Largest Christ ian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • June 2023 • Volume 25, Issue 3
but we’re al We’re ways in not on YOU every c R corn orner, er! “Comm our act it y ions to the Lord, Presid Ging ent and CEO er Martin and ~ Proverbs our plans y 16:3 NLT will succeed.” 4301 N h F d l Hi h www.americannationalb Oakla (954) ank.com ort e era nd Park, Florid 491-7788 g way a 33308
Be the one whose beat goes on. When Doug began having chest pains, he listened to his body and drove himself to the emergency department at (oly Cross Health, where he was quickly treated by their expert heart care team. Doug was surprised to learn that at only 72 he had major blockages in three of his arteries, which led to triple bypass surgery. “I noticed a difference immediately after surgery. I was feeling a lot better and that feeling continued as I participated in cardiac rehab,” Doug said. “I didn’t realize how bad ) was feeling until my heart was fixed.” Today, Doug is active and enjoying life. He quit smoking, watches his sodium and he and his wife work out regularly at the Holy Cross Zachariah Family Wellness Pavilion, where one of Doug’s favorite activities is cycling. The Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Center provides coordinated care for preventing, diagnosing and treating heart and vascular disease. Learn more at Holy-Cross.com/BeRemarkable A Member of Trinity Health Be always seeking, bravely fighting, forever hoping...
PUBLISHER 6 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Interesting thing about perspective; it’s a point of view based on what perch you stand on. The traditional interpretation of proverbs 22:3 in NIV refers to the “prudent” seeing danger and taking refuge. “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. (Proverbs 22:3 NIV). “Wise people see the approach of sin and remove themselves from it, while the naive people walk right into it and suffer the consequences.” So, I’m quite aware my views do not emanate from a one size fits all society, when admonished “just read the book” by one such friend who sees everything from a clear black and white perspective and then wonders why he keeps banging into walls? I’m trending here; prudent and wise, is there more? From the school of “Just read the book,” I’m reminded I have more than one book. I also have my “The Jewish Study Bible” a thick book with thousands of words too. Andthishasyetadifferentperchof thesameproverbs22:3. “The shrewd man saw trouble and took cover; The simple kept going and paid a penalty.” Ok, so now we have prudent, wise and shrewd all describing proverbs 22:3. Being a self-describedMessianic Jew, I relate to shrewd and am working on prudent and wise. I often find myself now in the company of biblical scholars; a far cry from yesteryear where I was more likely to be among socially successful degenerates, but they were motivated to move the proverbial (not proverbs) needle for self-riches and attention, but they also had and still have a social conscious. Howdoyoubalance the two forGod’sglory is my mission? Biblical scholars generally ask questions when interpreting Bible passages with “makes sense, don’t you agree?” It’s not so much a question but simply affirmation, and here lies my quandary. I generally don’t agree without my questions of “why?” It’s not for argumentative reasons; I want to learn and not be a mindless bobblehead, to appear smarter, evenwhen I knowand agree. My friendOmar ismy “trust but verify” guy. He actually authored “God doesn’t move parked cars” when I felt restless, seeking advice. I may simply be a natural born instigator and unable to rationalize any similarities between just showing up without moving something forward. Thus, I need God’s help for sure, but I will keep things in motion shrewdly as prudently and wisely as possible. ______________________________________________ Summer is here, and this is our sixth annual Good News Graduation issue where we have more schools than ever participating, a testament to our growth and the talent and hard work of GN Editor, Shelly Pond pulling it all together while juggling time constraints of various graduations and our own monthly deadlines all converging. CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES! -Les On The Cover Some of the brightest graduates from the area’s Christian high schools gathered in the beautifully renovated lobby and sanctuary of Grace Church, the home of Highlands Christian Academy in Pompano Beach. Pictured in the Back Row: Albert Adams, CoSalutatorian, Boca Raton Christian School; Thomas Poulos, Salutatorian Calvary ChristianAcademy; LoganKaiser, Co-Salutatorian, Boca Raton Christian School; Middle Row: Bryan Santos, Salutatorian, Highlands Christian Academy; Damia Lewin, Salutatorian, Calvary ChristianAcademy Hollywood; LaytonMcCartney, Salutatorian, WestminsterAcademy; Natalie Hill, Valedictorian, Sheridan Hills Christian School; Front Row: Miah Moore, Valedictorian, Highlands Christian Academy; Kaelyn Mena, Salutatorian, Sheridan Hills Christian School; Ellie Farrar, Valedictorian, WestminsterAcademy. Aspecial thanks to Ruth Pirrie for graciously hosting us and to Robert Pinera for your masterful assistance with lighting. Not pictured: Vivian Velasco, Valedictorian, Boca Raton Christian School; Daniel Cuesta, Valedictorian, Calvary Christian Academy; and Reginald Heywood, Valedictorian, Calvary Christian Academy Hollywood. Photo Credit: Robert Wendel www.robwendel.com South Florida Edition • Good News • June 2023 • Volume 25, Issue 3 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 2023. 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] Art Director: Milton McPherson [email protected] Associate Art Director: Joseph Sammaritano [email protected] Social Media Manager: Ariel Feldman [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Eric Solomon [email protected] Cover Photography: Justus Martin [email protected] I’m not a parked car Leslie J. Feldman PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . .8 Shiny Rocks - by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . .10 Franklin Graham: Evil Never Has the Last Word – by Franklin Graham YOU ASKWHY? . . . . . . . 