Editor's Note: This is the second of two columns discussing the boundaries between people.

As I mentioned in my previous article, there is much in this society that divides us — like politics, ideologies, and theologies. Differing opinions divide people because most have not learned that it is okay to agree to disagree.

There is another aspect to human nature that seeks to take us away from God — pride, ego, and arrogance.

For example, people don't like to lose. Our world is so competitive; there is always a winner and a loser. People want to be on the winning side because everyone loves a winner. Winners receive all the glory, the accolades, the recognition, the grand prizes. Winning pumps the ego and causes one to believe they are invincible.

Competition is "us against them." If you win, you are the hero. If you lose, you are a loser. This attitude focuses all our attention on us rather than God. It causes people to pit themselves against others.

God wants us to live together peacefully. To do so, we need to realize we don't always have to agree on everything. But we do need to be willing to have an understanding spirit and a willingness to remain united even in our diversity. This is what God calls us to.

Our unity in Jesus Christ is what matters most in this life. He is the one that gives life, wholeness and purpose. He is the one who unites us — even when we may not wholly agree on everything.

I wonder how many of us would be willing to set aside the declaration that we are in the "only correct" group, or the notion we are the self-declared expert on all things political and theological, in order to agree to disagree without belittling or rejecting others?

I wonder how many would be willing to truly listen to the teachings of Jesus that call us sisters and brothers, and his call to unity?

I wonder how many would be willing to accept the fact that people are different, but still worthy of love and respect?

There is much in this society that strives to divide us, but when we recognize God in our midst, our focus is on him and his greatness — not our own. When we come together and God becomes the most important part of our time together, we accomplish great things for his glory.

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: When we come together, we do great things

Father’s Day is almost here. Dad will probably like any gift you give him, of course, but this year, why not go beyond the ordinary? By presenting your father with an appropriate financial gift, you can bring him some benefits that can keep on giving.

For starters, how about a back-to-school gift for Dad? If you have children, you may already be familiar with 529 plans, which many parents use to help their children pay for college. But 529 plans have no age limits, so there’s nothing stopping you from reversing the usual formula and opening an account for your father. While 529 plans are commonly used to pay for four-year colleges, the money can also go toward most two-year community colleges and trade schools, so if Dad has a future interest in learning about anything from anthropology to auto repair, the 529 plan you’ve established can give him the gift of knowledge and enjoyment.

As the owner of a 529 plan, your earnings can accumulate tax-free, provided they are used for qualified higher education expenses. (529 plan distributions not used for qualified expenses may be subject to federal and state income tax, and a 10 percent IRS penalty on the earnings.) Furthermore, if you invest in your own state’s 529 plan, you might be able to deduct the contributions from your taxes.

Here’s another suggestion: Help Dad reach a distant goal. For example, if you know your father will be retiring in, say, 10 years, you could give him some type of bond that matures just when he retires. During those 10 years, he will receive regular semiannual interest payments, and when the bond matures, he’ll get the original principal back. He can then use this money to help fulfill a long-held dream—perhaps one of traveling the world or even opening a small business. Whatever he decides to do with the money, it will make a nice retirement gift.

If you’re giving Dad a corporate bond, make sure it’s “investment grade,” which means it has received one of the highest ratings for safety from one of the major bond-rating agencies. Investment-grade bonds are generally the least likely to default. If your father is in one of the upper tax brackets, he might benefit from a municipal bond, whose interest payments are exempt from federal income taxes and possibly state and local taxes, too. (Some municipal bonds, however, are subject to the alternative minimum tax.)

Finally, you may want to help Dad plan his legacy. Although your father may be interested in what sort of legacy he will leave, he may not yet have taken any steps in this area—in particular, he might not have created a comprehensive estate plan.

You might consider giving your father some resources on estate planning, such as books or online articles. Better yet, though, consider setting him up with a consultation with a legal professional. It will take considerable time and effort to create the necessary documents, such as a will, a living trust, a durable power of attorney, and so on—and since the future is not ours to see, it’s best to take care of these tasks sooner, rather than later.

Father’s Day is just a blip on the calendar. But by giving Dad some valuable financial gifts, you can help brighten all his days.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Financial gifts can help Dad for years to come

We often remember and honor our mothers, but what about our fathers? Dads play an important role in their children's lives. While some dads aren't as visible as mothers in families, nevertheless they provide a very important role.

