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“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it… ” (Genesis 1:28). The first thing God asked us to do was multiply. In other words, divine multiplication has been around since the beginning of time. God wants to partner with you to multiply in every area of life. Grow the kingdom. Some see that as an implied command; others may view that as implied pressure? The first is quite clear “Grow the Kingdom….” What does scripture say about God and pressure? “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while” (Matthew 13:20-21). What is my point here? Benevolent and godly friends are often asked to participate; step up if you will. Sometimes in desperation of impending collapse or in need to meet obligations or to simply follow and support the command to grow. The Good News follows scripture, suggesting help and hope is on the way. We devote our time and treasure to highlight the works and deeds of primarily Christian charities appropriately scheduled each Thanksgiving in our November editions. https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2023/november/ Each month the GN publishes important monthly columns from renowned leaders in most disciplines aptly correlating “disciples”: Perspectives by Stephan Tchividjian, Church United by Edwin Copeland, In The Word by Franklin Graham, Parenting by Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts, Marriage by Lisa May, Foster Care by Kevin Enders, The Code by Dr. O.S. Hawkins, You Ask Why by Dr. Tommy Boland, Legal Advice and your Rights by Attorney William C. Davell, Insight by Rob Hoskins and Encouragement by Omar Aleman. All to nourish the soul of a community. We take on hundreds and thousands of new readers each month, praise the Lord, so some things need repeating just as we pray constantly to seek help and hope. So again, you may ponder what is my point? I am reminded constantly by my obedient friends; they are pre-committed to helping with their treasure, but their most difficult decisions concern: are they asked to carry the load, or will their involvement serve to inspire others to help get the job done? And will it be fruitful and multiply? Many major donors will embrace a good cause and offer “Matching Funds.” That means they pledge to donate a sum of money and will not inject the funds until the charity shows proof they raised new money in that equal amount. As one valued friend often remarks, “Trust but verify.” We, the Church, the faithful are commanded to make disciples. How are we approaching that command? How do we measure; what is the metric? Some churches embrace that challenge with inventive applications, yet others see the heavy lift and feel inadequate in staffing to meet the challenge. The Good News continues to offer our pages, our readers, and the intellect and wisdom of our monthly contributors listed above. This is our support to help grow the Kingdom we are commanded to grow. Half of our free distribution is within the larger churches that understand and embrace the power of exposure. Our remaining distribution is a mixture of free vendor locations, mail subscribers and on-line readers. Smaller churches are encouraged to utilize our reach and allow your congregation access to what is happening in our village when reading our insightful articles, community news and timely, free, detailed four-month calendar of activities to supplement where you are currently unable to offer. We offer the Good News as matching dollars to help multiply the Kingdom. Happy Easter, He Is Risen. Les PUBLISHER 6 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition South Florida Edition • Good News • March 2024 • Volume 25, Issue 12 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 Meanwhile... – by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . .10 Taking a Stand for Truth – by Franklin Graham CHURCH UNITED . . . . . .12 Church United Embraces “The Missional Moment” – by Edwin Copeland MARRIAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Communication, the Daily Temperature of Your Marriage – by Lisa May PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . .16 How a Simple Apology Can Demonstrate the Significance of Easter by – Dr. Bob and Torrey Roberts FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . .18 HopeConnect™ Helps Hide the Word of God in the Hearts of Children – by Kevin Enders HEART AND SOUL . . . . .20 A Journey from Skepticism to Faith – by Dr. Debra Schwinn YOU ASK WHY? . . . . . . . 22 The Three “Empty” Promises of Easter – by Dr. Tommy Boland COVER STORY . . . . .24 - 25 Ark Encounter Brings the Epic Story to Life in Biblical Proportions – by Shelly Pond THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 The Promise of Pardon – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins ENCOURAGEMENT . . . .28 Middle Men – by Omar Aleman LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Employee or Contractor? Businesses Must Beware of Changing Rules – by Willia “Bill” C. Davell and Paul Lopez GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . .32 - 34 What is something that friends or strangers often incorrectly assume about you? MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Diverse Line-up of Inspiring s Coming to Theaters by – Stanely Goldenberg INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 A Sacrifice of Praise by – Rob Hoskins WE GET LETTERS . . . . . .42 NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 - 56 CALENDAR . . . . . . . .58 - 59 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . .60 - 63 Matching Dollars On The Cover The sun sets over the Ark Encounter, a replica of Noah’s Ark built to the actual proportions specified in the Bible. Ark Encounter, located in Williamstown, Kentucky, is one of the top faith-based family destinations in the country. Read the cover article on pages 24-25. Photo Courtesy: Answers in Genesis CONTENTS Good News • March • Volume 25 Issue 12
