Why do we love? Do we love because of what we can get out of a relationship or because of what we can give into a relationship? God, our Father, has given us good examples of what a loving father is to be like. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us unconditionally and gives us wonderful gifts. We have a Father who cares for our pains, trials and triumphs. God tells us not to worry and takes care of our needs. God longs to hear from you, His child. Don’t miss your chance to do the very same thing for your Father in Heaven, who loved you so much He sent his Son to die for you.

MATTHEW 7:11

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

KJV

I don’t know about you, but Father’s Day really conjures up a lot of conflicting emotions for me. I am blessed to be the father of two wonderful children. I am also equally blessed for having a good father in my life. I was not the best kid and I was not the worst kid either. While others judged and even pronounced me a failure, “My Dad” just kept on loving me. I attempted to run from that love, but like the “hound of heaven,” he would not let me get away. His influence in my life cannot be overstated. “My Dad” – he really loved me. And, by the way, I turned out okay (crazy, but okay)! I really don’t know if we can love our kids too much. But, I do know that love needs to be expressed and valued. Your children – regardless of their lot in life or their adherence to your desires – need to know your love for them is constant and secure. You can love them and not support the lifestyle they have.

PSALM 103:13

“The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”

NLT

So, if you are a father, turn the tables on your kids on Father’s Day. When they tell you how special you are, make sure they know how you feel about them. You might even say, “Son/daughter, I love you!” There is no doubt in my mind that my dad knows how much I love him. It is also nice to say why sometimes.

Some of you may not have a pleasant memory of your father or you might not have any memories at all. This may be the time to start down the road to forgiveness and/or reconciliation, or it may be a chance to thank others in your life who have offered you fatherly wisdom and tell them why you appreciate them.

I can’t help but feel slightly conflicted, for when have I shared this kind of a moment with my Heavenly Father? Maybe your prayers often reflect more of what you want and less of how wonderful the Lord is, or more of what you need and less of how thankful you are for what you have.

Father’s Day is not that far away, so begin to plan now. Plan to tell your father why you love him and appreciate him. Also, if you have children, make sure you tell them that you love them and why.

Tony Guadagnino is the pastor for Christian Love Fellowship Church.

I just read a story about a wedding guest … a member of the bride’s family, who refused to let go of the groom (during a dance) and when the bride tried to cut in, she got so violent that she had to be escorted off the premises.

I am tired of the negative stories. I want to focus on the positive ones, which brings me to a recent wedding, which included items of members of the family from generations past — a great grandmother’s ring, a chupa (wedding canopy) made by a grandfather, a wine goblet from the groom’s Bar Mitzvah and another from the bride’s Bat Mitzvah, and an embroidered handkerchief from the bride’s momma of blessed memory.

After the traditional breaking of the glass, the bride and groom went to a private room for a short time and, then, the music started. The bride and groom entered for their first dance together as husband and wife. Then came the ever-popular father/daughter dance. I looked at the father’s eyes and I could just imagine him picturing her as a baby, as a toddler, as a young girl and, now, here she was all grown up and ready to start a family of her own.

They held each other and started to sway to the music and then I heard the father tell his daughter that he still remembered how they used to dance and how much it meant to him and right then and there, the bride took off her shoes and did what she used to do as a child … she put her right foot on her daddy’s left foot and she put her left foot on her daddy’s right foot and as he moved, he lifted her right along with him.

Of course, I overheard him say it was not quite as easy as it was so many years before, but there was no mistaking

that a memory was not only being relived, but a new memory was being created, something to pass down from generation to generation. It was, indeed a beautiful moment … a moment to cherish for all time.

Now let me tell you about the other touching moment … one that came during a very different right of passage … a funeral. During a recent eulogy, I talked about the deceased’s talent with a pair of knitting needles and some yarn. I talked about how she made sweaters and afghans and I talked about how nothing can make you feel warmer than your momma’s afghan; if you put it on, you can feel all her love surrounding you..

A few hours after the service, I called the daughter of the deceased, who had a three-hour ride home after the service and she wanted to get home before it got dark. But I found out she did not go straight home. She went back over to her mother’s condo. Do you know why? That’s right, she went to get the afghan that her mother made for her many years before and she told me that whenever she feels sad or sick, whenever she has a fever with the chills, she is going to grab that afghan. I, for one, can’t think of a better medicine. Now, if only she had her momma’s recipe for chicken soup.

Shalom my friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of Health Care settings in the area including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.

By Gary Curreri

Simply perfect.

