Lunch with Art: The Lecture Series

Thursday, May 23, 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Blanche Ely Historical Museum

1500 NW 6 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Join Curatorial Consultant Derek T. Davis as he guides you into the world of the Ely Family while you are enjoying your lunch. As you eat, experience a unique cultural experience that teaches Pompano Beach history and focuses on the people who made a difference in the community. Get inspired by this monthly event that will feature unique informational lectures that unlock a piece of the past. Guests are invited to bring their lunch and a friend. This event is free.

Concept to Creation Workshop

Tuesday, May 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bailey Contemporary Arts (BaCA)

41 NE 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Multiple session workshop taught by BaCA’s Artist in Residence, Andrea Huffman, to assist artists in tapping deeply into their creativity. Each week, creative exercises, such as concept mapping, tapping into personal histories or collage provide a means to discover your unique artistic style, personal symbols and imagery. Students will work in a sketchbook along with other media of the student’s choosing. This class is geared toward artists of all levels, working in any medium. Age: teen through adults. Class Fee: $30/student/session. Topics will include: Mind/ concept mapping . . . a visual tool for building a body of work. For more information, call 954-284-0141.

After School Poetry Workshops

Tuesday, May 28, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Blanche Ely Historical Museum

1500 NW 6 Ave.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

For students ages 13-19 who enjoy writing, reading and studying poetry. These informal workshops not only promote literacy, self-expression and community involvement, but focus on a selected poet reading their poems and biographies, and exploring different types of poetry, as well as sharing original work.

Save the Date:

What is your Elephant?

Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m.

The Pompano Beach Cultural Center

50 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

This short film ‘Caressed’ is an art film and a self-portrait, mixed-media video installation combining performance art and a poem Niki Lopez wrote about a traumatic childhood memory. Niki was featured in People magazine regarding her growing up in a cult. This intimate piece is a part of a series with her personal artwork within the art movement: What’s Your Elephant –Creative Conversations about the Unknown. The intentions behind Lopez’ work is to not only share a personal elephant but to have discussions surrounding unspoken topics such as abuse, survivors of abuse, awareness, the power of a ‘share’ and how the arts can be used to heal, to empower and to educate. This session will consist of a video screening, performance and artist led discussion based on the mission of “What’s Your Elephant.”Tickets for all events are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, visit www.ccpompano.orgor call 954-545-7800.

Annual Ladies Fish Off

Saturday, June 1, 7 a.m.

Hillsboro Inlet & Port Everglades

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

The 34^th Annual Ladies Fish Off saltwater tournament is now accepting participants. Late registration will take place on May 31 at Bonefish Mac’s, 2002 NE 36 St., Lighthouse Point, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Jazz in the Park

Saturday, June 1, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Annie Adderly Gillis Park

601 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33069

The City of Pompano Beach Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting a fun family night. This event will feature live Jazz music from the talented musicians of the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Jazz Band and Eric & the Jazzers band. Also performing will be comedian Fefe. Free. Food will be available for purchase by local food vendors. For more information, visit www.pompanobeachfl.gov or call 954-786-4111.

Learn to Paint in Plein Air

Tuesdays, June 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hillsboro Inlet Park Pavilion

2700 N. Ocean Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Pat Anderson’s Plein Air Art in the Parks for age 10 to seniors and offers buy one get one free. Have an “assistant” come join you on your painting journey. The second artist must use the same supplies and canvas as the first. Pat focuses on SE Florida, from the pioneering history of Henry Flagler and his railroad to the space age future with VirginTRAINSUSA. Learn how to paint today, what you see while you see it, because tomorrow it will change. Learn to paint trees, leaves, clouds, people and buildings. Open to all levels. Art supplies, professional instruction and Leaf Bar tables & easels provided. Bring lunch. Four classes this month are $100, or $30 per class two and three hour sessions. Call Emma Lou Olson Civic Center at 954-786-4111. Visit www.PatAndersonArtist.com/classes for more information.

Church & Community

Fellowship Weekend

Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, June 9, starting at 11 a.m.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

1060 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Come join Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church for food and fun, including free food, games and music on Saturday and Sunday for worship, praise, preaching and giveaways.

Woman’s Club Trips

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Thursday, July 18, 8:30 a.m.

Deerfield Beach Woman’s Club invites you to a wonderful day trip. Your day trip includes door to door transportation, tour of Vizcaya (driver & tour guide gratuity included), visit to Lincoln Road Mall and sit down lunch. Cost is $80 per person. Limited seats. Men are welcome. Call Sally 954-427-2175 for more information.

