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Giving Flows from Gratitude

Shelly Pond
3 Nov 2014
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giving

Thanksgiving is a fitting time to look back and consider our national heritage in the Pilgrims and how this devout group of Christians overcame a harsh first winter, where almost half died of starvation and sickness, only to respond the next season by generously giving thanks and sharing their harvest with their neighbors: the Indians. Despite difficult circumstances, out of gratitude toward God, they gave. Think about it… Less than a year earlier half of their community died of starvation and sickness; a prudent man could argue that a feast would be wasteful and that a wise steward would store […]

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Fort Lauderdale Ordinance Restricts Feeding the Homeless Outdoors

Shelly Pond
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In a move that some say is limiting the expression of compassion, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission passed an ordinance in October that places restrictions on feeding programs for the homeless outside of a building. This follows the addition of a law in April that gives police the authority to confiscate possessions stored in public after a 24-hour notice and the enactment of an encampment law that prevents people from sleeping with their belongings in certain areas. When it comes to the homeless, Vice Mayor Romney Rogers said, “It’s a balancing act. It comes down to cooperation. There are mental […]

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Emmy Award-Winning Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant Takes the Stage Again

Annette Maraist
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Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant

The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant, which has been delighting South Floridians for more than 30 years, will take the stage again on November 28 through December 14. This Emmy-winning show is presented by the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, and the church’s members put their heart and soul into the production, exuding the love, hope and joy of Christ. Originally held in an auditorium, the church later built a Sanctuary specially designed to accommodate the Fort Lauderdale Christmas pageant on the 10th anniversary of its performance. Joyful carols will open the pageant sung against a turn of the century […]

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A Thankful Heart in Difficult Times

Paula Masters
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Thanksgiving is drawing near and for many finding reasons to be thankful can be a bit challenging. In fact, trying to come up with just one noteworthy circumstance or event can even be a chore. It doesn’t help that many of us are feeling a loss of the initial heart and zeal that once shaped our spiritual lives. How do we manage when the passion that was constant and fervent becomes fleeting and flat…let alone be thankful? I’m not referring to the normal ebb and flow that is a natural part of the Christian walk but rather the darkened season […]

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Women Prepare to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to Combat Human Trafficking

Penni Bulten
2 Nov 2014
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A team of women from South Florida, including two women from Boca Raton Community Church, will summit Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, to raise funds for women and children who are oppressed, enslaved, exploited and trafficked around the world. The funds will provide vital services through Operation Mobilization’s Freedom Climb projects that help break the cycles of poverty, shame, slavery and despair through prevention, rescue, rehabilitation and development. Debbie Johnson and Lindsey Mitchell, of Boca Raton Community Church, will participate in the trek which is planned for February 26 – March 8, 2015.  As part of their commitment, they have […]

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Hope Women’s Centers

marissat
2 Oct 2014
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As one of the highest abortion impact areas in the nation, Broward County is home to 23 known abortion clinics. Last year alone more than 12,000 abortions were reported in the county; however, based on the economics of running an abortion clinic, many experts feel these numbers may be highly under reported, possibly reflecting only those abortions paid for by check or credit card. It also does not include hospitals and doctor’s offices where abortions are performed… [ Read More ] Hope Women’s Centers provide accurate information and compassionate care to women and men facing pregnancy decisions. Their free and […]

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Church Behind Bars Brings Inmates New Life

Shelly Pond
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More than 65 female inmates were baptized on the grounds of the Women’s Homestead Corrections Institute during a special service in August at Church by the Glades’ Prison Campus in Florida City. Initiated in January, the Prison Campus is bringing change to a community of women who attend services weekly at the Homestead facility, and a second prison campus was opened in the Dade Correctional Institution for Men in September. “While this is a limited environment, we serve an unlimited God,” said Past David Hughes, senior pastor of Church by the Glades, located in Coral Springs. Sending a core team […]

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Encountering the Ebola Epidemic

Bob Woods
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The most severe outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) since its discovery in 1976 continues to impact West Africa with the number of cases from the current outbreak outnumbering the combined cases from all known previous outbreaks. Beginning in Guinea in December 2013, the Ebola virus has spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. Missionaries from the South Florida area with projects in Liberia and Nigeria are responding with caution and prayer. Calvary Chapel in Liberia Chet Lowe, a Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale outreach pastor and former missionary to Liberia, said the people he knows who are ministering in […]

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Halloween: Innocent Family Fun or Celebration of Occult Holiday?

Brody Howell
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If you’re like me, this is the time of year in which you are faced with the “haunting” task of deciding what to do with your children on October 31. The “trick” is to make some “monstrous” decisions as to whether or not you will “treat” your children to the newest and most talked about costumes at Wal-Mart, choose the right candy that the neighborhood kids will praise for weeks after it’s over and determine which party you will let your teenager attend. But have you ever really stopped to think about what this night is really about? Where did […]

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Graham on Leadership: Be a follower of Jesus Christ and Let God Lead

Shelly Pond
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Gigi Graham, the eldest daughter of Evangelist Billy Graham, shared her impressions of what a true leader looks like during this season’s first Christian Women in Leadership Luncheon hosted by the National Christian Foundation at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale in September. Witnessing her father’s life as a counselor to presidents and heads of state, Gigi said she realized “People are either leaders or followers. Daddy made a decision early on to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and it was a very strategic choice to be a follower first and let God lead.” Speaking of her paternal grandfather, Gigi said, […]

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