Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • February 2024 • Volume 25, Issue 11
Love Your Home xoxoxo Complete Remod 616 W Oakland Pa Allied Kitchen & B eling and Design Service da ark Blvd. I Fort Lauder oom Bath Showr es ale w Licen www.alliedkitchena 95 ed nsed and Insur ndbath.com 54.564.1611 Residential General Contractor – 85CGC1225CX
Rapid Cardiac Care in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Introducing MD ASAP Cardiology at Holy Cross Health. From irregular heartbeats to dizziness, when it comes to matters of the heart, speed is critical. The MD ASAP Cardiology team at Holy Cross Health is here for rapid response to non-emergency Cardiac conditions, encompassing everything from screening and evaluation to treatment. Learn more at HolyCrossHeart.com or call 954.542.2560
PH HARMAC Y W WITHFAIT H todevelo L s on op se H us d L s o develop se A focu The Lloyd A focus on to develop se The Lloyd L. ervant leaders who a l e in need, l M l of Ph ar Ph n serving those in need Gregory Scho HAR G n se A Gre erva HARMA n serving those in need, l ervant leaders who ar Gregory School of Ph tient care advoc almBeac CYW o oca g ac e advo and across the gl at P lm Be C acy t ti locally A ma re harm re pat ACYW locally and across the glo re patient care advoca harmacy at P ates through: ough: tlantic Unive sity rou H obe A ntic Un WIT chAla s t A ch WITH tlantic University WITH AT on AI missi F is on m FAITH is on mission rainin ersit atient-b M di lS P arm eoffera stu a sity in nt gst ic tra nt-b S ng Pharm Diversity i atient ba g istic ffer T tra Holis P W Training stu Diversity in Patient-ba Holistic tra ith e off W er a understand an n a nced pharma d ph sed and team-based l hC t ti t Pharm.D./MB and dual . d lear pha macy pr integrated ph d dua stand and udents to u grate and in d and teamn advan aining a D ent m.D se n ad inin ududents to understand and n advanced pharmacy pr sed and team-based lear aining and integrated pha PB i hC t ti ngage with professiona ce expe portun BA d pr a s na es ses g with profess erience course unities o cotherapy c opp along ge with pr gram, al rning arma ractice mac A d en pro d engage with professiona xperiences ractice e rning opportunities armacotherapy courses d t program, along A al advocacy c mpassion in quipp s N ca da' NA Medical S consis LE ently n NAPLE ical S o ica L ent are co with edi a areers eq o Florid compassion, in careers equipp Florida's NAPLE are consistently with a . novation and lea n and leadersh or their pat and am ped to x d be EX licensure e op-perform PBA y among the . hip atien perform on y among panish C to care for vation and le Concentratio EX licen Spa no y am pan ed EX novation and leadership ped to care for their patien and be xam top-perform Spanish Concentration ith egin th grad heir duates nts wit ing in e A ad nts with egin their A graduates pba.edu | 5 LEARN MO 561.803.2751 ORE
5K RUN / 3 1 WALK EVERYONE FUNFOR YOGA OBSTACLE COURSE FITNESS CLASSES LE YER ALK 1-MI PRA W 5K RUN / 3.1 WALK Centra l Broward Region nal Park VOLLEYBALL PICKLEBALL SOCCER BASKETBALL STRETCH DATE! NEW March 2 2024 Saturday, BAD BOYS BAR-B-Q VENDOR BOOTHS INTERACTIVES FUN ZONE bigcardio org NOW! REGISTER COFFEE March 2, 2024 BENEFITTING bigcard dio.org
In preparation for this month, I endeavor to take a break from the depressing world news. It will still be there while I take a breather and look to the lighter and brighter side of things. I like to watch and listen to classic videos of the late Reverend Billy Graham; that voice, his echo chamber delivery, the tall handsome silhouette behind the microphone and the welldelivered word and wit so distinctly Billy Graham. From time to time, I share the videos with friends. Unfortunately, most are in black and white, and they are a bit spotty due to 1950-70’s technology, but the message and BG delivery more than compensate to be treasured and shared. Funny things were bound to happen over six-plus decades of worldwide ministry. Here are a few humorous accounts from the life of Billy Graham, as retold by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at BGEA.org Directionally Challenged? Billy Graham once told about the time in a small town when he asked a boy how to get to the post office. After getting directions, Mr. Graham invited him to come to his Crusade that evening. “You can hear me telling everyone how to get to heaven,” he told the boy. The boy’s response: “I don’t think I’ll be there. You don’t even know your way to the post office.” Riding the Elevator “I was coming down on an elevator with some friends of mine and a man got on about the fifth floor and said, ‘I hear Billy Graham is on this elevator,’ and one of my friends pointed in my direction and said, ‘Yes, there he is.’ “The man looked me up and down for about 30 seconds and he said, ‘My, what an anticlimax.’” A Comment from the Crowd Billy liked to tell the story of a pastor who said in a sermon, “Apart from Christ, there was never a perfect man.” Someone in the congregation interrupted him, saying, “Oh yes, there was. My wife’s first husband!” Watermelons “I heard about a man some time ago who had a watermelon patch, and some young rascals in the community were stealing him blind. “So he said, ‘All right, I’ll get ’em.’ So he put up a sign in his watermelon patch that said, ‘One of these melons is poison.’ He went to bed and got up the next morning, and sure enough they hadn’t stolen a watermelon. Everything was the same, except the sign had been changed. It now read, ‘Two of these watermelons is poison.'” A Great Impact Some years ago I was on a plane, and sitting across from me was the mayor of Charlotte, John Belk. There was a man sitting near us who was obviously intoxicated. He was acting boisterous and rude, bothering people around him, harassing the flight attendants and even trying to pinch women who made their way down the aisle. Trying to distract him and perhaps calm him down, John Belk tapped him on the shoulder, pointed in my direction, and said, “Do you know who’s sitting right there?” “Who?” the man answered. “That’s Billy Graham.” The man jumped from his seat, came over to me with his hand extended, and said enthusiastically, “Put ‘er there, Reverend. Your preaching has done me so much good!” Hit Me Again “I heard about a man who was supposed to preach for 20 minutes, and he spoke for 30 and 40 and 50. An hour and 20 minutes later he was still speaking. The man who introduced him couldn’t stand it any longer and he picked up a gavel and threw it at the speaker. It missed the speaker and hit a man in the front row, and as the man in the front row was going into subconsciousness, he said, ‘Hit me again, I can still hear him.’” This month we cover feature a serious subject: Kids that age out of Foster care. We as a society scantly provide some basic care for effected children who enter the portal of foster care mostly through the court system from abuse, neglect or abandonment, and when they turn 18, they are cut loose into society on their own, with little to no money, no safe place to live and ill prepared with no visible safety net. Please read this month’s feature about Big Children’s Foundation and the incredibly impactful work they are doing. The story starts on page 28. - Les PUBLISHER 6 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition South Florida Edition • Good News • February 2024 • Volume 25, Issue 11 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 in more 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 2024. 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] Leslie J. Feldman PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . .8 Dirty Truth – by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . .10 Chaos, Conflict and the Hope of the Gospel – by Franklin Graham CHURCH UNITED . . . . . .12 Healthy Leaders, Thriving Churches, Flourishing Cities – by Edwin Copeland PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . .14 Keeping Your Parenting Balance by – Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts MARRIAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Rings Are Significant – by Lisa May FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . .18 Ignite Hope in the Lives of Others – by Kevin Enders HEART AND SOUL . . . . .20 Building Dreams: PBA's Transformative Journey into the Future – by Dr. Debra Schwinn THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 The Pattern of Prayers – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . .24 - 26 If you won a trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the Museum of the Bible, who would you take and why? COVER STORY . . . . .28 – 29 BiG Children’s Foundation to Open Education Center for Teens in Foster Care – by Shelly Pond YOU ASK WHY? . . . . . . . 30 Insights from Forrest Gump – by Dr. Tommy Boland FAITH AND VOCATION 32 The Lord’s Providential Care for Us – by Dr. Gary Cohen LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Yes, Copyright Laws Do Apply to Churches (and Other Non-Profits) – by William “Bill” C. Davell and Stephanie Mazzola INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 How to Spot Potential – by Rob Hoskins ENCOURAGEMENT . . . .38 Are You Carrying a Concealed Weapon? – by Omar Aleman YOU ASK WHY? . . . . . . . 40 Insights from Forrest Gump – by Dr. Tommy Boland WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . 42 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 CALENDAR . . . . . . . .50 - 51 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . .52 - 55 Take It Easy On The Cover BiG Childrens Foundation Board Members stand before the artist’s rendering of their Education Center for At-Risk Youth Opening in the fall 2024. Pictured from left to right: Carolina Wiebe, Owner/Architect, Create-Dwell Architecture LLC; David P. Lhota, Intellectual Property Attorney, Lhota & Associates, P.A.; Laetitia Marro, Owner/Project Manager, Marro’s Roofing; Jackie Maestri, VP, Global Services and Enterprise Transformations, Johnson and Johnson; Joyce Lello Feldman, President/CEO, BiG Children’s Foundation; Odalys Ismail, Senior Director Compensation, Ryder System, Inc.; Janice Haywood, Assistant Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Pamela J. Rossi, Owner/CEO, PJ Rossi Jewelers; and Danny Perez, Owner, ArtCraft Cabinet & Design Corp; Not pictured: John Marley, Owner/President, A1 Pavers and Concrete USA; Gordon Thompson, Director of Development, Iron Bodyfit. The photo was shot at BrandStar Studio’s start-of-the-art facility in Pompano Beach. Special thanks to Co-Founders Doug Campbell and Mark Alfieri, and especially to Debora Diaz, Studio Director of Operations, for her expert assistance, as well as their talented team. Photo Credit: Justus Martin www.justusmartinphoto.com The Rev. Billy Graham CONTENTS Good News • February • Volume 25 Issue 11
but w we’re al We’re lways in re not on n YOU n every c UR corn corner, ner! we re al “Comm our act YOU mit y Y U corn ions to the L UR Lord, Presid Ging dent and CEO ger Martin and ~ Proverbs your plans 16:3 NLT will succee d.” 4301 N N h F d l H Hi h www.americannationalb Oakla (954) ank.com North Federal H and Park, Florid 491-7788 Highway da 33308
PERSPECTIVE 8 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition There is a favorite pastime (for some) that you can indulge in while visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The signs beckon you to pull over and take your chance. The family can be heard screaming in unison, “pull over, pull over, pull over” as the pressure mounts. You may think I am speaking of the obligatory Cracker Barrel stop, nope! Boiled peanuts? A western souvenir store featuring “Coonskin hats (short for racoon) worn by the famous Daniel Boone? The random “theme” park? Hardee’s? Could it really be that I am referring to the famous Billy Graham Library, featuring Bessie-theCow (kin to our "eat mor chikin" cow)? Nope, I am referring to all famous gold, ruby and sapphire mining establishments with their lore in history. The one place where, with some effort, you too can find valuable jewels found “in them darn hills,” by going back in time and panning for these well-hidden gems. Hidden gems I remember once taking one of my treasurehunting daughters with