Thanksgiving 2011

As I sit here waiting for what I know will be a wonderful thanksgiving dinner, I cannot help but reflect on the many blessings of this Thanksgiving Day. While it is easy to look at the blessings I have received and they are many; it is essential I to look at the source of the blessings. I am not blessed because of fate, luck or karma, my and your blessings come from God himself. Consider these verses from scripture. 

• 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
• Psalm 21:1-7 

Hebrews 12:28 reminds us, Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 

Friends we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Over the last couple of years we have seen many things shaken, have we not?

• Our economy has been shaken.
• The housing market has been shaken.
• Our confidence in people and institutions has been shaken via scandals and cover ups.
• Last year's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico reminded us our environment has been shaken.

Indeed the things of the world have been shaken. Maybe you have experienced a personal shaking this year as well.

• Uncertainty on the job or a job loss. 
• A financial setback.
• An illness
• A strained relationship. 
• Experienced a loss of a family member or a dear friend to death.
• Nagging fear about the future. 
• Fear of the unknown

Your world is shaken. When we experience a personal shaking it can be very easy to chose to be ungrateful, However the Hebrew writer says we must take a different approach; 

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. 

Today, if you have experienced some kind of shaking in your life, look to the unshakeable kingdom of Christ as a reason to choose gratitude. 

The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul says it is God’s will for us to be grateful people. If we are to be grateful people, it all comes down to the choices we make, will we choose to live with a spirit of gratitude or will we focus on ingratitude?

I choose a spirit of gratitude!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Attended the National Missionary Convention this past week, it is truly incredible to see what God is is doing around the world.
• If you think  the church is ineffective, you should see what is happening around the world - AMAZING.
• The challenge for each one of us is to ask ourselves what are we doing to take the message across the world and across the street? 
• Great quote from the convention; we all have an assignment from God, and there are no easy assignments left.
• If you want a life that is never boring, then pick up your assignment and get going.
• Reconnected with several alumni this week, great to catch up with old friends and meet a few new ones.
• I am so impressed with the Jim C. and Roland H. this week, they truly have a servant's heart.
• Spending time with Guthrie V. this week, this man is a constant learner!
• His wife is a jewel as well!
• How can the college football season  be almost over?
• Thanksgiving break at FCC this week, time for a little breather!
• Something to Chew on; Never burn a bridge behind you, sometimes you may need to travel back that way again.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the church at Union Park Christian in Orlando today.
• Communion was especially meaningful as we sang Revelation Song as the emblems were passed. 
• This morning I spoke on Grace; question are you a grace dispenser or a grace consumer? Your answer will determine how you live out your faith.
• Grace is unleashed when people choose to be grace dispensers rather than grace consumers.
• I have been reading Francis Chan again; he can really make things plain and simple.
• I am truly happy for my good friends, their son has joined the Florida Christian College staff as the girl's soccer coach. It is always good to have family close.
• Looking forward to hearing what God is doing around the world this week as I attend the National Missionary Convention.
• The dolphins have won 2 in a row. 
• I am already tired of the Christmas Commercials on TV.
• Another good friend was able to baptize his grandson into Christ today - Way to go Guthrie and congratulations Nathan.
• Saw the movie "Courageous" this weekend; once again the church had an opportunity to   speak into the lives of the world on the value of fathers in our society. 
• Something to Chew on; “Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.” ~ John Ruskin

31

My oldest son turned 31 today. It is hard to believe that 31 years ago Kathy and I welcomed our first born into the world. As a tribute to him I would like to share 31 memories of our son that make me glad to be his dad.

1. The thrill of baptizing him into Christ.
2. Cub Scout Meetings.
3. Star Wars Trivia.
4. Teaching him to drive.
5. Watching him preach a sermon for the very first time.
6. His first hair cut.
7. His willingness to help me with ministry from time to time.
8. Killing the tropical fish in my office in Indiana, by the way he had an accomplice! 
9. His love for His mother.
10. The joy of officiating at his his wedding. 
11. The maturity he displayed when his reputation was attacked a year ago. 
12. The missions trips that he went on as our youth mascot!
13. Selling cokes at CIY.
14. The choice he made in choosing Brianne as his wife.
15. Teaching him to ride a bike.
16. Helping us when we had a computer issue.
17. Though it is difficult, he is willing to make the right choices, even when it means sacrifice.
18. Getting his first tattoo "What was he thinking?"
19. His understanding that he was a preacher's kid.
20. His love for movies.
21. Graduation from High School - we still hate THAT picture!
22. His desire to serve in a local church.
23. His understanding of what is really important when it comes to choosing a church. THIS IS A BIG ONE! In this area, David you are way ahead of many adults who are much older than you. 
24. Easter Egg Hunts.
25. His care for his younger brother and sister.
26. His patience with people who are less fortunate than him. 
27. The fact that he was born on the day of the Florida/Georgia football game.
28. Buying his first car.
29. The way he treats his wife.
30. The joy he brings to other people via his sense of humor.
31. Midnight Movie Excursions on opening nights on the Star War Movies.

