tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25319260912227315232024-03-13T23:32:43.172-07:00Doug Stauffer MinistriesAfter 19 years on the road, Dr. Doug Stauffer is now pastoring Faith Independent Baptist Church in Niceville, Florida. www.FaithNiceville.comdougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-17344860782518956292024-03-08T05:49:00.000-08:002024-03-08T05:49:01.420-08:00Governor DeSantis Sworn in on the Bible of the Revolution<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-size: x-large;">"Governor DeSantis Sworn in on the Bible of the Revolution"</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">February 2023--Article 41 (2023-02-041)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTz7LCTADnPDyVIM6IoIa6MkXAdWT3DAxoEFchjn1oonvdAr28FVPGepQ1Rph-36jD9TWBr1G5kcoVFebzy50XO9kKfDN84Veqg81Yrzhi3h8RY2Y2Wz3dBjl1TPJ8LFZLi4nVJg7gIazJQ9sQ1JrJSc7t9N251-Z7Mu2Ixbug3f7Ifu0kAcb9eVKv80Z/s3001/aa%20Governor%20and%20Doug%20in%20Mansion%20final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Doug Stauffer And Governor DeSantis" border="0" data-original-height="2401" data-original-width="3001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTz7LCTADnPDyVIM6IoIa6MkXAdWT3DAxoEFchjn1oonvdAr28FVPGepQ1Rph-36jD9TWBr1G5kcoVFebzy50XO9kKfDN84Veqg81Yrzhi3h8RY2Y2Wz3dBjl1TPJ8LFZLi4nVJg7gIazJQ9sQ1JrJSc7t9N251-Z7Mu2Ixbug3f7Ifu0kAcb9eVKv80Z/w400-h320/aa%20Governor%20and%20Doug%20in%20Mansion%20final.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>“Florida is proof positive that ‘We
the People’ are not destined for failure. Decline is a choice. Success is
attainable. And freedom is worth fighting for.” </i>And<i> “fight we must.”</i> This words set the tone for Governor
Ron DeSantis’s inauguration speech.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A lot has changed over the past four years, especially in
the political landscape of the Sunshine State. Four years ago, Congressman Ron
DeSantis pulled out a narrow margin of victory over his opponent (less than
one-half of one percent). Four years later, he won a landslide victory of epic
proportions, with many Americans referring to him as “America’s Governor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">January 3, 2023, marked the beginning of his second term as
Governor as he and his cabinet took their oaths of office. The cabinet members included:
Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez , Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Attorney
General Ashley Moody, and newly-elected Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
The ceremony took place on the steps of the iconic Old Capitol in front of an
enthusiastic crowd of thousands. Unlike the narrow margin of victory four years
earlier, Governor DeSantis won by over 20 percentage points (receiving 1.5
million more votes than Charlie Crist). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The location and the DeSantis victory were historic, as was
the Bible used to swear in Governor DeSantis and Lt. Governor Nunez. They were
sworn in using the Bible of the Revolution, which the Founding Fathers in the
U.S. Congress commissioned over 240 years ago. They placed their hands upon the
King James Bible, published by Richard Aitken in 1782, shortly after America
won the War of Independence. The “Aitken Bible” was the first and only English
edition ever commissioned by the United States. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The overcast day looked ominous, but the good Lord provided
clouds for shade, and a wonderful breeze for comfort instead of the rain
forecasted. Everyone in the audience enthusiastically hung onto his every word realizing
the significance and magnitude. The Governor covered a wide range of topics,
none more important than his support of traditional family values. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><i>“Florida must always be a great
place to raise a family—we will enact more family-friendly policies to make it
easier to raise children, and we will defend our children against those who
seek to rob them of their innocence.”</i>
These words hardly left his lips before the crowd erupted while jumping to
their feet for the first of many standing ovations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Governor DeSantis promised to continue his fight against
the Woke ideology, attempting to gain a foothold in Florida. <i>“</i><i>We reject this woke ideology…We will never surrender to the
woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die!” </i>In these regards, he also invoked God and appropriately quoted
the Bible: <i>“As the Book of Psalms reminds us, ‘I will not fear though tens
of thousands assail me on every side.’”</i> He also reminded us, “<i>We embrace
our founding creed that our rights are NOT granted by the courtesy of the
State, but are endowed by the hand of the Almighty.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As I have traveled around the United States and outside the
continent, people from every corner of the globe applaud Governor DeSantis for
standing against the coronavirus-related restrictions and hysteria. His
comments reflected this mindset: <i>“Freedom
lives here, in our great Sunshine State of Florida! When other states consigned
their people’s freedom to the dustbin, Florida stood strongly as freedom’s
linchpin. When the world lost its mind–when common sense suddenly became an
uncommon virtue–Florida was a refuge of sanity, a citadel of freedom for our
fellow Americans and even for people around the world.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Governor DeSantis also blasted
politicians in Washington, calling the Federal government a<i> “sprawling,
unaccountable bureaucracy” </i>that <i>“looms over us and imposes its will upon
us.”</i> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Governor DeSantis’s
first campaign promised to pursue bold agenda items that ensured taxing
lightly, regulated reasonably, and spending conservatively. During his first
term, he enacted significant education reforms, attempted to reign in judicial
activism, ushered in a new era of stewardship for Florida’s natural resources,
stood for law and order and remedied deficiencies in Florida’s election
administration.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Although far from finished, Governor
DeSantis pointed out that Florida is leading the nation in many areas,
including net in-migration as the fastest-growing state. We are number one in business
formations, tourism, economic freedom, education
freedom, parental involvement in education, and public higher education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He pointed out, “<i>The policies
pursued by these states have sparked a mass exodus of productive Americans from
these jurisdictions—with Florida serving as the most desired destination, a
promised land of sanity.”</i> He pointed out that other states have embraced
faddish ideologies and harmed public safety by coddling criminals and attacking
law enforcement. They have imposed unreasonable burdens on taxpayers to finance
unfathomable levels of public spending, harmed education by subordinating the
interests of students and parents to partisan interest groups, and imposed
medical authoritarianism in the guise of pandemic mandates and restrictions
lacking scientific basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Governor DeSantis’ concluded just as
powerfully as he began:<i>“It is our responsibility here in Florida to carry
this torch. We do not run from this responsibility; we welcome it. We will be
on our guard. We will stand firm in the faith. We will be courageous. We will
be strong! And we thank God and are proud to be citizens of the great Free
State of Florida!”</i> This speech was about Florida’s past and future, but one
could sense that the horizon looks very bright for America’s Governor! I am
blessed to call myself a Floridian living in the Free State of Florida. </span></p><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt -0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ment</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Bay-Life-West-2023-Feb.pdf" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"> (page 13)</span></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLVLl2dbys9RvG4Rxa9e4pvsdKFRL8c1meYlQ6q6d8Niwk99XaEaGSNMKe7IUyq5pg-yY4RXUQIL8iHWlAHpTM8SGpa0RaHjxymj-ssM-pvTdZcnTpoNppSRRr6jp0T-2gPfNDZToajueSeW-tj4FjNZqzQcx6N7t8uPGFOBaQ7UGISCmCob7js8NLO35/s1221/202302%20Governor%20DeSantis%20Sworn%20in%20with%20The%20Bible%20of%20the%20Revolution.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLVLl2dbys9RvG4Rxa9e4pvsdKFRL8c1meYlQ6q6d8Niwk99XaEaGSNMKe7IUyq5pg-yY4RXUQIL8iHWlAHpTM8SGpa0RaHjxymj-ssM-pvTdZcnTpoNppSRRr6jp0T-2gPfNDZToajueSeW-tj4FjNZqzQcx6N7t8uPGFOBaQ7UGISCmCob7js8NLO35/w325-h400/202302%20Governor%20DeSantis%20Sworn%20in%20with%20The%20Bible%20of%20the%20Revolution.png" width="325" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-87631183183388606552024-03-06T09:33:00.000-08:002024-03-06T09:33:08.115-08:00Pastor's Ponderings--Are You Sufficiently Compassionate? (part 2)<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-size: x-large;">"Are You Sufficiently Compassionate?"</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">January 2023--Article 39 (2023-01-039)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4jKLpIH0nkySJpl2m5k4m9zDR5YQJqnx4U667ocK_5Rs-ehthw9Qaj34J3sVZBemna4CFo1tFFlK-lLi39QCjxIWZLqC9OXlIV63_zhYkRJRV7xCmbGFDRoP_JUsAp_SOE52Zr913l8kQ_Vc-uaT_MkwPAOhAzWUXRXpboqZKQ5QiFxwaScc0ASBukNX/s2048/Church%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4jKLpIH0nkySJpl2m5k4m9zDR5YQJqnx4U667ocK_5Rs-ehthw9Qaj34J3sVZBemna4CFo1tFFlK-lLi39QCjxIWZLqC9OXlIV63_zhYkRJRV7xCmbGFDRoP_JUsAp_SOE52Zr913l8kQ_Vc-uaT_MkwPAOhAzWUXRXpboqZKQ5QiFxwaScc0ASBukNX/w400-h300/Church%20pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt -0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ment</span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: left;">A person's actions
demonstrate </span><span style="text-align: left;">c</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt; text-align: left;">o</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">m</span><span style="text-align: left;">p</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-align: left;">a</span><span style="text-align: left;">ss</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">io</span><span style="text-align: left;">n or the lack thereof.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.6pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">F</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">iv</span><span style="text-align: left;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.85pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: left;">t</span><span style="text-align: left;">i</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt; text-align: left;">m</span><span style="text-align: left;">es, </span><span style="text-align: left;">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">h</span><span style="text-align: left;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">B</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">i</span><span style="text-align: left;">b</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">l</span><span style="text-align: left;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: 3.5pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">u</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">s</span><span style="text-align: left;">es
t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">h</span><span style="text-align: left;">e </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: left;">p</span><span style="text-align: left;">h</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt; text-align: left;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">s</span><span style="text-align: left;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.15pt; text-align: left;"> "</span><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">m</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">ov</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span>d
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">w</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">t</span>h
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">c</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">m</span>p<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">s</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">o</span>n."</i><span style="text-align: left;"> F</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; text-align: left;">o</span><span style="text-align: left;">ur </span><span style="text-align: left;">of
these five references refer to Christ's compassion toward others. They reveal
that genuine compassion always moves people to do something for others. In Mark
chapter 6, the disciples wanted to send the crowd away hungry, but Christ
refused their plea. He would not send them away empty and leave His presence
still in need.</span></span></p><p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In this
one example, Christ's compassion fed thousands when others would have sent them
away faint and hungry. The Lord not only fed<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> thousands with two small fishes and five loaves of bread </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">but also produced a miraculous amount of l</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">f</span>t<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">ov</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">r</span>s.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">T</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">h</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: .8pt;"> </span>Lo<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">r</span>d<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span>x<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">p</span>ects<span style="letter-spacing: .8pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">H</span>is<span style="letter-spacing: .8pt;"> </span>followers to demonstrate the same compassion
that He has for His creation. Perhaps, the best biblical example of this type
of human compassion is the Samaritan mentioned in Luke chapter 10. The story
begins with a man taking a journey to Jericho. On his way, evil men robbed and
wounded him. As he struggled for his life, lying on the ground, a priest passed
by him. The priest saw the man but passed on the other side. A Levite came and
acted the same way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Then a Samaritan approached the man in need. Unlike the others, this
man stopped and helped the injured man. He bound up the man’s wounds, placed him
on his beast and took him to an inn. He paid for the room at the inn and offered
to pay any additional expenses. Imagine how this type of approach would
revolutionize the world. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Another of the familiar parables of the Lord closely associates<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>compassion with forgiveness. A father had
two sons. One stayed home with his family and worked the land, while the other
son<span style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">d</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">c</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">d</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span>d<span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">t</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">l</span>ea<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">v</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>nd<span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span>t<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">r</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">v</span>el<span style="letter-spacing: 1.45pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">h</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: 1.5pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">w</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">r</span>ld.<span style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">B</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">f</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">r</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">l</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">v</span>i<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">n</span>g,<span style="letter-spacing: 1.3pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">h</span>e <span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">a</span>s<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">k</span><span style="letter-spacing: .1pt;">e</span>d<span style="letter-spacing: 1.25pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">f</span>or<span style="letter-spacing: 1.2pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">h</span>is
inheritance and foolishly wasted it. Afterward, he found himself in the middle
of a famine broke and starving. At this point, he would have willingly eaten the
swine's slop. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Finally, he decided to return home even if it meant that he would
become a servant rather than remaining a son. As he neared the old homestead, his
father spotted him. His dad wasted no time but ran to meet and embrace him. The
father welcomed the repentant son back into his home with a renewed
relationship.<span style="position: relative; top: -4.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Bible
associates love with action and speaks of the believer's love for other
believers, relating it to the Lord's crucifixion. If a Christian knows and
recognizes the love of God, it will drastically affect his relationships with
others. He cannot mimic the world’s actions because the love of God has formed compassion
within his heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dReg"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This
matter of compassion is so vital to the Lord that He provided believers with a
scenario to help judge one's level of compassion. The book of First John says that
if a brother has a need, and another brother can help him with his need, yet
refuses, he lacks compassion. Therefore, one's deeds, not simply one's words
alone, demonstrate true and abiding love!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="dNormalw7pt"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“<i>But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his
brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how
dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17 ).<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-indent: 0in;"><i style="color: #333333; text-align: left;">(Excerpt from “Daily Strength” Devotional, volume 1 of
4, week 2 by the author)</i> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Dec.pdf" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"> (page 25)</span></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-91220775933124651312024-03-04T06:20:00.000-08:002024-03-04T06:20:16.661-08:00Pastor's Ponderings--God's Compassion Never Falters or Fails<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-size: x-large;">"God's Compassion Never Falters or Fails"</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">December 2022--Article 38 (2022-12-038)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6U6aNJipc2j-XWnqZhBs-v1OfsFXLoy5o7lHM6y0N8kZ96lawSoTlJxL1EoYpJqw9zma9CVh-YIfIpBvJ49ZO5sG7Tf0YStkYOzk9lZX6dXC6yCaOorNtUuhElp3qpGu4LJlkjZNJhwbNflQ46x7Bt5xjm9HISKFxA4CVH3O-_I_Um_Vq2n6eHj8aLnB/s2048/Church%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6U6aNJipc2j-XWnqZhBs-v1OfsFXLoy5o7lHM6y0N8kZ96lawSoTlJxL1EoYpJqw9zma9CVh-YIfIpBvJ49ZO5sG7Tf0YStkYOzk9lZX6dXC6yCaOorNtUuhElp3qpGu4LJlkjZNJhwbNflQ46x7Bt5xjm9HISKFxA4CVH3O-_I_Um_Vq2n6eHj8aLnB/w400-h300/Church%20pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">God expects every true child of God to demonstrate
compassion, but even more impressive is the thought that the Lord Jesus Christ
manifested compassion during His earthly ministry. What an amazing truth—the Lord
of Glory willingly humbled Himself to suffer with and for others.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One might assume God's compassion only became possible
because Christ took the likeness of sinful flesh upon Himself. Yet, the Bible
attributes compassion to God before Christ's First Coming. The Old Testament records repeatedly: "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and
gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The scripture declares that God was compassionate before
the coming of Christ. His First Coming to earth in a body of flesh confirmed that
He is a compassionate Saviour. The Coming of Christ, in the likeness of sinful
flesh, enabled God the Son to experience humanity's temptations and struggles. The
Bible says He was "touched with the feeling of our infirmities"
(Hebrews 4:15).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Christ's compassion on earth reveals that He suffered WITH man, but more importantly, He
suffered FOR man. He took the world's
sins upon Himself and gave man His righteousness. One of the most incredible
demonstrations of His compassion is that God Himself loved us enough to be
housed in a body of flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God's compassion originates from His mercy and grace,
and how He deals with man displays this compassion. For example, He is<i> "slow to anger" </i>and <i>"good to all,"</i> along with many other manifestations
of His character. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The Bible emphasizes the importance of this truth in
the book of Psalms by stating that God is <i>"full
