I recently had the privilege of going to Honduras for a mission trip. My sister is a missionary and works at a school as a fifth grade teacher. The school is Rancho Ebenezer and is run through World Gospel Outreach. It has always been a dream of hers to do missionary work and she was at a point in her life where her dream came true. I went there with her son (my nephew) and my 14-year-old son. I wanted my son to go and see how spoiled he really is. (Well, that was my dream).

I went thinking I was going to help them work on their facility and be a blessing to them. God has a funny way of always turning things around in my life. We did have a chance to help and do some repairs at their facility. We did some electrical work and replaced some old light fixtures with new ones in the houses where the staff and the children live. We also were able to do some plumbing repairs and replace old leaky faucets, fix toilets and repair leaking drains. We even had time to repair five or six bikes for the children who live on the ranch.

MATTHEW 28:19-20

19 “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

20 “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

NLT

When we got there, and began to walk around and meet everyone and see what they do there at their facility, I got thoroughly blessed by what I observed. I saw people who serve others selflessly because of the faith that they have in their God. When our faith is in God, and not in other people or in things we own, great things will happen in our lives. God will never let us down, even though other people will. I saw people working together because they believed in what they were doing and they also knew why they were doing it. I saw people working together to accomplish a mission with no personal agenda in mind. The school and the facility there in Honduras is run on donations, so they really need to trust God for all their needs.

I was encouraged by the faith I saw and it reminded me that we all can have great faith. I want to encourage you not to just have faith, but I want to encourage you to have faith in God. We need to trust God and know that the Bible is truth. Every promise we find in His Word is true and every promise is ours for the asking. We are so spoiled here in America. We need to stay strong and trust that God will do great things in our lives, but they will be on His terms, not ours.

Pastor Tony Guadagnino is a pastor at Christian Love Fellowship Church.

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Set in Post Apocalyptic Japan circa 1945, Emperor reviews General Douglas MacArthur’s relationship with Emperor Hirohito. It is a fascinating story and similar to General Patton’s relationship with former Nazis in Berlin when peace was declared. There is an old adage that says only warriors truly understand the true meaning of peace.

As played by Tommy Lee Jones, General MacArthur has all the bombast, arrogance and guile one has read about in history. MacArthur’s meeting with Hirohito is touching with humor.

But Emperor is really about MacArthur’s assistant, General Bonner Fellows (Matthew Fox)’s investigation about Hirohito’s war crimes regarding the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Told in flashbacks, we learn that General Fellows had unrequited romance with a Japanese native who was Ivy League educated.

This is a sincere movie, but it could have been better. Instead of flashbacks, if the film took the time to visualize the story in chronological order, Emperor ould have had more of an emotional impact.

With Passover just around the corner, Hava Nagila (The Movie) is released, a documentary that reviews the history and cultural impact of the traditional Jewish folk song.

Until “Hava Nagila,” the history of Jewish music was full of prayerful dirges. To combat repression in the Ukraine, the upbeat song “Hava Nagila” emerged and has continued to inspire the Jewish People. Narrated by Rusty Schwimmer, with Leonard Nimoy, Harry Belafonte, Glen Campbell and Connie Francis providing personal experiences, Hava Nagila (The Movie) is a lovely way to spend 75 minutes.

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

You may be one of them. Or if not, you surely KNOW one of them. They are truly all over the place — the mature male (50ish and older), recently widowed or divorced who finds himself suddenly solo.

Well, yes, there is the myth that single men “have it made,” and get sympathy.

That’s not always so. Many of these males had been married since just after puberty and they are now lost in a whole new world of dating and/or simply trying to figure out how to do the laundry and what to do with coupons, or actually picking up the phone in order to promote some kind of social life — some of the many things that “she” did for him.

Along comes Hal Spielman (of New York and South Florida), a successful marketing businessman whose

long-time loving wife has died. He in fact, is suddenly solo. After the first flourish of friends-in-sympathy, he is settling into a new life and all the unexpected baggage that comes with it.

Thus was born the website www.suddenlysolo.org and spawned from that, the just published book “Suddenly Solo: A Lifestlye Roadmap For The Mature, Widowed or Divorced Man,” co-written with his friend Marc Silbert (www.amazon.com).

