God

Operation Christmas Child: The Greatest Journey of a Shoebox

Operation Christmas Child is one of the many programs and activities done by Samaritan’s Purse, which also has year round disaster and relief programs. Every year prior to Christmas, churches, individuals and groups throughout the United States, Canada and the Western world donate over 11 million shoeboxes that are gathered and transported to Third World countries and areas hard hit by natural disasters or war.   Window of opportunity This time of year many of us are thinking about our plans for the holidays and planning our Thanksgiving activities, as well as getting ready for Christmas and New Year’s. It […]

-Read More


Shouldn’t Nonprofits be Profitable?

I have always found the term “nonprofit” to be potentially misleading. This term seems to say that organizations that help others shouldn’t really have much if anything beyond their needs. “Nonprofit” seems to say, be careful, you are only supposed to get by and always be in need. Jesus didn’t operate with such tight margins. He seemed excessive at times. Did those at the wedding reception in Cana really need 180 gallons of wine? Did the 12 baskets of leftover bread get to where it was needed before spoiling? Jesus made sure that excess wasn’t wasted. The 153 fish didn’t […]

-Read More


Introducing South Florida’s Nonprofit Leaders

During this season of Thanksgiving, we would like to introduce you to some of South Florida’s critically important charities who are doing good for our community and the passionate leaders who guide them. We are thankful for the good work they are doing in a wide variety of areas from protecting our youth and advocating for single mothers to feeding the hungry or providing safe housing. Each charity is making an eternal difference in our community or the world in some way. We urge you to learn more about them and find a place where you can pitch in or […]

-Read More


Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving… The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me” (Psalm 50:14, 23 ESV). This month we celebrate Thanksgiving, so I would like to give you a word of encouragement that is rooted in the words of the psalmist above, as well as in a number of other places throughout sacred Scripture. Now, at first glance, a “sacrifice of thanksgiving” seems to be incongruent. How could being thankful for receiving some blessing be a sacrifice? It seems like such a natural response. We receive a blessing, and we respond with thanksgiving. But clearly […]

-Read More


Time: A Reflection

When younger, most people don’t give much thought to time. It seems to be unlimited, and we don’t have a concern about running out of it. Eventually we cross a line in time when our mortality confronts us. We realize we have less time in front of us than behind us. Some call this mid-life crisis. I call it the existential crisis. It is a time to examine the meaning of our life in light of this scarce and valuable commodity we call time. Take time today to reflect with me on your time, so you can use what you […]

-Read More


A Heart for the Lost in Japan

If asked to imagine where missionaries ought to serve, our imaginations typically conjure up pictures of the humid rainforests of the Amazon or the arid deserts of northern Africa. When we think of those who have not heard the gospel, we assume they must be living in remote areas or in squalor. The fact is that huge metropolises across the globe are teeming with lost souls roaming their streets in search of meaning and purpose. Japan—Tokyo in particular—is in desperate need of the gospel. This country, which we associate with advancement, technology and luxury, is actually a spiritual wasteland where […]

-Read More


Is Bible Prophesy Being Fulfilled in Our Time?

There’s an item in the news that caught my attention and made me wonder if Bible prophesy is possibly being fulfilled in our time. Having written a book almost twenty years ago that compares the major views Christians hold on the return of Christ, I think we must be wary of “newspaper exegesis.” Don’t read into every current event some aspect of the return of Christ. Nonetheless, the book of Revelation says this about “the beast of the earth,” a major helper to the beast, who is the Antichrist to come: “It also forced all people, great and small, rich […]

-Read More


Trapped

A Floridian Beachwalk I was walking the beach one day, a pastime of mine. Living in Florida, it’s common to talk to a fellow Floridian who confesses they rarely walk the beach. I find that a travesty, akin to working in the Louvre and looking past the art or working backstage at an Elvis concert wearing headphones to keep out the noise. However, I find great solace in the beach walk experience. I’m not sure why; however, the sense I get looking out at the ocean’s horizon and experiencing a sense of wonder is addicting. Too much of my life […]

-Read More


Church United Announces Vision 2020

Church United began with a simple question: what if we could change the narrative of South Florida? What if our community became known as the best place to live, to work, and to raise a family? Similar to our own stories, the story of South Florida is far from over. The vision of Church United has always been beyond any one church, key leader, or organization— it is about the flourishing of South Florida. A vision rooted in the belief that as the gospel saturates the region, generosity is reigned, stronger families are formed, Sunday’s faith would be more connected […]

-Read More


Celebrating 30 Years of Reaching Children

If you grew up in the church like I did, you’re familiar with the lyrics of a sweet song often played during the altar call, when people were invited to come forward and indicate their decision to follow Christ … “I have decided to follow Jesus / No turning back, no turning back.”   It’s a song for the beginning of your relationship with Jesus … but it’s also a song that carries you along the way. “The world behind me, the cross before me … No turning back, no turning back.”   As OneHope remembers and celebrates 30 years […]

-Read More