The eighth graders at St. Coleman’s School capped off four years of perfection as they won 49 consecutive matches dating back to when they were fifth graders (including a 25- 16, 18-25, 15-12 victory over previously undefeated St. Bonaventure (Davie) recently in the All Broward Catholic Conference tournament).

After splitting the first two games in the final, St. Bonaventure seized a seemingly insurmountable sevenpoint lead before the Chargers battled back.

“It was going to take a lot of fight to get back into the game,” said St. Coleman’s coach Kristin Scher. “The girls never gave up though and kept pushing.”

With St. Bonaventure leading 11-4, Bailey Pearlman served eight consecutive points to pull St. Coleman’s ahead, 13-11. After a sideout, Madison Faust served at 14-12 to win the match for the Chargers and sealed the team’s 17th consecutive victory of the season.

“We knew going in it would be a tough match because St. Bonaventure had a great team,” said Scher, who noted that St. Bonaventure’s team hadn’t lost a match in a decade. “Our girls worked very hard all season though and really wanted this victory. I was so proud of them, not only for the win, but also for the way they won it. To be behind like that in a match and come back takes a lot of talent, confidence and heart – all of which this team has.”

“I am so proud of the way the whole team played together all season long,” Scher added. “They set a goal at the beginning of the season to remain undefeated and they worked hard to accomplish that. They are a great group of girls both on and off the court, and it has truly been a pleasure to coach each and every one of them.”

St. Coleman’s plays in the North League of the All Broward Catholic Conference (ABCC). The tournament featured the top teams in both the North and Central Leagues.

Scher cited the strong play of eighth graders Gabby Cook, Tori Tocco, Pearlman and Faust. The team advanced to the final with victories over St. Anthony, 25-19, 25-23; St. Mark’s, 25-9, 25-14, and St. David, 25-14, 25-23.

Soccer camps slated

For the first time ever, Simply Soccer will hold four summer camps in the city of Pompano. Dates are June 11-15, 25- 29; July 23-27 and Aug. 13-17.

Registration will be held at Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14 of all skill levels, who will be taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. This is the sixth year of camp offerings in Pompano Beach.

There are three sessions each day (for the Pompano camp) 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. ($100 weekly); extended hours camp is available 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. ($125 weekly); Tiny Tot program is offered for kids ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m.-noon ($55 weekly).

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Department at 954-786- 4119 or 954-786-4111.

Marvel’s The Avengers remains the best motion picture of the year, despite the full court synergy of Men in Black III, which opened last weekend with a $70 million gross.

The new Men in Black is the second best movie of the trilogy, which is an easy thing to write considering how limp Men in Black II was.

Men in Black III opens on a prison moon base. Boris aka “the Animal” (Jemaine Clement) escapes to settle a score with MiB Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones). Back in 1969, Agent K amputated Boris’ arm as Apollo 11 prepared for blast off. Agent J (Will Smith) is kept in the dark to this history, until Agent K disappears into thin air.

With the help of Agent O (Emma Thompson), Agent J time travels to 1969 to kill Boris and rescue Agent K. On the radio, Agent J drives big cars with fenders and listens to rock ‘n roll on AM radio. He meets Andy Warhol (Bill Hader), who may be a MiB Agent. The MiB3 plot meanders until the predictable climax during the Apollo 11 lift off.

After the climax, MiB3 contains a surprisingly emotional revelation that explains the relationship between Agents K & J. This one emotional scene makes up for all of the superficial action of MiB2 and MiB3 combined.

As the younger version of Agent K, Josh Brolin does a decent impression of TommyLee Jones. Will Smith takes center stage this time, but like a good ringmaster, he knows when to defer the spotlight to his supporting players.

Cinema Dave had the chance to meet many celebrities at the May-Hem horror convention in Orlando Memorial Day weekend. (Pictured) Cinema Dave and actress Linda Hamilton, who is known best for her role as Sarah Connor in Terminator, but also played in TV’s “Beauty & the Beast,” the film “King Kong Lives” and others.

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy track and field coach Mark Veynovich has done a solid job building the school’s program during the past five years, despite not having a true facility.

Four of his athletes recently returned home from the FHSAA Class 1A state track meet at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida with medals.

“I came in without anything,” said Veynovich, who had 60 athletes on this year’s team. “We train on the grass at Highlands. We take the hurdles out and mark them off with a tape measure.

