God

Elizabeth Mitchell Releases New Devotional

Author and Bible Teacher Elizabeth Mitchell celebrated the release of her latest book, The Way There: Seeing the Journey Through, during a book signing event at Boca Raton Community Church on October 24. A collection of 120 inspirational devotionals, The Way There: Seeing the Journey Through offers “gentle reminders that God is completely capable to give direction and speak clearly through difficult times and the grind of daily life.” In an excerpt from the book, Mitchell says, “As travelers through life we trudge along with burdened backs, distracted minds, and wounded hearts. Where can we go for inspiration and courage […]

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The Salvation Army Red Kettle Program Helps Families Year Round

Many people have observed the Salvation Army in the front of a store ringing bells and sharing holiday greetings. Often people will place spare change or bills into the kettle, feeling the Christmas spirit. Many people know about the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program as well, and have purchased a gift for a child who might other wise have no gifts under the tree. What may not be as well known are how many programs the Salvation Army supports through the Red Kettle and the personal stories behind the kettle and the Angel Tree. With millions of American children in […]

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Overstuffed

Thanksgiving day dinner is coming, and oh what memories! We look forward to Mom’s steaming golden brown turkey, a wallop of stuffing and lumpy mashed potatoes on the plate (I like ‘em lumpy!), and hot buttered corn-on-the-cob. Then comes Aunt Mary’s macaroni and three-cheese casserole. Wow! We won’t forget the cranberry sauce, and Mom’s amazing gravy! After a piece of homemade pie, plus a bite (or two), it’s time for…a nap. While most of us know the physical sleepy effect of too much food, you may not know that “over-stuffing” is a principle in learning, and even in spiritual growth. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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