Navy Seal Museum

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 8:30 a.m.

Deerfield Woman’s Club is delighted to offer a very special trip to Ft. Pierce and Stuart. The National Navy Seal Museum is home to one of the most unusual collections of artifacts and exhibits of any museum. Cost is $90 and includes round trip Motor Coach transportation, tip to your driver, visit to the museum, sit down lunch overlooking the beach and a visit to Historic Downtown Stuart. Limited seats. Call now. Men are welcome. Call Sally 954-427-2175 for more information.

Deerfield Beach

Ceremony at Butler House

Sunday, May 26, 4 to 6 p.m.

Historic Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Themed “All Gave Some…Some Gave All,” The Deerfield Beach Historical Society’s 5^th annual Memorial Day event will take place as usual beneath the over 100-year-old Banyan tree.The ceremony will be led by the Deerfield Beach High School Marine JROTC under the direction of First Sgt. (ret) Leslie E. Thomas, with music presented by the Palm Beach Pipes and Drums. All local groups are invited to participate. The ceremony will begin with the Presentation of Colors, Flag Salute and singing of the National Anthem by the JROTC. A commemorative wreath will be presented in recognition of each service group. Several local citizens will share their “Thoughts on Memorial Day.” Additional program activities will include a flag-folding drill by the JROTC, playing of “Taps” and a traditional 21-gun salute. Bring along a blanket or chair. Entrance to the event is free, with optional purchases for gifts and mementos. Picnic-type food will be available for free; donations accepted. Free flags will be distributed, compliments of Aurora Nurses Home Health Care, DB Kiwanis Club and Florida Health & Chiropractic Medicine. Parking is available adjacent to the site. For info., call 954-429-0378.

Ceremony with American Legion

Monday, May 27, be there at 8:30 a.m.

American Legion, Post 162

820 SE 8 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Meet at Legion. There will be a ceremony at Pineview Cemetery followed by one at the Deerfield Pier. Call 954-421-6097 for more details.

Pompano Beach

Parade

Monday, May 27, 11 a.m.

Parade begins at McNab Park The parade will move south on SE 23 Ave. and end at the City of Pompano Beach cemetery. A Memorial Day ceremony will take place after the parade. Organizations or individuals who want to be part of the parade should arrive at McNab Park at 10 a.m. If you are a spectator, come watch at 11 a.m. A collaboration between the City of Pompano Beach, the American Legion Post 142 and the Boy Scouts of America. To learn more about participating, call Andy Buglione at 954-782-2817 or 954-593-5831.

Boca Raton

Ceremony

Monday, May 27, 9 to 10 a.m.

Boca Raton Cemetery

449 SW 4 Ave.

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Ceremony featuring veteran groups, city officials, music by the Ft. Lauderdale Highlanders, drills by Boca Raton Community High School NJROTC, and the Boca Raton Police and Fire Honor Guard.

Concert

Monday, May 27, 7 to 9 p.m.

Mizner Park Amphitheater

590 Plaza Real

Boca Raton, FL 33432

Blankets and chairs are welcome at this free event, and chairs will also be available to rent for $5 (free for veterans). There is limited free parking for veterans in the lot adjacent to the amphitheater. No coolers or outside alcoholic beverages permitted. The event is rain or shine.

The American painter, John Sargent, once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. Although offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it. He considered it his best work and was very proud of it. Whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, “I painted that.” Then his confidence and ability would come back to him.

All of us will experience times when we may feel doubtful and discouraged by the adversities we face. James 1:2-4 ought to serve us like the painting of John Sargent. Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way (MSG). As believers, we can find hope, encouragement, and motivation to go on, knowing that God has a plan in every state and stage of our lives. Troubles and trials are part and parcel of living in this fallen world. James’ advice provides an advantage in the knowledge that trials can be used to help us instead of hindering us. He causes us to consider the perspective, process and product of trials.

Our perspective influences our attitude towards our experiences. By viewing struggles not as mere annoyances but as potential advantages, we can be better positioned to endure and overcome them. James urges us to consider trials as gifts and to embrace them joyfully. Then, there is a process at work in that times of testing enable us to develop and progress. What may be stressful may also be awakening our creativity and stirring our productivity. Without the struggle, we may not know what we’re capable of doing or becoming. As muscles are strengthened under pressure, we too can benefit from the process of pain and difficulty. The product or result of testing, according to James, is maturity and a well-balanced person. In the NKJV of the passage, it relates that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Just as the passage of time makes adults out of children, so we are designed to develop and become complete as a result of seasons of struggle.