12 Eternal Excuse Exterminator – by Dr. Tommy Boland FROM THE PULPIT . . . .14 Beware of Religious Hypocrisy – by Rev. Dr. O’Neal Dozier PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . .16 Use Your Summer Wisely – by Dr. Bob Barnes & Torrey Roberts GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW 18 - 20 What's the most memorable time you've spent One-on-One with your child - or you with your parent? HEART AND SOUL . . . . .22 PBA Earns Prestigious AACSB Accreditation– by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn GRADUATION SECTION . . . . . . . . .23 - 42 FAITH & VOCATION . . .44 The College Valedictorian who was Voted Most Likely Not to Succeed by Bob Franquiz FOSTERCARE . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Restoration – by Kevin Enders THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Finding Jesus in 1 and 2 Thessalonians – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . .50 Expanded School Choice – William C. Davell, Ed Pozzuoli and Thomas Sternberg ENCOURAGEMENT . . . .52 A Tale of Two Churches – by Omar Aleman VILLAGE HYMNS . . . . . .54 Worship in the New Heavens and Earth by Ryan Brasington INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 What You Should Know About Gen Alpha – by RobHoskins CALENDAR . . . . . . .58 - 59 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . .60 – 63 C O N T E N T S Good News • June • Volume 25 Issue 3
illin W quipped & E eady R istians hr C Th Join v ys veral da s or se hour group for a couple of our faith i as a See the Do You kyard local bac our in y xperience sharin e a meaningful e v Bring y Ha Acts 1:8 ......... and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem [in Miami/Hollywood], and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Ha Homel Miss Fi e CREW! e a real mission g the Gospel ess on eld? or go to 30 y calling olunteer b V .caringplace. www 72-2007 5-5 olunteer org/v
PERSPECTIVE 8 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition A 1986 movie entitled, “The Mission” tells a story of violence, tragedy, sin, penance, forgiveness, conversion and restoration. In one iconic scene the character, mercenary and slaver Rodrigo Mendoza, played by Robert De Niro, must carry a large bag filled with weighted items wherever he went, to signify his sin and his punishment. The burden was excruciating, especially as they journeyed through the harsh rainforest and up the side of a slippery and ferocious waterfall. The climactic scene of the story is when Mendoza is released of his burdens and forgiven for his murderous behavior in view of his enemies by a Jesuit priest named Father Gabriel, played by Jeremy Irons. The score, written by Ennio Morricone only helps capture the emotion of such a scene that captures the incredible Gospel message that we bask in every day. I, as many of us do, often look at my life as one long journey, and like so many journeys filled with adventure. I think about the trips I have taken that often act as a metaphor of real life. They have involved every imaginable and unimaginable experience. I have been lost and delayed; I have booked wrong flights, missed flights and have had cancelled flights. I have run out of gas; I have had flat tires, accidents and near misses. I have traveled alone, with a small group and with large crowds. I have traveled because I had too, and I have traveled because I wanted to. I have had short trips and long trips, and I have had sick trips. In essence I can say, like most of you, that I have had my fill of experiences in journeying through life. One aspect of any journey that takes some planning is the question we all ask and that is, “what will I take on my journey?” For example, if my journey is a simple errand to the grocery store, I will ask myself, “Do I have my car keys, wallet and my grocery list?” (shoes and a shirt are a good idea too, unless you live in Pompano). However, if I am traveling overseas, for an extended amount of time, my list will be much more comprehensive. Too much or too little? Have you ever taken too little or too much on a trip? I remember going on a two-week trip to the Dominican Republic with a group of young people. The trip was labeled a mission trip, meaning that it was focused on serving the community, living in sparse conditions, cold showers and very basic food. We were required to pack thoroughly, including bringing our own sheets and towels. I had asked Lisa, my beloved wife and former packer, to pack for me (you learn that lesson only once). Upon arrival and unpacking there were no sheets or towels. For two weeks I begged and borrowed sheets and towels from everyone… NEVER AGAIN. Now, sometimes I get obsessed when I pack and probably overpack a little… some of my many issues. What has God required of me when I journey with Him? God makes many promises to us as we journey. He makes a big one by saying that He never leaves us… nor does He turn His back on us. Therefore, I never journey alone. He also commands us to stay on the path, follow Him and not be distracted by that which leads us off the path. I like the fact that the Bible helps me understand what I need to pack when I follow Jesus on a journey. Honestly, not much. He asks for a willing heart, obedience, a surrendered spirit. Frankly, we don’t even have to be prepared for the trip… He prepares us as we go. He warns us about what not to take, such as bad attitudes, jealousy, lust, anger, greed, selfishness, and the list goes on (most of it found in the 10 commandments). Shiny rocks However, I find that sometimes along the path there are all kinds of little things that catch my eye, my attention. I call these distractions “shiny rocks.” The shiny rocks beg you to pick them up and put them in your pocket. I do this for no apparent reason except that they are shiny, and I think they may be valuable… in the future. The problem is that as I walk and keep putting these shiny rocks into my pockets and backpack, the weight gets heavier and heavier, and the journey becomes more and more difficult. My burden is getting too much. I begin to complain about the journey. I fall behind. I get winded. I get angry with God and ask him why are we even taking the journey, and I begin to entertain the idea that the journey is not worth it, or that I am not cut out for it. The reality is I am fine. I just have a pocket full of shiny rocks that He never asked me to pick up. I need to get rid of the shiny rocks and get back to what God asked me to take… again, very little. Have you ever panned for rubies in North Carolina (can I say RIP OFF)? I once did this experience with my young daughter but went into the store, bought a