Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • September 2025 • Volume 27, Issue 6
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PUBLISHER 8 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition During my journey, I am oddly struck with a feeling that some among the church brethren are pretty judgmental when it comes to their interpretation of the right or the wrong way to church people up. “Some churches are too big? they are too impersonal… sure, the big churches have programs, but we’re just a little church.” Some feelings are strong, even defiantly disappointed that not everyone adheres to the “official” right path of churchdom. I know churchdom is not an official or definable word, but I take some license here to make my point. I’m unabashedly a fan of those leaders who express jubilant excitement for preaching the word; even to the point of using some modern technology to teach and reach as many as possible. Do as we’re told: Grow the kingdom. Way back then, we used the ancient scrolls. Well, not me, I’m not that old, but now the Word is more modernly republished into the book form of the Bible; the greatest book ever written, the number one selling book the world has ever known. Wordsmith purveyors of descriptive high praise in the entertainment industry would be prone to exclaim, “The Bible!” and likely use words like epic, phenomenal, killer, first class, stellar, boffo or mineblowing, suggesting the Bible is the best of the best! When Jesus returns, He may again, take on a more modern life-like look, perhaps modern clothing and partake in the current mode of transportation, and leave his sandals behind… or, be flanked by Angels for even quicker transport. I am dismayed, when people suggest there’s a right or ‘official’ way to teach God’s commandments to people with justifiable curiosity, who truly want to learn. So my own curiosity leads me to a simple Google search: How many denominations use the Bible? “Estimations vary wildly, with figures for Christian denominations ranging from thousands to over 45,000 globally. All Christian denominations use the Bible as their sacred scripture, though differences exist in their theological interpretation.” Wow! Now that I’ve given the set-up, I’m back to my original question: why are so many dismayed by some pastors using current technology, especially to reach younger people in the format they are accustomed to, to grow the kingdom. It’s “too Theatrical” some may say, yet enthusiastically approve of technology like internet live streaming a Sunday church service, when we are commanded to congregate and worship together? I recently attended a Sunday service at a local downtown church, one of the oldest in Broward County where attendance until recently had dwindled to the low hundreds two years ago. Now, through new pastoring and a rebirth of enthusiasm, it has significantly grown into the many thousands again. The pastor faintly acknowledges that his brand has caught the attention of younger churchgoers in large numbers because of a more high-tech service, musing somewhat sarcastically: “Our Church is so big, too big? So, who do we send home?” Profoundly thought provoking. “So, who do we send home?” Or do we grow the kingdom? Please join us as our guest, encouraged with a large smile and extended hand. I’m led by a biblical view of making room for everyone in the church and growing the kingdom as expressed through verses on hospitality, unity and evangelism. "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God," (Romans 15:7 ESV). "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus," (Galatians 3:28 ESV). "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares," (Hebrews 13:1–2 ESV). These passages outline the Christian mission to spread the gospel and multiply the community of believers. As summer comes to a close and we ready for the holidays, please extend a hand and invite all those who want to join and welcome with a smile. Is There a Right Size? - Leslie J. Feldman - Publisher 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 2025. All rights reserved. Good News Media Group, LLC. 600 S.W. 3rd St., Suite 4000, Pompano Beach, FL 33060 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] On The Cover In honor of their 60th Anniversary, the Executive Committee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County gathered at BrandStar Studio’s state-of-the-art facility in Deerfield Beach for our September Good News cover photoshoot. We want to express our gratitude to BrandStar Studio Co-Founders Doug Campbell and Mark Alfieri for graciously partnering with us by making their incredible facility available to serve our community. A special thanks to Sarah Mohammed, Operations Manager; Campbell Robinson, Production Coordinator; Matt Rutter, Ray Redmond, Elias Soler and Sam Sargent for their creative assistance. Read the cover article: “Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward Marks 60 Years of Changing Lives” on pages 50 – 51. Photo credit: Rob Aleong luxuryproductionstudios.com “Our Church is so big, too big? So, who do we send home?” - Pastor David Hughes, First Baptist, Fort Lauderdale Good News • September • Volume 27 Issue 6
