Tuesday, there was a town hall meeting sponsored by the North Okaloosa Ministerial Alliance and the Crestview Area Ministerial Association. Local residents attended the meeting to discuss being proactive about a number of issues.

Mayor David Cadle, Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor and Okaloosa Sheriff Larry Ashley fielded questions about anticipated actions if — however remote the possibility might be — an incident similar to Ferguson, Missouri or Baltimore, Maryland occurred in Crestview.

As men and women — young and old, African-American and white — asked questions and shared information, a growing realization made itself known: when it comes to being a part of a community, most of us have the same concerns.

One of those concerns centers on finding the kind of love and acceptance in appropriate places that will prevent people from trying to find it in the wrong places.

One gentleman raised concern for children between ages 8 and 13 whom he has seen out in the street at 2 a.m. without adult supervision.

That is appalling.

Do the parents not care enough to ensure their children’s safety?

Are parents unaware that under cover of darkness all sorts of evil lurks looking for vulnerable prey?

What such inattentiveness conveys to children — albeit nonverbally and subconsciously — is: “You are not worth my loving attention. Don’t mess with my lifestyle, kid.” Such unspoken rejection reaches deep into one’s heart and has a tremendously negative impact on a child.

Gang leaders, drug pushers and sexual predators recognize the signs of such children and exploit them. These people recognize the symptoms and provide a façade of loving and caring. And a child craving being loved and accepted is then swayed to “the dark side.”

As Christians, as a community, we are called to advocate for those who cannot stand up for themselves.  We are called to treat each other with love and respect, regardless of age. We are called to love the children in our midst so they will know what it is to be cherished.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it, because that “someone else” may just be the evil you wish to avoid.

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: BROADHEAD: Unloved children are vulnerable to predators

Sometimes, I wonder if people even read the Bible anymore. 

Somehow, we feel it is outdated, out of touch or no longer reliable as a blueprint for our lives. 

While King David stated he would hide God's words in his heart so he might not sin, today we do not even read the Word, because it shines in our lives and we realize how much sin is there. 

We desire comfort, not His leadership.

Perhaps we need a lesson on  the importance of reading His Word, starting with prophecy. 

Just on the predictions of Christ's birth, we see that each prophecy was fulfilled, right to the smallest detail.

Cyrus was to be a leader, a written prophecy calling him by name a few hundred years before it happened. 

The city of Tyre's walls were to be torn down and cast in the sea, and become a place where fishermen would take care of their nets. That happened, too.  

The Bible has been proven both by archeological research, and just seeing people whose lives are changed by daring to believe in God's great promises. 

I choose to take Him at His Word, and find great pleasure in studying it, many times in the late night hours.

True, sometimes His Word seems aimed right at my actions and thoughts for the day, and I must decide to react to it one way or another. 

While it's uncomfortable to be corrected by His Word, it is also a pleasure when you see His promises become active in your life.

Seek God's truth by reading His Word. I challenge you to read it just for the pleasure of reading. He can help you find others who will help you explore and understand different passages.

And we have the promise that His Word will never return unto Him void, but will always do that which He intended.

May God bless you.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Seek God's truth by reading His Word

Shortly after Jesus began his ministry, he visited Simon's home and healed his bedridden mother-in-law.

Those who witnessed this were astonished. Word spread like wildfire — there was a miracle healer at Simon’s house. By nightfall, the whole city had gathered around the front door, having brought all who were sick or demon possessed.

They wanted what Jesus gave Simon’s mother-in-law. Jesus obliged them and healed as many as he could, and the people clamored for more.

It seems the mindset alive in that day continues today. People hear of the way Jesus will heal people of their afflictions, turn to him, and receive the kind of spiritual, emotional and oftentimes physical healing they desire.

Many are grateful, but others clamor for more; they are not satisfied. The gratitude they felt for the gift they received wears off quickly and they look for the next freebie.

Yes, Jesus forgives our sins, promises that he will never abandon us in this lifetime, and promises eternal life in heaven. But the relationship we enter with Jesus is not about what we can get from him.

Some people mistakenly believe that once they declare Jesus as their Lord and Savior, he becomes their personal wish-granter and is supposed to give them anything they desire. 

Instead of asking, “What has Jesus done for me lately?” the question should be, “What have I done for Jesus lately?”

Ask yourself how you have helped build Jesus' kingdom, how you have praised him, how you live in gratitude for the ultimate gift anyone could receive — forgiveness for your sins.

If you ask Jesus for more than you give to him, it’s time to change your focus.

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: BROADHEAD: What have you done for Jesus lately?

There is no way my mother could have identified with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

I could see Jesus as a boy playing hard, perhaps being very curious. He could have even had a bit of mischief in His actions as a young lad.

However, The Bible says He never sinned.

My mother could probably identify more with Judas' mother. We do not know a lot about him or his past. By the very nature of his sin against the Savior, we assume that, even though he walked with the Lord, his heart never fully sold out completely to salvation. He died alone and was buried by those who did not really care.

Perhaps even now you are still walking as Judas, one not really knowing how precious a gift our salvation is. You have yet to sell out and depend on His grace and mercy.

None of us is perfect, for the Bible tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Sin in our lives put us at risk to reject Him, too. Stop, analyze your life every day through the light of His Word and Spirit.