of compassion"</i> on five separate occasions. God's actions (past,
present, or future) can all be traced back to His compassion, including His
acts of judgment. When the Bible refers to God's longsuffering, this means He
will suffer for a long time before bringing judgment against a person, nation,
or the whole world. America is a prime example of God's compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God is a compassionate Lord. The earthly ministry of
Christ repeatedly demonstrated this truth. In Luke chapter 7, the Lord entered
a city only to find that a widow had also lost her only son to death. It was a sorrowful
time for this dear lady. The loss of her husband had been hard to bear, but her
son was a daily reminder of the husband whose love she treasured so greatly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Yet, now the son too was gone. Perhaps the young man
worked to help support his mother, but now she was alone without her husband and
without their son. Fortunately for this woman, God is rich in mercy. Christ intervened
on behalf of the woman, bringing her son back to life. Her tears of mourning turned
into tears of joy. Read this testament by God of God: "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we
are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">
</span></p><p class="dReg" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When your heart is pained and the way grows weary, remember
the words of the song, "<i><span style="color: black;">Does Jesus Care?"</span></i><span style="color: black;">
I promise you He cares, and He will give you relief from that deep grief. Soon, you will be saying, "O, yes, He cares; I know He cares." Christians
are not promised an easy life but a relationship with a caring, loving,
compassionate Saviour. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Dec.pdf" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"> (page 25)</span></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEN5635tWNQZNph8A9AoO_3ET7JdOxeYgMim1fnfCBFgLB5sKUG_6-o3S2UjUVftq5XzlDJvkFQUinUmGKyIB8wTLfkoqdTb82G3mcERHPzkK79c79Vatu39CAaepqf9Qqx4R77ErFSxG-aG2ncaLf_YprV_kg4jjyJCfaI5Wg6B0FVCGHcwYiaLPEwwd/s1239/202212%20BayLife%20Gods%20Compassion%20Never%20Falters%20or%20Fails.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEN5635tWNQZNph8A9AoO_3ET7JdOxeYgMim1fnfCBFgLB5sKUG_6-o3S2UjUVftq5XzlDJvkFQUinUmGKyIB8wTLfkoqdTb82G3mcERHPzkK79c79Vatu39CAaepqf9Qqx4R77ErFSxG-aG2ncaLf_YprV_kg4jjyJCfaI5Wg6B0FVCGHcwYiaLPEwwd/w320-h400/202212%20BayLife%20Gods%20Compassion%20Never%20Falters%20or%20Fails.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></span><br />dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-26507111471133172962024-03-02T15:38:00.000-08:002024-03-02T15:38:35.255-08:00FWB Chamber Honors the Horse Soldiers of ODA 595<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-size: x-large;">"FWB Chamber Honors the Horse Soldiers of ODA 595"</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">December 2022--Article 37 (2022-12-037)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl6mq9oKpZbM2bufWM03GHqM52QprxOtygbmiL_HuGagb7qJCoIE4yaL8szmSVLX6f1gHsdk6AQF5yql2GulAFOcoY1Q08SHSFhr5xQ75Rd-N4Zo40cCtxMHdwkUoimuCLrP_-U-FC4TYRcPLQH83v7L_p4I4f0dc1GM1hHCSYce5rAGxD5519U9F5-KS/s3006/ODA%20595.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1715" data-original-width="3006" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl6mq9oKpZbM2bufWM03GHqM52QprxOtygbmiL_HuGagb7qJCoIE4yaL8szmSVLX6f1gHsdk6AQF5yql2GulAFOcoY1Q08SHSFhr5xQ75Rd-N4Zo40cCtxMHdwkUoimuCLrP_-U-FC4TYRcPLQH83v7L_p4I4f0dc1GM1hHCSYce5rAGxD5519U9F5-KS/w400-h229/ODA%20595.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt -0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ment</span></p>
<p class="gntarbp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 10.5pt 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #303030;">(Picture is ODA 595 and they let me jump in the middle with them)</span></p><p class="gntarbp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 10.5pt 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #303030;">September 11<sup>th</sup>, 2001: the first enemy attack upon
American soil since Pearl Harbor. World attention immediately focused on the innocent
victims of the attack and the first responders who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Until recently, another heroic part of the story remained classified and hidden
from public view. The release of a Warner Bros. movie called “12 Strong” gave
the world a glimpse into the Secret missions that took place in the aftermath
of 9/11. The film depicts the true story of the retaliatory attack by the first
Special Forces soldiers entering Afghanistan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gntarbp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 10.5pt 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #303030;">These soldiers were tasked with a broad
mission: defeat the Taliban; eliminate the terrorist </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #303030;">haven in Afghanistan. The
Special Forces team chosen to lead the offensive was the Operational
Detachment-Alpha 595 (ODA 595). The mission, expected to take several years,
toppled the Taliban in just a matter of months. ODA 595 led an unconventional
warfare campaign by partnering with indigenous forces to topple the terrorist-supporting
Afghan government. The Western media appropriately labeled ODA 595 “The Horse
Soldiers.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="gntarbp" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 10.5pt 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #303030;">The Greater FWB Chamber of Commerce, with Ted Corcoran at the
helm, celebrated history by making history. The Ft. Walton Beach gathering was
the first time the Horse Soldiers reunited. Remarkable as that is, the Chamber
is the only organization in the world to host the FINAL Reunion of the
Doolittle Raiders in 2013 and the FIRST reunion of the ODA 595 Horse Soldiers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="pf1" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #303030;">Backstory: conflicts have raged in
Afghanistan for more than 100 years. Ethnic factions have been continuously at
war. The ODA 595 operation was aptly described as a 19th Century Afghan military
using horse cavalry with 20th Century weapons systems. When ODA 595 arrived, it
added 21st-century technology and the might of the most powerful nation to eradicate the threat. The mission brought <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">devastating air power </span>with the full force of the United States military’s
advanced weapon systems. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e;">The mission of ODA 595 was not accomplished
with tanks or mechanized vehicles, but horseback with only one man experienced
with horses. Horseback riding lessons started as the men traveled through
the treacherous terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="pf1" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #303030;">ODA 595 was inserted about 100
miles from Mazar-i-Sharif, which linked up with ethnic Uzbek fighters under General
Abdul Rashid Dostum. They </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #303030;">had to earn Dostum’s trust and help him capture Mazar-i-Sharif,
opening a beachhead into the rest of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 12pt;">Ted Corcoran stated that the FWB Chamber is no
stranger to honoring our brave military heroes. Earlier this year, the Chamber
held the Final Goblet Ceremony honoring the Doolittle Raiders. Just like the
goblets for the Raiders, the Horse Soldiers will have silver canteen cups, the
Army equivalent of goblets. The Chamber commissioned these mementos with the local business community's support, which were unveiled at the banquet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 12pt;">“The United States of America has been attacked
twice,” said Ted Corcoran, President/CEO of Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber
of Commerce, “Pearl Harbor, with the first group to retaliate being The
Doolittle Raiders. September 11, 2001, with ODA 595 being the first in
Afghanistan to defend OUR Country. Brave Bombers. Heroic Horsemen.” </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 12pt;">The Green Berets advised Afghan commanders for
two months and directed a massive air campaign to rout the Taliban from power. This
retaliatory mission is considered modern history's most successful unconventional warfare campaign. It is hard to describe what it was like to meet ten
soldiers together in the room.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">New York City erected a
statue near Ground Zero. It depicts a Special Forces soldier on horseback honoring
the special operations teams who headed into Afghanistan in the weeks following
the 9/11 attacks. Now America has the Silver Canteen memorabilia to serve as a
reminder, never to be forgotten. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is only the beginning of a historic story
yet to be finished. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Dec.pdf" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"> (page 1,2,6)</span></span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-12387997505788569552024-03-02T07:07:00.000-08:002024-03-02T07:07:33.233-08:00"Only in America"--The Story of Dr. Paul Hsu<p><b style="color: #333333; font-size: x-large;">"Only in America"--the Story of Dr. Paul Hsu</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">November 2022--Article 36 (2022-11-036)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56haa8GUDpoltjk4NX1X0p295OalOaE6RqxTAvQ-Dm8RdBBhWQPojRfkjaEm9kO5PBVU9C2fWJyBqjAT-s5dzGod22KpMfaKwED3xZO1rT0aN4vZ7gyeW4XgUk57E9bMSdMD1my-y0Yram4ormsyarjXaoEj5WeMnrBRTd3gfSdHAghO_pjSGP6vtTBEz/s6240/Republican_Club_Sept2022_74%20Dr%20Hsu%20closeup.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56haa8GUDpoltjk4NX1X0p295OalOaE6RqxTAvQ-Dm8RdBBhWQPojRfkjaEm9kO5PBVU9C2fWJyBqjAT-s5dzGod22KpMfaKwED3xZO1rT0aN4vZ7gyeW4XgUk57E9bMSdMD1my-y0Yram4ormsyarjXaoEj5WeMnrBRTd3gfSdHAghO_pjSGP6vtTBEz/w400-h266/Republican_Club_Sept2022_74%20Dr%20Hsu%20closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt -0.5in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt;">Ment</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mentor, Tech Entrepreneur, Presidential Appointee,
Philanthropist, Visionary and Author. Dr. Paul Hsu is a man that will inspire you
to have a renewed belief in America’s future. Listen to him speak or read his
book if you want to find out how visionaries invest in the future—the next
generation needs people like Dr. Hsu. Listening to him tell his American
journey is riveting and inspiring, a story of American exceptionalism. He
believes that as a first generation immigrant to this country, he became a shepherd
of the American Dream. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dr. Hsu was the September RCOC speaker at the Fort Walton Yacht
Club. Everyone in the audience was treated to two free books, including his
book, “Guardians of the Dream.” Dr. Hsu is a busy man with family commitments
but adheres to the principles he preaches. After a last-minute cancellation, I
needed a speaker, but I knew Dr. Hsu was still in California, as he had been for
several months. When I called him, I was surprised to find out he was returning
a few days before our meeting. He graciously agreed to become our speaker and did
not disappoint his audience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dr. Hsu believes in building relationships and cultivated many
on this night. Relationship building is one of the principles that made him a
successful entrepreneur and person. In business, he connected the dots that did
not exist because he was courageous enough never to give up. He did not seek to
get rich but sought to create from his heart. He believes that immigrants are
successful because they are generally hungrier and greater risk-takers, having
overcome hardship, rejection, and setbacks. Their unique stressors make them
stronger and more adept at accepting and thriving through adversity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Entrepreneurs have exceptional confidence and strong self-esteem
and are visionaries with courage springing from the heart. One of his mentors’
advice was to ensure that people can like you because you are likeable. He
cares about others. The Bible offers the same advice, “A man that hath friends
must shew himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24a). Dr. Hsu is an optimist that
recognizes the highly addictive nature of the entrepreneurial spirit in his
blood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Even amongst the economic instability in a polarized society, he
believes that an argument needs to be made for optimism. His story provides hope
for parents of wayward children. Dr. Hsu grew up not liking being told what to
do and hating school; he became defiant. His mom inspired him by telling him always
to be able to look into the mirror with no regrets, a bit of advice that I
regularly repeat when trying to inspire others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He especially liked a quote from Ronald Reagan concerning
immigration that went something like this. People who go to live in France
don’t become Frenchmen. Those who go to live in Germany or Italy can’t become
German or Italian. Yet, Reagan pointed out that anyone from any corner of the
world can come to live in the United States and become an American. This fact is
true from America’s origins because this country was created as an immigrant
nation. Dr. Hsu believes that immigrants need to assimilate. He does not think
of himself as a Chinese-American but simply as an American. He believes in the
ability to dream big and follow through with the determination to reach your
dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">America remains the most welcoming place for legal immigrants. America
is the only country where an immigrant can be embraced as an insider. This
unique aspect is not found in any other country. He believes in America’s five
core values of freedom, ingenuity, integrity, opportunity and inclusion,
elements lacking in most other countries. Most countries have widespread
bribery as just another aspect of doing business. America has an infrastructure
built around fair play and ethics based on the rule of law and common decency. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Americans with ingrained negativity toward America are likely
taking too much for granted. Dr. Hsu started his first business in his garage. American
children must get interested in math again. He believed he really needed to do
something about solving the problem by inspiring youth to consider engineering
degrees. He believes Artificial Intelligence (AI) will dominate the next ten
years. Robots will take 80% of the workload. 3D printing will dominate
manufacturing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Amanda
Negron, Executive director at HSU Educational Foundation, discussed the
foundation for the last half of the meeting. The mission of the HSU Educational
Foundation is to encourage excellence in teaching and inspire innovation in the
classroom. She said she believes in this community and the education given to
our children. “If you like what we are doing, roll up your sleeves. We create
space and get out of the way.” A foundation principle involves growing up
future talent and filling the void where needed. They do this through the STEM
workforce program—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs
raise interest and inspire students to prepare for careers of future
demand. Check things out at <a href="http://www.hsu-foundation.org/">www.hsu-foundation.org</a>.
It may surprise you what is happening here in Okaloosa County, and it will undoubtedly
inspire you and give you hope for future generations. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 6pt 0in 6pt 9pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Pictures from the Okaloosa County Republican Club: </span></span></p><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8M_SZGmEe5PMmNO8aGkyLjaOwWyGbJknIGwBh4-WWOwZcgrqSFZ6IdcEtz1S8rqnyKPUWvYJ4k43NU44juDGyqabz7yhiuEvxCKq9eisMjYHcI67yQ3CNG02KpZeB4_zXG3E-BmmFqJA17ZlGVHH4CF9Ypha80TrWrirDiWTiPcXqxdl-aJijPRFQ4w4/s6240/Republican_Club_Sept2022_99%20Dr%20Hsu%20Doug%20Guardian%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8M_SZGmEe5PMmNO8aGkyLjaOwWyGbJknIGwBh4-WWOwZcgrqSFZ6IdcEtz1S8rqnyKPUWvYJ4k43NU44juDGyqabz7yhiuEvxCKq9eisMjYHcI67yQ3CNG02KpZeB4_zXG3E-BmmFqJA17ZlGVHH4CF9Ypha80TrWrirDiWTiPcXqxdl-aJijPRFQ4w4/s320/Republican_Club_Sept2022_99%20Dr%20Hsu%20Doug%20Guardian%20book.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickymqm5ZL9Akh6D_OsRznXcVqAHtsMYj7fXLawgDCsfrKaNtsIOKeOOMQ4Ii84zKJ_ycHj_IIew-NVV6V94g6-1o7ZEzND0m2kieU5IoHJ09SGlD1OwN281l_CJ4pZHuSgQqPa0_v-_rCE16Ibv-h5nLTp9m3_isPwBNRAzzvmRMbHl1cO2Bqd98jdrfh/s6240/Republican_Club_Sept2022_98%20Dr%20Hsu%20Maggie%20posed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickymqm5ZL9Akh6D_OsRznXcVqAHtsMYj7fXLawgDCsfrKaNtsIOKeOOMQ4Ii84zKJ_ycHj_IIew-NVV6V94g6-1o7ZEzND0m2kieU5IoHJ09SGlD1OwN281l_CJ4pZHuSgQqPa0_v-_rCE16Ibv-h5nLTp9m3_isPwBNRAzzvmRMbHl1cO2Bqd98jdrfh/s320/Republican_Club_Sept2022_98%20Dr%20Hsu%20Maggie%20posed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Klfc_bvSjuav1xWqCouTLJmhDzq-mlle8WXjGCydh_WPa3ky_1VcKULF014PrIj7R1jhblPugqloPLz4HT1tdxTl9Blv6wDWWyqF1Go8-EpVKiwEU_pQiz0xMuxbclli2_lpthsmzw-n-7tPXyC7Tvj8hw6sRAImoPOIRVlox8RU4p51cKmax-CDGIn2/s6240/Republican_Club_Sept2022_95%20Birthday%20winner%20Krajeck%20Beth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Klfc_bvSjuav1xWqCouTLJmhDzq-mlle8WXjGCydh_WPa3ky_1VcKULF014PrIj7R1jhblPugqloPLz4HT1tdxTl9Blv6wDWWyqF1Go8-EpVKiwEU_pQiz0xMuxbclli2_lpthsmzw-n-7tPXyC7Tvj8hw6sRAImoPOIRVlox8RU4p51cKmax-CDGIn2/s320/Republican_Club_Sept2022_95%20Birthday%20winner%20Krajeck%20Beth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooZ7gYnC2IrG9xn95uiptIhzI1eWxhbNZwp2KZwngU7E1HubbhTeAmQR1IpjIUlYc9KEGQ8nMrQgV9w2_2FFdXLNHlD59S4feT2aUo8qZbyVaRRCa_oxukukg7M8wBmF0bzPAQCAhyFeDeyp_KqT97zZZJWKZqDXHInvewgHAOSS4p4GBlYghw05M7Hw5/s6054/Republican_Club_Sept2022_90%20Elephant%20thumbs%20up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4036" data-original-width="6054" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooZ7gYnC2IrG9xn95uiptIhzI1eWxhbNZwp2KZwngU7E1HubbhTeAmQR1IpjIUlYc9KEGQ8nMrQgV9w2_2FFdXLNHlD59S4feT2aUo8qZbyVaRRCa_oxukukg7M8wBmF0bzPAQCAhyFeDeyp_KqT97zZZJWKZqDXHInvewgHAOSS4p4GBlYghw05M7Hw5/s320/Republican_Club_Sept2022_90%20Elephant%20thumbs%20up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_ayVemOiKvtB0rpL4c4LiPnm1mfpUdcAZFkfyruwkJPmSyebydoMcWIMnxHOi5heM9HmuU7zPD4VywN5X-Xhh-8j8St0Zoq3bzy7PuxOEKQGPGENGlclvt6h0zK_1LKTAYcnGhDCAZW47UhdwP4N5MYOo-tlM9ua1zXSU_mywTAC18yCW5ZqTLnyB-Sb/s320/Republican_Club_Sept2022_40%20Dr%20Hsu%20and%20Maggie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 3)</span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-17425945633251596332024-03-01T10:17:00.000-08:002024-03-01T10:17:59.815-08:00I Am the Real Forrest Gump<p style="text-align: left;"> <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><b>I Am the Real Forrest Gump</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">November 2022--Article 35 (2022-11-035)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs6diQ4PUHULwCphvwGTi7JiL5RNUl1g1llFfB86iWX4cUTp1NvMCZYPXTiHhYsmC9_Yz2qedyhpQX87BJLsOESC_DQIDO_aVBaKRp5JSmTYYPeHtENuhnGShBhE8l6azXtiSI_DoiPNHtni00HeJCTPEUYjVk-ZBK33A0OnxcLfY9Dk0hNSL-XW2UWOl/s1280/Sammy%20Davis%20Doug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1280" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs6diQ4PUHULwCphvwGTi7JiL5RNUl1g1llFfB86iWX4cUTp1NvMCZYPXTiHhYsmC9_Yz2qedyhpQX87BJLsOESC_DQIDO_aVBaKRp5JSmTYYPeHtENuhnGShBhE8l6azXtiSI_DoiPNHtni00HeJCTPEUYjVk-ZBK33A0OnxcLfY9Dk0hNSL-XW2UWOl/w400-h336/Sammy%20Davis%20Doug.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt;">“You
don’t lose until you quit trying!”—an oft-repeated quote from Sammy Davis. You
might recognize that name, but this Sammy is not an entertainer but a Vietnam War American hero.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love to
meet inspiring people, but there is always more to the story. These two
interrelated stories involve sacrifice, service, honor and selflessness! They illustrate
how catastrophic events produce future opportunities—both inspired by and
through love. Some events in life are extraordinary; for me, they mainly
involve my interactions with genuinely amazing people. We should never take for
granted the wonderful people who cross our paths. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brian
and Kathy Haugen asked Sammy Davis to be the keynote speaker in a fundraiser
for the Taylor Haugen Foundation. Before that event, I was blessed to attend a
private luncheon with Sammy and Dixie Davis, General (Representative) Patt
Maney, Colonel Jason Grandy and Colonel Brian Haugen. Yes, the conversation was
indescribable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
1965, after high school graduation, Sammy L. Davis enlisted in the Army and
volunteered to go to Vietnam. Because his father had been an artilleryman in
World War II, he volunteered for the same and was assigned to the 4th
Artillery. Davis said he did not go to war to kill people but wanted his dad to
be proud of him. He went to war because he loved his daddy, his grandpas, and
his country. Once there, they fought because they discovered they loved their
comrades in arms—they became brothers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
United States was directly involved in V<br />ietnam from 1965 to 1973, with
over two million Americans serving in uniform, including my father. I have met
several Medal of Honor recipients, including Gary Beikirch and Woody Williams.
