Family

Grandparents Taking on The Role of Parents

Rob Hoskins
10 Aug 2018
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grandparents

You know when you get a new car, all of a sudden you start to see the same make and model everywhere? Well, that is happening to me with all things grandparent as I look forward to becoming a granddad this summer. A segment from the NBC news special, “One Nation Overdosed” caught my attention as it focused on grandparents faced with the reality of raising their grandchildren. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2012, there were 2.7 million grandparents who had the primary responsibility to care for their grandchildren who lived with them. The number of grandparent-headed households […]

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The New Year Begins In August

Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts
1 Aug 2018
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One of my pet peeves is when stores start to sell and decorate for a season way before that season arrives. I’m talking months before… like in mid-October when Christmas decorations appear. I start to have anxiety about all that I need to do before the holiday arrives. Another such time is what feels like early summer when the back to school items start appearing. It feels like a rush to finish summer, but as a parent that anxiety creeps back in on all that I have to do to prepare them for the school year. Doctor’s visits, school supplies, […]

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august

Good News Wants to Know … Your Favorite Vacation Spot or Summer Tradition

The Good News
25 Jul 2018
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The lazy days of summer are upon us, which means many are taking time off from their community efforts to vacation and spend time with family. As we continue this feature designed to acquaint you with community leaders who are making a difference in South Florida, this month Good News Wants to Know… Does your family have a favorite vacation spot or summer family tradition?   For 20 years we spent a week enjoying water sports on Lake June in Lake Placid, Florida, followed up by a week at the Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) Southeast Christian family conference in […]

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The Miracle of Ella Nicole

Bob Woods
9 Jul 2018
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Stephen and Aimee couldn’t wait to share the good news. They were expecting their first child, a baby girl.  “We did a big reveal. We had balloons and everything. When I saw those pink balloons come out of that box, I could not have been happier. A baby girl is everything I ever wanted,” said Stephen. “We just hoped to have a happy, healthy family that loves each other and serves God together,” said Aimee. Aimee’s pregnancy went as planned until the seventh month when she was diagnosed with preeclampsia — a complication of pregnancy that caused a spike in […]

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Don’t Squander Your Summer – Make Time for Training, Relationship Building and Fun

Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts
2 Jul 2018
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summer

Last month we talked about looking at the summers as a time of real investment into our children.   We must remember that we have such a limited number of summers until our children are emancipating from our homes.  We can utilize summer to focus on our relationships and have fun as a family; but we also can use our summers to teach and train.   Many good things can be planted in a child’s schedule this summer. But as parents, we should carefully think about planting the best seeds in our child’s life. Instead of just “filling time,” choose to […]

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Find a Vacation Bible School Near You

The Good News
13 Jun 2018
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Every summer parents across the country invest in their children’s talents, social development, personal and spiritual growth at Vacation Bible School (VBS). Churches throughout South Florida have planned out a spectacular summer for children to continue growing in “wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” as Jesus did (Luke 2:52). They’ll learn about godly virtues through creative and fun activities, such as games, Bible study, adventure times, movies, music and more. Check with your home church to see what they have planned or choose from the following VBS dates, times and locations.   CLICK HERE FOR 2019 […]

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The Difference-Making Dad

Dr. Tommy Boland
1 Jun 2018
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difference-making dad

(Scroll down to leave a comment on how dads make a difference.) This month we celebrate Father’s Day, first observed in the United States on June 19, 1910, in Spokane Washington. It was Mrs. John Dodd who in 1909 wanted to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone after his wife died in childbirth. To be sure, Mrs. Dodd understood the biblical mandate to “Honor your father” (Exodus 20:12), which appears throughout the Bible and includes mother as well. Perhaps we did not have a father like William Smart who seemed to be […]

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Don’t Squander Your Summer

Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts
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In our house it always feels like we come crawling into summer time like someone who just finished a marathon…one they didn’t train for. We are all absolutely exhausted but SO looking forward to a break. Dreams of a beautiful summer of family bliss dance in our heads as parents, but how often is that really the case? One of two things may happen: either we get to August wondering what in the world happened to the summer days, or we get to the end of June wondering when they can go back to school (or both depending what day […]

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summer

Fighting for Kids Takes Faith

Shelly Pond
1 May 2018
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kids

When caring for children in crisis, most agree that faith-based foster care services make a difference.  When children are placed in a loving family with support from the community and the local church, a dire situation is infused with hope. Proper training and support is critical to success.  Besides 4KIDS of South Florida, discussed on page 26, here are three other faith-based foster care agencies making a big difference in the lives of kids. Mount Bethel Human Services Corporation Now in its 25th year of service, Mount Bethel Human Services Corporation (MBHSC) helps low- and moderate-income families in Fort Lauderdale […]

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Grandpa Knows Best

Omar Aleman
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He did not have degrees on the wall, a couch or charge $100 per hour, but was a great psychologist and counselor. What he did have was a perennial cigar in his mouth, thinning hair and a constant penchant for a strong cup of coffee. He was a successful cigar maker, community leader and an occasional liar… to me! He “stretched the truth” around me, and I am the better for it. He was a “game changer”; the majority of my few good qualities are rooted in his teachings. “Abuelo” knows best “Let’s go touch the moon,” he said, as […]

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