Dig Deep

Reflections on the Meaning of Independence Day

(Scroll down to leave a comment on what Independence Day means to you.) At Palm Beach Atlantic University we’re blessed to have faculty with top-notch academic credentials, practical experience and unwavering dedication to Jesus Christ. Dr. James Todd, associate professor of politics, teaches on American government and politics, constitutional law and political science research methods, among other subjects. He earned his J.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama and spent 10 years in law practice. James regularly gives public talks about the Constitution and the Supreme Court, and he graciously agreed to write this month’s column in celebration of […]

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Franklin Graham: Triumphing Over Evil

The tragic shooting deaths of 19 young school children and two teachers in the south Texas town of Uvalde left us all heartbroken. The gunman was an 18-year-old troubled teen who shot his own grandmother before entering Robb Elementary School and killing innocent fourth graders who were only two days away from the end of the school year. Not surprisingly, the conversation in the media and in the political realm quickly turned to gun control. Ban certain weapons, is the thinking, and these kinds of tragedies can be averted. Sadly, they’re looking in the wrong place. “The closer we get […]

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Relativism: The Religion of Contemporary Culture

(Scroll down to leave a comment on relativism.) “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation […]

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NCAA Student Leader Sees ‘Way Too Much Pressure’ on Young Athletes

With summer sports camps now in full gear across our communities, we need to talk about a painful subject. And on this subject, Palm Beach Atlantic soccer player Michaela Boyd has insight for parents that could prove lifesaving.  At least three NCAA athletes died by suicide in less than two months this past spring, according to news reports. That breaks Michaela’s heart. And she knows from experience how mental health crises in college athletics can develop from attitudes found in organized sports for children. Michaela began competing at a young age, and she sees great benefits in team sports. “It […]

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The Road Less Traveled

I have always had a healthy respect and appreciation for brothers and sisters who labor in missions all over the world and those who champion the needs of others in the U.S. such as foster care organizations, shelters for men and women, feeding programs, after school programs and local inner-city programs, etc. These programs are the boots on the ground. In spite of the need for “all hands on deck,” the work is plenty, but the laborers are still few. There are so many mission fields, some right in front of us. How many of you know what your mission […]

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How to Create a New Song

Songwriting has always been a central part of Village Hymns, and we believe that songwriting is a form of worship. Psalm 96 lays it out perfectly; it begins by saying, “Sing to the LORD a new song…proclaim his salvation day after day.” Every year Village Hymns invites local worship leaders and musicians to participate in a 28-Day Songwriting Challenge – challenging them to write for 10 minutes every day for the month of February. It only takes 10 minutes a day to get started, then it only takes 28 days of writing until songwriting is a daily habit. Years go […]

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Revival Through Discipleship

I firmly believe revival is coming to South Florida. However, it will not come as it has in the past. Cultural forces once aligned in a way that allowed us to have one gifted evangelist present an anointed message to thousands of people who all willingly gathered in one place because Christianity was culturally approved. Today, we see that our culture is fractured more than ever. We once had a Christian mindset that believed that the church was good and helpful. Today, we have a deeply pluralistic society. One of the fastest growing demographics is the nons: people who do […]

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Who Do You Say That I Am?

Leadership books are a dime a dozen today. Step into any local bookstore or shop online. You’ll see right away that books about leadership abound. Everyone has an angle. Some authors offer a key to effective leadership. Many writers have come up with a catchy title. But, basically, leaders fall into one of two categories: those who lead according to public consensus and those who lead based on personal convictions. Those who lead according to public opinion wait until the polling data is in so they can see their constituents’ thoughts on a certain issue. Once they have this information, […]

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Meanwhile…

Several years ago, actually 12, the movie “UP” was released by Pixar. The entertaining story about an old man, a talking dog and a little stowaway boy, all floating around in a house tied to hundreds of balloons, takes you on an adventure filled with childlike wonder… sort of like life. One of the more comical elements of the story is the dog, aptly named DUG, who wears a special collar that allows him to speak.  However, DUG is often distracted by squirrels. We find him in mid-sentence when he will notice a squirrel, stop, gaze intently at the it […]

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A Godly Mother’s Greatest Goal

This is the month when we honor motherhood, so I thought it would be a good idea to use a passage from sacred Scripture to set forth a godly mother’s greatest goal. “The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom’” (Matthew 20:20-21). “Zebedee’s sons” were James and John, who, along with Peter, made up the inner circle […]

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