Years ago, when my daughters were about 3 years old, we took a trip to the beach. The day started with warm sunshine and clear blue skies.

Later in the afternoon, storm clouds began to build. They were heavy, very dark and threatened the worst kind of storm.

As we hurriedly started to gather our belongings, one daughter stood transfixed, staring at the clouds. She then said with great enthusiasm, even awe, in her voice, "Look at all the colors!"

When I stopped to see what she was talking about, I realized she was correct. Those threatening clouds were a masterpiece of differing shades of whites and grays. Looking like clumps of cauliflower and columns of granite, the approaching storm transformed into a wonder to behold.

It's a matter of perspective, isn't it? At first, all I saw was an approaching threat. My daughter saw nothing but beauty.

The storms of life can boil up without warning. They may loom small on the horizon, or explode in full proportion all at once. A threatening illness enters the home … a tragic accident crashes in.

We can become paralyzed with uncertainty, not knowing what steps to take. We can become hurt and angry, knowing our lives have changed and will continue to change. We become fearful of what the future will hold, and many anticipate the worst possible scenarios.

When uncertainty seems to overwhelm you, recognize it for what it is — fear of the unknown. Realize that sometimes the imagination runs amok. Then, take a deep breath or two and remember God is right beside you to strengthen you and support you.

Nearly 400 times God says in the Bible, "Do not fear," or "Do not be afraid." Why? Because he is with us. Yes, life throws us curves that can be very unpleasant. But God is beside us every step of the way. He never leaves us.

As it says in Psalm 23, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me."

Learn to lean on him. Let him comfort you. Trust him to see you through. And do not be afraid.

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: Learn to lean on God

CRESTVIEW — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently held its Stake Conference in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview.

Joseph Wafula Sitati, the first black General Authority of the Church of the First Quorum of the Seventy, attended the Jan. 21 part of the event in Fort Walton Beach. He spoke on faith, the importance of showing love to those whom you teach, and the new program "Teaching in the Savior's Way."

Jan. 22 activities took place at the Crestview Community Center. Guest speakers focused on topics such as how to support the church's leaders and counselors, and to pray for relatives and friends who may be leaning away from the church. Attendees also heard talks on temple visits, missionary service and how to "feast on the scriptures."

Michael Baltimore, from Crestview's Second Ward, spoke on faith and the impact of the Book of Mormon on his recent Nicaragua, Managua mission.

Donavan Black and Caralena Graves from the Niceville Ward sang a duet, “Oh Divine Redeemer," accompanied by Melissa Kibler. Ingrid Roberts of the Crestview Ward served as accompanist for the congregational hymns and played "Nearer My God to Thee" on the violin, with Kibler at the piano. David Simmons conducted the choir throughout the event. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LDS church holds stake conference

How long do you keep rubbing someone's nose in a mess? How long do you keep taunting someone for having lost an argument? How long do you talk out of both sides of your mouth, calling for unity, but saying and doing things that do anything but build unity?

Yes, I am referring to the bashing of political rivals on both sides of the aisle. If your candidate lost — get over it! If your candidate won, quit gloating! Things I read online and in social media regarding political rivalries show an immaturity that is shameful for adults to display.

As a pastor, and because of a position I hold within my denomination, I do a great deal of relationship work. In marriage counseling, both sides have to be willing to take responsibility for a current situation. If either side cannot admit to their culpability, the relationship will not heal.

In my denominational work, if there is a problem in a church, the people must be willing to acknowledge that both sides usually have valid points and that those differences may never really mesh. But if they cannot or will not work toward understanding, the church will go through a very emotional and painful split.

Almost everything in our society is based on winning and losing. Winners take all. Losers are just that — losers. And there is some unwritten rule that says losers can be ridiculed.

As long as that mindset persists, healing will never take place. Unity will never be restored. That is a shame because there can be unity in our diversity. We can agree to disagree. We can open our minds to another's point of view to learn something. We can simply say, "You and I have different points of view, but that does not make us enemies."

Jesus did not say, "Taunt your enemies." He did not say, "Belittle your enemies." He did not say, "Kill your enemies." He said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Why would he say that? Because if you love your enemy and pray for one who persecutes you, they will eventually no longer be your enemy, and the persecution will stop.

There is too much in this world to be enjoyed during our lifetime. Why spend so much of it spewing hatred and malice? It only trivializes the life God has given you to live on this earth.

What is our main purpose in life? To glorify God and enjoy God 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: Why Jesus recommended loving your enemies

Let's say someone does you a great disservice. Perhaps someone tells a malicious lie about you. Perhaps someone injures your child, steals from you, or worse yet, takes the life of a loved one because of an accident.

Do you forgive that person? Why or why not?

One dark night I arrived at the scene of a terrible accident where a vehicle struck an older man who was attempting to cross the highway in a dark area and was seriously injured. When the man's adult children arrived at the scene, they were furious. They demanded to know who the driver of the vehicle was so they could physically attack and punish the driver. They were not told.

Later, in the waiting room at the hospital, word came from the doctors that the older man had died from his injuries. The furor of anger and hatred toward the driver, still unknown to the family, continued. Hateful words were expressed. Threats of violence continued.