This story is about Sergeant First Class (SFC) Sammy L. Davis, another Medal of
Honor recipient. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A handful
of those two million servicemen distinguished themselves with acts of valor.
Their actions were considered so far above and beyond the call of duty that
they received the highest military honor for valor in combat—the Congressional Medal
of Honor. Only 248 Vietnam soldiers were presented with the medal, making it a
highly exclusive award. Sergeant First Class Sammy L. Davis was one of those 248.
Over one-half of the medals were awarded posthumously.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because
Sammy Davis shared a name with the famous entertainer, his fellow soldiers sometimes
chided him. Many years after his time in the Army, he would again be attached
to another entertainer—Tom Hanks (or Forrest Gump). Those familiar with the
story of Sammy Davis knew he was the “real” Forrest Gump Medal of Honor
recipient portrayed in the movie. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Early
on November 18, 1967, his unit was helicoptered into an area west of Cai Lay in
the Mekong Delta to set up a forward fire-support base---Firebase Cudgel—offering
support for the infantrymen operating in the area. Battery C consisted of 11
guns and 42 men. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The following
day, at precisely 2 AM, Battery C came under heavy mortar attack. Thirty
minutes later, a reinforced battalion, estimated at 1,500 Vietcong soldiers,
launched an intense ground assault. Fortunately, a river separating the two
forces helped hamper the enemy’s advance. Davis’ squad operated a 105mm Howitzer
that fired shells containing eighteen thousand metal flechettes. A “beehive”
round turns the Howitzer shells into a shotgun blast. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An
enemy rocket-propelled grenade scored a direct hit on the howitzer, knocking
the crew from the weapon, blowing Davis sideways into a foxhole, and knocking
him unconscious. He was later struck by friendly fire, which caused him to
regain consciousness, and Davis credits this hit with saving his life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over 30
razor-sharp one-inch beehive darts passed through his buttocks. Thus, the
Forrest Gump story had an aspect of truth but took on a life of its own. Tom
Hanks was superimposed over Davis’ head in the footage of President Johnson
presenting Davis with the Medal of Honor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Convinced
that the heavily outnumbered Americans couldn’t survive the attack, Davis fired
off at least one round from the damaged artillery piece before being overrun.
He struggled to his feet, rammed a shell into the gun, and fired point-blank at
the Vietcong advancing five deep directly in front of the weapon; the beehive
round cut them down. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">His
wounds included a perforated kidney, crushed ribs, a broken vertebra, ripped
flesh from the beehive darts and burns all over his body. He ignored his
injuries and crossed the river under heavy fire to rescue three wounded
American soldiers. He kept fighting the enemy until they retreated. Only 12 of
the 42 soldiers survived that battle. His book, “You Don’t Lose Until You Quit
Trying,” chronicles his life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later
in the day, Davis was shot in the thigh by an enemy AK-47, earning his second Purple Heart. As amazing as this story was to hear, the love story with his
wife chronicled in her book, “Endless Love and Second Chances,” reveals the
impact they are making in the lives of others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
parents of Taylor Haugen displayed the second illustration of turning
catastrophic incidents into future opportunities. After suffering a ruptured
liver, their son died in a Niceville football game in 2008, and Taylor’s
parents have used that tragedy to touch countless lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They
have honored their son’s memory by starting the Taylor Haugen Foundation. The
Haugens devote their lives to protecting other young athletes by outfitting
them with Evoshield rib protectors. The custom-molded compression shirts shield
the torso from impact, the same impact that took their son’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
foundation also awards scholarships, enabling many graduating athletes to
pursue their college ambitions. Much more could be (and should be) said about
the Haugens, but that is for another day and another story. Find out much more
about this story at www.TaylorHaugen.org.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBl8a4wJthBBjE_e5USfkRjSgyyT1ViCx58XEwG0lu9wv9m4aw6R0sTtfU751F3IeTRZf_e7uoO_iGuYATkmo8tOd8Gn-kjtLrQm4w836NmkoCZMWDoeDkbos2BVVQ9T5-e5foWNvTz99G0-sEsUr9besIQ3EosmN2_sTim-HirbQ-erqSCYMfhVZ9LCs/s1962/Sammy%20Davis%20group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1962" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBl8a4wJthBBjE_e5USfkRjSgyyT1ViCx58XEwG0lu9wv9m4aw6R0sTtfU751F3IeTRZf_e7uoO_iGuYATkmo8tOd8Gn-kjtLrQm4w836NmkoCZMWDoeDkbos2BVVQ9T5-e5foWNvTz99G0-sEsUr9besIQ3EosmN2_sTim-HirbQ-erqSCYMfhVZ9LCs/w400-h216/Sammy%20Davis%20group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #292b2c; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 9, 17 West)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a> Page 9</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf">Continued article</a> Page 17</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-40429982459530371542024-02-29T10:40:00.000-08:002024-02-29T13:00:56.569-08:00Pastor's Ponderings: When the Ends Justify the Means (Part 2)<p> <b style="color: #333333; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the Ends Justify the Means</span></b></p><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">November 2022--Article 33 (2023-11-033)</div><div style="color: #333333; text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYr1PWKUV-qqdBfHwwAU84R8H9FrqHPQTGqUONKYWLlAsP0Iyg6GGf90nGSnkdNz4b54BDhYTi7R7C2Akrd_IsfRWYIgICsyiMD7QZkPCs5wPtJayK18a4EJUb1i-upg-NNvSnxincdDDHUSmxPenWcvwDyS5U9Kbtc21aW3V857Y3vZpSeLJrA-Qrrgo/s1262/202211%20Baylife%20When%20Ends%20Justify%20Means%20page.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1058" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYr1PWKUV-qqdBfHwwAU84R8H9FrqHPQTGqUONKYWLlAsP0Iyg6GGf90nGSnkdNz4b54BDhYTi7R7C2Akrd_IsfRWYIgICsyiMD7QZkPCs5wPtJayK18a4EJUb1i-upg-NNvSnxincdDDHUSmxPenWcvwDyS5U9Kbtc21aW3V857Y3vZpSeLJrA-Qrrgo/w335-h400/202211%20Baylife%20When%20Ends%20Justify%20Means%20page.png" width="335" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">Read <a href="http://www.dougstauffer.com/2023/07/a-pastors-ponderings-do-ends-justify.html" target="_blank">Part 1 of "When the Ends Justify the Means"</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #09202f; line-height: 107%;">I cannot count the number of
times I have cautioned people to check their motives. Why do you do what you
do? The “ends justifying the means” usually involves doing something questionable
to achieve a positive outcome. Those who justify wrongdoing by pointing to the positive
good believe in situational ethics. </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Societal norms continue
shifting further away from holiness and godliness; thus, societies are drifting
far from the Creator and His intended purposes and will. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">People often say you don’t question results, but God always
questions them. Human beings may not be bothered by how results are achieved,
but God cares. He objects to the methods when the processes fail to uphold
biblical principles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">God’s attributes are many but summarized as holy, just, and
good. In turn, His followers are called to be holy in our conduct, thus reflecting
His true character. Peter offers the world God’s true standard. “But as he
which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Bible
commands Christians to be holy because our Maker and Redeemer is holy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We can rationalize any action with a strong enough
motivation. God doesn’t just want us to make “good” decisions in a vacuum. He
wants us to be led by Him as we make those decisions. When we are not actively
seeking His counsel, terrible choices will follow. Society’s greatest “genius”
sometimes revolves around justifying bad behavior. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The ends don’t justify the means when we rely on anything other
than God for our victories. A case in point: King Asa. This king displayed fantastic
leadership skills by saving his people from the enemy. By anyone’s standard
other than God’s, Asa did an excellent thing, but the ends do not justify the
means. Here is a synopsis of the story: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When King Baasha of Israel, a neighbour, came against
Judah, Asa entered into a military alliance with Syria. Syria was a military
power, so a military alliance seemed wise and prudent, but not to God (2
Chronicles 16:2-6). God disapproved of his method. Although the treaty
worked and Syria successfully helped Judah against Israel, God pointed out
that Asa had done foolishly. The rest of his reign would find no time of peace
because he had acted foolishly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is
perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth
thou shalt have wars” (2 Chronicles 16:9).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Asa used Benhadad, king of Syria, in place of God’s
protection. Early in his reign, he had trusted God against the army of
Zerah, the Ethiopian. Statistically, Judah was no match for the Ethiopians. The
Ethiopians came against Judah with an army of one million men and three hundred
chariots (2 Chronicles 14:8-15). Yet, Asa’s army of 580,000 men routed an army almost
twice their size. Why? Because that time, Asa trusted God and cried to Him,
knowing that it is within God’s power to help those with no power. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Ethiopians were superior. King Asa of Judah admitted as
much. He trusted God and went in His name against the Ethiopians, a superior
army. God won the battle against the Ethiopians; the powerful fled before the
weak, and the weak pursued the powerful. God gave the victory to Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In Asa’s thirty-sixth
year on the throne, he was now much more proficient in the art of governing.
His experience produced in him the confidence to trust in man and self. He decided
to replace his trust in God with trust in a powerful man. Asa should have known
better, and God judged him for allowing the ends to justify the means. Leaders today
need to be like Jeremiah, who said that the Lord was his strength, fortress,
and refuge (Jeremiah 16:19a). Motives are important, so always ask yourself,
“Why am I doing what I am doing?”</span></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 27 West)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div></div></div>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-41453876145953644892023-07-30T14:55:00.003-07:002023-07-30T14:55:44.406-07:00Florida Recognizes Niceville's Rich History<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Florida Recognizes Niceville's Rich History</span></b></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">November 2022--Article 32 (2022-11-032)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHecRAwbKTy_wrQkpDiTC3c2MVPTihrRF3zzF9kX9hTArinQnmn21HnsImlghzAWTL7sGDadJj1Yca9T3YvbTngrmBOdNMH2EqAxR0ahTZjFzE37QPVisaiECY5ASVanoJd1zxC29eYkqPR1gaT5KTFpwylCBdqRvMn3ECOOuIcfqkB28n-cdFo42kkpOd/s1008/20221115%20Florida%20Recognizes%20Nicevilles%20Rich%20History.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1008" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHecRAwbKTy_wrQkpDiTC3c2MVPTihrRF3zzF9kX9hTArinQnmn21HnsImlghzAWTL7sGDadJj1Yca9T3YvbTngrmBOdNMH2EqAxR0ahTZjFzE37QPVisaiECY5ASVanoJd1zxC29eYkqPR1gaT5KTFpwylCBdqRvMn3ECOOuIcfqkB28n-cdFo42kkpOd/w400-h245/20221115%20Florida%20Recognizes%20Nicevilles%20Rich%20History.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-align: justify;">The City of Niceville celebrated the
community’s rich history with the unveiling of three Florida
historical heritage markers.The dedication and unveiling took place at Lions
Park in Niceville on October 6, 2022. State Representative Patt Maney was
the keynote speaker.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The event was moderated by Niceville Councilwoman Cathy Alley with
Mayor Dan Henkel offering the opening remarks. Niceville Police Department
Chaplain, Doug Stauffer offered the invocation. The presentation of the colors
was performed by the junior ROTC followed by the national anthem by Opus One from
Niceville High School. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The three current markers are the “Old Maritime City” marker,
the Boggy Mill Company Site marker, and the Niceville Fire
1934 marker. The attractive, informative signs are located at three
locations on historic Bayshore Drive. The stories cover the places and people
who created the Niceville community. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The project has been in the making for years. The Old Maritime
City marker is located at the Niceville Landing (old fish company site), the
Boggy Mill marker at Lions Park (part of the old mill site), and the Niceville
Fire 1934 marker is near Katie’s House of Flowers (the site of the fire).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Niceville Historian, Elisa Mitchiner, said the Old
Maritime City marker depicts that all commerce in the area was by water
until the advent of the automobile. Products from local sawmills, shingle mills
and turpentine stills were transported across Choctawhatchee Bay to Pensacola. In
1911, the steamer Belle sank with the loss of four lives including local Capt.
Noah Edward Burlison. The Niceville Fish Company operated by Claude Meigs and
the Spence Brothers Fish Company were the leading commercial fishing industries
of the Choctawhatchee Bay region maintaining fish warehouses and fleets of
boats.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The <i>Boggy Mill Company Site </i>marker highlights
the timber and lumber industry during the early 1900’s. The complex consisted
of 40 acres, one of the largest lumber-mills operating in the area in the early
1900’s.<br />
<br />
The <i>Niceville Fire 1934</i> marker tells of the fire that
destroyed three grocery stores, a dry goods store, creamery, post office
building, hotel, drug store and fish warehouses, estimated at $100,000 (worth
$2,000,000 in 2021). There was no running water with which to combat the flames
and it appeared for a time that the town would be completely destroyed until
the forest firefighters and CCC workers took charge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The historic markers are part of the state’s historical markers
program. Mitchiner said, The text for the markers is based on warranty deeds
and period newspaper accounts. Currently, there are seven markers in Okaloosa
County with three of those now located in Niceville. Check out the Niceville
history website at www.</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://boggyflorida.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">boggyflorida.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 13 West)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Nov.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-15200510373437332952023-07-29T19:08:00.003-07:002023-07-29T19:08:50.743-07:00A Pastor's Ponderings: Do the Ends Justify the Means?<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">A Pastor's Ponderings: Do the Ends Justify the Means?</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">October 2022--Article 32 (2022-10-032)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1lOMFMtpLf3-JMdC99NXWmiudRjGkpsCZ-16LgIzNIlZHAGpIFwFaHNs86OH1Ww9h21Iho8XJIgZJr_Q07foEhMf_zv901GT9T1qB-ltKcTVijn-XSNJoSRTzXByH3ubugp9zRuynkEBOAGSLJX_NtnboKihb998V8GFaxRJP7HRy48uA77aLeZ8NDdW/s1056/20221015%20Do%20the%20Ends%20Always%20Justify%20the%20Means%20pt%201%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1056" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1lOMFMtpLf3-JMdC99NXWmiudRjGkpsCZ-16LgIzNIlZHAGpIFwFaHNs86OH1Ww9h21Iho8XJIgZJr_Q07foEhMf_zv901GT9T1qB-ltKcTVijn-XSNJoSRTzXByH3ubugp9zRuynkEBOAGSLJX_NtnboKihb998V8GFaxRJP7HRy48uA77aLeZ8NDdW/w400-h376/20221015%20Do%20the%20Ends%20Always%20Justify%20the%20Means%20pt%201%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal">The “ends” in this cliché represent a good outcome, while
the “means” refer to the method or actions used to achieve the desired result.
When a person says, “the ends justify the means,” this implies that a noble
enough outcome justifies whatever measures taken to achieve the objective. The
Bible teaches the exact opposite approach. For instance, the Apostle Paul
vehemently denied following this godless way of thinking. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">“And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as
some affirm that we say,) let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation
is just.” (Romans 3:8). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Paul never encouraged anyone to do wrong so long as good followed.
