| October, 2016

The Puppet Master Jim Hammond talks Day of the Dead

Posted on 27 October 2016 by JLusk

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–By Rachel Galvin

It took about a year to prepare for this year’s Day of the Dead, in its seventh year, said founder Jim Hammond, who worked on writing the grant and filling out paperwork for sponsorships for at least nine months leading up to the big day. It took him about six months to work on the concept and design, and then the last final eight weeks are crunch time. With just 750 attendees in 2010, the event swelled to over 13,000 participants by 2015.

We receive multiple grant,s but our first grant was the CIP grant from the Broward Cultural Division. Our first year, we received $2000 towards the event. Last year, over $19,000 went in CIP funds to our partner artists,” said Hammond. “We are also proud to be one of the few Broward based organizations who has received the prestigious Knight Arts Challenge Grant two years in a row as well as several other grants and sponsorships.”

His big part of the puzzle are the puppets. With a Masters degree in Puppetry Design from The University of Connecticut, he created his Sideshow Productions in 1996. He has designed puppets for clients like Florida Grand Opera, New World Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Broward Center for the Performing Arts. He has worked as part of the puppet department of Disney’s The Lion King National Tour, and has been a spokespuppeteer for a series of Allegiant Airlines national commercials, and worked elsewhere.

For Day of the Dead, there will be about 45 puppets and 1000 skeletons. He created seven “super giant” puppets at 15 to 19 ft. tall, which requires seven operators each. They will have about 35 standard giant puppets ranging from nine to 12 ft. tall, as well a hundreds of other masks, banners and decorative objects .

During the entire month of October the puppets go to over 25 events from Palm Beach to Homestead for pop up exhibitions, community events and free workshops. During the main event on Wednesday Nov. 2, the best place to see them is along the Riverwalk at 6:30 p.m. sharp. It’s a photographers dream!” said Hammond.

They have had 220 volunteers working with them to prepare the event, but they can always use more. To volunteer as a puppeteer during the parade, meet them at Huizenga Plaza, at 32 E. Las Olas Blvd. at 5 p.m. on Nov. 2. They will train you to be a puppeteer.

When asked how he got into puppetry, he said, “I’ve been a puppeteer since my earliest memory. I would tell stories as a kid using sticks and stones and found objects as the characters. My dioramas in 3rd grade had moving puppets on rods so they could be animated. I even had a small puppet company in elementary school where I would create puppet shows each summer in our backyard.”

He was inspired by the likes of Jim Henson, Shari Lewis and Captain Kangaroo.

My first professional puppet gig was at 17 when I was hired by an amusement park in the Adirondacks called the Great Escape where I performed up to 21 shows a day over four years,” he said.

As I matured as an artist, [the people I have connected with] most are often the unnamed craftsmen who created relics and icons of ancient peoples. This year, [my wife] Shelly and I traveled to Teotihuacan and Tula, [and elsewhere] in Mexico. Currently, that wealth of imagery drives my creativity,” said Hammond.

He added, “Another huge inspiration to me every day in the studio are my design collaborators. For a fourth year, my lead puppet designers are Sonia Matthews and Ronni Gerstel with David Goboff as head puppet engineer. They take my initial concepts and plans so much further than I ever dream initially. Any artist who can find that collaborative team to expand their initial dreams into reality will expand beyond their vision ten-fold.”

At this year’s Day of the Dead, they are adding two gallery shows, one showcasing photographic highlights from their first six years in Gallery 31 at Broward College/FAU and the second at New River Inn at the Fort Lauderdale Historical Center showcasing skeleton painter Heather Calderon. Both shows are open 4 to 8 p.m. during the event and are free. Also, on the Huizenga Plaza at 4:30 p.m., Fushu Daiko will be performing a concert connected to Japanese Ghost Festival and at 5:30 p.m., the Mexican American Council will bring their Youth Mariachi School and traditional Dancing Horses to do a performance that will lead into the Processional that begins at 6:30 p.m.

