Practical Application

Extension – A Pattern to Imitate

Elizabeth Mitchell
17 Jan 2019
no comments

“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, . . . so that you became an example to all the believers” (1 Thessalonians 1:6–7). Suppose they could actually speak to us, the characters described throughout the pages of Scripture whom we barely consider as we swiftly scan their stories. What would they say, what lines would they extend from their noble hearts to ours, these men and women whose lives brushed against the Savior when dust clung to his feet and wrinkles marked his robes? We usually learn from the familiar ones: Mary’s willing heart and Elizabeth’s blameless […]

-Read More

Finding Happiness

Norm Wise
10 Jan 2019
no comments

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?’” (Matthew 16:24-26, NLT).   What is happiness? Is happiness an intense feeling of pleasurable satisfaction? Is happiness dependent on the circumstances […]

-Read More

We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Box

Stephan Tchividjian
no comments
box

Box of Mystery Years ago, when our children were younger, we used to schedule “mystery family vacations.” The idea was a brilliant one, I might add. The concept was simple. Lisa and I would devise a fun family vacation but keep it a secret. We would simply share with our children the date of departure, the date of return and provide them a packing list, inserted with a few decoys to throw them off. The first year our children complained that we were terrible parents trying our best to ruin their lives, (jury is still out on that one) but […]

-Read More

Banyan Air’s Don Campion Defined His Mission at Lifework Leadership

Shelly Pond
no comments

Corporate Planes flying into Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport are welcomed to the beautiful Key West style Banyan Air Terminal where friendliness is the norm and pilots can expect top-notch service. Behind it all is Don Campion, a South Floridian who was raised in Nigeria by missionary parents. A family man with a heart for community, Campion has built a company culture second to none. He recently completed a lofty effort to restore the missionary hospital in the African bush of Egbe, Nigeria, where his parents once served. Don Campion is a Lifework Leadership alum and a major sponsor of the […]

-Read More

banyan

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Dr. Tommy Boland
3 Jan 2019
no comments
mirror

“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:23-25). A kind of mirror The great Protestant reformer, John Calvin, who contributed so much to our present-day understanding of Scripture, undoubtedly had James […]

-Read More

Have You Thought Lately About the Blessedness of Subtraction?

Dr. Gary Hewins
12 Nov 2018
no comments

Maybe there is an aspect of God that is far too unnoticed? God is a Taker. We want the Lord to add to our lives, but don’t we also want Him to be a “Subtractor?” Who doesn’t think about God as a Giver? We are never more like God than when we give, right? “For God so loved the world, He gave…”(John 3:16). But divine math accentuates subtraction. In October of every year, I take my staff through an annual planning process that charts a course for the following year of strategic ministry. Every year I emphasize three words that […]

-Read More

10 Biblical Truths Gen Z Needs Right Now

Rob Hoskins
5 Nov 2018
no comments
gen z

It is sad to hear that we have lost a great hero of the faith in Eugene Peterson. [The beloved Presbyterian minister authored more than 30 books and devotionals, including “The Message,” a paraphrase of the Bible that sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.] We will miss him for now, but will still look to the words he left behind. As the next generation attempts to navigate a loud, chaotic, and increasingly post-truth world, where culture is both pervasive and persuasive, we’d do well to point them in the direction of timeless truth for wise counsel from a respected […]

-Read More

Communication – The Thermometer of Your Marriage

Lisa May
2 Nov 2018
no comments

Fall in South Florida is challenging for those of us who long for the splendor of the leaves while dreaming of a crackling fire and meaningful conversations. The temperature and humidity are often smothering, so we lower the degree on our AC and light a candle to set the mood. Our health is often measured by our body temperature. When it rises above 97.8 we begin to exhibit symptoms associated with an illness, go to a physician and often begin some type of medication to treat the symptoms and the disease. When it drops below 97.8 we begin to exhibit […]

-Read More

communication

A Thanksgiving Apologetic

Dr. Tommy Boland
1 Nov 2018
no comments
thanksgiving

I have written several articles bemoaning the fact that far too many Americans see Thanksgiving as little more than a day for overindulgence in food and football, but I don’t believe I have ever written about the extent to which America’s Thanksgiving celebration bears wonderful witness to our Christian faith. In doing so, I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of David Barton’s WallBuilders ministry (www.wallbuilders.com), which was my primary resource for the historical information presented here. Thanksgiving tradition Virtually everyone knows that our Thanksgiving tradition began with the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, many Americans are not aware that […]

-Read More

Congregations Invited to Love South Florida

Edwin Copeland
no comments

Every November, we encourage local congregations who participate in Church United to pray, give + serve together in benefit of their communities. LoveSFL is an outward, annual expression of an inward reality. It personifies what unity for the sake of mission is all about. However, it’s also just the beginning. LoveSFL is meant to be catalytic. Now in our third year, Love South Florida has seen great success. Last year, together we raised $337,000, collected over 100,000 pounds of food and logged over 40,000 volunteer hours! But what if we’re only just getting started? Owning the pain of South Florida is an essential and inescapable […]

-Read More

congregations