Oyster pearls are produced as a result of grains of sand becoming trapped in the flesh of the oyster. Like dust irritates us when trapped between our eyelids and eyeball, the oyster become stressed by the experience. It secretes a substance through this distress that eventually hardens and becomes the precious pearl that we use for jewelry. Without the discomfort and struggle, the oyster would never produce the pearl and women would not have such beautiful necklaces. Perhaps we should take another look at our struggles and challenges. Seeing them differently may cause us to experience a different outcome than what initially appears to be inevitable.

God in His wisdom has given us the ability to progress despite the troubles of life. He turns our obstacles into opportunities and our stumbling blocks into stepping-stones. What may even be intended for evil, God can turn around for our good! The thing meant to break us down can actually enable us to break through. In the face of trials, sigh if you will, cry if you must, but then hold your head up, square your shoulders and keep on going. Things may not go the way you expect but be patient, hold on, hang in there! God is doing something inside of you. He’s building you, perfecting you, establishing you. You’re probably stronger today than you were on yesterday, and tomorrow you’ll be stronger than you are today. Take another look.

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

For more information visit http://floridarevenue.com/DisasterPrep/Pages/default.aspx

By Gary Curreri

The Pompano Beach High School girls softball team made a return to the postseason with a dramatic 5-0 win over Cardinal Gibbons in the district semifinals that pushed the team into the postseason.

The Tornadoes finished the season 13-7 after it lost to Coral Springs Charter in the Class 5A regional semifinals. Coral Springs Charter (26-1), ranked No. 4 in the state by MaxPreps and No. 8 in the nation by Xcellent 25, won for the 25th straight game. The lone blemish was a 5-4 loss to Western in the second game of the season.

“They are a great hitting team,” said Pompano Beach coach John McGuire, whose team downed Lincoln Park Academy, 10-3, in the regional quarters to advance. “Coral Springs Charter are nationally ranked, so the bloop hits were even harder to defend and it was deflating. You just try to work through it.”

With the game out of reach in the second inning, McGuire called time and emptied his bench replacing his six seniors on the diamond for one last curtain call for their families.

“I wanted to give one last hurrah,” McGuire said. “It has been four long years and they deserve it. I try and do it every year if the game allows it for the parents to say goodbye.”

McGuire said the win over Cardinal Gibbons was the highlight of the season since it helped them reach their goal of the postseason.

“Every year, we seem to finish second in the district and our challenging game is Cardinal Gibbons,” McGuire said. “We win that game and we make it back to here (regional competition). It was a good feeling. It was 0-0 for a long time and then we scored one in the fifth and four in the sixth inning to win.”

“I am going to miss this quite a bit,” said Jeritza Montero, 18, of Ft. Lauderdale, who played all four seasons for the Tornadoes and was one of six seniors on the squad. “They are my family. They grew up being my family and friends.”

“Beating Cardinal Gibbons this year was probably the highlight of my career at the school,” added Montero, who is headed to the College of Central Florida.

“They are our rival and we wound up coming out on top. Last year, they knocked us out of the district tournament, and we came back for revenge and we got it.”

Teammate Sophia Akrouk, 18, of Coral Springs will miss the camaraderie of her friends.

“When I was 8, I started playing with Jeritza and now we are graduating together,” said Akrouk, who was taken back when McGuire emptied the bench. “I really didn’t think I would be so emotional, but it was a thing to remember. It was shocking, but I felt great giving the baton down to the next generation of players.”

Deerfield Beach’s Claire Finzel, 18, will continue her career at Keiser University and said she will always remember the emotion of beating Cardinal Gibbons to qualify for the postseason.

“I have never seen us act like that before after we won,” Finzel said. “This was probably my best year because there was never any drama this year. Usually, there is a little bit of drama each year; but, this year, we were all best friends and we have all just come together. This is my life basically, every day.

“I will miss the friendships I guess,” she continued. “These are my best friends. These are the people I hang out with. It is my softball family.”

McGuire said the team enjoyed being around each other.

“They played hard,” McGuire said. “Attitude and effort is what I preach. We are not a state champion caliber team. In those four years, we only have two going to college to play softball. We want them to have fun and enjoy high school ball.