Godly decisions are determined by what we do and how we do it. Does God care
only about what we accomplish for him, not how we achieve it, or do the means
and the outcome concern him? God doesn’t just want us to achieve a good outcome
regardless of cost. He wants us to bring glory to him in how that good
materializes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">When we strategize independently of God, we rob him of his
rightful place. Interestingly, God may lead us to do the very thing we were
going to do on our own, but when we do it without God’s leading, our
self-reliance becomes sinful. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It is essential to recognize that achieving a good idea is
not necessarily God’s design. The path God desires for each person to take is
the path where he is the pilot. God’s work must be done God’s way. Dr. Bob
Jones, Sr., once famously said, “It is never right to do wrong in order to get
a chance to do right.” Oh, if this could be the world’s mantra or, at a
minimum, the church’s protocol. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Two biblical points encapsulate these truths:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">(1) God rewards only those who endeavor to live, work and
function biblically. “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not
crowned, except he strive lawfully” (2 Timothy 2:5). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">(2) God expects us to keep our passions under control so
that all the good we have does not end up being for nothing. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:
lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">History reveals some horrid examples of things done in the
name of God and religion. The means used to bring about religion’s goal of
converting others to their way of thinking at all costs has no basis in
scripture and no place in societies. Some religions have lied, cheated and even
killed to accomplish their goal of converting people. Just like God never
sanctioned this behavior in the religious sphere, He never approves this
methodology in our everyday lives. Small immoralities are wrong even when used
to achieve larger moralities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The problem with the “ends justify the means” philosophy is
that it puts the standards of morality into the hands of human beings and makes
right and wrong subjective based on outcomes. The Bible warns against this
repeatedly: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). <o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">The ends-justify-the-means philosophy offers an excuse to do
something we know is wrong when we view good outcomes as the pinnacle of
success. Yet, true success must never be measured by results alone. Let each
person endeavor to do right and live right so we may ask God’s blessing upon
our every undertaking. <o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23; line-height: 17.12px; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span>Read the article</span> </a></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a></span><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank"> </a>(page 28)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-65507287639234152692023-05-19T03:10:00.000-07:002023-05-19T03:10:24.639-07:00Hero and True American Patriot: Rear Admiral Philip Dur<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Hero and True American Patriot: Rear Admiral Philip Dur</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">October 2022--Article 31 (2022-10-031)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaId76UpzU5x3s4dI8vn6ydhyPgBWaCXOZhkDebNDSjsDU8HgkAoVxj9JkLgkhczUm7aGUvedVgni60-4M7EBMldjnHAFeUL6R-DqgDhcqAGuNFgq_PGvy4-dUlSy0aVHTFpdtaxOddZ9b5Y_liWsppcCSgxuaYH2L8HK76kwFaNPUZSXELgIbnKBO5A/s1026/20221015%20Hero%20and%20True%20American%20Patriot%20Dur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1026" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaId76UpzU5x3s4dI8vn6ydhyPgBWaCXOZhkDebNDSjsDU8HgkAoVxj9JkLgkhczUm7aGUvedVgni60-4M7EBMldjnHAFeUL6R-DqgDhcqAGuNFgq_PGvy4-dUlSy0aVHTFpdtaxOddZ9b5Y_liWsppcCSgxuaYH2L8HK76kwFaNPUZSXELgIbnKBO5A/w400-h280/20221015%20Hero%20and%20True%20American%20Patriot%20Dur.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Rear Admiral (RADM, 2-star)
Philip Dur was this month's speaker at The Ft Walton Yacht Club. Members and
guests of the Okaloosa County Republican Club sat enthralled by his speech and the
depth of knowledge which covered a wide range of historical subjects and contemporary
insights. He mentioned feeling at home among a group of like-minded patriotic Americans.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0f1111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">He applauded all those who served
during the Cold War (1945–1991), the last war that America won. His speech was
peppered with insights into the past, but his primary focus was on the dangerous
future we face. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Philip<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>Dur<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>was<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>born<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>diplomat<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>spent<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>most of his early years overseas. He was
educated in the United States, earning undergraduate degrees in international
studies followed by a PhD from Harvard. As a </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">33-year-old commander
in the United States Navy, he briefed President Ronald Reagan every day for 30
minutes for months. He thought of the President as a genuine American, brave
with love for this country and its people that knew no bounds. He believes this
country needs such a leader with Reagan's stature to take us through the
troubled times ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He served our nation and the Navy for 30
years at the height of the Cold War and in its aftermath as the Navy struggled
to redefine itself in the post-Soviet era<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>world.<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>RADM<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>Dur's<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>career<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;">
</span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>surface<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>warfare<span style="letter-spacing: -.3pt;"> </span>officer—with<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> a </span>specialization in national policy—took him through a series
of exceptional assignments ashore and afloat, where he was both a witness to
history—and had a hand in shaping<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>its
course. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RADM Dur provided a front-row seat to some of
the pivotal events in our nation's history: from the Israeli attack on the USS
Liberty during the Arab-Israeli War in 1967 to the high-stakes diplomacy as an
advisor to President Ronald Reagan<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>during
the<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>Beirut Crisis of 1983. He was
also a participant in the last great act of the Cold War with the Black Sea
bumping incident between a Soviet frigate and the ship Dur was commanding—the
USS Yorktown. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As a Flag officer, he was the chief architect
of the Navy's strategy. Admiral Dur's story provides a concise description of
the Navy's role in the Cold War from the 1960s to its end with the fall of the
Soviet Union. His seat at the table during most of the critical events of that
period offers an insightful perspective of policy formation and execution. His
insights are vital to understanding<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>United<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>States<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>dealt<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>complex<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">
</span>issues<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>maintaining<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>fragile<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>peace<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Soviet
<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Union, which is again headline news.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RADM<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>Dur<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>is a highly decorated military officer, including
the Defense<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Distinguished<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>Service<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>Medal,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>Navy<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Distinguished<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Service<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>Medal,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>the Defense Superior
Service Medal and many others. <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Some people in
the audience are old enough to remember</span><span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>headlines<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>numerous<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>events<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Cold<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>War<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>era,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>but<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>Admiral
Dur offered us "The<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>Rest<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>of the Story." </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He
stressed understanding the importance of freedom of choice and limits of
government, and the limits of governance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He stressed that the most critical role of government is the
defence of the American people. It is a defence against foreign and internal
threats—crimes against persons and property rampant in this country today. It
is essential to focus on the uncertainty and dangerous future ahead. We live in
a far more dangerous situation than the one inherited at the end of World War II.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As someone completely unfamiliar with the workings of the
Navy, his commanding two great warships—a destroyer and a cruiser—was mind-boggling
and fascinating. His stories caused his audience to sit on the edge of their
seats, wanting more. His book “Between Land and Sea” is remarkable. A true
American hero that I am blessed to call a friend. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 6 East)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-62658556405902228692023-05-18T04:37:00.000-07:002023-05-18T04:37:54.738-07:00Okaloosa County Celebrates its Military Heroes in 75th AF Anniversary<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Okaloosa County Celebrates its Military Heroes in 75th AF Anniversary</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">October 2022--Article 30 (2022-10-030)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1zPGjRJeS18-7zHhQy9-SBAe2XU4EwibUo_mwAwOIAKotxoffWlGnKqc1-aZfKWGaD4BScv8l1MYg7NxtA-vOCOodw18MqfidJtFa90h98tAWr5Y3lMUWV4FLdukpE8aMysJi1nwHsMZ4lUSqgrRk1gGMW6Rab--PxuVllneec_kYP7WwaNrBJWE-Q/s1268/20221015%20Okaloosa%20County%20Celebrates%20its%20Military%20Heroes%20in%2075th%20AF%20Anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1052" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1zPGjRJeS18-7zHhQy9-SBAe2XU4EwibUo_mwAwOIAKotxoffWlGnKqc1-aZfKWGaD4BScv8l1MYg7NxtA-vOCOodw18MqfidJtFa90h98tAWr5Y3lMUWV4FLdukpE8aMysJi1nwHsMZ4lUSqgrRk1gGMW6Rab--PxuVllneec_kYP7WwaNrBJWE-Q/w331-h400/20221015%20Okaloosa%20County%20Celebrates%20its%20Military%20Heroes%20in%2075th%20AF%20Anniversary.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Okaloosa County gathered
together to celebrate the military: first with the U.S. Air Force’s 75th
Anniversary celebration, followed the next day with a salute to several veterans
inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame. The 75th Anniversary took
place at the Northwest Florida State College Mattie Kelly Arts Center in
Niceville. The Hall of Fame event took place at Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton
Beach.</span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Eglin Federal
Credit Union and the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted both
events. Boeing and Northwest Florida State College also sponsored the
75th-anniversary celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">75<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary Celebration<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Nine panelists
discussed the role played by the Air Force during major events in U.S. Military
history. Topics of discussion featured many first-hand accounts from people
involved in training for the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Operation Desert Storm, the
Iran Hostage Rescue Mission, Osama bin Laden Raid, Vietnam War, Korean War,
Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The 75th-anniversary
celebration included several special guests, including SEAC Ramón “CZ”
Colón-López, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, and Retired Capt. Dale Dye a decorated Vietnam War Marine. Dye is
the founder and head of Warriors, Inc., a technical advisory company
specializing in portraying realistic military action in Hollywood films. He has
offered his expertise to television shows such as the HBO miniseries “Band of
Brothers” and “The Pacific.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ted Corcoran,
president and CEO of the Greater FWB Chamber, stated, “It’s just amazing that
our neighbors and friends were involved in these crucial military operations
throughout the world.” Corcoran pointed out that the Air Force, and the
military as a whole, are just loved in Okaloosa County, and this event is a
special way to honor our brave men and women. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The panelists
included: Cindy Cole Chal, Col Howard Hill, Col Larry Ropka, Col Bill Keeler, Chief
Master Sergeant Bill Walter, Lt Col Kirby Locklear, Lt Col Corby Martin, Col
Allison Black and Lieutenant General Marshall “Brad” Webb. The riveting stories
brought the news headlines to life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><b><span style="color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Salute to the Veterans’ Hall
of Fame Inductees<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The state
established the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2013 to recognize and honor
military veterans who have made a significant contribution to Florida through
their years of service. Nine Okaloosa County veterans have been inducted since
2016. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Florida
Department of Veterans’ Affairs representative Bob Asztalos spoke about the
importance of the Veteran’s Hall of Fame. The chamber presented two plaques to
Okaloosa County Commissioner Trey Goodwin to display in the county’s two
courthouses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">“This is not to
recognize the veteran for their military service, it’s their post-military
service. It’s for what they did when they came back,” said Asztalos. “It’s
incredible to me how veterans will go off to war, will serve this county, will
do all of that, and then come back and continue to keep giving. And that is who
we are honoring tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 9.6pt;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Corcoran concluded
by saying, “the quiet professionals that we have here in the Air Force don’t
pat themselves on the back very often, and it’s our job to do that!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank"> </a>(page 23 East)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: center;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-43335782327276976992023-05-14T07:09:00.000-07:002023-05-14T07:09:09.376-07:00Governor Funds Future Trucking Needs<p><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Governor Funds Future Trucking Needs</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">October 2022--Article 29 (2022-10-029)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CBWPTlzwMKTrfPxj30QImcusLbZQRNeqxEzBljZQqxFaMRGAtUtQuH4MULXpVbWkTQI2Ln9xUTf8q583nppmETg8cJGFyQ-tyb9n7ijUCPkez3tnFrpR5laIQeablzuoZE6J1cCSa3MlFv-4OK0h7EGVxBRmjYT8xsOWxjwaVtcNGyeEZX-9v7QCAQ/s1259/20221015%20Governor%20Funds%20Future%20Trucking%20Needs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CBWPTlzwMKTrfPxj30QImcusLbZQRNeqxEzBljZQqxFaMRGAtUtQuH4MULXpVbWkTQI2Ln9xUTf8q583nppmETg8cJGFyQ-tyb9n7ijUCPkez3tnFrpR5laIQeablzuoZE6J1cCSa3MlFv-4OK0h7EGVxBRmjYT8xsOWxjwaVtcNGyeEZX-9v7QCAQ/w333-h400/20221015%20Governor%20Funds%20Future%20Trucking%20Needs.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was a pleasure to see Governor Ron DeSantis again in Niceville.
Dr. Devin Stephenson and Northwest Florida State College hosted the Governor
and his entourage for another significant announcement. The announcement
concerned another sizable expansion of Florida's Commercial Driver's License
(CDL) training. He also announced the creation of new opportunities for
apprenticeships in Florida. Governor DeSantis awarded $1.5 million to NWFSC to expand
the capacity of CDL training programs. These funds aim to enhance the existing
CDL driver training program at its Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs,
including the purchase of equipment, to potentially serve 250 students in the
program's first year!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">He also announced nearly $12 million to Florida school districts,
colleges, state universities, and private training entities to further support
the Governor's workforce development initiatives. These funds are intended to
start or expand registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs
throughout the state through the Florida Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant
(PCOG).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Governor pointed out, "In Florida, over the past three
years, we have made significant investments into workforce education, with an
emphasis on trucking and the entire transportation industry. With today's
announcements, we have now increased our CDL training capacity at state
institutions from less than 1,000 prior to 2019 to more than 3,500. These
investments are driving the growth of our rural communities and state as a
whole."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Manny Diaz, Jr., Commissioner of Education, expanded upon the
announcement,</span><span style="color: black;"> "We already know that a traditional university path is
not for every student. Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis, students
now have a variety of options to get on the road in a new career. With the
Governor's continued support, our state colleges are perfectly positioned to
meet industry demand and advance Florida's economic independence and
prosperity."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">DEO Secretary Dane Eagle remarked, </span><span style="color: black;">"The Florida
Department of Economic Opportunity is proud to support Governor DeSantis in his
ongoing commitment to investing in workforce development and training
initiatives in high-demand industries. Nearly everything we depend on in daily
life is made possible through the trucking industry, and these strategic
investments will positively impact hardworking Floridians, the trucking
industry, and the state's economy, while also ensuring that Florida is number
one in workforce development by 2030."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Michelle Dennard, CareerSource Florida President and CEO spoke
next: </span><span style="color: black;">"Florida is a critical link in our nation's supply chain, and
the demand is soaring for Commercial Driver's License holders. With the
leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and our education partners, the
CareerSource Florida network is honored to help connect Floridians with the
vital training needed for careers in transportation and logistics."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Michelle Burns, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Executive Director,
stated, </span><span style="color: black;">"Commercial vehicle drivers are a backbone of our economy and
crucial to our continued economic growth. We are blessed to be able to increase
our support for this industry and thank Governor DeSantis for his support for
our region and this vital industry."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Governor focused his entire speech on workforce education, but
the media ignored all the good news and questioned his reasons for sending migrants
to Martha's Vineyard the day before. The Governor then spoke on Biden's border
policies and his reasons for sending immigrants to Martha's Vineyard. The
Governor said, "We are taking what is happening at the southern border
very seriously, unlike some. He pointed out that Florida is not a sanctuary
state, but other states receiving these immigrants claim to be such. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This was another great visit from the Governor with great news for
the Emerald Coast and the Free State of Florida residents!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 4 West)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Oct.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-26944727924732062012023-05-13T15:10:00.000-07:002023-05-13T15:10:19.814-07:00Memorial Service for K9 Officer Blue<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Memorial Service for K9 Officer Blue</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">September 2022--Article 28 (2022-09-028)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQNm25WDlF2yJW3YF5jCw3ohTekmbhF9E0tZqA7H-4ktfP7Q5IbmrNs0ZpaFYRA-6tzcq7-hvF-JomxXxhtq7AaDjop8yRKR3CVZa_2Zs9Td_Z1di7PstO8Xmt2lxIIzKXSLiFIv1E5IXbmWaSyVwVhsjXWFs3DxIx9bKDhKDT4URvO1D9X2audbIqw/s1043/20220925%20A%20Salute%20to%20K9%20Officer%20Blue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1043" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQNm25WDlF2yJW3YF5jCw3ohTekmbhF9E0tZqA7H-4ktfP7Q5IbmrNs0ZpaFYRA-6tzcq7-hvF-JomxXxhtq7AaDjop8yRKR3CVZa_2Zs9Td_Z1di7PstO8Xmt2lxIIzKXSLiFIv1E5IXbmWaSyVwVhsjXWFs3DxIx9bKDhKDT4URvO1D9X2audbIqw/w400-h219/20220925%20A%20Salute%20to%20K9%20Officer%20Blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;">On Sunday, August 7, 2022, K9
Officer</span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Blue<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111;"> of the Niceville Police Department was killed in the line of duty. He
and his handler, Sergeant Phillip Ritcheson, were traveling on Highway 85,
south of State Road 123. At 5:51 pm their police pickup truck was struck in the
rear when a van switched lanes. The truck overturned and came to a stop on the
south shoulder of the highway. Sgt. Ritcheson suffered serious but non-life
threatening injuries, and the van driver was treated for minor injuries. K9
Blue succumbed to his injuries and was escorted to the Bluewater Bay Animal
Hospital by the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The police department and the
Niceville community are mourning the loss of one of their two police dogs. It
is tragic for the Niceville police department, especially Sgt Ritcheson and his
family, as Blue was also a part of their family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After the accident, deputies
with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office escorted the fallen K-9′s body to
Bluewater Bay Animal Hospital. Deputies laid an American flag over Blue's body
and carried him inside the animal hospital while other deputies lined the
parking lot and saluted Blue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;">Sergeant Ritcheson spent
several days in ICU before moving to a regular room. Blue was a 7- year old Belgian
Malinois who served with the Niceville Police Department for five years. His e</span><span style="color: #111111; line-height: 107%;">nd of Watch<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> was Sunday,
August 7, 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chief David Popwell stated:
“It is with a saddened heart that the Niceville Police Department has lost K-9
Officer Blue, to a traffic crash on Hwy 85 while he was reporting for duty at
17:51, on 8-7-2022. His handler and friend, Sgt. Phillip Ritcheson was
transported to the Ft. Walton Beach Hospital with non-life threatening
injuries. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Niceville police
department stated in a press release: "The Niceville Police Department
appreciates all the help that has come from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's
Department, Ft. Walton Police Department, Eglin Fire and Medical, Florida Highway
Patrol, Niceville/Valparaiso Fire Departments, and Okaloosa EMS … We appreciate
all the love and support that has been shown."<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #111111; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">According to Niceville Police Chief David Popwell, service arrangements
are still in the works with Blue receiving full honors. The memorial is planned
for August 26 at 10:00AM at the Niceville Community Center.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-2022-Sept-B.pdf"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 3 East)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-2022-Sept-B.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-83398892015856485792023-05-05T10:57:00.001-07:002023-05-05T11:16:21.935-07:00God's Purpose and Plan (September 2022) A Pastor's Ponderings<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">A Pastor's Ponderings: God's Purpose and Plan</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">September 2022--Article 27 (2022-09-027)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn5nH7YX3W1Z_fT3znzPEqqjvhvt6Cb9TlO6jymb0HFL2mieBRTrryJES5Os2U2d_m3_GoNaUDg_s-_crtb4ljCuoAmr9kWhH_UHOuJnSAMcutBh19uW2moONEdxBjrzISw_2eEfK5_MvGN3WXVKcd5PkjGht-eky2VnqEefVOFs4hVgaf6p8RMohWg/s474/Pastors%20Ponderings%20Pic%20only%20Sept%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="474" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn5nH7YX3W1Z_fT3znzPEqqjvhvt6Cb9TlO6jymb0HFL2mieBRTrryJES5Os2U2d_m3_GoNaUDg_s-_crtb4ljCuoAmr9kWhH_UHOuJnSAMcutBh19uW2moONEdxBjrzISw_2eEfK5_MvGN3WXVKcd5PkjGht-eky2VnqEefVOFs4hVgaf6p8RMohWg/w400-h380/Pastors%20Ponderings%20Pic%20only%20Sept%202022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Over my four decades in the ministry, one of the most frequently
asked questions revolves around the purpose of life and how to recognize the
will of God. I always point out one truth first: God made us in His own image, intending
for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Unfortunately, sin severed that
relationship. To accomplish God’s desired reconciliation with His creation, He
sent His Son to earth to take upon Himself the form of a man. “<i>For the Son
of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). </i>Humanity’s
lost relationship found a means of restoration. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Jesus Christ became a man to be the sacrificial Lamb slain
for sin. His life and death recovered all that was lost—from Adam and Eve (in
the Garden) throughout eternity. The Bible describes the sheer joy in heaven
when one person comes to know the saving grace found only in Jesus Christ. “<i>Likewise,
I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).</i> With that foundation, consider three
indisputable factors: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1. God wills for everyone to come to a saving knowledge of
Him. “<i>The Lord … is long longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). </i>God
has a purpose and a plan for every person born into the world, and His desire
is for all people to spend eternity with Him. Unfortunately, the Bible also
mentions “the course of this world,” leading people in the opposite direction.
