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BONI: Carrying other people's crosses during Lent

Written by archive on February 5, 2016. Posted in columns, Opinion.

Growing up, I always heard that everyone has a cross to bear.

As a child, I thought my cross was living out in the country; neighborhood kids saw their friends much more than I did.

In high school, it was acne; I avoided pimples long enough in grade school, so they naturally were lying in wait until dating age.

In college, it was being a hopeless romantic; I chased around one girl — full on Roberto Benigni in "Life is Beautiful" style — for four straight years and had nothing to show for it. My family still ribs me for it.

But my true cross — at least, so it seems, in my 30s — is my back pain.

Seven years ago, I started noticing pain radiating up and down my leg. Within days, I could barely walk. Or, if I sat down at work, I dreaded getting up and going home.

My doctor diagnosed me with degenerative disc disease, which basically means pain resulting from a damaged disc, according to Cedars-Sinai's website.

I learned that regular exercise and being more careful — for instance, lifting with my legs — helps prevent pain. I usually walk and run around with no problems. However, if I twist a certain way, or go long without exercise, the pain returns.

It hadn't happened in years — until Wednesday.

I've been a beached whale for two days. (If you're binge-watching reruns of now-obscure shows, like "Quantum Leap," to pass the time while lying on a hard floor to right your spine, it's serious.)

But as an adult, with more wisdom, I know this too shall pass, usually in three days. So I think of those with true crosses out there, and avoid giving in to selfish feelings.

For instance, Crestview's American Cancer Society Relay For Life is 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. April 22 at Crestview High School. So I'll put this temporary pain out of my mind to help those with a more permanent, and sometimes terminal, struggle by sharing this website: www.relayforlife.org/crestviewfl.

You can sign up a team to walk the CHS track or donate to the cause. (Disclosure: I am the Crestview Relay's publicity chairperson.)

In addition, you can surf to mdalockup.org/crestview, click "Support a Jailbird" and type my name, Thomas Boni, to donate toward my "bail" for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Feb. 25 Crestview Executive Lockup.

I'll be MDA's jailbird, and am happy to help raise funds for this important cause.

As Lent approaches for Christians, now's a good time to help carry others' proverbial crosses.

And if you're not Christian, that's OK, too. Because really, any time is a good time to think of others.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: Carrying other people's crosses during Lent

HELMS: Be a 'doer,' not a 'hearer'

Written by archive on February 5, 2016. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

One group of people that Jesus said would be cast into outer darkness is those of the kingdom.

In the Bible, Matthew 8:12, Jesus had honored a soldier's request to heal a servant. The centurion, who said he believed Jesus' word would be done, had faith that amazed Jesus.

Then Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Many theologians believe Jesus was referring to the eventual rejection he would experience by the very people of the kingdom, his Jewish nation, but I propose that this goes further.

Many people in our churches — Christ's kingdom — do not accept Jesus' life-giving changes due to ignorance or rebellion. They are hearers of the Word, but not doers. James 1:22 adds that those who hear only and do not do the works of righteousness deceive only themselves.

Friend, we not only need to be Christ-like on Sunday, but in all times and all seasons. It is time to quit playing church and start developing a relationship with God.

Let him change you — for eternity.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Be a 'doer,' not a 'hearer'

DREADEN: Free resources to help you start a small business

Written by archive on February 5, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

Was one of your New Year's resolutions to start your own business? While it can be an exciting opportunity, it can also present challenges.

To help you start a small business or become an exporter, BusinessUSA combines business-related information from government agencies into a one-stop starting point. Explore http://www.BusinessUSA.gov to:

●Grow your business

●Explore government contracting

●Find International trade leads

●Learn about taxes and credits

●Browse resource for veterans

●Read the latest news

●Discover events in your area

●Explore state and local resources

●Seek disaster assistance

●Find more tools

Also visit our library web site electronic resources page for access (library barcode number required) to Business Insights: Essentials to:

●Investigate investment opportunities

●Find parent-subsidiary relationships

●Obtain competitive intelligence, market share information and product trends

●Explore market-industry information and analyses

●Study product and brand information

●Compare companies within an industry

Explore a wealth of business information today with BusinessUSA and Business Insights.

