Finding Satisfaction

Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones turned 67 Monday. I will always associate Mick and the Stones with the song I Can't Get No Satisfaction. For many people that song has become an anthem to describe this life. Remember the chorus...

I can't get no satisfaction, I can't get no satisfaction 

'Cause I try and I try and I try and I try, I can't get no, I can't get no satisfaction.

I try and I try and I try and I try. The truth of the matter is we can try a variety of things and if you have followed Mick's career, you know he has tried a lot of things! However, this world simply has no answer for the longing we have in our heart. We are made for something more than this world could ever offer. C.S. Lewis said, If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.The truth is we were made for another world. A world where God's will is completely followed and God's people find rest for their souls and satisfaction in him alone. 

Solomon was right when he said God has also set eternity in the hearts of men. We long for eternity and nothing this world will ever offer will satisfy our longing for the next life. 

I cannot image what you give an aging Rock Star for his 67th birthday, I only hope one day he will find the satisfaction that he and everyone else if looking for. 

   

Sunday Night Reflections

I was away on vacation this week so I did not have the opportunity to worship at Palm Bay today, but I thought I would give some reflections on my vacation from last week.

• Spent all day Monday doing yard work - I know it sounds crazy, but I actually enjoy doing yard work. There is something about finishing the job and looking over the work with a sense of accomplishment. That is not always true in ministry, there is always something that needs to be done. By the way Round Up is some serious weed killer.
• Tuesday was Anniversary day. Kathy and I celebrated 31 years of marriage on that day. We celebrated with dinner at the Melbourne Chart House, Great view of the River, but even better food! (I recommend the salmon, Kathy the scallops - you will not be disappointed) Todd was our waiter and he really knows what it means to put the customer first. If you ever eat at the Chart House, ask for Todd, he was great! 
• Wednesday was do nothing day and that is what we did - Absolutely nothing, kind of hard to completely disengage, but by noon I was enjoying "Do Nothing Day"
• Thursday began with our family going to a movie and lunch - It is amazing that movies are only $4 before noon at Cinema World - What a deal! Finished reading "The Good and Beautiful Life"  by James Smith - He really has a great take on the Sermon on the Mount - Hey FCC Friends this is NOT our James Smith! 
• Friday Night Kathy and I saw SALT - what an Adrenaline Rush - Keeps you guessing all the way to the end.
• Other Random Thoughts - Shrimp always taste better on the grill. This vacation I really feel refreshed and am looking forward to getting back to work. Maybe you never thought of it, but doing ministry is a gift; ministry blesses other people, honors God and we have the privilege to represent Christ - WHAT A GREAT GIFT! There are times our dog is a Diva! We are only 39 days away from the 2010 College Football Season.

Well that was my vacation - not real exciting, but I really enjoyed myself. Now I am ready and refreshed - Monday here I come!

Rest

I am on vacation this week. I must say the timing for vacation was near perfect. I plan to relax a little, catch up with family in Jax. and celebrate my 31st anniversary with my wife. We are not doing anything spectacular this week, we are simply changing our routine a little bit and already I sense that I am being refreshed.

There is something special that happens when we change our routine. We get a fresh perspective on a situation. We also find time to do a few little things that the day to day activities limit us. For example, our family went to Red Lobster tonight and we decided everyone could get what they wanted, don't worry about the prices on the menu. For an hour and half we simply relaxed enjoyed good seafood and reconnected. Why does it take a vacation for this to happen?

