Observations from my new job

For those who do not know I started a new job recently. I am the Director of Alumni at Florida Christian College. The last couple of weeks have been an adjustment to say the least. My responsibilities include reconnecting the alumni to the college. We are doing this through communications, visits and events to help the alumni remain connected to the college. This is a change of pace from leading a local church, but I must say it I am enjoying this change of pace. Looking back over the last few weeks I would like to share a few observations thus far...

1. Just like working in the local church no two days are the same. Every day brings new opportunities and challenges. With both the challenges and opportunities, I am amazed at the flexibility of the staff of the college to meet whatever each day brings.

2. I have a great deal of admiration for the people on staff at the college. They understand they are part of kingdom building and they have a, "do whatever it takes" attitude. They also enjoy being with one another. There is a real camaraderie on the college campus, which I believe is a tribute to our president's leadership.

3. There are some exciting things happening in the churches around the state, to date I have been in 18 churches. Most have been along I-95, but I have discovered many of the churches are involved in life changing ministry, impacting their communities for Christ. What is comforting is many of these churches are using different methods and approaches to ministry. Reminding me there is no one formula for ministry in our ever changing culture.

4. Our alumni are a diverse group. Not everyone who graduates from FCC goes into fulltime vocational ministry, but many of them serve in the ministry of the kingdom. In just the last couple of weeks, I have had conversations with a police officer, a mechanic, a nursing home administrator and a prison chaplain, just to name a few. Their diversity of ministry is exciting and it reminds me we are all part of the body of Christ, each with different gifts and different opportunities to reach this world for Christ.

These are just a few observations I have witnessed over the last couple of days, needless to say I am thrilled to be a part of the staff at Florida Christian College. I look forward to sharing with you more about what is happening at FCC in the coming weeks.

Life in a 26' Truck

Our family recently made the move from Palm Bay, Florida to Kissimmee, Florida, the distance was approximately 50 miles. To transport our possessions to Kissimmee we used a 26' U-Haul  truck. As we placed the last items on the truck and closed the door, I could not help but think - there was our life, in a 26' truck. Think about it; 31 years of marriage, 3 children and it all fits in a 26' truck. It is kind of sobering when you realize everything that you own can fit in a 26' truck.

If we allow our possessions to define us we can get a little depressed when we realize everything we own can fit in one truck. After all we have been told the more possessions we have the greater our influence and stature is in the eyes of the world. However, Jesus reminds us our possessions are not the mark of success. Remember his penatrating question; What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Jesus does not define us by our possessions, He defines us by who we are in His kingdom. To Jesus we are valuable not because of what we own, but because of who we are as children of God.

I heard a preacher say, "The only thing Jesus is going to save from this planet is people". We can take comfort that our possessions are not what makes us who we are but our unique personhood of being created in the image of God gives us our worth and freinds that will never fit in a 26' truck.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the good people of FCC Kissimmee today. 
• Want to know the quality of a church, listen to what the volunteers say about their church. The two volunteers I met today spoke only good words about FCC Kissimmee.
• Ross did an excellent job talking about the one inevitable in life; death.
• The worship team did a great job focusing on the importance of real life as we face death.
• Death is God's way of taking people away from evil.
• Key thought; we all face death, but thanks to Jesus we face it's shadow.
• The overall lesson this morning; don't face death without facing God. 
• Had dinner with some good friends from Indiana and North Carolina Friday evening, I really believe the friendships we develop from ministry are as precious as gold.
• Finally left Palm Bay this past week, our long goodbye is over. We are now located in Kissimmee, where I serve as Alumni Director at FCC.
• Florida Christian College is hosting an alumni reception following their Celebration Banquet Friday night, if you are in the area, please stop by, I would love to see you. 
• Celebrated my son's 23rd birthday tonight - where did the time go. It seems like yesterday I was picking him up from kindergarten and now he is in his third year at college.
• In case you were wondering, it is hard to beat the packing boxes at the home depot. Strong, stable and easy on the budget.
• This past week, I celebrated the 30th anniversary of my ordination into the ministry. If I knew then, what I know now, I would have still answered the call. There is no greater calling then the call to serve in the local church.
• The cure for bitterness, pray for those whom you are bitter toward! 
• One of the most challenging passages in the psalms is found in Psalm 15, oh if God's people could live out  this psalm every day!
• Bummed that the Gators did not make it to the Final 4, but you really have to appreciate the grit of Butler. 
• Something to chew on; One of the burdens of leadership is to be unpopular when necessary.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worship began with a little "Pink Floyd" today Dan, Josh and the River Run gang are pretty creative.
• Great quote from today's message; Money is an article which may be used as a universal provider for everything but happiness, and a universal passport to everywhere except heaven.  - The Wall Street Journal.
• Stewardship is more than money, it is using our money, our time and our influence wisely.
• I officiated at another funeral this weekend, It is always a sad occasion to say goodbye to someone who passes so quickly. But thanks be to God we will see Ed again!
• My daughter in law has a beautiful voice. 
• I believe TAPS is the most haunting song ever, whether it is in a church or a cemetery just the sound of that tune moves me. 
• Our long goodbye is about over as our family moves to Kissimmee this week.
• While I am no longer in the local church ministry I will continue my Sunday Night Reflections but I will be more focused on ministry as a whole not just the local church.
• While I am excited about the new job, it has finally hit me I am going to miss some very good friends.
• I have experienced it over and over, but I am always amazed at God's timing.
• I still miss preaching every Sunday.
• If you live in Central Florida you have to admit this week's weather has been perfect.
• March Madness has been very entertaining to say the least. 
• Just in case you are wondering, Spring Football has started in Gainesville. 
• Here is something to chew on tonight; being a leader is like being a lady, if you have to tell someone you are, you are probably not!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Two opportunities to worship today, one at River Run and one at Northeast CC in Kissimmee, both were great.
• I am very impressed with New Creation from Florida Christian College, this group of students are very talented. 
• Connected with some old friends tonight and I was reminded of the importance of relationships in our common cause.
• Dan gave us new spin on a familiar parable today, what a great perspective!
• Dan's right, we are not equally talented, but we are equally loved!
• Got news about an incredible act of sacrifice today, I am always amazed at what happens when God's people act on their beliefs.
• Ever wonder about the power of God? Check out Psalm 139  
• Want to know if you really understand what it means to relate to one another in Christ, try rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.
• I am really excited about what this week's activities.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Last Friday night was a great night with comedian Ken Davis, he made us laugh and then challenged us to LIVE! Great advice!
• Great worship at River Run Today, Josh is a gifted worship leader.
• Dan kicked off a new series; the Road to Financial Freedom, a very important subject for the times we live in today.
• One of the reason we are in financial bondage is the fact we have lost the idea of contentment.  
• The desire to acquire is very addictive.
• While the message was great, Dan's 40 day challenge was inspiring. 
• I truly believe some great things are ahead for RRB!
• River Run Brevard donated 2,300 pounds of food for their food pantry during the month of February, what a generous way to help the less fortunate.
• Said good bye to some good friends today, I am really going to miss Mark and Shelly and their family.
• It has been 7 weeks since I left PBCC, and I must admit I have gained a different perspective on ministry in a short time. This new perspective may be a blog post some time.
• I still believe the church is God's plan for reaching lost people and maturing them in the faith.
• March Madness is getting close. 
• I am wondering what I will be doing on Easter Sunday this year? 
• Did you notice the Florida Gators are ranked #1 in the most recent college baseball poll?