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Saying Something… by Saying Nothing

Accusers were lined up before Pontius Pilate, all false witnesses telling stories meant to condemn Jesus to death. There was no one to defend Him, no advocate. This was legal murder. “But Jesus answered him not one word”(Matthew 27:14). His personal defense was…to say nothing. Jesus could see four crowds surrounding Him. The first was this religious clique of pitiful accusers and liars. Another was the cloud of witnesses in the heavenlies, watching, listening. The third was a massive activation of more than ten thousand angels ready to instantly rescue Him if He would just ask. The fourth crowd consisted […]

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Unexpected Betrayal and Forgiveness

I recently took an incredible trip to the Appalachian Mountains. As I was listening to the wind in the leaves and the pine needles, I was in awe of this beautiful day on a winding mountain path. The view of the mountains was beyond stunning, bathed in brilliant sunlight with a dusting of snow. I wanted to soak up the beauty, store its lushness in a container and keep it deep in my hurting heart. I had come to the mountains to enjoy and celebrate the majestic beauty in front of me and to experience the glory of God. But, […]

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What is the Optimal Age for Marriage?

Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. (Proverbs 5:18) What is the optimal age for marriage? 18 – 22 – 25 – 30 – Later – Never? Our first day at college, my roommate introduced her 18-year-old friend along with her two babies. She had married at 15 – a common practice in her hometown. Was that too young?   What people say to marrying teenagers – Are you pregnant? – Is this one of those religious things? – Shouldn’t you test the waters before you settle down? – Are […]

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National Volunteer Month

A Word of Thanks to Those Who Volunteer “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). In no endeavor is this scripture more true than in volunteer service. When there is no personal gain to be had for work, it is truly an effort unto the Lord that we give. On behalf of HOPE South Florida and many other organizations who depend on volunteers, we would like to deeply and sincerely thank the hundreds of volunteers who make a such an impact in our community. We […]

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Focusing on What Really Matters

Happy anniversary and thank you to all of our readers over the past 17 years. Sometimes I feel like Time magazine looking back over all the years with all the stories, all the ministries and all the church events we’ve covered. If you were to look in the office of our editor, Shelly, you would see a shelf of the archived Good News that goes back through most of our spiritual lives. I want to thank the people of South Florida for all they have done over the years. We are blessed to be a part of reporting truth from […]

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A Modern-day Priscilla

We often look at women portrayed in the Bible and Christian women who have impacted history through their stories of formidable faith and think they are in a league of their own. But that’s not necessarily true. While we should look at Mary, Esther, Ruth or Mary Magdalene’s record, study the accounts of all their good works and learn how they sought a real relationship with God, how they responded to his call and stood for their beliefs, remember this: God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He assigns missionaries all over the world including our own backyards. As […]

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What Were They Thinking?

Isn’t that the question you ask when your pastor runs off with a church member or your friend runs off with his/her trainer from the gym?   The verdict is in: Count 1:  Infidelity – Guilty Count 2:  Not thinking – Guilty What were they not thinking about? The consequences of their actions – the devastation that can never be completely overcome. Before you start shaking your head and pointing your finger, realize that we are all only one thought, touch, look, gaze or Facebook contact from a fall.   Think it can’t happen to you? That’s what most adulterers […]

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Pretty Little Liars

At one point or another, as a parent there is a certainty that your child will lie to you. Guaranteed. If you haven’t caught junior in a whopper yet then either you’re blind to it or he’s not yet old enough to be speaking.   I remember telling fibs and outright tall tales to my parents. My dad had a nose for truth, and I never really got by with much. But the worst part of having told a lie was the inevitable “Now you have lost our trust and have to earn it back” speech. I’ve heard that scenario […]

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Why I Don’t Want To Raise an Obedient Child

It’s funny the things people will ask me when they discover I have 15 children. Most times, the questions are a barrage of “How do you do it?” and “Don’t you know what causes that?” Sometimes the questions are heartfelt: “How did you get to adopt four children?” or “Why have so many?” But one of the most important questions that rarely gets asked is “What’s the most important thing I can teach my children?” Of course the most vital thing to teach any child is the redemptive power that faith in Jesus gives us. But past this, most parents just tend […]

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Parenting Teens: Surviving the Alien Abduction

In 1997 Columbia pictures released a box office hit called, “Men in Black.” If you remember, actor Vincent D’Onofrio played a farmer in which his body is taken over by an alien. This alien abduction is quite funny for the audience because nothing quite works right as the farmer has not adapted well to the creature living inside of him. He is clumsy, awkward and off balance in the way that he speaks and interacts with the rest of the world. Parents can certainly relate to this when raising teenagers. The body and mind of a teenager is much like […]

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