I am looking forward to the next few days, I have a few good books to read that do not have anything to do with ministry or church leadership, I plan on doing a few things around the house that need to be done and then I plan to celebrate 31 years of marriage with my best friend. This very well could be my ideal vacation!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• I was really looking forward to preaching this morning.
• Our new sermon series from the Gospel of Mark will challenge all of us to live a life of distinction.
• If you are suffering from spiritual amnesia, let me challenge you to spend some time in the gospel of Mark, just to remind you who you are.
• Yes it is time to forget who you have become and remember who you are!
• Do you remember your "O Happy Day"? Mine was December 12, 1969 at Englewood Christian Church, Jacksonville FL. I have never been the same!
• If Jesus is just one more choice on a spiritual buffet, you do not know the Jesus of the Bible.
• I am still thinking about the impact of the NACC - it was one of the best I have attended.
• I hope we will always live distinctive lives in our marriages, families, home, church, workplace or anywhere else where we have the opportunity to live for Christ.
• Preachers, If you do not have a prayer partner you are missing out on a vital resource!
• Just wondering where in scripture does God call us to be bland or non-distinctive?
• Teachers report back to school two weeks from tomorrow - where did summer go?
• I am spending some time in the book of Jeremiah and these two verses reminded me of what pleases God.
• I am really excited about some of the Events we will be offering this Fall, I really they will make a difference in lives of people.
• Just in case you are wondering we are less than 50 days away from the kickoff of the college football season - HIKE!

On Expository Preaching

The purpose of preaching is to bring about life change, in both the congregation and in the preacher. Life change is what makes preaching different from any other form of communication. For if we can change lives we can change families, cultures and countries. Remember what was said of Paul in Thessalonica - He had turned the world upside down - how Miracles, healing, protesting, no by preaching the word of God. Over the last few years I have used a variety of styles in preaching...

• Textual
• Topical
• Narrative
• Expository

Unfortunately when we preach topical or textual sermons we can find ourselves not covering the full counsel of God. This Sunday, I am beginning a new series from the gospel of Mark; with the goal of preaching through the book verse by verse or what is known as expository preaching. So far I have outlined the first chapter of Mark and discovered I will be covering the topics of baptism, the divinity of Christ, discipleship and the compassion of Christ. I must say I am really excited about this series and I look forward to reconnecting with this gospel. Over the next few weeks I will report the results of what I think will be a very good series of growth for the myself and the congregation at PBCC.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• John Craig did a great job bringing the word today.
• I really appreciated his take on James 1 and how we are to handle our trials.
• Jonathan's thoughts about God "chasing us" during the communion meditation really made me think.
• I am glad to serve in a church that is so gracious to allow young men the opportunity to "try out" on us. I believe we will be blessed because of our gracious attitude!
• Last week's NACC was one of the best I have attended.The theme was BEYOND and it really stirred me to think that God wants me and you to go BEYOND what we are doing right now.
• Have you ever thought about the difference you are making in the lives of others?
• When we realize the incredible power we have to make a difference in the lives of others, why would we want live as if our actions and attitudes do not make a difference?
• How big is your sphere of influence?
• I am really looking forward to preaching next Sunday.
• Summer is almost over, kids go back to school in 4 weeks.
• There are only 167 shopping days left before Christmas. How can we slow this year down???

Friends in Ministry

Tonight, I was reminded once again of one of the by-products of serving in ministry. FRIENDSHIPS. I am in Indianapolis for the North American Christian Convention. Kathy and I had dinner with a young lady who was a part of my student ministry from 1984-1989. We had a wonderful dinner with her family, we reminisced about our ministry, caught up with each other families and talked about what our churches were currently doing.

When I returned to my hotel this evening, I could not help but to think my life is richer because all of the relationships I have developed in 29 years of ministry.

While there is a lot of talk about what we need to do to help the church grow we seldom talk about the need to develop deep relationships with one another as a means for church growth. This is sad, for relationships are the key for developing lasting disciples in the kingdom. Look at the ministry of Jesus it focused on relationships...

• Jesus and the 12
• Jesus and Peter
• Jesus and John
• Jesus and Lazarus, Mary and Martha
• Jesus and Zacchaeus
• Jesus and Nicodemus
• Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
• Jesus and Matthew

Get the picture, Jesus focused on relationships - I for one and glad I have followed the Jesus model when it comes to friends in ministry, for the relationships I have made over the last 29 years have truly deepened my commitment to ministry. I am a better person because of my relationships and I have a greater appreciation for what people have done for Christ through our relationships. What relationships do you have because of ministry? Maybe today you can reconnect with someone in ministry, the joy you receive will be priceless.