expectations so high that I sensed danger of disappointment lurking once the “panning” wore off. We chose the location that appeared to offer the most adventure and promise of found wealth, something about “grandpa used to say,” while sitting in a Cadillac. Hey. if it’s good enough for grandpa (with happy grandma), its good enough for us. We purchased some buckets of dirt and took our tin pans shaped as saucers to the wooden trough, where a redirected stream was awaiting us. The instructions were clear. We were asked to take small handfuls of dirt from the buckets, place them in the tin pans and begin to gently immerse them into the stream of water, carefully looking for the glimmer of a gold nugget, the red of a ruby rock or the blue/green tint of a sapphire gem. I realized quickly (fast learner that I am) that the expected treasure was not going to be found readily, at least not at the size and quantity we were led to believe. My solution was brilliant. I excused myself and quietly made my way to the gift shop where I found a whole bag (for a wad of cash) of polished “post sifted” gems. I then took those gems and when my child was not looking, inserted them into the bucket of dirt that I had paid for (more cash). BTW, I now have a better understanding of what “grandpa used to say.” You can only imagine the delight my child received when she quickly realized that she had found treasure and a lot of it, at that. I wonder if that is the way I am with God’s truths. Many today will find themselves in heated arguments around what is truth. Many others simply choose not to argue and sigh with a sense of desperation and hopelessness. Sometimes I can be so convinced that my truth is correct that I, obnoxiously, dismiss the curious journey of another in search of a truth. Consider truth a treasure. I often must dig into a bucket of dirt and patiently sift through it, looking for that glimmer, that shine, that distinction that stands out as truth. I must be curious, humble and teachable as I define what I am looking for. Sometimes I will find something that looks like truth but with closer inspection realize I am wrong; it’s something disguised as truth but worthless. I can get frustrated because as I am desperately looking and finding nothing, I may entertain the idea that truth doesn’t exist. It always does; the evidence is everywhere, remember, I am sitting at a gem mine. The kindness of God will sometimes bury a truth or two in such a way that I will easily find it. He doesn’t want me to be too discouraged and give up. Buried treasure Perhaps the DIG – DISCOVER - DISPLAY illustration may help you. Imagine for a minute that I shared with you that a 30-caret rough diamond (worth several million dollars) was buried in your back yard. Your curiosity and priorities were immediately pricked, and you were now on a mission to find that diamond. A few things to consider. First, you must dig for that diamond that is buried somewhere in your back yard. Digging is laborious, frustrating, dirty, blister causing and time consuming. Digging is not easy. Second, you must know what you are looking for. Learning to discover what I am looking for will avoid a significant mistake or misunderstanding. What does a 30-caret rough diamond look like? I may mistake it for a rock, a hardened root, or some buried rubbish and never find it. Lastly, once I find that elusive diamond, what do I plan to do with it? I can choose to bury it again, toss it, treat it as a novelty or better yet, display it for all to see and enjoy. I think truth is often buried in a bucket of dirt or my backyard. I will sometimes look for shortcuts to find truth. I will find myself thinking that my truth is unique, that my perspectives of that truth are well informed, accurate and superior to those around me. I am guilty of spiritual pride, of not listening or learning and looking for the quick answer. However, the antidote to this toxic way of thinking is to always consider the behavior, responses and approach of Jesus, whom I follow as the epitome of Truth. For example, His Truth of displaying the heart and character of God was/is found in His deep love towards the unlovable, the vile, the discarded, the tormentor, the oppressor, the deceiver, thief and the enemy. His Truth was so solid that He changed those around Him without ever worrying that they would change Him. Sometimes in my effort to find truth and display it, I miss the whole opportunity to tell the story of how I found treasure in a bucket of dirt and better yet, who told me where to look. I can be guilty of treating those around me like their truth is no treasure at all, dismissing the opportunity to ever share with them mine. Therefore, in times of uncertainty (nothing new), deception (nothing new), fear (nothing new) and distrust (nothing new), I am compelled to draw much closer to Jesus’ way of walking and living. I am drawn to watch Him carefully and mimic His approach. I think we would be very surprised at Jesus today, some of us may be disappointed and others relieved, but in the end all changed. His Truth can be found and is always a Treasure. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida Dirty Truth
n
10 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD As we begin a new year, storm clouds continue to gather heavily around the world, even darkening our own doorsteps. As I write this, the conflict in Gaza is continuing, and the reverberations are felt across the globe. I was there just before Thanksgiving, and what I saw greatly moved and disturbed me. I visited several kibbutzim that Hamas terrorists had attacked on the morning of Oct. 7, killing men, women and children — even infants. I walked through some of the homes that had been burned and scarred with hundreds of bullets. I saw craters in the floors where the terrorists had thrown hand grenades, and shrapnel pieces embedded in the walls. It seemed like every demon in hell had been let loose. I had the privilege of meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He welcomed my prayers for God’s wisdom, guidance and peace. I also met with a young mother whose husband was