bunch of fake rubies, hid them in the bucket of sand we just paid $20 for and then celebrated with her when she found a ruby… the one I placed there. By the way, this gig is a racket. Let me see… how can I get a pile of dirt, have people pay me to sift it into a pile of sand and stones and then sell the sifted sand and rocks to people and call it a family experience… brilliant? Sometimes life feels like that… a rip off. Therefore, as Mendoza experienced in his journey, the burden was too heavy. He had created this with his bad behavior, poor decisions and stubborn heart. However, he increasingly realized that the burden was too difficult, and when he was released from this burden, he wept like a baby. The tears were cleansing tears. The years of a hard heart, a heavy heart and burdened heart were released by the understanding that he was able to take the journey of life and do it without carrying so many burdens. Do you understand that God has released you of these burdens? We celebrate this season, frankly our entire Christian lives, everyday recognizing that in our strength the shiny rocks look inviting and valuable only to bring us to ruin. What shiny rocks are in your pockets? What shiny rocks are you enticed to pick up right now? The process of letting go of the shiny rocks is not as complicated as it may appear, and you are not alone. Perhaps we start by acknowledging that we have them, and we need to be freed. Then it’s time to weep with joy. Therefore, let’s use the summer months to find a little extra time to consider the journey we are on, paying special attention to what we are carrying, some things need to be protected and some things need to be ejected. 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 Shiny Rocks
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10 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD Our nation was shocked on a spring day in March, when a shooter broke into a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, and slaughtered three students and three staff members. The three students at The Covenant School, run by Covenant Presbyterian Church, were just 9 years old, and the three adults who died included the headmaster, a custodian and a substitute teacher. One of the students was the daughter of the church’s pastor. Thanks to the heroic actions of officers from the Metro Nashville Police Department, further bloodshed was avoided. They responded within 13 minutes, swept through classrooms and ran toward the gunshots they heard from the second floor. In just two more minutes, those officers took down the killer. They were true heroes. Almost immediately, the clamor began in the national media for stricter gun controls. I have my own opinions on that, but my concern goes much, much deeper. Sadly, the Nashville shooter was a former student at the Christian school, who identified as a transgender man—that is, a female who is seeking to be a male. As I have said before, there is no such thing as a transgender person, only those who are deceived by the sexual culture of our day, which tells a person they can try and live as the opposite sex from what God created them to be. Police Chief John Drake said the shooter was under the care of a doctor for an “emotional disorder” perhaps related to the well-documented issues associated with “gender dysphoria.” But it is evil in the heart of all men and women that lies at the bottom of what happened that terrible day and what is plaguing our country. The Bible says, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). We keep searching for solutions to violence and innumerable moral and cultural problems, but at the root of such dark behavior is a heart controlled by sin and evil. Though our so-called enlightened society would like to deny it, the evil intentions of a sinful heart and soul are responsible for wicked behavior. “From their callous hearts comes iniquity” (Psalm 73:7, NIV). Since the fall of mankind in the garden, sin has plagued the human race, every person of every generation. We are born separated and alienated from a holy God who hates every form of evil. We are sinners who have fallen far short of the glory of God. Thank God for the Good News of Jesus Christ that can transform our hearts through the new birth! Jesus can take the worst of sinners — as the Apostle Paul described himself — and totally change that person from the inside out, through repentance and faith in the saving work of Christ on the cross. In Him, we become new creatures with new natures and with new desires to please the Savior. God powerfully rescues us from the grip of the evil one. The transformation of a sinful heart is only possible through the redemptive work of Christ! And while some in the media instantly began to mock prayer as a useless tool against evil, I believe we should turn all the more to prevailing, persistent prayer for America. We are dealing with supernatural forces, and it will take the supernatural power of godly prayer if we hope to turn the tide of wickedness. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). That’s why I was so encouraged that on May 4, the National Day of Prayer, Christians across America called on Almighty God for help. The Bible tells us that when times are evil, prayer still works. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). When believers gather to seek God’s mercy and help, God hears and answers according to His wisdom and will. The National Day of Prayer was authorized by President Harry S. Truman in 1952, three months before I was born. My father was honorary chairman in 2001, and my sister Anne, my son Will, and I have also had the privilege of leading the annual event. Prayer is powerful because God sovereignly rules over people, nations and empires. