Opinion Archive

Before I covered high school sports as a career, I played them. I participated in football, track, basketball, weightlifting and soccer.

The words “new year” will take on greater significance for the congregation I serve as pastor. Though now a “church start-up,” this congregation anticipates gaining full-church status with the Evangelical Free Church early in the first quarter of the new year. Also, in January of 2025, we will be gathering for worship on Sundays in the chapel at Gulf Pointe Latin School on East Bay Blvd. The school’s chapel and campus are beautiful, and we thank God for the privilege of gathering there. Further, we have just inducted our first group of members. We are eager for this new year of faithful ministry.

It was a Thursday afternoon two weeks ago when the editor’s phone rang. A gentleman wanted to ask us if we knew anything about what happened in the Lowe’s parking lot over the weekend. He was there and saw a lot of first responders around a vehicle trying to help someone. The gentleman on the phone said there had been a suicide and it was ‘all over Facebook.’

Happy New Year!

Personally, I don’t make resolutions because if I’m resolved to do something – I am going to start making changes right away and not wait for the new year. True confessions: I weighed myself for the first time in a long time today, and my suspicions were confirmed. I’m up about eight pounds. I was avoiding the truth or the facts because I didn’t want to deal with them until after the holiday.

The holidays are approaching. Soon, we will be visiting loved ones and sitting down for dinner with them.

I have a favorite Christmas hymn that I am uncomfortable singing. It is one of the most beloved Christmas hymns, and I love it too, with reservation. I am a man conflicted!

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except (what) they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

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?