Every life has a specific course that God wants to be followed. No two courses
are identical, and each has its rewards and challenges. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2. God created us to have a personal relationship with Him.<i>
“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory,
I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7). </i>Have you ever
thought about your life’s direction and course? The Bible has much to say about
it. The right course is described as a fight, a war and a race with hindrances
and prizes for winning and finishing. The Bible tells of a man named John who
finished his course and Paul who finished his course. Paul considered finishing
his course more important than life itself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">3. The purpose of life is to please God. “<i>Thou art
worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created
all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). </i>Those
that grasp this last truth are most blessed. God created each person for His
pleasure. Those who find out what pleases God find their purpose for being on
this big round ball we call earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lastly, consider that all the good guys in the movies always
have an archnemesis. This plot comes from the Bible as it contrasts the thief
with the Saviour. “<i>The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly” (John 10:10). </i>Jesus lived and died so that we could live
the abundant life. The Devil comes to steal your joy and peace by destroying
your relationship. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Some of the greatest Christians I have ever met understood
that we are in a battle for the souls and minds of humanity. I am not talking
about religion but relationship.</span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-2022-Sept-B.pdf" style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23; line-height: 17.12px; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span>Read the article</span> </a></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-2022-Sept-B.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 27)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN16DXk09WP-MM7TbqCSfYrpeI6t30okZvEb2LkuRFXYzNk6XGQ8OfGSoyqUTRLAha7tJGMycAnl1B6bOlK9RKbTz3WKQ8iQJ95YNX1P8iNC5FIsfQnl1TTL7VbBu6aIjF3E_aPq_8GeH1DHHgGKOteUwbiVZMxMh40V_kzX2nu_6Ww5lRe4AL2-gvQ/s1271/202209%20Pastors%20Ponderings%20Gods%20Purpose%20and%20Plan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1037" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN16DXk09WP-MM7TbqCSfYrpeI6t30okZvEb2LkuRFXYzNk6XGQ8OfGSoyqUTRLAha7tJGMycAnl1B6bOlK9RKbTz3WKQ8iQJ95YNX1P8iNC5FIsfQnl1TTL7VbBu6aIjF3E_aPq_8GeH1DHHgGKOteUwbiVZMxMh40V_kzX2nu_6Ww5lRe4AL2-gvQ/w326-h400/202209%20Pastors%20Ponderings%20Gods%20Purpose%20and%20Plan.jpg" width="326" /></a></div></div>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-69886124463728575372023-05-04T02:27:00.000-07:002023-05-04T02:27:24.938-07:00Florida Attorney General Wows Attendees at Lincoln Dinner<p><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Florida Attorney General Wows Attendees at Lincoln Dinner</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">September 2022--Article 26 (2022-09-026)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_1b4VPJzaB2YIr7sRTapZuBhyGttpwHOFxia8wo_NzbxMEcKbYtuE1TlQ7ImCKO3I5sLQ6lIpA2RDpD398cl8PNMGXFM9tiWgG2xjVLSbbzu-CC9FLRn0cS4NQO-JXOjGTNR5pZUQs7pW2lQnVNbA3XBX0Sb2-VuO6AvM33GAGPTKLewoixqlfYo_A/s5658/Lincoln_Dinner_2022_03%20AG%20Moody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4042" data-original-width="5658" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_1b4VPJzaB2YIr7sRTapZuBhyGttpwHOFxia8wo_NzbxMEcKbYtuE1TlQ7ImCKO3I5sLQ6lIpA2RDpD398cl8PNMGXFM9tiWgG2xjVLSbbzu-CC9FLRn0cS4NQO-JXOjGTNR5pZUQs7pW2lQnVNbA3XBX0Sb2-VuO6AvM33GAGPTKLewoixqlfYo_A/w400-h286/Lincoln_Dinner_2022_03%20AG%20Moody.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After a decade of serving on the judicial bench, Ashley
Moody had to resign to run for Attorney General. She understood the sacrifice it
would take, but her love for Florida and Floridians propelled her to make such
a sacrifice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Four years ago, the people of the state of Florida elected
Ashley Moody to serve as the state's Attorney General. She considers being the
state's Top Cop the most incredible honor by Florida citizens. General Moody is
a fifth-generation Floridian and has never been more proud to be from Florida than
now. One of her top goals is to keep fighting hard to keep Florida, Florida. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She recently spoke at the Lincoln Dinner in Ft. Walton Beach,
so she drew upon the sentiments attributed to the 16<sup>th</sup> President: "America
will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves." She discussed the challenges
faced over the last two years as the Federal government has disregarded our
laws and trampled our rights. The states agreed to be a part of this Union by Constitutionally
ceding only limited power to the federal government. She vowed to protect our
communities by protecting our sovereignty—the sovereignty of all Florida
citizens. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The border crisis greatly concerns General Moody. She believes
in backing sheriffs and police departments by enforcing the laws, especially
concerning those entering our country illegally and choosing to reside in
Florida. We cannot allow a breakdown in law and order caused by unvetted
illegal immigration. Drugs like fentanyl are crossing our open borders in
record numbers, causing mass overdoses. She said the amount of fentanyl seized in
the last two years alone is sufficient to kill the entire population of this
country ten times over. Yet, the amount seized is a small fraction of that entering
through open borders. Fentanyl is a chemical intended to harm the masses and is
the number one killer of adults aged 18-45. She has urged the President to
classify illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction to enable a coordinated
and uniform response.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The "Women for Moody" groups (with men too) are springing
up all over the state, especially with the Federated Women's clubs. Her message
resonates with mothers because, as she stated, she is a mom first. She said her
heart breaks watching parents lose children because they are targeted on social
media with counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Her message resonated with everyone
when she claimed the designation by her foes and friends of fighting like a "junkyard
dog." Societal breakdowns mean that her job is progressively more
challenging every day. State attorneys with radical agendas are not elected to enforce
laws selectively, so they must choose between doing their job or finding
another. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Her husband, Justin, is a career law enforcement officer.
He, too, believes in the conservative fight. Florida remains attractive because
we value faith, freedom and family with a limited government. She and her
husband believe that her continued service at this time in our nation's history
is essential to continue the progress already made. She respects and admires those
who make the selfless decision to put on a badge, a gun, and a bullet-proof
vest. We must use the opportunities that God has given us by proactively and
positively influencing the lives of others. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Liberal publications often criticize this administration,
yet the attacks are considered a badge of honor. Ashley is the first mother in
an elected cabinet member position with young children at home in school. She
quips that others say you cannot call yourself a "mom" anymore, but she's
a proud mom and proud to be the top attorney in the Free State of Florida. General
Moody said, "I get called many names, but my favorite is mom."</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-2022-Sept-B.pdf"><o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Read the newspaper</span></a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 12)</span></p><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-2022-Sept-B.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iozcAT-FTYOOzERgNUp-R-dE48CiI36KJADtmaHU8muxPGZ7tNxaw0wJLLTR55w9H_Hjpqc9gV2qbPUA9FB6fTmY9Y0t9lbKy20P9TpYh4FOOvCu5zaCasFrRuzPqeEdKp9voscZSiCJoiTBISQtQ-ydRtGlqRz8GpCilkO_h9AyxZYj1JMUP6ggNg/s1282/20220925%20Florida%20Attorney%20General%20Lincoln%20Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1044" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iozcAT-FTYOOzERgNUp-R-dE48CiI36KJADtmaHU8muxPGZ7tNxaw0wJLLTR55w9H_Hjpqc9gV2qbPUA9FB6fTmY9Y0t9lbKy20P9TpYh4FOOvCu5zaCasFrRuzPqeEdKp9voscZSiCJoiTBISQtQ-ydRtGlqRz8GpCilkO_h9AyxZYj1JMUP6ggNg/w326-h400/20220925%20Florida%20Attorney%20General%20Lincoln%20Dinner.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-67536745100898926292023-05-03T13:58:00.004-07:002023-05-03T14:04:24.931-07:00NWFSC Pastry and Baking Showcase<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Northwest Florida Baking Showcase</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">September 2022--Article 25 (2022-09-025)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEf8oUErMoopywri67uCscCqW1okMCk12l484pIVO_7smhQnPimBMWt4yyXq3gKt69o6vJXg854DpZjpmxhymW9aqVj8UWDZjubtqjkvnZCeQeJtp0Hwi02fusu-o7E4oNCJ-bhLr872QaSRkceBDRmKrafYCZBMUlssHFJhb_a0xesUA0MOlB8wPrw/s1046/20220925%20NWFSC%20Culinary%20Students%20Host%20Baking%20Showcase%20(East%201%20page).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="1046" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEf8oUErMoopywri67uCscCqW1okMCk12l484pIVO_7smhQnPimBMWt4yyXq3gKt69o6vJXg854DpZjpmxhymW9aqVj8UWDZjubtqjkvnZCeQeJtp0Hwi02fusu-o7E4oNCJ-bhLr872QaSRkceBDRmKrafYCZBMUlssHFJhb_a0xesUA0MOlB8wPrw/w400-h166/20220925%20NWFSC%20Culinary%20Students%20Host%20Baking%20Showcase%20(East%201%20page).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">What
happens when you are invited to eat pastries until you drop or pop with only
one piece of advice from the chef: "Pace yourself"? Well, I can tell
you that I have never experienced anything quite like this. Many of us arrived
at the Raider Café not knowing what to expect. Well, expectations were met and exceeded
with belt buckles bursting.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On
Wednesday, August 3, Chef Layne Eggers and Chef Tim Yeabower showcased the
talent of their culinary students. They instructed and helped seven students
prepare 80 interactive desserts, including tarts, cakes, mousses, tiramisu
& bananas foster, on 21 eight-foot tables. Yes, that is 168 feet of
gastronomic delight. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The
NWFSC Culinary Arts Management students 12-week-long baking and pastry class
showcased various sweets and pastries for their final exam. Over 200 guests
attended the event, from President Devin Stephenson to the fire department class
and community members. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There
also were two butcher block bread tables with focaccia, challah, French
baguettes, loaf breads, and dinner rolls on display with various flavored
whipped butter spreads. Four pastry display tables, 40 feet long, filled
with delicious cupcakes, cheesecakes & German chocolate cakes. There were
so many different and tasty items from which to choose, and the only problem
was understanding the chef's advice on keeping the right pace. What pace? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The
guests enjoyed all the delicious items on the displays, while the students
reportedly received A's on their final exams. The culinary management program
at Northwest Florida State College fills a much-needed support element for the
Emerald Coast. It prepares students for employment in the culinary and
restaurant industry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Students
gain employable skills and knowledge through classroom instruction and culinary
lab experience. Careers include sous chef, line cook, culinary manager, baking
and pastry cook, personal chef and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Seagrass
Restaurant at Northwest Florida State College is designed to provide NWFSC
Culinary and Hospitality Management students with a hands-on learning
environment while showcasing their talents to the community. Well done, and
kudos to the students, the administration, and the community that came in FULL
support. No pun intended. Mark your calendars for next year. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"></p><div><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Sept.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 17-18)</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bay.lifemediagrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Sept.pdf" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe7dTfoNQ1BNqJ0kTnyrOp-3BW2VDgZmticMWzHz5OVTqp8_yTtCBYWeQ7-DvKh23DQBr1P8kIGCKCELN5QCwjtfP5hUjm_MEvA4XD8huNjtxG7HiiqPGozMY0gjU9HNTJvuBryXA0XALrNuZBLOavFGqpB8orJA7uRKYg2cGoS84FbwJ1Rqm2tQzGQ/s727/20220925%20NWFSC%20Culinary%20Students%20Host%20Baking%20Showcase%20(pg%201).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="637" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe7dTfoNQ1BNqJ0kTnyrOp-3BW2VDgZmticMWzHz5OVTqp8_yTtCBYWeQ7-DvKh23DQBr1P8kIGCKCELN5QCwjtfP5hUjm_MEvA4XD8huNjtxG7HiiqPGozMY0gjU9HNTJvuBryXA0XALrNuZBLOavFGqpB8orJA7uRKYg2cGoS84FbwJ1Rqm2tQzGQ/w350-h400/20220925%20NWFSC%20Culinary%20Students%20Host%20Baking%20Showcase%20(pg%201).jpg" width="350" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUnXf_MDB-hVGwHEfQHvvZbrkoYQouJR55h4oem08TfPYVArkCeI9tXuJz1QRgSI9xGG6Tb0AXh6l228hGz-Ya3cdBdXmI7TH7RW0DgEJr-uEc0_QmHLN7LjD9DtPbi53CdgwNMagNdKQtcIicfU6YgmRncw3d1QBkrTSGpst-8rkA2H4ukHKlMoFFA/s631/20220925%20NWFSC%20Culinary%20Students%20Host%20Baking%20Showcase%20(pg%202).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="631" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUnXf_MDB-hVGwHEfQHvvZbrkoYQouJR55h4oem08TfPYVArkCeI9tXuJz1QRgSI9xGG6Tb0AXh6l228hGz-Ya3cdBdXmI7TH7RW0DgEJr-uEc0_QmHLN7LjD9DtPbi53CdgwNMagNdKQtcIicfU6YgmRncw3d1QBkrTSGpst-8rkA2H4ukHKlMoFFA/w400-h184/20220925%20NWFSC%20Culinary%20Students%20Host%20Baking%20Showcase%20(pg%202).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><br /></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-61154244097963136332023-04-23T05:33:00.001-07:002023-04-23T05:33:28.290-07:00Killing Babies Trampling the First Amendment<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b style="color: #333333; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Silencing the Unborn and Trampling the First Amendment</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipogk7dtRL2bqAu-kdv0PkR5CqAWEypO4gMXJBi8pEaesg-v5GxqiZYztRbCtOajjeOQUVaALoClA9bzDAzokg1gAQgOqvKd15Iv7TP4RGvoHndsZese8SXoqtOX2uQAI5nTR45XB_jqi9ADr5v2iL6AUWo1eC7zYadO_jymkunFJGbd7DIJGuSQG7yw/s1079/Abortion%20March-02%20reading%20sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1079" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipogk7dtRL2bqAu-kdv0PkR5CqAWEypO4gMXJBi8pEaesg-v5GxqiZYztRbCtOajjeOQUVaALoClA9bzDAzokg1gAQgOqvKd15Iv7TP4RGvoHndsZese8SXoqtOX2uQAI5nTR45XB_jqi9ADr5v2iL6AUWo1eC7zYadO_jymkunFJGbd7DIJGuSQG7yw/w400-h268/Abortion%20March-02%20reading%20sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #242424; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 0.25pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Original Title: Trampling the First Amendment and Killing Babies<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As a “people person,” I thrive on connecting with others and
fostering open dialogues, even with those who hold opposing views. The perfect
opportunity allowed me to engage in such a conversation when a protest against
the recent Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision from June 2022 crossed my
newsfeed. With prayer as my guide, I decided to attend the protest, armed with
a sign that echoed my beliefs rooted in biblical teachings about expectant
mothers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">While I hold my views dear, I also respect those with
contrasting opinions, understanding that none of us can turn falsehood into
truth or the other way around. My poster's essence was clear-cut: the Bible
mentions a pregnant woman as either "with child" or "great with
child" twenty-five times, indicating that the so-called fetus is, in fact,
a CHILD. I intended my sign to represent the voiceless—the unborn child—and to
listen to the opposing side without interfering with their proceedings.<br />
<br />
Upon arrival, I found a crowd of over 100 participants. My trifold sign
remained concealed until I unfolded its flaps. I sat and attentively listened
to each speaker, particularly intrigued by the story of a woman from
Mississippi. She shared her experience driving underage girls across state
lines to Mobile, Alabama, to access abortion services due to her state's
restrictions. As a political candidate vying for a congressional seat, her
confession shook me to the core, especially as she seemed to wear it as a badge
of honor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The crowd swelled to several hundred as we marched from the
park to Brooks Bridge, circling a few blocks before returning to the park. I
trailed at the end of the procession, my sign now fully displayed. As we
completed our route and returned to the park, my presence attracted the
attention of both print and television reporters. My sign, bearing the message
"Choose Life NOT Death," represented my take on being pro-choice—a
departure from the mainstream narrative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">No sooner had I turned away from the camera after
interviewing me than a woman approached me to share her story, emphasizing her
point by jabbing her finger in my face. The crowd behind me, now aware of my
contrasting stance, also stood between me and my truck. As I attempted to walk
through the crowd, they encircled me, chanting, shouting, and swearing.