PERSPECTIVE 8 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Several years ago, actually 15, the movie “UP” was released by Pixar. The entertaining story about an old man, a talking dog and a little stowaway boy, all floating around in a house tied to hundreds of balloons, takes you on an adventure filled with childlike wonder… sort of like life. One of the more comical elements of the story is the dog, aptly named DUG, who wears a special collar that allows him to speak. However, DUG is often distracted by squirrels. We find him in mid-sentence when he will notice a squirrel, stop, gaze intently at the it and simply say, “Squirrel!” The comedic element makes it easy to see ourselves in DUG… easily distracted. Distractions Distractions can be good, not so good, and sometimes simply destructive. These past few years has presented us with many distractions. The distractions of a global pandemic (and yes, we did have one), political angst (and yes, it will happen again), racial divide (and yes, we do have a problem), war (and yes, it’s ugly), income disparity (and yes, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer), persecution of Christians (yes, it is happening), AI (I’ll be back) and more, are obvious. I find that the proliferation of information, content and choices doesn’t help either. The postings on social media of someone’s pain, the prayer requests, prayer lists, suggested pod casts, videos and books are all well intentioned, but weighty. Sometimes distractions are expected and most of the time unexpected. Some of my distractions are self-induced and yet, many are also imposed upon me. I wonder when a distraction is good, not good or destructive. I know that God uses distractions to get my attention. Moses had one with the burning bush. However, which of these distractions has God placed into my life because He has something to say? Does a distraction draw me closer to Him or farther away? I need discernment to manage my distractions. I chuckle remembering the scene from the 2003 movie “Bruce Almighty” where the character Bruce Nolan, played by Jim Carrey, is trying to be God, thinking that having God’s power would make life simple and beneficial… until he finds himself overwhelmed by the yellow Post-It Note prayer requests of his neighborhood. Oh, Help us all, Lord! Meanwhile… God has a plan, a rhythm, and is not surprised by all this noise. God knows how I think and act (since He did make me), and He knows my limits. The sense of confusion over the distractions highlights my limitations, which usually brings me to a place of surrender and greater humility. I am drawn to a place of less resistance, and I am quicker to admit how little I know and can do without Him. I remember going to meet my grandfather for lunch years ago. I had read a verse in the Bible that referenced end times. However, I was a bit confused about it (most end times stuff is confusing to me) and who better to ask than Billy Graham. During our hamburger lunch at the Marriott, I simply asked him my question. He looked up at me and humbly said, “I don’t know,” and kept eating. I think that answer was perhaps the best one and the right one… and sort of funny. Henri Nouwen, in speaking about maturing as a Christian, makes the following statement: “Both theological reflection and spiritual formation require an articulate not-knowingness and a receptive emptiness through which God can be revealed.” In essence he is saying, the quicker we realize we don’t know much, are limited, empty ourselves and simply obey Him, the quicker we grow up as a Christ follower. Events in the early church My desire is to grow up and be in more intimacy with Christ, and yet I can easily find myself saying, “squirrel” and looking in that direction… and remember that not all squirrels are bad. I was reading about the early church, and there is this scene that seems to have a lot of drama. Peter is imprisoned but then is miraculously rescued by an angel. However, James (John’s brother) does not have the same success. He is jailed and then killed. Herod, who is wreaking havoc on the early church, makes a speech one day. People are so awed by his speech they proclaim him god-like. Herod appears to welcome this adulation. God has had enough and strikes Herod dead, in a gross kind of way… eaten by worms (God doesn’t like when someone tries to take His place). I just imagined the conversations that the early Christians were having around their dinner tables that evening (imagine if they had social media, 24-hour news and texts). Conversations around the news of Peter’s escape. Questions around why God helped Peter escape but not James. The disappointment for the family of James, who had hoped for the same outcome as Peter. Fear of Herod and his antics. Questions around God’s fairness, goodness and care. Suddenly (squirrel)… Breaking News (warning the images we are about to share are graphic in nature). Herod is found dead. Questions abound on what does that mean for the community? How will Rome react? Will the early church continue to be persecuted? How does this affect the economy? …Many squirrels to consider. Meanwhile… However, amid the drama, there is this one statement that stands out. “Meanwhile, the Word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.” I like that. Why? I guess squirrels have always been around, and it’s very easy to get caught up in what is happening all around us, especially when it’s sensational or bad. I am comforted that the constant is His Word. I am reminded that the discernment I am looking for to manage my distractions can be found in His Word. I am reminded that not much has changed about human nature in 2000 years, but God is the same and He is in control, and He sees all and stays faithful… Meanwhile, God loves you. Meanwhile, God provides for you. Meanwhile, God hears you. Meanwhile, God is at peace. Meanwhile, God teaches you. Meanwhile, the Son rises… Meanwhile, God… 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 Meanwhile…