LETTERS 10 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Dr. James C. Dobson, Visionary, Family Advocate and Founder of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, Dies at 89 Now he’s in Jesus arms. - Melody Dawn Killough Culler Another spiritual giant has gone home to be with Jesus! - Jerry Hunter Such a great man for God and spreading the Good Word of our Lord and Savior, Jesus! - Marcia F Peterson I listened every day to his radio broadcast!! Great man!! - Nina J Stinnett He was a great example and wise leader and teacher of good values! - Brenda Cogbill I listened to him and his program. Thank you, Dr. Dobson for the blessed lessons from God! Prayers and Condolences to their families! - V Keith Tracy Ross The Power of the Gospel by Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association So true because evil and sin seems to have overtaken the universe, but I will assure you Satan will NEVER win in this fight because Almighty God spoke this world into existence and ALL we need to do is ACCEPT Jesus as our Lord and Savior because through Jesus is the only way to Eternal Life in Heave and He gives us complete FATH, PEACE, Joy, Happiness and He FILLS us with LOVE!!! - Marie Watkins As we all should be doing. We need to be praying for President Trump and all leaders whether democrat or republican. - Cindy Tompkins Praise God. God Answers Prayer. God Bless You. You Look JUST LIKE YOUR DAD. - Glenda Hawkins Amen! God is good. We need to keep praying for our President & Vice President & others in office. Let’s make America Great Again! - Ruberta Robertson I understand he has a prayer team he prays with every morning and bless he also has you. - Pamela Sylvester South Florida Bible College Celebrates 40 Years of Christ-Centered Education by Shelly Pond, Good News Editor We’re honored to be featured on the cover of the Good News as we celebrate 40 years of ministry and impact at South Florida Bible College! This milestone is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the support of our amazing community. Here’s to the next 40 years of equipping students, transforming lives, and serving South Florida and beyond. - Dr. Mary Drabik I thank God for South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary. - Jarred Wilson I’m honored to start teaching there this semester as an adjunct professor. - Brad Boyette Amazing people here! - Matthew Valencia Excellent article!!! As long as I have been around South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary, I still learned a few things from reading it. - John Stevenson Amazing! It’s been a pleasure to serve alongside you both! - Jason Jackson Thanks for the past 40. Hope the next 40 is even better. - David Barsky Why Evangelicals Support Israel by Dr. O.S. Hawkins, Chancellor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary God help Israel in ways only You can! - Roberta Whalen Because God tells us in the Bible. Israel is his chosen people thanks to Abraham, Jacob and Issac and their faith and belief in God. God bless Israel. Praying for Israel. - Grace Dorsey We Get Letters PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Is There a Right Size? – by Leslie J. Feldman WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Hopeful Horton (and the lessons I can learn)– by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Operation Heal Our Patriots: "It's a New Beginning" – by Franklin Graham PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 What Do We Need Family For? – Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Signed, Sealed and Delivered – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Thin Spaces – by Andrew Holmes FAITH & CULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 More than a Game, Less than a God – by Dr. Rob Pacienza RELATIONSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Lusty Eyes – by Dr. David Lema CHRISTIAN COLLEGE GUIDE 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 - 48 COVER STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 - 51 Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward Marks 60 Years of Changing Lives – by Shelly Pond HOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Building HOPE: Where do you fit in this story? – by Joseph D. Kenner LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Looking to Adopt? Is Public or Private Best for You? – by William “Bill” C. Davell and Jeff Wood GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . . .56 – 58 Can you identify something specific that you see God doing in our community now? STEWARDSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Nothing New Under the Sun – by Patrick J. Kelly ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Fact Finding Mission – by Omar Aleman MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Record Number of Faith-Based Movies Coming to Theaters – by Stanley Goldenberg COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . .64 - 65 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 - 67 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 - 71 South Florida Edition • Good News •September 2025 • Volume 27, Issue 6 CONTENTS
PERSPECTIVE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition I am increasingly aware of the hopelessness in our society that seems to exist like a thick fog. I understand that most of that hopelessness is masqueraded with busy lives, conversations centered on frivolous topics and the propensity to show off on social media. The more you stop and listen and filter out the noise, the more you here the cries of those around you. Enter Horton the elephant I am reminded of Horton, the main character in Dr Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who. The basic premise is that Horton, an elephant, has the capacity of hearing the cries of the Who and then spares them from utter destruction from Horton’s naïve peers who assume that because they don’t hear what Horton hears, Horton must be crazy. Horton maintains the mantra that, “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” Horton has the ability to hear what everyone else can’t. I could learn a thing or two from Horton. I am convinced that the faster I move in life, the less I hear. I may be under the illusion that I am truly hearing and seeing what is around me; all the while I pride myself in my ability to multitask at lightning speed with utmost efficiency (BRAVO Stephan…. really?). However, the reality of it is, I am not hearing at all. I am hearing my assumptions, my opinions, my presumptions, but I am not hearing reality. I realize that when I slow down, I see and hear things that sometimes no one else sees or hears… and it’s usually the hidden key that everyone is looking for. The source of this key is the Holy Spirit. The ability to hear the voice of God and discern His will. Like PEZ candy The more I hear and see what God see’s, the more I will recognize the hurt, pain and brokenness around me. I am then compelled as a follower of Jesus to stand in the gap, bring hope, just like Horton. