“In Florida, we want to get as much vaccine for our citizens as possible, but we know we will not, nor will any state, have enough to vaccinate everyone right off the bat,” DeSantis said in a pre-recorded video his office released Wednesday night. “So, we’ve had to set priorities.” ... Read More
CT Media Presents: God Pops Up in Southeast Asia
When the government blocked his Christian radio station, Chanda had to find another way to spread the Good News of Jesus. His answer came on a microchip. This strategic work in Southeast Asia faces continued pressure from the government, yet it continues to spread. Drawing on new technologies, the leaders have equipped hundreds of “hubs” across their region. In some places, they have brought the gospel to tribes who have never heard it. They’ve translated the Bible, for the... Read More
Cops should’ve stopped intruder pounding on disabled man’s door, experts say
Seventy-year-old Bill Norkunas, of Tamarac, who survived Polio, is seen near his shattered glass front door on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. Norkunas called the police for help as someone tries to break in and the police apparently stayed away. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel) ... Read More
COVID-19 in Florida: 9,994 more people test positive; 97 more die
This widely cited model has been fairly accurate throughout the pandemic. In early August, the institute projected by Tuesday there would be 19,358 COVID-19 deaths in Florida, which is within 500 deaths of the actual toll. At the time of that August prediction, the state had counted about 8,700 pandemic deaths. ... Read More
Unemployment taxes will go up for Florida businesses next year
Starting in January, businesses paying the minimum rate will owe $20.30 per employee, a $13.30 increase on the current rate. The maximum rate, usually paid by large businesses with a more frequent history of layoffs, remains at 5.4% of the first $7,000 in wages, or $378 per employee. ... Read More
2020’s Most-Read Bible Verse: ‘Do Not Fear’
In an uncertain and difficult year, a record number of people searched for healing, fear, and justice. During the hardest moments of a particularly difficult year, Bible searches soared online, and a record number of people turned to Scripture for passages addressing fear, healing, and justice. The popular YouVersion Bible App saw searches increase by 80 percent in 2020, totaling nearly 600 million worldwide. Isaiah 41:10 ranked as the most searched, read, and bookmarked verse on the app:... Read More
Florida’s Senate president sets up a pandemic preparedness committee
He filled out committee chairmanships Wednesday, which his picks including Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, as chairman of the Education Committee, Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, as chairman of the Ethics and Elections Committee, and Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, as chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. ... Read More
Give businesses immunity from COVID lawsuits, task force tells Florida legislators in 2021 wish list
The group is co-chaired by executives from Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Retail Federation and the National Federation of Independent Business Florida, but it was composed of more than 60 associations that represent employers from the health care, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing and retail sectors, among others. ... Read More
Future Now: Leading with Humility
To lead well in 2020 and beyond will require a new level of listening and learning. "This is not what I signed up for," a pastor recently said to me—and I get it. Most of us signed up for the kind of ministry where we preach and teach the Bible, share the gospel, people respond by grace through faith—and then we shepherd our people. We would do the things that pastors do and have done for centuries. Then 2020 came along and wrecked our plans. Ross Douthat wrote an... Read More
We Prayed for Healing. God Brought a Pandemic.
A coronavirus outbreak at France’s biggest Pentecostal megachurch changed their view of providence, judgment, and fellowship. One of France’s largest megachurches gathered this fall to remember those lost to COVID-19. The memorial service was intensely personal, “a very trying time” and “a real heartbreak,” said senior pastor Samuel Peterschmitt, because of how dramatically the congregation had been affected by the virus. Just nine months before, Eglise La... Read More