Sandra Dreaden is the Crestview Public Library's reference librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DREADEN: Free resources to help you start a small business

BROADHEAD: 'The truth is out there' — in Heaven

Written by archive on February 3, 2016. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

Certainly, everything you read on the Internet is true. Right?

Everything you read on Facebook and other social media is the truth. Right?

Everything a politician says is the truth. Right?

I think not!

Too often, what we read or hear as truth is merely opinion. Look at the spins of Fox News and CNN as examples. Someone uses words to point out the errors of a presidential candidate with an attempt to make that candidate look bad.

Facts don’t matter, because some people are good at twisting the facts just enough to cause upheaval.

Or, someone uses fancy words to sway another person. For example: “So-and-So MATRICULATED at a certain college!” Sounds like a horrible thing, but “matriculated” simply means “enrolled.” Is that so horrible? Nope.

Opinions are expressed about health care, gun control, climate change, human sexuality and religion.

Too often, people will only believe what they want to believe. Too often, people let themselves be swayed by charismatic personalities.

Whom do you believe? What do you believe?

To quote a theme from a recently resurrected television show, “The truth is out there.” And, as far as I’m concerned, “out there” is not the Internet. It is not social media.

The truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ. When you read what Jesus taught, when you put it in its proper perspective, when you allow his words to wash over your heart, mind, and soul, you find the truth he spoke.

The truth he spoke is alive today. Sure, his words sometimes get twisted by ill-intentioned persons, but that does not alter the truth that remains.

My recommendation to you is, read the scriptures without preconceived ideas or prejudices. Ask God to reveal his truth to you.

Whom do you believe?

I suggest you believe God, not the Internet — because God will always tell it to you straight.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: 'The truth is out there' — in Heaven

HUBBUB: About the obstructing sewer lift station, praise for FUMC

Written by archive on February 3, 2016. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

Editor's Note: Facebook fans had plenty to say about Crestview High School; potentially increasing water and sewer bills to fund removal of a sewer lift station on PJ Adams Parkway; and First United Methodist Church of Crestview's "Fearless Conversations" series, which raised questions about homosexuality and spirituality.

Here are some of their comments.

Can schools keep up with growth?

We have two middle schools, and five elementary schools, and we are getting more and more homes built. Davidson already has classrooms in outside buildings.

If growth keeps happening, which it will, where are they going to put all these kids …?

Denise Eanes Izumi

●●●

What Crestview High needs

Well, for starters … functioning security cameras in the school. So that the next time my daughter, or someone else's student inside the school, gets filmed in the hallway by an unidentified male, the camera will work and the guy will get caught.

Courtney Young

●●●

Expand CHS

They need to worry about extending the high school. Too many students, not enough room. Also, they need to rebuild the stadium or take out those "reserved" seats so there is enough room in the stands at football games.

Ashlea Marie Garrett

●●●

About the obstructing sewer lift station

The Florida Department of Transportation is projected to widen PJ Adams Parkway. Why can't they veer around that spot? Why is it up to city residents to pay for something that has been there over 30 years?

Make the county / state chip in, too, since this road is used by everyone!

Kurt Burgess

●●●

Praise for FUMC

I am so glad to see that this went so well, and began a compassionate conversation! Were I a Christian, I would certainly have taken part!

Raymonda Schwartz

Join the conversation on our Facebook page, and your comment could be featured! >>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: About the obstructing sewer lift station, praise for FUMC

DICKSON: Pulling for Peyton Manning

Written by archive on February 2, 2016. Posted in columns, Opinion.

I often feel as if I have lived in some sort of parallel universe with Denver Bronco quarterback Peyton Manning.

Peyton was born in March of 1976. I graduated from high school in May of 1976.

Peyton’s mom and my mom were born and raised in the Mississippi delta.

Peyton and I played high school football in Gulf Coast states; Manning in Louisiana and me in Florida. Of course, Peyton played at a much higher level than me.

Peyton has had multiple neck surgeries, and so have I.

And finally, both of us graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Speech Communications degree.

I’ve been following Peyton for more than half my adult life — from the time in 1994 when he announced he would be playing college football at Tennessee.

