Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Two more people joined the PBCC family today; Welcome Tom and Sharon.
• Today's worship was very moving. 
• I continue to be amazed at the number of people praying for their lost family and friends.
• Remember, fishing is the primary function of the church.
• When we consider the fact that Jesus is sending us out like lambs before wolves, we had better be sure we are praying for spiritual protection.
• I wonder what would happen if we really focused on fishing 
• Who are you training right now to insure your ministry continues?
• There should be no doubt that eternal life and death hang in the balance when it comes to Jesus.
• Churches that understand this fact, are alive and vibrant and growing. Churches that do not see the need to extend the invitation are churches that are dead, fussing and faithless.  

Our God

Just finished ready the daily Bible reading when I came across this nugget from Isaiah 40...


      Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
      Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
      Who else knows the weight of the earth
      or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
      Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
      Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
      Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
      Does he need instruction about what is good?
      Did someone teach him what is right
      or show him the path of justice?

Who has held oceans, measured the heavens, weighed the earth? When I consider what God is able to do, and I must confess I cannot comprehend all He is able to do. I am amazed that he desires a relationship with us. In fact, if you continue in the today's reading from the book of Ephesians you discover this truth...

Praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Paul says, because He loved us He has...

• Blessed us with every spiritual blessing
• Chosen us
• Adopted us

Now catch this; This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

This weekend as you worship, I hope you remember that God takes great pleasure in having a relationship with you. Just thinking about God in this way should truly transform you as you worship Him

Lessons from my grandfather

My grandfather celebrates  his 94th birthday this week. He is an amazing man, though he recently gave up driving, he still lives by himself in Jacksonville, Florida. Ninety four years is an amazing accomplishment. Psalm 90:10 tells us, "The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength." I am so proud of my grandfather, he has been an inspiration to me and my family. Today, I thought I would share some lessons I have learned from my grandfather...

1. The importance of family, my grandparent had 6 children, 5 boys and 1 girl. Most of the family still live in the greater Jacksonville area. Through the years I have watched our family go through a few crises; I have seen a few divorces, a few deaths in our family, as well as some troubling health issues; what has been amazing to me is how my family has cared for one another through these difficult times, I believe this is a tribute to family values my grandparents instilled in to their children.
2. A Love for America, my grandfather was part of the greatest generation, he served his country during World War II. One of my earliest memories of my grandfather is the picture of him in his uniform which sat on a table in my grandparent's living room. He does not talk about his military service, but I am glad he choose to serve his country in this way. By the way, all 5 of his sons and his son-in-law have served in the military as well. 
3. The importance of making memories, my grandfather loved to travel, along with my grandmother, the two of them traveled all across America. I am not sure, but I think they have been to all 50 states. Now when I was a teen, I have to be honest watching slides and home movies of their last great expedition was not high on my list, but looking back, I would give anything to watch those slide shows  and movies again. 
4. Circumstances do not define us, My grandfather's father died when was a young boy, as a result he had to live with his older sister. I am sure back in the 1920's this was a difficult circumstance to say the least. However, my grandfather refused to be a victim of circumstances instead he grew up, married and raised a large family. Circumstances did not define him, he defined his circumstances.
5. The importance of heritage, My dad is the oldest son and I am the oldest grandson, several years ago my grandfather gave me a genealogy of our family. It goes all the way back to the 1700's. To find these records my grandfather search family records, visited cemeteries and asked a lot of questions. Today I am so thankful for "The List", it reminds me of my heritage and reminds me of my roots.
6. Have Fun, Now isn't this what being a grandfather is all about! My grandfather owned a boat, a pool table, a camper, and property on a lake, just to name a few things. As a kid, I remember each one of those items and they all carry special memories and every memory is one of joy!
7. Hard Work will always be rewarded, my grandfather taught and modeled hard work, and as a result we all enjoyed the fruits of his labor, and we continue to honor him with our work ethic.
8. Respect for Firearms, my grandfather was a hunter, and he taught his sons and grandsons how to hunt as well. Hunting was never for the joy of killing an animal, we always ate the game we killed. As for firearms, I can remember the guns in his den, we had a healthy respect for the firearms and I believe that is one of the reasons we never had a firearm accident, grandfather taught us guns were tools, not toys. Thus we honored him by respecting the firearms in his home. 
9. Nothing beats a good day of fishing, granddad loved to fish and he taught us how to fish, I still remember my first fishing trip, it was one of the many adventures I have had with my grandfather. I remember catching a fish that day , but more than that I remember how happy my grandfather was for me on that day. Nothing beats a good day of fishing.
10. Celebrate with Food, One of my earliest memories at my grandfather's house was the oyster roast we would have in his backyard. Now you may not be a fan of oysters, but let me tell you once you have had an oyster roast, you are hooked. But oysters was not the only food with which we would celebrate, There were cookouts and candies at Christmas time and my personal favorite, Dunkin' Doughnuts when the family would gather at granddad's house. All the grandchildren would be corralled to the den where we would watch the black and white TV, the adults would gather around the dining room table planning a new adventure and then it would happen, glazed doughnuts and milk, life could not get much better!

