Giving Flows from Gratitude

Shelly Pond
3 Nov 2014
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giving

Thanksgiving is a fitting time to look back and consider our national heritage in the Pilgrims and how this devout group of Christians overcame a harsh first winter, where almost half died of starvation and sickness, only to respond the next season by generously giving thanks and sharing their harvest with their neighbors: the Indians. Despite difficult circumstances, out of gratitude toward God, they gave. Think about it… Less than a year earlier half of their community died of starvation and sickness; a prudent man could argue that a feast would be wasteful and that a wise steward would store […]

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Fort Lauderdale Ordinance Restricts Feeding the Homeless Outdoors

Shelly Pond
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In a move that some say is limiting the expression of compassion, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission passed an ordinance in October that places restrictions on feeding programs for the homeless outside of a building. This follows the addition of a law in April that gives police the authority to confiscate possessions stored in public after a 24-hour notice and the enactment of an encampment law that prevents people from sleeping with their belongings in certain areas. When it comes to the homeless, Vice Mayor Romney Rogers said, “It’s a balancing act. It comes down to cooperation. There are mental […]

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Leadership is Knowing What You Believe

Shelly Pond
2 Nov 2014
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lead

The 27th Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Vern Clark was conducting a meeting at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 when five hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the building killing 184 men, women and children. In the moments after the crash, Admiral Clark demonstrated how to lead. “In a crisis, we need to know who we are and what we believe, then we know what to do,” said Clark. “We had lost a bunch of people and we needed to make sure someone was wrapping their arms around them.  But our mission was to set up a command […]

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Young Professionals Develop Servant Leaders

Shelly Pond
1 Nov 2014
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Young Professionals (YP) began over dinner in August 2012 when eight friends stepped out on faith to begin a movement in South Florida. They set out to create a community of young professionals, focused on servant-leadership, who serve their employers, colleagues and community with a TEAM mentality, humility, excellence, mentorship and vision. Headed by Cam Rogers, an associate at Rogers, Morris & Ziegler, LLP and co-led by Jonathan Osborne, business litigation attorney with Gunster, the group centers on three objectives: to connect, develop and serve.   Developing relationships To young professionals, relationships are everything, so YP hosts monthly social events […]

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young professionals

HOPE Weekends Save Broken Marriages

Shelly Pond
14 Oct 2014
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Couples who are struggling in a broken marriage can gain the tools they need for restoration during an upcoming Hope Weekend October 10 – 12 at First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale, 301 E Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. Presented by Live the Life, these restorative weekends provide struggling couples with the skills they need to salvage broken marriages, restore intimacy and extend forgiveness, empowering them to achieve healthy marriages. History of HOPE Weekend For more than a decade 80 percent of couples participating in the program decided to stick together. According to Lisa May, vice president of development and the South […]

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Church Behind Bars Brings Inmates New Life

Shelly Pond
2 Oct 2014
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More than 65 female inmates were baptized on the grounds of the Women’s Homestead Corrections Institute during a special service in August at Church by the Glades’ Prison Campus in Florida City. Initiated in January, the Prison Campus is bringing change to a community of women who attend services weekly at the Homestead facility, and a second prison campus was opened in the Dade Correctional Institution for Men in September. “While this is a limited environment, we serve an unlimited God,” said Past David Hughes, senior pastor of Church by the Glades, located in Coral Springs. Sending a core team […]

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Graham on Leadership: Be a follower of Jesus Christ and Let God Lead

Shelly Pond
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Gigi Graham, the eldest daughter of Evangelist Billy Graham, shared her impressions of what a true leader looks like during this season’s first Christian Women in Leadership Luncheon hosted by the National Christian Foundation at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale in September. Witnessing her father’s life as a counselor to presidents and heads of state, Gigi said she realized “People are either leaders or followers. Daddy made a decision early on to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and it was a very strategic choice to be a follower first and let God lead.” Speaking of her paternal grandfather, Gigi said, […]

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A Taste of Germany: Checkers Old Munchen

Shelly Pond
9 Sep 2014
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Checkers Old Munchen

Floridians can experience a taste of the old country without pulling out their passports when they visit a quaint family restaurant tucked away in Pompano Beach. Checkers Old Munchen, located just east of Federal Highway on Atlantic Blvd., serves up authentic German fare in a fun, friendly atmosphere. A History of Checkers Old Munchen The Zagat-rated restaurant was established in 1982 by Detlef Neman, who came to South Florida from Munich where he worked at a 5-star hotel. Although he passed away, his recipes, once tacked to the kitchen wall, have been carried forward by his nephews. Mathew Moore, his […]

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Putting Hope Within Reach

Shelly Pond
1 Sep 2014
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Teen Challenge Women’s Home is a residential discipleship program located in Davie that helps women break off the destructive chains of drug addiction and alcoholism that ensnare them. According to Teen Challenge literature, there are over 278 million drug users worldwide. Sadly drug addiction shatters lives, but Teen Challenge works with adults, youth and families to help them pick up the pieces by offering life transformation to individuals through Christ-centered programs. Rick Fernandez, executive director of Teen Challenge in Davie since 1988 and a graduate of the program, explained they are “home to up to 16 hurt, abused women – […]

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Love Makes a Difference in Public Schools

Shelly Pond
4 Aug 2014
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love

After working as a basketball coach and athletic director at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Jack Wells began visiting public schools in Palm Beach County as a recruiter and discovered something that surprised him. “Everywhere I went I was finding seasoned teachers wanting to leave public education. It was only September or October, and they were already wanting out due to the frustrations they faced,” said Wells. Having been active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the past, Wells said, “I felt God calling me to do something, but I asked, ‘What can one man do to make a difference […]

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