Having long passed the age of childhood mischief, I too must daily check my life against His example.

While my mother could probably relate more to Judas' mother than to Mary, I do not have to turn out that way — neither do you. 

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: You don't have to stay a Judas

A man approached a laborer laying bricks and said, "What are you doing?"

"Can’t you see I’m laying bricks?!" the laborer said.

The man then walked over to another bricklayer and said, "What are you doing?"

The workman said with pride, "I’m building a cathedral."

Both were doing the same thing. But the first guy was occupied with the present task, while the other was focused on the ultimate goal.

Who do you think had more satisfaction in what he was doing? My vote would be on the one keeping his vision on the cathedral being built.

Steven R. Covey, in his book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," wrote that we need to "begin with the end in mind." In other words, envision your goal — what you want at the end of your project, or career, or life — and work toward it.

What do you want to accomplish? What goals have you set?

Bear in mind, just because you might be retired does not mean you have to lack goals. Life goals are not just for young people.

However, we need to ensure our goals are consistent with God’s word and teaching.

Our culture says, "Seek your place in the world!" Jesus says, "Seek the kingdom of God."

Our culture says, "Find yourself!" God says "Lose yourself, and find life."

Our culture says, "Be your own self-made person!" God says, become "members together of one body."

Our culture says, "Look to your own needs and interests!" God says, have "the attitude of Christ Jesus, who took on the nature of a servant."

Keep Jesus Christ's goals in mind. He said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."

Answer Jesus Christ's call, not the culture's, and you will find your true purpose in life.

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: BROADHEAD: Focus on Christ to achieve your life goals

Editor's Note: This column does not necessarily reflect views of the News Bulletin's management.

The Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage has fueled plenty of debate on both sides of the issue.

This is the Rev. Richard Helms' perspective.

•••

I am quite saddened. We have allowed less than 3 percent of this nation to declare how to redefine our moral beliefs. 

How did we get to this stage?

My opinion about gay marriage does not matter. What God has written should be the determining factor for all who declare and claim His name. 

In Revelation 21:27, we are told, with no uncertainty, that which will not make it into heaven. Note closely this verse: "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life." The scripture is plain that apparently even a lie is capable of holding man out of His Kingdom. 

Look up all things that are an abomination before Him. You just may be surprised.

In Jeremiah's time, Judah had some of the same problems we have today. God, in talking with Jeremiah, laid a charge against the nation that is of little surprise if you understand God's desires for us. He did not choose a pet sin to criticize, or a specific people.

Jeremiah 2:13 says,  "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Note His first charge: the nation had forsaken Him. 

The second charge?

"Since they have rejected me, they have sought their own selfish attempt at redefining God and His moral demands." 

This, too, is America.  How did we get this far?

Again, listen to God speaking to Jeremiah in Chapter 2:8:  "The priests did not say, 'Where is the LORD?’ And those who handle the law did not know Me; The rulers also transgressed against Me; The prophets prophesied by Baal, And walked after things that do not profit."

Church, it is our fault. We are the largest voting bloc in America; we vote less; and when we do vote, we vote liberal. We no longer vote according to God's Holy Word, and have no regard toward His will.

We cannot hate those involved in particular sins, but we must hate the sin enough to stand against it and not condone it.  By sharing truth and God's love, then and only then can we seek to turn all to Christ.

Abhor the sin, but love the sinner enough to stand against it. 

Our job is to warn and to love.  God makes the judgment call, and we can prevent those from being judged by Him by loving all enough to not condone sin in our own lives. 

Stand up; keep others from the fire. Show the love, and power, of God in your life that they may have hope in theirs.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: With gay marriage, God makes the judgment call

Many children have to know the secret password to enter a clubhouse or tree house; only the select few get in.

If you don't know the password, you are shunned, ostracized, sent away.

If you know the password, but hadn’t been told it by the club president, you were still shunned — and an inquisition was made to determine who had given it away. Then they, too, were booted out.

How many passwords do you need to remember as an adult?  The password to your email account, your bank account, your Cloud account, your Facebook account, your LinkedIn account, your whatever account.

Most of us have more passwords to remember than we have accounts we can remember.

And passwords cannot be simple anymore. Now they have to have at least one capital letter, at least one number, and at least one symbol. 

H0wRedicul0s!zThat?

The more unusual combinations manufactured in passwords, the more secure it is. But do you really feel secure with your passwords? Or are you concerned someone will be able to figure out one of them, hack your accounts, and steal your identity?

Whereas there exists the possibility that someone could hack you and steal your identity, one identity  is so secure it can never be stolen.

You are a child of God. No one can take this identity from you. In the Bible, 1 John 3, we read, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.

"The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now.”

The depth of God’s love is so deep, it is rooted so strongly in you, that this promise should bring great comfort, solace and joy.

On this day, as you celebrate the birth of our nation — even as it seems to some this nation is coming apart at the seams — remember this nation is the strongest on the face of the Earth. 

Also remember the gift of new life you received when you made the decision to follow Jesus Christ, and the claim he has on you — even if it seems you are falling apart at the seams. 

His promise is the strongest in the universe.

Passwords may be able to be broken.  But God’s promises never are.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview's pastor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Online passwords break — God's promises don't