“Our school only produces a couple of college players a year, but our GPA is probably higher than anyone else’s,” he said. “We have a 100 percent graduation rate. We will outsmart anybody. We are student-athletes in the truest sense.”

By “Cinema” Dave

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

It was 45 years ago that my parents and I sat on the porch and watched Susan Hayward’s Oscar-winning performance in I Want to Live, which featured Barbara Graham’s final days before visiting the gas chamber. As an 11-year-old, I kept waiting for somebody to clear Graham’s name and she would be spared the execution. Albeit to say, there was never a sequel produced.

Released in 1995 and directed by Tim Robbins, Dead Man Walking earned Susan Sarandon an Oscar for her portrayal of Sister Helen Prejean, a spiritual adviser to inmates on death row. Like I Want to Live, Dead Man Walking is based on a true story with artistic license.

Opening tomorrow, Trial by Fire falls into similar “death row drama” and may be more haunting than the previous two Oscar winning movies. Itopens with simplicity. In one sustained shot, we see a girl playing in her front yard while a house in the background bursts into flames. A man runs out the smoky front door, runs to his car, then runs to a window screaming a child’s name. The fire department arrives. The fire claimed the children of Todd (Jack O’Connell) and Stacy Willingham (Emily Mead), a couple with domestic problems. Based on circumstantial evidence and his nonchalant behavior, Todd is sentenced to death row. Labeled a “baby killer,” Todd is placed on the lowest rung of inmate hierarchy.

During his final years, Todd develops a relationship with a prison guard (played by local actor Todd Allen Durkin) and develops a pen pal relationship with Elizabeth Gilbert (Laura Dern), a recent widow raising two children. With her legal experience, Elizabeth investigates Todd’s case and sees a reasonable doubt.

Director Edward Zwick has created his own unique “death row” drama. The dark elements of the story naturally permeate the story, but the sunny cinematography provides an interesting contrast. Clocking in slightly over two hours, this film meanders, yet provides many “little moments” of character development. In particular, the relationship between Todd and his security guard grows and blossoms like the relationship between Dr. Frankenstein and his monster.

Trial by Fire is a good movie, but a serious movie filled with darkness of the human soul. It is a definite contrast to most films on the big screen. If you need a “feel good” movie, go see Superpower Dogs 3D at the IMAX at the Museum of Discovery & Science in Ft. Lauderdale.

Deerfield Beach

April 30: It was reported that a man struck another man in the face with a handgun. The incident was reported at 920 NE 52 Ct.

April 30: A man reported that he was robbed at knife point by another man in front of a Marathon gas station at 4517 N. Dixie Hwy. The man said he was robbed of his bus pass.

April 30: A man reported that a man who was working for him stole about $10,000 of tools from him. The incident was reported at 272 SW 12 Ave.

April 30: A man reported that a man stole his vehicle from him while it was parked in front of a dry cleaner. The incident was reported at 1090 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

May 3: A man reported that some tools were stolen from his van at 225 NW 36 Ave.

Lighthouse Point

April 13: Police responded to a call about a snake in the backyard of a residence at 2150 NE 49 St. The resident said the snake was hissing and appeared aggressive. It was gone by the time police arrived and the resident was advised to contact a pest control service for a long term solution.

April 13: Police responded to a call of a fraudulent credit card purchase at 4210 N. Federal Hwy. Upon investigation, the $920 purchase was made online and not in the store, so no crime had been committed.

April 16: Police responded to a call for pit bulls at 2800 NE 35St. The owner was found prior to the police arrival.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Boss of the Toss

Thursday, May 16, 5 p.m.

Pioneer Park

217 NE 5 Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Come enjoy the inaugural “Boss of the Toss” Cornhole and Food Truck Tournament. Cash prizes, wine, beer, raffle items, themed baskets and fun for the entire family. Hosted by Rotary Club of Deerfield Beach. Teams are needed for a Cornhole Tournament, which benefits the Best Buddy program for students with disabilities. The fee is $40 to enter the competition. For more information, contact Christina Fink at fink@browardschools.com.