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in 1 Peter 3:15, “Be ready always to give a reason for the hope that is in you and do it with gentleness and respect.” Would you allow me a minute to unpack this? The operative word is HOPE. The Bible verse implies that someone is going to come up to me and ask me about the reason of the hope that I possess. However, what if I am not displaying hope? What if I am always worried, anxious, spouting off gossip, bad-mouthing people, angry, only talking about what is failing in our world, country, life etc.? Frankly, no one is going to approach me and say, “Hey, can you give me the reason for the Hope that is in you”. Why, because they don’t see hope in me. Christians should be dispensers of hope… like PEZ candy. Therefore, if I display hope in my life, which does not mean that I have to pretend everything is perfect, then people that observe my life will reach out and say, “hey, give me the reason (source) of that hope you have.” Once that is asked, I can simply respond with my story. I love the old saying that says, “success builds walls and failure builds bridges.” That’s part of my story. My story is real; it has drama; it has victory, failure, intrigue, emotion, success, loneliness, pain, loss, gain, joy (Do I need to go on? Does my life sound normal, like yours?). My story will always point back to God’s faithfulness. God appears as a constant in my life and is the source of my hope and that becomes my testimony (my story). However, it’s important to tell your story with a spirit of gentleness and respect. We could all learn a little more about how to tell our story in a gentle manner laced with utmost respect to the listener. I assume that if someone comes to me and asks me about my hope, they are in a place of some form of hopelessness. In other words, I am hopeFULL and they are hopeLESS. That situation is a vulnerable one, in some cases an embarrassing one. I am coming to you with my mixed-up life in a state of hopelessness, coupled with anxiety, stress, embarrassment etc., and I am risking ridicule by asking you why in the world you seem to have it all together and my life is a mess. How you respond makes all the difference. A response with a tone of, “I told you so” does not bear fruit. A response that is gentle and respectful is affirming and solicits more questions and an honest exchange. Try it. Be contagious Christians Therefore, it’s important that if I desire to see what God sees and hear what God hears that I need to be able to filter out the noise. One of the ways that I do that is to make sure that I am tapped into a deep well. The source of my strength, peace and joy must come from a source other than myself (often masqueraded in my sheer discipline and “can do” attitude). The source is found when I simply surrender and allow God to reveal Himself to me. He gives me access to Himself. I must walk with God, and in that walk, I gain God’s perspective and strength. I call it the “proximity principal.” The closer I am to God the more I hear him and understand His perspective. The farther away the less of Him I understand. Does this ring true in a marriage? A friendship? God’s character and personality become contagious and frankly compelling. People will want what you have and therein lies the opportunity to genuinely tell your story. Therefore, let’s be contagious Christians, who live such colorful and hopeful lives that others want what we have and have the boldness to ask us about it. However, it starts with each of us deciding to plug into the power of a vibrant and daily life with Jesus. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. Hopeful Horton (and the lessons I can learn) - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida
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14 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD I'm in Alaska for our 14th season of Operation Heal Our Patriots. Every Sunday we bring in a new group of wounded veterans and their spouses for a weeklong marriage retreat led by former military chaplains. Couples are greeted by a cheering, flagwaving crowd of residents, staff, and volunteers. It is always a privilege for Jane Austin and me to welcome them as they step onto the gravel runway. They go through daily, biblically based classes designed to strengthen their marriages. They are also able to enjoy wilderness excursions in God's beautiful creation, including fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Some of them have wandered far from God. Some are angry at Him and at each other. Couples often bring up tough issues that have severely strained their relationship. We always share with them truth from God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the only hope for salvation and true change. And when the Lord changes hearts, He heals hurting marriages. So far this year, 56 people have made decisions for Christ, turning to the Lord in repentance and faith. We give God all the glory. On Fridays, we wind up the week with a time for marriage rededications and baptisms in the cold waters of Lake Clark. We rejoice that 37 couples have