lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

FAITH BRIEFS

Written by archive on September 27, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Email submissions and photos about special events, musicians, speakers, classes, etc., to faith@crestviewbulletin.com. Send items at least two weeks in advance if possible. Items run on a space-available basis.

UPCOMING

Vision Baptist Church opens with first service

CRESTVIEW — Vision Baptist Church will have its first church service 11 a.m. Sept. 29 at 3191 Newman Ave., Crestview. The church's pastor is the Rev. Mickey Muse.

Visit www.visionbcfl.com or the visionbcfl Facebook page for details.

Valley Road to host Troy Burns Family concert

CRESTVIEW — A gospel concert featuring the Troy Burns Family from Bryson City, North Carolina, is 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Valley Road Baptist Church, 1018 Valley Road, Crestview.

The concert is free but a love offering will be received. Church groups are welcome to attend. Call 850-682-4513 for details.

Shady Grove schedules Homecoming for Oct. 6

BAKER — Shady Grove Assembly of God Church will have its 99th annual Homecoming 10 a.m. Oct. 6 at the church, 1189 Shady Grove Church Road, Baker.

The event includes special singing and guest speaker the Rev. Phillip Polk of Pace. Lunch will be in the fellowship hall at noon.

Call 537-2774 for details.

New Beginnings to host October speaker series

CRESTVIEW — New Beginnings Church will host a different speaker each Sunday in October. Services being at 10:45 a.m. each Sunday at the church, 412 James Lee Blvd. W., Crestview.

Speakers are Jason Stokes, Oct. 6; Bill Jenkins of Crawfordville, Oct. 13; Garry Windstead of Ino Baptist Church, Oct. 20; and Chase Childs of Trinity Baptist, Geneva, Alabama, Oct. 27.

The church's 27th Homecoming is Oct. 20. Lunch will be served in the fellowship hall afterward.

Oct. 27 is Youth Sunday. Also, a fall festival will take place 5-7 that evening.

Contact the church, 850-689-2988, for details.

First Baptist Church of Milligan Homecoming

BAKER — First Baptist Church of Milligan will have its annual Homecoming service 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at the Baker Area Recreational Center, 5503 State Highway 4, Baker. It is at the center because of the church's recent fire.

Guest speaker is the Rev. Richard Maddox. A fellowship dinner is scheduled afterward. Bring a covered dish to share.

Church of the Epiphany announces events

CRESTVIEW — Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 424 Garden St., Crestview, has these upcoming events planned.

Sept. 29 at 9 a.m., the Anglican Harvest Festival will take place followed by high tea.

On Oct. 20, the 9 a.m. service will include a blessing for the animals in the field near the church.

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

RESTORATION AND RECOVERY MINISTRY: 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Weekly outreach ministry for healing, restoration, wellness and wholeness. For people who have struggles with addiction.

BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRY: Sign-up and a brief ministry and prayers at 11 a.m. and box pick-up is 3 p.m.11 a.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. The church distributes boxes once a month per person.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Church of New Covenant, 3191 New Ave. N., Crestview. Faith-based, 12-step program for people seeking healing from things that keep them from living healthy balanced lifestyles.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FAITH BRIEFS

New life in Jesus? Let go of the old one

Written by archive on September 27, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

The other day as I was out for a morning “power walk," I realized I was breathing harder than usual. As I started to pay attention to my body, I discovered a couple things.

My upper torso was quite tense: shoulders were hunched up, abdomen was tight, back was taut.

I also noticed my breathing was quite shallow. Well, that’s not quite true. I was taking deep breaths, almost in a gasping way.

But then I realized something that people who are serious about cardiac exercise may already know. I was not exhaling as much as I could or should.

I was inhaling as deeply as I could, but I was exhaling only so far. I started to wonder if I was not getting enough “fresh” air because there was still leftover “bad” air that needed to be exhaled.