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence.” So, until God calls us to Himself, let us be men and women of prevailing prayer, for ourselves, our families, our cities and towns, and our country. Who knows when God in His mercy and grace will hear our petitions and heal our land. Believers who have trusted Christ as their Savior also can be assured that evil — no matter how tragic and terrible — never has the last word. Christ triumphed over sin, death and the devil through His death, burial and resurrection. Romans 8:28 stands firm: “And we know that all things [including evil] work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Remember Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned for almost 13 years. After God raised him to second-in-command in all of Egypt by His providential hand, he exclaimed to his brothers: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). God’s coming Kingdom was inaugurated at Calvary and will one day be consummated when our Lord returns. And make no mistake, when Christ does come again, it will be to totally eradicate all evil and rebellion against Him: “taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth, where no trace of evil remains and where righteousness dwells forever. What a day that will be! Unless otherwise specified, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. The Scripture quotation marked NIV is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version. ©2023 BGEADecision magazine, May 2023; ©2023 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association FranklinGraham: Evil Never Has the Last Word “It will take the supernatural power of godly prayer if we hope to turn the tide of wickedness. ”
12 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition YOU ASK WHY Eternal Excuse Exterminator “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6). Excuses! Excuses! Excuses! Since sin entered into humanity during the Fall in the Garden of Eden, we have become experts at making excuses for not listening to God’s voice and answering God’s call in our lives. Excuses are self-crippling defense mechanisms that we use to justify our refusal to respond to God’s call. On the surface, the excuses we make can seem reasonable and right. But make no mistake, excuses are the enemy from living a life of Christian excellence. Did you know the Bible is full of stories of people God used for His glory who started out by making every excuse imaginable in order to keep from answering God’s call in their lives. From rationalizing their disobedience to simply refusing to answer their call, our Eternal Excuse Exterminator overcame every objection, every plea, every excuse and used these excuse-making individuals as “inspired instruments” of eternal change in His Mighty Right Hand. Here is a very brief overview of just four of those biblical characters that I pray will encourage and empower you to forsake any excuse standing in your way today. Moses Moses was born a Hebrew and was raised an Egyptian. But when Moses was forty as a prince in Egypt, he tried to free his people from bondage to slavery in Egypt. But his people did not receive him as their deliverer, and he spent the next forty years as a fugitive on the back side of the Midian desert. You see, God had to do a work in Moses before He could do a work through Moses. At eighty, God called Moses to return to Egypt to deliver His people out of their slavery, and he responded to God with every excuse in the book: ✓ I don’t know who I am! ✓ I don’t know who You are! ✓ The people will not believe me! ✓ I have a speech impediment! ✓ Please just send someone else! God was patient with Moses and after he had exhausted every excuse he could think of, God exterminated every excuse and replaced Moses’ fear with faith and the rest is HIS-STORY. Gideon When God calls Gideon, he is threshing grain secretly in a winepress, hiding from the Midianites who were oppressing God’s people. God wants to use Gideon to free his people from the Midianites who had incorporated much of their pagan culture into the way of life for God’s people. Gideon tries to excuse himself with one fearful response after another, from family obligations to time constraints. Then he even puts God to his “fleece test,” which God gladly accepts. In the end, God uses Gideon and only 300 men to defeat the Midian army of 135,000. Jeremiah God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, not a priest like his grandfather or father. God wants to use Jeremiah as His spokesman to declare the truth of God’s Word to the people. Jeremiah gives one of the same excuses that Moses tried to use on God, “I do not know how to speak” (Jeremiah 1:6). He adds to that the fact that he is only a youth, lacking the experience and expertise for such a call in his life. But God is having none of it. God promises to be with his prophet wherever He sends Him and promised to give Jeremiah His words to speak to the people. As with Moses, God did not need his oratory skills, simply their obedience. Jonah God told Jonah, “Go to the city of Nineveh,” the capital of the Assyrian Kingdom, and preach His Word against their wickedness. Jonah said “No” and boarded a ship that took him in the opposite direction of God’s call in his life. The Ninevites were an idolatrous, proud, cruel and wicked enemies of God’s people and Jonah hated them with a passion. Jonah did not share any of God’s concerns for this lost people. He could not conceive how God would want to be gracious to them in any way. Jonah did not understand the “missionary” heart of God. So God chased down His reluctant prophet with a storm and a great fish, and in the end empowered Jonah to go and preach to this pagan people and the entire city became believers in the One True Living God. Ben Franklin once wrote, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Excuses are designed to keep us in our comfort zones. Yet, the end of every excuse can be found in one faithful fact – God was with them. You see, God does not call the equipped. None of these biblical characters were equipped and none of us are equipped for the call God places in our lives. God simply equips those He calls and promises to be with them every step of the way in order to live out their call for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom in this world. Are there any excuses still standing in your way? Perhaps you see some glaring weakness in your life or lack of education or experience. We will always have two choices in life as it relates to God’s call: we can make an excuse to God or make an impact for God. It is either one or the other. Remember, following a God-inspired call in your life requires that you step out into the unknown. Coming up with excuses for not answering your call is lurking deep within our natural self. But God is calling you up out of the natural and into the supernatural where He will overcome every excuse and use you for His glory and the expansion of His kingdom. Are you ready to answer God’s call in your life today? If not you, who? If not now, when? This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! Dr. Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach (www.thecrosscc.org). He blogs regularly at tommyboland.com. - Tommy Boland - Cross Community Church Pastor