renewed their marriage vows before God, and 54 individuals have been baptized during the first seven weeks. Army Sergeant First Class Ben Creek served over two decades in the military, deploying twice to combat in Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He and his wife, Amy, had recently quit years of alcohol abuse and came to Alaska seeking a new start. We praise God that they both found new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amy said, "We've learned how to bring Christ into our marriage and our lives. It's a new beginning." Will you please join me in praying for the nearly 170 military couples who are traveling to Alaska this summer? We're trusting the Lord will do great things in the lives of these American heroes who have sacrificed so much. SamaritansPurse.org, July, 19, 2025; ©2025 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. Operation Heal Our Patriots: "It's a New Beginning" - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Carlos and his wife, Marcy, received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior while in Alaska. Franklin Graham prays with couples. Couples are greeted as they arrive by plane each Sunday in the summer Photo Credit: BGEA Photo Credit: BGEA Photo Credit: BGEA
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16 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition PARENTING We are heading deeper into a time when our society is questioning the need for the traditional family structure. Questions are being asked like: “Do we really need family? Does it really fit this modern culture? Does the traditional family do anything that couldn’t be accomplished by various nontraditional family paradigms?” When leaders don’t know why we need family, they tend to weaken their resolve to fight for it. When parents don’t know why we need family, they can unknowingly stop training the next generation to perpetuate family values. What is the purpose? To understand the need for family you must start by searching for the purpose of family. Where do you go for purpose? For some reason, we tend to burn through (no pun intended) outdoor gas grills. We have purchased and put together so many grills that they can almost be assembled blind folded. As we were about to complete the assembly of our newest grill this summer, I found that there was an extra part. It didn’t seem important, and I’d never seen anything like it before, so we were going to do what we usually do with extra parts and put it in the “extra part drawer.” (That catch all drawer we all have in our kitchen) My son suggested I might want to look at the manual before I discarded the part. As it turned out he was right. The part was a safety device that the maker of the grill had invented to save me from blowing the house up. Once again, saved by the maker’s manual. Obviously, the same wisdom is in effect here. When I don’t understand purpose, I should go to the One who created it all. It was God who placed the family unit at the center of society. The plan The plan for family begins back in the book of beginnings. First God announces that it’s not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18) a fact every woman will applaud. It’s not the best for any of us to be alone, so next God invented marriage, a union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2: 24-25). This invention of the coming together of a man and a woman to work at functioning as one person, was the process of how to accomplish the purpose of family. The look at God’s purpose for family begins in the statement “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Families are called to replicate themselves and direct the next generation to reach their individual purposes. You reach your purpose by getting to know the One who made you. God even tells us that this in His statement of why He selected Abraham. “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD” (Genesis 18:19, NIV). The assignment of parents The number one assignment for parents is to train the child in a way that will allow them to reach their full potential. That means training them and helping them develop their gifts. But more than anything else that means guiding them to develop their own relationship with the One who knows the plans He has for them (Jeremiah 29:11). All the academics and extracurricular activities on the planet won’t help them become better adults if they don’t find the plan God has for them. The primary purpose of family is to raise a generation that loves and trusts God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It shouldn’t surprise us that our culture is trying to remove any reminder of God from our public squares. It shouldn’t shock us that our public schools are having a hard time getting permission to talk about God. Nor should it catch us off guard that there are those questioning God’s paradigm for the family. But the purpose of family, to be fruitful by teaching the next generation to love and trust God, should not get diluted. It’s one thing for the culture to misunderstand the purpose of family, but it’s an absolute tragedy if the parents, the ones entrusted with the purpose of family, drop the ball. The tragedy will be evident in the lives and marriages of the next generation. They will just be humans doing, rather than have the privilege and fun of becoming human beings, reaching beyond their own abilities, doing what their creator made them to do. As a family, are you raising a human doing or a human being? A child who will grow up and get to do what he or she was made to do. A child being everything God intended for him to be. That’s the awesome purpose privilege and plan for the family. Family planning at its best! Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries What Do We Need Family For?
