CRESTVIEW — Michael Lugones and his wife, Tammy, have become lead pastors at Lifepoint Church, 400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

The Lugones, who were high school sweethearts, grew up in Key West and attended Southeastern University. They have been married 21 years and have served in ministry for over 16 years.

The Lugones came to Lifepoint from Greenhouse Church in Gainesville, where they served as youth pastors.

They have four children, Micah, Amelia, Ezra and Eliana.

The Lugones "have an incredible testimony of God's grace. They love people and have a passion to see them live life to the fullest and experience the joy and freedom that God has for them," a church spokesperson said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lifepoint Church welcomes new lead pastors

In my private thoughts I can sometimes be somewhat of a word snob. By this I mean when words are used improperly, I cringe and I bite my tongue before it can offer a retort.

For example when someone writes, “Your my best friend,” instead of “You’re my best friend.”

Or when someone writes, “He lead the group all the way to the end of the path,” instead of “He led the group … .”

There are times I read articles in newspapers and see a reporter has written, “The perpetrator busted the window,” instead of “The perpetrator broke the window.”

Every year new words get added to the dictionary. I get it. It’s called progress. I like to think of myself as a fairly progressive person — if the progress has a purpose.

But it seems as though language and education are being dumbed down in order to meet the lowest common denominator of a group of persons. To dumb down means to lower the level of difficulty and/or intellectual content of something, instead of raising up intellectual capacity. And there should be concern for this.

The book of Hebrews, Chapter 5:13-14, states, “Everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.”

It’s important to know the familiar stories taught in Sunday School, but those stories will only get you so far in your faith. In order to grow in faith and knowledge, you have to sink your teeth into the solid food of the Scriptures.

When you understand more about the culture in which the Scriptures were written, and not from the standpoint of American culture, you will have had a taste of solid food.

When you wrestle with the teachings of Jesus Christ and not shy away from what he says is the difference between right and wrong, then you will have had a taste of solid food.

When you wrestle with the theology of the apostle Paul, asking the hard questions and not running from hearing an answer you don’t want to hear but need to, then you will have had a taste of solid food.

The Scriptures are not to be dumbed down because they are challenging. They are to be wrestled with, understood, and lived — regardless of what society says — because they are the source of life.

After all, this earth will pass away, but the word of God remains forever!

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: Scriptures feed spiritual growth

Navarre resident David Jeffers recently flew to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to appear on Dr. James Dobson’s nationally syndicated radio show, "Family Talk."

The show originally aired June 14, and is accessible now through Jeffers' website, http://www.manupmenofgod.com, by selecting the "Listen Now" button beside the picture of Jeffers and Dobson, or by using this link: http://drjamesdobson.org/popupplayer?broadcastId=3dcb6dd2-0e37-498e-8320-98964ef3195a.

Both go to the appropriate page on the Family Talk website.

The two discussed Jeffers' latest book, "Man Up! What the Bible Says About Being A Man." In the book, Jeffers shares biblical insights from a 20-year journey of seeking God’s direction for his life. 

He discovered God wants men to study the Scriptures daily, where the answers to life’s questions can be found. The book teaches the reader that the model for being a man is outlined in the Holy Scriptures.

"Dr. Dobson’s interviewing skills are legendary, and he really pulled things out of Jeffers that are very dear to his heart, especially the reconciliation with his late father. They discussed the motivation for Jeffers writing 'Man Up!' They also touched on Jeffers’ son, Eddie, being killed in Iraq and the relationship between his son and David," according to a media release about the interview.

Dobson is the founder and president of Family Talk, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program. He is the author of more than 30 books dedicated to the preservation of the family.

Jeffers' work focuses mostly on politics and religion. His nonfiction works include "Ravaging the Republic," the "Eavesdropping on God" series, and "Overcoming Grief: Comforting Others with the Comfort We Have Received." He holds a theological studies degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Navarre author guest on 'Family Talk' radio show