murdered by Hamas, and a wife whose husband was taken hostage. They were so traumatized. If only the thousands of Hamas sympathizers who paraded here at home and other countries could have seen what I saw, perhaps they would realize that Hamas is nothing more than evil, wicked men who are bent on killing as many Jews as they possibly can, ever seeking to eradicate the state of Israel — God’s chosen people, the only democracy in the Middle East and our closest ally. These terrorists are fueled by demonic hatred for the Jewish people. In Ukraine, the conflict continues as the so-called summer offensive failed to take back much ground. Millions are suffering mightily as a cold, long winter takes hold and critical infrastructure is targeted. Tens of thousands have died since the war began, and much of Europe still remains wary that the war will spread outside Ukraine. That would lead to a nightmare scenario. Here in the U.S., we are facing yet another election year as both parties ramp up their efforts. Crucial moral issues like abortion and the LGBTQ agenda are again front and center, with pro-abortion, anti-life forces working hard to counter the landmark Supreme Court ruling that struck down Roe v. Wade, leaving the issue to the states. Voters in Ohio, for example, recently “enshrined” abortion into their state constitution. Might I say it is a pagan shrine they have so enthusiastically embraced, upon which are sacrificed the innocents who are slaughtered in their mother’s womb. Our nation meanwhile continues to lay debt upon debt, with a deficit now approaching $35 trillion. That’s just hard to believe, and it seems Congress is now regularly faced with chaotic months and weeks trying to keep the government from shutting down. Yet despite these ever darkening and threatening clouds, I remain hopeful. Not the kind of tepid, wishy-washy hope that things might improve, but the Biblical kind of hope that is fully confident in the Lord Jesus Christ. A firm, sure, settled hope that our God is working out His plans and purposes according to His perfect will and timing. I don’t put my hope in any political party or any gathering of Congress. Only the Lord is worthy of my full hope and trust. I have hope because our God is a sovereign God. This means that He rules over every nation, every head of state, every known military power. There is no prime minister, president, parliament, congress, nation nor person over whom God does not reign. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes”(Proverbs 21:1). One well-known Bible teacher said, “There is not one maverick molecule in the universe over which God is not sovereign.” “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:10-11). “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers … He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless” (Isaiah 40:22-23). The Lord is not only the all-powerful God Almighty; He is a wise God. Everything He does, He accomplishes in perfect wisdom, though we may not understand it for now. His plans are expertly and perfectly crafted in divine omniscience. No military, political or financial strategy can even begin to outwit Him. No scheme of man or demons can touch His supreme wisdom. All the wisdom of the world put together is but a grain of sand compared to God’s infinite wisdom. “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever” (Romans 16:27). “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all” (Psalm 104:24). “In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). The Lord is not only all-powerful and all-wise, but He is also all-loving. For His children, all that He does — even hard discipline — flows from His love for us. He saved us because of His great love (Ephesians 2:4), He sent His Son to die for our sins that we might receive eternal life because He so loved the world (John 3:16), and we can count on the fact that He works everything together for good — all the circumstances of our life — for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). One of the most oft repeated refrains in Scripture is in the 136th Psalm: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). Nothing, absolutely nothing — no war, no wicked rulers, no failed government, no death, no disease, no demonic power, no created thing — can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. So as the New Year is upon us, I am completely confident that our powerful, wise and loving God will work all things together for the good of His children, even those things which are evil and not good. I am hopeful that as we preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, He will bring thousands to repentance and saving faith — people who will receive the marvelous, unsurpassed gift of eternal life. In this world, in this coming year, we will all face various trials and challenges. It won’t be easy. Life never is. The world may seem like it is unraveling before our eyes. But we can have an overarching and abiding joy, since in the words of our Lord, “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). ©2024 BGEA Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Decision magazine, January 2024; ©2024 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Chaos, Conflict and the Hope of the Gospel I don’t put my hope in any political party or any gathering of Congress. Only the Lord is worthy of my full hope and trust.” “
EQUIPPED D FOR YOUR CALLIN NG &C in C The Classic Christ e M.A cal tian A. & Classical Studi demand today. W Thoughtful faithStu ies) program at Knox Theol With the Master of Arts (Ch -based educators are in gro dies logical ristian owing Christ in your con Classical educato Gospel. When you Scripture and the great literary wor Seminary, you’ll ntext and community. or from Knox, you’ll be u’re equipped as a Christia e redemptive message of th rks of history while you stu embark on a journey throu an he udy ugh + Logos 10 Bib + Flexible eigh + Fully online d DISCOVE le Software package included t-week terms degree program X D RTHE KNO + ATS accred + Regular int + Global stud d DIFFERENCE ited ofessors teraction with your pr dent body s + Scholarships xs admissions@kno 800-344-5669 Y KNOXSEMINAR ograms av and cost-saving pr Now edu seminary .EDU + Established vailable w Enrolling! efor the R adition of d in the tr mation g .edu xseminary
