himevery “if only,” knowing none of it caught Himby surprise or caused Him to think less of us. Jesus can and will use every “if only” for His glory and our ultimate good. Jesus is in the business of redeeming our past including our regrets and gnawing guilt, but we must first give them to Him. We must intentionally place every “if only” in His nail-scarred hands because only Jesus has the ability to orchestrate our entire past to accomplish His purpose in our lives while using it all for the expansion of His Kingdom in this world. A new creation Remember, the problem with “if onlys” is they keep us living in and reliving our past. Trusting in Jesus is the only way for us to live a life that is liberated from every “if only” that seeks to pull us down and slow our forward progress in life. The way to guard against this is to continue marinating in and meditating on the Word of God which tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The great hymn writer and clergyman John Newton put it this way: “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” This is the life-long process of sanctification, whereby God is conforming us more and more into the image of Jesus. Every “if only” is being used by God in that process. Instead of looking back we need to keep looking up which will empower us to trust in Jesus with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, submitting all our ways to Him. When we do this, we will experience His perfect peace, a peace purchased for us by His precious blood on our cross. Wemay not understand why everything that has gone on in our past took place, but we don’t have to because Jesus does understand. He is using every “if only” for the praise and glory of His Mighty Name and for our eternal good. Trust Him, keep your mind stayed on Him, and all those nagging, discouraging “if onlys” marked by mournful meaning and gnawing guilt will be redeemed by the One who says, “Follow Me!” Looking back at our “if onlys” or looking up at Jesus is always a choice, moment by moment. Choose wisely this day and Jesus will rescue you from every “if only” ONLY IF you give them all to Him. This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! - Tommy Boland - Cross Community Church Pastor
INSIGHT 16 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition I recently met with a few leaders who, like myself, led organizations or ministries through the pandemic. We discussed how hard we had to push ourselves for over two years and how, even though most of our organizations performed well despite the crisis, the experience left many of us feeling burned out. Then, without taking a breath, we began talking about the oncoming recession. As leaders, we don’t have the luxury of always anticipating good times; we have to continually be prepared for any possible tragedy. This is especially true when it comes to a recession; leaders must always be ready for one, not scramble when they begin to see one coming. A recession is always bound to happen, and when it does, people will cling to either false optimism or overblown despair. Those on your team will most likely find themselves on those two extremes as well, but hope is not a strategy, and despair is not a solution. When leading your team through tough times, it’s vital to cultivate a balanced mindset that’s rooted in realism. Follow Joseph’s example When it comes to finding a straightforward example of what it means to be good stewards and prepare well for future obstacles, I’ve looked to the story of Joseph in Genesis 41:33-36: “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine” (NIV). God gave Pharaoh a clear and practical plan to prepare for the famine, but it took wisdom, discernment, obedience and willpower on Pharaoh’s and Joseph’s part to put it into practice. This story is also a great reminder that though God allows us to face obstacles, He gives us ways to overcome them if we have an open perspective to listen and adopt new strategies. On a very practical level, leaders should follow in Joseph’s footsteps and create financial reserves — especially in seasons of abundance. Be sure to build those reserves into your budget. Cultivate a strong organizational culture Aside from the obvious hit finances receive during a recession, you should also build your organization’s culture on a strong and healthy foundation beforehand. A recession will really test the work culture, and it can make the whole structure crumble from within. I recently read an article from The Jabian Journal titled “Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast and Transformation for Lunch” by Gokhan Guley and Tracy Reznik, which I recommend to anyone leading a team. In it, Guley and Reznik write, “Culture is the flywheel that maintains stability. It creates organizational inertia and resistance to change — both good and bad… A strong culture will help an organization survive bumps in the road. At the same time, it resists deliberate attempts by management to change speed and direction.” Sometimes physical obstacles serve as critical reminders. I’ve had a chronic sore throat since January, and when I finally went to get it checked out, my doctor said I have lesions and cysts on my vocal cords. He actually referred to it as “preacher’s disease” and said, “Based on your vocal cords, you must be pentecostal.” Now, I’ve struggled with my eyesight for 33 years, so when I told Kimmy prognosis, I said, “I always thought my eyes were my problem, but now I’m going to have to change how I use my