Day of the Dead is held Nov. 2 from 4 to 10 p.m. Admission is free. The celebration starts at 4 p.m. in Huizenga Plaza on Las Olas Boulevard where people can make masks and puppets, watch traditional live music and dance performances, and more. Officials from the Ft. Lauderdale City Commission and the Consulate General of Mexico will formally welcome participants at 6 p.m. At 6:30 pm, Hammond will lead the “Skeleton Processional, filled with puppets, skeletons, Mariachi musicians, revelers and more along the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk towards SW 3 Avenue, and ending at the Folklorico Stage and Muertos Street Festival. Food trucks, traditional dance, interactive street performers, low riders, and original indie arts & crafts will be available in the surrounding area and in America’s Backyard nightclub. For more information, visit www.dayofthedeadflorida.com.

When not making puppets, Hammond and his wife of 23 years spend time with their four-legged kids Costello and Presley, renovating their 70+ year old antique Ft. Lauderdale home or doing some traveling.

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Masquerade Ball

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

masquerade102716Photos by Rachel Galvin

This year, the Deerfield Beach Chamber chose a masquerade ball theme for its annual gala event, a fundraiser that benefited the chamber and also helped the local Kiwanis Club. Over 160 guests, dressed for the occasion complete with masks, entered the Embassy Suites and were greeted by gondoliers to the red carpet where they could have a photo taken in front of a Venetian backdrop. Inside the ballroom, there were silent and live auctions, raffle items, a mystery wine game, music and dancing, as well as a three-course dinner. Guests watched an entrancing dance by members of Bobby Rodriguez Productions.

Community leaders came up to receive their “Champions of the Community” awards. This year’s recipients included JWR Construction Services, Island Water Sports, Royal Fiesta, People’s Trust, A&S Total Cleaning, DNA Labs Intl. and Bobby Rodriguez Productions.

Special thanks to the 2016 gala committee: Daisja Brinson, Kirsten Charlson, Tamra Davis, Gordon Vatch, Karen Bartell, Rosina DiBello, Jerry Dubois, Jordana Holden, Dawn Lopes, Kiku Martinson, Claudia Plafsky, Ken Samuels and Charisse Smith.

To find out more about the Deerfield Beach Chamber, and its many events and benefits, visit www.deerfieldchamber.com.

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16th Annual Health & Wellness Expo

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

health102716By Rachel Galvin

On Oct. 22, the NE Focal Point held their Health & Wellness Expo for the 16th year. Outside, the Man Van provided checks on glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index at no charge by Broward Health Imperial Point. In the Adult Day Services Center, there was free skin cancer screenings by Hecker Dermatology Group, carotid artery screening by Broward Health North and blood pressure screening by the NE Focal Point Health Support. In the multi-purpose room, there was balance screening and body mass index by Nova Southeastern University’s physical therapy department students with Dr. Nof and Dr. Stern, and flu shots by Walgreens.

Deputies from Broward Sheriff’s Office conducted Operation Medicine Cabinet, allowing people to turn in their unused medication. Also in the Multi-Purpose Room, there were plenty of people with tables set up offering information on a variety of health services, including insurance, dental, medical, nutrition, financial, chiropractic, home health and more. Joe Aliotta of Personalized Therapeutics gave massages.

Goldie Louis, provider relations manager of Avenue Supportive Care, said they attended last year as well and said, “This is a good way to network, good interaction with other people.”

This was the first year for South Florida Smile Spa, located in Pompano a company that is always trying to interact with and give back to the community.

This is great. It’s a lively group,” said Dr. Nicole Berger. “We like to be involved as much as we can. We donate money to schools, do walks for charities…. We give seniors who don’t have insurance discounts. We try to reach out to the community,” said Dr. Berger, who has been in practice for 12 years, but will have been in her Pompano office for eight in January.