Undeterred, I raised my sign, rotating so they could read it. I was there to
share my message and was determined to make it known.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Their circle tightened around me until one of the
organizers, wielding a bullhorn, intervened and tried to redirect the group
back to the tree where the march had begun. Seeing that many were recording me,
I also decided to document them. As their chant changed from “my body my choice”
to "separate church and state," I continued to hold up my sign.
Forcing my way through the crowd seemed dangerous and potentially hostile, so I
resolved to wait them out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Suddenly, a raincloud overhead broke, scattering the
protestors as they sought shelter or ran to their vehicles. With the crowd
dispersed, I folded my sign and walked unhindered to my truck, feeling like I
had just experienced a divine intervention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">MY TAKEAWAY: While we may not always agree on contentious
issues, respect for others is a cornerstone of our great nation. When I
expressed this sentiment to the congressional candidate, she dismissed the
possibility of dialogue due to our differing views. Yet, despite disagreeing
with every other sign I saw, I was more than willing to listen and engage in
conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">MY COMMITMENT: I vow to improve my ability to <i>"speak
the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).</i> Although I have long-held beliefs
about the preborn, I will always strive to listen when others express their
viewpoints. <br /></span><o:p></o:p><br />Here is the Youtube link and video attached. <a class="style-scope ytcp-video-share-dialog" href="https://youtu.be/zkjghgRtDGk" id="share-url" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: var(--ytcp-font-subheading_-_font-size,15px); line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/zkjghgRtDGk</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zkjghgRtDGk" width="320" youtube-src-id="zkjghgRtDGk"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M8gMW6img6LTL3bm-hPbdWtrtR6Ml_86AGyfvs39OXgb0lE7wlf0A-CsvSyHgoNHPsTQ8ql0axbw71tS2Nt67CyLfqp_HYbYXHSAIinpUKol5FQAM8W-DZBO-aUBsyjQJoFX5iEPj8ien48qRv2-z66US5i6sh_MgrwopbvrdrfdVpPkwPo5NyzMdg/s1194/1%2020220910%20Abortion%20Rally%20pic%20by%20Peggy%20Schiller%20top%20heading.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_hfoJpUHKTA4ry_JfezrJrVGwcMHq4B31oroc5SGOllQ8d8tOSIVUY-UdBO2f6sW_2628BVGnhiidJLEgcfWktWp2kO7nrYaJBN5tQDTVsd9fNNWOKN8n_5T9706woK3AfS0In5jDF3PMYmx2WNeiida_6bFJVmqbVZIPprsYajy_FIRGhEtQLD4CQ/s4032/z%20Abortion%20March-45%20sign%20afer%20rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_hfoJpUHKTA4ry_JfezrJrVGwcMHq4B31oroc5SGOllQ8d8tOSIVUY-UdBO2f6sW_2628BVGnhiidJLEgcfWktWp2kO7nrYaJBN5tQDTVsd9fNNWOKN8n_5T9706woK3AfS0In5jDF3PMYmx2WNeiida_6bFJVmqbVZIPprsYajy_FIRGhEtQLD4CQ/w300-h400/z%20Abortion%20March-45%20sign%20afer%20rain.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-52446701230673959312022-10-07T10:29:00.001-07:002022-10-07T10:29:16.608-07:00 A Pastor's Ponderings: (August 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">A Pastor's Ponderings: Reaching the Unreachable Approaching the Unapproachable</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">August 2022--Article 23 (2022-08-023)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVjw70GAdd96Qg2lHPITbl93DIX3FcfmcV1MmzRh7zjVbDh_8n38J8Z8D759Xw6iVe2aJJFW9I586CWfiCVVy0PH4Y9w1BdCzJTT8SoPA30h-HOJZ9UOLMj6HZ6JWEYuYlxHeVBUk8QGGfNcSPEP6lQl4F8mrrzJ3Fo-tqYBVX2EE5YZGNuWMlJmmSg/s2800/jesus-hand-reaching-out.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="2800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVjw70GAdd96Qg2lHPITbl93DIX3FcfmcV1MmzRh7zjVbDh_8n38J8Z8D759Xw6iVe2aJJFW9I586CWfiCVVy0PH4Y9w1BdCzJTT8SoPA30h-HOJZ9UOLMj6HZ6JWEYuYlxHeVBUk8QGGfNcSPEP6lQl4F8mrrzJ3Fo-tqYBVX2EE5YZGNuWMlJmmSg/w400-h266/jesus-hand-reaching-out.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Societal changes seem to be taking place at the speed of
light. With these changing times, more churches must adapt their approach or
risk becoming irrelevant. Christians must consider ways to think outside the
box. Every believer and pastor must evangelize outside their comfort zones. One
of the biggest problems with the 21st Century pastorate concerns the Christian
view of how a pastor interacts with the masses. We must expect sinners to talk and
act like sinners!<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Every believer (especially pastors) must figure out how to
reach the unreachable; and approach the unapproachable. Relationships must be
built in loving compassion before calamity hits! Believers must use every
opportunity to build these relationships, knowing that most of them involve the
less-thankful tasks of planting and watering. Pastor Jim Vail wrote such a
story of relationship building. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Pastor Vail wrote: “Rock was a big-time biker who had
developed cancer. I went to visit and befriend him. He was friendly and
welcoming but would say cringe-worthy things! After a few visits, it seemed
apparent that talking about Christ was not something he welcomed. Determined to
befriend him, I visited him almost weekly, enduring his often foul language and
ideas of life and death.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">His declining health became evident by his weight loss and
his turning yellow from liver failure. One day I said, “Rock, I know you don’t
want to hear about Jesus Christ, but soon you may no longer be alert and oriented.
If you change your mind about Him, you will need to know and understand how to
be forgiven by God of all your sins and how to know that you have eternal life!
If I promise not to pressure you into anything, can I give you the knowledge of
how to become right with the Lord?” He agreed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I sat next to him with my Bible and asked him to read and
explain selected passages about sin, God’s justice, and Hell. He explained them
fairly well. Suddenly, in shock, he gasped: “I’m in trouble! I’m going to
Hell!” I then had him read about the deity of Jesus Christ, His sacrificial
death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, and promises of eternal
life to those who repent of their sins by trusting in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Suddenly, he burst into tears as he exclaimed that he had
never heard or understood this before! “I want Jesus Christ for me…NOW! Can I
ask Him to forgive me right now? I want Him to be MY Saviour!” As I held his hand, he poured his heart out
to the Lord, sobbing the whole time. Afterwards, he had me promise to conduct
his funeral and tell this good news to all attending. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The following day, his wife phoned my office. “Rock is a new
man! He is cheerful, sweet, and loving…and all he wants to do is talk about
Jesus and pray together! Thank you!” I went to see Rock almost every day and
grew to love him as a dear brother. His mind never lost its alertness. We would
study, pray, and cry together tears of joy. A few weeks later, Rock called his
family to his bedside and said, “Let’s pray together!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">They each prayed, and then Rock prayed. Then he smiled,
closed his eyes and went to be with his beloved Saviour. A few days later, I
kept my promise to my dear friend and told a packed crowd what Jesus Christ had
done for Rock and what He could do for them! <o:p></o:p></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Will you ask God if
He wants you to explore new avenues of reaching the unreachable by approaching
the unapproachable?<br /></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/a-pastors-ponderings-reaching-the-unreachable/" style="font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23; line-height: 17.12px; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span>Read the article</span> </a></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-Aug.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 27)</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N8cL-CqwOvQbTE6bcbzp2mFA_o6hwSD0Yr0n-XgbxvMkdbw_nDarPEC3ufGOKfqD9p-U7acXHmBFy7dZY3zC0uDSZLSVvcHBnaV71poKj4877w2RY6w44W0xs0NBHTro9GTmPCA0hwUqPAWgQFSF9yCo_bLLscs-bcvdmd4lNYlc4IkOhJzjfYDzZQ/s1279/202208%20Pastors%20Ponderings%20Reaching%20the%20Unreachable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1050" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N8cL-CqwOvQbTE6bcbzp2mFA_o6hwSD0Yr0n-XgbxvMkdbw_nDarPEC3ufGOKfqD9p-U7acXHmBFy7dZY3zC0uDSZLSVvcHBnaV71poKj4877w2RY6w44W0xs0NBHTro9GTmPCA0hwUqPAWgQFSF9yCo_bLLscs-bcvdmd4lNYlc4IkOhJzjfYDzZQ/w373-h453/202208%20Pastors%20Ponderings%20Reaching%20the%20Unreachable.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-57922564461450432332022-08-05T16:55:00.002-07:002022-08-05T16:57:29.086-07:00Okaloosa County Welcomes Governor DeSantis Again (July 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Okaloosa County Welcomes Governor DeSantis Again</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;">July 2022--Article 23 (2022-07-023)</div><div style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFdxaX8FdT23xeEQfkmkOkHsIJrLmyf5sx-I02EhRus81s7h1B5-zLpwfwe7Al6hxugSMXirCvtQsELRlC3q9-0-Oqe2KJh2wrpWLXryQgv6yumr4vm6V9y-wuONT4DEsyrq3CtKS2n-QU4SgpxbOoKnNc1Wc4EhxGVgVITe4jDyuJwYQRraj1r-Z0Q/s570/Governor%20and%20James%20Hartsell.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="570" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFdxaX8FdT23xeEQfkmkOkHsIJrLmyf5sx-I02EhRus81s7h1B5-zLpwfwe7Al6hxugSMXirCvtQsELRlC3q9-0-Oqe2KJh2wrpWLXryQgv6yumr4vm6V9y-wuONT4DEsyrq3CtKS2n-QU4SgpxbOoKnNc1Wc4EhxGVgVITe4jDyuJwYQRraj1r-Z0Q/w450-h218/Governor%20and%20James%20Hartsell.png" width="450" /></a></div><p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0in 0in 22.5pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Governor
has visited Okaloosa County four times officially this calendar year. In
February, the Governor visited Niceville at Northwest Florida State College to
announce a bill allocating $10 million for workforce charter schools. In April,
the Governor stopped in Destin to proclaim the extended Snapper fishing season.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In May, the
Governor stopped in Crestview to announce the $3.2 million Shoal River Ranch extension.
In June, the Governor stopped in Ft. Walton Beach to sign six military-related
bills into law. The bills either expand educational opportunities for
active-duty military members and veterans or help them advance into career
fields.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The military and
veterans appreciate the Governor for supporting these bills and signing them
into law. These bills are life-changing as men and women depart the armed
forces to enter the next phase of their lives, and I know this first-hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I enlisted in
the Air Force when I was 17 years old and used the GI Bill to help offset the
costs of attending college. I gave my country six years, and America rewarded
me with an education. Because Pennsylvania was a pro-military state, they
helped me earn my college degree at Penn State University, finishing without
going into debt. That was forty years ago, and Florida is doing even more!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Governor signed:
1) House Bill 45—provides tuition assistance for disabled veterans to eliminate
education costs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2) Senate Bill
430—ensures a smooth school transition for children of military families. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">3) Senate Bill
514—employers at state agencies can substitute military experience for
post-secondary educational requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">4) Senate Bill
896—provides untraditional pathways to educator certification to service
members allowing military service to count towards a teacher's certificate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5) Senate Bill
562—requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to expedite
license applications of active-duty military spouses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">6) Senate Bill
438—updates Florida’s definition of Uniformed Service to include the United
States Space Force and updates military base names.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Governor’s
news release stated, “Florida is the most military-friendly state in the
nation, and I am proud to continue that commitment to our military members and
their families by signing these pieces of legislation. Providing military
families with the resources they need to receive a high-quality education and
find good jobs is the best way that we as a state can show our appreciation for
the sacrifices that they make.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard Major General James O.
Eifert joined Governor DeSantis, along with Florida Department of Education
Senior Chancellor Henry Mack, and Executive Director of the Florida Department
of Veterans’ Affairs retired Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #242424; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">MajGen James Hartsell commenced by saying, “It is truly an honor to be here
with the Commander-in-Chief of the state of Florida this morning. As a 37-year
Marine, I know about leadership, and I am truly honored to serve this leader.”
He pointed out that Governor DeSantis is the only currently serving veteran
Governor to have deployed overseas in combat. “Our Governor’s leadership has
made us the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. …Today’s bills that he
will be signing will be reinforcing our state's success.” He continued by
pointing out that our Governor has made Florida the most sought-after state by
veterans. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin-bottom: 22.5pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #242424; font-size: medium; letter-spacing: 0.25pt;">The Governor seems to have his pulse on the desires and wishes of his
constituents. This truth showed as the crowd was enthusiastic and supportive of
the legislation coming out of Tallahassee. I was blessed to witness the crowd
show support for a strong leader loved for doing the right thing.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; line-height: 21pt; margin: 22.5pt 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-July.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 13)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/okaloosa-county-welcomes-governor-desantis-again/" target="_blank">Read the article</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jZ9OMP3P5_53nI7JpOoHD9lt5QRIEads2IVggGrJUweGNz3UdeJAaDz_eYuEVlVXu7tlHQVgdXFlu-HUl21D7sF6OqFttg0V3NcRPR_NvlZzt2rBtQq9zQcXKDdBcBWO2aJ9WDeGpqgQlHCZL7Mm-51_LRSbWijTo1Rg6YUB3dhG8_zFiY-59zNcBQ/s1037/202207-2%20July%20Okaloosa%20County%20Welcomes%20Governor%20DeSantis%20Again.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1037" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jZ9OMP3P5_53nI7JpOoHD9lt5QRIEads2IVggGrJUweGNz3UdeJAaDz_eYuEVlVXu7tlHQVgdXFlu-HUl21D7sF6OqFttg0V3NcRPR_NvlZzt2rBtQq9zQcXKDdBcBWO2aJ9WDeGpqgQlHCZL7Mm-51_LRSbWijTo1Rg6YUB3dhG8_zFiY-59zNcBQ/w400-h369/202207-2%20July%20Okaloosa%20County%20Welcomes%20Governor%20DeSantis%20Again.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><br /></div></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-79163881282187955422022-07-04T16:44:00.003-07:002022-08-05T17:24:49.777-07:00 A Pastor's Ponderings: (July 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">A Pastor's Ponderings: Revisiting July 4th 1776</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">July 2022--Article 22 (2022-07-022)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAhs105QyMwiOEe9nSOlCTyW5AsLcBS8nWRXMbCNWGekCT6_re9Rv5NrtSXqoPu_PlLwMqOeXwspCZzh4ZunDlifFSeOzRsCzqFZcVw7skuFtA-nemmwB5ihBpciv9d2yEdEp1FMFl3ISzeUB9hxCySZkugP3xCF1KOA8m-0AwQZzsuDR_pTGlSGUDw/s1560/Flag%20picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1169" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAhs105QyMwiOEe9nSOlCTyW5AsLcBS8nWRXMbCNWGekCT6_re9Rv5NrtSXqoPu_PlLwMqOeXwspCZzh4ZunDlifFSeOzRsCzqFZcVw7skuFtA-nemmwB5ihBpciv9d2yEdEp1FMFl3ISzeUB9hxCySZkugP3xCF1KOA8m-0AwQZzsuDR_pTGlSGUDw/w300-h400/Flag%20picture.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Like
many other Floridians, I love the great state of Florida, surpassed only by my love
for our country. America has a long and distinguished history that patriotic
Americans revisit every Independence Day, celebrating with family, friends, feasts,
and fireworks. We must examine our past to understand the biblical
justification for America's independence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Motivated
by shocking ideologies, the acceptance of historical revisionism is on the rise
at an alarming rate. We need to educate and reeducate the populace to ensure
that we keep our freedoms. Patriots must explore creative ways to help others
rediscover the foundational truths of America. I choose the most untapped resource
for finding the answers—God’s word. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">The
Bible best explains the justification of America's independence from its
tyrannical king. Yet, some teachers use the Bible to teach that rebelling against
a government is never justified by its subjects. According to them, the
government’s subjects are to "be subject" and never "resist the
power." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.
For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God…” (Romans
13:1-2a).</span></i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">Were
the founding fathers rebelling against God when they sought to rebel against
the injustices of the king of England? Some teach that citizens of a country
are to subject themselves to all institutions of government. They are to
subject themselves regardless of their leaders' usurpation of authority and
violation of God-given rights. Yet, as the passage continues, God's word
provides the context and the clarity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to
the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and
thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for
good” (Romans 13:3-4).</span></i><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">The passage's
context says that God-ordained governments and rulers are against evil and
supporters of good. Every God-ordained government is the "minister of God."