“I undertook seven separate and distinct research studies that provide the foundation for information in this book,” said Spielman— whose life work has been in Market Research, “thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours having been spent on primary research.” But in the writing, the book is a “relaxed and conversational journey about living experiences.”

Former CEO of AARP Bill Novelli states in the book’s Afterword that this slim volume helps with the “What Next?” It offers a cornucopia of “what nexts” from which to choose, allowing that one size does not fit all. A quick surf through the table of contents hints at some really valuable “take home” information – light and full of good humor, the latter being reason enough to get hold of it.

Starting with Malnutrition Avoidance (the hobby chefs among you can skip that one) on through Loneliness, to the Aha Moment when you realize that dating rituals and standards have gone 180 degrees since last you were there, and then on to the Internet and some juicy sex specific “rules of the current game” to the final and funny “glossary” for the troglodytes among you – this turns out to be fun for all! Women love it too. And the progeny of those afflicted can’t wait to gift it to Papa.

Spielman, a sociologist by training, who retired in 2008 from the marketing and communications research firm he co-founded, enjoys his South Florida book tour stops where he is constantly encountering and interviewing more Suddenly Solos for his website.

Co-author Marc Silbert, a principle in the international organization Accountemps and Robert Half Personnel Service as president of its New York City operations, is happy when Hal is “working the rooms.” It’s a win-win all around.

For the couch potato or the bar fly, the introvert or the party guy, for the nerd or the “hottie,” there’s something for every Suddenly Solo guy in this book, with constant exhortation and guidelines on how to “Get out there and live!”

And, ladies, you’re next!

DEERFIELD BEACH

March 1 A home at 411 NW 43 St. was broken into and a laptop computer, backpack and firearm were stolen, valued at $868.

March 1 A man reported that someone entered his home at 411 NW 41 St., ransacked it and stole $3,500 worth of electronic equipment.

March 3 A woman reported her home at 4335 NW 6 Ave. entered and a laptop computer stolen.

March 3 A man reported his car parked at 650 Lock Rd. entered and a GPS and laptop computer stolen. Value of the stolen items was estimated at $1,100.

March 3 A man reported his car stolen from 242 NE 44 St. The man believes a female friend stole the car.

March 3 A hole was cut into the top of an equipment trailer at a lawn service company at 1260 SW 9 Ave. Items stolen included two weedeaters, two chain saws, two pole saws and one leaf blower. Value of the stolen items was estimated at $4,000.

March 3 Two women were placed into custody by store security at Bealls at 1079 S. Federal Hwy. They had taken store property without paying. Each woman was issued a notice to appear in court and released.

March 3 A woman reported her Rolex watch missing from her home at 1111 NE 4 Dr. She said a realtor had been showing her home just before she noticed the watch was missing.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Feb. 11 Arrest was made at Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. On Feb. 4, suspect took a TV and headphones from Target and fled without paying for them. Witness observed suspect flee in a green Mazda and took the tag number. Tag was registered to suspect. The incident was captured on video surveillance. Suspect was identified in a photographic lineup. This date, suspect was located and arrested. Post Miranda warning, he admitted to the incident and advised the TV and headphones were sold. Suspect was charged with grand theft.

Feb. 14 Auto theft was reported at 1600 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Victim reported she parked and locked her vehicle at the North Satelitte Court House and when she returned, her vehicle was missing. Area check for vehicle was conducted with negative results.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Feb. 27 A woman reported that she parked her car at Trinity United Methodist Church Preschool at 3901 NE 22 Ave. After leaving the parking lot, she realized her purse and wallet had been stolen. She believes the purse and wallet were stolen while the car was parked in the preschool parking lot.

Feb. 27 It was reported that a vehicle was stolen from Sheehan Autoplex at 2800 N. Federal Hwy. The vehicle was used for collecting trash on the property. It is believed that an employee took the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the location near the entrance to the dealership. Remember, if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately.

Election-time statements: True or False?

Dear Editor:

Echoing the most mendacious national campaign in my memory — and I’m no longer young, I find in Deerfield Beach a similar performance by a perennial candidate to preside at commission meetings. In this campaign, I’ve been hearing bizarre departures from FACT.

Large raises in salary to senior staff have been cited as being unwarranted. FACT: there were no across-the-board salary raises for senior staff. Certain positions were eliminated and taken over by staff members who were entitled to more pay for increased responsibilities and longer hours of work. Each adjustment was determined on a one-by-one basis. All in all, the changes have resulted in a net savings for the city.