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10 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD Like most of you, I was stunned when the presidents of three of America’s leading universities — UPenn, Harvard and MIT — testified before a congressional committee investigating antisemitism on college campuses. On their campuses, raucous pro-Palestinian protestors chanted, “From the river to the sea,” effectively calling for the elimination of the Jewish state and the genocide of the Jewish people. When New York Rep. Elise Stefanik asked if “calling for the genocide of Jews” violated student codes of conduct, the presidents dodged the yesor-no question and refused to take a position. Can you imagine? The leaders of some of the most prestigious educational institutions in America did not have the moral courage or clarity to take a stand against genocide. Their response: “It depends on the context.” When we see what’s going on at these so-called elite universities, it all points back to the moral decay and character void at the very top. The answer to Rep. Stefanik’s questions should have been easy to answer — Yes, genocide and terrorism against anyone should be condemned. They would have been quick to condemn students supporting attacks against an LGBTQ group — but not Jews. Where’s their moral clarity? It’s pretty clear to most everyone that our university students need leaders who are role models with strong moral character. Harvard, America’s oldest college, is a good example of what can happen to an elite institution that has cast off its moral anchor. Founded just 16 years after the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, Harvard once focused on training pastors and instilling Puritan values. Its motto, Veritas, is Latin for truth; and the original motto was Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae, or Truth for Christ and the Church. Yet its halls today echo loudly with untruths. The University of Pennsylvania was born from a friendship between Benjamin Franklin and evangelist George Whitefield and was originally established in a meeting house used for Whitefield’s revivals. My father spoke several times at Harvard and also at MIT, in addition to other colleges. Even in those bastions of arrogant liberalism, he was always true to the Gospel. When he confronted a worldly lie or a moral issue, he would declare “The Bible says …” and share God’s truth. When I think of someone who demonstrated moral courage in the midst of a decadent culture, the Prophet Daniel comes to mind. Exiled to Babylon in 605 B.C. after the Babylonians had conquered and ransacked Judah, young Daniel demonstrated remarkable moral bravery though surrounded by pagans. Chosen along with three other Hebrew young men to train for King Nebuchadnezzar’s court, “Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank” (Daniel 1:8). Instead, he asked for a diet of vegetables and water. When he and his friends were brought before the Babylonian king, they were found to be in far better shape and 10 times better in wisdom than any of their contemporaries, and they entered into the king’s court. Later, when King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, and his entourage had finished partying by drinking wine out of golden vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem, he had a disturbing vision of a hand writing on the wall. After the court’s magicians failed to interpret the message for him, the king’s wife recalled the wisdom that God had given Daniel, who was then asked to interpret. The news Daniel delivered told of God’s impending judgment upon the king. “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end … you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting … your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:26-28). Daniel did not shrink from delivering God’s message, and that very night the king perished. Under the reign of another king, Darius, jealous court officials conspired to eliminate Daniel due to his godly influence. Darius ordered that anyone caught worshipping anyone other than the king himself should be cast in the lion’s den. Of course, you know the story. Daniel prayed in front of his open windows three times a day, in full view of everyone. He was seized by the king’s officials, thrown into a lion’s den and miraculously delivered by Almighty God. Daniel would not compromise his faith, regardless of the consequences. He would not back down from allegiance to God for any reason. He boldly stood for the truth of God’s Word. As God later revealed to Daniel the succession of worldly dynasties that would appear in the coming centuries, he was told, “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32). Bold faith requires bold action. God calls on His people in any age and any circumstance to stand boldly for Him. In our day, when God’s truth is clearly disregarded and disobeyed, I hope we will all be bold in the Lord and refuse to buy into the lies of our culture. Like Daniel, we need to fully follow the Lord, and leave the consequences to Him. God honors those who honor Him. ©2024 BGEA Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Decision magazine, February 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 Franklin Graham: Taking a Stand for Truth God calls on His people in any age and any circumstance to stand boldly for Him.” “