For what purpose? FOR GOOD! So, when any government ceases to fulfill these
parameters, the constituents are not required to be subject to these higher
powers. Notice that these "ministers of God" not only praise good
works but also use the force of law to punish evil. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">“But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to
execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4b).</span></i><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">In the passage, the Bible twice defines God-ordained
governments as the "minister of God"! As such, these ministers of God
reward good and punish evil. With these truths in mind, the context of
subjecting oneself to the government becomes crystal clear. Constituents are not
required to subject themselves to governments that fall outside the parameters
of a God-given government. Therefore, the thirteen colonies ceased to be under
obligation to subject themselves to King George III in 1776.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black;">What
happens when governments do just the opposite: punish good and reward evil?
Their subjects are under no obligation to subject themselves to such unjust
usurpations. What happens when a government ceases to be the "minister of
God"? It ceases to be God-ordained and frees its subjects from obligation.
In 1776, these were the historical realities on this continent. This is the
justification for America's rebellion in 1776! Learn it; teach it; proclaim it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/a-pastors-ponderings-revisiting-july-4th-1776/"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23; line-height: 17.12px; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span>Read the article</span></a><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/a-pastors-ponderings-the-fundamentals-of-fathers-fathering-and-fatherhood/" target="_blank"> </a></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-July.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 27)</span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrxoYBOWaMj5kCFfYeUXi6Dfrl6VlHcRPuXKzqcY6fChUHVTvI6gOZxH5CcsMIb_R78ECwEW2FOqLXM0m0JzHJAEH19S69eTVwp1QT23U6BPr3aYjm0nqle1jiOjwmdcxry8HrFLqYiHpqN8M_a5muJsmHijKncPJ2s-tyGKVzGKGipx7fOgvodU4vA/s1280/202207-1%20July%20Revisiting%20July%204th%201776.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1021" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrxoYBOWaMj5kCFfYeUXi6Dfrl6VlHcRPuXKzqcY6fChUHVTvI6gOZxH5CcsMIb_R78ECwEW2FOqLXM0m0JzHJAEH19S69eTVwp1QT23U6BPr3aYjm0nqle1jiOjwmdcxry8HrFLqYiHpqN8M_a5muJsmHijKncPJ2s-tyGKVzGKGipx7fOgvodU4vA/w510-h640/202207-1%20July%20Revisiting%20July%204th%201776.png" width="510" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-88777689770208481282022-07-02T11:30:00.000-07:002022-07-02T11:30:10.322-07:00A Pastor's Ponderings: (June 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">A Pastor's Ponderings: The Fundamentals of Fathers, Fathering and Fatherhood</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">June 2022--Article 21 (2022-06-021)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xJDj3nAStTTD_5yi36yX3NJU3RsokLsWffRKBbfhSWXsdIbrPT8H-KeoJdfOLWDMJFxQv__DF7PtmHaSAPJzW4Of5_MFJ8su9-aRElRNNGhi-rLfNvGB4z6jVJ0fNYXN-xGLBfVy8UDaPuDJ739st8XEcZCIlI56gZttQpTaxlE0J3vgfBR-8ExeTQ/s1033/202206-4%20June%20PP%20The%20Fundamentals%20of%20Fathers%20Fathering%20Fatherhood.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1033" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xJDj3nAStTTD_5yi36yX3NJU3RsokLsWffRKBbfhSWXsdIbrPT8H-KeoJdfOLWDMJFxQv__DF7PtmHaSAPJzW4Of5_MFJ8su9-aRElRNNGhi-rLfNvGB4z6jVJ0fNYXN-xGLBfVy8UDaPuDJ739st8XEcZCIlI56gZttQpTaxlE0J3vgfBR-8ExeTQ/w433-h334/202206-4%20June%20PP%20The%20Fundamentals%20of%20Fathers%20Fathering%20Fatherhood.png" width="433" /></a></div><span style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt;">Father’s
Day ALERT: June 19th. Mother’s Day, in its formative years, garnered much more
enthusiasm and support than the establishment of Father’s Day. Understandably
so! In the early 1900s, fathers felt the celebration was questionable because fathers
were generally footing the bill for their sentimental holiday. Florists certainly
had no reason to support a day for fathers.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many
Americans wanted to respect mothers and fathers on the same day, calling it
“Parent’s Day.” The Great Depression and World War II derailed those efforts,
so mothers and fathers have separate days of recognition. Like most holidays,
commercialization took over, with retailers now netting over $15 billion a year—capitalism
at its best!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">Society needs fathers to assume their God-given roles
enthusiastically. When a man becomes a father, responsibilities exponentially multiply.
Here are some fundamentals for good fathering:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">1. <b>Function as a man</b>—society (especially Hollywood) has
been increasingly undermining manhood and manliness. Act manly without any misogynist
tendencies; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">2. <b>Be a man</b> honored to carry that Y chromosome that conspicuously
differentiates between the sexes;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">3. <b>Take responsibility as a man;</b> “I was wrong” and “I am
sorry” are two precious phrases children should hear from their fathers;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">4. <b>Think like a man</b> (the Bible says it is a sin to act
effeminate—1 Corinthians 6:9); <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">5. <b>Work like a man</b> (no reflection on how women work; some
women outperform men with drive, dedication and grit). Working like a man means
never shying away from breaking a sweat or getting your hands dirty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">6. <b>Lead by example;</b> it is never wise to teach your
children “do as I say, and not as I do.” Hypocrisy destroys credibility, and
integrity forms an unbreakable bond. Children need to know that their fathers
are trustworthy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">Fathers should teach their sons simple things like opening a door
for a woman. This act has nothing to do with being a male chauvinist. My
parents taught me that this courtesy reflects honor and respect for the
opposite sex, whom we should highly esteem. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23;">Societal influences (and Hollywood characterizations) seem
poised to undermine fatherhood. Yet, one who is not a good man can never be a
good father. Thank God we have good men, yet we can always use a few more!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Happy
Father’s Day to every dad! An additional thank you to all the outstanding
fatherly examples. Let’s extend the wishes from all dads to include: granddads,
great granddads, step-dads, adoptive dads, foster dads, dads-to-be, dads in
heaven and all the males in our lives who care for us and unconditionally love
us. Dads are priceless, and we should always love them dearly. (Remember,
mothers, no exclusion intended—you had your day last month). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
were just blessed to have my father visit for a week. The day after he flew
back to Pennsylvania, he fell and broke his hip. One day later, he had a
partial hip replacement and was transferred to rehab. Be sure to appreciate the
time you spend with your father; time has a way of sneaking up on us. Happy
Father’s Day!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #191e23; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/a-pastors-ponderings-the-fundamentals-of-fathers-fathering-and-fatherhood/" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Read the article </a></p><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-June.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page 27)</span></div></div><br /></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-1303230704622486092022-07-01T21:01:00.001-07:002022-07-01T21:01:04.264-07:00Celebrating the Greatest Generation: 80 Raiders 80 Years Later (June 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Celebrating the Greatest Generation: 80 Raiders 80 Years Later </b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">June 2022--Article 21 (2022-06-021)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrqsfdr_8VCp040K1y5Zrypz1mebR_i2GamevZT6BPW7aSI9wCCrk9t82rito6KRBAS9Br5BT68wXzC92_lJLk4lLjJVXV0xaeL6VINYHekM0LPVV0oKl33Bz5nVa7w2aFWzaFSyk4U4SLoRf9YoT3NLLi-9lhzPyNShZGnAFCYtdiv_tQUVObrdQhA/s4032/01%20Doolittle%20Raiders-086%20Raider%20all%20Families%20TC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrqsfdr_8VCp040K1y5Zrypz1mebR_i2GamevZT6BPW7aSI9wCCrk9t82rito6KRBAS9Br5BT68wXzC92_lJLk4lLjJVXV0xaeL6VINYHekM0LPVV0oKl33Bz5nVa7w2aFWzaFSyk4U4SLoRf9YoT3NLLi-9lhzPyNShZGnAFCYtdiv_tQUVObrdQhA/w640-h480/01%20Doolittle%20Raiders-086%20Raider%20all%20Families%20TC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">On
April 18, 2022, Okaloosa County was privileged to host history in the making.
Almost 2,000 of us were blessed to say, "I was there to witness this
historic event." This date marked the 80th Anniversary of the World War II
Doolittle Raiders bombing of Tokyo. Eighty men launched the first retaliatory
strike against Japan's unprovoked attack upon America eighty years ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lieutenant
Colonel James Doolittle (later a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army Air Forces
and the U.S. Air Force Reserve) led the raid on Tokyo. The USS Hornet launched
sixteen B-25B Mitchell medium-range bombers, each carrying a crew of five men. They
bombed Tokyo on April 18, 1942. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
raid was the first on Japanese soil, four months after their attack on December
7, 1941, when three hundred Japanese aircraft destroyed the Navy's Pacific
Fleet in Pearl Harbor. The Doolittle Raid on the Japanese capital boosted
American morale and exposed Japan's vulnerability from the air. Although the
damage to Tokyo was minimal, many historians credit the raid as the critical
factor in the Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway—often cited as the
turning point in the Pacific.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since
April 1947, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a ceremonial "roll
call" has honored the eighty Doolittle Raiders. Ted Cocoran with the
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Devin Stephenson of Northwest
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Florida
State College (Home of the Raiders) hosted the "Final Doolittle Raiders Goblet"
ceremony. It marked the passing of Doolittle Raider, Col. (ret.) Richard E.
"Dick" Cole. This event also celebrated the Air Force's 75th
Anniversary by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ted Corcoran's heart seems to skip a beat at the
mention of the Doolittle Raiders. Talking with him is like conversing with a
Doolittle historian and cheerleader. One of Ted's many insights: "My
awakening to the significance of the Raiders started in 2006. Since then, I
have come to love the Raiders as a group and individually on a personal level.
I am proud that the Chamber was able to bring the Raiders to this area in 2008,
2013, and finally in 2022. It is important to me to educate the community
concerning their history by bringing the knowledge of the Raiders to the
forefront. I am thrilled to have played my part in getting them to be relevant
again in this area after being overlooked for far too long."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Okaloosa County and the Raiders. The Doolittle Raiders
trained at Eglin field in 1942. Although the Army/Air Force had just formed in
1941, AFSOC considers the Doolittle raid the first special operations mission.
The Raiders held their 15th reunion here in 1957, and they returned in 1968 for
their 26th reunion. They then vanished off our radars until Ed Horton (crew 10)
moved to Ft. Walton Beach. In the late 1990s, the local newspaper mentioned
that Ed's wife had passed away, thus preventing him from attending future
reunions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wes Fields, a gunner at Hurlbert Field and an auxiliary
sheriff's deputy, read the newspaper article. He volunteered to transport Ed to
future reunions. The Raiders honored Wes by making him director of Raider
security. In 2006, Wes introduced Ed Horton to Ted Corcoran, who soon realized
the significance of that encounter. Ted watched his relationship with the
Raiders bud and blossom after attending the 2007 and 2008 Raider reunions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In 2008, only eight of the 80 raiders remained, so the
Chamber created a special event called "The Homecoming" on May 29-31,
2008. The Homecoming became the reintroduction and re-engagement of the Raiders
with the Okaloosa County community. In 2013, Ft. Walton Beach would host the
final reunion, and the five remaining Raiders attended. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Goblets.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> For
the annual reunion on April 18, 1959, the city of Tucson created 80 silver
Goblets. The goblets bore the Raider names printed upright and upside down. At
each reunion, the living Raiders toasted their fallen brethren. After a Raider
passed, his goblet was inverted. A final toast with the last three Raiders took
place in November 2013. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Two years later, Congress bestowed the Congressional
Gold Medal upon the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders "for outstanding heroism,
valor, skill, and service to the United States in conducting their bombings of
Tokyo." The last living Raider, Colonel (ret.) Dick Cole died on April 9, 2019,
at 103 years old! He was co-pilot of the lead plane with Colonel Doolittle. Covid
delayed the Final Goblet Ceremony for several years, with the Ft. Walton Beach
Chamber chosen to host the Final Goblet Ceremony. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Ceremony. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
featured attendees at the Final Goblet Ceremony included the family of Col.
Dick Cole along with the other Doolittle Raider families. The historic ceremony
was honored by the presence of the Air Force's top brass: Secretary of the Air
Force, Frank Kendall III; Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.;
Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command; and Lt.
Gen. Brad Webb, commander of AETC. Secretary Kendall said of the Doolittle
Raiders, "Like many of the greatest generation, they saw it as their duty
and accepted it without any regret."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In recognition of the Air
Force's 75th Anniversary, sixteen local active-duty and distinguished veterans
were honored to represent the legacy of each Doolittle crew and the
contributions of fellow Airmen to the rich history of the United States Air
Force. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lt. Col. (ret.) Rich
Cole, son of </span><span style="background: white; color: #080503; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Col. Richard E. "Dick"
Cole, </span><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">performed the ritual of turning over his father's
goblet—the final goblet to be inverted. He</span><span style="background: white; color: #080503; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> shared the family's statement, "The Cole family is deeply honored
and appreciative of the Okaloosa County Community hosting the Goblet Ceremony
for our Dad .... We are thankful to celebrate this moment in the city where it
all began."</span><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio permanently
displays the Goblets.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Later
that evening, thousands of onlookers witnessed the historic beach flyover
celebrating this momentous occasion. The </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">aerial review took
place over Okaloosa Island, featuring 30 vintage and current U.S. Air Force
aircraft like the following: a B-25 Mitchell bomber, a B-52 Stratofortress, an
F-22 Raptor, an F-35 Lightning Stealth Fighter, a C-130 Hercules Transport, a
CV-22 Osprey, a B1 Lancer Bomber, 2 F-15s and two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
helicopters. Lt. Col. Cole piloted the lead plan<span style="background: white; color: black;">e. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/celebrating-the-greatest-generation-the-80-raiders-80-years-after/" style="font-size: medium;" target="_blank">Read the article </a></p><div><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-June.pdf" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="color: #333333; text-align: left;"> (page1-2)</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08eTONtR_N3Q9-a2fqF22nVTN1P6kv2_yp-d7Mu_uj7pYheWXIbUojmyhj-ItQwcX4m7AYj2JmtGsXMRkLEgJKuUt06ivRvWrxS8XxqRqAxs2QdPheyEqYgdsebaWvjzyKVLuESVGLIUxEylNsL0xdS9wtOYIdiwbK2PjPAh8jLKxslIhrz9ceSkbJg/s4834/2022-04-18%2012.58.14-1%20Dr%20Stephenson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="4834" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08eTONtR_N3Q9-a2fqF22nVTN1P6kv2_yp-d7Mu_uj7pYheWXIbUojmyhj-ItQwcX4m7AYj2JmtGsXMRkLEgJKuUt06ivRvWrxS8XxqRqAxs2QdPheyEqYgdsebaWvjzyKVLuESVGLIUxEylNsL0xdS9wtOYIdiwbK2PjPAh8jLKxslIhrz9ceSkbJg/w640-h426/2022-04-18%2012.58.14-1%20Dr%20Stephenson.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGeorkM-nXnzIZkwTYYtRbc4ePzvXRqw2s1OYmbEfnZHdsn3Pz-mUVcV2hST5nJb_t38g9fMDlmcKJDeQXJir_zSNhqnl0Bvl-TMt9U_4ILU0l670-TId1iHaX6gY_SbCjlVtDLFhTx_nDU6fMk2TghrLL83XgWlt7yfEwswmLL-_vk0V07ZhOTH2ZA/s883/202206-1%20June%20(pg1)%20Celebrating%20Greatest%20Generation%2080%20Raiders%2080%20Years%20After.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="409" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICm0jAcbtk3vR7My6DkyguBz5iUaBQKijJEyx4uKfI0wrrjZ_J6A9Pc1TOFkscuJOWs-9mlv8WaILlDznX-Jht9yYee1T3Dfiduk-k5oRzkDoz1oeLVYoxxab0ONFK_Toh3CplDAspUbKnvIuiEVXlnsYrLUWpvU2liXWBgZ2EqJv5y5htNHh7Nt8aw/w244-h640/202206-3%20June%20(pg2Right)%20Celebrating%20Greatest%20Generation%2080%20Raiders%2080%20Years%20After.png" width="244" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="color: black; text-align: left;"></span></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-7956658490387682452022-05-20T13:59:00.001-07:002022-05-20T13:59:59.512-07:00A Pastor's Ponderings: (May 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">A Pastor's Ponderings: A Tribute to My Mom and Moms Everywhere</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;"></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">May 2022--Article 19 (2022-05-019)</div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vxTh6c4jrGejpjjkQh2ZfMPlOGnmRKRB2fRp3YJzcjXedsIbJAitEo--vNorzhylNYR7kZn0nv0N9mQ84lWuVtra0Mhn0xfxhW7h8hVqgbnDoZpQRztLu7RsKuHOLTSIPYQM617ilIpeXyLbwS9jetdbb2OXjJnlkHi_nnMGDlBHJq4KhedBuzBlRQ/s1296/19560211%20Wedding%20E.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="864" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vxTh6c4jrGejpjjkQh2ZfMPlOGnmRKRB2fRp3YJzcjXedsIbJAitEo--vNorzhylNYR7kZn0nv0N9mQ84lWuVtra0Mhn0xfxhW7h8hVqgbnDoZpQRztLu7RsKuHOLTSIPYQM617ilIpeXyLbwS9jetdbb2OXjJnlkHi_nnMGDlBHJq4KhedBuzBlRQ/w266-h400/19560211%20Wedding%20E.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I lost my mom last
Mother's Day (2021) to complications following surgery. The loss was painful, but I
don't believe that future Mother's Days should become a day of sadness and
mourning. Quite the opposite! I prefer to consider Mother's Day as a special tribute,
remembrance, and recognition. My mom was a beloved mother of four and a
treasured grandmother, great grandmother, wife, and friend. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">She was born in
Erding, Germany, just outside of Munich, two years before the onset of WWII.