Did you know that on Mother's Day most families go out to lunch or dinner, and for Father's Day most families have a family barbecue? A barbecue certainly makes wonderful family memories and allows children to run around and play.

What role did your father play in your life while growing up?

Did he foster your dreams, encourage you by telling you that anything you desired could be accomplished if you worked for it?

Did he teach you the difference in right and wrong? 

Did he teach you the skills you needed to achieve your dream? 

Did he teach you how to ride a bike and play sports?

My father taught his children to always tell the truth, honor our family name, how to handle our money, and how to take care of tools and equipment so that they would last for many years. He also taught all of his children management skills and all four of us have used those skills in a variety of ways.

The "dreaded" Father's Day tie seems to be a joke each year. This year, why not just ask Dad what he'd like for Father's Day? My husband, Jim, loves ties. My dad, not so much. One year he wanted ping pong equipment for the table and other years he wanted a particular tool. Asking is so much easier than guessing, and then Dad will get what he really desires.

One day, your father will no longer be with you. How will you honor his legacy? Will you carry on the life lessons he taught, virtue, how a good name is to be sought, honesty and righteousness?

Of course, all glory ultimately goes to our Heavenly Father and we thank Him for our earthly fathers, our wonderful world, and the gift of salvation.

To my Dad and all of the awesome fathers in Crestview, Happy Father's Day.

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: Thoughts before Father's Day

All sorts of delicious treats are coming into the season, including blueberries, blackberries and figs galore. It seems as though all of this tasty, nutritious, low-fat produce comes and goes so quickly we barely get a chance to enjoy it properly.

If you are wondering how to preserve your bounty, there are plenty of ways.

Freezing

Berries and figs freeze well. Sort berries and throw away any fruit that has gone bad. Simply rinse under cool running water and drain well. Freeze on a tray and then pour frozen fruit directly into a freezer bag or container.

To prevent figs from turning dark, sprinkle with an ascorbic acid like Ball-Fruit Fresh (found in the canning section of stores), and follow the freezing instructions.

Canning

Figs and berries can both be canned whole in syrup using the water bath canning method. Jams, jellies, preserves and purees can also be made out of these fantastic fruits. Be sure to follow your canning recipe instructions exactly to lower the risk of food-borne illness.

Drying

Figs are excellent for drying or making a fruit leather. You may have less success drying whole berries, but do try a fruit leather.

For drying figs, select ripe fruit and clean it. Small figs can be left whole. Large figs may be cut in half. Blanch whole figs in boiling water for 30 seconds until the skins split. This will ensure faster drying. Dip figs directly into an ice-water bath to prevent cooking. Figs will take about six to 12 hours in a dehydrator, possibly less if cut in half.

Here is a jam recipe courtesy of the National Center for Home Food Preservation:

Berry Jams (without added pectin)

9 cups crushed berries

6 cups sugar

Yield: About 7 or 8 half-pint jars

Please read Using Boiling Water Canners (http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/uga/using_bw_canners.html) before beginning. If this is your first time canning, it is recommended that you read Principles of Home Canning (http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/usda/GUIDE01_HomeCan_rev0715.pdf).

Procedure:

Sterilize canning jars (http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_01/sterile_jars.html).

Wash berries before crushing. Combine berries and sugar. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Once sugar is dissolved, cook rapidly to, or almost to, the jellying point (http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_07/jelly_point.html) depending upon whether a firm or soft jam is desired. As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.

Remove from heat and fill hot, sterile jars with the hot jam, leaving a one-fourth-inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process in a boiling water canner.

Note: If seedless jam is preferred, crushed berries may be heated until soft and pressed through a sieve or food mill; then add sugar and proceed as above.

Recommended processing time for hot packing half-pints or pints of the jams in a boiling water canner is five minutes at altitudes of 0 to 1,000 feet; 10 minutes at 1,001 to 6,000 feet; and 15 minutes above 6,000 feet.

Contact me at 689-5850 or jbreslawski@ufl.edu for more recipes or information about preserving foods.

You may also register for the extension office's cheese making workshop, set for 6:30-8 p.m. June 20 at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. The cost is $25 per person. RSVP by June 18 at https://okaloosacheesemaking.eventbrite.com.

Jill Breslawski 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: How to preserve fruit