12 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition CHURCH UNITED As a result of research, prayer and the movement of the Holy Spirit, we believe that we are at a pivotal moment in the life of the Church in South Florida. By all accounts, the next 30 years will represent the largest mission opportunity since the beginning of America, and our very own South Florida. While we are witnessing the largest and fastest numerical shift in religious affiliation in the history of our communities, we stand at one of the greatest moments for the Church – the people of God – to be agents of faith, hope and love to our community. While all the research may be bleak and depressing, the good news is that God us uniting the church for this great missional moment. From the very beginning of the Church United story, we rallied around mission not causes or activities. To embrace this missional moment requires a continual spirit-driven move of God that was beyond any one church key leader, funder, or organization. Fast forward to today, Church United is taking root throughout the tri-county with a vision to unify, equip and inspire leaders to foster soul health, thriving churches and local ministries. Last month we hosted a special two-day event called, “This Missional Moment” for pastors and ministry leaders in both Southwest and Southeast Florida. We were joined by special guests Lisa Fields of the Jude 3 Project, Kevin Palau of Louis Palau Ministries and Brad Hill of Gloo – leading national voices helping steward the Church towards best practices and reorientation towards embracing this unprecedented evangelistic opportunity as the body of Christ. Southwest Florida Beginning in southwest Florida, we were able to pull pastors and ministry leaders together to consider the possibilities of continued connection and collaboration post hurricane Ian relief efforts. Over 45 local pastors and ministry leaders joined for this inaugural Church United event as our special guests helped cast a vision for why the future of the church and embracing of this missional moment requires uncommon unity, collaboration and shared learning together. For pastor Jordan Roe, lead pastor of Mission Community Church, “This event was both inspiring and convicting to me as a local pastor. It’s obvious that the transformation of this region is beyond any single church but what we so often lack are models and language of where and how collaboration actually works. Having Church United bring these thought leaders in to invest in local churches provided the right spark and tone we needed to envision continued unity in the wake of hurricane Ian. Having what’s happening with Church United over on the east coast as a guide for us to contextualize over here is a rare gift. I know I speak for dozens of other pastors when I say I believe the best is yet to come for the Body of Christ in Fort Myers.” Southeast Florida Moving over to the East Coast, we hosted the same event for pastors and leaders in Broward and Palm Beach as a special Church United quarterly gathering. Hosted at Christ Fellowship’s Church Boynton Beach campus, hundreds of leaders gathered to glean from the wisdom of Lisa, Kevin and Brad, as we continued to reinforce and demonstrate the fruit of what happens when we come together as the body of Christ to embrace the missional opportunity before us. Kicking off with a powerful word of welcome, Pastor Todd Mullins of Christ Fellowship gave context as to why he and his church continue to lean into unity and collaboration with other local churches. Lisa Fields, a leading apologist and nextgeneration evangelist, powerfully communicated how reaching the next generation and embracing this missional moment requires us to embrace what she calls, “mirror ministry” – the idea that transformation and revival begins with us cultivating a lifestyle conducive to the fruits of the spirit in our lives. Taking the stage after Lisa, Brad Hill, of Gloo, demonstrated the fruits of Church United’s work in connecting thousands of spiritual explorers to local churches through online evangelistic campaigns and gave insight into the types of online searches and felt needs our unsaved friends, neighbors and co-workers are looking for answers to on Google and social media. Finally, Kevin Palau led a panel discission on how evangelism and a focus on mission fuels the work of unity movements nationally. I love how Pastor Shawn O’Neil from Christian Life Center in Fort Lauderdale put it. “There was a special sense of God’s presence in the room, “This was a special Church United gathering. Unity of the body was exceptional. The thought leaders in the room helped equip and fuel what God has been doing in our region through his Bride! Gloo shared brilliant insights to help the church move into missional spaces with the lost and disconnected of our communities. Love the vision to not only equip and empower our local churches, but also city transformation to catalyze the Church to tangibly demonstrate the hope and love of Christ to our neighbors. Exciting times ahead!” We call this a great opportunity for a reason – not every opportunity is realized by everyone. Yet, for those who are willing to see the investment of their individual ministries and churches as part of a much larger story of unity, connection and Kingdom collaboration for the sake of the “capital C” Church, I believe God’s spirit will indeed command a blessing. Personally, I couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come for the bride of Christ. While the work ahead is hard and filled with uncharted cultural landmines and divisive political talking points, if Gods people are reoriented back to who they are, who they belong to and what that means for our region, I believe we’ll look back in amazement of what God did in South Florida years from now. Learn more at churchunitedfl.com or write us a note at [email protected] - Eddie Copeland - Director, Church United Church United Embraces “The Missional Moment” Pictured from left to right: Brad Hill, Kevin Palau, Lisa Fields and Edwin Copeland