So I did an experiment. I started exhaling all the way, pushing my lungs to expel all the air in them before taking a deep breath of fresh air. Immediately, I started to feel better. I struggled less with my breathing, and my whole body relaxed during the rest of my walk.

I don’t know if I played a psychological game with myself, or if there was actually something physical about changing my breathing pattern.

But this made me think about something similar within a theological context.

When we make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ, we become new persons. We are called to walk in his ways and follow his path. There are certain hopes and expectations placed on us by our Lord.

This new life in him is like inhaling a deep breath of fresh air. We draw deeply from his words of life, his grace, his forgiveness and love.

The question then becomes, do we exhale completely the bad habits, trash talk, selfishness, greed, etc. that originally kept us from following him? Or do we hang on to some of it, which keeps us from drawing in more fully the new life that comes from Christ?

The letter of James says, “Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.” James 1:21 (NRSV)

Just like exhaling all the “bad” air from the lungs in order to make more room for the “good” air, so we must rid ourselves of those “bad” habits and ways of life in order to make more room for the “good” life offered in Jesus Christ.

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: New life in Jesus? Let go of the old one

Emergency response training course scheduled

Written by archive on September 27, 2019. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The North Okaloosa Community Emergency Response Team will conduct basic certification training free of charge to individuals age 18 and up. No special skills or experience are required.

The training prepares individuals to help themselves, their families and neighbors, and assist emergency responders in the first 72 to 96 hours after a natural or human-made disaster.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26; 1-5 p.m. Oct. 27; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2; 1-5 p.m. Nov. 3. All classes are at Crestview Fire Station No. 1, 321 N. Woodruff Ave., Crestview.

Attendance at all sessions is required for certification.

Through lecture, hands on practice and simulated scenarios, trainees will learn about first aid, disaster psychology, fire prevention and fire safety, disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, and terrorism.

Completion of the class does not create any obligation to become part of North Okaloosa CERT, but it does qualify the student to be part of any Community Emergency Response Team in the country.

Preregistration is required. Fill out the CERT application at www.nokaloosacert.org or https://okaloosaflcert.samariteam.com/Default.aspx to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emergency response training course scheduled

New eye center offers latest in glaucoma, cataract care

Written by archive on September 27, 2019. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Doctor Phil Alabata always knew he wanted to be a surgeon, but he wasn’t sure which specialty he was interested in until he found ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology, the study of the eyes, became the perfect specialty for Alabata after he did some research.

“My most important goal was to be a physician and have a good family life,” Alabata said. “Ophthalmology just stood out for me because the surgeries were very interesting, the technology was extremely interesting to me and they were always advancing. In addition to that there was a lot of time after work to spend with family.”

Near the end of August, Alabata opened the Alabata Eye Center, located at 239 W Redstone Ave. It is the first and only location Alabata plans to open.

“I wanted it to be special to me and the community so I chose to have only one location,” Alabata said. “I thought this was a very strategically placed location for me to capture my patients and to provide good quality care for the Crestview community and Okaloosa County area.”

The center offers the latest in glaucoma and cataract care, as well as laser services and comprehensive eye exams. Some of the specific services offered at the center include laser assisted cataract surgery and retinal exams.

Alabata said any issue he is not able to take care of is then referred to another specialist.

Taking care of your eyes is an important issue for Alabata, who sees up to 34 patients in a day.

“It is very important to have your eyes checked on a regular basis, annually preferably, to detect any changes such as glaucoma,” Alabata said. “I want to provide compassionate, technologically advanced eye care to whoever is interested in it.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New eye center offers latest in glaucoma, cataract care

New Crestview church schedules celebration

Written by archive on September 24, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Vision Baptist Church will have a celebration before its first church service this week.

The celebration is scheduled from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 28 at 3191 Newman Ave., Crestview. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Saturday event includes a free meal of barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, cookies and a drink while supplies last. The event includes a bounce house for the kids, games for all ages, cakewalks, snowcones and door prizes.

A grand prize will be presented Sunday morning during the 11 a.m. church service.