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FROM THE PULPIT 14 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Did you know that the most significant matters of the Mosaic law (even man’s law) are judgment, mercy and faith? Yes, this fact is substantiated in Matthew 23:23 by our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. InMatthew 23:23, we find Christ Jesus criticizing the scribes and Pharisees, who were the biblical conservative leaders of the Jewish people, for omitting the weightier matters of the law, which are judgment, mercy and faith. Again, this fact is substantiated in Matthew 23:23, where Christ Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” For your complete comprehension and understanding of Matthew 23:23, let us break said scripture down to its least common denominator, by translating from the original Greek text and it’s dictionary, because the New Testament was originally written in Greek. Here, Christ Jesus began his teaching with the word “Woe,” which is defined in the original Greek text as “a primary exclamation of grief.” This tells us that He was expressing His grief and disappointment in the scribes and Pharisees. The scribes were writers and town clerks (lawyers) in that day, and the Pharisees were an exclusively religious group known as separatists, who were also teachers of the law. Christ Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites because they were very strict and precise in the small matters of the law, such as paying tithes of mint and anise and cumin, which are garden herbs, but omitted the weightier matters of the law, which are judgment, mercy and faith. When translated from the original Greek text, the word “omitted” means to forsake and to lay aside. You see, the scribes and Pharisees had forsaken and laid aside the weightier matters of the law. In essence, the scribes and Pharisees practiced hypocrisy, which means, having a pretense of virtue; or a failure to follow one’s own expressed principles. The word “of” here in said text means proceeding or coming from the law, which tells us that these weightier matters are stated in the law. Remember, Christ Jesus told us in Matthew 5:17 that he came to fulfill (complete) the law and not to destroy the law. Now, the weightier matters of the law, according to the original Greek text, are the most weighty and more important matters because they are most expressive of inward holiness in the heart. In essence, Christ Jesus is telling us that these weightier matters trump the law itself in terms of importance. Weightier matters Now, let us fully analyze these three weightier matters of the law. The first two of these are “judgment” and “mercy.” When translated from the original Greek text, the word “judgment” means justice, which is impartiality and fairness. And “mercy” when translated from the original Greek text means compassion, which is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. You see, God expects for us to show impartiality, fairness, compassion, sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others, especially for the poor and when judging others. A perfect biblical example of the application of the first two weightier matters of the law is found in John 8:3-11, where the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Christ Jesus who was caught in the very act of adultery. Christ Jesus acquitted her because of the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. Christ Jesus acquitted her because the scribes and Pharisees did not apply the weightier matters of the law to the woman and her criminal act. That is to say, they did not show impartiality and fairness towards the woman. Also, they did not show her any mercy, which again is compassion and sympathetic pity, but they, like the rest of us, plead to God and others to show us mercy, compassion and sympathetic pity. They did not accuse the man of adultery, but they brought the woman to Christ Jesus, hoping to entrap Him by getting Him to contradict the law of Moses in order for them to accuse Himof breaking the law of Moses, “but Christ Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground (dirt), as though he heard them not,” to signify to them how dirty and lowdown they were. In the midst of them trying to get Christ Jesus to contradict Moses, “he lifted up himself and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And they beginning with the eldest of them dropped their stones and walked away, “being convicted by their own conscience.” Christ Jesus told the woman to “go, and sin no more.” Don’t be like the scribes and Pharisees Wemust be very careful to not be like the scribes and Pharisees, who were partial (bias) in the law (Malachi 2:9). We must remember that God requires “mercy,” not sacrifice; Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” God also requires us to practice justice, fairness, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God; Micah 6:8 “He has shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God?” Zachariah 7:9-10, tells us how we must treat our fellow man in order for us not to be a hypocrite; “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother; And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger (foreigner), nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Faith The last of the three weightier matters of the law is “faith.” When translated from the original Greek text “faith” means, moral conviction of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God and reliance upon Christ for salvation. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him (God).” To be saved we must have faith in Christ Jesus (God). Christ Jesus tells us that the soul of the hypocrite will go to hell; Matthew 24:51 “And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” By faith, this will not happen because we believe that our prayers for the hypocrites will cause them to repent and be saved. Rev. Dr. O’Neal Dozier is pastor of The Worldwide Christian Center. Visit twwcc.org Beware Of Religious Hypocrisy - Rev. Dr. O’Neal Dozier - Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center Vienna, Austria. "Christ and the Adulteress" by Tizian or Titian (1488-1576).