12 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition CHURCH UNITED In the intricate tapestry that is a local church and ministry network, the well-being of its leaders is of paramount importance. These leaders are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of shepherding their congregations and organizations and serve as the backbone of any vibrant and thriving community. Investing in the holistic health and wholeness of these leaders has cascading positive effects on the leaders themselves, their families, the congregations and constituents they serve, and the overall witness and impact of the Christian community in the region. Lasting change, transformation, spiritual witness along with the transmission of faith to the next generation are all tied to the spiritual, relational, emotional and mental health of those serving on our spiritual frontlines. That’s why we have developed a theory of change for lasting unity and collaboration that begins with investing in healthy leaders. Using a continuum-ofcare approach that includes preventive care, intensive care and awareness, we begin by focusing upstream offering soul care cohorts for senior pastors, executive pastors, youth pastors, worship leaders, women in ministry leadership and pastors’ wives. We’ve partnered with leading best in class local organizations like Live the Life South Florida to invest in the marriages of local pastors and church staff teams, hosting marriage retreats and enrichment events. As part of the ecosystem of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida, we’ve partnered with generous donors and patrons to provide scholarship funds for counseling and mental health care and host an annual soul care conference gleaning from leading national voices. Let me be clear, we are not a pastoral care agency or counseling service. However, we do believe that to see our vision realized requires us to reverse engineer what’s needed to see lasting change, unity and ministry collaboration. That process begins with significant investment and emphasis on soul care. Integrity and authenticity Scripture makes it abundantly clear that our ministry call and impact are validated and sustained by Jesus’ core principle in Matthew 23: entering into life with Jesus yourself. At the end of the day what you win people with is what you win them to. When we win people with character and spiritual vibrancy, any “growth” or “impact” tactic works. You can have the best growth or impact strategy and even find success in it and yet miss the Kingdom. In this next season we must continue to fight for and cultivate environments where authenticity and spiritual integrity are valued and protected ahead of gifting and perceived metrics of success. Modeling vs. leading Let’s be honest: we don’t lack information or resources on cultivating spiritual health and vibrancy, but we all too often lack models. Models of leaders, ministries, organizations and churches where soul care isn’t just a value on a wall or website. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were filled with knowledge and leadership principles and yet Jesus called them blind guides. They raised up leaders to look like them and apprentice the things they valued. In the end, they presided over a people who chanted “crucify Him” when a no name Disruptor from Nazareth challenged their value systems and beliefs of what spiritual success looked like. Jesus modeled something different – a sermon on the mount that led to a life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit. Our world and this next generation are starving for models that demonstrate what life in the Kingdom of those apprenticing the way of Jesus looks like – that it’s not only essential but also achievable. At Church United, we believe that the emphasis of Soul Care and personal spiritual growth not only encourages local leaders, but also encourages those in our pews and organizational influence to invest in their own soul health, creating a ripple effect throughout the entire region. Resilience in ministry Ministry leaders are not immune to the challenge and pressures of life. In fact, given the increasingly divisive nature of our political and social environments, coupled with the cost of living and everyday pressures of life – our pastors and ministry leaders often face substantial emotional, spiritual and psychological stress as they try to navigate the complexities of ministry and pastoral engagement. We believe that prioritizing the soul health of leaders in our community not only leads to sustained collaboration and Kingdom impact but also long-term resilience in ministry. A spiritually healthy leader will lead a spiritually healthy church and organization and be better equipped to handle the myriad of challenges, setbacks and emotions they face each day. Sustainable leadership and kingdom impact Leaders that approach ministry from a place of spiritual health and wholeness are more attuned to the guidance of the Holy Spirit which leads to inspired, collaborative and impactful ministry initiatives. Sustainable ministry leadership is rooted in the health of a leader’s soul. Burnout and fatigue are real and present threats to effective leadership. Church United is betting the farm on our theory of change: healthy leaders, thriving churches, flourishing cities. The order of that theory matters. That’s why we are investing in tools and environments that foster and promote the spiritual health of our local leaders’ souls, marriages and leadership. Change never happens in isolation. We begin by calling local leaders out of isolation and into community. We will never move from a mindset of competition to one of co-laboring without spaces to discover the unique gifts, callings, and stories of one another. Conclusion The good news? We’re on a 30-year journey of transformation – not a threeyear flash-in-the-pan photo-op. We believe we’re just getting started and invite every local pastor and ministry leader to join us on the journey. If you’re a local pastor or church staff member and are interested in joining one of our many soul care offerings, learn more at churchunitedfl.com or write us a note at [email protected] - Eddie Copeland - Director, Church United Healthy Leaders, Thriving Churches, Flourishing Cities Pastors and staff worship and pray together at a Church United gathering