It’s been a wonderful day. The weather is gorgeous. I am grateful for the support of the vendors. Our mission is to keep people healthy, active. Early detection and health prevention are keys to good health and wellness. Today provided that opportunity,” said Donna DeFronzo, director of Senior Services.

New Recreation Coordinator for the Senior Center Dania Bernard, who is taking over from Tamara Sutton, took pictures of all the activities. Bernard has had a background in everything from being a flight attendant to event planning. She had an opportunity to work with her mom, who was a nurse, to help a patient who lived with them. Bernard sees this new role as a great way to combine her love of helping the elderly with her skills in event planning.

Recreational Coordinator of the Alzheimer’s Center Ann Sico served as the emcee for the day. Besides the tables to browse through, there was also ballroom dancing, line dancing and hula dancing to watch and door prize drawings. Guests enjoyed refreshments, including muffins, hamburgers, hot dogs.

NE Focal Point is located at 227 NW 2 St. in Deerfield Beach. For more information, call 954-480-4449 or visit www.nefocalpoint.org.

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Bucks wrap up playoff berth

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

sports102716By Gary Curreri

The work in progress for the Deerfield Beach High School football team is progressing well.

Bucks coach Jevon Glenn’s team, which dispatched Monarch, 42-7, last week, can clinch the District 11-8A championship with a victory over host Piper (8-0, 4-0) on Friday.

Winning a district title is our first goal,” Glenn said. “We had a string of something like 14 years in a row of winning them and then we let that get away from us for a few years. Last year, we won it again and we don’t want to put the carrot before the horse. The district championship is foremost and most important on our list.”

The Bucks (6-1, 4-0) scored 28 unanswered second-quarter points to rout the visiting Knights to clinch a playoff spot as quarterback Nick Holm was efficient as he completed 12 of 16 passes for 89 yards and three touchdowns. He found senior wide receiver Leroy Henley for TD passes of 4 and 20 yards, and senior Jerry Jeudy on a 2-yard scoring toss.

Senior strong safety Kobe Green had a 15-yard fumble return, while senior running backs Alton Allen (20-yard scoring run) and Lafleur Limprevil (9-yard TD run) also found pay dirt.

Glenn said the reversal of an early season, 22-21 overtime loss against Hallandale for using an ineligible player, really had little effect on his team. In fact, he said the loss was a wake-up call for his team that didn’t play up to expectations in that contest.

That hasn’t really affected us,” Glenn said. “That was a moral victory. You go out and you play the game and I take nothing from Hallandale, they were the best team on the field that night. That was a win on a technicality. It is more for the administration to be happy. I said it that night that, when they beat us, they did a helluva job and I still stick to that.”

We are starting to peak at the right the time,” Glenn said. The team’s lone loss this season came against Grayson (Logansville, GA) on the road, 39-14.

Since then, Deerfield has mauled its competition winning 30-0 against Coral Springs; 61-0 against Taravella; 35-6 against Douglas and 42-7 against Monarch. For the season, it has outscored the opposition, 233-77 (including the 22 points in the season opener against Hallandale.

We are getting a little more balance offensively and defensively,” Glenn said. “We are starting to peak and get that chemistry on both sides of the ball. Even though we are playing a whole lot better, I think we have a ways to go. We just need to continue this path that we are going down and I am excited about it.”

Glenn was disappointed that the team’s game against St. Thomas Aquinas was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew a few weeks ago. However, with Piper this week and a non-district game against Cardinal Gibbons the following week, Glenn believes he will be battle-tested come the playoffs.

We can definitely win the state championship this year,” Glenn said. “We missed out on St. Thomas, but we should get the job done against Piper (5-1, 2-1) this week.

On paper, it looks like a big game, but I think it could be the same thing as last year,” said Glenn, whose team routed the Bengals, 38-0, at home last season. “They (Piper) are big Twitter guys and they are doing a lot of talking. They play a really soft schedule and get off to a good record, but they are not fooling anybody with that anymore.”

