Opinion Archive

This is a repeat from last year – but it has been a year, so perhaps you don’t remember. However, the content of this column is worth remembering. This column is inspired from a sermon from my home church, First Baptist Orlando. I love Christmas for many reasons, but first and foremost because we are celebrating and recognizing the significance of the birth of Jesus. How does the world celebrate Christmas? By giving gifts and acts of kindness to one another to demonstrate our love for others.

By the time you read this, the college football playoff field will have already been set. Twelve teams are in. Others will be disappointed they just missed on a playoff berth.

12 teams in Division I will be excited that they advanced for a chance to play in the national championship.

Christmas is coming. I guess you don’t need to be reminded of that. Or… do you?

How well did you do with your shopping spree on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Did you find some great deals?

We are in the midst of the Christmas season and the allure of online shopping and big-box retailers can be tempting. The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. However, there’s a compelling case to be made for turning our attention to local businesses. Shopping locally isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful way to support our community, economy, and environment. Here are some reasons to consider supporting your community’s small businesses.

There is so much pressure on student-athletes now.

From various social media sites such as X, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook, student-athletes can post their highlights or alert their fans where they might be attending college in the future.

For almost the entirety of my 36 years of full-time Christian ministry, I have avoided planting a church with the same zealous determination that I avoid liver and onions. Yet here I am in Navarre planting a church.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the nation will pause to remember the 83rd anniversary of the devastating surprise attack by the Japanese against the U.S. Navy’s facilities at Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. Most Americans know it as Pearl Harbor Day, that the attack precipitated the United States’ entry into World War II and that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in condemning Japan’s aggression, called Dec. 7, 1941, “a date that shall live in infamy.”

It’s late November here in Northwest Florida.

The leaves are falling.

(Dear Readers, I have written this article in the anticipation it may be published before the Thanksgiving Holiday. If it is not, please be gentle with any criticism. Thanks! Mark)

Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have, or situations we aren’t in, and we lose sight of what we do have and where we are. I know I have a lot to be thankful for – at all times – even when I’m wrapped up in the day-to-day busy-ness of life. I gathered these versus to remind me of what true thanksgiving is and what my gratitude should be focused on. I hope you enjoy them during this time that we take a break from our routines and focus on being thankful for all of our many blessings – or as we set out to purposefully be a blessing to others.