On a personal note; thanks for dinner Brad and Ginay the food was good but the time together was fantastic!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Wrapped up lost and found series today - I hope we will always be "A Loving Father" Church.
• Remember it is possible to lose one's focus, priorities and way. May that never happen at PBCC.
• I am afraid "Older Brother" thinking is prevalent in many of our churches today.
• Are you waiting for any prodigals to come home today?
• When was the last time you visited the Land of the Forgotten stuff?
• Missing people break God's heart, do they break your heart as well?
• Have you ever considered what it must have been like to hear Jesus tell a parable?
• When I consider eternity; I wonder why we spend so much time focusing on the hear and now.
• I am still wondering how someone could lose that many babystrollers at Disney World.
• Hey if you find a wallet with $8,000 in it - it is mine!
• Thank you Lauren for the Star Spangled Banner this morning, that song truly stirs the patriot in me!
• I am amazed that I am an otter - if you are in our parenting class you know what that means!
• I know this sounds weird, but I am ready for Summer to be over!
• Nobody does fireworks like Disney - NOBODY!
• I will be away at the North American Christian Convention this week - I am really looking forward to a chance to recharge and reconnect with ministry friends.
• I am looking forward to hearing Jon and John next week!
• Just in case you are wondering the Gators open the season in 62 days. Are you ready for some REAL football?

Happy Birthday America

Tomorrow Americans will celebrate our 234 years as a nation. There will be parades, fireworks, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. While it is very easy for to be critical of our government or focus on our problems; we must remember we still live in the greatest nation in the world. The freedoms and privileges we have in America are second to none. As I reflect on Independence Day I cannot help but think of all the things that make our country great...

• The freedom of travel allows us to see such sights as the natural sights of the Grand Canyon, the Smoky Mountains, Niagara Falls, The Badlands of the West, The Painted Desert, Any of our National Seashores,The Florida Keys, Alaska, Yellowstone, Sequoia National Park, Volcanoes in Hawaii and the Gulf Coast of Florida!
• Our Monuments - You cannot help but get goosebumps at the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of Liberty and especially the World War II Monument in Washington.
• Our Opportunities - There are story after story of people coming to America with literally nothing but the clothes on their back, however with determination and disciple they have become successful, no other country affords such opportunity. As Ronald Reagan said; America is too great for small dreams.
• Our Abundant Freedoms - Freedom to worship freely, Freedom to own guns, Freedom to Assemble, Freedom to Vote, Freedom of Speech (even if we disagree with what is being said)

So tomorrow as you hear the Star Spangled Banner or Watch the fireworks, I hope you will remember to thank God for the nation that was formed by the people and for the people. May we agree with Ronald Regan who said, Putting people first has always been America’s secret weapon. It’s the way we’ve kept the spirit of our revolutions alive—a spirit that drives us to dream and dare, and take great risks for a greater good. May God continue to Bless America!

Halftime

Well it is official - the year is half over! Six months have passed and we have 6 months to go until 2011 (Only six months - Do you remember Y2K?). Today is halftime. In a football game, halftime is used for making adjustments or for laying out new plays. If you are ahead at halftime you want to stay the course, if you are behind at halftime it is time for a gut check. You ask yourself what adjustments must I make to get ahead and ultimately win the game. A lot rides on the strategy of halftime.

So where are you in 2010, are you ahead or are you behind? Do you need to adjust some goals? Do you need to recommit to the cause? What will you do to ensure a victory in 2010? What do you consider a victory?

Personally, I am using halftime to readjust some things in ministry. Next week I will be taking some time to look back and look ahead. I will be spending some time with some ministry colleagues who I hope will assist me in coming up with a good game plan for the rest of the year.

I am looking forward to the second half, how about you?