“Their performance at state really didn’t surprise me that much since I have been with them for three to five years and have seen them growing,” Veynovich added. “What did surprise me was how fast and quick they took to the hurdles. To hit ninth as a team in states with two juniors and a senior make me think next year could be even better.”

Knights junior Ryan Davis, who had finished seventh in the 400-meter dash at the state meet last year, won the state title in the 300-meter hurdles (37.54) and took third in the 110-meter hurdles (14.91).

Teammate and senior Randy Hage was fourth with a careerbest effort in the pole vault (13- feet), while junior Kyle Audet took eighth in 300-meter hurdles (39.54). Audet was also 10th in the 110-meter hurdles (15.60).

“Ryan went into the state meet with one goal-be a state champion,” Veynovich said. “All year long, he stepped up to any challenge on the track in the 300-meter hurdles and was victorious. To meet his goal in the 300-meter hurdles and to exceed his expectations in the 110-meter high hurdles was a huge blessing and proof that hard work does payoff!”

Grayson Mack, a senior, who just signed a track scholarship at Liberty University, was sixth in the pole vault at state after clearing 10-ft; 6-in., which was just shy of her season-best jump of 11-ft.

Mack was the district champ in long jump, triple jump and pole vault, and took second in regionals for pole vault. Mack, who home schools, started with the school in the 10th grade. The boys and girls were the District 14-1A runners-up this year and the boys’ team placed fourth in the Regionals.

“Grayson had been working very hard all year to put herself into a position to compete at states,” Veynovich said.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Given the juggernaut release of Marvel’s The Avengers and Dark Shadows at the Museum of Discovery IMAX Theater, this weekend’s big release, Men in Black 3 lacks the excitement of previous Memorial Day releases (There is no Batman, Star Wars nor Pirates of the Carribean).

For those wanting to go out of town this Memorial Day weekend, May-Hem, a horror convention, is being held this weekend May 25-27 in Orlando at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. (This is the last time at this location.) A long list of horror actors are scheduled to attend, everyone from The Terminator’s Linda Hamilton to Austin Powers’ Verne Troyer. The horror convention concept was begun nine years ago in Plantation by Petey Mongelli and moved to Orlando seven years ago. The popularity of the event has grown now that Petey has two conventions, his usual Weekend of Horrors in October and Memorial Day Weekend May-Hem.

Petey explained, “Spooky Empire grew bigger and bigger; we simply outgrew Broward County. We became one of the most respected horror event promotions companies in the United States, bringing to life two of the most popular horror conventions in the nation, with fans attending from all over the world.”

At some conventions and festivals, there is an invisible wall between the fan and the celebrity. Spooky Empire has consistently invited stars who are fan-friendly. As Malcolm McDowell said last October, “I try to do two or three of these appearances a year. It gets one in touch with the fan base. Ironically, you meet the sweetest people at horror conventions.”

To find out more about the convention, including the full schedule of events, visit www.spookyempire.com.

Have a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, May 27, featuring Gary Sinise, Trace Adkins and Natalie Cole, looks like the best bet if you are staying local for the weekend.

Pastor Deron revisits his memories from last Memorial Day.

This past Memorial Day weekend [5/30/11], I had the opportunity to travel to upstate New York where I grew up. I always enjoy going back there for a visit. This place is in the heart of the Adirondack National Park. The town, Schroon Lake is a small community with a population of 1,735, according to City- Data.com. It transforms itself into a thriving metropolis the day after Memorial Day.

We used to say, “They roll out the sidewalks on Memorial Day and roll them back up on Labor Day.” A short drive through Schroon Lake belies the sparse population as you see small houses, cottages really, scattered along the shores of the lake. The reason for the inconsistent population, however, is the summer residents. They begin to invade Schroon Lake not long after Memorial Day, as tradition dictates, and return home around Labor Day, leaving behind a little ghost town … our little ghost town.

I try to make it a habit to spend 4th of July in Schroon Lake … parade, patriotic concert on the beach and the most amazing fireworks you could ever imagine. I went there last July with my kids, believing there is no way it would live up to my memories. I was wrong. It’s not that it’s the biggest parade, it’s actually quite small. The concert is not the best, just local artists singing their best in honor of God and country, and the fireworks are not the biggest, but quite impressive for a small mountain town of only 1,800. What makes this place so spectacular? Tradition. You’ve heard the saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Well, that’s Schroon Lake.

