Alternatives to the Two-Party Gridlock

Penni Bulten
4 May 2016
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  Recently, the Libertarian Party held its first nationally televised debate. Hosted by Fox Business commentator John Stossel, the two-part event was broadcast on most cable systems and the internet. A CNN poll in late March revealed that 39 percent of voters would consider a third party candidate if Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were the nominees of the two major parties. Only about 33 percent are comfortable with Trump as the Republican nominee. The most recent poll from the Associated Press reveals even more potential for a third party to gain momentum, as 20 percent of polled voters stated […]

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Remembering the Holocaust

Penni Bulten
6 Apr 2016
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  The Holocaust stunned the world with its magnitude, scope and inhumanity and is remembered every year by Jews in a service called Yom Ha Shoah. There is a special liturgy for the event, as well as candle lighting for the people who lived through and died in it.  Though Christians as a whole do not commemorate the day, more Christians are becoming aware of both the Jewish roots of their faith and Christians’ involvement in the Holocaust. People claiming to be Christians were involved in both the rescue and the imprisonment of Jews and other groups during the reign of […]

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Prepare for the Election: Primary, Caucus, Open and Closed

Penni Bulten
1 Mar 2016
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There has been much in the news lately about the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire Primary. These two states kick off the race for delegates to the Republican and Democratic conventions, but they have quite different means of selecting their delegates to the national conventions. Why the difference? Different states choose the means to nominate their delegates: some choose to hold a primary, where a simple vote through the whole state is taken to nominate delegates, others choose to hold a caucus, where delegates are selected by a system of local gatherings. Though the caucus was once the means […]

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St. Valentine, a Man who Stood Firm

Penni Bulten
1 Feb 2016
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Romance, candy, cards and dates are, to many in our culture, what Valentine’s Day is all about. As children, many remember making valentine mailboxes or bags and bringing valentines for the other children in the class. Wives and girlfriends often expect a special date or treat from their husbands or boyfriends on this day and complain to the guy who doesn’t come through. The reason for the connection between the first Saint Valentine and the romantic side of life is a story in itself, one of a true believer who stood for the right to marry in a culture that […]

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Religious Freedom Day Affirms Freedom of Worship

Penni Bulten
5 Jan 2016
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As in years past, the White House is expected to proclaim January 16 as Freedom of Religion Day. The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. Regardless of what is said, most Christians believe there has been an erosion of their rights for some time. One of the biggest threats has been Obamacare, which threatened to violate the rights of at least two family-owned businesses, Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties. The Alliance Defending Freedom saw the threat and successfully defended the case at the Supreme Court for the two businesses. […]

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‘Tis the Season for…Christmas Lights

Penni Bulten
1 Dec 2015
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The history of electric Christmas lights is fascinating in itself. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the original light bulb, used the Christmas season to promote electric lights for the trees. In earlier days, people would use candles to light the trees and would stand by with a bucket of water and a bucket of sand to put any fire out. The candles would only be lit for a few minutes at a time, and adults watched carefully for any sparks coming from the branches. Around the turn of the century, the candles were placed in glass balls or small lanterns. […]

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Principles to Consider Before You Vote

Penni Bulten
3 Nov 2015
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As candidates for president campaign across the country, participating in the debates and presenting their agendas with hopes of winning your vote, there are many questions that arise. The Scriptures are the standard for Christian behavior, to be certain, and should be considered when deciding how to vote on either an issue or a candidate. Once a decision is made, there is a matter of follow-up. Whether a new amendment to a state law is on the ballot or a candidate is running for office, the Scripture has some general principles that direct a Christian’s vote.   Consider biblical values […]

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Home Education is a Growing Trend

Penni Bulten
3 Aug 2015
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Home Education

  As back to school sales mark the approach of another school year, a growing number of both secular and religious Floridians is choosing to educate their children at home. From 2003 to 2012 the percentage of children who are being home schooled has gradually increased from 2.2 percent to about 3.4 percent. Home schooling parents are still a small minority, but they are a vocal minority. The reasons people choose to home school are different for each family, but the most common reason cited is the environment the children are expected to learn in. Another reason stated very well […]

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Summer Fun in Broward

Penni Bulten
7 Jul 2015
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As excited as everyone becomes about summer vacation, the time eventually comes when the typical ideas fail to relieve boredom. Even people with two-week vacations can find the time moves too slowly without something interesting to do. Many find reading an interesting book, visiting friends or a trip to the library enriching, but there are plenty of alternate activities. South Florida has one of the richest environments for summer learning activities for all ages of any area in the state. There are museums of all types to visit, many of them with hands on activities for families to enjoy. Activities […]

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Summer Fun

Passover and Easter Celebrate Freedom from Tyranny

Penni Bulten
3 Apr 2015
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passover and easter

Recognizing the connection between Passover and Easter, many churches of all types of denominations will celebrate both within the same week. In Florida and many other states, there is the unique opportunity to attend both a Passover Seder and a sunrise service in the same church. Churches across the world will use the words of the angel at the tomb in Matthew 28:5-7 as a part of their liturgy. The leader will quote the angel, “He is risen!” and congregants will reply, “He is risen, indeed!” Other churches present a passion play, portraying the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. […]

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