voice.” She very quickly responded, “Well, maybe you’re supposed to listen more.” Don’t you love an honest wife? When it comes to building a strong work culture, listening is the most crucial step. One thing we do at OneHope to help with our culture is conduct anonymous staff reviews every three years, which allows us to get a gauge of where the culture is going right, and where we need to improve as leaders and as an organization. Doing this definitely takes a humble heart and a willingness to listen, but it’s an amazing way to understand your team’s experience. However you decide to manage and improve the culture within your own organization, make sure you don’t wait until you’re in the midst of a recession and the culture is turning sour to do it. Be transparent When you’re in the middle of a recession, it’s crucial to be transparent with the other leaders and with your organization as a whole. Clarity is one of the most helpful assets during a difficult season. Abandon the strategies that are no longer good for your clarity and be transparent and honest about the situation at hand. Once again, you don’t want to be overly optimistic when others may be hurting, but you also don’t want to feed into an overblown sense of despair when people are already scared. Lead with clarity and be honest about the reality. So, what are my thoughts on leading through a recession? Don’t wait until one hits. Prepare financially, build the culture on a strong foundation, and be transparent throughout it. Rob Hoskins is the president of OneHope. Since taking leadership of OneHope in 2004, he has continued to advance the vision of God’s Word. Every Child. by partnering with local churches to help reach more than 1.8 BILLION children and youth worldwide with a contextualized presentation of God’s Word. - Rob Hoskins - OneHope President How to Lead Through a Recession
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18 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING As we head into the primaries every eye is on candidates. This is important! The election of a leader is very important, and we should all be involved. Having said that let me also say that what is really important is not the next leader, but leadership. We need to be training leaders. We can’t elect and then sub-contract out the leadership of our future to an elected official. We need to be leaders, and we need to train tomorrow’s leaders. It’s the job of every parent to train their children to become leaders rather than followers. No one is a born leader. Many are born aggressive, but that’s not leadership. In fact, aggressive self-centeredness is the opposite of leadership. Who will follow them for very long? One of the overriding goals of parenting needs to be to help our children stop following the crowd and start leading the crowd. Learning to lead myself Leadership begins with the process of learning to lead myself. I have to be able to lead myself away from distracting temptations. The temptation to have something I don’t have, or the desire to do whatever it takes to be liked by my peers only makes me a follower. If my peers like me and applaud, I will play for that applause. If the acquisition of a material object causes me to momentarily applaud myself, then I will fall victim to the latest techno gadget. It’s a matter of training a child to know Whose applause is the right applause and then the training to lead himself to stay that course. A child or teen can’t learn to lead himself until he is given the reason… the motivation. Who has the best plan for me? That’s the overriding question to be answered. Do my peers have the best plan for my future? Or is it my desires? Do those temptations I desire really offer the best plan for me? An audience of one Leaders know why they are here because leaders are trained about who put them here. Our children become leaders when they learn that God has a plan for them and then parents give them the personal discipline to live life for an audience of one. Young men and women trained at an early age to love God and then to have the personal discipline to follow God. This makes them leaders because they know where they are going and refuse to get distracted. We need more parents training more boys and girls to be leaders like this who live for an audience of one. If this country is to be turned around, it’s leaders that we need. If this country is going to move in the right direction, parents need to accept the responsibility to lead their homes in a way that would train leaders. The two-part formula for raising a leader? Teach you children that God has a plan for their lives and then train them to be disciplined enough to lead rather than follow. Teach them that “No” means “No” so that you give them a great personal power. The power to say “No” to their urges and the power to say “No” to their peers. That is the formula for training your child to be a leader. That is also the formula for raising up tomorrow’s leaders. And that too is the answer America is looking for. Yes, I believe we should be very active in this coming election. Yes, I believe we should support the right candidate. But I also know this. America will never be changed by the White House. America needs to be changed by your house and my house. It’s about training leaders today for leadership tomorrow. Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice fromDr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House FamilyMinistries It’s Not About the Election. It’s About Training Leaders!