My ties to the Manning family go back even further, as I followed his dad, Archie, when Archie was a quarterback at the University of Mississippi and then the New Orleans Saints.

Sunday, I’ll settle into my favorite recliner and watch the Super Bowl with Peyton’s Broncos facing the Carolina Panthers. I’ll be pulling for Peyton and the Broncos in the Super Bowl, knowing this is probably Peyton Manning’s last big game.

Peyton will be 40 on March 25. If you go back to his high school days, Peyton’s body has absorbed more than 25 years of hits on a football field.

That’s a lot of abuse, even for a quarterback standing 6 feet, 5 1/2 inches, and who weighs 230 pounds.

Records aside, and Peyton does own most of the passing records in the National Football League and the University of Tennessee. He is what is good about sports.

Manning has endowed several scholarships for academic excellence at Tennessee. Hospitals in Indianapolis, where he started his NFL career, and Knoxville have wings bearing his name.

Peyton has a 4-year-old son, Marshall, who recently became a media darling when he appeared with his dad at a post-game press conference. It will be interesting to see if Marshall follows in the steps of his grandfather and father.

In more than 25 years in the public eye, about the worst thing Manning has been associated with was mooning a female trainer his sophomore or junior year in college. And even that was a matter of the trainer being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as Manning’s “full moon” was intended for a teammate.

My football youth was defined by Archie Manning, and my football adulthood has been defined by Peyton Manning.

Here’s hoping Peyton’s arm has one more big game in it Sunday and he can ride into the sunset as the champion he has always been.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DICKSON: Pulling for Peyton Manning

CROSE: Teachers, you are appreciated

Written by archive on February 1, 2016. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

Many of us have been teachers at some point.

Whether we tutored our children, or we taught Sunday school, Bible study, public or private school, many of us have been teachers.

Some of us have been corporate trainers or were called upon to give presentations at work. Anyone who has prepared for any type of presentation knows the time, preparation and planning that go into the subject.

I remember my grandmother getting ready to teach Sunday school, laying out her flannelgraph — characters and scenery to tell biblical stories — and sometimes she would preview it for us; we loved that.

When I taught Sunday school, I would spend evenings cutting out craft projects for children, and also laid out my flannelgraph. Many Saturday nights found me making cookie dough to take to church so the children could bake and decorate cookies for their families. Sometimes, I separated plants for the children to "pot" in little plastic cups to give to their parents.

Jim, my husband, always wondered why I spent so much time writing lesson plans when I taught school. He wondered why I couldn't join him in watching a movie or going somewhere.

But it was necessary to be prepared for my bright little students, to make sure that I imparted the concepts they needed to learn.

I couldn't walk into my classroom unprepared.

Teaching's rewards are numerous — the smiles, the hugs, the light that brightens children's eyes as they finally understand a concept or principle.

Most teachers spend their money on supplies — there is never enough in the budget to pay for extras — so be sure to thank them for all they do.

Don't forget to thank teachers at church as well.

Teachers of all types give up family and social time to be fully prepared for their students.

I thank all the teachers I have had throughout my life for their dedication and hard work.

You are appreciated.

Janice Lynn Crose, a retired accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Teachers, you are appreciated

SHANKLIN: What do low oil prices mean for investors?

Written by archive on February 1, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

As you’ve no doubt noticed, your trips to the gas station have been a lot more pleasant these past several months.

Low oil prices have been welcome to you as a driver. But when oil is cheap, is that good for you as an investor?

There’s no clear-cut answer. But consider the following effects of low oil prices:

Positive impact on economy — When you spend less at the gas pump, relative to recent years, what will you do with your savings?

Like most people, you’ll probably spend most of it on goods and services. If you multiply the amount of your increased spending by the millions of other Americans who are also saving money on gas, you can see that you and your fellow consumers are likely adding billions of dollars to the economy.

Typically, a strong economy is also good for the financial markets — and for the people who invest in them.

Different results for different sectors — Different sectors within the financial markets may respond in different ways to low oil prices, even if the overall effect is generally positive.

For example, businesses such as consumer goods companies and auto manufacturers may respond favorably to cheaper oil and gas. But the picture might be quite a bit different for energy companies.