There a few more lessons, but I am going to save those for next year, Happy Birthday Granddad, I hope you had a great time at Cracker Barrel today! 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Preached one of the toughest sermons of the year today, regarding reaching our family for Christ. Why is it the people closest to us are the most difficult to reach?
• I find it comforting that for a time, even Jesus had difficulty reaching his family.
• The "Bucket Response" was really moving.
• I am praying for all of us to be available, attractive and we have the right approach when we carry the good news.
• This weekend our leadership team is going on a retreat, I am really looking forward to the information we will receive.
• I am thankful for a new ministry we kicked off tonight, I believe Grief Share will help people who are struggling with the loss of a loved one. 
• An old friend visited our worship today, Jeff has such a great outlook on life.
• Remember, salvation is free, but it is never cheap. 
• Michele reminded us today God is able to use anyone - even the quirky, thanks for the reminder.
• If today's message was the most difficult, next Sunday's message will be one of the most challenging. 
• Four years ago tonight I was at the hospital with Kathy as she was battling a stroke. Believe me, God is Good! 

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Congratulations to Chelsea for her re-commitment this morning, I know she put a lot of thought into the her decision.
• Continued our outflow messages this morning, I was amazed at the way every aspect of our worship followed a theme to remind us of our relationship with God.
• Thank You Steve C. for the "God Thing" meditation this morning.
• I cannot get over the fact God wants to call us friends.
• The most dangerous church in the world is a lukewarm church, for they are neither living out their faith nor are they rejecting the message, they are dangerous because people look at the church and wonder is our faith genuine.
• Yes, I did say some churches make our Lord angry, some make our Lord sad and yes, some churches make our Lord sick.
• Remember this morning's challenge; 1 chapter from the gospels for the next 89 days, do this and I believe you will have a different outlook at Christmas.  
• What is the greatest invitation you have ever received, it is hard to top the invitation from Revelation 3:20 
• The worship band did a great job with 'til the whole world hears
• Yes the lizard story is true - please do not call PETA
• Saw some 9/11 footage on the history channel this weekend; when you watch what happened 9 years ago you understand the world DOES need Jesus.
• I was fired up at the invitation time as several people approached me and the other elders with genuine needs of prayer, God is moving at PBCC.
• This week's project; FOCUS

Clarity

Several years ago Rick Warren wrote the book the Purpose Driven Life, for the last few years hundreds of thousands have asked the question; what is my purpose? What role am I to play in this world? Warren challenged his readers to discover their purpose and then fulfill that purpose through some type of ministry. Warren's advice has given many people clarity in their life and helped them focus on what is really important. I have had two friends read the book and they made dramatic changes in their lives in light of discovering their purpose...

One friend left the located ministry and took on a new ministry position in a para church organization that has given him more influence with others than if he would have stayed in the located ministry.

Another friend left the youth ministry and began a church plant with very little resources and very little organized support, yet his new church is beginning to make inroads in an unchurched area of central Florida. 

Why did these two men leave the security of one ministry for the insecurity of a new ministry? One word; Purpose. Once they understood their purpose, they had amazing clarity to do what they believe God was calling them to do and thus they were fulfilling their purpose. 

When we have clarity of purpose we are better prepared for life's challenges, we are able to overcome obstacles and we are energized by our calling. 

Study the life of Jesus and you soon discover he had amazing clarity,,,   

Luke 19:10, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. 