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FLICKS: The Handmaiden, Spooky Empire & Fright Asylum

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

Next Valentine’s Day, the 50 Shades of Grey sequel opens, a popular film and DVD that no one in public admits to enjoying. After seeing the trailer for The Handmaiden, which opens tomorrow in select theaters, I thought I was going to see the Asian version of 50 Shades of Grey. Instead, I was surprised to watch a gothic romance along the lines of Wuthering Heights and Dangerous Liaisons.

With English subtitles, this Korean film is divided into 3 parts. The handmaiden dominates part one. Sook-Hee is the handmaiden who goes to work for Lady Hideko, who owns a large mansion with a big library. Working with the scoundrel, Count Fujiwawa, the Handmaiden seeks to rob Lady Hideko.

Part 2 presents another side of the relationship between Lady Hideko and Count Fujiwawa. We learn about some of the kinky secrets from the library, which both disgusts and inspires the protagonists and antagonists. Part 3 wraps up the plot threads with either a beautiful climax or a kinky climax, depending on one’s point of view.

The Handmaiden is likely to be nominated for an Oscar for best foreign language motion picture. The cinematography and texture is full of detail, which enhance the story. There are many ugly moments in The Handmaiden, but there are many beautiful, aquarian scenes. It is a full artistic experience.

Being Halloween weekend, Dan Brown’s Inferno opens tomorrow, including a limited release at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery IMAX Theater. Set in Florence, Italy and featuring clues gleaned from Dante’s Inferno, director Ron Howard has admitted that he directed scenes in the mode of a horror movie.

Thanks to Hurricane Matthew, Spooky Empire was forced to close their annual October horror convention in Orlando on Oct. 8. In order to recoup their losses, founders Petey and Gina Mongelli have rescheduled the convention to Dec. 2nd weekend and are recruiting celebrities to return. Thus far, original headliners “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kane Hodder and Nature Boy Ric Flair have committed to return.

For the latest updates of Halloween events this weekend, check out www.FrightAsylum.com. While mostly a horror movie review show, creator Woody Meckes does like to “trip the light fantastic” with special episodes. This week’s Fright Asylum celebrates monsters, mayhem and comedy, full of tricks and treats. Happy Halloween!

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

Deerfield Beach

Oct. 13: A man stole two cases of beer from Circle K at 4791 N. Dixie Hwy.

Oct. 13: A man reported his motorcycle stolen from the parking lot of Tivoli at 887 Siesta Key Dr.

Oct. 13: A woman reported her car parked at 1205 S. Federal Hwy. and her Coach wallet stolen.

Oct.13: A man reported his car stolen from his driveway at 12 NE 11 Way.

Lighthouse Point

Oct. 4: A male subject was riding a bike when he punched the hood of a loaner vehicle at 4230 N. Federal Hwy. The damage was estimated at $150.

Oct. 4: The victim was doing maintenance on a cooler at a business at 3780 N. Federal Hwy. and placed his iPad mini behind him when someone stole it. The loss was $800.

Oct. 4: Someone stole a specialized bike from a bike rack on the rear of a Cadillac Escalade while it was parked at 2230 NE 48 St. The loss was $2,000.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

RE: Districts

Dear Editor:

I sat through last night’s Oct. 18 Deerfield Beach Commission meeting and started to wonder, “What happened to our elected officials?” The commissioners complain about their having a “full-time” job with only “part-time” pay and being overworked. Then, when the time comes to do something about it, they voice their opinions to stay with what we have now for our district boundaries. They could have added two new districts, and their workload would be reduced significantly, but no action was taken on their part.

We were told by Mayor Robb at the outset of the presentation by Mr. Scott Burton, or Meehan Burton Assoc., that our “population,” and not our voter registration count would be the only criteria used in drawing these new district boundaries. That certainly is one of the factors that should be used here, but I feel there are other very important factors which need to be considered, and were ignored by the commission.