You could spend a lot of time and effort trying to adjust your investment portfolio in response to low oil prices. You may well want to consult with your financial professional to determine which moves might make sense for your individual situation.

Yet there’s actually a bigger lesson to be learned here: Don’t overreact to temporary developments. The recent decline in oil prices has certainly had an economic impact, but no one can predict how long these prices will stay low or what other factors may arise that would affect the financial markets.

That’s why you can’t reconfigure your portfolio based on particular events, whatever they may be — oil price drops, interest-rate fluctuations, political squabbles at home, natural disasters in faraway lands, and so on.

If you can keep from being overly influenced by specific events, you may be able to gain at least two key benefits:

●First, by not making trades constantly in reaction to the headlines of the day, you can avoid piling up heavy fees and commissions — costs that can reduce the return rate on your investments.

●Second, you’ll find that if you aren’t always thinking about what’s going on in the world today, you can focus your investment efforts more intensely on where you want to be tomorrow.

The most successful investors set long-term goals and don’t focus on factors they cannot control, such as oil prices, interest-rate changes or other economic events.

Instead, these investors make adjustments, as necessary, to accommodate changes in their goals as well as other changes, such as revisions in tax laws — but they basically stick to their same approach for the long term.

So be aware of low oil prices, but don’t get so “pumped” about them that you sludge up your consistent investment strategy — because that strategy has the energy to keep you moving toward your important objectives.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: What do low oil prices mean for investors?

CATALENA: Here to help improve North Okaloosa residents' health

Written by archive on February 1, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

Hello, Crestview! If my picture looks familiar, it’s because I am a local gal.

I grew up on Airport Road, and I now work at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, with the Family Nutrition Program, on the same road.

I spent the last seven years in Virginia serving in the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic. During my time in the service, I had the opportunity to finish my bachelor's degree in Public Health.

As the FNP assistant, I conduct food demonstrations and tastings, money-saving grocery store tours, and help with school and community gardens.

I also teach classes on healthy eating and physical activity.

In addition, FNP helps individuals eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program learn better eating and physical activity habits to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases.

FNP programs can be found at many places within our community: schools, libraries, community centers and adult job training sites are just some of the few areas that we serve.

Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UF.FNP/, on our website at http://uffnp.org/, or venture on down Airport Road and stop into and see me.

It is good to be back in Florida and my hometown.

I look forward to working with new and familiar faces around the community.

Rebecca Catalena is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CATALENA: Here to help improve North Okaloosa residents' health

HELMS: Preaching may not be popular, but it shows love

Written by archive on February 1, 2016. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

The book of Matthew, chapter 22, tells of a wedding in which many were invited, but few accepted the invitation.

At the king's request, his servants went out in the streets and brought in all who would go to be guests at this wedding.

One man chose to attend, but was not properly attired, for he did not have on the wedding garments. When confronted, he had no real answer and was cast out, bound, into outer darkness, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus said, "Many are called, but few are chosen." He was stating that there would be great torment for those who tried to attend His marriage supper without wearing the proper garments.

Isaiah 61:10 describes how the Lord clothes us with garments of salvation, and decks us out with robes of righteousness.

We also know there is no other name by which we might be saved. Acts 15:11 names the Lord as Jesus Christ. He is indeed the author and finisher of our salvation, and to try to come in any way besides Him will be rejected.

In the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapter 21:8, we see a list of things that God will put into the lake of fire. We cannot be a liar and expect to go to Heaven; all who commit what the Bible calls abominations, such as sexually immoral acts — none of these will make it to heaven.

My job is not to judge you, but to warn you of judgment to come and what God has stated in His Word.

My friends, we are not called to condone sin.

James summed it up in a simple sentence. H said that to know to do good, and not do it, is sin. To not witness is a sin. To not live a life of holiness is a sin.

You may have your weak moments, but you should never seek to sin. To do so is to allow sin in your life, and you may miss out on that beautiful promise of heaven.

And if you do not stand for the Bible, and God's demands of Holiness, your friends and loved ones may never hear or see the sermon that only you can preach.

Defend the Word; stand for Christ. It may not be popular, but it shows the true love you have for humankind.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Preaching may not be popular, but it shows love

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