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Winter in South Florida is likened to paradise: a refreshing temperature of Sunny and 72, a cool breeze that caresses our face and sunshine that captures the colorful splendor of creation in high definition. Fall in South Florida is very different: sweltering heat, the air is thick, the breeze is still and the sky is more white than blue. The temperature often determines our mood, clothing, activities and even what we eat. Think about it… a bowl of chili is less appetizing in the heat of summer. Like the weather, our marriage has a relational temperature that determines mood, appetites and activities. Some days are frigid with stone-cold silence, some are filled with scorched earth verbal exchanges and others are Sunny and 72 with clear skies. Similar to how global warming (if you are a believer) affects the earth, communication affects our marital relationship. Communication complaints Research indicates that communication is one of the primary reasons cited for divorce. Men and women have different complaints about their partners' communication skills. In a recent survey, approximately 70 percent of men who said their marriages ended due to communication problems said that nagging and complaining were the primary issues. About 60 percent of men identified their partners' failure to show appreciation as the leading communication factor. Over 80 percent of women, however, said that their relationships ended because their partners did not do enough to validate their feelings and opinions. In addition, almost 60 percent of women stated that their partners were self-absorbed. Frequency matters Dr. John Gottman, a nationally recognized psychologist, states that he can predict with about 90% accuracy whether a couple will remain married based on how they respond to one another. His premise is that couples regularly issue bids and gambits that invite conversation, laughter or some response. After years of videotaping couples, he found that couples who divorce respond to roughly 33% of their spouses’ bids, while those who stayed married responded to their partner's bids 86% of the time. Couples that responded to 86% of their spouses’ bids also built up a reservoir of positive emotions that allowed them to quickly manage conflict without escalating and make amends. The amount of time or depth of the communication wasn't the factor. The number of times they responded to one another made the difference. Their engagement in one another determined a long-lasting relationship — the frequency of our communication matters. Our loudest voice Webster defines communication as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior. You notice there's nothing in the definition that says it requires speech. Body language is our loudest voice. The unspoken element of communication we use to reveal our true feelings and emotions is our gestures, facial expressions and posture. Albert Mehrabian undertook an experiment in 1971 concluding that face-to-face communication consists of three separate elements: Words, Tone and Body Language. Words account for 7% of the overall message, tone accounts for 38%, and body language accounts for 55%. Many marriages communicate very loudly in silence. The goal is to grow our communication from silent body language to a verbal conversation that creates an environment of understanding and communion, communion being an intimate fellowship or rapport. One of the cornerstones of Live the Life is to teach the HOW. Again, most of us know what we're supposed to do. Life is busy, time is fleeting and many communicate with one-syllable words because they're trying to get to the next place. Our tone is misunderstood because our words are over a text message. Our body language is only as detectable as our connection with FaceTime. So, how do we regulate the temperature of our marriage? How do we go from icy cold or blistering heat to fewer storms, 72 and sunny? Here’s the how: Daily Temperature Reading Couples should spend at least 15 minutes daily in an uninterrupted, no phones, kids-free, focused conversation. The Daily Temperature Reading isn’t a tool for conflict, although it will prevent many misunderstandings. This simple yet profound tool for staying in touch keeps your molehills from growing into mountains. The word "daily" is critical: every 24 hours. Posture should allow you to set the stage for active listening. Sit knee to knee, maintain eye-to-eye contact, and address these seven touchpoints of the Daily Temperature Reading: 1. Appreciation – express at least one appreciation for what your spouse has done in the last 24 hours. No “buts” allowed. 2. New Information - This isn’t a time for confession, but most people assume the worst in the absence of information and our assumptions are often wrong. This is more of an update; “I ran into so and so, and they said…" “I have a board meeting after work and will be late for dinner tomorrow.” 3. Puzzles - Don't assume you know the answer. If there are things you don't understand, ASK. “I don’t understand why...” “Please explain what you want me to do again...” When questions and puzzles go unanswered, it can lead to trouble. 