Joseph D. Kenner: When God’s Goodness Has a Face

In last month’s Good News article, It Is Time for a Tasting, I reflected on Psalm 34:8, where David invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” This verse is both an invitation and a challenge. It calls us to experience God’s goodness personally and then share that goodness with others. But what does God’s goodness actually look like? For many people, God’s goodness is easiest to recognize during seasons of abundance. We see it in answered prayers, restored relationships, new opportunities and unexpected blessings. Yet Scripture often reveals God’s goodness most clearly during times of struggle. […]

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Joseph D. Kenner: A Fragrance That Endures

At a recent Convene nonprofit leader peer group meeting, one of our members shared a devotion from Mark 14:3–9, a familiar passage that carried a renewed urgency. In the story, a woman breaks open an alabaster jar of costly perfume and pours it out on Jesus. Some saw waste. Jesus saw devoted, sacrificial worship, as this woman endured the scolding and indignation of the onlookers. More than that, He declared that her act and her story would be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. Over 2,000 years later, we continue to tell her story. That moment has stayed with me, […]

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Joseph D. Kenner: A Refuge in the Storm: Finding God’s Presence Through Family Safe Parking

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” These powerful words from Psalm 46 remind us that even in the most uncertain and overwhelming moments, we are never alone. For those of us who walk in faith, this truth is foundational. Yet for many families in our community, safety and stability can feel distant, almost unreachable, like something meant for others but not for them. Lives in upheaval and a loss of hope are a daily reality for many families in South Florida, a reality we encounter every day at HOPE South Florida.   Family Safe Parking […]

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Joseph D. Kenner: Choosing Love Over Luck

As we step into March, we are reminded of four-leaf clovers and celebrations of “the luck of the Irish” surrounding Saint Patrick and St. Patrick’s Day. Store windows fill with shamrocks and leprechauns, and conversations are sprinkled with good fortune and playful wishes. It is a lighthearted time of year. Yet as followers of Christ, we know that the transformation of lives does not depend on luck. It is grounded in love. Last month, we reflected on 1 John 3 and the powerful reminder that we are called to love not merely with words, but with actions and in truth. […]

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Joseph D. Kenner: Love That Shows Up

February is the month of hearts, flowers, cards and kind words. Valentine’s Day reminds us to say “I love you” more often. Scripture, however, gently challenges us to go further. In 1 John 3:18 we are reminded, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Love according to the Gospel is meant to be lived, not just spoken.   Maria’s story Maria’s story is a powerful example of what that kind of love looks like in real life. Shortly after Christmas 2024, when many families were still enjoying holiday leftovers and decorations, […]

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Joseph D. Kenner: Building HOPE: Where do you fit in this story?

At HOPE South Florida, we believe that when a community comes together, lives are changed. That’s not just a slogan — it’s our reality, and it’s rooted in Scripture. From the very beginning, God designed us for relationship. But when relationships fracture, when systems fail, when crises arise, the result is more than just disruption — it can be devastating. What you may not know is that the number one cause of homelessness is not caused by substance abuse or mental illness; it’s a profound and catastrophic loss of community. When someone loses their job, faces domestic abuse, or can’t […]

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