SW 10 St. Connector COAT Workshop

Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization

100 W. Cypress Creek Rd., Suite. 650

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309

The SW 10 Street Connector project is progressing through the FDOT Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study Phase. FDOT & the MPO are hosting a series of three workshops for the COAT of two hours each to help ensure each item related to the SW 10 Street connector project is addressed in sufficient detail for the group to evaluate. For additional information on the SW 10 Street Connector, visit www.sw10street.com

Celebrating Shakespeare

Thursday, May 16, 2 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Percy White Library

837 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Jim Boring will present Shakespeare’s life, plays and study of the women in his plays. The first woman in his series is Cleopatra.

Pompano Chamber

Membership breakfast

Thursday, May 16, 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Galuppis on the Green

1103 N. Federal Hwy.

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Sponsored by Cay Title. $15 members/ $25 non-members. Register at www.pompanobeachchamber.com.

Artist Talk

Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m. 

Bailey Contemporary Arts

41 NE 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Organized in conjunction with arboreal exhibition, participating artist Nick Gilmore will give a presentation on the history and the cultural, ecological and creative relevance of the South Florida slash pine, commonly known as “Dade County Pine.” This legendary native tree was a key construction material in Miami’s industrial boom of the early 20th Century, when it was harvested to near extinction. 

Food Truck Round Up

Friday, May 17, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

41 NE 1 St.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Join the City of Pompano Beach on the 3rd Friday of every month in Pompano’s Old Town, right at the corner of Atlantic Boulevard & Dixie Highway. Enjoy great Food Truck dining, full bar, live DJ or live bands and so much more! For questions about how to become a food or non-food vendor, please e-mail info@gourmettruckexpo.com.

Ocean Brews & Blues

Saturday, May 18, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Main Beach Parking Lot

149 SE 21Ave.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

The 3rd Annual Ocean Brews & Blues festival is coming back to the City of Deerfield Beach for all craft brew enthusiasts. Sample an assortment of 125 beers while listening to a variety of blues music entertainers. There will be an assortment of local foods, as well as arts & crafts vendors. Free to attend; crafts, food and craft beer tasting tickets available for purchase. More info., pg. 1.

Annual Children in the Arts

Piano Competition

Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m.

Pompano Beach Cultural Center

50 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Hosted by the City of Pompano Beach Children in the Arts Committee, the City of Pompano Beach and the Broward Teachers Music Association. Competition is open to piano teachers who live in Broward County and teach students who live in Broward County or are members of the Broward County Music Teachers Association (BCMTA). For more information, contact Ed Purchase at 954-562-3290 or Anne Hollady at 954-786-4111.

​Historic Butler House Tour

Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Historic Butler House

380 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Donations accepted.

Open Mic

Tuesday, May 21, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Deerfield Beach Percy White Library

837 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Readings, poetry, stories, monologues, improvs, scenes, jokes, standup, songs, instruments and soap box. Be an audience or perform. This is a free event.

Save the Date:

What is your Elephant?

Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m.

The Pompano Beach Cultural Center

50 W. Atlantic Blvd.

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

This short film ‘Caressed’ is an art film and a self-portrait, mixed-media video installation combining performance art and a poem Niki Lopez wrote about a traumatic childhood memory. Niki was featured in People magazine regarding her growing up in a cult and the abuse she endured. This intimate piece is a part of a series with her personal artwork within the art movement: What’s Your Elephant –Creative Conversations about the Unknown. The intentions behind Lopez’ work is to not only share a personal elephant but to have discussions surrounding unspoken topics such as abuse, survivors of abuse, awareness, the power of a ‘share’ and how the arts can be used to heal, to empower and to educate. This session will consist of a video screening, performance and artist led discussion based on the mission of “What’s Your Elephant.”Tickets for all events are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, visit www.ccpompano.orgor call 954-545-7800.

Annual Ladies Fish Off

Saturday, June 1, 7 a.m.

Hillsboro Inlet & Port Everglades

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

The 34^th Annual Ladies Fish Off saltwater tournament is now accepting participants. Late registration will take place on May 31 at Bonefish Mac’s, 2002 NE 36 St., Lighthouse Point, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

My wife and I love to spend Saturday mornings drinking coffee at the beach, as we watch the boats going out through the inlet for a day of deep sea recreation. When the coffee is gone, we usually take a leisurely stroll down to the Deerfield Beach Pier, as we enjoy the beautiful beach, the early morning sun and the surf. One morning, we were blessed to see sea turtles hatching; another day, we watched the pelicans repeatedly diving to catch fish; and, some days, the best entertainment comes in watching people.