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THE CODE 18 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Recently the front page of our local newspaper carried the story of a raid on a large counterfeit enterprise that was operating in a local warehouse district. Fake Gucci, Chanel and Louis Vuitton merchandise with a street value of over forty million dollars was confiscated, and the operators of the criminal enterprise were arrested A simple ten-dollar sweatshirt, when labeled with a fake Chanel logo, could have generated a bonanza of well over a thousand dollars on the street. There are a lot of counterfeit operations taking place today. On a recent visit to New York, it seemed impossible to walk a block without seeing people selling fake designer handbags and watches. A stamp of authenticity Sadly, counterfeit Christianity is also a reality. Thus, the question arises, “How can we know that our faith is real or if it is, in fact, fake?" Authentic believers have a seal, a stamp of authority that identifies them to an increasingly wondering and woke world. Paul described this mark of authenticity by saying, In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13—14). Did you know that when you believed in Christ and transferred your trust to Him alone for your salvation, God put His seal, His stamp of approval on you? “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit.” When Paul stated that "you were sealed with the Holy Spirit," he wrote these words in a verb tense that indicates the event occurred at a distinct and definite moment in time past, and that you had nothing to do with it. In the Greek syntax of this verse, the subject doesn't act, It is acted upon by someone outside. Paul was speaking here of something that is more like a snapshot from the past and not a video. It is a done deal. When you came to know Jesus as your personal Savior, God put a seal on you that Paul called the "Holy Spirit of promise " And God keeps His promises. A seal speaks of three things-authenticity, ownership, and security. Interestingly, John the Baptist used the same Greek term for "seal" when, speaking of Jesus of Nazareth, he declared, "He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true" (John 3:33) The "seal" Paul talked about in Ephesians 1 reveals that we are real, authentic believers. When you were saved, God certified you and stamped you with the Holy Spirit-His seal of approval to show that you are the real thing. Most of us have heard of the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval." In 1909, Good Housekeeping magazine introduced its seal of approval. The seal was (and still is) awarded to products that have passed rigorous standards set by Good Housekeeping, allowing the company to confidently suggest dependable products to consumers across all these decades. In the context of the Roman world in which Paul lived, letters were sealed with hot wax and then stamped with a seal from a unique signet ring to show the authenticity of the author. Most of us today have had the experience of going to a notary public to certify an agreement with another party. After signing the document, the notary embosses the contract with a seal to show authenticity. In a similar fashion God has "sealed" you with His own Spirit to authenticate your faith and give you the confidence that the transaction of salvation you made with God the Father through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is real. Think back to the day you came to know Christ in the free pardoning of sin, the day you were, in His words, “born again.” The Holy Spirit was there. At the moment God put His Holy Spirit in you to certify the authenticity of your faith. When we sometimes wonder if it is all really real, if we are authentic believers, we need only look for the seal — “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). A seal speaks of authenticity, that something is really real. Proof of ownership A seal also is the indicator of ownership-proof that we actually belong to someone else. Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 1:22 that God has "sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee The NIV translates this verse as God having «set His seal of ownership on us. When God stamped us with His seal of approval, the Holy Spirit, He was reminding us that we belong to Him. When I was a little boy, my uncle owned a ranch in Texas outside the little mountain hamlet of Camp Wood. I always loved being there when it was time to brand the new calves. While one worker held the calf down, another would take a hot iron branding tool and sear my uncle's initials into the animal's hindquarters. This mark would be there for the rest of the cow's life to indicate who owned it. It was not unusual for cattle to occasionally get through a fence and wander onto someone else's property. The brand was there as indisputable evidence of the ownership of the cows. This is the same principle Paul was speaking of when he said, "You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." God put His brand on you. You belong to Him, now and forever. This is God's way of indicating that when we place our trust in Him, He places the Holy Spirit in our hearts to seal the fact that we belong to Him The Holy Spirit is our seal to authenticate our salvation and to let the world know that we belong to Christ. Sealed for security But there is more. God seals us with the Holy Spirit to let us know that we are secure. Ironically, we find the same Greek word Paul used to indicate our authenticity and ownership as believers also used in Matthew 27:66, in the account of the burial of Christ. Once Jesus was in His burial place, Scripture says the tomb was sealed with a Roman seal, and a guard was set to watch over it. A scaling of string and wax was affixed to the tomb to protect it from a tampering or theft. The seal of the Holy Spirit not only speaks of authenticity and ownership but also gives us confidence that we are secure in Him. What a comforting revelation to know that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and secure in Him from anything that might come our way. If you are "in Christ," God has sealed you with His Holy Spirit. You are for real. He has placed His stamp of ownership and authenticity on you. You are secure against any effort of Satan to break that seal. Let's pause for a moment and meditate on these amazing words. "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 113-14). You are signed and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and one day at His coming you will be delivered to the Father - His own purchased possession. The next time you observe a notary's seal proving a document's authenticity, let it be a reminder of the seal of the Holy Spirit that God has placed on your own heart. Taken from The Spirit Code by O.S. Hawkins. Copyright © 2024 by Dr. O.S. Hawkins. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. O. S. Hawkins is the Legacy Pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, chancellor of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and President Emeritus of GuideStone. He has served pastorates, including the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for more than 25 years. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he has a BBA from Texas Christian University and his MDiv and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For almost a quarter of a century, he served as president of GuideStone Financial Resources, with assets under management of $20 billion, serving 250,000 pastors, church staff members, missionaries, doctors, university professors, and other workers in various Christian organizations with their investment, retirement and benefit service needs. He is the author of more than 40 books and regularly speaks to business groups and churches nationwide. All of the author’s royalties and proceeds from the Code series support Mission:Dignity. You can learn more about Mission:Dignity by visiting MissionDignity.org. - Dr. O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Signed, Sealed and Delivered