Ask yourself this question: If you lived in the District 3 today, would you be happy with our current boundary lines? We’ve had a Century Village (CV) commissioner/dominance for as far back as I can remember, and that only goes back 20 years. City government can’t allow this inequity to remain any longer. Most District 3 quarterly meetings are held inside the CV complex, and that’s in spite of the fact that we’ve annexed Crystal Lakes a few years ago with all its problems. We have almost half the “population” of District 3 living outside Century Village, and yet we’re still “attached” to this unfair arrangement.

There’s something very wrong with a commission that will not address this serious problem of CV dominance in District 3 when given the opportunity for change. It looks like a “stacked deck,” and a “done deal” for the commission not to take some action when now is the time for all good citizens to come to the aid of their community.

Fred Foreman,

Deerfield Beach, FL

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HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

LHP Halloween

Thursday, Oct. 27, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dan Witt Park

4521 NE 21 Terr.

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Open to all Lighthouse Point boys and girls, ages 12 and under. Costume contests, bounce houses, face painting, rides, and more. Costume contest will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. Free refreshments and candy for every child in costume. 954-943-6500.

Annual Halloween Hoe-Down

Thursday, Oct. 27, 6 to 9 p.m.

Villages of Hillsboro Park

4111 NW 6 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Creepy costume contests, pie eating and pumpkin-carving contests and petting zoo. Enjoy hayrides and a pumpkin patch. Refreshments available for purchase. Free entry. For more information, call 954-480-4494.

Annual Fall Festival

Friday, Oct. 28, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

First Baptist Church

701 NE 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hayride, bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, dunk tank, rock wall, candy bags for kids, popcorn, hotdogs, ice cream floats and much more. Free event. Call 954-427-1216 or visit www.deerfieldfirst.com.

Trunk-or-Treat

Friday, Oct. 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park

Shelter #10 Parking Lot

401 S. Powerline Rd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Participants are invited to dress up their cars and themselves. $2 fee for reserved parking spot, car costume contest, bounce house, candy giveaway and Halloween-themed movie. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call 954-357-5100.

Halloween Festivities

Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 to 8 p.m.

Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex  

445 SW 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Silly Magic Stage Show, balloon twisters, bounce houses, a costume contest, haystack candy find, arts & crafts, Halloween games and music by Extra, Extra Entertainment. Free entry. For more information, call 954-480-4481.

Halloween Harvest

Sunday, Oct. 30, 10 am to 2 p.m.

Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Candy, costumes and cornstalks. Fee: donation. 954-429-0378 or visit www.deerfield-history.org.

Annual Halloween Monster Concert

Sunday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach

2331 NE 26 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Listen to terrifying toccatas and haunting harmonies on the great pipe organ accompanied by spectacular lumonics/laser display and featuring the Fabulous Follies Florida Show girls. Audience costumes encouraged. $10 suggested donation/kids free. 954-941-2308.

Halloween Bash

Monday, Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.

Pompano Citi Centre

1955 N. Federal Hwy.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Children 10 and under are invited to come dressed in their best costumes to enjoy Trick-or-Treating at participating stores at 5 pm. and a magical Wizard Show at 6 pm. The first 1,500 Trick-or-Treaters will receive complimentary candy bags handed out at the Pompano Citi Centre table. Adult supervision required. Admission is free. Ride the carousel during event for $1. For more information, visit www.pompanociticentre.com or call 954-943-4683.

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

 

Meet the Pompano Beach candidates

Thursday, Oct. 27, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Pompano Beach Woman’s Club

314 NE 2 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Town Hall style forum allows all candidates to introduce themselves, followd by audience questions. Free event, open to the public. Send questions to execprint@aol.com for early consideration for inclusion. For more information, call 954-649-9200 or 954-978-0018.

Dive-In Movie — Halloweentown

Friday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Aquatics Center

501 SE 6 Ave.

Deerfield Beach FL 33441

Free. For information, call 954-420-2262.