4. Complaints with a Request for Change - this is non-nuclear and should be used as “Instead of THIS, would you do THAT?” "Please put your dishes in the dishwasher rather than leaving them in the sink." No complaining without a change request. This is limited to a single item not a list. 5. Apologies - this is a sincere request for forgiveness for your mistakes- it's not the time to point out what your spouse needs to apologize for. “I’m sorry I snapped at you this morning. Will you forgive me?” This expresses humility and honors the other person. 6. Wishes, Hopes and Dreams - these can be as simple or extravagant as you'd like. “One day, I'd like a home in the mountains," or “I’d like us to have a date night once every two weeks with no one else; no double dates.” Wishes, Hopes and Dreams point to your future together. 7. Prayer Request - Research indicates that couples who pray together stay together; it's like pouring superglue all over your marriage. Something specific, such as "Please pray that God will establish my thoughts as I prepare for my deposition." “Please pray about where we should send Mary to school.” Once requests are made, each spouse prays out loud for the other. This can be accomplished with each of you going step by step, point by point and concluding with a kiss. If this is done daily, there will be days when you don't have new information or some of the other touchpoints. Like most concepts we teach, the Daily Temperature Reading is SIMPLE. Good communication is one of the antidotes for marital stress. Give this a try and monitor the weather of your marriage; a temperature of 72 with sunny blue skies could be the forecast. You've read what man's research about communication has discovered. Research backs up the Bible. What does God say? “But you must put away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from our mouth” (Colossians 3:8). “…for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25). If you have a story to share or questions to ask, or if you're interested in participating in one of our classes, please email [email protected] or visit our website, LivetheLifeSoFlo.org. Need a weekly refresh of what you can do to enhance your marriage and family relationships? Enroll in our Marriage and Family Monday Minute. MARRIAGE 14 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition - Lisa May - Executive Director, Live the Life South Florida Communication, the Daily Temperature of Your Marriage
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16 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING Easter is the most pivotal moment in our Faith, remembering the sacrifice our Heavenly Father made so that we may have a relationship with Him. This is an unimaginable sacrifice for us as parents to wrap our heads around. As Christians, teaching this to our children is necessary, but how? In the past we have talked about many ways for us to talk to our children about Easter. We have talked about the “Resurrection Eggs,” which help parents of small children walk through the Easter week in a creative and ageappropriate way. We have mentioned “Resurrection Rolls,” another age appropriate and hands on way to teach about the empty tomb. We have even talked about extending grace in our parenting. Intentionally using a moment where our child did not deserve grace, but we used it as a way for them to understand the magnitude of God’s grace for us. The power of “I’m sorry” There is another very simple but very powerful tool that we have in our arsenal as parents: “I’m Sorry.” This may seem strange to you but hear me out. You see the Bible teaches us in Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (NLT). It seems that especially when they are little, children often see their parents as superheroes. In their little reality, we are “perfect.” For many reasons it is powerful for a parent to ask for their child’s forgiveness when they make a mistake. First, this teaches a child humility, that no one is above asking for forgiveness. It also is teaching, by example, a behavior we want them to emulate. How powerful for a boy to observe their father saying, “I’m sorry.” It also teaches children from an early age that we as parents are not perfect and indeed human. (A fact your teenager already knows and probably reminds you) This is an amazing opportunity for us to teach Romans 3:23. Not using this an excuse for our failure but as a way to share the gospel. “I need to apologize for the way I responded to you. It was not as kind as I would have liked.” Deeper conversations If this is a regular habit in your home (apologizing not unkindness), it sets you up for deeper conversations. Later that night sitting on the edge of your child’s bed, you take advantage of the scenario. “Remember how mommy had to apologize today? It’s something that I would like to talk to you about. You see mommy and daddy make mistakes. We mess up. In fact, the Bible tells us that we all make mistakes, and those mistakes keep us from God. Because God is perfect, he cannot be around our mistakes and mess ups, but that is why He sent Jesus. Jesus took all our mess ups with him on the cross and paid our consequence for us. That way we can have a relationship with God. This is what we are celebrating this month with Easter.” Our apologies can have a profound impact on our children. This not only teaches them that no one is above apologizing but gives us an opportunity to share the gospel. What a privilege it is to share the amazing thing God has done for us! Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries How a Simple Apology Can Demonstrate the Significance of Easter