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16 JUNE 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING Every time we head into a summer, and a school year, the reality of how short a time we have with our children hits me. We have 13 summers with them at home under our roof, and goodness it goes by so quickly. A wise parent once told me, “The days are long, but the years are short.” That is such a true statement! Because of this, it is imperative that we use our summers wisely. We need to use them to create memories, for family time but also for training. One of the ways we can use our summertime is to teach them about money and business sense. Teach your children about business Much of the book of Proverbs is wisdom of a father being passed down to his son. In reality, Proverbs is one of the first parenting books. Much of Proverbs offers advice about money and how to handle business. That alone should be a parent’s clue about the importance of teaching children about business. Generations ago, children grew up working for the family-owned business and learned how to handle the business of the farm or the general store. They had on-the-job training from an early age. Today, are we training a child to handle business transactions or are most children left to be eaten alive by the sharks of sales? Parents must prepare the next generation how to speak up and negotiate proper business deals. If not, our offspring will become sitting ducks for the shysters and schemers who are lying in wait for the business illiterates. In this world of big corporations, parents might not be able to bring their children into their business world. However, parents can certainly bring business transactions into the world of the family. It is important to teach our children how to negotiate business deals even if they are only parent/child transactions. Opportunities to make money Every weekend, my son had the chore of washing his mother’s car. Our philosophy was we never paid our children to do their household chores. Their payment was the fact that they got to eat and had a place to sleep. They were family members and that meant they had to pitch in and help. However, there were always extra opportunities for our children to make money. When my son went out to wash his mother’s car, which was one of his monthly chores, I often asked him if he wanted to make a little money and wash my car. “After all, you already have the bucket and the hose out.” This is where the training began. “Why not wash my car and make a little extra money while you’re at it?” My son would follow my offer with a question, “How much would I make?” In other words, how much was I offering to pay him to wash my car? I always started by offering less than the job was worth. It was not just the car that I wanted washed. I wanted to take care of teaching my son how to negotiate a business deal, how to speak up, and how to ask for what is fair. There are so many people that have not gotten a proper pay increase because they do not know how to ask. They deserved a raise, and they see other people getting a pay raise, but they just do not know how to approach their boss and ask. Business, however, is not all about making money. Much of business is about taking and negotiating. "Five dollars,” I would answer. “I’ll pay you five dollars to wash my car.” “What?” he would respond, acting as frustrated as he could, “It cost more than that to get your car washed by a machine at the gas station, and they don’t do it by hand.” Then he would begin negotiating. “I think since I’m going to wash your car by hand and even dry it by hand, it’s worth at least $20.00, don’t you?” That is when we would haggle back-and-forth until we agreed on a specific amount of money. I will never forget the time I had just returned from Orlando and the front of my car was covered with bugs. That was the day he discovered the law of supply and demand. I desperately needed my car washed and he knew it was worth more to me than the usual amount. Was I mad at him for taking advantage of me? Not at all! He was already washing his mom’s car and doing all his other chores for free. This was a separate business deal, and he knew he had me. It was training at its best and it was great. Teach your children to speak up and then take advantage of other teaching opportunities. When their school is selling something, do not do it for them. Teach them how to ask…how to make the sale. Let them learn to speak up when selling Girl Scout cookies or school candy. They will learn to deal with the disappointment of rejection, as well as the elation of making the sale. Teach your children to be fair and generous At the same time, teach your children to be fair and even generous to the people around them. Years ago a man knocked on our door and offered to pressure clean our walkways, and deck for a certain amount of money. I knew the amount he offered was much too low for the job. I accepted his offer, and when he was done, I paid him more than he asked for. When one of my children asked why I paid him more, I told them that I did it for two reasons. First of all, to be fair towards others; it is the right thing to do. Second, because it is good to be generous towards others. Being fair and generous towards others makes for good business. Children need to learn how to speak up and not only make the sale, but also negotiate the contract. They need to learn to talk in a winsome way, looking the potential buyer in the eye, and at the same time be respectful. These are skills for adults to have, but more important, these are skills for parents to teach their children. God gives each of us skills to use for His glory and for our own livelihood. It is important to be taught how to be good stewards of what God has given. Business is just one more arena where it is important for a child to be taught how to deal in the world without acting like to world. Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries Use Your Summer Wisely