She loved to read, and the library was her home away from home. She directly
impacted me with that same passion, greatly influencing my life and career. For
20 years, she and my dad were snowbird RVers. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Two months
before her death, my mom and dad celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Thankfully,
my dad will spend this Mother's Day with us here in Niceville. One of the many personalized
sympathy cards expressed the commonly held sentiments about my mom. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><i>"God saw
she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be, <br />
so he put his arms around her and whispered, 'Come with me.' <br />
With tearful eyes, I watched her suffer and saw her fade away. <br />
Although I loved her dearly, I could not make her stay. <br />
A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands to rest, <br />
God broke my heart to prove that He only takes the best."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Truly, heart-rending
words to read again! Like so many others in our communities, my mom was a
military spouse, and I would be remiss not to remind everyone of their sacrifices
during deployments. In 1967, my father was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base
and volunteered to go to Vietnam with the 7<sup>th</sup> Air Force—1967/1968. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">My 29-year-old
mom was left with three pre-teen type-A boys, a new puppy and giving birth to
my sister. While my dad was there, the Vietcong attacked every major city and
base during the TET Offensive. I am proud of his Bronze Star, but my mom should
have received the Parental Distinguished Service Medal for conspicuous
gallantry. We must NEVER forget the tremendous sacrifices of those who do not
wear the stars, the bars and the stripes but keep the home fires burning.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">To close on a lighter note: here are
seven truths my mom taught us: </span></strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>1. HOW TO PRAY:</b>
After spilling grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, <i>"You better pray
the stain will come out."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>2. PLAN AHEAD:</b>
<i>"Make sure you wear clean underwear because you could be in an
accident."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>3. LIFE'S
PARADOXES:</b> <i>"Keep laughing, and I'll give you something to cry about."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>4. HOW TO PERSEVERE:</b>
<i>"You'll sit there 'til all that spinach is finished."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>5. SPOTTING
SEVERE WEATHER PATTERNS:</b> <i>"It looks like a tornado swept through your
room."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>6. THE CIRCLE
OF LIFE:</b> <i>"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><b>7. EMPATHY:</b>
<i>"There are millions of less fortunate children who don't have it as good
as you do!"</i></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Pick up the
phone or visit your mom this Mother's Day. Tell her that you love her because you
are not guaranteed unlimited opportunities. The Bible exhorts every generation,<i>
"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when
she is old" <b>(Proverbs 23:22)</b></i>. Happy Mother's Day. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #660033; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-May.pdf" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a> (page 26)</div></span></div></span>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-63815770400480907552022-05-19T11:52:00.000-07:002022-05-19T11:52:19.712-07:00Raiders Win the 2021-22 National Championship! -- Coach of the Year Named; New Coach Hired (May 2022-18) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Raiders Win the 2021-22 National Championship! -- Coach of the Year Named; New Coach Hired</b></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">May 2022--Article 18 (2022-05-18)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_kVYVWRlcLshXBhFNOircNdvdvcDdqjdBnP9h_2HauoSRbe9cv7NM10CotyiuePtF9VfbLRPFAP3rFYpctDQjNqeRPPwavKWDRoEzoZsh8Js1NhuwizyGMRwS3YVmmODsQTxcFq4QHohZL37_Zl0WSWPg_MBa529Jec6PA0cR44HTrGBm-wEVIovSA/s1832/MBB%20Team%20Championship%20Celebration%20Photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1832" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_kVYVWRlcLshXBhFNOircNdvdvcDdqjdBnP9h_2HauoSRbe9cv7NM10CotyiuePtF9VfbLRPFAP3rFYpctDQjNqeRPPwavKWDRoEzoZsh8Js1NhuwizyGMRwS3YVmmODsQTxcFq4QHohZL37_Zl0WSWPg_MBa529Jec6PA0cR44HTrGBm-wEVIovSA/w400-h194/MBB%20Team%20Championship%20Celebration%20Photo.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Youth and
inexperience, frequently a recipe for sports disaster, turned into a miracle in
the making. Coach Greg Heiar (affectionately called GH) and his youthful
Raiders overcame every obstacle. With little experience playing at the college
level, the Raiders reached the pinnacle of success—their crowning as the 2022
NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball National Champions! For the third time in
school history, the Northwest Florida State College Raiders men's basketball
team claimed the cherished title.</span></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Raiders received
an at-large bid to the national tournament, which meant they had to compete
head-to-head against the country's top-tiered teams. Over six days, they had to
win (and did win) all five games. This turnaround team consisted primarily of
freshmen who had never played college basketball. They recorded 25 more wins
over the previous year's 6-15 record to finish with a magnificent 31 wins and
only five losses. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This team was built
from scratch and described as fearless, determined, and tough. The team
represents five countries on three continents. Dr. Devin Stephenson said of the
program and the college, "To be the best of the best is a standard that we
strive for in everything. Unrealistic expectations become the foundation for
growth." Dr. Stephenson also took the opportunity to present the AIM award
(Advancing Institutional Mission) to Coach Heiar and the Director of Athletics,
Ramsey Ross, for their "commitment to improving lives in our community and
great efforts to champion NWFSC's mission, vision and values." <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Deshawndre Washington
was named the national tournament's Most Valuable Player. Washington, Brennan
Rigby and Kam Woods were all named to the All-Tournament Team. Of course, GH
was named Coach of the Tournament as the best bench boss at the national
tournament. He was also recognized as the conference and national coach of the
year. This championship is NWFSC's first men's national title since 2015. Soon
after the win, Coach Heiar accepted a position as head coach at New Mexico
State. So, how does the future look for men's basketball? Glad you asked!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guess who is returning
to take over the reins? Yes, the coach of the 2015 National Championship team. Coach
Steve DeMeo was the Raider's head coach from 2013 to 2019, with an astonishing
170-27 record. During those six years, NWFSC was the winningest JUCO men's
program. During his tenure at NWFSC, Coach DeMeo's teams won five Panhandle
Conference titles, four FCSAA state championships, three national final four
appearances, and in 2015, the NJCAA National Championship. Under his
leadership, the Raiders also made three Elite Eight appearances and a 2017
Final Four appearance. The future? Shining like the sun!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Stephenson
commented on Coach DeMeo’s return: "We are pleased to welcome back Coach
DeMeo as the men's head basketball coach."</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Northwest Florida State College strives to produce the best
student-athletes in this region by providing them with the support, leadership,
and resources they need to excel on and off the court. We are confident that
they will continue to develop and succeed under Coach DeMeo's leadership and
are excited to see what is in store for them next season."</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.36px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ramsey Ross voiced the
same sentiments: "Our College feels incredibly fortunate to have Coach
DeMeo lead our men's basketball program again. His previous tenure here was
extraordinary, and we could not be more excited to see what awaits in the next
chapter. It was important to us to sustain the tremendous momentum of our men's
basketball program from this past season, and we feel bringing Coach DeMeo back
to the Raider community does just that." You can become a part of Raider
Nation too. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/raiders-win-the-2021-22-national-championship/" target="_blank">Read the article </a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div></div></span><p><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-May.pdf" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> (page19)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei1fIgUBjORnQLeAuMjkBAGLty4S9-xTpveQ0wKgkNWe81viB2KEmuvS3TIQnMi3B6iFGqnhKcl37_al8UcYobp2FBZGo08B5iCq3kGssHkeeJk93QY1iTpiMHx2ujcSnDfIhvnlpGNJ9eVYjDRcgt-8J0miJ8DePtCyWbZLmLNNOW_ewJcQUnDCZbw/s982/2022005-2%20May%20Raiders%20Win%202021-22%20Natl%20Championship.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="982" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei1fIgUBjORnQLeAuMjkBAGLty4S9-xTpveQ0wKgkNWe81viB2KEmuvS3TIQnMi3B6iFGqnhKcl37_al8UcYobp2FBZGo08B5iCq3kGssHkeeJk93QY1iTpiMHx2ujcSnDfIhvnlpGNJ9eVYjDRcgt-8J0miJ8DePtCyWbZLmLNNOW_ewJcQUnDCZbw/w400-h375/2022005-2%20May%20Raiders%20Win%202021-22%20Natl%20Championship.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span><p></p>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2531926091222731523.post-37158526941281630012022-05-18T06:25:00.001-07:002022-05-18T12:13:30.134-07:00Golden Anniversary 919th SOW (May 2022-17) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist<p style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Golden Anniversary: 919th Special Operations Wing</b></p><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Pastor Doug Stauffer</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Faith Independent Baptist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper</span></div><div style="text-align: right;">May 2022--Article 17 (2022-05-17)</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlTZQ-JZih_0_pGH8Br4k8lwa0QrMUhYzl4T2wlSH_GS0ya-myEFMgo0DdNGXntShHtiDOhaSFX-aTfq-j7T_9XXiPRgBB_IsCrMPCMg8yiOUOSri8mB-myc1cLVK8t9tlyq9Zy1ao4Dq3g2wbt3GCu-x9tXE6BuXx_vTaUmjjsXhqAakgU2Ett1Xug/s2048/08%20Trisha%20Brunson%20and%20Teresa%20Halverson%20with%20Col%20Grandy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlTZQ-JZih_0_pGH8Br4k8lwa0QrMUhYzl4T2wlSH_GS0ya-myEFMgo0DdNGXntShHtiDOhaSFX-aTfq-j7T_9XXiPRgBB_IsCrMPCMg8yiOUOSri8mB-myc1cLVK8t9tlyq9Zy1ao4Dq3g2wbt3GCu-x9tXE6BuXx_vTaUmjjsXhqAakgU2Ett1Xug/w400-h266/08%20Trisha%20Brunson%20and%20Teresa%20Halverson%20with%20Col%20Grandy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">They say blood runs thicker than water,
but I witnessed what happens when colleagues choose to create an enduring bond.
With its many branches, this extended family of the 919<sup>th</sup> Special
Operations Wing (SOW) showed the heights achieved through genuine solidarity. I
had the distinct pleasure of interacting with one of Okaloosa County's largest
families. While they are not literal siblings, they are affectionately known as
"America's Citizen Air Commandos." The future is bright because we
have men and women willing to serve and sacrifice without much recognition. At
the outset, may I express a heartfelt thanks to the 919th SOW from each of us?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">One word encapsulates this unit: Camaraderie—I
sensed this truth at the informal family Wing Day and the formal anniversary
banquet. Yet, these two events hardly scratch the surface of who they are and
what they mean to all Americans. The close bonds extend from top to
bottom—starting with the Wing Commander throughout the entire organization. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">They sacrifice to support the nation's
defences at home and at distant points around the globe. The Wing Commander is Colonel
Jason Grandy. He stated that "We perform thirteen unique missions and
serve as the only Reserve Wing with such a diverse mission. We pride ourselves
as quiet professionals; we do not work for the praise, but we want to do a good
job because that is what we do. The human capital in our Wing is exceptional."
Like most true professionals, he leads by example. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The 919th Special Operations Wing,
located at Eglin Air Force Base Field 3 (Duke Field), is the only special
operations Wing in the Air Force Reserve. The Wing supports the Air Force
Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC).
Its taskings include operations, maintenance, security forces, civil
engineering, communications, logistics, supply, transportation services and
personnel functions. As Colonel Grandy mentioned, it is the most diverse Wing
in the Air Force Reserve Command, performing 13 unique missions.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">There are approximately 1,700 members
assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing. Over 1,400 of those are
part-time reservists. The Air Reserve Technicians (ARTs) provide the full-time
continuity and support to keep the units and members combat-ready. ARTs carry
dual status as full-time civil service employees for the U.S. Air Force and participate
as reservists. More than 300 ARTs and 47 civilians support the Wing in
day-to-day operations.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">As the only special operations unit in
the Air Force Reserve, the unit has supported Operation Just Cause, Operations
Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Enduring Freedom,
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. The 919th Security Forces Squadron
was the first Air Force Reserve unit to be activated to support Operation
Enduring Freedom.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Family Wing Day:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> The Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of
Commerce partnered with Duke Field to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The Chamber's
business community donated the funds to provide free "Nice-cream"
from Dippin' Dots for the attendees of Family Day. Tricia Brunson, President
and CEO of the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber, expressed her appreciation for the
919th with the following comment.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">"The mission of Duke Field is to
serve, protect and defend our nation. Its proximity to us makes it an integral
part of our local economy. They are our friends and neighbors. Their children are
students in our schools; their spouses fill employment needs for our businesses,
while many reservists work full-time jobs within our community. The 919th
Special Operations Wing has been there for us for 50 years, standing ready to
keep us safe and our nation strong. They provide us peace of mind while we
provide them with a sense of home—a signature asset of Okaloosa County."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The 50th
Anniversary Banquet:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"> "50
Years of Valor" was the theme for the evening as the 919th SOW wrapped up
the weekend of celebrations with a formal gala. Lt. Colonel James Wilson, the
919th Chief of Public Affairs, said, "The 919th Special Operations Wing is
one of the most decorated units in the Reserve. Since the unit's activation in
1971, Reservists from Duke Field have earned 20 Air Force Outstanding Unit
Awards for organizational excellence. Today's standards are closely tied to
those pioneers who established the Air Force Reserve's presence at Duke Field
more than 50 years ago. This weekend is our opportunity to honor and thank them
for showing us what it means to be the 'Best of the Best.'"</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Retirees, former commanders, current
leaders and everyone in attendance enjoyed reminiscing and learning about the
rich history and mission of Duke Field. Major General Richard S. "Beef"
Haddad gave an inspirational speech. Community leaders, Jerry Williams, President/CEO
of Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU) and the Military Affairs Chair, Teresa
Halverson, expressed gratitude for our local military. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">The late Brig. Gen. Donald Haugen, the
919th's founding member, created the 919th Tactical Airlift Group in 1971. Judy
Haugen is considered the First Lady of the 919th. She is the mother of retired
Lt. Colonel Brian Haugen of the Taylor Haugen Foundation. The evening wrapped
up by highlighting several annual award winners from the 919th, with Colonel
Grandy bringing the closing remarks. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">I caught up with EFCU's Jerry Williams, a
major supporter of the anniversary celebrations like so many other community
events. "Our loyalty to the military stems from the fact that EFCU's
exists because of the military. The credit union was birthed in 1954 because of
the military institutions in this area. Many of our employees have worked for
the credit union while serving in the Reserve at the 919th. Presently we have
two employees in the 919th—they are serving our members one day and our country
the next. We are honored to play a small part in such a magnificent endeavor."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 121%; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 7.7pt; margin-top: 4.7pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Did you know that Niceville Mayor Henkel
is a retired Air Commando? The next time you see him, be sure to express your
sincere appreciation for his service.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 121%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/golden-anniversary-919th-special-operations-wing/" target="_blank">Read the article </a></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><br /></div></div></span><p><a href="https://mybaylifenwfl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bay-LIfe-West-2022-May.pdf" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Read the newspaper</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> (page 1 and 2)</span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyiaAHtK-NcrPRzDkWPRdzxeZ19W6phdVmEhKDn6oSWQoJuXo01bZtbrU61BIxxcNuDD9NYzsgUFh8t46SZ_e7jzy68tE1hrxwoGt9o1g3_wk4t81U3IqAg6RyWv0P8pxbIgnST4IfGKvfijUzc62q3dEBpBOGxAOeSZL1AeM65Z0sy0h384OpfhvUw/s1049/202205%20May%20Golden%20Anniversary%20919th%20SOW%20(page%201).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1049" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyiaAHtK-NcrPRzDkWPRdzxeZ19W6phdVmEhKDn6oSWQoJuXo01bZtbrU61BIxxcNuDD9NYzsgUFh8t46SZ_e7jzy68tE1hrxwoGt9o1g3_wk4t81U3IqAg6RyWv0P8pxbIgnST4IfGKvfijUzc62q3dEBpBOGxAOeSZL1AeM65Z0sy0h384OpfhvUw/w640-h534/202205%20May%20Golden%20Anniversary%20919th%20SOW%20(page%201).png" width="640" /></a></span></div><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MIjELyxCRI4mNG-APIMwJD281M4dDRkbG33T0ZJM2jlH437YpyAhG94wInL61VH4mmKkQ4bXYzj5lV2tDHKlqq1rJa0Rct-gYmRGJREae3mzms38rS6mhlFoRLU0FuA2Xp-wEXasAnMtA1A7LnJ1ZHv7rPUfJsQMF-Ez0d5vM81fatjXfbTe9VWjpg/s797/202205%20May%20Golden%20Anniversary%20919th%20SOW%20(page%202).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="628" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MIjELyxCRI4mNG-APIMwJD281M4dDRkbG33T0ZJM2jlH437YpyAhG94wInL61VH4mmKkQ4bXYzj5lV2tDHKlqq1rJa0Rct-gYmRGJREae3mzms38rS6mhlFoRLU0FuA2Xp-wEXasAnMtA1A7LnJ1ZHv7rPUfJsQMF-Ez0d5vM81fatjXfbTe9VWjpg/w504-h640/202205%20May%20Golden%20Anniversary%20919th%20SOW%20(page%202).png" width="504" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>dougstauffer.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269325215673521134noreply@blogger.com0