John 6:38, For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

John 14:8-10, Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."  Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Clarity gave Jesus the ability to do God's will and Clarity gave him the strength to face the cross, Luke 22:42, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 

Today I hope you find clarity in your life, so that you may do the will of God and discover His purpose for your life.

  

What is blocking your Flow or the trouble with lizards!

Our church has began a new study called OUTFLOW. The premise of the study is for each of us to look for ways the love of God can flow out of our life and into the life of others. In John 10, Jesus promised us a life that overflows or splashes over into the lives of the people around us. I think we all want a life that is overflowing; I think we all want to experience a life where the love of God flows out of our life and into the life of others. However, there are times when we do not even make a ripple in the lives of others, much less a splash. Why is that? What blocks us from flowing into the life of others? 

I think I have the answer - but I have to explain it with an example of what happened to me recently. A couple of weeks ago I was watering the lawn when an interesting thing happened. I attached the hose to the faucet and attached the sprinkler to the other end of the hose. Turned the hose on and out shot a few drops of water and then the water stopped, so I figured it just needed more power, so I turned the water on harder, this time no water came out of the sprinkler. Checking the hose for any kinks I turned the water on again and still nothing. So I turned off the water, disconnected the hose from the sprinkler and then I saw the problem. A lizard had climbed into the hose and could not escape when I attached the hose to the sprinkler and the faucet, so with no place to go, the lizard was forced into the sprinkler by the force of the water coming from the faucet and died a noble death. Now before I get a phone call from PETA let me say, this happened by accident and I did not purposely try to kill the lizard. 

What is the moral of the story? Sometimes there are things that block our flow. For me it was a lizard who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. For many of us it may be a habitual sin, a pattern of destructive behavior or a habit that keeps us from receiving God's blessings. The Hebrew writer reminds us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

If we are going to flow into the life of others, God must first flow into our life, therefore let us make sure there is nothing blocking His flow into our lives.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Four baptisms today, 3 last Sunday, that makes 7 in two weeks - believe me, this never gets old.
• Craig did a great job preaching this morning, his topic was the battlefield for the mind - very appropriate with all the messages we receive everyday! 
• I truly appreciated what he said about setting our mind on things above and taking every thought captive.
• Taking a break from preaching today gave me a better perspective of what is happening in our worship. 
• Two things that break my heart; people who receive news about cancer and the toll Alzheimer's takes on a family. I feel so inadequate as a pastor when I hear that one of these two "things" hit some one.
• Congratulations to Florida Christian College's record enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year.   
• I am glad that I am viewed as worthy in God's eyes, for if I could take communion when I am worthy it would never happen. 
• I understand the "OUTFLOW " book is making some of us think about how we are to relate to God and to others; this is a good thing.
• Well at least they won yesterday - but it was extremely painful to watch.
• My grandfather celebrates his 94th birthday next weekend - I am so blessed to still have a grandparent living. Boy, does he have the stories. This year he gave up driving, but he has not given up on life - Happy Birthday Granddaddy! 

It is only a game

The college football season kicked off today. If you are a fan of footbalee, you know today there was wall to wall coverage of games. ESPN started at 9:00 this morning covering every angle of the what they deemed the most important games. They analyzed, scrutinized and predicted the outcome of every game. While watching some of the pregame show this morning, I could not help but think of all the effort that goes into covering a game.

As I watched a game (the Florida Gators, in case you are curious), I listened at halftime to the analysis and the advice the experts gave. They spoke of what the teams needed to do and what they needed to stop doing if they were going to come out the winner today. 

Then this thought hit me; there was a lot of time, effort, money and resources spent to cover the games, yet the outcome would be determined by young men who ranged in age of 18-23. 

Last night I watched the movie Saving Private Ryan and I thought about what those young men were going through as they stormed the beach at Normandy and I realized once again the outcome of that war was in the hands of young men, most of them between the ages 18-26. Kind of puts things in perspective does it not? 

So I have been thinking as the new football season begins, I hope I can keep things in perspective as I watch the games, and remember the fumbles, the turnovers, the victories and the losses are just part of the game. You see I want to be a fan of the game, but there is a danger of following our teams so closely we become fanatical. And there are only a few things in this life worth being a fanatic about; I think you know what they are, But if not sure, let me encourage you to check out this passage.