As to raises in salary for elected officials, this cost-ofliving increase was mandated by an ordinance in 2004.

FACT: Most of these officials put in at least 40 hours per week in serving their districts and the city. Their hours vary since they serve at the convenience of citizens — which can be at all hours.

The mayoral candidate was echoed by one candidate for commission as saying that “this job is part-time and easily can be managed by scheduling” is unrealistic. It is true that parts of some districts have been overlooked by certain commissioners. But it is also true that direct contact by citizens with hard working commissioners and staff have served well since the current administration has been in place.

The fire assessment [fee] preceded by years the recent adoption on the utility tax. FACT: For a candidate, coupling them is truly a disservice to the truth.

The perennial candidate’s campaign against a perception of inequities in water rates for the Century Village complex is not ancient history as was stated. FACT: Those attacks against water rates for Century Village were quite recent. Even more recent is the current about-face. You may watch the candidate addressing the commission on video.

David Cohen

Deerfield Beach

Education = Quality of Life

Dear Editor:

[There are] too many homes with single mothers and fatherless children.

Education is not a racial issue. It’s a social one across the board.

We have lowered the standards for passing grades to facilitate the overcrowded schools and the bureaucratic obesity of school board systems. Yes, education starts at home always has, always will.

We don’t need an Ivy League study to know this. It’s common sense. Oh yes, I forgot, common sense is not common.

And neither are family values. When you have babies having babies in eighth and ninth grade and opting out from school to welfare (remember, not a racial issue, it’s a social one across the board) this equals a poorer quality of life and a burden for all of society.

As we see in today’s time, a diploma or degree is not automatic employment.

What can we do to help single mothers with fatherless children on the way? Seems like a good question for our Ivy Leagues to study.

Ray Bish

Deerfield Beach

7th Annual Festival of the Arts

Thursday, March 7 to Saturday, March 16

Mizner Park Amphitheater & Cultural Arts Center 590 Plaza Real & 201 Plaza Real Boca Raton, FL 33432

Ten days of culture, world-class talent with everything from musical performances to lectures. $15 $100 per person. INFO: 866-571-ARTS or www.festivalboca.org.

Movies in the Park

Friday, March 8, 7 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park 4111 NW 6th Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

FREE event presented by City of DB and Paragon Theaters. Bring blankets, lawn chairs. Refreshments sold. 954-480-4429.

9th Annual Relay For Life Yard Sale

Saturday, March 9, 7 a.m. to noon

Constitution Park 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Furniture, clothing, jewelry and more. Benefits American Cancer Society.

AAUW scholarship fundraiser

Saturday, March 9, 11:30 a.m.

Lighthouse Point Yacht Club 2701 NE 42 St. Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Features author Deborah Sharp (known nationally with radio essays on NPR) discussing her soon-to-be-published mystery “Mama Gets Trashed.” Silent Auction. $38. 954-524-2938.

Random Acts of Culture: Cowboy entertainer

Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m.

Entrance to Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Fiddle playing, guitar picking, storytelling, lasso twirling performed by Pop Wagner. Also at NE Focal Point on March 11 at 10 a.m. Call for more info: 480-954-4200 or www.popwagner.com.

Messiah in the Passover

Saturday March 9, 5:30 p.m. & Sunday March 10, 10 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Church & School 959 SE 6 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Begins with the traditional Passover Seder table. Speaker will explain symbolic meanings of items of Passover feast highlighting their relationship to the Last Supper. Open to Christians and Jews. Love offering will be received. 954-421-3146.

Hillsboro Lighthouse 106th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, March 9, 8:45 a.m. (tours begin)

Sands Harbor Hotel dock 125 N. Riverside Dr. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Tour; music and guest speakers; food available for purchase. Berkeley-trained musician Tim McGuire with lute music from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Artist Barkha Herman, co-founder at www.myguides. com, will be at the light station from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. to paint and discuss lighthouse art. Bud Garner, Pompano Beach Historian, will share stories of the early days at 2 and 3 p.m. Hamburgers, hot dogs and picnic-type food available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Park in Pompano Beach City Parking Lot (fee required) across from the Sands Harbor Hotel & Marina. $25 per person, free to HLPS members. First boat departs at approximately 9 a.m. Last boat leaves at 2:30 p.m. and the last boat from the Lighthouse returns to Sands Harbor Hotel at approximately 4 p.m. Call about shoe wear and child height restrictions. No pets. Info: www.hillsborolighthouse.org/ tours.html.

