Compliment someone When you speak, be uplifting to those around you. The Bible tells us how powerful our words can be. You can brighten up someone’s day just by paying him or her an honest and sincere compliment, such as, “You really look beautiful in that outfit,” “That last project you handed in was exceptional,” or “Thank you for taking the time to cook today – that was a delicious meal.” Represent a joyful disposition People take notice when they see someone who is joyful and polite, no matter what task they are doing or what situation they are in. […]

A Miraculous Birth It was the day that everyone was waiting for. The new baby was coming home from the hospital. Tender and loving hands had been preparing a special room for many months; filling it with soft blankets, stuffed animals, diapers, and clothes. As the parents and family members gathered around this beloved gift, they asked themselves what this child would be like in the years to come. Perhaps a police officer or a scientist? What if he grew up to be the next President? While many parents wonder what impact their child will make on this world, one […]

Tired of the commercialized madness of the holidays? Feeling the need to experience the real meaning of Christmas? Hollywood Hills Church comes to the rescue with Bethlehem Nights. This church family wants to take you back in time and across the globe to Bethlehem–no passport necessary. Bethlehem Nights, held at Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church, brings to life the ancient town of Bethlehem–shepherds, soldiers and tax collectors included. Volunteers in full costume along with live animals will transport you back in time, unveiling what life was really like 2,000 years ago when a bright Star over Judea put an exclamation […]

Have you ever wanted more meaning from the Christmas season? In their new book, The 12 Days of Christmas, authors Linda Coates and Leslie S. Kelly help you and your family get just that.  This is not just another Christmas book. It is a way to recapture what has been lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas so that this year can be different. The 12 Days of Christmas helps families discover that Christmas Day is the kickoff for the celebration, not the final affair. The twelve-day adventure begins on December 26. In it, you will learn more about […]

Being creative has its advantages, and when creativity is not readily available, one may turn to his or her own forte of choice. George Martos has a different approach: forge ahead with what you know. “I’m not creative-minded, but I’m good at organizing, administrating, and the business end of it all” says the fireman who has headed up Touched by Fire Angels. The reality of it is that he wants to reach out to orphans and place them into loving Christian environments. “I contacted Focus on the Family and told them I had an idea for helping the Orphan Care […]

In his rookie NASCAR season, Blake Koch carries the title sponsorship of GodSpeaks.com, and his voice in the auto racing industry brings a great deal of response to the non-profit organization as well as his drive with God. “I’ve always had a strong faith in God. After all, it is God that has given me the ability and the opportunity to do this,” said Koch. “I came into this campaign prepared to represent them [GodSpeaks.com] well. In these cars we are driving well over 100 miles per hour. How could you not be close to God before doing something like […]

MIAMI – His House Children’s Home (His House), a non-profit organization that provides residential care, and foster parent and adoption services to abused and abandoned children, has again been ranked the #1 full-case management agency of the quarter by Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe, Inc., the local lead agency for child welfare in Miami and the Keys. Out of seven child welfare agencies that serve South Florida, His House earned the highest score for the second quarter in a row. Having exceeded its adoption goal by 54% in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the organization seeks to double its goals […]

Wherever and whenever there is a need, there should also be an urgency to educate the community about how and why this need should be met. The Shepherd’s Way, located in Fort Lauderdale, offers both this education and a desire to provide countless homeless families with housing, food and the understanding necessary to develop and sustain peace and stability in their lives. To personally learn what services were offered to these families, I visited The Shepherds Way and had a conversation with Executive Director, Robin Martin. While receiving a complete tour of the facility, I was greeted by a staff […]

Joel Osteen is fond of telling reporters that he hasn’t accepted a salary from the church he pastors,  Houston’s mammoth Lakewood Church, since 2005. When Pastor Rick Warren’s “The Purpose-Driven Life” made bestseller lists, he went on Larry King Live to tell America that he has reimbursed his church for all the money he had ever received from Saddleback Church and that he and his wife Kay are now “reverse tithing”: they keep 10 percent of their income and give away 90 percent. Fans and some in the media swooned at these conspicuous displays of generosity. The Orlando Sentinel’s Mark […]