Recently, we were enjoying an early morning walk and noticed the surf was a little more rough than normal. The tide was in, the waves were breaking closer to shore, and there was a large amount of seaweed. The clear path of firm sand along the shoreline was more narrow than normal and we were cautiously watching so as not to step on any man o’ war. We fixed our gaze on the ground in front of us.

I began to notice the footprints in the sand. I observed the small footprints of children, the large footprints of adults, footprints revealing those who were pigeon-toed, those with crooked toes and so on. Regardless of the size and shape of the footprint, they all had something in common – they were only there for a few moments and then washed away by the waves. I was reminded of James 4:14 – “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

I mentioned my observation to my wife and soon we had both stood still to watch the footprints being formed and then the waves washing them away. It was one of those “aha!” moments in my life. It dawned on me how short life really is. I realized that the impression I make in this world is here only for a moment. Others will come behind me and never realize that I had walked before them. I was walking where others walked previously. I found myself asking the question, “What is my life? Will my effort really make any difference or does it simply fade away never to be noticed by those who come after me?” I must admit that I found myself slightly discouraged for a moment, since I pour my heart and soul into everything I do.

In those moments, it was as though God was teaching me one of the most valuable lessons of my life. I immediately thought of Mordecai’s words to Queen Esther, “…who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Mordecai knew that God had prepared Esther for what needed to be done in that exact time – not in the past and not in the future; but for that exact moment in time. Matthew instructed us not to worry about tomorrow. Solomon stated “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up”

As I stood there on the shoreline gazing at those footprints, I realized that God only wants me to consider the work He has trusted me with today — not the past, nor the future. He placed me here “for such a time as this.” We cannot change the past, nor can we dictate the future, as it applies to family, ministry, work or any other area of life. Be encouraged, realizing that God only asks us to be faithful to the task He has entrusted us with today.

Dr. Gary A. Colboch is Lead Pastor at Grace Church (501 NE 48 St. in Pompano Beach). 954-421-0190 or pastor@gbcfl.org.

What is Journaling?

Journaling is a record of experiences, ideas or reflections kept on a regular basis. Journaling is no longer the old-fashioned exercise of keeping a diary. It is something we all can commit to practicing as well as encourage others to experience. Journaling does more than just help record memories or develop self-expression. It is actually good for your mental and physical well-being.

Whether writing thoughts in a booklet or using an online application, journaling helps acknowledge and memorialize feelings, it brings attention to specific moments of a day, helps build a history and, ultimately, can help one achieve progress.

Benefits of Journaling

Journaling and Stress Reduction: Journaling is an excellent stress management tool and, when it becomes a habit, it can lessen the impact of life’s stressors. Recently, one of my psychotherapy patients decided to start journaling after the unexpected death of her father. She made it a habit to journal every night before going to bed. She told me rather than crying everyday she would try her best to express her feelings of grief in words by journaling and that helped reduce the painful feeling of losing her father.

Journaling to help Manage Depression: Another psychotherapy patient diagnosed with depression told me that if he did not journal he would not be able to retain and describe certain thoughts and feelings he had between his weekly therapy sessions. Journaling provides him with a way to recount and recall his thoughts throughout a week and allows him to speak to his depression by using journal entries that help him develop depression coping strategies.

Journaling and Recovery: Whatever event, habit or disorder one is experiencing, journaling can help and heal. Those with an eating disorder can experience journaling as a huge source of relief. Journaling can reduce the distancing from issues and help confront problems head on, as well as reduce the obsessive component of the disorder. For those struggling with addiction, journaling can help record struggles and accomplishments. Journaling can also hold one more accountable and help one work through difficult thoughts and emotions in a healthy manner.

A journalist we all know

Billionaire media mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey uses journaling to build mental strength. Oprah has been journaling since she was a teenager and believes journaling helps radiate and generate more goodness because you become aware of all that you do have and less about the have-nots. She emphasizes writing down what you are grateful for and reading it back. She also recommends reflecting on previous journal entries and sharing your journaling gratitude with other people.

As journaling habits are developed the benefits become long term — meaning the journalist becomes more in tune with his/her health by connecting with inner needs and desires. Journaling can assist with the management of adversity and change, and emphasize patterns and growth in life. Journaling fosters growth and reflects what I promote to you every month and that is “change is possible.”

Dr. Julia Breur is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private clinical psychotherapy practice in Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-512-8545, e-mail info@drjuliabreur.com or visit www.drjuliabreur.com.