Sunday Bight Reflections

 A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the Church family of River Run Brevard this morning. Great time of worship and a great message on THANKSLIVING.

• Dan and his team have made great strides in a church that was on the ropes just a few years ago. 

• If you want a testimony about how to revitalize a church contact River Run Brevard. They honored God through their actions and it is apparent God is pleased with their progress. 

• One of the most powerful videos on gratitude was palyed this morning - it is true, images often move us better than words. 

• Savannah celebrated her 2nd Birthday today. Great Fun!

• I melt when she calls me Papa!

• Changes coming to Gainesville. If I were a Seminole, I would be leery about the upcoming game with the Gators - Sometime Emotion can overcome skill.

• Radiation is a pain - it is taking it's toll on Kathy, Oh how I hate Cancer!

• Missed vision night at church tonight, but from all I hear we are moving forward with some amazing things!

• There are only 3 weeks left in the college football regular season - season moved by way too fast.

• Why do stores need to be open on Thanksgiving Day?

• Did you know in 45 days it will be 2015? Whatever happened to Y2K?

• My heart breaks for a couple of preachers who are currently in a storm. 

• Seeing the generosity of people always warms my soul.  

• Everyday I want to pray as John; Come quickly Lord Jesus! 

• Did I tell you how much I hate Cancer? Come quickly Lord Jesus!

• Something to Chew on; Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. ~ Jesus, John 16:33

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with Vero Christian Church this morning. 
• The Vero Church is filled with friends of JUFL and many alumni have come out of the church, because of their generosity they are truly changing the world for Christ. 
• I had planned to be there as a missions representative but was pressed into service to preach. Preaching minister was hit with a case of Laryngitis. Hope you are feeling better, Steve!
• Today's message focused on the power of the word of God. 
• Call it a "God Moment" but It was pretty amazing the worship set fit my message perfectly. Thank you Scott for a wonderful worship set!
• In a world that questions all authority, one must remember there is one true source of authority and He has given us  a guide to live by.
• Our oldest son  turned 34 this weekend - As Kenny Chesney sings; Don't Blink!"
• My traveling days are over, for 2014, this year I visited a church running 3,200 in attendance and a church running 19. Traveled as far south as Naples and as far north as Jacksonville. It will be good to worship with the FCC Kissimmee family for a few weeks.
• Here is a telling stat in May of 2013 JUFL gave me a car to use for school travel, the odometer read 37,555, today (18 months later) the car has 72,200 miles. Call me the Road Warrior. 
• Babysitting the granddaughter is such a joy.
• When I see all Kathy goes through with this cancer I get angry at this fallen creation!
• I would like to celebrate Thanksgiving before  before jumping into the Christmas Hype!
• You have to admit it is nice not receiving all those political ads in the mail!
• Doubly nice not being flooded with political TV ads. 
• Are the Gators finally getting it together?
• Something to Chew On; “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ~ Epicurus 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Spoke at Dade City Christian Church on Saturday evening at their night of worship.
• Great group of folks trying to reach a new generation for Christ. 
• Message for the evening focused on our Amazing Race. In this life we have to keep running!
• Also enjoyed great worship with some 'up and coming' worship bands in the area!
• Saturday JUFL hosted the Healthy Elder conference on the campus, great to see such a large number of men interested in becoming better leaders in the local church.
• Staggering Stat from the conference; 4,000 churches will close in America this year simply because they have forgotten their mission. 
• What is the mission, here is a clue.
• I wish I would have attended a Healthy Elder conference when I first started out in ministry.
• Dolphins and Gators win on the same weekend - did not see that happening.
• Extra hour of sleep was nice last night, but I will be hating it come Spring!
• November, already!
• Something to Chew on; No Mission, No Cause, No Leadership, No Opportunity for significance or success ~ Anonymous  

