God

White Belts

Paul Dunk
5 Jan 2016
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A number of years ago, I took a karate class with my kids for fun. One day my class was sparring and the sensei walked onto the mat in between matches. Since we were on a break, one of the instructors shouted jokingly, “Who wants to spar sensei?” I volunteered. I figured it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to attempt to land a punch on a black belt who was morally obligated not to kill me. I thought it would be a great experience. Well, it was an experience alright. I threw a punch and before my fist […]

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Jim Daly Encourages Pastors to Love Their Enemies

Shelly Pond
8 Dec 2015
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Speaking to a gathering of pastors and ministry leaders in Fort Lauderdale last month, Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families thrive, said he is concerned when he looks at the culture wars that are so pervasive in our country. “Does anyone here know anyone who was beaten into the Kingdom of God?” asked Daly. “The one weapon Satan can’t steal from us is love.” While acknowledging that he is conservative in his politics, Daly said, “I don’t want FOX News running my theology.” He shared 2 Timothy 2:23-26 as […]

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Wise Men Still Seek Him

Vickie Estler
7 Dec 2015
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Christmas is coming, and we see “Wise men still seek Him” on bumper stickers, magnets and tree ornaments. Wisdom gets lost in the hustle of December. Fatigue, over-scheduling and unrealistic goals cause us to throw optimism out the door. Let us inquire, probe and investigate (Deuteronomy 13:14) with hearts keeping Christ in Christmas! Seeking ways to be wise with our time takes concentrated effort for families, couples and singles alike. The psalmist tells us the Lord makes the simple wise. (Psalm 19:7) May we have the desire making a concentrated effort celebrating Christmas the right way and seek Him for […]

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A Visit From the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, & Future

The Good News
1 Dec 2015
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Marley was dead. That’s an odd way to begin a Christmas story, but it’s how Charles Dickens opens “A Christmas Carol.” Written to pay off a debt, the story of Scrooge being haunted by three ghosts is one of the world’s most enduring Christmas tales – perhaps second only to the original story of Christmas (the one with the wise men and shepherds). The story is universally known, having been played out in dozens of movies and TV specials. (Some insist that the 1938 film with Reginald Owen is the definitive version, while purists like myself prefer the 1962 version […]

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Being God-Clingy

Julie Woodley
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I am filled with funny stories of my humanity. Sometimes it’s so difficult to be a human – truly human and truly alive. The great thing is God is strong in our weakness. Isaiah 40:29 says: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless” (NLT). Two years ago, I spent some time in Chicago with my granddaughter who had a bad case of the flu. I knew I might catch it, but I just couldn’t stay away from kissing her. She loves to be kissed, and I love to kiss her. The next day I caught a […]

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The Rest of the Hanukkah Story

Dr. Susan Michael
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  The story of Hanukkah takes place during the period in-between the Old and New Testaments, when Antiochus IV Epiphanes became the King of the Hellenistic Seleucid empire. While the Hellenization of the region, including Judea, already threatened the survival of the Jewish religion, Antiochus seemed obsessed with ensuring the demise of the Jewish faith and the future of the Jewish people. He not only murdered the High Priest, Onias III, but he slaughtered 40,000 inhabitants of Jerusalem. All sacrifices, the service of the Temple, and the observance of the Sabbath and feast days were prohibited. The Temple was dedicated […]

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Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Dr. Tommy Boland
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adore

(Scroll down to leave a comment on how you adore Baby Jesus) Truly it is the most wonderful time of the year when we fix our focus on celebrating Christmas and the coming of our Savior as a baby born in a manger. The season leading up to Christmas Day is called Advent. The Latin word adventus means “coming” or “visit,” and that is exactly what our Lord Jesus Christ did. He came into this world on a voluntary visit to conquer both sin and death so that we might have eternal life. This baby was born to die. Now […]

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Pastors on Peace

The Good News
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On the first Christmas, angels appeared to the shepherds and announced…. “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) Yet today’s world seems far from peaceful. This Christmas, how is this message of peace relevant to a world that seems to be in chaos? We asked several local pastors to answer this question, and here are their replies.   Pastor Todd Mullins Christ Fellowship, Palm Beach Gardens You could read Luke 2:14 and think to yourself, “Peace?  If Jesus came to bring peace on earth I sure don’t see it. It seems like […]

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Unplanned Parenthood in the Christmas Story

Jeremy McKeen
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The Christmas story is a story about how the unplanned pregnancy of an unwed teenage mother was God’s plan for the world. Think about it; Mary wasn’t planning on having an angel tell her that she would miraculously be with child at a young age. And in a culture of honor and shame, you can just imagine the questions that went through her head: What are my parents going to say? What are my friends going to think? What will my fiancé Joseph do? It’s important to remember that Mary was impoverished, and her only hope for financial security was […]

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Watch Out For The Grinch

John Hawkins, Sr
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“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is an annual Christmas program popular with children and even some adults. Have you ever wondered why? Christmas stories and the spirit of Christmas bring hope to earth for a short season. Hope that perhaps peace on earth and good will towards men is a real possibility. For a few days the world becomes a better place. However, as in any story there is always a bad guy trying to ruin everything. Enter the Grinch with his cold heart ruining Christmas for Whoville. With hope shattered is redemption possible? Can an evil person be changed […]

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