LETTERS 8 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition up, our middleman to have a relationship with God. “Christians” blindly refuse to believe what Jesus did in his work on earth. - Gary Wayne Yes, praying can change anything. - Sandra Dee Just understand that Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Only through the blood of Jesus; there is no other way. - Wallace Parker If a person doesn’t believe prayer changes things, they’re still a sinner, a lost soul, still not forgiven because that takes faith in Jesus’ name and prayer of faith. - Charles Burdine Summer Stewardship by Scott Pearson, Associate Professor, with introduction by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, President, Palm Beach Atlantic University I am a firm believer that a good outdoor walk with good converstion, a shady place to relax and refreshments (it’s hot in Texas) can be every bit as memorable as an expensive trip but for all the right reasons. Teaching children that the only quality time is spent spending money is problematic.. - Blake Harty The Chosen — What is a friend? by Omar Aleman, Aleman and Associates What is a friend? A friend is not simply someone who occupies a seat at our table, but someone who walks beside us for a purpose and a season. I believer every person and every circumstance we encounter carries purpose. Some are sent to comfort us, some challenge us, some to teach us, and some to reveal the very character we are cultivating within ourselves. Friendship is deeper than fellowship. Fellowship is gathering, sharing common spaces, worshipping together, or enjoying common interests. - Charlene Alvarez Congratulations Graduates 2026! by Shelly Pond, GOOD NEWS Editor Thank you so much for featuring these amazing graduates! David Reales is such an amazing young man as I am sure all of these graduates are. - Mark Hattabaugh, Senior Pastor, The Pentecostals of Cooper City Congratulations to all! - Kimberly Weeks Mathis Thank you SO much for including our amazing graduates! - Grace Place School Proud to be representing Catholic education for 90 years. - St. Thomas Acquinas High School Christian education is the best. - Maritza Cosano Fighting Spiritual Battles in the Arena of Prayer by Franklin Graham, President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Prayer changes everything and everyone! - Beth Ruschel Yes, we are seeing some great results of prayer. - Carla Harvey Kroll Those in the apostles’ day needed born again because they were under the curse of the law and separated from God. Those after Jesus’ work do not need born again because the second Adam, Jesus came with the ministry of reconciliation. Those under sin which was the trespass of the law were reconciled. Redeemed they were and none of it had anything to do with us. The way to God opened back PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 A Road Less Traveled – by Leslie J. Feldman WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . .8 PASTOR PROFILE . . . . . . . . .10 Every Square Inch: Jon Elswick & Crossway Church – by Anitra Parmele COMMUNITY NEWS . .12 - 20 ON THE NET . . . . . . . . .22 - 23 FAITH & CULTURE . . . . . . . .24 What Really Made America Great – by Dr. Rob Pacienza IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . . .26 America — Still a Struggle – by Franklin Graham COVER ARTICLE . . . . . 28 – 29 The United States of America at 250 Years: Are We Still a Republic? – by Dr. Warren Gage PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 America 250: A Time for Family Prayer – by Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts HEART AND SOUL . . . . . . . .32 Patriotic Ideals: Honoring Our Nation's 250th Anniversary Now and Always – by Dr. Wes Borucki; Intro by Dr. Debra A. Schwinn GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . . . . . . . 34 - 36 STEWARDSHIP . . . . . . . . . . .38 Puzzle Pieces – by Patrick J. Kelly THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 You Are Gifted – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 A Defining Moment in Humanity: A Statement on Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas – by Rob Hoskins ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . . .42 Stand By Me – by Omar Aleman FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . . .44 250 – by Andrew Holmes LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Avoiding a Surprise – and Potentially Unwanted – Business Partner – by William “Bill” C. Davell and Henny Shomar GOD STORIES . . . . . . . . . . .48 When Hope Seemed Lost: Anthony’s Journey of Redemption – by Antony Tchividjian HOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 When God's Goodness Has a Face – by Joseph Kenner CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . .52 – 55 We Get Letters South Florida Edition • Good News • July 2026 • Volume 28, Issue 4 On The Cover The hope of our future, children gather at Fort Lauderdale Beach in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, followed by a sweet treat of ice cream at Pops Corn, located at 901 Sunrise Lane, just east of A1A in Fort Lauderdale. Pictured Front Row (L to R): Isaac Mason, Emma Copeland, Rebecca Copeland, Elijah Mason; Back Row: Nathan Copeland, Anna Copeland, Daniel “Dre” Mason, Olivia Copeland. Read the cover article “The United States of America at 250 Years: Are We Still a Republic?” by Dr. Warren Gage on pages 28 and 29. Photo Credit: Ariel Feldman www.fieldmanworker.com CONTENTS
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