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FOSTER CARE 20 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Have you ever heard the term “thin space”? It’s an ancient phrase, rich in spiritual meaning. A thin space is a moment, a place, an experience where the veil between heaven and earth seems especially fragile — where God’s presence feels near and tangible. You can’t always explain it. But when it happens, you know. Thin spaces are often found in moments of prayer or worship. Sometimes it’s during a church gathering, other times it’s when you’re alone in your car and clarity breaks through like a beam of sunlight. It’s as if the noise quiets, and God whispers something undeniable to your soul. But there’s one thin space we often overlook — one that exists right in the middle of our everyday lives. The table as a thin space In Celtic tradition, the table is considered a sacred thin space. And while that may sound poetic or symbolic, I believe it’s profoundly practical. Think about it: the table is one of the few places in our fast-paced culture where we regularly slow down, gather and share life. It’s not about the wood or the design — it’s about the people around it. It’s about the presence of God in our midst when we break bread, laugh, grieve, celebrate and connect. The table isn’t just where we eat. It’s where we commune — with one another and with Jesus. Biblical tables Scripture is full of meaningful meals and sacred tables. The Passover table in the Old Testament marked deliverance and remembrance. The table of the Last Supper introduced the New Covenant in Jesus’ blood. Jesus fed the hungry, taught over shared meals and welcomed outsiders to sit and dine with Him. One of the most powerful metaphors for the Kingdom of God is a banquet. Isaiah prophesied that God is preparing a feast for His people. And Revelation speaks of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb — a divine table where joy, healing and eternal communion await. God has always used the table as a place of transformation. A table of redemption For many 4KIDS Foster and Adoptive Families, the table is more than a place to eat — it’s a battleground for trust, connection and healing. The children who join these homes often come with wounds too deep for words. Sitting still, sharing a meal or even making eye contact can feel like a mountain to climb. And yet, slowly, as the days turn into weeks and the meals continue — spaghetti nights, cereal mornings, birthday cakes — the table becomes something sacred. A place where walls come down. Where laughter begins to return. Where a child learns that this seat is theirs and no one’s taking it away. We’ve heard countless stories of breakthrough happening right there at dinner in between bites, when a child finally shares a fear, cracks a joke or reaches for a hand. These moments are holy. Not because they’re grand, but because they are deeply human and quietly divine. This is the kind of thin space we believe in at 4KIDS. Not just in sanctuaries, but in kitchens and dining rooms. Around mismatched chairs and noisy meals. Because when love is consistent, and Jesus is present, even the most ordinary table becomes a place of redemption. Don’t miss the moment In our own homes, the table may feel more chaotic than holy. It might be cluttered with backpacks or half-finished homework. It might sit unused, or it might be missing someone you wish was still there. But even in the messiness, the invitation stands. God meets us in ordinary places. In fact, He seems to delight in showing up not in the spectacular, but in the small. A few minutes of laughter around dinner, a prayer before a meal, a deep conversation that interrupts the usual rush. “Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there in the midst” (Matthew 18:20). And where He is — there is fullness of joy. A new way to see your table As we move through the fall and into the holiday season, the table will take center stage more often. May we see it differently this year, not just as a place to eat, but as a place to encounter. Even when the conversation is light or the room is noisy, or when the meal is takeout, or when the gathering feels small or the heart feels heavy. The table still holds potential to become a thin space. Let’s be intentional with who we invite to it. Let’s see Jesus as the unseen guest who is always present when we gather in His name. And let’s remember that sacred moments don’t have to be staged or scripted — they often begin with a simple seat at the table. Because the thin spaces in our lives aren’t far away — they’re already here. We just have to sit down and notice. Since September 2024, Andrew Holmes has been serving as the President of 4KIDS--a ministry that provides Hope, Homes, and Healing to kids and families in crisis. Learn more and catch the vision of a home for every child at 4KIDS.us. Thin Spaces - Andrew Holmes - 4KIDS President
Chosen People Ministries invites you to a Messianic Worship Service! 561-737-1431 | www.chosenpeople.com | ChosenPeopleMinistries Get our latest updates and resources at www.chosenpeople.com Boynton Beach Friday, Sept. 5 • 7:00 PM Light of Israel Fellowship 1015 Old Boynton Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426 Boca Raton Friday, Sept. 19 • 7:00 PM Light of Israel Fellowship (meeting at CrossBridge Church) 10101 Judge Winikoff Road Boca Raton, FL 33428 Coral Springs Friday, Sept. 26 • 7:00 PM Light of Israel Fellowship (meeting at Parkridge Church) 5600 Coral Ridge Drive Coral Springs, FL 33076 Lake Worth Beach Friday, Sept. 12 • 7:00 PM Common Ground Messianic Fellowship (meeting at Common Ground Church) 1201 S. Federal Highway Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460 You are invited to learn about the Jewish roots of our Christian faith by attending a Chosen People Ministries Messianic worship service! There are services meeting in Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Lake Worth Beach, and Coral Springs. For more information, please call (561) 737-1431.