Sunday Night Refections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Doubly blessed today, attended worship at FCC Kissimmee this morning then spoke at Winter Haven CC for their Faith Promise tonight. 
• Today's message was spot on regarding how to handle conflict in the local church, every church leader should get a copy of Jim's message this morning.So much pain and frustration could be avoided if they would simply follow God's principles from Acts 15.
• Jim's illustration regarding Titus as a new convert was a powerful illustration of the importance of handling conflict correctly.
• Tonight's message focused on missions; the need and the alternative to missions. What a unique perspective taken from the prophet Jonah.
• Healthy churches are mission minded churches.
• Missions does not always mean you are taking the gospel overseas, but missions is taking the gospel to someone!
• I was able to travel with some of the students from JUFL today - great bunch of students, our future is bright.
• A new office allows for a fresh start, spent the weekend going through some old files - why do we hold on to so much meaningless stuff?
• Well the Gators did not lose this weekend!
• I will be so glad to see the election process come to an end next week - according to all of the negative commercials if either party gets in we will either have a zombie apocalypse or life as we know it it will be over - We desperately need leaders!
• Speaking of Leaders; JUFL is hosting the Healthy Elder conference on the campus this Saturday, November 1 - remember EVERYTHING rises and falls on leadership.
• Panara Bread makes one good cinnamon roll.
• Something to Chew on; We must arrange life so sin no longer looks good to us. ~ John Ortberg, The Life You Always Wanted. 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at the Christian Church of Moore Haven this morning.
• Focus of today's message "Why Strong in the Scriptures is more than a motto"
• Key text; Jeremiah 6:16, This is what the Lord says:
  “Stop at the crossroads and look around.
   Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
  Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
• I truly believe we are at the crossroads as a nation and as a culture.
• By the way, Houston we have a problem
• Loved sharing stories of what the alumni of JUFL are doing today.  
• God truly has done more than we could ever ask or imagine through the lives of the alumni of JUFL. May the Zeal never cease!
• Watch college football this weekend was heart wrenching - looks like the gators are out of postseason play again.
• Well basketball is just around the corner!
• If you are ever in Winter Park, Check out The Coop - Good Food!
• Dolphins on TV Today - it is an October Miracle!
• Something to Chew on; He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? ~ Micah 6:8

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped at FCC Kissimmee today.
• Great message on the subject of a reasonable faith.
• Tony C. has to be one of the best worship leaders around.
• Great day at Roundup this past weekend. It is always good to hear the stories from the past as we look to the future, Ross and Jim did a wonderful job bringing two fine messages.
• I so appreciate the servant's heart many of the students of JUFL presented this weekend.
• Favorite part of Roundup for me was the PPT of the various alumni serving around the world. I am amazed how God has directed so many of our alums into a place of kingdom growth.
• The Gators and the Dolphins gave us two heartbreaking losses!
• Experienced some surprising customer service today, unexpected but welcomed. 
• Two great quotes from John Ortberg's book, The Me I Want to Be! 1)There is no way for a human being to come to God that does not involve surrender. 2) Jesus does not come to rearrange the outside of our life the way we want. He comes to rearrange the inside of our life the way God wants.
• Just in case you are curious, there are 73 days 'til Christmas! I guess that is why we went Christmas tree shopping this afternoon!
• Something to Chew on; Life is not about any particular achievement or experience. The most important task of your life is not what you do, but who you become. ~ John Ortberg

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached at Englewood Christian Church today for their homecoming. What a GREAT day!
• I am so impressed with what is happening at ECC, Ken and his team are doing a wonderful job.
• Today's message focused on the difference people make in the lives of others. I used several illustrations from Englewood's past to drive the point home.
• Four traits or making a difference in people's lives from Philippians 2 - Love People, Take Risk, Be a Tireless Worker, Become a Servant Leader.
• ECC is a special place, since 1964 they have given $5 million to missions, helped plant 13 churches, were heavily involved in starting a church camp and a bible college - They have made a difference in the Kingdom.
• ECC has also sent many young men and women to Bible college, and they in turn are an extension of Englewood's ministry. 
• The weather change this morning was a welcomed relief.
• Watch the Gators play is becoming excruciating! 
• It is October 5th and I have already seen a Christmas commercial of TV - REALLY!
• Goodwill is a great place to pick up books!
• There are times I crave a good hotdog - and tonight is one of those times!
• I love being a part of a small group.
• Something to Chew on; We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit ~ Aristotle