Happy Birthday - I am so proud of you!

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from An Amazing Day...

• What a great weekend; Roundup, worship and reconnecting with friends.
• I believe Josh Wright is one of the most versatile worship leaders I know. 
• Robby's message Saturday afternoon was another reminder of how God works in ways we do not understand.
• I was great to see my former drummer Saturday - he is truly growing in the Lord!
• Visionary leaders are a rare breed, I am glad I had one for a preacher - Thank you Fred! 
• Roundup was great - amazed by the number of people who had a servant's heart Saturday.
• 1 Corinthians 15:58, is becoming one of my favorite verses. This verse is applicable in every aspect of ministry. 
• Jim's message today was a solid presentation of the gospel - I never grow tired of hearing this kind of message.
• Angels rejoiced this morning - the baptismal waters were stirred once again - this never gets old!
• Thank you Derrick and Jeanette for "Glorious Day!"
• Derrick, I appreciate your humility when things get a little sideways.
• Just in case you are wondering, Josh and Glenda C. are servants extraordinaire! 
• I am headed to Orlando next weekend to preach at Union Park Christian Church; I can't wait, I love preaching.
• Have you noticed how many Christmas commercials and Christmas TV shows are already popping up, what happened to Thanksgiving! Maybe this is why we think we are the 99%. 
• In case you missed it; dolphins won, dolphins won, dolphins won!
• Something to Chew on; Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. ~ Goethe

The Danger of Crossing the Line

Last night as I was watching a college basketball game, an interesting call was made by the referee. One team had made a series of shots and clearly had the momentum on their side when their coach called time out. In the excitement of the moment one of the players came off the bench to congratulate his teammates who were on the court. In his excitement, he did not realize he had crossed the half court line and was now in the opposing team's space - the result; a technical foul was called on the bench.

In our culture we use the term "Crossing the Line" as a phrase to describe a person participating in inappropriate behavior. When the young man crossed the line in the game, I began to wonder how many times people "cross the line" on a daily basis which leads to disastrous results.

Everyday people cross the line by making poor decisions, participating in inappropriate activity or by pursuing unhealthy desires. In basketball crossing the line resulted in a  technical foul; 1 free throw and possession of the ball for the opposing team. This is not too serious, but crossing the line in life can lead to damaged relationships, unhealthy habits or a stained reputation. Crossing the line in life always carries with it dangerous consequences. 

How do we make sure we do not cross the line in the game of life? The shepherd king, David gives us a few suggestions in Psalm 24...

¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
   the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
   and established it on the waters.
³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.
⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
   and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
   who seek your face, God of Jacob.
⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   be lifted up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
   The LORD strong and mighty,
   the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   lift them up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
   The LORD Almighty—
   he is the King of glory. 

1. Verse 1 reminds us to be mindful of God's ownership in our life, we are simply managers of what we posses. One day there will be an accounting of what have we done with what God has given us. This includes our time talents and treasures. When I realize I am a manager, I am likely more willing to make decisions with accountability in mind.
2. Verse 4 focuses on our motives, are you a person with clean hands and a pure heart? When you you choose to participate in an activity do you have the noblest intentions in mind? Unfortunately when our motives are impure, we are more than likely to cross the line and participate in inappropriate activity.
3. Verses 6-9 points us to worship God by seeking his will and his ways. Godly activity will never lead us to crossing the line of making poor decisions, participating in inappropriate activity or by pursuing unhealthy desires. When we worship things that are not godly we do find ourselves getting close to a line that is dangerous. David understood this too well. He crossed the line with Bathsheba and paid for it dearly.

As we live out of faith this week may we make it a point to see the line clearly and be mindful that when we get too close, we quickly back away, for the consequences of crossing the line are more then a technical foul they are disastrous.