FAITH & CULTURE 22 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition Football season is upon us. But sports, many think, are merely games, so they’re of little interest to God. As the argument goes, if God doesn’t care about sports, then our participation in sports doesn’t really require any theological or moral reflection. But God is the giver of all good gifts, including sports and competition. When we consider this God-given gift theologically, we can see God’s creational design for sports and competition, human’s sinful misdirection of that design, and Christian redirection of that design. God’s creational design for sports Being created in his image and likeness, he called us to till the soil (Genesis 2:15). To “till the soil” is to bring out the hidden potential of God’s good creation. The soil can be tilled both literally and figuratively. In other words, we can bring out creation’s hidden potentials not only through agricultural work (literally tilling the soil), but also through other kinds of cultural work, such as endeavors in art, science, education, entrepreneurship, and sports and competition. When we engage in cultural work, we are figuratively “tilling the soil.” Thus, it should be no surprise that human beings would creatively make sporting “worlds” complete with their own goals, obstacles, rules and parameters. The apostle Paul used sporting metaphors regularly and positively. He compared the Christian life to running in a race (1 Corinthinas 9:24), fighting in an arena (1 Timothy 6:12), and training for a competition (2 Timothy 3:16). Indeed, the development of sports is in accord with everything we know about God’s design for the world. Team sports are cooperative in nature, as teammates work together to meet goals and overcome obstacles. Coaches and athletes share their joy in creating strategies and tactics to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. Thus, cooperation is the essence of team competition. The joy of cooperation is enhanced by the challenge of competition. Goheen and Bartholomew write, “Competition can enhance the joy and emotional intensity of the whole athletic experience, helping to sharpen one’s skills and produce satisfying physical exertion. Thus, an opponent is not first of all a rival but rather someone who provides the opportunity for a more delightful experience of sport. Competition is an enriching part of God’s gift. One loves one’s neighbor in sport by providing stiff competition to enhance the athletic experience.” Sports and competition are intended to glorify God. They are good in and of themselves, and not a means toward some other human end. The corruption and misdirection of sports and competition God may have created the world as a perfect arena for healthy sports and competition, but human sin and idolatry have corrupted and misdirected the activities in that arena. We can see this corruption and misdirection in many ways. For sports enthusiasts, it can be easy to make a particular sport or team into a functional idol in our lives, enjoying it and centering our lives on it rather than on God. Once we’ve made an idol out of sports, it becomes our primary source of identity. We identify more readily and passionately as a fan of such-and-such team than we do as a follower of Christ. We might find ourselves devoting disproportionate amounts of our time and money to our favorite sports, thus elevating sports above family, friends or vocation. We might find ourselves defending our favorite athletes’ actions when they are arrogant, narcissistic or dishonest. Conversely, we might justify treating competitors with animosity, disdain, disregard, dishonor and disparagement. Similarly, we might catch ourselves justifying verbal abuse toward coaches or athletes who are not performing as well as we would prefer. The healing and redirection of sports and competition In the face of the corruption and misdirection of sports and competition, we must demote sporting to its proper place in life — so that it is not treated as an idol — while at the same time resist denigrating it as something that doesn’t matter. We must treat both our favorite teams and their competitors with dignity and respect. We must encourage on-the-field virtues such as humility, courage and strength, and model these virtues for both our fellow fans and our competitors. We must remember that sporting, like all cultural endeavors, is intended to glorify God rather than self. Conclusion Life is an integrated web, an interconnected whole. God created the world so that it would contain a variety of cultural spheres, each connected to the others and to Christ himself. Thus, our personal devotion to Christ cannot be separated from the way we live in the various “cultural” aspects of our lives. If we are to truly know and love God, we must know and love him not only in our personal devotions and church attendance, but also in the realms of sports, entertainment, education and politics. Thus, we should pray that God will glorify himself not only on Sunday mornings when the church is gathered, but also on Monday through Saturday, when the church is scattered into the broader world, among all of its cultural manifestations. Dr. Robert J. Pacienza is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (Fort Lauderdale, FL), the CEO and President of Coral Ridge Ministries, and the Founder of the Institute for Faith and Culture. John Byl, “Coming to Terms with Play, Game, Sport, and Athletics,” in Christianity and Leisure: Issues in a Pluralistic Society, eds. Paul Heintzman, Glen Van Andel, and Thomas Visker (Sioux Center, IA: Dordt College Press, 1994), 155-63. Bradshaw Frey, William Ingram, Thomas McWhertor, and William Romanowski, “Sports and Athletics: Playing to the Glory of God,” in At Work and Play: Biblical Insight to Daily Obedience (Jordan Station, ON: Paideia, 1986), 46. Michael W. Goheen and Craig G. Bartholomew, Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview (Baker, 2008), 154. - Dr. Rob Pacienza - Senior Pastor, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church More than a Game, Less than a God Boca Raton, FL, 2nd September 2023. FAU during a college football game between Florida Atlantic University Owls v Monmouth at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton.