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School is out for summer, creating a prime opportunity for parents to eke out some quality time with their kids. Other than a family vacation, parenting experts agree that spending One-on-One time with your children can be beneficial. This month Good News Wants to Know... What's the most memorable time you've spent Oneon-One with your child - or you with your parent - not on a family trip? Theresa and I have raised three that are now married and have their own children. I've had special one-on-one moments with each one over the years. However, my son, Matt and I, when he was small, would walk up to the convenience store close to our house, and on our way back we would always sit at our "secret" place and eat our ice-cream before walking home. We told each other that no one would ever know where this "secret" place of ours was. We had the most amazing talks at that personal spot that just he and I knew about. Now Matt has three of his own and to this day we still talk about our "secret" little place that was just for him and his papa. That was ever so, so special. Parents, remember, as it relates to our kids, one day the little things of life will become the big things of life. Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Fidel Gomez, Assistant Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale On this one I went to my kids and asked them. Our son: "Those hockey tournaments and early practices and games really stand out to me. Especially the games we lost. You taught me how to get back up and keep going and that win or lose you were proud of me." Our daughter: "I really appreciate you taking me on dates growing up. As a teenager, the hands down most pivotal moment was when you showed up in the matching lime green tie to my senior prom dress & danced with me when I had no date." William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott, Attorneys at Law Rivers is now 8. We love playing basketball together. I expect him to finally beat me one day in the Year 2037. Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting Building legos and also cooking. Both provided time for great conversation and creativity. Char Talmadge, Executive Director, Rescue Upstream One of the most memorable days that I spent with my mother was a few years ago on her birthday. She joined me for the groundbreaking of the Four Season on Fort Lauderdale Beach. We followed that with a wonderful lunch at S3 at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach, catching up on how she took my brother and me to swim practice at the Swimming Hall of Fame at that same beach many years before. The culmination of the day was asking her if she would like to join me at a political event to meet Senator Ted Cruz, which was set up by a friend of mine Dr. Jeffrey Feingold who just recently passed away. Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 100 I have been able to take each of my boys on several one-on-one trips. I did the Passport to Purity with each of them and those were great times of studying God’s word and building lastingmemories with a purpose. I also have taken them individually on trips to spend time together, to have intentional conversations and just hang out together exploring, visiting a city and bonding. I love that I have these memories that today we can talk about and laugh together. Chris Lane, President, First Priority of South Florida The parenting experts are certainly right, but some of the most memorable moments with my children have come not in the context of an event or a fun escape but during the critical turning points in their lives. Those hours when my unique wiring as a father came directly into play. Those minutes when another's words or mingling of tears would not have sufficed. Those seconds of shared quiet. Praise God for those once-in-a-lifetime moments together. Chris Simpson, President, CBMC International My one-on-one times with my kids usually happen as often as once a week for breakfast lunch or dinner when we get to share a meal and conversation on any topic they want at a restaurant of their choice. Also, I try to do one-on-one trips with each of my children. The boys have outpaced the girls with lots of fishing and hunting trips since my daughters are not as keen on those types of activities. Having that type of time is easily as important as any golf game, business lunch or even Bible study or church activity. H. Collins Forman, Jr., PA My most memorable time with my mom was when I left the mission field to take care of her through twenty years of physical challenges: two broken hips, two broken shoulders, quintuple bypass heart surgery, a stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia and macular degeneration. We grew closer than we'd ever been as our Lord challenged me to love my "porcupine mom" into His Kingdom. He did a mighty work in her heart. At 92, she finally forgave everyone in her life and went "Home" gloriously. I had the privilege of being at her side as she breathed her last earth-air and first heaven-air. I saw a vision of her running to Jesus and presenting him the flower bouquet I had placed in her hands. "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints." (Ps. 116:15) Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship As my pioneer parents were in the sunset of their lives after serving 38 years as Medical Missionaries in the bush ofAfrica, I would spend afternoons with themasking what it was like to have 4 kids off the grid, hundreds of miles from a city surrounded by dangers. The theme of their answers was always: “The safest and most exciting place to be, is in the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Those were special conversations. Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Chip LaMarca Chris Lane Chris C. Simpson William “Bill” C. Davel Bob Denison Char Talmadge Wants to Know… - Fidel Gomez -