Casino Night Fundraiser

Saturday, March 9, 7 to 9 p.m.

Elks Lodge 700 NE 10 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

$55 per person (Includes $ 700 in chips). Cash bar, music, food. Presented by Soroptimist International and The Elks Club. For tickets, call 954-553-0887. Proceeds go to Woodhouse.

United States Coast Guard Cadet Chorale Concert

Saturday, March 9, 7 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Community Center 1801 NE 6 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

FREE Nautical-themed music by United States Coast Guard Cadet Chorale. Info: 954-786-4111.

Condo Tag Sale

Sunday, March 10, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oceanside North 3211 NE 8 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Furniture, household items, small appliances. 954-785-0317.

Elks Bingo Bash

Sunday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. (doors open)

700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

$60 per person, $30 in advance. Paper distribution at 11:30 a.m., games begin at 1 p.m. FREE dinner buffet. 954-781-2300.

Sunday Matinee Music Series Concert

Sunday, March 10, 3 to 4 p.m.

Spanish River Library 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431

One-hour concert by local well-known jazz entertainers, Davis and Dow. Performing selections from Bach to the Beatles, from Brazil to Paris and the Great American Songbook. 561- 299-8684 or www.bocalibraryfriends.org.

“How to Grow Beauful Violets”

Monday, March 11, 12:30 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center 1801 NE 6 St. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Presentation at Pompano Beach Garden Club by members of the Violet Patch of South Florida. Refreshments served. 954-943-0029.

GFWC Woman’s Club of Deerfield Beach

Tuesday, March 12, 1 p.m.

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Topic: Salvation Army “Where do Donations Go?” Speaker: Jim Moyer, donor program manager, presenting a Fashion Show by the Pompano Beach Army Store. FREE. Light refreshments. Open to public. 954-421-4700.

It is not always easy to find time for things, unless, of course, it is something that is really important to you. This Sunday, time will be on our minds as we will be moving our clocks forward one hour. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I wonder if such a move doesn’t take an hour off my life.

I know that might sound rather depressing for those of you who read my column regularly, because, you know, I try to write about the positives and the blessings in our lives. But the thought of having one less hour can serve as a positive motivating force. Think about it, what are you able to accomplish in just one hour? What loving and holy acts can you perform in such a short span of time?

The great Sage Hillel reminded us of the importance of time by saying, “If not now, when?” And he was so right because if we don’t do what we are able to now, we might never get the chance again because we never really know how many days we have left on this earth.

I have seen people who were told that they only had days left to live. I have heard families told that, once their loved one’s ventilator is removed, they will only have minutes left. And many of those very same people are still with us. They have been allotted more time and they are taking that extra time they have been given as a blessing.

We are not G-d. We might be able to come up with a probable amount of time someone has left, but G-d may well have other plans. In fact, there is an old adage that says, “The greatest of doctors is time.”

The Chofetz Chaim taught, “People say ‘time is money’ but I say ‘money is time,’ for every luxury costs so many precious hours of your life.”

What have you done with your time lately? A woman walking down the street in a city in the midwest a few weeks back saw a beggar in the street. Looking at the poor homeless soul, she might have thought, “He doesn’t look like he has much time. Let me see if I can make his day.” So she put some money into his hat.

She headed down the street and, after she and her husband had gone a few blocks, they heard the beggar shouting at them to stop. How frightening it must have been to have a homeless man chasing them down.

But they stopped, and that poor soul with not even a watch to wear, caught up to her and told her that when she put money in his hat, her ring had slipped off her finger and fallen into the hat as well. That’s right, when called upon to do a holy deed, the beggar forgot about his own needs and took the time and energy to rush to make someone else’s day.

And talk about “Paying It Forward.” The woman and her husband gave the man whatever cash they had on them as a “thank you.” And, it didn’t end there. She put the story on the Internet and, in no time, a fund was set up to get this Holy Child of G-d, this homeless man, a place of his own.

So next time you get a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, take the time and that good deed might just keep growing and growing.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and of the Association of Professional Chaplains, He works professionally in this capacity with a number of healthcare facilities in the area, and with hospice. He is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Israel of Deerfield Beach.