By the time I left the hospital, family members had calmed down, and their grief and fear were no longer expressed as anger and hatred, but by tears of deep sorrow and loss.

Eventually, the investigation of the accident determined the driver of the vehicle was not at fault. The older man had stepped into the path of the car, not allowing any time for the driver to take evasive action.

Did the members of that family forgive the driver of the vehicle? I don't know. What would you have done?

If the driver of the vehicle had heard the hateful rhetoric spoken by the family, would the driver have forgiven them for the false accusations and threats? I don't know. What would you have done?

We are taught that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction — tit for tat, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. That's what many really want: to make the other person hurt the way we were made to hurt.

We are called to forgive those who hurt us, according to the Bible, but forgiveness defies logic. It doesn't seem to make sense. And yet, it makes perfect sense if you wish to enjoy the life given to you by God.

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven," Jesus said.

Forgiveness — while not condoning the offense — is a gift to both the offender and the offended. It frees both from the burdens that come with hatred, anger, fear and hurt. It allows healing to take place. And with that healing comes a lightness of heart; a better and stronger outlook toward life.

The more you hold on to anger and hatred, the darker each day becomes. Little things will irk you. People will irritate you. The future will seem to hold no reason for joy.

When you forgive and let go of your anger or hatred, each day that dawns looks brighter and more hopeful than the previous. The future holds all kinds of exciting promise.

Go ahead. Defy logic. Forgive your enemy.

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: Defy logic — forgive your enemy

Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on North Okaloosa County nonprofits that improve our quality of life.

CRESTVIEW — Convergence Coffeehouse is a place to make friends, help the community and sip coffee.

This downtown coffeehouse doesn’t charge for its drinks, but it’s been operating for over 10 years. Relying on donations, the Christian outreach organization puts every dollar received back into its location or the community.

The site strays from a traditional church service and focuses on Bible studies, youth nights and family evenings.

Convergence is non-denominational and several attendees are members of other area churches. Local groups, such as Common Ground Community Garden, also use the building. Two other church organizations also use the building, according to member John Carlson.

Community support is an important goal of Convergence: to go beyond scripture studies and warm beverages. The coffeehouse raised about $35,000 last year and recycled that money back into community efforts.

“If [churches] have huge bank accounts and there are needs in the community, something’s not right,” Carlson said.

Convergence donated school supplies to Crestview High School teachers, gave scholarships to college students, bought a lift chair for a disabled veteran and prepared gift-filled shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. Member volunteers also donated food to the homeless and staffed an area soup kitchen.

Convergence has hosted financial management classes, mentoring and other events.

There are about a dozen active members in Convergence, according to Carlson. These members reportedly donated over 2,000 hours of community service in 2016. About 40 percent of money raised during the year went into these community efforts as well as others. Remaining funds went toward operating expenses such as rent and utilities.

Opportunities for community support are identified by Convergence, and those receiving help don’t have to be a part of the church group, according to member Ken Brown.

Sunday nights at the coffeehouse are reserved for scripture studies and run from 6-7:30 p.m. Family and adult night is 6-8:30 p.m. Saturdays and all attendees must be accompanied by somebody over age 18. Youth night is 6-8:30 p.m. Monday and gets louder than most nights, Brown said.

These times are the only regular hours Convergence operates the building, although other groups use the space at different times during the week.

The location offers free Wi-Fi, a desktop computer, board games and a book library for visitors. Served beverages include teas and hot chocolate for non-coffee drinkers. Over 2,500 free drinks reportedly were served during 2016.

Visit Convergence at 498 N. Wilson St. to attend a themed night, learn more about community outreach or to sip a cup of coffee and find some conversation.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Serving coffee — and the community

What is it that drives many people? The need to feel in control, which in turn can be translated into a hunger for power.

What do many politicians want? Power and prestige. What do countries or factions that start wars want? Most often it is more power.

We are led to believe power is a good thing. It provides the impetus for demanding certain behaviors. The Christian crusades of centuries ago were had because of a sense of power. The start of the Reformation was about the abuse of power.

The thing is, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Many tend to not pay attention to the fact that Jesus did not exert power over people — at least not in the way we interpret power. He did not come to this earth to teach us how to swing a sword, to give us battle plans, to demand that we take the lives of those who refuse to believe as we do.

No. Jesus emptied himself, making himself a servant of God. And, in a world hungry for power, who wants to follow a "powerless" Jesus? Jesus asks, "Do you love me?" We respond, "Can I sit at your right hand in the kingdom of God?"

What most don't understand is power is a substitute for the hard work of love. It is a way of avoiding making solid, meaningful relationships with people. Quite a few find it easier to rule people than to love them.

The temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat. Power keeps intimacy at bay. I cannot get hurt if I don't let someone get close.

What would it be like if more people developed a stronger Christ-like attitude of loving one another instead of trying to prove others wrong, or manipulating them, or seeking to run their lives?

I envision a society with much less conflict, more cooperation, and better and stronger relationships. How about you?

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: Power is a substitute for love