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FOSTER CARE 18 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition You never know when God is going to bring a word or promise back to you – after all He is always writing the most amazing stories. It was back in 2018 when we were on our 4KIDS staff retreat when God began the story of HopeConnect™. A flicker of hope At the time we had just finished the Christmas season and our church did some incredible work with Operation Christmas Child where we sent gifts to kids in crisis all over the world as we shared the hope of the gospel. During our annual staff retreat, we always take an hour and encourage staff to spend quiet, alone time with the Lord as they ask Him to illuminate something to them. That year I couldn’t help but think of those kids we served with Operation Christmas Child and how they weren’t that different from the thousands of kids in foster care who also need the Church to reach out to them with hope. A fellow 4KIDS team member Joel Ceballos felt that same urging and together we felt God lead us to Colossians 4:3, “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.” At the time we had no idea what kind of door could possibly open, but we knew God was stirring something within us to bring the hope of His Word to more kids in need. A new story of hope Just a few short months later, Rob Hoskins, president of OneHope, shared his desire to collaborate to create unique and powerful resources for hope, together. That soon launched years of research with several additional key strategic partners like Buckner International, based in Texas; Olive Crest, in California; Faith Bridge, in Georgia; and the Christian Alliance for Orphans. Foster, adoptive, single, blended and married parents from Maui, Hawaii, to Bangor, Maine, shared their pain points and insights. We also leveraged the expertise of our clinical team and foster care team. Together we worked with foster families to create and test a brand new platform that could place God’s hope at the fingertips of any parent in need – HopeConnect™. Joel Ceballos, who went on to serve as our Director of Strategic Partnerships, including HopeConnect™, shared, “Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumatic events in the life of children, affecting nearly half of kids in the US and even more throughout Latin America. HopeConnect™ equips parents with ways to help their kids welcome healing connection with the Hope of God’s Word.” HopeConnect™ helps parents and caregivers instill a biblical sense of hope and identity in the life of a child exposed to trauma. Through Everyday Moments™ activities, children experience trauma-informed activities in the context of safe relationships. These Everyday Moments™ are designed by our trauma-informed experts and are easy to use for all parents and caregivers. Parents get step-by-step activities to strengthen connection and lay a foundation for God’s Word in your child’s life – plus HopeConnect™ is accessible at no cost to families! In September 2022, we launched HopeConnect™ at the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) Conference, and since then thousands have already been impacted. Last year over 5,600 social workers and ministry staff members were trained on how to utilize HopeConnect™ and how to share this resource with families they serve – with over 1,350 families across 8 organizations impacted. Hope that goes beyond And it’s not only impacting families in our immediate community, but beyond. Joel went on to share, “Last year we launched HopeConnect™ in Spanish. One Everyday Moment™ on HopeConnect™ is a Bedtime activity called One, Two, See. Based on Philippians 4:8, this activity helps a parent dispel the petrifying fear most kids with trauma have towards bedtime. Carmen, a mom from Bogota, Colombia, reached out to share how much nighttime horrors paralyzed her 9-year-old son with fear. ‘My son was sexually molested and trauma from the experience did not allow him to sleep well through the night. He would often wake up with the horror of seeing images of the face of the criminal who hurt him. This would cause him to have trigger events where he would also shut down. After using One, Two, See with my son, his fears are dispelled. His mind and emotions are freed from the grip of fear and captured by God’s grip of grace. While tucked in bed, he vividly explains to me the one thing he loved about today and the two things he is looking forward to experiencing the next day. And he knows that God helps him to ‘think on things that are true’ as Philippians 4:8 tells us. Now he doesn’t have nightmares nor wet the bed. And thank God, I am speaking hope into his hurting heart.’” Parents in California, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado and across several other states are reporting similar experiences. Focus on the Family, Lifesong for Orphans, Both Hands have also joined us in sharing HopeConnect™ with the tens of thousands of families they serve. Albert Reyes, Buckner International President & CEO said, “HopeConnect™ is an excellent tool that hides the Word of God in the hearts of children who need healing and hope.” Our mission at 4KIDS has always been “Hope for Kids in Crisis.” This tool bridges the gap from Hope to Healing in our 4KIDS Paradigm of Hope, Homes and Healing. Hope to Healing is possible, rescue to restoration is happening, not only for children but for parents as well. HopeConnect™ is available in English, Spanish and soon in Brazilian Portuguese at no cost and in fun-filled ways equips you to instill the Hope of God’s Word and the power of healing connection right at your fingertips. Access HopeConnect™ Today: Or Visit: HopeConnect.org Learn More About 4KIDS’ Hope, Homes, & Healing: - Kevin Enders - 4KIDS President & CEO HopeConnect™ Helps Hide the Word in Children's Hearts