Celebrate 60 years of First Christian Church

Saturday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m.-Dinner

Sunday, October 30, 9 a.m.-Continental breakfast

First Christian Church of Pompano Beach

1860 NE 39 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Sit-down dinner followed by fellowship and fun. Breakfast followed by 10 a.m. service and 60 years of memories with guest speaker Richard Marshall, one of the living ministers from the church. RSVP: 954-942-2515.

International Dinner

Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.

St. Peter’s Anglican Church

1416 SE 2 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Enjoy food from the various homelands of members. Food, fellowship, prizes, raffle. All are invited. Call 954-695-0336 for information.

DB Farmer’s Market

Sunday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Farmer’s market, candy, costumes and special prizes. Books & crafts for the kids. Free tour of the Butler House and a book signing by Brenda Santiago. For more information, visit www.deerfieldbeachhistoricalsociety.com.

Fall Prevention Awareness Day

Thursday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

NE Focal Point Senior Center

227 NW 2 St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Learn tips on how to keep your home safe and reduce the risk of falls. Exhibitors include. rehab services: balance assessment, safe use of assistive device (walker, cane); ask the pharmacist: brown bag evaluation (bring your medications for review by our pharmacists); ask the dietitian: tips on health eating, diabetes, hypertension; social work: community resources & advanced directives; Broward Health North Memory Disorder Center: Alzheimer’s resources; aging & disability resource center: matter of balance, clear captions: phone for hearing impaired; SHINE: Understanding your Medicare benefits. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 954-480-4449.

Save the date: 7th Annual Ranse Classic Volleyball Tournament

Friday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 6

on Deerfield beach

Benefitting Ranse Jones Stroke Awareness Fund. For information and schedule of events, visit www.ranseclassic.com.

 

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CLERGY CORNER: Hope for the future

Posted on 27 October 2016 by LeslieM

What the future holds has always piqued our interest as human beings. We have experiences and memories of the past, and are fully acquainted with the events of the present, but we have no guarantees concerning the future. Consequently, some have claimed to be able to predict the future and speak confidently about what is to come. Crystal balls, horoscopes, cards, psychics and fortune tellers are some of the things and people that many consult for information about their personal future. No one has all the answers, however, and many prognosticators have been proven false or deceptive.

When it comes to the future of the world or society, there seems to be a common feeling that things will be worse than they are right now. Every generation has probably had doomsayers who saw and predicted the decline of society or the end of the world. George Orwell’s classic, 1984 envisioned a world that had devolved into a “negative utopia” and even though that year has come and gone, many are convinced we are still headed in that direction. The Y2K scare of 1999 had many expecting a major disruption of life as we know it once 2000 arrived, and a misreading of the famed Mayan Calendar predicted that the world would come to an end on December 21, 2012.

In his much touted television series, The Story of God, Morgan Freeman traveled the world examining the beliefs of various religions. One episode on the Apocalypse reviewed how differing faith traditions viewed the end of days. In the Bible (Matthew 24:6-7), Jesus predicted specific signs of the end. “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” In 2 Timothy 3:1-4, the Apostle Paul adds, “But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

The evening news and our daily experiences confirm that those predictions are coming true in our time. These do appear to be the last days; however, believers in every generation for the last 2,000 years have perceived that theirs would be the last. No one knows when the end will come, only that it will all come to an end someday.

But how do we then face the future? Are we to be fearful and anxious? Are we to ignore the signs of societal deterioration and live as if all is well? Thankfully, both Jesus and Paul offer hope along with their predictions. Believers are encouraged to be faithful to the truth, and to prayerfully take note of the unfolding signs. Jesus promises a reward and eternal life for the faithful and believing.

The point is this: regardless of the unknown, and even with indications of difficult times ahead, believers can face them with hope. A life oriented around God has a sure foundation on which to stand when things get shaky. Consider Psalm 46:1-3, 7. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…The Lord Almighty is with us the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Bishop Patrick L. Kelly is the pastor of Cathedral Church of God, 365 S. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954-427-0302.

 

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