14 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING Much of life is about balance. Finding a balance between work and play or maintaining a balanced budget. In the Parenting on Purpose process, nothing is more important than the balance between relationship and discipline. The right disciplinary program gives a child the ability to discipline himself eventually. A right parent-child relationship gives the child the motivation to say “No” and makes the child feel secure even when he hears the word, “NO.” Avoid extremes Discipline without relationship teaches a child to fear “getting caught.” At its worst, discipline without relationship teaches the child to fear the wrath of the parent. The child in a discipline only environment will obey only when being watched. This child will rebel when the parent is not around. On the other hand, parenting that only invests in relationship and no discipline will raise an overindulgent, self-centered child. This child will be too attached to the parent and grow up afraid to leave home. The child with no discipline will grow up believing that life revolves around him. This child will never learn how to be part of a team and is often unteachable at school. Neither child will grow up learning to be a leader. The balance of using the word “No” in a consistent manner while maintaining a loving relationship will help the child feel safe even when he fails. This child will be willing to try new things because he is willing to risk failure. The child in this home will grow up to lead others. It is all about balance! Over time the child learns that “No” means “No” and nothing more. The child learns that “No” does not mean his mom and dad don’t love him. On the contrary, the child learns that unacceptable behavior does not make mom or dad love the child any less. This balance is extremely important. It’s the way God loves each of us. Keep the goal in mind The goal of parenting is to raise a godly adult. The goal of the process of parenting is to raise a child in an environment where the child spends a decade learning that “No” means “No” and that arguing is a waste of time. As that is accomplished, the parent can simultaneously develop the parent-child relationship to the point where the child can be taught the more significant lessons of life. Lessons such as the fact that it is God who knows the plans He has for the child, and it is God who can guide a child through life. These lessons are impossible to teach to a child who will not listen because he is constantly battling the boundaries. In addition, if the parent-child communication is dominated by arguments, these lessons cannot be taught. The child who argues with the parent is a child who has learned that arguing gets him what he wants. Everybody loses in this environment. Discipline is not a tool used to keep a child quiet so that the parent can get on with his or her life. Quite the contrary. Discipline is used so the parent can “get into” the child’s life. Discipline is the act of setting the boundaries on the field of life so that the parent can get on the playing field and teach the child. Without discipline, there is anarchy, and when there is anarchy, there is no relationship. The child in this home grows up angry and insecure. It is all about balance and setting boundaries while at the same time developing the parent-child relationship. “I love you” really does mean I have to use the word “No” and mean it. Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries Keeping Your Parenting Balance
d e m t t f t . e o y
MARRIAGE 16 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Pulling the petals of a flower and reciting “He loves me, he loves me not" is a sweet memory for many of us, beginning on school playgrounds. No matter our age, stage, or season, we yearn to belong to someone deeply loved and cherished. For many, Valentine's Day and the month of love and romance are full of hopeful anticipation: flower deliveries, chocolates, maybe a proposal with the promise of forever love. A symbol The ultimate symbol of love and commitment in the Western world is marriage, with a ring placed on the fourth finger of both the man and the woman. God spoke the design of marriage into existence in Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt. The circle symbolizes eternity, representing never-ending, immortal love, and wearing them on the fourth finger is a tradition many believe originated with the Romans. A vein, referred to as the "Vena Amoris" or the "Vein of Love" in the fourth finger, was said to be directly connected to the heart. Today, we know that's not accurate, but the tradition remains. In 860, Christians began to use rings in marriage ceremonies, but it was in the World Wars that it was a common practice for men to wear wedding bands. Why? They served as a reminder of what was waiting for them at home, the promise of the relationship, and that while separated, we would love, honor and cherish one another at all times, in all places and all ways, forever. A guardrail Today, wedding rings continue to be both a symbol and a guardrail. A few months ago, I met a young man working in a Christian ministry out of the area who wasn't wearing a wedding band. I assumed he was single, and I had been pondering introducing him to a young woman in his community. Recently, he was in the area, and we met for a discussion, and again, there was no wedding band. I wanted to introduce him to the person I have considered for several months. I had even prayed about it. Midstream in the conversation, he said, “ My wife and I… and our kids…." I was grateful I hadn't mentioned introducing him to a woman in his community. Had he worn a wedding band, the