Jesus in the Park

Robin Martin
1 Jun 2017
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As the two groups of people stood there, they both asked the same question: “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison” (Matthew 25:37).When? Bewilderment must have begun to set in as every person in the room tried to take stock of their lives and questioned amongst themselves when they could have possibly seen the King, Jesus Himself. When did they see Him and help; when did they see Him and choose not to help? As I stood in Fort Lauderdale’s Stranahan Park on Friday, May 19, the […]

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The Gift of Presence

Robin Martin
1 Dec 2015
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There was always a lead up to the fateful Christmas morning that gave small glimpses of how great the day would be. There were be small piles of gifts that grew every day, and I remember the excitement and palpable anticipation as we prepared for Santa’s arrival. When Santa came, he brought with him gifts that were unwrapped. These gifts were larger and more expensive, and meant to be immediately played with. They would be sitting there when we woke, as early as possible, and rushed into the living room to enjoy Santa’s blessings — things like a bike, a […]

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Celebrate Those Who Fight

Robin Martin
3 Nov 2015
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On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, World War I, The Great War, ended with the signing of a temporary end of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany. With the official laying down of arms, the war was over and peace was returned to civilization. Since that time, November 11th has become known and celebrated as Veterans Day, a day to honor the efforts of those who serve this country in the high calling of military service to defend and protect the rights of freedom for this country and in the world. […]

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Preparing For The Unknown And Seeking Peace

Robin Martin
30 Jul 2015
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My youngest daughter is beginning Kindergarten this year. She is excited, but a little nervous, as she prepares for this new grand adventure, filled with growing responsibilities and a charge to be a big girl. We can sense and clearly see that she is both filled with a sense of boldness, new kitty cat backpack and all, and battling a growing fear of the unknown. Just the other day she told her mother and me that she wants to be a baby again. While she answered, when pressed, that she wanted to stay home with mommy and daddy, I knew […]

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Fighting For a Home

Robin Martin
30 Jun 2015
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fighting for a home

As the fireworks shoot into the air, one after another, creating a tapestry of flashes and colors, the night sky will alight this July 4th. No matter how young or old, a well done show of fireworks can excite, inspire and remind a person of the American Dream. This great country was founded upon a fighting spirit for personal and collective freedom and opportunity of its people. July 4th is a celebration of that initial fight for independence and the birth of a country. They fought for a new home in the land of opportunity. The fires within that marked […]

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Operation Lift Hope is Changing the Homeless Landscape

Robin Martin
3 May 2015
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There is a movement afoot, barely noticed by the community at large, that has been slowly growing momentum over the last few years. This movement represents a monumental change in the entire landscape of services for those who experience homelessness. It is an entire paradigm shift in how we, collectively, are working to end homelessness. Industry experts call this shift a Housing First model, where the primary goal is to quickly identify, assess, and move people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing and then provide services as needed. It is a two-step model of crisis response and rapid re-housing. Locally, as […]

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Operation Lift Hope

A Word of Thanks to Those Who Volunteer

Robin Martin
1 Apr 2015
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A Word of Thanks

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). In no endeavor is this scripture more true than in volunteer service. When there is no personal gain to be had for work, it is truly an effort unto the Lord that we give. On behalf of HOPE South Florida and many other organizations who depend on volunteers, we would like to deeply and sincerely thank the hundreds of volunteers who make a such an impact in our community. We could not serve the many single mothers in […]

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Love is Not Blind

Robin Martin
1 Feb 2015
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  I remember the first time I knew that I loved the woman that would be my future wife. I remember the day she told me that she was pregnant for the first time. I remember holding my son just seconds after he took his first breath. I remember this one moment in time when my two little girls hugged me on Easter morning, in their matching dresses, and mommy snapped a photo. I remember all these and many more, through love’s eyes. Relationship experts speak of our ability to view any particular situation differently and because of this ability […]

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love is not blind

Memorial Service Honors 58 Homeless People Who Died in Broward Last Year

Robin Martin
30 Dec 2014
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The bell tolled for each name. With each name I noticed him sobbing. Tears, large wet ones, fell from his face into his lap. His scarred face was bent over and he covered his eyes in shame. More than once he apologized to the other homeless persons sitting next to him. The annual Homeless Person’s Memorial Day Service held at Christ Church on December 11 was an amazing act of love and grace for people whose time on this earth had faded away without even a notice. As each name was read aloud, the bell tolled and someone rose (homeless […]

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The Other Side of Sunshine

Robin Martin
6 Sep 2013
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Robin Martin Good News When was the last time you met a South Florida native? Think about it. Every day I meet people from all across our community and rarely do I find someone who was born and raised here in the tri-county area. To call South Florida a transient population is an understatement, as the growth of the region has primarily been on account of migration and tourism. With the airport, seaport, and railway, Florida is easily accessible for those who want to take in the wonderful weather and the beautiful cities. Founded as a magnet for those seeking […]

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