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RELATIONSHIPS 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition You know who I am talking about. His name is Mr. Luxuria. He is impeccably dressed in the latest style and has his groove on. Like his cologne, he exudes confidence. He has the look of a tiger on the prowl, but very sophisticated. He seems to be very public, but you know there is a dark private side to him. He is the personification of carnality. The only thing he wants to do is have sex with someone. We don’t like to admit it, but we do know someone like that. He could be either male or female. The latest example in the press is Jeffrey Epstein. We considered him a monster and put him in jail. There he committed suicide. Or was he killed? Who will take his place among the living? You? Me? You know we really want to take his place. Why? Because we are ruled by lust. What is lust? According to the dictionary definition “lust is a strong craving for sex.” This is a simple yet profound statement as written. It is simple because lust is simply the natural and fleshly boundless desire in humans to have sex. It seems that today’s world seems to be ruled by this desire to copulate. The Bible refers to this necessary, and sometimes evil, desire as part of the compound we call the flesh. It belongs in the natural world, and it is by definition carnal. This is not heavenly stuff. Therefore, this desire, when unbounded, has been deemed a sin — something that misses the mark of God’s will for our lives. This concept of lust is also very profound. How can something that seems so superficial and crass be so deep? Well, because it is rooted in the primeval evil that beset the world when mankind fell into the reality of sin in the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve said to God that they were naked, they gave the signal that something had broken. They were now able to “lust” after one another and even lust the things, and people, beyond. How does lust sink your family? Lust sinks your family in a very subtle way that eventually becomes very public. If anyone in your family lets this wild animal out, there will be a price to pay. You have heard it said that “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Lust is always looking on the other side. It is always looking for greener pastures. What lust does not know is that the grass is just as green on this side and without the hassle. There is no end to lust. Lust never asks about the consequences of its actions. Lust looks, looks again and keeps on looking till it fulfills its desire to conquer. In the Bible pages we have the story of someone who was led by desire to some dreadful consequences. Yep, you guessed it! King David! (I knew you were thinking of Samson!) He was a model of spiritual virtuosity from his youth. He wrote some very meaningful and deep psalms. He constantly looked for God’s path in his wonderings. Yet, the one time he let down his guard, lust was there waiting for him. His actions, guided by lust, led to his having an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. And this was his undoing. We find the details of the story in 2 Samuel 11. And so, he called Bathsheba, and he slept with her. He was king after all. He could do what he wanted. Lust had its final completion indeed. Then David went back to normal like nothing had happened. It is very clear that David’s default for any sinful situation was to do nothing. It seemed to David that God was not looking. But he was. And he is. We don’t think that God is looking at us, but he is. He sees us as we really are. There is no place for us to hide. What can you do about lust? As one can see from this tragedy in David’s life, one can learn the general lesson that lust can be very dangerous for anyone. We live today in a world where lust is enthroned on high. Lust is the mover and shaker behind the advertisements, dress, music, movies, games and everything and anything. Lust is a very powerful motivator in our world. Lust is everywhere. When you access social media, lust is the face that you see. Many advertisements and news are embedded with lusty messages and icons that promote temptation even for the strongest and most ethical of human beings. Like David, we know the rules. Many of us know God. Many of us even believe in Jesus. Some of us even think we have the Holy Spirit in us. Still, this is no guarantee. One can easily fall into the temptation presented by lust. Like David, one can go down the river of life with lusty eyes to sexual destruction with lust leading the way and one never really taking note of it. Like David, the results of the fall can be devastating. Personally, and cross-generationally, the results are terrible. So, what can you do? You can first, be informed. Be aware of the context that you are in. Whether you are a husband, a wife, a single person, a young person or a child, be aware. Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of your friends. Be aware of opportunities for sin to happen. Be aware of people who want evil for you and your family. Be aware of social media. Be aware of God’s gifts of the pardon of sins and eternal life, don’t squander these! Use them! You can stop lust dead on its tracks before it dismantles your world and sinks your family’s ship. Dr. David Lema is Coordinator of Hispanic Outreach and Instruction for Relate Well Live Well. This article includes quotes from his book “Seven Sins that Sink Your Family… And How to Overcome Them.” If you would like to purchase the book, visit rwlw.org. - Dr. David Lema - Coordinator of Hispanic Outreach, Relate Well Live Well Lusty Eyes
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