thought of an introduction would have never occurred to me. It would have been a symbol and a guard rail of I'm taken, I'm wholly devoted to another, don't flirt with me, don't approach me, don't set me up. It indicates a commitment that a choice has been made to give up other options, forsaking all others. Most women love jewelry, so rarely will a woman remove her rings. However, men are less enamored with jewelry and will go without them more easily. When I meet with couples, and I notice that one or the other doesn’t have a wedding ring, I ask why. These are a few answers: I forgot it, I prefer not to wear it when I'm working, I'm allergic to the metal, I lost it, it's too small. This is my response: Unless your work environment creates a safety issue, you should wear your rings. When you don’t wear a wedding band, you send a message that you're available. Remember your wedding band, wear it everywhere you go. This Valentine's Day, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 Happy and Together Hoedown Looking for a memorable date night with your special someone? Live the Life South Florida invites you to SADDLE UP and put your boots on for a night of country fun at their Happy & Together Hoedown on Saturday, April 6th at 5.30 p.m. at Green Glades Ranch Weston. Come enjoy mechanical bull rides, live music, a Jail & Bail FunRaiser, auction, line dancing, amazing food, s'mores by the fire pit, a 360 photo booth, and... more! Subscribe to their newsletter to receive the details at livethelifesoflo.org Live the Life South Florida exists to strengthen marriages and families through healthy relationship education, beginning in middle school through senior adults. We are educators, coaches and pastoral counselors. If you're looking for a clinical counselor or therapist, we are blessed to have many in the South Florida community. We'd be honored to provide you a list of highly qualified and reputable individuals. - Lisa May - Executive Director, Live the Life South Florida Rings Are Significant
Homeless Mission HoSo Do Y ome See th omee th You S t Y tele heeh ess And ye sha witnesses u Jerusalem as all be unto me both in m [in Miami/Holl and in d] M s a n lywood n all i iss on ? Have a me Judaea, an part of the xpe eaningful e d in Samaria, an earth. — Acts 1: erience sharing lywood], and in nd unto the utte 8 g the Gospel in y in ermost your n faith gr hou Bring a cou aithg B g s or roup for ur g y uple of our xe vaH xperience e a real v Join The Christia Equippe e CREW! ans Read ed & Willin dy, ng y Volunteer b www.carin or go to 305-57 calling to put feet ngplace.org/v 72-2007 olunteer on Evangeli v sm r s h e e y
FOSTER CARE 18 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition This past Christmas Season and into the New Year, I kept hearing messages of “light” and “hope.” As I sat in church for our Christmas service I was struck by the message that the light of the Holy Spirit illuminates hope all around us. Hope that is promised It got me thinking about hope and the differences between the hope of this world and the hope God guarantees for us. Pastor Dan Hickling recently broke this down in a poignant way when reflecting on 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” To put our hope in something or someone means we are seeking refuge in that person or thing. But in many cases the people or the things we are seeking refuge with are just not strong enough to deliver the protection or the outcome we desire. When we have living hope though, what we seek refuge in is powerful and capable – the living hope of Jesus is unfailing, everlasting and perfect in every way. We can enter every day knowing we have living hope through Jesus, which empowers us to share that hope with others who are still waiting in the darkness. A history of hope 4KIDS has a long history of sharing this hope. In fact from the very beginning in 1997, our mission statement was created and it still stands today to Provide Hope for Kids in Crisis. Sometimes after 27 years, mission statements get lost; we can walk into an organization and their mission statement on the wall can feel so disconnected, but this hope is still driving us every day. It’s in our DNA to want to share this hope and bring this hope to the hopeless. In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, people were starved for hope. As the world shut down, 4KIDS and the local church started running into the darkness to let hope in. Since our partnership with CarePortal in South Florida launched in December 2020, 4KIDS and the body of Christ in South Florida have come together to serve over 5,000 children with preventative-based care. In fact, our great state of Florida has a major initiative and partnership with CarePortal, and I am proud to report that 4KIDS and our local community partner churches and system of care has accounted for 30 percent of the statewide impact to date. Thank you to our amazing network partners who make this possible! Families have been strengthened, resources have been multiplied, thousands of kids are staying at home and out of the foster care system, and most importantly, hopefilled relationships have changed lives in ways beyond our wildest dreams. Hope in action It’s hard to really take in a number like 5,000, so I want to tell you a story about what happened when just one CarePortal request was met by one church. Destiny Church in Southwest Florida responded to a need from a young family with a new baby. They needed baby necessities so a group from Destiny Church went to meet the family and provide the items they needed. The family shared with them that they were undocumented and finding consistent work was challenging so finances were often stretched. The Destiny Church team listened to this family’s needs, exchanged numbers and started a new friendship. The next month Destiny Church was given hundreds of turkey dinner kits for Thanksgiving and dedicated 100 of them to the community this young family lived in. This young family and their neighbors were astounded by the generosity, and Destiny Church began planning a Christmas outreach to benefit their