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Is Celibacy Relevant Today

Chris Alexander
5 Apr 2016
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When returning to Christ 5 years ago after an extended period of wandering in the wilderness, I found it hard to believe that modern Christians were embracing a standard of celibacy. For the young adults taking the purity pledge, this seemed like a good idea — but for people my age? At the time I was 45 and divorced. Celibacy seemed like an antiquated idea. Maybe during biblical times this made sense, but today’s a whole other ballpark. Surprisingly, this is the very reason why celibacy is still relevant today. Trust me, I’ve heard and rationalized myself, for an updated […]

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Survivors of Sexual Abuse Find Healing at Trees of Hope

Sasha Richardson
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Based on the statistics, someone you know has probably been sexually abused at some point. It’s difficult to know what to say. “What did you do to make this happen?” “You mean you didn’t tell anybody when it happened? So why tell now?” “I don’t believe you were ever abused.” “Can’t you just let go of it? Nothing is happening to you now.” Offering the right words to say, and so much more, is the mission of Trees of Hope.   Definition, effects & statistics Sexual abuse is any sexual activity (verbal, visual or physical) engaged in without consent that […]

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Does Science Disprove God?

Jerry Newcombe
1 Apr 2016
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A Pew Research Poll released last week reports that fifty-nine percent of Americans see science and religion in conflict. But they also found that, “highly religious Americans are less likely than others to see conflict between faith and science.” I’m not a scientist, and I don’t play one on TV. But it’s amazing to me to see how some scientists like to claim that somehow science has disproven God.   The wonder of science On Bill Maher’s television program in October (10/2/15), he and guest Richard Dawkins essentially declared that science has disproved God. Bill Maher: “You talk about the […]

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Governor Scott Signs Pastor Protection Act into Law

Geoffrey Still
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Churches, religious organizations and individuals may not be required to perform any marriages that would violate their conscience or be compelled to use church property for such ceremonies if they would violate their sincerely held religious beliefs now that Florida’s Pastor Protection Act has passed and been signed into law by Governor Rick Scott on March 10. The law also prohibits certain legal actions, penalties, or governmental sanctions against such individuals or entities. The move was made in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court Decision of Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriages nationwide. Since the Supreme Court decision […]

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Agnostic Christianity

Jeremy McKeen
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When unexpected tragedy happens in your life, what do you do? When in the words of Fantine in Les Miserables, “Life kills the dream you dreamed,” where do you turn? What can happen to many people is that great uncertainties, doubts and suspicions towards God suddenly arise in their hearts. Suddenly, all the Sunday school stories you learned as a kid can seem so fake. What can happen is not a direct move into atheism — denying the existence of God, but a slow and subtle move into a silent agnosticism — denying that truth about God can be known, […]

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Adopting from Colombia: The Road to a Forever Home

Melissa Presser
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When Nidia M. Sica, Director of Social Services and International Programs for Adoption by Shepherd Care (ASC) speaks about the agency’s Colombian exchange program, you can’t help but feel God’s love. Adoptions by Shepherd Care which began in 1980 has expanded its reach and God’s calling to care for the orphan by bringing children from Colombia right here to the United States for a one of a kind Summer Program which allows families to meet the children and the children to meet potential adoptive families. “The program is especially focused on Colombia because of the social crisis which is currently […]

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Consequences of Porn on Our Culture

Richard Marks
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A recent study by The Barna Group titled, “The Porn Phenomenon: A Comprehensive New Survey on Americans and Pornography” was released recently and it revealed what is stated to be a “cavalier” attitude towards pornography and pornography use particularly among teens and young adults.  I would not disagree with these findings based on my years of pastoral work and my marriage and family therapy work with couples and families.  We could argue all day about the merits and findings of such a study, who is to blame, etc. but I would rather think that in the end of those discussions, […]

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The Passover Lamb

Dr. Susan Michael
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Passover is known as the Festival of Redemption because it commemorates the children of Israel’s freedom from slavery in Egypt some 3,500 years ago. We know the story in Exodus well: God chose Moses and sent him to tell Pharaoh to “let My people go.” Pharaoh refused and Egypt was visited with ten different plagues that practically destroy the nation. The last plague was the death of the firstborn male of every family. The Lord used this plague to teach the children of Israel the principal of redemption through a substitute. He instructed them to choose a young male lamb […]

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Difference Makers: Florida Guardian Ad Litems

Terry Morrow
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  While the horrors of child abuse and neglect are all too common in South Florida, one organization utilizes caring and committed volunteers to stand in the gap for God’s children. A Guardian ad Litem is a volunteer appointed by the court to be a voice for abused, abandoned and neglected children and make independent recommendations to the court by focusing on the needs of each child she or he represents. Here’s why these volunteers are so critical.   Child Abuse and Neglect in South Florida  The Miami Herald’s “Innocents Lost” documents the stories of 477 children who were killed over a six-year period […]

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Senior Veterans Take Dream Flights at North Perry Airport

Gabriella Morris
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  Four South Florida seniors from Covenant Village of Florida strapped on goggles and headsets and soared through the skies in a 1942 open-cockpit Boeing Stearman at the North Perry Airport in March during an event to honor them for their military service. These Dream Flights were presented by Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation (AADF), a non-profit organization established and dedicated to honoring seniors and United States military veterans. They offer these flights primarily to individuals living in long-term care communities with a mission to “give back to those who have given.” Funded by donations, the Dream Flights utilize a Boeing […]

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