t t f r c f r t p When my oldest son was in eighth grade, he was allowed to go to Costa Rica with the high school kids that were connected to the church. It's a long story, but when they landed in Costa Rica, the Pastor of the church they were staying at walked up to my son, and said that God was asking him to pray for this one particular boy! The Pastor laid hands on him. My son broke into tears and literally passed out. When he woke up he knew that he had seen God! The entire youth group was spellbound! On my way home from Miami from picking him up at the airport. Neither one of us could drive on I-95 for more than a fewmiles without breaking down into tears and having to pull over and give each other a hug. It is a much longer story, but it was the most moving example of the Holy Spirit coming into a person I've ever experienced! He changed both of us for the rest of our lives! Fred Scarbrough, DVM, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and HOPE South Florida Taking my two daughters to a Daddy Daughter Dance. I may not be the best dancer, but I was on cloud nine with my two daughters all dressed up for a night with their daddy. I got a little glimpse of how proud God is of us. Jesse Carroccio, Station Manager, WRMB, Moody Radio My daughter and I travel together often. Each trip adds wonderful memories to our story! One in particular was a long weekend turned longer in NYC in the dead of winter! Due to snow our flights were canceled so we enjoyed more precious time together seeing the sites, shopping and incredible food! More than grateful! Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty A recent memorable moment with my daughters was totally unplanned and spontaneous, and it turned out so fantastic beyond expectation. The three of us engaged during a regular drive to do errands. We pulled over to sit on the sand and watch the sunset. The conversation that ensued was so meaningful because it was raw and vulnerable, and it was evident that it came from places of vulnerability with one another. Minutes turned into hours, and then we lost track of time, such a sweet time together. Dr. Jessica Vera, President, Chief Executive Officer, Elite Foundation The fondest of memories is my father taking me to a NY Mets baseball game. It was a fun outing. Larry Lacy, Pastor, The Answer Church Actually it was when my son was no longer a child. He was in college and had finished at California State of Dominguez Hills. After graduation he got an internship in the Prosthetics Department of Oklahoma University. He asked me to come help himmove. I flew out to California and helped pack his car. We drove straight through on Route 66 (very interesting) and we had a great mom and son trip. We slept at some roadside places and at one McDonalds parking lot at 4 a.m. We were so tired we took some shut eye til a policeman knocked on our window….scared me…and asked us to keep moving. We laughed about that one. When we got to OK he had pre scoped out some rental places on-line. We found a place in 24 hours and in the next 36 hours he was set up ready to go on his next journey of life. We both have talked about this experience many times and cherish each moment we had together. It was a MOM and SON time that was priceless. Marilyn Brummitt, VP, The Caring Place I remember as a young girl my father used to read the Sunday "funnies" (cartoons) to me as I sat on his lap. This time was very special to me and made me feel safe and loved. Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary Having raised five children, the youngest of whom is in her mid-30’s, I find it hard to pick out one memorable moment with one child. And even if I could, I would probably offend the other four! So, I will pivot to my 15-year-old granddaughter, Emma. She was my first and only grandchild for 8 years. Last year she was taking a dance class and part of their performance was the Daddy-Daughter Dance. Her daddy, my son, was going to be out of town during that time and Emma asked me to pinch hit. Her mom told me not to feel pressured to do it. (Apparently, my lack of dancing skill was well known). But I replied, “Emma has been leading me around by the hand since she was born, she might as well do it to music.” We went through a month or more of rehearsals, once a week, culminating in the big performance. We have a photo of me doing a lift with Emma to commemorate the event. I never danced better nor enjoyed it more! Mike McDermott, PA, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, The Keyes Company My sweetest memories were my summer one-on-one reading times with my boys. Sitting together in our big chair, we would read aloud together books like Gentle Ben, The Yearling, Where the Red Fern Grows, Summer of the Monkeys and Lord of the Rings. These books took us on adventures filled with laughter and sometimes tears. Not only did our reading time give the boys a love for reading, but it also created a bond betweenme and each of them that has only deepened over time. Now they’re adults and they both still love reading. I only wish I could still read with them! Oksana Horton, Creative Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company Wants to Know… H. Collins Forman Deborah Cusick Don Campion Fred Scarbrough Jesse Carroccio Helen Wayner Jessica Vera Larry Lacy Marilyn Brummitt Mary Drabik Mike McDermott Oksana Horton
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