community. Destiny Church organized gifts for families and hosted a party for everyone in that area. Hundreds of families came out, Destiny Church had prayer teams, as well as cookies, hot chocolate and Santa for the kids! This entire community – filled with families who are struggling and forgotten, were instead given the gift of hope through a local church. This one church obediently answered one call and because of it, hundreds, even thousands more lives have been impacted. Hope has a way of doing that, even a small flicker of hope can bring incredible light into darkness. We all carry that light within us; what a beautiful gift we have to share. Hope is so often the first step to transformation, connection, change and so much more. Hope is also the first step in our 4KIDS paradigm of Hope, Homes and Healing. Hope is experienced through preventative care extended through CarePortal and HopeConnect. Homes are open to children who need a place to belong in foster care. And Healing is made possible through training, therapy and resources provided by 4KIDS’ EPIC Therapeutic Approach. Hope is a powerful start to make an incredible impact. I pray you would consider how you can ignite hope in the lives of others. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Learn More About CarePortal 4KIDS.us/CarePortal Learn More about 4KIDS Hope, Homes, & Healing 4KIDS.us/about/4KIDSModel Ignite Hope in the Lives of Others - Kevin Enders - 4KIDS President & CEO
e - - e , f - o - - o .
HEART AND SOUL 20 FEBRUARY 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition At Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), the 2024 spring semester is before us. Our halls are bustling with students, faculty and staff. Every day there are interesting, engaging campus activities — in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, we just celebrated 1,900 hours of volunteer work on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. God-sized dreams The semester also marks the start of construction projects under our God-Sized Dreams campaign. Just last month, we ceremoniously broke ground on the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall — a significant milestone and one of four major construction projects slated under the campaign. Jess C. Moody's dream of establishing a Christian university in South Florida to be a light in a time of cultural unsettlement has evolved into a thriving institution with over 3,700 students across our West Palm Beach and Orlando campuses. The story of PBA is one of impossible dreams by human standards. It was a God-sized dream. We are profoundly grateful for the unwavering support we have received. With over $48 million raised toward our $75 million goal for the new Rinker Business Hall, we acknowledge the incredible generosity of our lead donor — the largest single gift of $26 million in PBA's history comes from Dr. John Rinker with the support of his wife, Sheila. He, like our founders, is committed to shaping young leaders and positively transforming our community, nation and world. His investment in our mission is further fueled by other donors. The Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall The state-of-the-art facility will house our elite programs within the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business, which received AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation last year. This places PBA in the top six percent of all business schools globally and the only Christian college in Florida to hold this prestigious recognition. The Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall will foster a dynamic learning environment and offer students world-class resources, including a stock trading room and the 300-plus-seat Titus Lecture Hall. It will also house the Titus Center for Franchising and the LeMieux Center for Public Policy, founded by U.S. Senator George LeMieux. This facility will offer a unique blend of politics, public policy, and business, providing an unparalleled opportunity for comprehensive training that shapes well-rounded business leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the contemporary business landscape. Through our historic growth, we have worked to continue to strengthen our commitment to being a Christ-centered institution. We still believe Christian values are good and helpful to society. That's why we're dedicated to whole-person education. The God-Sized Dreams campaign is more than a fundraising initiative. It embodies our collective vision for our values-based curriculum and commitment to American Free Enterprise, which creates opportunities for businesses to grow and communities to thrive. Beyond enhancing opportunities for PBA students and supporting the business community, the campaign allows us to better serve South Florida, our nation and indeed the world. One way we look forward to doing that is through our new Center for Financial Literacy, which will empower students and local community members to become financially literate through biblically-based courses and financial coaching. Three additional projects This facility is just the beginning. The God-Sized Dreams campaign will advance three additional transformative projects on our West Palm Beach campus, including a cutting-edge health sciences complex, a state-of-the-art performing arts center, and an alumni and student welcome center. By amplifying our offerings, we can better respond to marketplace changes, expand academic programs, and build innovative spaces — giving our community a place to thrive. To be a light in a region now known as "Wall Street South." Indeed, the future is bright, as we equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly. Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, a physician, researcher and innovator, is president of Palm Beach Atlantic University. (www.pba.edu) - Dr. Debra A. Schwinn - Palm Beach Atlantic University President Building Dreams: PBA's Transformative Journey into the Future Lecture hall Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall
www.goodnewsfl.orgRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2MjU=