Visit www.visionbcfl.com or the church Facebook page at visionbcfl for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New Crestview church schedules celebration

FAITH BRIEFS

Written by archive on September 20, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

UPCOMING

Church of the Epiphany announces events

CRESTVIEW — Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 424 Garden St., Crestview, has these upcoming events planned.

Sept. 29 at 9 a.m., the Anglican Harvest Festival will take place followed by high tea.

On Oct. 20, the 9 a.m. service will include a blessing for the animals in the field near the church.

Pancake fundraiser set for Milligan church

BAKER — The Baker Lions Club will have an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast to benefit First Baptist Church of Milligan. The church building was destroyed by a fire in July.

Hours are 7-10 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Baker Recreation Center, 5503, Highway 4, Baker.

Cost is $5 per plate with an advance ticket, or $6 per plate at the door. The plate includes coffee, an order of sausage, and condiments.

Those who also wish to make a donation to help may bring a check made out to Milligan First Baptist Church to the event or mail it to the Baker Lions Club at Joyce Cosson, 5303 Griffith Mill Road, Baker, FL 32531.

Lebanon to have Pastor's Appreciation services

BAKER — Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the Rev. Nathaniel Sledge's 15 years of service with a day of pastor appreciation services.

The morning service is 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at the church, 1288 Washington Ave., Baker. Guest speaker is the Rev. Robyn Burnett, associate minister at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Havana, Florida.

The 2 p.m. service will feature the Rev. Ricky Boykin of Life Changing Experiences Missionary Baptist Church, Port Charlotte.

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRY: Sign up and a brief ministry and prayers at 11 a.m. and box pick-up is 3 p.m.11 a.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. The church distributes boxes of once a month per person.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Church of New Covenant, 3191 New Ave. N., Crestview. Faith-based 12-step program for people seeking healing from things that keep them from living healthy balanced lifestyles.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FAITH BRIEFS

Insights about humility, Part 3

Written by archive on September 20, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

This is the last of three columns on the topic of humility. The first two were published Sept. 7 and 14 in the Crestview News Bulletin.

As I wrote earlier, people misunderstand humility.

Many think humility is a weakness, or that one needs to grovel before another. In the first two columns regarding this topic, I tried to point out the fallacies of those misunderstandings.

Today, I conclude my discussion on humility and how, when rightly understood through Biblical interpretation, humility is truly a gift from God that helps better our relationships with others and with our Lord.

Remember, according to the Scriptures, humility does not mean groveling. When you humble yourself, you will feel strong in the Lord.

You don’t need to be defensive. Instead, you develop the ability to stand up for yourself, others, and for what is right and good.

This is not done in an aggressive way, but with appropriate strength and forthrightness. You will stand with the courage of your convictions, and voice them in a firm but loving way that will cause another to think and reply in kind.

According to the Bible, humility means being aware of your gifts or calling. We each have gifts from God to be used for God’s purposes.

Although we should avoid pride, proper humility does not mean we should pretend we are unaware of the gifts God has given us. The key is to remember that they are from God to be used to put the focus on God, and to glorify God, not us.

Scripturally, humility means we may speak our hearts directly. When God says to be humble, he lets us know we need to examine our motives and attitudes as we respond to others. There are times when we need to take strong action. Remember how Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers. He spoke and took necessary action in righteous anger.

When you understand and practice what the Bible says about humility, you will usually be more successful than if you are pushy or arrogant. When you are humble, you are likely to have more influence than when you fight abrasively.

Even if you don’t achieve the results you hoped for, you have the joy and pleasure of having acted in a godly manner.

So, allow yourself to become biblically humble. You will go far in helping further the work of God’s kingdom on this earth while you do.

Thanks to Doug Britton for his insights on this topic.

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: Insights about humility, Part 3

Welsh Revival concert scheduled

Written by archive on September 13, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW —The Welsh Revival, a female Celtic ensemble from The University of Mobile, will present their 2019 concert.