THE CODE 20 OCTOBER 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41 NKJV). The phrase going the second mile has found its way into our modern vernacular. Its roots are found all the way back in first-century Palestine. The Romans had conquered most of the Mediterranean world. One of the marvels of their conquest was a vast system of superhighways that they had built for travel to and from their conquered territories. There were more than fifty thousand miles of these Roman roads throughout the Empire. At each single mile was a stone marker. These mile markers pointed directions, determined the distance to the next town as well as to Rome itself, and warned of dangers that might lie ahead. Hence the common phrase, “All roads lead to Rome.” By law, a Roman citizen or soldier could compel a subject from one of the conquered lands to carry his backpack, or load, for him for one mile, but one mile only. As Jesus was preaching His Sermon on the Mount, I have often wondered if He inserted the reference about the second mile when He saw an object lesson unfolding before Him and His hearers. He said, “Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” Can you imagine the bombshell this must have been as it fell upon the ears of those under Roman occupation who were listening to His sermon? Jesus called upon His hearers to do what was required of them— and then some. What is it that separates some from others in athletics or education or business or the arts or in any endeavor? It is their drive to do more than is expected or required. The second mile is a secret to success in life. When focusing on the second mile, many forget there are two miles in play here. The first is a mandated mile; the second is a miracle mile. There is a mandated mile motivated by law This first mile is often ignored. In fact, I never remember hearing a sermon or reading an article about the first mile, only about the second. The first mile is required of us. The first mile is always the hardest. Ask the distance runner. The second wind never kicks in on the first mile. The truth is, it is not as easy to enjoy the things we have to do as it is to enjoy the things we want to do. The Christian life has its own mandated mile that is motivated by God’s law. It is tough to get started on the first mile. Ask any first-century Jew under Roman rule. The first mile interrupts your schedule when you are compelled to perform it. It causes you to swallow your own pride and bear an extra burden. Likewise, often the most difficult part of the Christian life is getting started on the first mile. This is true with almost everything in life, with exercise programs, dieting and scores of other disciplines. Even Scripture memorization! In fact, many try to play leapfrog with Matthew 5:41. That is, they want to enjoy the little extras of the second mile, but they do not want to deal with the requirements of the first mile. There is a miracle mile motivated by love It is this miracle mile that separates certain individuals from others. The second mile is only made possible by being obedient to the first mile. The second mile has a way of brightening our own road. Think about it. Imagine a first-century boy working at his trade. ARoman solider comes by, calls to him and demands that he carry his backpack for one mile down the road. Now, this command interrupts the lad’s whole day and takes him away from his work. But he has no choice. However, this boy is a second miler. They approach the one-mile marker and instead of putting down the pack, spitting on the ground and marching back home, he volunteers to go an extra mile with the soldier. Along the way, he pleasantly asks about life in Rome. The solider is baffled. I have often wondered if that Roman solider at the cross who said, “Truly this was the Son of God,” had had such an experience earlier with a second-mile follower of Christ (Matthew 27:54). Someone who journeys on the miracle mile also has a way of lightening the load of those around them. One cannot travel the second mile without influencing others. It only takes one second miler in a home to change the entire environment. It only takes one second miler on a team or in the office to do the same. This miracle mile, the second mile, is motivated by the love of Christ. Incidentally, the second mile is the mile our Lord Himself walked. He knows the road very well. It was love that took Him on the miracle mile to the cross. Oh, He journeyed the first mile. He stepped out of heaven and into human flesh. He walked the mandated mile that was motivated by the law. He kept every detail of the law. But He also went the second mile, motivated by His own love for us. He who made the stars with a spoken word and formed the universe, the One who formed and fashioned us with His own hands, said, “I love you, and I will walk with you.” But we want our own way. Then He said, “I will go the second mile.” It took Him to the cross where He bore the weight, not of a Roman soldier’s backpack, but of our own sin. And somebody told somebody, and somebody told somebody else, and somebody told Johnny Keeton, and Johnny Keeton told me when I was seventeen years of age. I am not all I ought to be today, but I have never been the same since that day. Meditate on what ways you can go the second mile today. It will brighten your road and lighten someone else’s load. Taken from The Joshua Code by O.S. Hawkins. Copyright © 2012 by Dr. O.S. Hawkins. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. O. S. Hawkins has served pastorates, including the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for more than 25 years. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he has a BBA from Texas Christian University and his MDiv and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For almost a quarter of a century, he served as president of GuideStone Financial Resources, with assets under management of $20 billion, serving 250,000 pastors, church staff members, missionaries, doctors, university professors, and other workers in various Christian organizations with their investment, retirement and benefit service needs. He is the author of more than 50 books, and regularly speaks to business groups and churches all across the nation. All of the author’s royalties and proceeds from the entire Code series go to support Mission:Dignity. You can learn more about Mission:Dignity by visiting MissionDignity.org. - Dr. O.S. Hawkins - President, Guidestone Financial Resources The Second Mile A Roman road
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