Family

Is the Destruction of our Families Fostering Mental Illness?

In the light of current events, our entire country is collectively moving through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and inevitably for some, acceptance. While the motivating factors are different, the overarching question resounds in the same outcry: WHY? Why must the innocent, our children, be the object of suffering and hatred? When we blow away the chaff, what’s left is the family or the lack thereof.  What defines families? While the world defines family in many ways, the Biblical definition has remained the same: two parents, a father and a mother, guiding children through childhood, adolescence […]

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How to Create an Atmosphere of Joy

(Scroll down to leave a comment on how you create an atmosphere of joy for your kids.) Music is a big thing in our house. We try to have music on while we are doing jobs, we serve in music ministry at our church, and the first thing that our youngest does as soon as the car starts is to ask for the music to be on. There is a song on the radio by Zach Williams that both my kids sing to at the top of their lungs and it is called “Old Church Choir.” As I was listening […]

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Dads: Iron Men

Dads are not from the Marvel Comic Universe but are expected to perform like they are. It’s not easy to be a dad. There is no orientation for the job. It comes with moments of joy and pain. Often you get blamed for things you know nothing about, or you are expected to be a problem solver with or without experience. There are no manuals. However, the best possible, closest thing to a manual, that will give you some directions is the bible. For example, consider Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way […]

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Compassionate Education

When I’m asked about the differences between the Elementary Education program at Trinity Florida and that of other local universities, my answer is always the same, “Nothing, but everything.” On the surface, they seem identical. We all have a state-approved teacher training program; we teach the same basic course work; our professors are all highly qualified, and we issue the same degree – a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. However, the difference is not in what we teach but how we teach. When filtering education through the work of Christ, we emphasize a parallel between Jesus’ ministry of compassion and […]

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Marking Major Milestones

There are many milestones in your life where you pause and take stock. For some it is a significant birthday or anniversary. Some pause every New Year’s Day to think through goals for the new year. In our family we recently had one of those events: our son’s 13th birthday. It has made me pause to think how fast it’s gone but also realize how much time is left until he graduates high school. Just five fast years…sigh.    Looking back It makes me think back to the baby or family dedication at our church. That Sunday morning before we […]

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A Godly Mother’s Greatest Goal

This is the month when we honor motherhood, so I thought it would be a good idea to use a passage from sacred Scripture to set forth a godly mother’s greatest goal. “The mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. ‘What is it you want?’ he asked. She said, ‘Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom’” (Matthew 20:20-21). “Zebedee’s sons” were James and John, who, along with Peter, made up the inner circle […]

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Looking to Adopt? Is Public or Private Best for You?

The Good News provides a monthly column with important content having to do with topics from the legal community. This month Bill Davell discusses public and private adoption and how to decide what’s best for your family situation with Tripp Scott attorney and Director Jeff Wood. BILL DAVELL: Jeff, what is a public versus a private adoption in Florida?   JEFF WOOD: A public or state adoption involves adopting a child out of the foster care system, which in Florida is managed by community-based care agencies, or CBCs, contracting with the state. A great example of a CBC is 4KIDS, […]

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Summer Camp Guide 2022

Summer camps can provide a wonderful opportunity for enrichment, independence, spiritual growth and fun! Here are a few local offerings and sleep away camps listed geographically from south to north.   Calvary Summer Camp 1708 North State Rd 7, Hollywood, FL 33021 Day Camp, Athletics Camps  Rising Pre-K4–12th grade students (age range depends on on camp type) May 31 – July 29 Cost: $235–$250 per week (depends on camp type; lunch included) 954-590-1600 CCAEagles.org/HWSummer *Face masks optional.   Summersational 880 South Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Religious, day camp 6 weeks old through 5th grade June 6 – July […]

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Dealing with Relationship Cancer: Anger

Some children hear the word “No” and they become frustrated or argue. They are disappointed, but they remain in control. Other children hear the same word and explode into rage. Some adults can discuss differences of opinion and work through conflict. Other adults only need to be inconvenienced the least bit on the highway and they explode into rage. It is all about anger! Anger is arguably the most debilitating relationship cancer there is. When a parent sees rage explode out of their child, there is a feeling of helplessness. When an adult sees rage erupt from their spouse, fear […]

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How to Bring Peace to Your Home

It was twenty-four hours before hurricane Andrew was to come crashing in on south Florida. My elementary age children were helping us get the shutters up and put away outside furniture. Our house was a whirl wind of activity, and I was totally oblivious to the wide-eyed fear on the faces of my kids as they ran around trying to help me get ready. Our home also had two guests: two single, female Christian school teachers from the school my children attended at the time. They were staying with us to ride out their first hurricane. When the windows were […]

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