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HEART AND SOUL 20 MARCH 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Last month, in honor of President's Day, Dr. Stephen Mansfield, a New York Times best-selling author and Executive Director of the Center for Global Leadership at PBA, wrote an article titled "Abraham Lincoln and His Covenant with God" for the Institute of Faith and Culture. The piece explores the life of one of our nation's most revered figures, his journey from skepticism to profound faith, and how his leadership — encompassed by his desire to follow the Lord — changed the course of history. The following article is a reminder of the immense responsibility of leaders like Lincoln, who lead with courage, faith and an unwavering commitment to better the future. Abraham Lincoln and His Covenant with God It was something that President Lincoln had long hoped to do. He would, if the opportunity came, free the slaves. He did not have the authority to free the slaves in the north; that would have to come later, with an act of Congress. He could, though, issue a wartime proclamation freeing slaves in the states rebelling against the Union and slaves who were in contraband camps. It was the right thing to do, and he would act when the time presented itself. And so he waited. For what exactly? For a sign from God. He said as much in a cabinet meeting on September 22, 1862. Salmon Chase, the secretary of the Treasury, recorded the moment in his diary. Having reminded all present that he had often spoken of his proclamation before, Lincoln then said that the time had come. “When the rebel army was at Frederick, I determined, as soon as it should be driven out of Maryland, to issue a Proclamation of Emancipation such as I thought most likely to be useful. I said nothing to anyone; but I made the promise to myself, and (hesitating a little) — to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am going to fulfill that promise.” [1] “Chase, a meticulous man, asked if he had heard the president correctly. Lincoln replied, 'I made a solemn vow before God, that if General Lee was driven back from Pennsylvania, I would crown the result by the declaration of freedom to the slaves.’”[2] Gideon Welles, secretary of the Navy, was also at this meeting and, like Chase, wrote of it in his diary. “In the course of the discussion on this paper, which was long, earnest, and on the general principle involved, harmonious, he remarked that he had made a vow, a covenant, that if God gave us the victory in the approaching battle he would consider it an indication of Divine will, and that it was his duty to move forward in the cause of emancipation. It might be thought strange, he said, that he had in this way submitted the disposal of matters when the way was not clear to his mind what he should do. God had decided this question in favor of the slaves. He was satisfied it was right, was confirmed and strengthened in his action by the vow and the results.”[3] If Lincoln’s cabinet members were surprised to hear him speaking of “the divine will” and of making covenants with God, it was understandable. He was sometimes confusing in matters of religion. He refused to become a member of any religious denomination but attended New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC faithfully. He subscribed to no manmade creed, he often said, but read the Bible daily, commonly engaging visitors to the White House in long discussions of faith and theology. He despised the southern theologians who defended slavery from the pages of scripture but routinely stayed up late into the night writing himself notes in which he wrestled with the will of God for the nation. Everyone knew that as a young man he had declared himself an atheist and even written a booklet undermining faith in God. Friends who knew he had political aspirations ripped the offending manuscript from his hands and burned it. Yet slowly, agonizingly, Lincoln had come to faith. It had come in the wake of grief over his dead sons, Eddie and Willie. It came through the ministrations of Dr. James Smith, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Illinois, and his valiant presentation of Christian truth in The Christian’s Defence, a book Lincoln grew to cherish and consult often. It had come also as a tortured president cried out to God, begging the Ruler of Nations to end the bloody conflict destroying America. Faith came to Lincoln, and it was a faith that surrendered human reason to the ways of a sovereign God. Thus it was that when the Emancipation Proclamation became law in January of 1863, it was confirmation of a covenant between God and the president of the United States. It was why Lincoln was able to say, “If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it.”[4] Historians often speak of the hinges of history, of turning points that shape all that comes afterward. The Emancipation Proclamation was such a turning point, and the fact that it arose from a nation’s leader making covenant with God to liberate a people is a tale we ought to know, we ought to celebrate, and we ought to commend to the generations that follow us. In doing so, we might help our nation return to the covenant-making God of Abraham Lincoln. [1] David Donald, Inside Lincoln’s Cabinet: The Civil War Diaries of Salmon P. Chase (New York: Longmans, Green & Co., 1954), 149–150. Emphasis added. [2] F. B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1995), 90. Emphasis added. [3] John T. Morse, Jr., ed., Diary of Gideon Welles: Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, 3 vols. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1911), 1:142–143. Emphasis mine. [4] Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals: Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005), 499. - Dr. Debra A. Schwinn - Palm Beach Atlantic University President A Journey from Skepticism to Faith
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