I talked with an 89-year-old man a couple of weeks ago that used to vacation in Schroon Lake. He showed me a picture of the town from 1985. When I arrived on May 27 and drove down main street. That picture from 1985 could’ve been taken today and it would look exactly the same. Stewarts is still one of only two gas stations and the only one that serves Ice

Cream. “Make your own sundaes” are their specialty. Then there’s Decesear’s Pizza – the only pizza place you pay $20 for a pizza you would pay $10 for anywhere else and you still feel like you got a bargain. Why, it’s the only pizza place in town. Then there’s my personal favorite, Pitkins, the local diner where the owner, Marie, still waits tables with a smile as she sits down at your table and talks about the good old days. She’ll remember your name and even ask you how your family is doing. It’s a place where every stranger feels at home. It’s a place where it’s still like it used to be in the “good ole days.”

Do you have a Schroon Lake? Do you have a place that always feels like home, which never seems to change, that

you can count on year after year?

At our church, we celebrate Jesus Christ. You know what it says about Christ in Hebrews 13? It says, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.” Isn’t that amazing? Finally, something you can count on, someone who cares, someone who loves you enough to die on the cross for you, someone who says, “There is no one left to judge you, and neither do I.” Someone who will receive you with open arms and someone who you can depend on day after day. While trying to keep up with our fast-moving, ever-changing world, there is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.

Deron Peterson is a pastor at First Baptist church.

By Gary Curreri

S’kaydrah Woods made a triumphant return to South Florida as she capped off her middle school career with a victory in the 200-meter dash in the recent Broward County Middle School Track and Field championships at Coral Springs High School.

The Pompano Beach Middle School eighth grader moved to Central Florida last year with her father but came back in time to turn in a huge performance at the track meet.

Woods was second in the 100-meter dash (13.00) and the 400-meter dash (58.68) before winning the 200-meter dash (26.43) and her efforts helped her school finish fourth with 30 points in the girls competition.

“Track is like a job,” said the 14-year-old Woods. “I love to do it. I like track because it is hard and you have to work for it. You just can’t go out there and expect to win and I like working hard. I like to compete.”

The three-time Junior Olympic champion in 2009 plans to compete this summer in the Junior Olympics with the FINESSE Track Club.

Another Pompano Beach Middle School track athlete also picked up a first place finish with a strong effort.

Marc Maurency, 15, won the boys 800-meter run by nearly four seconds over Arthur Ashe’s Deandre Miles as he completed the race in 2:08.89. Maurency, an eighth grader, came in third last year in the same event.

“I want to do this forever,” said Maurency, who shaved six seconds off his previous best time and helped the boys’ team finish second overall. “I want to go to the Olympics. I love track.”

Maurency said the win was very satisfying.

“This is the biggest thing that ever happened to me and this shows me I can do anything I want if I just set my mind to it,” Maurency said. “A lot of people told me I couldn’t do nothing, but I just proved them wrong. When I went through the finish line, that was the best moment ever.”

Pompano’s Benjamin Victor won the high jump with a 5-8 jump, while Deerfield Beach Middle School’s Jenicka Theodor placed fourth in the long jump for its only points of the meet.

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

There are people who have seen Marvel’s The Avengers three times already, making little time for Dark Shadows, which opened at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery IMAX Theater last weekend.

Grossing a respectable $28 million, the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration, Dark Shadows, is a loving tribute to the old afternoon soap opera on ABC Network television.

This film has its ups and downs. On a positive note, director Tim Burton’s affection for the subject pays dividends for monster mavens, including cameos from Sir Christopher Lee, Alice Cooper and the original cast from the television soap opera. Sadly, this tribute drags in the second half and the fine line between comedy and terror loses its clever touch.

Opening tomorrow, Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story is a documentary about the older brother of the current Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This film is a biography of Yoni told within the timetable of the raid on Entebee, circa July 4, 1976.

Culled from letters and Yoni’s creative writing, Follow Me is eyewitness history about Israel’s early statehood. The Netanyahu family is presented as a typical loving family, who happen to have bombs dropping in their backyard.

As the violence becomes more personal, Yoni’s letters reveal a man whose concerns grow from trivial matters to that of national security. At age 18, Yoni joins the Israeli Military. After 12 years of honorable service, Yoni Netanyahu served in the Special Operations Unit during the successful raid on Entebbe.

First screened locally at the 17th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival last month, Follow Me is an introspective documentary. In particular, one sees Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s steely resolve today when talking about his big brother’s sacrifice for the Israeli homeland.

Next weekend, the Memorial Day blockbuster movies kick into high gear with entertaining, but not very serious, flicks. While serious, Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story is a heartfelt documentary that will induce laughter and tears.