The free event is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at First Baptist Church, 171 Hickory Ave. E, Crestview. A love offering will be requested.

Welsh Revival has performed hundreds of times throughout the southern United States. They bring a joyful excellence to performing traditional and newer Irish instrumental music as well as Celtic treatments of sacred music, according to an FBC media release.

Call 850-682-2544 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Welsh Revival concert scheduled

Hymn sing set, hurricane preparedness tested

Written by archive on September 10, 2019. Posted in lifestyle.

A community hymn sing is scheduled 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at First Presbyterian Church, located at 492 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview. All are welcome to this fun time of singing hymns, which the congregation gets to choose.

Bring your family; you will enjoy praising the Lord with other Christians from our community. Please bring a finger food to share for the fellowship afterward, time when we can get to know each other better.

This is one of my favorite events in our community and I would like to see you there. Bring your voice and get ready to make a joyful noise.

Hurricane readiness

We got to test our preparedness skills this past week with Hurricane Dorian. Did you and your family pass? Did you have enough water, canned food and pet food to last for at least a week? Did you remember to get your prescriptions filled?

Do you and your family have an evacuation plan in place that includes your pets, as they are more vulnerable than we are? Do you have all of your financial records easily available should you need to evacuate, your mortgage information, birth and marriage certificates, passports, banking records and so forth?

Don't forget your phone, tablet and computer chargers, as well as your contacts or eyeglasses.

Hurricane Dorian was a visible reminder that we cannot let our guard down during hurricane season, which lasts until Nov. 30 each year. We must be vigilant and prepared and not take storm season lightly. Make sure you have plenty of fresh batteries and flashlights on hand should we lose power.

As of this writing, the Carolinas are getting hit by heavy wind, rain, tornadoes and may get storm surges. This will no doubt affect many people and they will need our help, both money and supplies.

The devastation in the Bahamas is horrific. If you would like to donate money or supplies, for either the Bahamas or the Carolinas, here is a partial list of organizations that are helping restore life for those affected by the hurricane.

Of course, your local church may also be participating in this relief effort, so you may wish to check with them.

•Salvation Army: www.salvationarmy.org/

•Operation Blessing: www.cbn.com/

•Samaritan's Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org/

•United Methodist Committee on Relief: www.umcor.org/

•Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: http://pda.pcusa.org/

•Southern Baptist Disaster Relief: www.namb.net/southern-baptist-disaster-relief/

Remember, we could be in this situation too, so please give generously.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former 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: Hymn sing set, hurricane preparedness tested

FAITH BRIEFS

Written by archive on September 6, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Email submissions and photos about special events, musicians, speakers, classes, etc., to faith@crestviewbulletin.com. Photos should be high-resolution jpg attachments. Send items at least two weeks in advance if possible. Items run on a space-available basis.

UPCOMING

Peoples to host Gospel Singing Extravaganza

CRESTVIEW — Peoples Missionary Baptist Church will have an "old-fashioned, foot-stomping, and hand-clapping" Gospel Singing Extravaganza. Dress is casual for the event, which is 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the church, 722 School Ave.

Bishop to visit Church of the Epiphany in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 424 Garden St., Crestview, has these upcoming events planned.

Sept. 15 will be a visitation of the Right Rev. Bishop Russell Kendrick of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Service will be at 9 a.m. followed by a pot luck luncheon.

Sept. 29 at 9 a.m., the Anglican Harvest Festival will take place followed by high tea.

On Oct. 20, the 9 a.m. service will include a blessing for the animals in the field near the church.

Lebanon to have Pastor's Appreciation services

BAKER — Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the Rev. Nathaniel Sledge's 15 years of service with a day of pastor appreciation services.

The morning service is 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at the church, 1288 Washington Ave. Guest speaker is the Rev. Robyn Burnett, associate minister at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Havana, Florida.

The 2 p.m. service will feature the Rev. Ricky Boykin of Life Changing Experiences Missionary Baptist Church, Port Charlotte.

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FAITH BRIEFS

850.682.6524